The Daily USA Disaster Situation Report
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The USA Disaster Situation Report
For July 29, 2000
Christopher Effgen, Editor, host{at}disastercenter.com
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IN THIS ISSUE
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=> USA Daily Temperature Extremes
=> Special Reports
=> Current Atlantic Hurricane Forecast
=> Current Active National Weather Service Warnings:
=> Severe Weather Probability Forecast
=> Precipitation Forcast and Excessive Rainfall Forecast
=> USA Flood Report
=> USA Fire Report and Forecast
=> USA Earthquake Report
=> Yesterday's USA Severe Weather Reports
=> Guest Column => Guest Column Michael E. Newman Director of Media
Relations, NIST; -- The world's first competition for search-and-rescue
robots
=> Classified Ads
=> Chain of Errors Caused Fatal Osprey Crash
=> FAA Flight Data Link Becomes Operational at Oshkosh
=> Links Area
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
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The Daily USA Disaster Situation Report
For July 29, 2000
Christopher Effgen, Editor, host{at}disastercenter.com
------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
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=> USA Daily Temperature Extremes
National Temperature Extremes
High Fri...119 At Death Valley CA
Low Sat...39 At Stanley ID
=> Special Reports
Federal disaster aid was made available today to help communities in six
Vermont counties recover from the effects of severe storms that struck the
southern part of the state earlier this month,
The President today amended the major disaster declaration issued for
Minnesota on June 27 to include assistance for families and local
governments victimized by the deadly tornado that struck the town of
Granite Falls in Yellow Medicine County on July 25.
=> Current Atlantic Hurricane Forecast
Tropical storm formation is not expected through Sunday.
=> Current Active National Weather Service Warnings:
Active Warnings:
Updated Sat Jul 29 11:26:32 2000
Flash Flood
Maryland
Virginia
...EXCESSIVE RAINFALL OCCURRING NEAR OCEAN CITY MARYLAND... AT 1030
AM...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED SLOW MOVING
THUNDERSTORMS IN THE VICINITY OF OCEAN CITY MD. THESE STORMS HAVE BEEN
PRODUCING HEAVY RAINFALL. THE STORMS HAVE REAMINED NEARLY STATIONARY.
WEATHER RADAR ESTIMATES THAT UP TO 3 INCHES OF RAIN HAS OCCURRED IN THE PAST
2 HOURS ACROSS A SMALL PORTION OF WORCESTER COUNTY...NEAR OCEAN CITY.
Ohio
...HEAVY RAIN WAS OCCURRING IN PORTIONS OF WESTERN LORAIN COUNTY... NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE RADAR IN CLEVELAND SHOWED A SLOW MOVING THUNDERSTORM ACROSS
WEST CENTRAL LORAIN COUNTY. RADAR ESTIMATED FROM 1 TO 2 INCHES OF RAIN HAS
FALLEN WITH THE STORM FROM 10 TO 11 AM...WITH THE HEAVIEST JUST SOUTH OF
I-80 WEST OF THE TOWN OF SOUTH AMHERST. THE STORM WAS MOVING SLOWLY NORTH
AND WILL LIKELY CONTINUE TO DROP HEAVY RAIN ACROSS THE NORTHWEST PORTIONS OF
THE COUNTY AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN LOCALIZED MINOR FLOODING OF DITCHES
AND SMALL STREAMS.
Flood
Puerto Rico
* UN AVISO MARITIMO ESPECIAL PARA... LAS AGUAS DEL ATLANTICO, MAS ALLA DE
100 BRAZAS AL ESTE DE LA DESEMBOCADURA DEL RIO GUAJATACA. LAS AGUAS
CARIBENAS DE LA COSTA ESTE DESDE CABO SAN JUAN HASTA PUNTA VIENTO LAS AGUAS
CARIBENAS DE LA COSA SUR DESDE PUNTA VIENTO HASTA PUNTA MELONES. LAS AGUAS
DEL ATLANTICO CERCA DE LA COSTA DESDE LA DESEMBOCADURA DEL RIO GUAJATACA AL
ESTE HASTA CABO SAN JUAN. * HASTA LAS 12 PM AST
Special Marine
Puerto Rico
* SPECIAL MARINE WARNING FOR... ATLANTIC WATERS, BEYOND THE 100 FATHOM LINE
E OF MOUTH OF RIO GUAJATACA, CARIBBEAN WATERS OF THE EASTERN COASTS FROM
CABO SAN JUAN TO PUNTA VIENT CARIBBEAN WATERS OF THE SOUTH COAST FROM PUNTA
VIENTO TO PUNTA MELONES, ATLANTIC NEARSHORE WATERS FROM MOUTH OF RIO
GUAJATACA EASTWARD TO CABO S * UNTIL NOON AST
=> 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 less than a 2% probability of a tornado.
Hail Risk - Slight
There are two 5% areas.
One covers Arizona except the northern and western areas, and central west
and south west New Mexico.
The other covers central east Texas, northern Louisiana, southeast Arkansas,
central and southern Mississippi, Tennessee except the northwest corner, the
north northwest 1/3 of Alabama, Kentucky except the northwest corner, the
south southeast 1/4 of Ohio, the north northwest 1/3 of Virginia, West
Virginia, western and central Maryland Pennsylvania except the northern
area, and northern Delaware.
The 15% probability area covers far central north Alabama, Tennessee except
the northwest 1/3 and the southwestern areas, southwest Kentucky, far
northwest Virginia, far southeast Ohio, West Virginia, western Maryland and
west central south to southwest Pennsylvania.
Wind Risk - Slight
The 5% probability areas are identical to the 5% areas for hail.
There are three 15% probability areas.
One covers central southeast Arizona.
Another covers far central east Texas, northern Louisiana, far southeast
Arkansas, the northwest 1/3 of Mississippi, central west and southwest
Tennessee, far northwest Alabama,
The last area covers far western Kentucky, West Virginia, far western
Maryland and west central south to southwest Pennsylvania.
Tomorrow's Risk - Slight
There are no general risk areas
Areas at lesser risk include central to southern Arizona, central east and
northeast Arkansas, northwest Mississippi, far southeast Missouri, southeast
Illinois, Indiana except the northwest corner, the northwest 1/2 of
Tennessee, Kentucky except the southeast corner, Ohio, northwest West
Virginina, Pennsyvania except the southest 1/3, and western New York.
=> Precipitation Forcast and Excessive Rainfall Forecast
Precipitation Forcast
The 24 hr precipitation forecast is calling for over 2 inches of rainfall is
forecast over a small section of west central north Kentucky, and for a
small section of central south Indiana.
Over an inch of rainfall is forecast over a small portion of southeast
florida, far southeast Missouri, far northeast Arkansas, southeast Illinois,
southeast Indiana, central and southwest Ohio, Kentucky except the
southeastern area, and Tennessee except the southeast 1/3.
The 24 - 48 hr precipitation forecast is calling for over an inch of
rainfall over northern Alabama, far northwestern Georgia, central and
eastern Tennesse except the northeast corner, east central south Kentucky.
Excessive Rainfall Forecast
Flash flood values may be exceeded over far southeastern Missouri, southern
Illinois, southern Indiana, Ohio, except the northwest corner, far central
west Pennsylvania, far northwest West Virginia, and the north northwest 1/2
of Kentucky.
=> USA Flood Report
The Flood Report is not available on weekends.
=> USA Fire Report and Forecast
INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT
SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2000 - 0700 MDT
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL V
CURRENT SITUATION:
A total of 16 new large fires were reported, most in the Eastern Great Basin
and Rocky Mountain Areas. Many large fires have reported extreme fire
behavior, including spotting, torching and crowning. The hot, dry weather
will continue through the weekend. Containment goals were reached on seven
large fires, four of which were in the Rocky Mountain Area. Mobilization of
aircraft, equipment, crews and overhead through the National Interagency
Coordination Center has been steady. Very high to extreme fire danger
indices were reported in numerous units throughout the 11 western states and
in Texas.
EASTERN GREAT BASIN AREA LARGE FIRES:
Priorities are being established by the Great Basin Multi-Agency
Coordinating Group based on information submitted via Wildfire Situation
Analysis reports and Incident Status Summary (ICS-209) forms.
TWIN CREEK, Salmon-Challis National Forest. A Type I Incident Management
Team (Stam) is assigned. This fire is 30 miles north of Salmon, ID near the
Lost Trail Ski Area. The fire is currently being held in a large basin. The
threat is that if winds blow it out of the bowl, the potential for growth is
enormous. A lack of natural barriers, steep country, heavy fuel loading and
unfavorable weather are impeding containment efforts.
CLEAR CREEK, Salmon-Challis National Forest. A Type I Incident Management
Team (Carvelho) is assigned. A Type I Incident Management Team (Hart) will
transition today. The fire will be divided into two zones and a Type I
Incident Management Team (Bateman) will be assigned. This fire is 20 miles
northwest of Salmon, ID. The fire has made another major run on the south
side, threatening structures in Napias Creek and forcing crews to pull back
from the Blackbird Mine area. Extreme burning conditions and spotting are
deterring containment efforts. A powerline was burned over.
WEST FORK, Upper Snake River District, Eastern Idaho Area, BLM. This fire is
five miles south of Lava Hot Springs, ID. Several homes in the community of
Lava Hot Springs have been evacuated. Approximately 40 structures are
threatened.
HIGH POINT, Wasatch-Cache National Forest. A Type II Incident Management
Team (Carr) is assigned. This fire is 1.5 miles east of Logan, UT. Current
threats include a microwave site, structures and powerlines. The fire burned
through retardant lines. Ignition was reportedly caused by a hawk on a
powerline.
OLDROYD, Fishlake National Forest. A Type I Incident Management Team
(Hutchinson) is assigned. This fire is 20 miles south of Richfield, UT. A
good fireline has been constructed around the side of the fire where
structures are threatened. A burnout operation is underway.
WASATCH COMPLEX, Wasatch-Cache National Forest. A Type I Incident Management
Team (Dague) is assigned. This complex consists of the Iron Mine Lake,
Cottonwood, East Vivian and Wallsburg fires, all located southeast of Salt
Lake City, UT. The East Vivian has spotted outside containment lines. A
structure protection plan has been developed for several towns in the South
fork drainage. Suppression efforts went well on the Wallsburg fire.
INEEL, U. S. Department of Energy. This fire is burning near the Idaho
National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. The fire continues to
burn actively, but none of the INEEL facilities have been damaged.
BROAD, Southcentral Utah State. This fire is burning in grass and pinyon
pine near Leamington, UT. Burnout operations were completed along the north
side of the fire. Running and spotting fire behavior have been observed.
JOHN ALLEN, Dixie National Forest. The fire burning in ponderosa pine, fir
and heavy ground fuels ten miles northwest of Escalante, UT. Posey Lake
Campground and a lookout are threatened. Torching, crowning and spotting are
occurring.
BURGDORF JUNCTION, Payette National Forest. A Type I Incident Management
Team (Vail) is assigned. The fire is 23 miles north of McCall, ID. The fire
made significant runs with torching, spotting and crowning in late
afternoon. The forecast for warming and drying conditions and a Haines Index
of 6 today, is cause for concern.
FLATTOP, Upper Snake River District, Eastern Idaho Area, BLM. This
lightning-caused fire is burning in grass and sagebrush near Aberdeen, ID.
The fire intensity has decreased as the fire moves into an old burn area
with lighter fuels.
COFFEE POINT NORTH, Upper Snake River District, Eastern Idaho Area, BLM. A
Type I Incident Management Team (Humphrey) is managing this and other large
fires in the eastern Idaho area. This fire is burning in grass and sagebrush
six miles northwest of Springfield, ID. Active torching and spotting are
continuing. Threat is to critical wildlife habitat.
YANCE COMPLEX, Fishlake National Forest. A Type II Incident Management Team
(Ostman) is assigned. This is a complex of several fires in the vicinity of
Yance Canyon, four miles northwest of Scipio, UT. The Morning Dove fire
tripled in size, advancing north to Wild Horse Canyon. Observed fire
behavior includes torching and short runs through heavy fuels.
FISHER SPRINGS, Upper Snake River District, Eastern Idaho Area, BLM. The
fire was ignited by lightning eight miles southeast of Pocatello, ID.
Fifteen structures in the vicinity of Fort Hall Indian Reservation have been
evacuated and four outbuildings have been confirmed destroyed. Two other
fires, the Moonshine (4000 acres) and the Rattlesnake (2000 acres) are also
burning in the vicinity.
GENTILE VALLEY, Upper Snake River District, Eastern Idaho Area, BLM. This
fire is five miles south of Alexander, ID. The fire is burning in grass,
sagebrush and scattered timber. Winds caused by passing storm cells caused
rapid spread, torching and spotting. Six homes are threatened.
MONUMENT CANYON, Sawtooth National Forest. This fire is 36 miles southeast
of Burley, ID. The fire is wind-driven in grass, sagebrush, pinyon pine and
juniper. Acreage tripled yesterday due to hot, dry, windy weather. The fire
threatens to close Interstate 84. Threats are to private lands and grazing.
NAF, Upper Snake River District, Southcentral Idaho Area, BLM. This fire is
a half mile west of Naf, ID. Shifting winds have pushed the fire to grow in
all directions. Homes in Naf are threatened and evacuations are taking
place.
BISMARK, Northwest Utah State. This lightning-caused fire is 15 miles south
of Fairfield, UT. It is burning in grass, sagebrush, pinyon pine and
juniper. Shifting winds, steep terrain and low relative humidity are
challenging containment efforts.
MONA WEST, Richfield Field Office, BLM. The fire is three miles west of
Mona, UT. Fire behavior has been intense, with running, torching, crowning
and a fire vortex being observed. Steep, uneven terrain and hot, dry weather
conditions are hindering containment efforts.
TIN CUP, Upper Snake River District, Eastern Idaho Area, BLM. This fire is
ten miles south of Butte City, ID near the INEEL facility. No facility
structures are currently threatened. Wildlife habitat is threatened.
SUPON, Upper Snake River District, Eastern Idaho Area, BLM. This fire is 20
miles north of Chesterfield, ID. It is burning actively in grass, sagebrush
and scattered timber on state and private land. Threat is to critical
wildlife habitat. Limited access, dry fuels and strong winds are causing
control problems.
POT CREEK, Vernal Field Office, BLM. This lightning-caused fire is near
Vernal, UT. One structure was threatened but has been successfully
protected. The fire is in steep terrain.
BLACKTAIL, Upper Snake River District, Eastern Idaho Area, BLM. This fire is
ten miles east of Idaho Falls. It was contained on 7/26 but escaped
yesterday and spread rapidly through grass and sagebrush. A burnout
operation is planned for today.
EAST FALL CREEK, Upper Snake River District, Southcentral Idaho Area, BLM.
The fire is four miles west of Rockland, ID. Fire behavior was intense and
wind-driven early in the day, but crews have been successful in establishing
a line around the fire. Containment was expected late last night.
RATTLESNAKE, Arizona Strip District, BLM. The fire is burning in sagebrush,
pinyon pine and juniper south of St. George, UT. Some torching on interior
islands has been observed. Drops by single engine air tankers and helicopter
buckets are supporting suppression efforts.
ELBOW, Arizona Strip Field Office, BLM. This fire is ten miles southeast of
Mesquite, NV. Interior burning has been observed, but all containment lines
are holding. Helicopter bucket work is assisting the suppression effort on
the west side of the fire.
NORTHERN ROCKIES AREA LARGE FIRES:
A Type II Incident Management Team (Swope) is managing the Missoula staging
area.
CANYON FERRY COMPLEX, Helena National Forest. A Type I Incident Management
Team (Waterbury) and a Type II Incident Management Team (Hoff) are assigned.
This complex, located 12 miles north of Helena, MT, consists of the
Bucksnort Fire and the Cave Gulch Fire. The Bucksnort Fire is contained. The
Cave Gulch fire is backing into drainages, followed by torching and crowning
runs up slopes. Progress is being made on fireline construction along the
southern and western perimeters to protect the community of York.
FORT HOWES COMPLEX, Miles City Field Office, BLM. A Type II Incident
Management Team (Colla) is assigned. This complex consists of the Stag Butte
fire, Taylor Butte fire, and four others 25 miles south of Ashland, MT. The
fire behavior is remaining active throughout the night. Three outbuildings
on the U.S. Forest Service Fort Howes Ranger District have been destroyed.
COUGAR CREEK, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. A Type II Incident
Management Team (Gauger) is assigned. The fire is 30 miles southwest of
Philipsburg, MT. Crews are felling snags and constructing fireline.
Additional resources have arrived to support the suppression effort.
CROOKED, Clearwater National Forest. A Type II Incident Management Team
(Johnson) is assigned. The fire is burning in logging slash seven miles
northeast of the Powell Ranger Station. The fire has been spotting and has
potential for significant growth.
TOBIN, Miles City Field Office, BLM. A Type II Incident Management Team
(Cowan) is assigned. This fire is 26 miles northwest of Broadus, MT. Fire
behavior includes crowning and flame lengths of 100 feet. The fire has been
active until late at night.
UPPER MONTURE, Lolo National Forest. An Interagency Fire Use Management Team
(Doman) is assigned. This complex, formerly known as the Seeley, is 34 miles
northeast of Missoula. The fire spotted into the Bob Marshall Wilderness for
a total of ten to 20 acres. Threats are to an outfitter camp in Monture
Creek.
POWDER RIVER COMPLEX, Miles City Field Office, BLM. This is a complex
established by the Montana State Department of Natural Resources to cover
fires in Custer, Rosebud and Powder River counties.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN AREA LARGE FIRES:
MIDDLE ENOS, Worland District, BLM. This lightning-caused fire is 15 miles
south of Meeteetse, WY. Fuels involved are sagebrush and limber pine.
ENOS, Worland District, BLM. This fire is 15 miles south of Meeteetse, WY
near the Middle Enos fire. Threats are to wildlife habitat and winter range.
WARM SPRINGS, Worland District, BLM. This fire is burning in sagebrush and
juniper fuels seven miles east of Thermopolis, WY. A nearby oilfield is
threatened.
BIG POWDER RIVER, Casper Dispatch Center Counties. This fire is burning 28
miles southeast of Buffalo, WY in the Big Powder River drainage. Containment
was expected last night.
BIRCHER, Durango Dispatch Center Counties. A Type I Incident Management Team
(Lohrey) is assigned. This fire started in Montezuma County, CO and has
spread into Mesa Verde National Park. The fire continues to burn in cliffs,
rimrock and draws on the north flank. The fire is moving north into less
harsh topography, allowing crews the opportunity to make progress building
fireline.
SOUTH GRIZZLY, White River National Forest. A Type II Incident Management
Team (Bustamante) is assigned. The fire is in a remote area 11 miles north
of Glenwood Springs, CO. Torching and ground fire are dominating burning
conditions. Altitude sickness has been a problem for some firefighters.
WINTER VALLEY, Craig District, BLM. This fire is three miles southeast of
Elk Springs, CO. Crews are concentrating efforts on an area of the fire that
crossed the fireline. This area is now contained after a successful burnout
operation. Strong winds associated with passing thunderstorms caused intense
fire behavior.
WESTERN GREAT BASIN AREA LARGE FIRES:
Priorities are being established by the Great Basin Multi-Agency
Coordinating Group based on information submitted via Wildfire Situation
Analysis reports and Incident Status Summary (ICS-209) forms. A Type II
Incident Management Team (Kearney) is staging in Ely, NV.
SOUTH CRICKET, Elko Field Office, BLM. A Type II Incident Management Team
(Burdick) is assigned. This fire is eight miles northeast of Wells, NV. The
fire continues to be a plume-dominated event with active crowning and fire
whirls. Highway 93 was closed for a time yesterday. Power lines north of
Wells have been disconnected. Fencing has been cut in several places to
allow up to 1000 livestock to escape from the fire's path.
COYOTE, Ely Field Office, BLM. This fire is burning in sagebrush, mahogany,
conifers, pinyon pine and juniper 40 miles northeast of Pioche, NV. Long
distance spotting continues to pose problems. The fire is exhibiting extreme
resistance to control. Engines and air tankers are providing structure
protection on two ranches, where ten structures are threatened.
COTTONWOOD, Carson City Field Office, BLM. This fire is burning in pinyon
pine and juniper 30 miles southeast of Lovelock, NV. The fire continues to
make upslope runs in heavy pinyon pine and juniper. Bolivia Ghost Town,
powerlines, a microwave tower, cultural sites and winter wildlife habitat
are threatened.
PHILLIPS RANCH, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. This fire is burning in
mixed conifer 50 miles southeast of Ely, NV. The fire is torching and
running within defined natural barriers. Due to unsafe terrain, the fire is
only accessible by air. An Interagency Fire Use Management Team has been
ordered.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA LARGE FIRES:
MANTER, Sequoia National Forest. A Type I Incident Management Team
(Studebaker) is assigned. This fire is 15 miles northeast of Kernville, CA
in the Dome Land Wilderness. The fire crossed the Kern River in two places.
The community of Kennedy Meadows has been evacuated. Structure protection
efforts are underway. Dry fuels are causing extreme fire behavior even with
light to moderate winds.
PLASKETT 2, Los Padres National Forest. A Type I Incident Management Team
(Gage) is assigned. This fire is 25 miles north of Cambria, CA east of
Highway 1. The fire spotted across the north fork of Willow Creek and ran
toward South Coast Road. A successful burnout operation was completed along
Highway 1.
HAUSER, Cleveland National Forest. The fire is burning in thick brushy fuels
near Lake Morena in San Diego County. California Department of Forestry has
joint jurisdiction with Cleveland National Forest.
HAPPY, California Desert District, BLM. This fire is north of Trona, CA. No
new information was received.
SOUTHWEST AREA LARGE FIRES:
RIDGE, Fort Apache Agency. A Type II Incident Management Team (Leech) is
assigned. This fire is four miles west of Carrizo, AZ. The fire has crossed
Cibecue Ridge and is moving southeast. Flame lengths of 300 feet have been
observed, and the fire grew 700 acres in 45 minutes. A microwave tower, a
major power line, a structure and timber resources are threatened.
MOGOLLON, Tonto National Forest. The fire was ignited by lightning on 7/22
ten miles northeast of Payson, AZ. No new information was received.
BLUE JAY, Coronado National Forest. This fire is near Safford, AZ. The fire
is burning in dense, dry fuels in rough terrain. No new information was
received.
WALL, Albuquerque District, BLM. This fire is burning in an extremely remote
portion of the El Malpais Wilderness 20 miles southwest of Grants, NM. The
fire is being monitored by park personnel.
NORTHWEST AREA LARGE FIRES:
GOODNOE, Southeast Washington State Forestry. This fire is 15 miles
southeast of Goldendale, WA. The fire expanded during the early evening
hours. After crossing Rock Creek it slowed on flatter ground. Approximately
19 structures are still threatened.
ROCKY HULL, Northeast Washington State Forestry. A Type II Incident
Management Team (Jennings) is assigned. The fire is four miles southeast of
Oroville, WA. All control lines have held for the past 24 hours. Mopup
operations are continuing.
SOUTHERN AREA LARGE FIRES:
UNION WELLS 2, Texas State Forest Service. This fire is 60 miles northeast
of Houston, TX. Good progress was made by firefighters. Mopup action has
been initiated.
THUNDER, National Forests in Mississippi. This fire is in the Homochitto
National Forest near Meadville, MS. No new information was received.
OUTLOOK:
*** A FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS POSTED IN SOUTHCENTRAL MONTANA FOR DRY LIGHTNING
***
High pressure will continue to build over the Great Basin, resulting in
quite hot and dry weather. Moisture lingering in the Rocky Mountains will
bring scattered wet thunderstorms in Colorado and New Mexico. Isolated
thunderstorms will occur in southcentral and southwest Montana and in
Wyoming. A monsoonal push out of Baja California will bring a chance of
thunderstorms to the southern Sierra Nevada mountains.
Temperatures will be hot, with highs in the 80's and 90's in the mountains
and from 90 to the lower 100's in the valleys. Southern deserts will be 105
to 116 degrees. Minimum relative humidities will drop into the single digits
at most lower elevations of the Great Basin. Humidities will be 10 to 20
percent in the mountain areas. Winds will generally be light, with some
gusts up to 20 mph in the afternoon.
Southern California will be sunny and dry except for morning coastal fog. A
High temperatures will be 70 to 80 along the coast, and up to 115 in the
desert areas. Minimum relative humidities will be as low as 10 percent.
Afternoon winds will be south to southwest at 10 to 20 mph.
=> 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 2000 JUL 29 at 00:15 UTC
NO EVENTS
=> Yesterday's USA Severe Weather Reports
Note: All data is considered preliminary
Tornado Reports
Time F-Scale Location County State Lat Lon Comments
0012 UNK BROOKSVILLE HERNANDO FL 2854 8238 SEVERAL REPORTS FROM SEVERAL
SOURCES OF MULTIPLE TORNADOS ON THE GROUND NEAR BROOKSVILLE. ADDITIONAL
DAMAGE REPORTS WILL BE PROVIDED AS THEY BECOME (TBW)
0038 UNK JESSAMINE PASCO FL 2841 8226 TWO REPORTS OF A TORNADO ON THE GROUND
BY A STORM SPOTTER AND BY PASCO COUNTY S.O. IN AN UNDEVELOPED AREA
APPROXIMATELY 6 MILES WEST OF JESSIMINE IN NORTH CENTRAL PASCO (TBW)
Hail Reports
Time Size Location County State Lat Lon Comments
1610 75 LINN GILMER WV 3901 8071 AUTOMOBILE DAMAGED PAINT CHIPPED AND TOP
DAMAGED HAIL RANGED FROM PEA TO DIME SIZE (CRW)
1620 75 ALUM BRIDGE LEWIS WV 3903 8064 DIME SIZE HAIL AND MULTIPLE LIMBS
DOWN FROM TREES (CRW)
1625 75 1 S GETTYSBURG PREBLE OH 3975 8463 (ILN)
1715 75 OTWAY SCIOTO OH 3886 8318 (ILN)
1715 75 DEFIANCE DEFIANCE OH 4128 8434 REPORTED BY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
(FWA)
1720 75 7 W WEST LIBERTY MORGAN KY 3791 8341 REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICIAL. (JKL)
1721 88 ADA KENT MI 4301 8548 (GRR)
1739 75 SOUTH SHORE GREENUP KY 3871 8296 EVENT OCCURRED BETWEEN 0124 PM AND
0139 PM (CRW)
1740 75 WAVERLY PIKE OH 3913 8296 (ILN)
1740 75 ONEIDA SCOTT TN 3649 8451 REPORTED BY PUBLIC (MRX)
1741 100 PORTSMOUTH SCIOTO OH 3873 8298 EVENT OCCURRED BETWEEN 0126 PM AND
0141 PM (CRW)
1750 100 10 SE JACKSON BREATHITT KY 3743 8323 REPORTED BY PUBLIC. (JKL)
1750 88 COLUMBUS FRANKLIN OH 4003 8300 (ILN)
1750 88 BUCHANAN COUNTY BUCHANAN VA 3776 8203 REPORTED NEAR VANSANT (CRW)
1755 75 VICKSBURG KALAMAZOO MI 4211 8553 REPORTED BY TRAINED SPOTTER (GRR)
1804 75 VANSANT BUCHANAN VA 3723 8209 EVENT OCCURRED BETWEEN 0149 PM AND
0204 PM (CRW)
1830 125 3 SE PITTSBURGH ALLEGHENY PA 4039 7993 (PIT)
1835 175 MACON BIBB GA 3281 8364 GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL ON ROCKY CREEK DRIVE.
(ATL)
1845 75 PINEY CREEK ALLEGHANY NC 3654 8130 SPOTTER REPORT (RNK)
1856 100 GREENSBURG WESTMORELAND PA 4029 7955 (PIT)
1900 75 PRINCETON MERCER WV 3736 8109 SPOTTER REPORT (RNK)
1913 75 CULLODEN CABELL WV 3841 8204 EVENT OCCURRED BETWEEN 0258 PM AND 0313
PM (CRW)
1920 100 POWELL CLAIBORNE TN 3603 8403 REPORTED BY DISPATCH (MRX)
1930 100 1 SE FEDSCREEK PIKE KY 3738 8221 REPORTED BY COOPERATIVE OBSERVER.
NICKEL TO QUARTER SIZE HAIL OBSERVED AT FEDSCREEK GROCERY STORE. (JKL)
1935 175 CROOKED LAKE STEUBEN IN 4168 8503 (FWA)
1945 75 NIAGARA FALLS NIAGARA NY 4308 7903 REPORTED BY SKYWARN SPOTTER (BUF)
1946 175 JEROME HILLSDALE MI 4203 8446 REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL.
(FWA)
1950 75 GRAINGER COUNTY GRAINGER TN 3626 8350 REPORTED BY SPOTTER (MRX)
1951 75 HARTS LINCOLN WV 3803 8213 EVENT OCCURRED BETWEEN 0336 PM AND 0351
PM (CRW)
1959 100 NITRO KANAWHA WV 3828 8155 EVENT OCCURRED BETWEEN 0344 PM AND 0359
PM (CRW)
2005 100 EDWARDSBURG CASS MI 4179 8608 REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL.
(FWA)
2007 125 2 E AVILLA NOBLE IN 4136 8518 REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL.
(FWA)
2010 75 DRESDEN MUSKINGUM OH 4011 8201 (PIT)
2030 75 MINERVA CARROLL OH 4073 8109 (PIT)
2040 75 SALINE WASHTENAW MI 4216 8376 REPORTED BY TRAINED SPOTTER .75 INCH
HAIL REPORTED BY TRAINED SPOTTER .75 INCH HAIL (DTX)
2047 100 SULLIVAN ASHLAND OH 4103 8223 (CLE)
2047 75 PENFIELD LORAIN OH 4116 8211 (CLE)
2050 100 RANGE LORAIN OH 3973 8341 (CLE)
2056 75 SALINE WASHTENAW MI 4216 8376 REPORTED BY TRAINED SPOTTER (DTX)
2059 75 FOWLERVILLE LIVINGSTON MI 4266 8406 (DTX)
2110 88 BAYARD COLUMBIANA OH 4075 8106 GREATER THAN NICKEL SIZE HAIL AT
BAYARD. (PIT)
2113 75 GREER SPARTANBURG SC 3491 8196 DIME SIZE HAIL AT GSP AIRPORT (GSP)
2117 75 10 E GREENVILLE GREENVILLE SC 3484 8219 DIME SIZE HAIL PELHAM ROAD
AND I -85 REPORTED BY CHANNEL 7 NEWS CREW (GSP)
2120 175 SULLIVAN COUNTY SULLIVAN TN 3649 8228 REPORTED BY DISPATCH (MRX)
2120 175 NORTH WASHINGTON TN 3518 9003 REPORTED BY DISPATCH (MRX)
2120 100 CLINTON LENAWEE MI 4206 8396 REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT 1.00 INCH
HAIL REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT 1.00 INCH HAIL REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT
.75 INCH HAIL (DTX)
2124 100 PERRYVILLE CARROLL OH 4046 8109 QUARTER SIZE HAIL IN PERRYVILLE.
(PIT)
2127 75 COVINGTON MIAMI OH 4011 8434 (ILN)
2130 100 SALINE WASHTENAW MI 4216 8376 REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT (DTX)
2140 100 HEDGESVILLE BERKELEY WV 3954 7800 TREES DOWN (WBC)
2200 175 5 SE GREENVILLE GREENVILLE SC 3479 8232 GOLFBALL SIZE HAIL REPORTED
ON AMATEUR RADIO ALONG I-385 JUST SOUTH OF I-85 (GSP)
2209 75 CHARLOTTESVILLE ALBEMARLE VA 3803 7850 (WBC)
2210 75 SPRING HILLS CHAMPAIGN OH 4023 8386 (ILN)
2220 75 15 SE ORANGEBURG ORANGEBURG SC 3332 8065 REPORT FROM LOCAL TV
STATION OF DIME-SIZE HAIL ON I-26 IN EASTERN ORANGEBURG COUNTY. (CAE)
2221 100 YALE ST CLAIR MI 4313 8278 REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT (DTX)
2223 175 MOUNTAIN CITY JOHNSON TN 3648 8180 REPORTED BY DISPATCH (MRX)
2223 75 TOWNSEND BLOUNT TN 3566 8376 REPORTED BY DISPATCH (MRX)
2225 75 LIVONIA WAYNE MI 4238 8336 (DTX)
2242 100 BIRMINGHAM OAKLAND MI 4254 8321 REPORTED BY TRAINED SPOTTER 1.00
INCH HAIL REPORTED BY TRAINED SPOTTER .75 INCH HAIL REPORTED BY TRAINED
SPOTTER 1.00 INCH HAIL REPORTED BY TRAINED SPOTTER (DTX)
2300 75 MANASSAS PRINCE WILLIAM VA 3875 7748 TREES DOWN (WBC)
2325 75 LATHAM WEAKLEY TN 3643 8871 REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL
(MEM)
2327 100 ALMONT LAPEER MI 4291 8303 REPORTED BY TRAINED SPOTTER (DTX)
2332 125 3 NW BEELER NESS KS 3846 10024 (DDC)
2335 100 SPRINGFIELD CLARK OH 3991 8380 REPORTED IN THE NE PART OF TOWN
(ILN)
2338 100 9 NNE KARVAL LINCOLN CO 3887 10346 (DEN)
2345 75 15 SW NEWTON CATAWBA NC 3550 8143 DIME SIZE HAIL AND POWE LINES DOWN
(GSP)
2350 88 9 SE CALHAN ELPASO CO 3878 10451 REPORTED BY PUBLIC. (PUB)
0105 100 4 W MANCHESTER ALFALFA OK 3699 9811 REPORTED BY STORM SPOTTER.
(OKC)
0136 88 6 SE VERNON KNOX OH 4041 8246 (CLE)
0155 175 7 W RED ROCK NOBLE OK 3646 9731 PUBLIC REPORT (OKC)
0330 75 4 WNW TRYON LINCOLN OK 3589 9704 PUBLIC RPT (OKC)
0443 100 FOUR WAY MOORE TX 3568 10196 REPORTED BY STORM SPOTTER. (AMA)
Wind Reports
Time Speed Location County State Lat Lon Comments
1415 UNK GRANDVIEW SPENCER IN 3793 8698 ONE TREE DOWN...ONE LIMB 3 TO 4
INCHES IN DIAMETER ALSO DOWN (PAH)
1630 UNK HASTINGS BARRY MI 4264 8528 LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED NUMEROUS TREES
DOWN ACROSS THE COUNTY (GRR)
1645 UNK KALAMAZOO KALAMAZOO MI 4228 8556 LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED TREES AND
POWER LINES DOWN IN THE KALAMAZOO AND PARCHMENT AREAS (GRR)
1716 UNK JEFFERSONVILLE TWIGGS GA 3268 8334 TREES DOWN ON HENDERSON ROA
(ATL)
1800 UNK LAKE ODESSA IONIA MI 4278 8513 LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED TREE DOWN
(GRR)
1801 UNK 1 N BELLEVUE EATON MI 4246 8501 TREE DOWN (GRR)
1805 UNK SPRING CITY RHEA TN 3569 8486 TREES DOWN (MRX)
1806 UNK SOUTH WEBSTER SCIOTO OH 3881 8271 TREES DOWN. EVENT OCCURRED
BETWEEN 0151 PM AND 0206 PM (CRW)
1821 UNK CASCADE KENT MI 4300 8553 *** 1 DEAD *** TREE LIMB FELL ON
AUTOMOBILE AND KILLED DRIVER AT INTERSECTION OF CASCADE AND 45TH. LAW
ENFORCEMENT UNSURE WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS A LIGHTNING STRIKE OR WI (GRR)
1825 UNK 5 N COCHRAN BLECKLEY GA 3246 8334 WINDS DESTROYED 3 BARNS. (ATL)
1845 UNK IMPERIAL ALLEGHENY PA 4045 8025 POWER LINES DOWN (PIT)
1900 UNK PIPESTEM SUMMERS WV 3753 8096 TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED TREES DOWN
(RNK)
1900 UNK BULLARD TWIGGS GA 3263 8350 10 TO 15 TREES DOWN. (ATL)
1920 UNK TENNILLE WASHINGTON GA 3293 8280 2 TREES DOWN ON TENNILLE-OC ROAD
AND HOUSE SET ON FIRE BY LIGHTNING. WIND DAMAGE 3 TREES DOWN ON FODDER CREE
(ATL)
1925 UNK MOOREFIELD HARDY WV 3906 7903 TREES DOWN (WBC)
1930 UNK DELRAY HAMPSHIRE WV 3921 7859 TREES DOWN (WBC)
1950 UNK SPRINGFIELD ROBERTSON TN 3649 8688 POWER LINES DOWN (BNA)
2000 UNK KENDALLVILLE NOBLE IN 4145 8526 TREE LIMBS DOWN. REPORTED BY LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL. (FWA)
2004 UNK 1 SW PARMA JACKSON MI 4223 8461 TREE DOWN AT THE INTERSECTION OF
ERIE AND LITTLE ROADS (GRR)
2007 UNK LITCHFIELD HILLSDALE MI 4204 8474 TREE DOWN...8 INCH DIAMETER.
REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL. (FWA)
2010 UNK HILLSDALE HILLSDALE MI 4191 8461 TREE LIMBS DOWN. REPORTED BY LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL. (FWA)
2010 UNK DRESDEN MUSKINGUM OH 4011 8201 TREES DOWN (PIT)
2010 UNK MIDDLEBURY ELKHART IN 4160 8588 POWER LINES DOWNED. REPORTED BY LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL. (FWA)
2015 UNK TELLICO PLAINS MONROE TN 3536 8430 REPORTED BY DISPATCH TREES DOWN
NEAR TELLICO PLAINS AT BALL PARK. (MRX)
2020 UNK GUERNSEY GUERNSEY OH 4018 8159 TREES DOWN NORTH OF GUERNSEY. (PIT)
2020 UNK BOONE COUNTY BOONE WV 3800 8171 TREE DOWN IN ROBINSON AND IN
MADISON. REPORTED BY COUNTY OES (CRW)
2030 UNK COSHOCTON COSHOCTON OH 4026 8184 WIRES AND LARGE LIMBS DOWN E OF
COSHOCTON ON COUNTY ROAD 16. (PIT)
2030 UNK BANCROFT SHIAWASSEE MI 4288 8406 LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED TREES
DOWN (DTX)
2035 UNK AUBURN IN 4136 8504 TREES DOWN REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICIAL. (FWA)
2040 UNK SIGNAL MOUNTAIN HAMILTON TN 3513 8534 REPORTED BY DISPATCH TREES
DOWN. (MRX)
2040 UNK GAULEY BRIDGE FAYETTE WV 3816 8119 TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN.
REPORTED BY COUNTY OES. (CRW)
2100 UNK 7 NE MT VERNON LAWRENCE MO 3718 9372 ROOF BLOWN OFF BARN AND TREES
DOWN. REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL AFTER 8 PM. (SGF)
2110 UNK CASTLEWOOD RUSSELL VA 3688 8230 REPORTED BY DISPATCH TREES DOWN ON
POWER LINES. (MRX)
2120 UNK 10 E GREENVILLE GREENVILLE SC 3484 8219 NUMEROUS TREES DOWN NEAR
MICHELIN PLANT AT I-85 AND PELHAM ROAD (GSP)
2120 UNK JOHNSON CITY WASHINGTON TN 3648 8250 REPORTED BY DISPATCH TREES AND
POWER LINES DOWN. WIND DAMAGE REPORTED BY DISPATCH NUMEROUS TREES DOWN.
(MRX)
2125 UNK BAILEYTON GREENE TN 3633 8283 REPORTED BY DISPATCH TREES DOWN. ALSO
AT UNION TEMPLE. (MRX)
2129 UNK TAMPA HILLSBOROUGH FL 2798 8246 LARGE TREE AND POWER LINES DOWN
NEAR THE UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA. REPORTED BY TAMPA ELECTRIC. (TBW)
2145 UNK 5 SE GREENVILLE GREENVILLE SC 3479 8232 50 TO 60 MPH WINDS
ESTIMATED AT I-85 AND I-385 BY AMATEUR RADIO (GSP)
2145 UNK TAZEWELL TAZEWELL VA 3711 8151 TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED TREES DOWN
(RNK)
2150 UNK HAGERSTOWN WASHINGTON MD 3964 7771 TREES DOWN (WBC)
2155 UNK BLUFF CITY SULLIVAN TN 3648 8226 REPORTED BY DISPATCH TREES AND
POWER LINES DOWN. (MRX)
2155 UNK SEVIER COUNTY SEVIER TN 3583 8353 REPORTED BY SPOTTER TREES DOWN
HWY 44I IN WEST SIDE OF SMOKY MTN NATIONAL PARK. (MRX)
2215 UNK WINTERSVILLE JEFFERSON OH 4038 8069 LARGE BRANCHES DOWN IN
WINTERSVILLE. (PIT)
2240 UNK GATLINBURG SEVIER TN 3571 8351 REPORTED BY POWER UTILITY TREES DOWN
ON POWER LINES. (MRX)
2250 UNK KIRBYVILLE TANEY MO 3661 9316 A BARN AND GAZEBO DAMAGED BY
THUNDERSTORM WINDS. REPORTED BY THE TANEY COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE. (SGF)
2255 UNK KANNAPOLIS CABARRUS NC 3536 8053 EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER
REPORTED SEVERAL TREES DOWN IN KANNAPOLIS. (GSP)
2305 UNK MOCKSVILLE DAVIE NC 3590 8056 HAM SPOTTER AND DAVIE EOC REPORTED
ONE LARGE OAK TREE DOWN AND PEA SIZE HAIL. (GSP)
2330 UNK 2 NW ROSSFORD LUCAS OH 4164 8359 MANY LIMBS AND A LARGE SIGN BLOWN
DOWN. (CLE)
2335 UNK SHIPPENSBURG FRANKLIN PA 3998 7780 TREES AND WIRES DOWN (CTP)
2340 UNK SPRING CITY RHEA TN 3569 8486 REPORTED BY DISPATCH TREES DOWN (MRX)
2345 UNK MONTGOMERY FRANKLIN PA 4118 7688 TREES AND WIRES DOWN (CTP)
2348 UNK 15 SE NEWTON CATAWBA NC 3550 8099 TREE DOWN ON HIGHWAY 150 SOUTH
NEAR TERRELL (GSP)
2349 UNK 7 SW NEWTON CATAWBA NC 3560 8131 NUMEROUS LIMBS DOWN (GSP)
2352 UNK 8 NE PYATT MARION AR 3634 9271 STRONG WINDS REPORTED BY COUNTY
SHERIFF. (LIT)
2324 64 GODDARD SEDGWICK KS 3766 9758 (SPC)
0003 UNK FLIPPIN MARION AR 3626 9259 POWER LINES DOWN. REPORTED BY MARION
COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE (LIT)
0025 UNK MOUNTAIN HOME BAXTER AR 3633 9238 REPORTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT
OFFICIAL. TREES AND POWER LINES DOWN. (LIT)
0050 UNK BAILEY STOKES NC 3643 8026 LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTED TREES DOWN
BLOCKING PHILLIPS ROAD (RNK)
0100 UNK CLAXTON ANDERSON TN 3611 8418 REPORTED BY POWER UTILITY TREES DOWN
ON POWER LINES. (MRX)
0105 UNK KNOXVILLE KNOX TN 3596 8393 REPORTED BY DISPATCH TREE DOWN ACROSS
SUBURBAN ROAD WEST PART OF COUNTY. (MRX)
0130 UNK KNOXVILLE KNOX TN 3596 8393 REPORTED BY DISPATCH TREES DOWN CHAPMAN
HWY AREA. (MRX)
0005 60 5 NW HARPER HARPER KS 3734 9809 (SPC)
0300 60 3 W PERRY NOBLE OK 3629 9734 PUBLIC RPT (OKC)
0315 59 11 W STILLWATER PAYNE OK 3611 9729 MESONET REPORT (OKC)
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 Michael E. Newman Director of Media Relations, NIST
The world's first competition for search-and-rescue robots will take place
next week in Austin, Texas, and the Commerce Department's National
Institute of Standards and Technology would like to invite you to share in
the excitement. Part of the annual conference of the American Association
for Artificial Intelligence, the robot competition will pit the "brains" of
these electronic lifesavers against NIST's "urban ruin test course," a
made-to-order, transportable simulation of devastation with three
increasing levels of difficulty.
Our news release describing the new NIST system for evaluating the
performance of search-and-rescue robots can be found at
http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/releases/n00-13.htm. Links to four
photos showing various aspects of the course described in the release also
are provided.
The "robot-run-through-ruin" competition will begin at the AAAI Conference
at the Austin Convention Center at 4 p.m. (Central Time) on Monday, July
31. It will continue until the finals are held at 4 p.m. (Central Time) on
Tuesday, August 1.
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separately)
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=> Chain of Errors Caused Fatal Osprey Crash
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 28, 2000 -- Like "links in a chain," many
things went wrong in the April 8 crash of an MV-22 Osprey
that killed 19 Marines, Marine officials said.
Lt. Gen. Fred McCorkle, chief of Marine Corps aviation,
told Pentagon reporters that results of an investigation
pointed to human factors as the main culprit. The tilt-
rotor MV-22 crashed during a training mission at the
airport in Marana, Ariz. Four crewman and their 15
passengers died on impact.
Two aircraft were taking part in a night training exercise
out of Yuma Marine Corps Air Station, Ariz. The Marines
were conducting noncombatant evacuation maneuvers.
The primary cause of the crash was the pilot descended too
quickly -- 250 percent the acceptable rate, McCorkle said.
Other contributing factors include an unexpected 8- to 15-
knot tailwind and crew deviations from their flight plan,
which put them higher than expected.
"Both aircraft arrived at the airport 2,000 feet higher
than planned," McCorkle said. "In the Marine tradition of
getting the mission accomplished, rather than go around,
the Marines decided to accomplish the mission."
Both Ospreys exceeded the accepted rate of descent, but the
pilot who crashed was in worse shape because he was trying
both to descend and take up position behind his leader from
line abreast, the general said. During this maneuver, the
pilot dropped his speed to near 40 knots and experienced
"vortex ring state," a rotor stall that results in a loss
of lift. Attempts to recover worsened the situation and the
aircraft crashed, McCorkle said.
The Marine Corps administratively disciplined the pilot and
co-pilot of the lead aircraft for failure in judgment.
McCorkle said they should have waved off instead of
attempting to continue the mission.
The Marine Corps pulled the pilot's and co-pilot's
designations as aircraft commanders for six months. They
can still fly as co-pilots. After six months, they must
requalify as flight commanders, said Marine officials.
Other lessons the Marines learned from the crash include
stressing the importance of crew coordination both inside
the cockpits and with other aircraft. Corps officials said
they will continue to explore the aerodynamic
characteristics of the Osprey and the best recovery
techniques if an Osprey enters vortex ring state.
McCorkle said the Marines are looking at the possibility of
developing a warning system that will recognize unsafe rate
of descent/low airspeed conditions. "I personally think
this will be very hard to do," he said.
He said he still has the utmost confidence in the Osprey.
Current plans call for the Marines to purchase 360 MV-22Bs,
the Air Force to buy 50 CV-22A special operations aircraft
and the Navy to purchase 48 HV-22Bs.
=> FAA Flight Data Link Becomes Operational at Oshkosh
WASHINGTON, DC - For the first time, general aviation aircraft
will be able to get cockpit displays of digital weather graphics and
text through a service sponsored by the U.S. Department of
Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration. The agency's
Flight Information Service Data Link (FISDL) becomes operational
during the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) Air Venture
2000.
"Weather is one of the leading factors cited in aviation accidents
with over one third of all fatal accidents in all sectors of aviation
involving weather," said FAA Administrator Jane Garvey. "FISDL
will enhance situational awareness and improve safety-related
information to the pilot, both critical to preventing accidents."
FISDL will provide basic text weather information directly to
general aviation pilots at no cost after meeting the additional
avionics requirements. Using a small display in the cockpit, flight
crews will be able to receive the basic text messages including
Aviation Routine Weather Reports, Special Aviation Reports,
Terminal Area Forecasts, Significant Meteorological Information,
Convective Sigmets, Airman's Meteorological Information, Pilot
Reports and Severe Weather Forecast Alerts issued by FAA or
the National Weather Service.
There will also be graphical products such as NEXRAD maps and
other text products such as Special Use Airspace and Notices to
Airmen available through a subscription service. The FISDL
service is designed to provide coverage throughout the National
Airspace System.
FISDL is a government-industry partnership with Arnav Systems
and Honeywell International, both of which will act as service
providers for FAA's information. Under the five-year agreements
signed during the 1999 Experimental Aircraft Association's
AirVenture, both Arnav and Honeywell Bendix/King will receive two
nationwide data link frequencies for the broadcast of basic
aviation weather reports as well as additional information they
provide by subscription. The Arnav system will be available at
the 2000 EAA AirVenture, while the Honeywell Bendix/King system
comes on line in the Fall.
Avionics requirements include a VHF data radio and a
multifunction display unit capable of displaying digital graphic and
text messages.
=> Links Area
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
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