National Situation Update: Thursday, April 27, 2006
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
Pleasant Weather For Much Of Nation
Northeast: There could be a stray shower here and there in the Northeast, but the vast majority of the region will experience of mix of sunshine and clouds and temperatures close to end-of-April norms.
South: The Carolinas and south Florida may be plagued by a scattering of showers and thunderstorms today. Farther west, isolated showers and storms are forecast to dot parts of south and West Texas.
Midwest: Except for an isolated shower or storm here and there, the Midwest and Great Plains should enjoy pleasant weather with skies ranging from sunny to partly cloudy and temperatures near or above seasonal averages.
West: A fairly vigorous upper-air disturbance will trigger isolated/scattered showers and thunderstorms over Southern California and the Southwest, but nothing particularly heavy. A weaker upper-air disturbance will fire off some isolated showers and storms over Montana and far northern Wyoming. To the west, a surge of Pacific moisture will tickle a few showers to life over western Washington. Elsewhere in the West, look for dry weather and a good deal of sunshine. (NWS, Media Sources)
FEMA Regional Activity
Kewauni nuclear plant, Carlton, WI, 10:49 pm EDT; When attempting to shutdown the Reactor the condensate pumps tripped. This should cause the main breaker to trip, because it did not, the reactor did not trip. Manual reactor trip by technicians shut down the reactor. All rods are inserted. Abramovitz stated there is no danger of release and it usually takes a while to terminate this type of alert. Release or potential release: none. Action required: none.
Wisconsin EOC, Manitowoc County EOC, and the Kewauni County EOCs were activated.
NRC monitored the situation as did FEMA Region Region V.
April 27, 2006, Kewauni Nuclear Plant terminated the Alert. The NRC made notification to Denver MERS who notified FEMA Region V. (FEMA Region V)
Three New Orleans Drainage Pumps Catch Fire
Three massive drainage pumps caught fire during heavy rain Wednesday and will be out of commission at least a month, city officials said. Insulated wiring in dozens of pumps, including the three that caught fire, was damaged by salt water that flooded the city after major levee breaks caused by Hurricane Katrina.
Because the salt-water flooding was caused by breaks in federal levees, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has pledged to pay nearly $37 million to repair the pump motors at 24 stations around the city. However, the Corps, focusing much of its attention on levee repairs, has yet to bid out any of the contracts and does not expect the work to be complete until September 2007, a Corps spokeswoman said. The Corps did not have any immediate comment on whether it would seek to speed the pace of repairs.
The city already paid for emergency repairs to two other pumps that caught fire after Katrina, officials said. The board will now seek bids fix the pumps damaged Wednesday.
The city hopes to have the pumps - each of which can move 7,500 gallons of water a second out of city streets - working by June. (Media Sources)
Experts: New Repellants May Slow West Nile
Bug and health experts say there's no way to predict whether 2006 will be another bad year for the West Nile virus. But they do say new repellants could help people protect themselves from mosquitoes that carry the disease. The products are made from either of two ingredients approved for use last year, Picaridin and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. They're promoted as not having the same chemical smell and feel as DEET, which has been the most recommended insect repellant.
Consumer surveys found that people don't like DEET's chemical smell and feel, and the fact that it can hurt synthetic materials is another negative, said an adviser to the American Mosquito Control Association. Picaridin and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus have been used in other countries for years. The Centers for Disease control last year approved them for use in the U.S. because they were found to be good alternatives to products made with DEET. Still, using DEET is a good way to keep from getting bitten.
Many products containing DEET that are intended for a few hours of protection don't have the higher concentrations of the chemical that repellants used to have. Some impressions about DEET are based on old, high concentrations of formulations. But lower concentrations of products are very appealing. DEET has been used reliably by American consumers for more than 50 years and been recommended by experts such as the CDC for decades.
South Dakota has recorded 1,357 West Nile cases and 17 deaths from the virus since the first reported case in 2002, when 37 cases were documented. The number grew to 1,039 human cases in 2003. The incidence plummeted to 51 cases in 2004, and 229 cases were reported last year. The entire region has some of the highest rates of the virus and South Dakota had the most cases per capita in North America in 2003 and 2005.
West Nile symptoms are flu-like and usually mild. However, the disease can cause paralysis and lingering health problems. The elderly and people with weak immune systems are most susceptible to the worst forms of the disease. July and August are the worst months for spread of the virus.
The state Extension entomologist at South Dakota State University in Brookings said so many factors go into West Nile cases that predictions are impossible. Local governments plan to spray but ultimately it's up to people protecting themselves, such as wearing long sleeves and pants and using a repellant. (Media Sources)
Perry Asks Chertoff For Access To Helicopters If Hurricane Strikes
Texas Governor Rick Perry on Wednesday asked Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to make about two dozen helicopters available if a major hurricane or other disaster strikes the state.
The request came as Perry discussed Texas' preparations for the hurricane season with Chertoff and Acting FEMA Director R. David Paulison in a meeting at the Texas Capitol.
Perry, who asked for 23 helicopters and crews that could respond on six hours' notice, said the state needs those resources because so many of its National Guard helicopters are being used in the Middle East.
Perry also asked Chertoff for help from the Border Patrol if the state needed to evacuate the colonias in the Rio Grande Valley. Most colonias have no sewers, roads or running water, and many of their residents are recent immigrants.
Additionally, the governor announced that Texas will conduct a statewide hurricane evacuation and sheltering exercise early next month. The hurricane season starts June 1.
Several state agencies will join counties and cities from throughout Texas in testing communication and sheltering plans. The public safety and transportation departments also will walk through the steps it would take to implement one-way, outbound traffic on major highways. (Media Sources)
Tropical Activity
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Earthquake Activity
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Preliminary Damage Assessments
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update
Wednesday, April 26, 2006, National Preparedness Level 2
Current Situation: Nationally, fire activity was light with 69 new fires reported. Two new large fires were reported in Florida. Two large fires were contained in Oklahoma. Dry, warm, and windy weather is predicted for Arizona and New Mexico due to an approaching low pressure.
Red Flag Warning: For portions of central Minnesota for low humidity and strong wind
OUTLOOK: An approaching low pressure system will bring dry, warm and windy weather to Arizona and New Mexico today. Dry conditions will reside over much of the central portion of the country extending into the Northeast as a large high pressure system settles in. Elsewhere, a low pressure system over the Southeast will bring showers and thunderstorms. (NIFC, NICC)
Disaster Declaration Activity
FEMA-1634-DR-TN was amended effective April 24, 2006 appointing Michael Bolch as the Federal Coordinating Officer. (FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Thursday, 27-Apr-2006 08:06:58 EDT