The USA Disaster Situation Report
The Daily USA Disaster Situation Report
For March 6, 2001
Christopher Effgen, Editor, host{at}disastercenter.com
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IN THIS ISSUE
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=> USA Daily Temperature Extremes
=> Special Notes
=> Current Active National Weather Service Warnings:
=> Severe Weather Probability Forecast
=> Precipitation Forecast, Excessive Rainfall, Heavy Snow And/Or Significant
Icing Forecast
=> USA Flood Report
=> USA Fire Report and Forecast
=> USA Earthquake Report
=> Yesterday's USA Severe Weather Reports
=> Guest Column-
=> Sponsored by The Rothstein Catalog On Disaster Recovery
**** ARTICLES ****
=> Article Federal Disaster Aid Approved For Alabama Storm Recovery
=> Article Remarks By The President At Swearing-In Ceremony For Director
Of Fema
Joseph Allbaugh
=> Article EIIP Virtual Forum on Wednesday March 7, 12:00 -- National
Domestic
Preparedness Office
=> Article Plane crash kills 21 National Guardsmen
=> Article EDA Announces Availability of Funds for Hurricane Floyd and
Other Disasters
=> Classified Ads
=> Links Area
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
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Sponsored by the The Rothstein Catalog On Disaster Recovery
http://www.disastercenter.com/Rothstein/
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=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information
The Daily USA Disaster Situation Report
For March 6, 2001
Christopher Effgen, Editor, host{at}disastercenter.com
------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
------------------------------------------------------------
=> USA Daily Temperature Extremes
National Temperature Extremes
High Mon...82 At Parker AZ
Low Tue...6 Below Zero At Crane Lake Benson And Cook MN
=> Special Notes
Stratwarm Alert Exists Stratwarm Tuesday
Comment: STRATWARM ALERT/TUESDAY/STRATWARM EXISTS. AS A RESULT OF
THE MAJOR WARMING THE CIRCULATION IN THE LOWER STRATOSPHERE
REMAINS DISTURBED.
=> Current Active National Weather Service Warnings:
Active Warnings:
Updated Tue Mar 6 10:52:50 2001
Flood
California
* FLOOD WARNING FOR
EXTREME WESTERN LOS ANGELES COUNTY AND EASTERN VENTURA COUNTY...
INCLUDING THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS AND THE MALIBU AREA
* UNTIL 400 AM PST TUESDAY
Maine
New Hampshire
A COASTAL FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT THIS MORNING...
Mississippi
FOR THE LOWER LEAF RIVER...INCLUDING HATTIESBURG...FLOODING IS
OCCURRING AND IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE. FOR THE TALLAHALA CREEK...
INCLUDING LAUREL...FLOODING IS OCCURRING AND IS EXPECTED TO
CONTINUE.
FOR THE CHICKASAWHAY RIVER...INCLUDING ENTERPRISE...FLOODING IS
OCCURRING AND IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE. FOR SHUBUTA...FLOODING IS
FORECAST TO OCCUR.
Non Precipitation
Alabama
A FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT TONIGHT FOR INTERIOR SOUTHWEST
ALABAMA...
Florida
WIND ADVISORY CONTINUES FOR ALL OF EAST CENTRAL FLORIDA...
WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR NORTHEAST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST
GEORGIA...
A FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT TONIGHT FOR INTERIOR SOUTHWEST
ALABAMA...AN INTERIOR PORTION OF THE NORTHWEST FLORIDA PANHANDLE
AND A SMALL PORTION OF INTERIOR SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI...
WIND ADVISORY TODAY FOR WEST CENTRAL AND SOUTHWEST FLORIDA...
Georgia
EXTREME NORTHEAST GEORGIA. DAMAGING NORTHWEST WINDS WILL
CONTINUE ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS THIS AFTERNOON
COLD AIR INTO CENTRAL SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE CENTRAL SAVANNAH
RIVER AREA OF GEORGIA THIS AFTERNOON.
WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR NORTHEAST FLORIDA AND SOUTHEAST
GEORGIA...
HIGH WINDS WILL CONTINUE ACROSS MOST OF THE MOUNTAINS AND
FOOTHILLS OF THE WESTERN CAROLINAS AND EXTREME NORTHEAST
GEORGIA......
Massachusetts
A HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR COASTAL PLYMOUTH
COUNTY AS WELL AS CAPE COD AND THE ISLANDS.
Maryland
NORTHWEST WINDS WILL AVERAGE 30 TO 35 MPH THIS AFTERNOON INTO
EARLY TONIGHT ACROSS SOUTHEAST MARYLAND..WITH OCCASIONAL GUSTS
TO 45 MPH.
Mississippi
A FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT TONIGHT FOR A SMALL PORTION OF INTERIOR
SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI...
THE FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT ROUGHLY ALONG AND NORTH OF A LINE
FROM WAYNESBORO MISSISSIPPI TO CHATOM ALABAMA
North Carolina
South Carolina
THE CENTER OF A VERY LARGE WINTER STORM WILL CONTINUE TO SPIN OFF
THE COAST OF NEW ENGLAND TODAY...ITS EFFECTS WILL CONTINUE TO
STRETCH ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE WESTERN CAROLINAS AND EXTREME
NORTHEAST GEORGIA. DAMAGING NORTHWEST WINDS WILL CONTINUE
ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS THIS AFTERNOON...WHILE THE STRONG WINDS WILL
CONTINUE ACROSS MOST LOCATIONS EAST OF THE MOUNTAINS THIS
AFTERNOON.
Pennsylvania
FAYETTE PA-WESTMORELAND PA-..WIND ADVISORY UNTIL 400 PM EST TODAY...
Tennessee
Virginia
WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM THIS AFTERNOON ACROSS
THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE TENNESSEE VALLEY...THE NORTHERN
CUMBERLAND PLATEAU..SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...EXTREME SOUTHWEST NORTH
CAROLINA...AND THE MOUNTAINS OF EASTERN TENNESSEE...
West Virginia
BERKELEY WV-GRANT WV-HAMPSHIRE WV-HARDY WV-HIGHLAND
WV-MINERAL WV-MORGAN WV-PAGE WV-..WIND ADVISORY FOR THIS
AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING...
Winter Storm
Arizona
NORTHWEST DESERTS-NORTHWEST PLATEAU-...A WINTER STORM WATCH IS IN
EFFECT ABOVE 6000 FEET TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY...
California
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY CONTINUES THROUGH 3 PM FOR THE MOUNTAINS
OF VENTURA AND LOS ANGELES COUNTIES...
OWENS VALLEY AND ADJACENT EASTERN SIERRA SLOPES-...WINTER STORM
WARNING ABOVE 6000 FEET TODAY
DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK-.A WINTER STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT
ABOVE 6500 FEET TUESDAY...
Connecticut
THE WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT TODAY FOR NORTHWEST
CONNECTICUT.
Delaware
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON...ADDITIONAL
DAYTIME ACCUMULATIONS TO 1 TO 3 INCHES OVER MUCH OF THE DELMARVA.
Massachusetts
THE WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT TODAY FOR WESTERN
MASSACHUSETTS.
SNOWFALL TOTALS BY THIS EVENING WILL RANGE FROM 6 TO 8 INCHES IN THE
CITY OF BOSTON AND ALONG THE COAST...TO AS MUCH AS 16 INCHES IN THE
WESTERN SUBURBS.
WINTER STORM WARNING CONTINUES TODAY...SOUTHEAST
MASSACHUSETTS...AND MAY BE HEAVY FOR A TIME THIS AFTERNOON...BEFORE
THE SNOW DIMINISHES LATER TODAY
Maryland
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING...
. ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE LIGHT...MAINLY 1 TO 2 INCHES.
Maine
A MAJOR WINTER STORM WILL CONTINUE TO IMPACT DOWNEAST AND EAST
CENTRAL MAINE INTO TONIGHT...
COASTAL .BLIZZARD WARNING THIS AFTERNOON INTO TONIGHT...
SNOW...HEAVY AT TIMES...ACCOMPANIED BY NORTHEAST WINDS OF 25 TO 35
MPH WITH FREQUENT GUSTS TO 45 MPH WILL CONTINUE THIS AFTERNOON
INTO TONIGHT BEFORE ENDING LATE TONIGHT.
North Carolina
HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED TO CONTINUE ACROSS THE NORTHERN AND PART OF
THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA...
New Hampshire
WINTER STORM WARNING CONTINUES TODAY...
OCCASIONALLY HEAVY SNOW WILL FALL THROUGH MIDDAY IN SOUTHWEST
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
New Jersey
ADDITIONAL DAYTIME ACCUMULATIONS AROUND THE REGION WILL RANGE
FROM 2 TO 5 INCHES OVER FAR NORTHERN NEW JERSEY
Nevada
SHEEP RANGE-SPRING MOUNTAINS-RED ROCK CANYON-.A WINTER STORM
WARNING IS IN EFFECT ABOVE 6500 FEET THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...
New York
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUES THE WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR THE HUDSON AND MOHAWK VALLEYS...THE
CATSKILLS...AND THE ADIRONDACKS.
ACROSS MUCH OF NORTHERN NEW YORK THIS AFTERNOON. ADDITIONAL
SNOW ACCUMULATIONS IN THE 2 TO 4 INCH RANGE CAN BE EXPECTED.
Ohio
WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO EXTEND INTO THE
AFTERNOON OVER A GOOD PART OF NORTHERN OHIO
Pennsylvania
WINTER STORM CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE ACROSS NORTHEAST
PENNSYLVANIA THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON...
WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO EXTEND INTO THE
AFTERNOON OVER A GOOD PART OF NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA...
Rhode Island
WINTER STORM WARNING CONTINUES TODAY... SNOW WILL FALL
THROUGHOUT THE DAY IN RHODE ISLAND ..AND MAY BE HEAVY FOR A TIME
THIS AFTERNOON...BEFORE THE SNOW DIMINISHES LATER TODAY.
Tennessee
REINFORCING COLD AIR WILL FILTER INTO THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AND THE
SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN REGION TODAY. THIS WILL HELP GENERATE SNOW
SHOWERS DURING THE DAY.
SNOW ADVISORY FOR THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF .NORTHEAST TENNESSEE...
Virginia
SNOW CONTINUES ACROSS SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA.AND THE SMOKY
MOUNTAINS...
Vermont
THE WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHERN VERMONT..
UP TO SIX INCHES POSSIBLE IN A FEW PARTS OF THE NORTHERN CATSKILLS
AND EASTERN MOHAWK VALLEY
West Virginia
WINTER STORM WARNING CONTINUES FOR THIS AFTERNOON
GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH WILL ALSO RESULT IN WIND
CHILLS NEAR ZERO.
=> Severe Weather Probability Forecast
The forecast probability of an event is by the stated percentage or greater
for the event, within 25 miles of any point for the area described.
Tornado Risk - Slight
There is a 2% probability of a tornado over coastal California from Santa
Barabra south.
Hail Risk - Slight
There is a 5% probability of hail 3/4 inch or larger over coastal California
from Santa Barabra south,
over far southern California, and over far southwestern Arizona.
Wind Risk - Slight
There is less than a 5% probability of winds in excess of 50 knots.
Tomorrow's Risk -
There is a 5% probability of any severe weather tomorrow over southwest
central Texas.
=> Precipitation Forecast, Excessive Rainfall, Heavy Snow And/Or
Significant
Icing Forecast
Precipitation Forecast
The 24 hour precipitation forecast is calling for over 1 inch of
precipitation in a band between Santa
Barabara and LA to south central California and over a portion of central
souteast coastal Maine.
The 24 - 48 hour precipitation forecast is calling over 1 inch of
precipitation over northwest central
Texas.
Excessive Rainfall Forecast
Rainfall is not expected to exceed flash flood values over far west
southwest Califoronia.
USA heavy snow and/or significant icing
>From noon to midnight today EST the probability of 4 inches or greater of
snow is low over east
northeast New Jersey, far southeast New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut,
Rhode Island,
southeast New Hampshire, and southeast Maine.
The moderate probability area is over extreme northeast Massachusetts,
extreme southeast New
Hampshire and far southeast Maine.
The probability of 1/4 inch or greater of ice accumulation is less than 20%
>From midnight to noon tomorrow EST the probability exceeding warning values
is less than 20%
The probability of 1/4 inch or greater of ice accumulation is less than 20%
Current USA Snow and Ice Cover
http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/surface/us_NESDISsnow.gif
=> USA Flood Report
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HEADQUARTERS
10:30 AM EST TUE MAR 6 2001
FLOOD SUMMARY
FLOODING IN CALIFORNIA; SOUTH
FROM 6 TO 14 INCHES OF RAIN ACROSS PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA LED TO FLASH FLOODING, CREEKS OVERFLOWING, WIDESPREAD
STREET FLOODING AND POTENTIAL MUDSLIDES.
OVER 60 RIVERS AND CREEKS ACROSS THE SOUTH CONTINUE FLOODING,
WITH MINOR TO MODERATE FLOODING, AND A FEW RIVERS EXPECTING MAJOR
FLOODING.
FLASH FLOODING:
FLOOD/FLASH FLOOD AND/OR URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD ADVISORIES
WERE ISSUED DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS FOR LOCATIONS INCLUDING:
CALIFORNIA: FRESNO, KERN, KINGS, LOS ANGELES, MADERA,
MARIPOSA, SANTA BARBARA, TULARE AND VENTURA COUNTIES; SAN
JOAQUIN VALLEY; SOUTHERN SIERRA NEVADA
MOUNTAIN AREAS ACROSS SANTA BARBARA AND VENTURA
COUNTIES HAVE RECEIVED FROM 6 TO OVER 14 INCHES OF
RAIN, WITH SIGNIFICANT FLOODING OF STREETS AND CREEKS,
AND POSSIBLE MUDSLIDES.
RIVER FLOODING:
RIVERS AND STREAMS WITH LOCATIONS EITHER ABOVE FLOOD STAGE OR
EXPECTED TO RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE INCLUDE:
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER: MINOR FLOODING IS OCCURRING ALONG THE
LOWER MISSISSIPPI FROM GREENVILLE, MS TO BATON ROUGE, LA WITH
MODERATE FLOODING ANTICIPATED
ALABAMA: THE BLACK WARRIOR, LOWER TALLAPOOSA,
CHOCTAWHATCHEE, TOMBIGBEE, ALABAMA, CONECUH, ESCAMBIA, AND
SUCARNOOCHEE RIVERS; CATOMA CREEK
ARKANSAS: THE ARKANSAS, OUACHITA, SAINT FRANCIS, CACHE AND
WHITE RIVERS
MAJOR FLOODING BETWEEN LEVEE SYSTEMS EXPECTED ALONG THE
OUACHITA RIVER
CALIFORNIA: THE SANTA YNEZ RIVER
FLORIDA: THE CHOCTAWHATCHEE AND APALACHICOLA RIVERS
GEORGIA: THE FLINT, OCMULGEE AND OCONEE RIVERS
ILLINOIS: THE ILLINOIS AND KASKASKIA RIVERS
LOUISIANA: THE AMITE, TANGIPAHOA, LITTLE, TICKFAW,
CALCASIEU, RED, VERMILLION, PEARL, ATCHAFALAYA, BOEUF AND
BLACK RIVERS; RED CHUTE BAYOU, BAYOUS BODCAU, DORCHEAT AND
ANACOCO; LAKES BISTINEAU, D'ARBONNE, WALLACE AND CADDO
MISSISSIPPI: THE LOWER LEAF, CHICKASAWHAY, SHUBUTA,
PASCAGOULA, BOUGE CHITTO, BILOXI, WOLF, TALLAHATCHEE, PEARL,
YAZOO AND BIG BLACK RIVERS; TALLAHALA AND TUSCOLAMETA CREEKS
MAJOR FLOODING IS EXPECTED ALONG THE CHICKASAWHAY RIVER
AT LEAKESVILLE, WITH SOME FLOODING OF HOMES POSSIBLE
TEXAS: THE SABINE, TRINITY, WEST FORK OF THE TRINITY,
GUADALUPE, SULPHUR, NECHES, ANGELINA AND NAVASOTA RIVERS;
WHITE OAK CREEK, BLACK CYPRESS BAYOU
MAJOR FLOODING IS OCCURRING ALONG THE SABINE RIVER,
WITH A CREST AT LONGVIEW 11 FEET ABOVE FLOOD STAGE
=> USA Fire Report and Forecast
INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2001 - 1000 MST
NATIONAL PREPARDNESS LEVEL 1
CURRENT SITUATION:
No new large fires were reported to the National Interagency Coordination
Center this past week and four of the large fires in the Southern Area
reached containment status. Initial attack activity continued to be
reported daily in the Southern Area. A low in the Gulf of Mexico will
bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms to Florida through the
weekend.
SOUTHERN AREA LARGE FIRES:
BIG BEND, Florida Division of Forestry. Firelines on higher ground have
continued to hold.
TORY ISLAND, Florida Division of Forestry. This fire is near Homestead, FL
and is being monitored by air.
RED BEACH, Florida Division of Forestry. This fire is in Highlands County,
FL.
BAHIA, Florida Division of Forestry. This fire is near Melbourne, FL. The
fire is continuing to be monitored.
TALL PINE, Florida Division of Forestry. Crews are monitoring on a routine
basis.
LEYRY, Florida Division of Forestry. This fire is being monitored by air.
STAFFORD COMMAND, Florida Division of Forestry. No other information was
received.
OUTLOOK:
A weak high pressure system will slowly build into the Southeast over the
weekend. Moisture ahead of another low will push into the area early in
the week bringing a chance of rain. This low will linger over the
southeast into Tuesday before high pressure rebuilds over the area by
midweek. Low temperatures will be in the upper 30's and 40's with highs in
the 50's to lower 60's. Winds will be from the southwest 10 to 15 mph,
shifting northwest by the first of the week.
A cold front moving over the Pacific Northwest will bring precipitation
with a chance of light snowfall for the higher elevations. High pressure
over the Central Plains will keep the remainder of the West dry and under
partly to mostly cloudy skies. High temperatures will be in the 40's over
much of the region, 50's in the coastal region, with the Rocky Mountains
in the upper 20's to the upper 30's.
In the Midwest the Plains States will be partly cloudy with clearing
likely closer to the Canadian border. Eastern Texas will have showers with
a possibility of thunderstorms. High temperatures will range from the 30's
in the upper Midwest, 40's from the Ohio River Valley to the Texas
Panhandle, and the 50's from Kentucky south.
The Northeast can expect a chance of snow showers across the northern
states with the rest of the region remaining partly cloudy. High
temperatures will range into the teens for northern Maine, in the 20's
south to Connecticut, lower 30's and 40's from Pennsylvania into much of
New Jersey, and the lower 50's from Maryland into the Virginia's.
=> USA Earthquake Report
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
NATIONAL EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION CENTER
GOLDEN, COLORADO
LISTS OF U.S. EARTHQUAKES IN THE LAST 30 HOURS
Prepared by USGS/NEIC 2001 MAR 06 at 00:15 UTC
EARTHQUAKES IN SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES
(29.0 TO 35.8 N, 102.0 TO 125.0 W)
Date Time (UTC) Lat Long Depth Magnitude
2001 MAR 5 19:00:34.00 33.4 N 116.3 W 11 km 3.0
25 miles SSW of Indio, California
=> Yesterday's USA Severe Weather Reports
Note: All data is considered preliminary
Tornado Reports
No reports received
Hail Reports
No reports received
Wind Reports
No reports received
Fields marked UNK are unknown
All Times UTC
Wind Gusts in MPH
Hail Sizes in 1/100 of an Inch (75 = 0.75")
=> Guest Column
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**** ARTICLES ****
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=> Federal Disaster Aid Approved For Alabama Storm Recovery
Washington, March 5, 2001 -- Federal disaster funds were made available
today to help
communities in five Alabama counties recover from the effects of severe
storms that hit the state last
month, according to the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA).
FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh said the assistance was authorized under a
major disaster
declaration issued by President Bush this afternoon following a review of
the agency's analysis of the
state's request for federal aid. The declaration covers damage to public
property from the storms
and flooding that occurred February 16-17.
Under the declaration, Allbaugh said the state and affected local
governments in the five counties are
eligible to apply for federal funding to pay 75 percent of the approved cost
for debris removal,
emergency services related to the disaster, and repairing or replacing
damaged public facilities.
The five counties designated by Allbaugh for the assistance include Blount,
Jefferson, Lamar,
Tuscaloosa and Walker.
Allbaugh said the declaration also makes cost-shared funding available to
the state for approved
projects that reduce future disaster risks. He indicated that additional
counties may be designated for
aid later if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further
damage assessments.
William Carwile of FEMA was named by Allbaugh to coordinate the federal
relief effort. Carwile
said that procedures for requesting assistance will be explained at a series
of applicant briefings at
locations to be announced shortly in the affected areas.
=> Remarks By The President At Swearing-In Ceremony For Director Of Fema
Joseph
Allbaugh
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. It's an honor to be here to swear in my
friend. I first want
to say it's a treat to see Mr. and Mrs. Allbaugh from the great state of
Oklahoma, and his brother;
most importantly, Diane and Taylor. Thank you all for being here. Of course,
you wouldn't have
missed it. (Laughter.)
When I was a governor, Joe and I used to travel a lot together, and a lot of
times people we come
up and say, is he your body guard? (Laughter.) He wasn't, but I always felt
a little safer when he was
around. And that's the kind of man he is, and that's the kind of man I
wanted to run FEMA.
When the worst happens anywhere in America, I can assure you folks will be
confident when Joe
Allbaugh arrives on the scene. He's not just a commanding presence, or his
stylish hair cut --
(laughter) -- it's his confidence, his character, and his calm when trouble
comes.
This isn't mere speculation. Last Wednesday at 10:54 a.m. in the morning, an
earthquake rocked the
state of Washington, injuring hundreds of people and causing billion dollars
of property damage. By
11:30 p.m. that night, Joe Allbaugh was on the scene, ready to assist people
in need. That's the kind
of man he is.
I couldn't have made it to Washington without him. And I can't tell you how
honored I am that he
has come to Washington to serve his country.
We never know where FEMA will be needed next, but we do know what makes this
agency so
effective -- more than 2,000 dedicated employees all across America; 4,000
standby employees,
ready if needed; an ethic of professionalism and a willingness to work with
state and local officials to
help people in need.
As governor I worked with FEMA officials. Joe and I have great respect for
the outgoing director,
James Lee Witt, and for the acting director, John Magaw. A lot of change is
needed in Washington,
but in this agency, the standards are already high. Every year, many
thousands of Americans live
through floods and hurricanes and fires. They know from personal experience
that FEMA is an
example of the federal government at its best. And I'll tell you from
personal experience that FEMA
has a new director that speaks to America at its best.
When he acts, he'll have my full confidence. When he speaks, it will inspire
confidence in others. This
agency is in strong and steady hands. Joe will be at the White House many
times in the next few
years. In the nature of his job, they won't always be the happiest of times.
But Joe will help
Americans deal with the worst, in the best, most compassionate way possible.
Thank you for accepting this responsibility. (Applause.)
MR. ALLBAUGH: Mr. President, thank you for being here this morning. I am
honored and
humbled by your nomination, the honor, the ability to serve our country.
Secretary Evans, thank you
for being here. Judge Gonzalez, thank you. Good to see you again. Dr.
Olivine, thank you. Many of
the White House staff are here, a lot of close friends from Bush-Cheney
2000. FEMA employees --
unfortunately, we couldn't get everybody in here. We've got all the regional
offices I think that are
piped in.
Let me acknowledge my wife, Diane, and daughter, Taylor. I wouldn't be here
without their support
and love. My parents, Marvin and Peggy, all the way from Oklahoma. Not that
it's that far.
(Laughter.) All the way. My brother, Jay, from Kansas. I hope you all have
an opportunity to meet
my parents. You might get a glimpse and a gleam into why I am the way I am.
I would not be here
without their love and support over the many years.
By the way, this is a flat-top, not a buzz-cut. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: It's coming back. (Laughter.)
MR. ALLBAUGH: Yes. To the folks at FEMA, I am honored and touched by your
warm welcome
and support over the last two weeks. We got off to a quick start, as you
know, as the President
alluded to. I'm proud to join the family of FEMA. I'm honored to be here.
The administration moved quickly last week, as you saw, and we would not
have been as effective
or successful without your hard support.
Mr. President, you need to know that these folks are the backbone of our
response mechanism here
for the country. I consider them the Cal Ripkens, quite frankly, of the
federal government. They
show up, they put in their time, they make tremendous sacrifices, and when
they leave when the job
is done, they go home not expecting any accolades, just a job well-done.
FEMA is made up of a
group of doers. And I'm honored to join that crowd.
We have many days ahead of us that are going to be tough. We'll have some
good times and some
good laughs, probably all at my expense. (Laughter.) Our mission and
employees are unique. FEMA
has the opportunity and a responsibility to affect families in a positive
way when they need help the
most. There can be no higher calling in this service. There can be no higher
calling for our country.
Now we can all go back to work, and as the President would say, doing the
people's business.
Thank you all for coming. We appreciate it greatly. (Applause.)
=> EIIP Virtual Forum on Wednesday March 7, 12:00 -- National Domestic
Preparedness Office
The National Domestic Preparedness Office (NDPO) is an interagency
office, hosted by the FBI, to coordinate the federal efforts in
assisting state and local emergency responders with WMD preparedness
issues. The NDPO also acts as an information clearinghouse for
WMD-related information.
A critical component of the NDPO is the State and Local Advisory Group
(SLAG) composed of 32 members that represent the emergency response
community, including health and medical personnel. The primary mission
of the SLAG is to provide advice to the federal government about the
needs of the state and local authorities for their response to a WMD
incident. The group will also be instrumental in selecting a WMD
Training Curriculum Review Panel and assisting with a national strategy
for WMD preparedness.
Join us in the EIIP Virtual Forum on Wednesday March 7, 12:00 Noon EST,
when Richard J. Sanders, Intelligence Operations Specialist, shares an
overview of the NDPO and its mission and goals. (See the EIIP Events
page http://www.emforum.org/events.htm to convert to your local time and
be on time for the discussion.)
See the background page http://www.emforum.org/vforum/010307.htm for
more information. Please share this message with others who may be
interested in this week's topic.
Login: http://www.emforum.org -- Click on "Chat Login" and use your
first and last names -- follow instructions to enter the EIIP Virtual
Forum chat room. The software will take a few moments to load. We
will be looking for you on Wednesday.
=> Plane crash kills 21 National Guardsmen
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, March 5, 2001) -- The National Guard
rallied its resources this past weekend to support the grief-stricken
families and friends of 21 citizen-soldiers and airmen killed late Saturday
morning when their twin-engine transport flying through heavy weather
crashed and burned in rural central Georgia.
A crisis center was set up in Virginia Beach, Va., to help survivors
cope with their loss of 18 Air National Guard civil engineers, officials
reported. Chaplains and family support representatives fanned out across
Florida to comfort the families of the three-member Army National Guard
flight crew, said a Florida Guard spokesman.
The Army C-23 Sherpa and its flight crew of three soldiers belonged
to Detachment 1, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation in Lakeland, Fla.
The 18 Virginia Air Guard members belonged to the 203rd Red Horse
Flight and were returning to Virginia from Florida after spending two weeks
of annual training at Hurlburt Field near Fort Walton Beach.
No one survived the crash that National Guard historians said is
believed to be among the worst peacetime tragedies in the Guard's 364-year
history. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
The Virginia and Florida governors authorized state flags to be
flown at half-staff.
Lt. Gen. Russell Davis, chief of the National Guard Bureau, pledged
"our immediate support in responding to the needs" of the families and
members of the two stricken units "as they cope with the aftermath of this
devastating loss."
President George Bush, a former Air National Guard fighter pilot,
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and the Army and Air Force's ranking
officers, the chiefs of staff, said they were deeply saddened at the news of
the crash and extended condolences to the survivors.
"The tragic loss ... reminds us of the sacrifices made each and
every day by all of our men and women in uniform," Bush said in a statement.
"The price of freedom is never free. Today's events remind us that it is
sometimes unspeakably high."
The transport plane crashed at 11 a.m. on Saturday into a field at
Unadilla, Ga., about 30 miles south of Macon, while flying through heavy
rain.
The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported it was the nation's worst
military aviation accident since 1982 when an Air National Guard air
refueling tanker crashed in Illinois, killing 27 people, including 23
National Guard members.
"We have received help and support from the entire community in the
Virginia Beach area to include civilian agencies and all the services,"
reported Virginia National Guard officials. "The tragedy has shown the
commitment from our communities, which has always been the foundation of the
Virginia National Guard."
As many as a dozen chaplains and three members of a Tragedy
Assistance Program for Survivors team offered psychological and moral
support to an estimated two dozen family members and to other Air Guard
members of the 203rd Red Horse Flight at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach.
"The mood here is very somber. This is a tremendous loss for the
families and for the other people in this unit to have to come to grips
with," said Maj. Debbie Magaldi, an Air Guard spokesperson.
Maj. Frederick Watkins of Virginia Beach was identified as the
ranking member of the crew that had spent the previous two weeks doing
electrical work and other types of construction at the base in Florida. The
17 others were enlisted airmen.
Red Horse squadrons are civil engineer units that can be deployed
rapidly to erect tent cities and other facilities for troops in the field.
The twin-engine C-23 Sherpas can carry as many as 30 passengers and can also
be used for transporting equipment, airdrops and medical evacuation,
officials said.
One of the pilots, Chief Warrant Officer 4 John Duce, 49, of Orange
Park, Fla., was identified as a Vietnam veteran and full-time Florida Army
National Guard technician.
Maj. Gen. Ronald Harrison, Florida's adjutant general, visited with
the families of Duce and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Eric Larson, 34, the other
pilot, on Sunday. He plans to visit the third crewmember's family later.
Staff Sgt. Robert Ward Jr., 35, from Lakeland, Fla., was the crew's flight
engineer.
"They were killed in the execution of their duties, and their
sacrifice was in the service to their country," reflected the National Guard
Bureau's chief about all 21 who died.
"Both organizations have taken a very hard blow that will impact the
members, their families, and their communities," said Davis about the
afflicted units.
"Our hearts are heavy with the magnitude of this sudden
catastrophe," he added. "The National Guard family extends its deepest
sympathy to the families of the soldiers and airmen who were lost."
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=> Links Area
The 8th World Conference on Emergency Management will be held June 19-21 in
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Several IAEM members are making presentations at this conference, and there
is
currently a "2nd Call for Papers". Conference registration and hotel
reservation
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Eco-terrorism group claims Tulare attack -- Fire may be radical ELF's first
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MYSTERIOUS DISEASE IN STAVROPOL
http://english.pravda.ru/main/2001/03/03/2824.html
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