The USA Disaster Situation Report
The Daily USA Disaster Situation Report
For December 19, 2000
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- -- OCHA Situation Report No. 1 Mexico - Volcano
Popocatepetl -
=> Sponsored by The Rothstein Catalog On Disaster Recovery
**** ARTICLES ****
=> Article Church World Service Situation Report: Alabama Tornados
=> Article Christmasberry -- Bah Humbug And A Seasonal "Don't" This Time Of
Year
=> Article Quick as a Flash: Researchers Probe Newly Discovered, Extra-Fast
Lightning
=> Article Mennonite Disaster Service Volunteer Work Update
=> Article U.S. Transportation Secretary Slater Announces Program To Help
Improve
International Air Safety
=> 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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The Daily USA Disaster Situation Report
For December 19, 2000
Christopher Effgen, Editor, host{at}disastercenter.com
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IN THIS ISSUE
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=> USA Daily Temperature Extremes
National Temperature Extremes
High Mon...88 At Pismo Beach CA
Low Tue...22 Below Zero Warroad MN
=> Special Notes
Stratwarm Alert Exists Stratwarm Tuesday
Comment: STRATWARM ALERT/TUESDAY/STRATWARM EXISTS.
STRONG STRATOSPHERIC MINOR WARMING CONTINUES.
SPLITTED VORTEX IN THE MIDDLE STRATOSPHERE WITH A
MAJOR CENTER OVER CANADA AND A MINOR CENTER OVER
WESTERN SIBERIA, WEAKENING.
AT 10HPA THE ANTICYCLONE OVER THE NORTH ATLANTIC,
MOVING EASTWARD, INTENSIFYING. THE MINOR WARMING
OVER GREENLAND, MOVING NORTHEASTWARD. THE WARM
REGION OVER ASIA, WEAKENING.
IN THE UPPER STRATOSPHERE REVERSED TEMPERATURE
GRADIENT BETWEEN 60N AND THE POLE. A WARM REGION
OVER THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA.
Unconfirmed -- Disaster Emergency for East Penn Twp, Carbon Cty -- Flooding
=> Current Active National Weather Service Warnings:
Active Warnings:
Updated Tue Dec 19 11:24:38 2000
Flood
Connecticut
Massachusetts
...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONTINUES THE RIVER FLOOD WARNING
FOR THE CONNECTICUT RIVER... THIS INCLUDES THOMPSONVILLE...HARTFORD...
AND MIDDLETOWN. RUNOFF FROM SUNDAYS STORM HAS SWELLED THE
CONNECTICUT RIVER INTO MINOR FLOOD.
Non Precipitation
Alabama
A HARD FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR TONIGHT FOR ALL OF
SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI...SOUTHWEST ALABAMA...AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA.
Arkansas
LOW TEMPERATURES AND THE STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE
TO PRODUCE WIND CHILLS BETWEEN ZERO AND 20 DEGREES BELOW ZERO OVER
MUCH OF ARKANSAS.
Colorado
VERY STRONG CHINOOK WINDS WILL CONTINUE OVER THE COLORADO FRONT
RANGE MOUNTAINS AND IN AND NEAR THE ADJACENT EASTERN FOOTHILLS
TODAY...
Florida
A HARD FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR TONIGHT FOR ALL OF
SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI...SOUTHWEST ALABAMA...AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA.
FREEZE WARNING AND WIND CHILL ADVISORY TONIGHT FOR LAKE...ORANGE
...OSCEOLA...SEMINOLE...VOLUSIA AND NORTH BREVARD COUNTIES...
WIND CHILL ADVISORY LATE THIS EVENING INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING FOR
INDIAN RIVER...MARTIN...OKEECHOBEE AND SAINT LUCIE COUNTIES...
Georgia
A HARD FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT TONIGHT FOR ALL OF SOUTHEAST
ALABAMA...SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL GEORGIA...
Illinois
BITTERLY COLD WIND CHILLS EXPECTED THIS MORNING...
Indiana
WIND CHILL ADVISORY TODAY
Kansas
WIND CHILL ADVISORY HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH NOON TODAY...
Louisiana
AN ARCTIC AIRMASS IS MOVING OVER THE AREA IN THE WAKE OF A COLD
FRONT. TEMPERATURES WILL FALL INTO THE MID TO UPPER TEENS TONIGHT
NORTH OF LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN AND THE MISSISSIPPI COAST AND 25 TO 30
SOUTH OF LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN.
Missouri
WIND CHILL ADVISORY HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH NOON TODAY...
Mississippi
A HARD FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR TONIGHT FOR ALL OF
SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI...SOUTHWEST ALABAMA...AND NORTHWEST FLORIDA.
Montana
HIGH WIND WARNING THIS MORNING...
SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS 30 TO 50 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 60 MPH ARE
EXPECTED.
North Carolina
...A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHEAST NORTH
CAROLINA AND NORTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA EXCEPT FOR HORRY AND
GEORGETOWN COUNTIES...
Nebraska
NORTHWEST WINDS AND COLD ARCTIC AIR WILL KEEP WIND CHILL VALUES
BITTERLY COLD.
Ohio
WIND CHILL ADVISORY TODAY....
Oregon
VERY STRONG WINDS IN THE GRANDE RONDE VALLEY THROUGH TUESDAY
MORNING...
South Carolina
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHEAST NORTH
CAROLINA AND NORTHEAST SOUTH CAROLINA EXCEPT FOR HORRY AND
GEORGETOWN COUNTIES...
Texas
FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FOR AREAS NORTH OF AN EDNA TO RICHMOND
TO LIBERTY LINE...
...EVEN COLDER TEMPERATURES EXPECTED FRIDAY AND SATURDAY MORNING...
FREEZE WARNING TONIGHT FOR CENTRAL LOUISIANA AND SOUTHEAST TEXAS...
Wyoming
A HIGH WIND WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR MUCH OF SOUTHEAST AND
SOUTH CENTRAL WYOMING THROUGH THIS EVENING
Winter Storm
Alabama
MORE SNOW FOR NORTH AND CENTRAL ALABAMA
Colorado
A WINTER STORM WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED TONIGHT FOR THE MOUNTAINS...
Connecticut
A WINTER STORM WILL BRING SNOW TO EASTERN NEW YORK AND WESTERN
NEW ENGLAND TODAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING...
Florida
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT THIS MORNING FOR
SOUTHEAST ALABAMA...AND PARTS OF SOUTHWEST GEORGIA...
Georgia
A DEVELOPING AREA OF LOW PRESSURE ALONG THE CAROLINA COAST THIS
AFTERNOON ALONG WITH AN UPPER LEVEL WEATHER DISTURBANCE WILL
PRODUCE A MIXTURE OF RAIN AND SNOW ACROSS THE AREA THIS AFTEROON.
Indiana
LAKE EFFECT SNOW WILL AFFECT NORTHWEST INDIANA TODAY IN THE WAKE
OF YESTERDAYS WINTER STORM SYSTEM.
Massachusetts
ANOTHER STORM SYSTEM WILL BRING WINTRY WEATHER TO A LARGE PART OF
SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND LATE TODAY INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING...SNOW
WILL INCREASE IN INTENSITY DURING DURING THE EVENING AND CONTINUE
OVERNIGHT AND ACCUMULATE 3 TO 6 INCHES BY DAYBREAK.
Maryland
EASTERN PORTIONS OF THE AREA
INCLUDING THE WASHINGTON-BALTIMORE METRO REGION. SNOW WILL MOVE
INTO
THIS AREA DURING MID TO LATE MORNING AND CONTINUE THROUGH THE
AFTERNOON INTO THIS EVENING.
Maine
SNOW WILL OVERSPREAD MOST OF NEW HAMPSHIRE BY LATE AFTERNOON
AND MOVE INTO WESTERN MAINE THIS EVENING...THEN CONTINUE SPREADING
EAST TONIGHT.
WINTER STORM WARNING TONIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY
MORNING... 6 TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW ACCUMULATION IS EXPECTED BEFORE
SNOW ENDS WEDNESDAY MORNING.
Michigan
...HEAVY LAKE EFFECT SNOW SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE THIS AFTERNOON...
.NORTHEAST WINDS BLOWING AROUND LOW PRESSURE MOVING THROUGH THE
EASTERN GREAT LAKES WILL MAINTAIN WIDESPREAD LAKE EFFECT SNOW
SHOWERS OVER PORTIONS OF WESTERN AND NORTH CENTRAL UPPER
MICHIGAN THIS AFTERNOON.
Minnesota
AN ALBERTA CLIPPER TO BRING ANOTHER ROUND OF SNOW AND WIND TO THE
REGION... .MORE SNOW IS EXPECTED ACROSS THE REGION BEGINNING LATE
TODAY CONTINUING INTO WEDNESDAY.
ACCUMULATIONS FROM 3 TO 6 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE BEFORE THE SNOW
WINDS DOWN LATER ON WEDNESDAY.
Missouri
...SNOW ENDING BUT GUSTY WINDS PRODUCING BLOWING AND DRIFTING
SNOW...
North Carolina
WINTRY WEATHER EXPECTED ACROSS THE CAROLINAS
RAIN WILL DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON THEN MIX WITH...AND EVENTUALLY
CHANGE OVER TO SNOW BY LATE AFTERNOON.
North Dakota
AN ALBERTA CLIPPER TO BRING ANOTHER ROUND OF SNOW AND WIND TO THE
REGION...
THE AREA TONIGHT AND CONTINUING INTO WEDNESDAY. TOTAL
ACCUMULATIONS FROM 3 TO 6 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE BEFORE THE SNOW
WINDS DOWN LATER ON WEDNESDAY.
New Hampshire
WINTER STORM WARNING TONIGHT THROUGH 10 AM WEDNESDAY...
AMOUNTS SNOWFALL UNDER 5 INCHES BUT IF PRECIPITATION IS ALL
SNOW...MUCH OF THE AREA SHOULD HAVE AROUND 7 INCHES...ESPECIALLY
THE MONADNOCK REGION OF SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE.
New Jersey
SNOW LIKELY LATER THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT
New York
A WINTER STORM WILL BRING SNOW TO EASTERN NEW YORK AND WESTERN
NEW ENGLAND TODAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING... MORE THAN 6
INCHES OF SNOW IS FORECAST TO ACCUMULATE IN THE AFFECTED AREAS
CAUSING HAZARDOUS DRIVING
Oregon
FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY WESTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE EAST OF
CASCADE LOCKS THIS MORNING...
Pennsylvania
A PLOWABLE SNOW IS FALLING ACROSS MOST OF CENTRAL
PENNSYLVANIA ...AND WILL BE INCREASING IN INTENSITY OVER THE
SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY THROUGH THE AFTERNOON AND INTO THE EVENING.
South Carolina
WINTRY WEATHER EXPECTED ACROSS THE CAROLINAS
THE PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED TO TAPER OFF DURING THIS EVENING ACROSS
INLAND LOCATIONS...AND AROUND MIDNIGHT AT THE COAST.
Tennessee
MOST AREAS WILL SEE 1 TO 3 INCHES OF
SNOWFALL TODAY. AREAS NEAR THE ALABAMA BORDER WILL BE EXPOSED TO
THE
SNOW FOR A SHORTER DURATION...AND WILL RECEIVE AROUND AN INCH. IN
ADDITION TO THE SNOW...THE COMBINATION OF TEMPERATURES IN THE TEENS
AND WINDS OF 10 TO 15 MILES AN HOUR WILL DROP WIND CHILLS TO WELL
BELOW ZERO IN MANY AREAS.
Virginia
A COLD FRONT CONTINUES TO MOVE SLOWLY THROUGH SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
AND NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA. A BAND OF PRECIPITATION RIGHT ALONG
THE FRONT WILL BE PASSING THROUGH THE NORTHWEST PIEDMONT OF NORTH
CAROLINA...AND THE FOOTHILLS AND PIEDMONT OF SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
THIS AFTERNOON.
Vermont
THE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM SOUTHERN VERMONT SOUTHWARD
THROUGH THE TACONICS...BERKSHIRES AND LITCHFIELD HILLS. SNOW WILL
ACCUMULATE 6 TO 8 INCHES. SOME SLEET MAY BE MIXED WITH THE SNOW
THIS EVENING. THE WIND WILL NOT BE STRONG DURING THE SNOWFALL...SO
DRIFTING IS NOT EXPECTED TO OCCUR.
Washington
FREEZING RAIN ADVISORY WESTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE EAST OF
CASCADE LOCKS THIS MORNING...
Wisconsin
LAKE EFFECT SNOW CONTINUES TO PILE UP...
THE HEAVIEST SNOW SHOULD BE FROM
BIRCH HILL IN ASHLAND COUNTY EAST ACROSS IRON COUNTY. 4 TO 6 INCHES
OF SNOW FELL FROM MONDAY INTO EARLY THIS MORNING...AND ANOTHER 4
TO 8 INCHES IS POSSIBLE DURING THE DAY TODAY.
West Virginia
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY THIS
EVENING...MOST AREAS HAVE SEEN AN INCH OR TWO OF SNOW THROUGH LATE
MORNING.
=> 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 is less than a 5% probability of hail 3/4 inch or larger.
Wind Risk - Slight
There is less than a 5% probability of winds in excess of 50 knots.
Tomorrow's Risk -
There is less than a 5% probability of any severe weather tomorrow.
=> Precipitation Forecast, Excessive Rainfall, Heavy Snow And/Or
Significant
Icing Forecast
Precipitation Forecast
The 24 hour precipitation forecast is calling for less than 1 inch of
precipitation.
The 24 - 48 hour precipitation forecast is calling for less than 1 inch of
precipitation.
Excessive Rainfall Forecast
Rainfall is not expected to exceed flash flood values.
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
northeast Maryland, east southeast Pennsylvania, the northwest 1/3 of New
Jersey, southeast New
York except Long Island, the southeast 2/3 of Vermont, New Hampshire, the
northwest 3/4 of
Connecticut, the northwest 2/3 of Massachusetts, Maine except the northern
area.
The moderate probability area is over far northwest New Jersey, far
southeast New York, the
northwest 1/2 of Massachusetts, the southeast 1/2 of New Hampshire, inland
areas from Maines
coast.
The probability of 1/4 inch or greater of ice accumulation is low over
northern New Jeresy, the
northwest 2/3 of Connecticut, southeast New Hampshire, the northwestern half
aof Massachusetts
except the far northwest area and inland and coastal Maine.
>From midnight to noon tomorrow EST the probability of 4 inches or greater of
snow is low over far
eastern through far southeastern New Hampshire, Maine except the far east
southeastern area,
The moderate probability area is over Northern Maine
The probability of 1/4 inch or greater of ice accumulation is low over
inland and coastal Maine.
Current USA Snow and Ice Cover
http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/surface/us_NESDISsnow.gif
=> USA Flood Report
NATIONAL HYDROLOGIC SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HEADQUARTERS
0730 AM EST TUE DEC 19 2000
FLOOD SUMMARY
FLOODING WANES
MINOR RESIDUAL FLOODING CONTINUES ON A FEW RIVERS IN ARKANSAS,
MISSISSIPPI, INDIANA, OHIO, CONNECTICUT AND NEW YORK
FLASH FLOODING:
NO FLOOD/FLASH FLOOD AND/OR URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD
ADVISORIES WERE ISSUED OVER THE LAST DAY.
RIVER FLOODING:
SEVERAL LOCATIONS, INCLUDING MOUNT VERNON, INDIANA, AND
SHAWNEETOWN, ILLINOIS, ON THE OHIO RIVER WILL SEE MINOR FLOODING
THIS WEEK.
OTHER RIVERS AND STREAMS WITH LOCATIONS EITHER ABOVE FLOOD STAGE
OR EXPECTED TO RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE INCLUDE:
ARKANSAS: THE CACHE RIVER
CONNECTICUT: THE CONNECTICUT RIVER
INDIANA: THE EAST FORK OF THE WHITE AND THE WHITE RIVERS
MISSISSIPPI: THE BIG BLACK RIVER
NEW YORK: THE GREAT CHAZY RIVER
OHIO: THE MUSKINGUM RIVER
=> USA Fire Report and Forecast
The USA Fire Report and Forecast has not been updated.
=> 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 DEC 19 at 00:15 UTC
EARTHQUAKES IN WEST CENTRAL UNITED STATES
(35.8 TO 40.3 N, 102.0 TO 125.0 W)
Date Time (UTC) Lat Long Depth Magnitude
2000 DEC 18 18:41:05.25 40.3 N 120.2 W 5 km 3.4
25 miles ESE of Susanville, 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 -- OCHA Situation Report No. 1 Mexico - Volcano
Popocatepetl - increasing volcanic activity 19 December 2000
Background
1. The volcano Popocatepetl (Aztec word for smoking mountain), is 5,426 m
high, and is situated 70 km southeast of Mexico City. It is North
America's second highest volcano, the highest being Pico de Orizaba,
(5,700 m) between Puebla and Veracruz.
2. The Popocatepetl volcanic activity started again in 1993, after
decades of non-activity. In October 1994, the seismic activity increased
significantly and, on 21 December 1994, for the first time in 75 years,
the volcano spewed volcanic ash. Partial evacuation was then carried out.
3. Since 1996, small lava domes have incrementally been constructed
within the summit crater and destroyed by explosive eruptions.
Intermittent small-to-moderate gas-and-ash eruptions have continued,
occasionally producing ash fall in neighboring towns and villages. The
authorities have several times issued yellow alerts (three alert stages:
green, yellow, and red).
Summary of most recent activities
4. The alert level at Popocatepetl is now at Yellow Phase III. The danger
zone around the volcano is up to 10 km.
5. On 18 December 2000, pieces of rock spewed out of the volcano were
found up to 10 km away, and authorities are considering extending the
danger zone from 10 to 15 km. The overall target population to be
evacuated is some 41,000 people from 22 communities in the states of
Mexico, Puebla and Morelos. So far 95 per cent of population in the
following locations have been evacuated: San Pedro Benito Juaréz,
Guadalupe, Huexohuapan, Ocatepec, San Mateo Ozolco, San Nicolas de Los
Ranchos, San Pedro Yancuitlalpan, San Pedro Atlixco, San Baltasar
Atlimeyaya, Metepec, San Miguel Ayala, San Juan Ocotepec, San Jerónimo
Coyula, Magdalena Yancuitlalpan, Tochimilco y San Juan Tejupa.
6. The President of Mexico has advised the population to stay calm while
remaining alert. The armed forces, the police, firefighters and Red Cross
volunteers are assisting the population in the evacuation operations. No
official reports on dead or injured people have been issued so far.
Request for international assistance
7. The Government has not requested OCHA to launch an appeal for
international assistance.
8. OCHA is monitoring the situation in close cooperation with the UN
Resident Coordinator's Office in Mexico City.
9. This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies
are also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int
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=> Church World Service Situation Report: Alabama Tornados
Church World Service Emergency Response Program
Church World Service is the Relief and Development Agency of the 35 member
denominations of
the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A
35 Denominations & Communions Working Together to Meet Human Needs
SITUATION REPORT: ALABAMA TORNADOS
December 18, 2000
SITUATION: A category F-4 tornado with average wind speeds of 175 - 200 mph
left 12-miles of
devastation in its wake as it roared through Tuscaloosa, AL, Saturday
afternoon. According to the
National Weather Service in Birmingham, a band of twisters skipped across
the state from the
Florida border up to the Tennessee border, affecting a total of five
counties.
Efforts of relief workers and area residents have been critically challenged
with temperatures
plummeting some 50 degrees Saturday and power outages affecting thousands.
The official death toll
as a result of the storms is 12 -- 11 of whom lived in Tuscaloosa, CNN
reports. ABC news reports
that state officials are confident that they have accounted for all who were
initially reported missing.
Alabama Governor, Don Siegelman toured the area yesterday observing the
damage. Federal
Emergency Management Agency Director, James Lee Witt is expected to visit
the area on Tuesday.
A federal declaration is anticipated as further clean up and damage
assessments continue. The
extreme weather is a hindrance right now, but Lee Helms, the director of the
Alabama Emergency
Management Agency said crews will work through Christmas if needed. "In a
disaster there are no
holidays," he said.
Reports of severe storm damage to hundreds of homes in eastern Mississippi
as result of the same
storm system are also being investigated by CWS.
RESPONSE: Church World Service Regional Disaster Response Facilitator
Charlie Moeller, (Lutheran Disaster Response), is closely monitoring the
situation. Church World
Service Regional Disaster Response Facilitator, Shirley Norman (Church of
the Brethren), will arrive
in the area on Tuesday to begin working with the faith community.
=> Christmasberry -- Bah Humbug And A Seasonal "Don't" This Time Of Year
Originating along riverbanks in Brazil a plant called Christmasberry, or
Brazilian peppertree, is used
to deck halls and homes in this holiday time of year. Earlier this month,
Christmasberry was even
offered for sale at a "swap-meet" in Kahului, Maui, Hawaii, where it was
labeled "Maui mistletoe."
But, beware.
"Christmasberry (Schinus terebinthifolius) is in the same plant family
Anacardiaceae) as poison ivy
and poison oak," said Bill Gregg, invasive species coordinator for the U.S.
Geological Survey in
Reston, Va. "It produces chemicals in its leaves, flowers and fruit that
irritate skin and respiratory
passages of susceptible, often unsuspecting people."
The often vine-like tree is notorious for preying on native vegetation in a
Grinch-like way year-round
in Florida, Arizona, California and Hawaii. Forming dense thickets of
tangled woody stems that
completely displace native plants and animals, Christmasberry is especially
destructive in south
Florida, where it has invaded about 700,000 acres of land.
As substitutes, evergreens, magnolia and holly can be used as elegant and
eye-catching Christmas
decorations.
Christmasberry was brought to south Florida from Brazil over a century ago,
but was not observed
to be an aggressively invasive weed until much later. A single tree was
first observed in Everglades
National Park in the late 1950s. By the 1980s, Christmasberry was recognized
as the Everglade's
most serious alien plant threat, invading 90,000 acres or 10 percent of the
park, mostly in pinelands
and mangrove swamps.
It is important to care about the invasion of America's lands by non-native
plants. The problem is
growing rapidly, as more and more of the world's plant species are brought
into cultivation. Like
Christmasberry, new introductions can appear innocent for many years before
the often devastating
ecological and economic damage that they cause becomes apparent.
Find out more about invasive plants from "Invasive Plants: Changing the
Landscape of America,"
also known as the weed factbook, by the USGS and the Federal Interagency
Committee for the
Management of Noxious and Exotic Weeds. To obtain a copy, contact the
Government Printing
Office, Superintendent of Documents at (202) 512-1800 and request item
024-001-03607-0. The
cost of the book is $17.00 with discount pricing available for quantity
orders or find it online at
http://refuges.fws.gov/FICMNEWFiles/FactBook.html on the World Wide Web.
=> Quick as a Flash: Researchers Probe Newly Discovered, Extra-Fast
Lightning
BOULDER--Data from a 1996 Colorado experiment is illuminating a new class
of lightning flashes
thousands of times faster than those previously observed. NCAR scientist
Eric Defer is analyzing
data on a set of short-duration intracloud flashes that can play out as
quickly as 23 millionths of a
second, and perhaps even faster than that. (Intracloud flashes average about
a quarter of a second in
duration. Cloud-to-ground lightning flashes can last more than a second.) He
presented his findings
on December 16 at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union.
Defer has been studying a Colorado storm that occurred on July 10, 1996,
during the deep
convection field project of STERAO (Stratosphere-Troposphere Experiment:
Radiation, Aerosols
and Ozone). Most lightning sensors report only location and polarity, but a
French VHF
interferometer deployed at STERAO can profile single flashes in three
dimensions and judge
duration. Out of about 5,400 flashes observed in the July 10 storm, only 83
were cloud-to-ground.
More than 800 intracloud flashes had durations of less than a millisecond.
Many of these lasted no
more than 23 microseconds, which was the instrument's sharpest resolution.
"Locally strong electric field may explain the ignition of these flashes,
but we don't understand why
they don't last longer," says Defer.
Several other observing systems have spotted these brief flashes in the
past few years, but Defer has
produced the first analysis relating such flashes to radar output. For July
10, 1996, as well as for
several other cases from STERAO, the short-duration lightning tends to occur
at heights of 6 to 10
kilometers (4-7 miles) within the storm, in close proximity to the strongest
updrafts and the most
intense reflectivities (radar returns from water and ice) found at those
heights. Thus, according to
Defer, the ultraquick flashes might someday serve as a real-time tool for
judging storm severity.
NCAR is managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, a
consortium of more
than 60 universities offering Ph.D.s in atmospheric and related sciences.
=> Mennonite Disaster Service Volunteer Work Update
Dec 16 Tornadoes
12/18/00: Volunteers from Mennonite churches in Meridian and Macon,
Mississippi will be working
in the Lauderdale community on Tuesday. First response work will include
fixing roofs, cutting trees
and cleaning up in response to Saturday's tornado. Region II Director Ottis
Mast will also be at the
scene of the disaster. Ottis can be contacted at (662) 738-5366 .
Camilla, Georgia
DISASTER: TORNADOES
PROJECT START DATE: 09/00
VOLUNTEERS TO DATE: 84
JOBS STARTED: 7, JOBS COMPLETED: 4
12/18/00: We were able to have a House Blessing dedication for all four
houses on our last day
before Christmas break. If smiles and tears are any indication, this should
be a very merry Christmas
for the four families whose homes we started in September. A celebration was
held at each of the
houses with family, friends, the mayor of Camilla, bankers and money
lenders, Laura Vann and
Diane Watson of Community Recovery, a representative of FEMA, the MDS unit
and others
present. This was a very special celebration of God's love, kindness and
help for all of us. After the
reading of the house blessing, keys and gifts were given to each homeowner.
There was a time for
comments from MDS, community people and the homeowners. Each ceremony was
closed with a
prayer of dedication followed by refreshments. After leaving the last house,
we saw the family in the
second house moving in. What a great day!!
All the MDS volunteers are now headed home or south for Christmas break. We
are ready for a
break following a very busy week. All the finishing touches needed to be
done on the Cheryl
Jefferson, Freddie and Teresa Williams, Yachtres Jackson, and Bobby and
Tammy Jackson houses.
Everyone worked really hard and by Friday noon it all looked
wonderful.Occupancy permits were
given for three of the houses and the fourth will be given as soon as the
countertop arrives and is
installed. We could not have done this without God and the many volunteers
that have come to
Camilla to help. Murray and Lois Marrow from Birmingham joined us this week
to help get the work
completed. Lee and Mary Lois Martin were also here for a week to help with
the transition of new
directors. They will be leading the project when it reopens after Christmas.
Two homes, Larry
Brooks and Ernest Lucas are framed and ready to go at that time. The
foundation is in for the John I.
Williams house and two more foundations will be started soon after the new
year. The lots for those
homes were cleared this week.
We have had a great time worshiping with the homeowners at their churches
the last few weeks and
they have had wonderful meals for us afterwards. We were presented with
recognition of
appreciation and spoken highly of. We owe it all to God for giving us health
and knowledge and the
help of others to do these things. It is hard to leave a community as some
of us will be doing today.
The people are so loving and we get so attached to the people and the
volunteers that it is also a sad
day in some way. A part of our heart remains in each of the communities that
we have worked in.
Bob and Kathy Weichman, Amos and Martha Ramer, Erv and Ruth Graber, Russ
and Milly
Sheerer, Lee and Mary Lois Martin, Ben Roes, Kendall Moser, Sheldon Fehr,
Andy Schmidt,
Gawain Thiessen, Murray and Lois Marrow
Camilla is ready for any volunteers, young or old, skilled or unskilled.
The project is scheduled to
run through April.
The current project directors in Camilla are Bob and Kathy Weichman. To
volunteer call (912)
336-9952. Mail can be sent to 3626 Old Pelham Road, Camilla, GA 31730.
Burgaw, North Carolina
DISASTER: FLOOD
PROJECT START DATE: 11/15/99
VOLUNTEERS TO DATE: 660
JOBS STARTED: 47, JOBS COMPLETED: 38
12/15/00: This week has been a great week as we had many skilled workers
and were able to get a
lot accomplished. There were 15 guys here, so us girls felt a little out
numbered. Eight of the guys
were from PA and the rest were from New York. We were able to complete two
homes in time for
Christmas. What a great Christmas present. It is amazing how many little
jobs you have to finish
before a home is completed. Jakob and his crew were busy helping to finish
these homes by building
a wheelchair ramp and completing the final details. Lilli, Martha and
Shirley also worked on these
homes, finishing the trim and touch up paint. Mark and Wes again were
working on completing
minor jobs around the community. They built wheelchair ramps, clean up sites
and finished some
repairs.
This week was especially exciting and challenging for me because I had the
opportunity to lead my
first crew. Some of our other long termers were sick, so I lead a mudding,
sanding and texturing
crew. I was the only girl, so that was a bit interesting. I now know how
hard it can be and what Lilli
has been going through this last year. Leading a crew is a lot different
than just being on a crew. But
I had a great crew and we were able to finish the drywall on the Mobley
home. We wanted to get
this done so that the homeowner, Joy Mobley, could paint over the holidays.
I think the word to describe the previous week would be "sardines." We
filled this place up to
capacity. We had 45 people here including long termers. One of our volunteer
groups was from a
Catholic school in Ontario and the other was an Amish group from PA. We were
a diverse bunch,
but we had a great time and were able to accomplish a lot of work. One of
the highlights of the week
was Wednesday night fellowship. We had four guitars for the singing, skits
and a devotional by
Dean.
We had a lot of different sites going that week so it kept all of us
hopping, especially Tina in the
Kitchen. Jakob and Rachel lead a crew at the Pfaff home. They were able to
finish shingling, siding
and sheetrock the whole house. Lilli lead a crew of girls and they painted
all week. They were able
to get most of the trim done in both the Graham and Kelly home. There was
also a crew of Amish
men working on those homes. They trimed out the two homes and also put up
the cupboards.
Dean's crew worked on the Suggs home. They were able to get the whole house
shingled and sided
and the insulation started. Mark and Wes lead a crew as well. They moved
around most of the week
finishing up small jobs like insulating, roofing and other jobs so we could
close out some more jobs.
Today is our last day here before we take off for the the Christmas
holidays. We are pretty excited
about going home. Martha, Wes, Dick and Tina flew home already yesterday.
Lilli and Jakob left for
PA this morning so they can fly home for Christmas. Mark is leaving this
afternoon and Nathan and
Danielle & Dean and I leave today as well. Please pray for our safety as we
will be driving about 36
hours straight to get home. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and we hope
to see you in the
new year.
Roxie
If you would like to volunteer in Burgaw, call the project at (910)
259-8601. The project directors
are Nathan and Danielle Koslowsky. Mail can be sent to 321 Pinkney Road,
Burgaw, N.C. 28425.
E-mail: mennods1{at}juno.com
Snow Hill, North Carolina
DISASTER: FLOOD
PROJECT START DATE: 12/01/99
VOLUNTEERS TO DATE: 296
JOBS STARTED: 45, JOBS COMPLETED: 37
12/11/00: This week a group of 5 from Pennsylvania joined our crew. The
Diggs house was
sheeted and shingled. In the Bynum home, volunteers began hanging doors,
laying floor underlay,
and doing closet work. Top off electrical work was done at the Tyndall home
by Durrell & Miriam
Detweiler, together with a couple of long termers. We were issued the health
certificate for the
Worthington home, and so were able to complete the permitting for this
house. We are now waiting
for the block to be laid. We also received flood plain clearance on the
rehab home with the addition.
Footers were poured and some of our volunteers laid the block for the
foundation at this location.
Karla Amstutz, Gerald Nolt, Austin Stone, Peter Moore, Kenton Thiessen,
John & Margaret
Blatz, Henry & Pearl Dueck MDS Snow Hill
To volunteer call Henry and Pearl Dueck at (252) 747- 9261. Mail can be
sent to 398 Highway
58 South, Snow Hill, NC 28580. E-mail: mennods2{at}juno.com
=> U.S. Transportation Secretary Slater Announces Program To Help Improve
International Air Safety
U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater today announced the
launching of a new program
to assist other nations in the hemisphere in improving their aviation
safety.
The program, developed by the Aviation Institute at George Washington
University in Washington,
D.C., in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT),
represents the first time
that the aviation industry, government regulators in the United States and
abroad, and academia have
joined together in a partnership to assist aviation officials from around
the world in upgrading the
oversight of their nation's airlines in accordance with international civil
aviation safety standards.
"A safe, secure, efficient, well-integrated air transportation system is
essential to the growth of trade
among nations, as well as the health and well-being of our citizens,"
Secretary Slater said. "This
cooperative program and other complimentary efforts will provide the kind of
technical assistance
that our partners in all parts of the world need to meet international
standards for air safety and
security, as well as support President Clinton's vision of increased
tourism, trade and economic
growth in the 21st century."
The program, an outgrowth of the Oct. 13 meeting held by Secretary Slater
with the Western
Hemisphere transportation ministers in Washington, will be conducted in
cooperation with officials
from the DOT's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the International
Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Rep. Frank
Wolf of Virginia, who
is chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee
on Transportation,
was the principal sponsor of the program.
The program was authorized by in the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment
and Reform Act for
the 21st Century" (AIR-21) and funded in the recently passed Department of
Transportation
appropriations bill. It also is part of the department's wide-ranging effort
to enhance safety, which is
the top transportation priority of President Clinton and Vice President
Gore.
The university has been working closely with the department, multinational
agencies, the FAA and
U.S. air carriers for several years developing the training program.
=> Classified Ads
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FREE 30 days of StormWarn by Email, Pager, PCS/GSM Phone, Business Fax at no
cost*
Sign up today and you'll receive no obligation, no commitment StormWarn . If
you find it helpful, you can then decide to continue service at very low
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=> Links Area
ASH CLOUD IN MEXICO
Mexico
This GOES-8 image shows an ash cloud from the eruption of Popocatepetl in
Mexico.
http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Volcano/Mexico/VSHpopo353_G8.jpg
WINTER STORM SYSTEM IN MIDWEST US
Midwest US
This GOES-8 image shows a winter storm system over the upper Midwest states.
Snow cover is
also
visible over the Ohio River Valley.
http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Storms/US_Midwest/STMusMW353_G8.jpg
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
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