Hurricane Sandy

[David Andrew Bopp]

WASHINGTON - At the direction of President Obama, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is coordinating the federal government's assistance and preparations to support states affected by Hurricane Sandy. Today, the President joined an operations briefing at the National Response Coordination Center at FEMA Headquarters in Washington D.C. During the briefing the President received an update on preparedness activities underway from Administrator Craig Fugate and FEMA Regional Administrators, and an update on the storm from National Hurricane Center Director Dr. Rick Knabb. The President continues to direct Administrator Fugate to ensure that federal partners continue to bring all available resources to bear to support state and local responders in potentially affected areas along the East Coast as they prepare for severe weather. FEMA has already deployed teams and has pre-staged resources to potentially affected states and areas ahead of the storm and FEMA continues to urge residents in potentially affected areas to be prepared.

"As conditions worsen along the Mid-Atlantic and other parts of the East Coast, residents need to listen to the direction of local officials," urged Fugate. "This is a large storm and the potential impacts from wind, coastal flooding, inland flooding, rain and snow will affect many states.  If you're on the coast, it's time to act and follow evacuation orders. If you're inland, now is the time to make final preparations.  Be ready for power outages and stock up on emergency supplies of food, water, medications, and other supplies."

Today, the President declared an emergency for the State of Maryland.  The President's action authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to provide assistance for required emergency measures to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety in the City of Baltimore and all counties in the State of Maryland.

FEMA and its federal partners remain in close coordination with states and tribal governments and continue to coordinate resources to provide support as needed. FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams and liaison officers have deployed to potentially affected states along the East Coast to support preparedness activities and ensure there are no unmet needs.  Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) personnel and teams are in place or are en route to Delaware, the District of Columbia, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina and Pennsylvania to support the states with secure and non-secure voice, video, and information services, operations, and logistics support to state response operations, and with any potential requests for assistance.

According to the NOAA National Weather Service 2 p.m. advisory, hurricane force winds are expected along portions of the coast between Chincoteague, Va. And Chatham, Mass.  Tropical Storm force winds are expected north of Chatham to Merrimack River, Mass., the lower Chesapeake Bay and south of Chincoteague to Duck, North Carolina.  Hurricane Sandy is expected to produce significant precipitation over widespread areas causing inland flooding, coastal storm surge, snow, and possible power outages. 

Individuals in the region should continue to monitor NOAA Weather Radio and their local news for updates and directions provided by their local officials.  State and local officials make determinations and announcements about evacuations. We urge the public to listen to the instructions of officials, and if told to evacuate - evacuate.

The FEMA smartphone app provides safety tips and displays open shelter information at www.fema.gov/smartphone-app. To find an open Red Cross shelter, download the Red Cross Hurricane app or visit redcross.org.

To support potential pre- and post storm evacuations, in coordination with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through Emergency Support Function 8, FEMA has the capability to activate ambulance contracts to support state requirements to evacuate patients if needed and requested.

In anticipation of the potential impact from the storm, the American Red Cross mobilized hundreds of disaster workers, readying shelters and coordinating efforts with community partners in potentially affected states and the Department of Health and Human Services has two 50-person disaster medical assistance teams pre-staged in the mid-Atlantic, prepared to deploy quickly along the East Coast if needed. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deployed temporary emergency power teams along the East Coast.  Power teams consist of planning and response teams and resource support staff to assist with critical infrastructure. 

The Department of Energy (DOE) is working closely with FEMA, and in support of state and local officials who are responsible for working with utilities as they prepare for storms, deployed emergency response personnel to FEMA Regional Response Coordination Centers (RRCC) in Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania, and additional personnel are on standby to assist.  DOE is working with states and local partners as the electric industry begins the process of pre-mobilizing storm and field personnel to assist in power restoration efforts. 

U.S. Northern Command deployed Regional Defense Coordinating Officers (DCO), and portions of the Defense Coordinating Element (DCE), in advance of the storm, to validate, plan and coordinate potential Department of Defense (DOD) support of FEMA's response operations and to facilitate DOD support of life-saving and response operations.  FEMA and DOD are establishing Incident Support Bases in Westover, Mass. and Lakehurst, New Jersey to position supplies including water, meals, blankets and other resources closer to potentially impacted areas, should they be needed.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is monitoring the storm and will take steps to prepare and protect FAA facilities and equipment that are in the projected path of the storm, including control towers, radars and navigational aids. The FAA's top operational priority is to quickly re-establish air traffic service to support disaster relief efforts. The FAA Air Traffic System Command Center will maintain constant communications with the airlines, the military, business aviation and airports in the storm's path. They will advise the FAA about their flight schedules and plans to evacuate aircraft from affected areas and the FAA will share information about the status of the air traffic control system and availability of air routes.

Preparedness Actions

Take Action. Time is limited to prepare your family, home or business to lessen the impact of severe weather.  Coastal and inland residents should ensure that their families have an emergency plan and emergency kits in their homes and cars.  Some of the items in a basic emergency kit include: one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation; at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food; battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio; flashlight and extra batteries; and First Aid kit. 

Those in areas where the storm is expected to produce snow should also have supplies in their emergency kits such as rock salt or environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways, snow shovels, adequate clothing and blankets to keep warm and heating fuel like dry, seasoned wood for the fireplace or wood-burning stove. Both hurricanes and winter storms often cause power outages, take steps now to ensure you can sustain yourself for at least 72 hours if needed.  

More information about what to do before, during and after a disaster can also be found visiting www.ready.gov and www.listo.gov. The FEMA mobile site (http://m.fema.gov), smartphone app (www.fema.gov/smartphone-app), and text messages (www.fema.gov/text-messages) also provide regular updates. Sharing information using social media tools is also a good way for residents to stay informed. Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. 

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

[Peter L. Higgins]

Hurricane Sandy is about to get worse.

Think of the derecho storm with high winds in June that lasted 24 minutes. The winds we’re about to experience beginning this afternoon are like the derecho, but they will last for 24 hours.

To paraphrase: Instead of 24 minutes of dangerous winds, it will be 24 hours of dangerous conditions.

We need you to stay off the roads and indoors as travel will become extremely dangerous with winds and heavy rain beginning this afternoon.

Several inches of rain and potential flooding could start happening. We’re beginning to get reports of flooded roads.

Have your battery-powered radio available and make sure your phone is fully charged if you lose power. We will share any shelter openings and other updates via our information channels such as the blog (www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/blog) or through the news media.

• Emergency Hotline Available at 571-350-1300
http://fairfaxcountyemergency.wordpress.com/2012/10/29/emergency-ho...

• Stay Informed on Your Mobile Device
http://fairfaxcountyemergency.wordpress.com/2012/10/29/stay-informe...

• Shelters Not Open, But Pre-Identified If Necessary
http://fairfaxcountyemergency.wordpress.com/2012/10/29/shelters-not...

• Tree Hit Your House? 4 Steps to Follow
http://fairfaxcountyemergency.wordpress.com/2012/10/29/tree-hit-you...

Sent by Fairfax County OPA to e-mail accounts, cell phones & pagers through the Fairfax County CEAN

[Peter L. Higgins]

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for the District of Columbia until 830 PM. Rock Creek is currently approaching flood stage at 6 feet.  A flood warning means that flooding is imminent. Please clear all drains and catch basins around your home to prevent flooding. Refrain from traveling through high standing water. Please do not travel in hazardous weather conditions unless it is absolutely necessary to do so.

Sent by DC HSEMA to e-mail....powered by Cooper Notification RSAN

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[Kelli E. Merritz]

Thank you for the information.  I have internet, but want to save my battery as the State of New Hampshire is having massive power outages.  Thanks all for your comments and info!  Much appreciated.  

[Kelli E. Merritz]

Issued at 700 PM EDT MON OCT 29 2012

000
WTNT63 KNHC 292256
TCUAT3

POST-TROPICAL CYCLONE SANDY TROPICAL CYCLONE UPDATE
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL182012
700 PM EDT MON OCT 29 2012

...SANDY BECOMES POST-TROPICAL...
...CENTER EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL WITHIN THE NEXT HOUR OR SO...

SUMMARY OF 700 PM EDT...2300 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...39.1N 74.4W
ABOUT 30 MI...50 KM ENE OF CAPE MAY NEW JERSEY
ABOUT 20 MI...35 KM S OF ATLANTIC CITY NEW JERSEY
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...85 MPH...140 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 300 DEGREES AT 28 MPH...44 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...946 MB...27.93 INCHES

AS INDICATED IN THE 5 PM DISCUSSION...SATELLITE...RADAR...AND
AIRCRAFT DATA INDICATE THAT SANDY HAS CONTINUED TO LOSE TROPICAL
CHARACTERISTICS. NHC IS NOW DESIGNATING SANDY AS A POST-TROPICAL
CYCLONE. IN ADDITION...THE MAXIMUM WINDS HAVE DECREASED SLIGHTLY
AND ARE NOW NEAR 85 MPH...140 KM/H.

NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE TIDE GAUGES HAVE RECENTLY REPORTED STORM
SURGE HEIGHTS OF 12.4 FEET AT KINGS POINT NEW YORK...AND 7.2 FEET
AT THE BATTERY NEW YORK...AND 7.5 FEET AT SANDY HOOK NEW JERSEY.
TOTAL WATER LEVELS WILL BE EVEN HIGHER WHEN HIGH TIDE OCCURS.

A WIND GUST TO 82 MPH WAS RECENTLY REPORTED AT ISLIP NEW YORK. A
SUSTAINED WIND OF 45 MPH WITH A GUST TO 67 MPH WAS RECENTLY
REPORTED AT JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN NEW YORK.

ANOTHER UPDATE WILL BE ISSUED AT THE TIME OF LANDFALL AND AT 900 PM
EDT. NHC WILL ISSUE ITS LAST ADVISORY ON SANDY AT 1100 PM EDT. THE
HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL PREDICTION CENTER...HPC...WILL BEGIN ISSUING
PUBLIC ADVISORIES AT 500 AM EDT TUESDAY. HPC PUBLIC ADVISORIES WILL
BE ISSUED UNDER THE SAME WMO AND AWIPS HEADERS AS THE NHC PUBLIC
ADVISORIES...AND WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE VIA THE NHC WEBSITE.

[Peter L. Higgins]

WASHINGTON, DC HOMELAND SECURITY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY:

**Citizens are strongly urged not to drive between now and tomorrow morning. Driving will be unsafe.  Please leave the roads clear for emergency responders**

The National Weather Service has continued the Flood Warning and the High Wind Warning for D.C.

Rainfall of 3-5 inches has already fallen in the area, and steady rain continues to fall. Streams and Rock Creek have already crossed their flood stages. Moderate to heavy rain is expected to persist through the remainder of the overnight and into tomorrow morning..

Additionally, those citizens with low-lying interests near the Potomac River, or who normally drive low-lying routes near the river), should note that Potomac River flooding is likely to begin in the next day or two.  NWS has issued a statement that says:

“RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES ALONG THE POTOMAC RIVER FROM HANCOCK
DOWNSTREAM TO AND INCLUDING WASHINGTON DC SHOULD PREPARE FOR A
FLOOD NOT SEEN SINCE THE FLOODS OF 1996. THE ONLY LIMITING
FACTOR IN NOT REACHING THE AGNES FLOOD OF 1972 IS THE LIMITING
CONTRIBUTION OF THE SHENANDOAH RIVER FOR THIS EVENT...AS THE
GREATEST RAINFALL HAS FALLEN NORTH OF THE SHENANDOAH BASIN."

Sent by DC HSEMA to e-mail....powered by Cooper Notification RSAN

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[Deky Junaedi]

stay safe everyone there!

[Peter L. Higgins]

Sandy slams New York, New Jersey; Washington region spared major devastation

By Fredrick Kunkle, Laura Vozzella and Jeremy Borden, Tuesday, October 30, 6:47 AM

The Washington area escaped the worst of the devastation brought to the East Coast by Hurricane Sandy. Residents awoke Tuesday to widespread but not overwhelming power outages, and flooding and downed trees and branches that paled in comparison to what had happened further north and along the eastern seaboard.

New York, New Jersey and the beach towns of the Del Marva peninsula were brutalized by the storm. As of Tuesday morning, an estimated 7.5 million people were without power on the East Coast, and at least 16 people in seven states were believed to have died in the storm, the Associated Press reported.

The National Weather Service projected diminished rainfall in many areas, but schools, transit and government remained shut down in most cities, and the damage had already been done. The powerful storm’s torrential rains, howling winds and widespread flooding transformed the streets of Atlantic City, N.J. into rivers and inundated parts of Lower Manhattan. Swirling water formed whitewater cascades in the Ground Zero construction zone and swamped New York’s financial district. Part of Manhattan’s storied skyline went dark as power failed for more than 250,000 customers south of Midtown.

Sandy — which was reclassified as a nontropical storm because of its unusual dynamics — came ashore at 8 p.m. Monday in Atlantic City, carrying sustained hurricane-force winds of 80 mph or more and dangerous flood tides as high as 13 feet , the National Hurricane Center said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/sandy-slams-new-york-new-jersey...

[David Andrew Bopp]

Website for finding open gas stations:   http://mappler.net/gasstation/

[David Andrew Bopp]

Website for Storm Recovery Assistance

Notification issued 11/2/12 at 3:00 PM. To assist New Yorkers affected by Hurricane Sandy with donations of cash, goods, services, or to volunteer, please visit:http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycservice/home.html. Additional service opportunities will be posted to this website as they arise. Please check back periodically for updates and more information.

[David Andrew Bopp]

Google.org (philanthropic arm of Google) has created a Crisis Map for Super Storm Sandy -  http://google.org/crisismap/2012-sandy    This interactive map provides the following critical information:

• Post-Sandy imagery (imagery collected after Sandy). Imagery was captured November 1, 2012 Source NOAA-National Geodetic Survey

• Road Work and Traffic Advisories

• Traffic Conditions

• Power Outages

• Food and Gas locations and status

• Shelters and Recovery Centers

• Local Emergency Twitter feeds

• Weather

[David Andrew Bopp]

Randy Scribner will be handing donations for NY State.  His E-mail  is [e-mail] Randy just arrived in the area and reached out to connect with us. We need to keep his contact information within our circle.  He is beginning to organize and develop priorities.  He is interested in the connections being made.

I spoke to Cathy McCann - she is the NJ VOAD chair.  A donations manager is standing up within the NJ Department of Human Services.  I reached out to him by E-mail since his cell mailbox is full.  Cathy told me any blankets being donated must be new and, yes, there is a vital need for them now with the weather turning cold.

[Rebecca Adams]

Hi David,

What should we be doing now? I know their getting ready for another round of bad weather...send money, send blankets?

Rebecca