The USA Disaster Situation Report
The Daily USA Disaster Situation Report
For January 20, 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
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=> Article OFDA -- EL SALVADOR - Earthquake Fact Sheet #6
=> Article DOT Announces Proposed Rule on Pipeline Integrity Management in
High
Consequence Areas
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The Daily USA Disaster Situation Report
For January 20, 2001
Christopher Effgen, Editor, host{at}disastercenter.com
------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
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=> USA Daily Temperature Extremes
High Fri...85 At Fort Myers..Fort Pierce..Melbourne..Ocala..Orlando..Punta
Gorda..St Lucie
County Airport..And Winter Haven FL
Low Sat...17 Below Zero At St Cloud MN
=> Special Notes
=> Current Active National Weather Service Warnings:
Active Warnings:
Updated Sat Jan 20 12:23:56 2001
Flood
Alabama
Mississippi
...A FLOOD WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE LOWER TOMBIGBEE RIVER...
FOR THE BLACK WARRIOR BASIN...INCLUDING SELDEN DAM...MINOR
FLOODING IS FORECASTED.
Special Marine
Florida
* SPECIAL MARINE WARNING FOR...
OCEAN REEF TO WEST END OF THE 7 MILE BRIDGE TO SUGARLOAF KEY
OUT 60 NM... FLORIDA BAY...
GULF SIDE OF THE LOWER KEYS OUT 20 NM...
* UNTIL 200 PM EST
Non Precipitation
Alabama
Florida
Georgia
Mississippi
A HARD FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT TONIGHT FOR PORTIONS OF
SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI AND SOUTHWEST ALABAMA...
...A FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT TONIGHT FOR ALL OF SOUTHEAST
ALABAMA...ALL OF SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH CENTRAL GEORGIA...PARTS OF THE
FLORIDA PANHANDLE...AND ALL OF THE FLORIDA BIG BEND...
WIND CHILL ADVISORY INTERIOR AND WEST SOUTH FLORIDA TONIGHT...
FRONT BRINGING FREEZING TEMPERATURES TO MUCH OF SOUTHEAST GEORGIA
AND NORTHEAST FLORIDA TONIGHT.
Winter Storm
Alabama
...SNOW ADVISORY FOR NORTHERN ALABAMA TODAY...
Connecticut
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
BY LATE THIS AFTERNOON THE LOW WILL BE OFF THE VIRGINIA
COAST AND MOVING NORTHEAST. THE STORM SHOULD BE PASSING ABOUT 100
MILES SOUTHEAST OF NANTUCKET AROUND 7 AM EST SUNDAY.
OVER 6 INCHES OF SNOW IS LIKELY IN THE WARNING AREA.
ALTHOUGH A MIXTURE OF SLEET AND SNOW IS POSSIBLE ON CAPE COD WITH
LESS SNOW ACCUMULATIONS DOWN ON THE CAPE AND ISLANDS.
Delaware
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
PRECIPITATION WILL BE MAINLY SNOW ACROSS THE POCONOS...THE LEHIGH
VALLEY AND NORTHERN NEW JERSEY.
Georgia
FRONT HAS MOVED THROUGH NORTH GEORGIA THIS MORNING WITH MUCH
COLDER AIR BEHIND IT. SNOW ADVISORY FOR THE NORTHEAST MOUNTAINS
TODAY...
Indiana
Kentucky
AN UPPER LEVEL STORM MOVING ACROSS KENTUCKY AND
TENNESSEE THIS AFTERNOON WILL CONTINUE TO PRODUCE SNOW SHOWERS
OVER CENTRAL KENTUCKY AND PARTS OF SOUTHERN INDIANA.
Maryland
Virginia
A PERIOD OF SNOW TO AREAS OF VIRGINIA AND THE DELMARVA...POSSIBLY
AS EARLY AS LATE AFTERNOON...BUT MORE LIKELY TONIGHT.
North Carolina
AREA OF SNOW LIKELY TO SPREAD EAST ACROSS THE REST
OF EAST TENNESSEE...SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA...AND WESTERN NORTH
CAROLINA.
New York
MORE SNOW WILL FALL BEGINNING LATER THIS AFTERNOON IN
SOUTHEASTERN NEW YORK AND SOUTHWESTERN NEW ENGLAND AND IT MAY
BECOME HEAVY TONIGHT...
Ohio
ADAMS OH-BROWN OH-HIGHLAND OH-HOCKING OH-LEWIS KY-MASON
KY-PIKE OH-ROSS OH-SCIOTO OH-
..WINTER STORM WARNING FOR THIS AFTERNOON...
South Carolina
.INCREASING AMOUNTS OF COLD AIR...A BRISK NORTHWEST WIND AND
MOISTURE
WILL COMBINE WITH AN UPPER LEVEL AREA OF LOW PRESSURE...TO SPREAD
SNOW INTO THE MOUNTAINS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
Tennessee
LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW DEVELOPING ACROSS THE REGION...
West Virginia
NICHOLAS WV-POCAHONTAS WV-RANDOLPH WV-WEBSTER WV-
...WINTER STORM WARNING FOR THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING...
TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 7 INCHES ARE EXPECTED BY 10 PM
SATURDAY EVENING.
=> 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 over 1 inch of
precipitation over central and north
coastal Oregon, a small portion of northwestern coastal California, and
central and northern New
Jersey.
The 24 - 48 hour precipitation forecast is calling for over 1 inch of
precipitation over a small portion
of north central coastal Oregon, coastal California north of San Francisco
except the far northern
area.
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 eastern
West Virginia, northern Virginia, Maryland, south southeast Pennsylvania,
New Jersey, far southeast
New York, Connecticut except the far northwest area, Rhode Island, southeast
Massachusetts and
central and northern Delaware.
The moderate probability area is over far eastern West Virginia, far
northern Virginia, far south
southeast Pennsylvania, and northwest Maryland.
The high probability area is over extreme eastern West Virginia, extreme
northern Virginia, extreme
south southeast Pennsylvania, and northwest Maryland.
The probability of 1/4 inch or greater of ice accumulation is less than 20%
>From midnight to noon tomorrow EST the probability of 4 inches or greater of
snow is low over
southeast Pennsylvania, New Jersey, southeast New York, extreme southeast
Vermont, southeast
New Hampshire, southeast Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode
Island.
The moderate probability area is over northern New Jersey, far southeast New
York,
Massachusetts except the northwest area, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
The high probability area is over a portion of far southeast New York,
Connecticut, and Rhode
Island
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
The USA Flood Report is not Available
=> USA Fire Report and Forecast
INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT
FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2001 - 1000 MST
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL I
CURRENT SITUATION:
No new large fires were reported this week in the nation. Initial attack
activity continued in the Southern Area. Florida may experience red flag
conditions this weekend for low relative humidity and windy conditions
with the passing of a cold front.
OUTLOOK:
A Pacific storm will bring rain and snow showers to northern California,
Oregon and Washington. High temperatures will range from the 30's to 40's
in Oregon and Washington to the 60's in the Southwest.
A storm over the South will reach into the Midwest today bringing
precipitation from Houston, TX to the Ohio Valley. The rest of the region
will experience cloudy conditions. Daytime high temperatures will be from
the 20's in Nebraska to the 40's in Texas.
Potentially strong thunderstorms will occur today over Georgia, Alabama,
Louisiana, and the Florida Panhandle. Showers should fall over most of the
region except for Florida and the southeastern coastline. High
temperatures will be in the 40's in Tennessee and northern Mississippi and
in the upper 70's to lower 80's in Florida.
The cold front moving through the Great Lakes will combine with the system
in the South and will produce showers over most of the region today.
Daytime high temperatures will range from the 30's in the north to the
50's and 60's in the Virginias.
=> 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 JAN 20 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
1705 UNK 1 W GENEVA GENEVA AL 3103 8590 REPORTED BY EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT. 20-30 HOMES ROOF DAMAGE, 6-8 MOBILE HOMES MAJOR ROOF
DAMAGE, 12-15 AUTOMOBILES DAMAGED, HIGH SCHOOL ROOF AND WALL
TOPPLED, WATER (TLH)
1724 UNK FOREST PARK CLAYTON GA 3361 8436 *** 10 INJURED *** F0
TORNADO BRIEFLY TOUCHED DOWN AT THE FOREST SQUARE SHOPPING
CENTER ON GEORGIA HIGHWAY 54 AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF FORT
GILLAM. PATH LENGTH AROUND (ATL)
Hail Reports
Time Size Location County State Lat Lon Comments
1810 175 MACON BIBB GA 3281 8364 SEVERAL REPORTS OF DIME TO GOLF BALL
SIZE HAIL THROUGH MACON. TREE LIMBS WERE ALS REPORTED DOWN. (ATL)
2050 100 CHARLOTTE MECKLENBURG NC 3523 8084 LITTLE ROCK ROAD.
QUARTER SIZE HAIL (GSP)
Wind Reports
Time Speed Location County State Lat Lon Comments
1225 UNK BEAUMONT PERRY MS 3116 8893 NUMEROUS LARGE TREE LIMBS
DOWN (MOB)
1230 UNK WIGGINS STONE MS 3079 8909 NUMEROUS LARGE TREE LIMBS DOWN.
(MOB)
1310 UNK CHATOM WASHINGTON AL 3146 8825 TREES AND POWER LINES
DOWN WIND DAMAGE TREES DOWN...ONE FELL ONTO A MOBILE HOME (MOB)
1345 UNK CLARKE COUNTY CLARKE AL 3163 8781 TREES DOWN ON COUNTY RD
17 NEAR CHILTON. TREES POWER LINES DOWN ON COUNTY RD 30 NEAR
DICKERSON. TREES DOWN AND ROOF DAMAGE TO STRUCTURE ALONG
HIGHWAY 43 BETWEEN FULTON (MOB)
1425 UNK PERRY COUNTY PERRY AL 3263 8730 TREES DOWN REPORTED BY
PERRY COUNTY EMA. (BHM)
1505 UNK HAYNEVILLE LOWNDES AL 3218 8659 TREES DOWN (BHM)
1505 UNK ORD LOWNDES AL 3398 8598 TREES DOWN (BHM)
1525 UNK MONTGOMERY MONTGOMERY AL 3238 8630 NUMEROUS TREES AND
POWERLINES DOWN (BHM)
1530 UNK SOUTH MONTGOMERY AL 3144 8661 TREE FELL ON A HOUSE IN THE
SOUTHERN PART OF THE CITY OF MONTGOMERY IN THE SOUTH LAWN SUBURB.
(BHM)
1545 UNK WARE ELMORE AL 3245 8604 TREES DOWN (BHM)
1550 UNK FOREST HOME BUTLER AL 3186 8683 TREES DOWN (MOB)
1605 UNK MONTGOMERY MONTGOMERY AL 3238 8630 *** ? INJ *** SEVERAL
INJURIES REPORTED AT HWY 231 AND NORTHERN BIRD STREET IN
MONTGOMERY. NOT KNOW HOW MANY WERE INJURED AT THIS TIME. (BHM)
1615 UNK REELTOWN TALLAPOOSA AL 3259 8580 NUMEROUS TREES DOWN.
(BHM)
1640 UNK DALE COUNTY DALE AL 3138 8563 SEVERAL TREES DOWN ACROSS
COUNTY ROADS. REPORTED BY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. (TLH)
1700 UNK LOUVALE STEWART GA 3216 8483 TWO TREES DOWN IN THE
NORTHEAST PART OF THE COUNT (ATL)
1710 UNK UNION CITY FULTON GA 3356 8455 ROOF DAMAGE AND POWER LINES
DOWN ON FELDWOOD ROAD. (ATL)
1729 UNK TYRONE ROCKDALE GA 3366 8404 (ATL)
1815 UNK GRAY JONES GA 3301 8353 POWER LINES DOWN NEAR BIBB/ COUNTY
LINE. (ATL)
1840 UNK BALDWIN COUNTY BALDWIN GA 3306 8323 TREES DOWN ALL ACROSS
THE COUNTY. (ATL)
1845 UNK VANNA HART GA 3423 8308 COUNTY REPORTS 2 CHICKEN HOUSES
DESTROYED, 1 TOOL HOUSE DESTROYED, 7 BARNS DESTROYED, AND ROOF
LIFTED OFF OF BRICK HOUSE ON FARM ON JOE FINLEY AND AYERS ROAD. (GSP)
1845 UNK SPARTA HANCOCK GA 3326 8298 TREES DOWN EAST OF SPARTA AND
WEST SIDE OF COUNTY. (ATL)
1920 UNK WARRENTON WARREN GA 3340 8266 TREES DOWN IN NORWOOD.
(ATL)
1925 UNK THOMSON MCDUFFIE GA 3346 8250 NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER
LINES DOWN IN THOMSON AND PART OF ROOF BLOWN OFF HOUSE (CAE)
1935 UNK APPLING COLUMBIA GA 3354 8231 NUMEROUS TREES AND POWER
LINES DOWN IN APPLING-CLARKS HILL AREA. SIGNS ALSO BLOWN OVER. (CAE)
1958 UNK 4 N COLUMBIA HENRY AL 3136 8511 TREES DOWN. REPORTED BY
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. (TLH)
2010 UNK 5 SE EDGEFIELD EDGEFIELD SC 3372 8184 AIKEN ELECTRID COOP
REPORTED TREES DOWN ON US HWY 25 ON MARTINTOWN-SWEETWATER ROAD
ABOUT 5 MILES SE OF TOWN OF EDGEFIELD (CAE)
2015 UNK THOMSON GLASCOCK GA 3346 8250 ROOF DAMAGE TO A HOME AND
TREES DOWN NORTHEAST PART O COUNTY. (ATL)
2035 UNK DUBLIN LAURENS GA 3253 8290 TREES DOWN ACROSS THE NORTH
PART OF THE COUNTY. (ATL)
2045 UNK 5 SE NEWBERRY NEWBERRY SC 3422 8154 NEWBERRY SHERIFF OFFICE
REPORTED TREES DOWN ON 1-26 ABOUT 5 MILES SOUTHEAST OF TOWN OF
NEWBERRY (CAE)
2045 UNK CHAPIN LEXINGTON SC 3416 8134 POWER LINES DOWN AT INDIAN
FORK ROAD. REPORTED BY LEXINGTON EOC (CAE)
2050 UNK JEFFERSON COUNTY JEFFERSON GA 3304 8241 TREES DOWN. (ATL)
2205 UNK AIKEN AIKEN SC 3354 8171 AIKEN COUNTY SHERIFF REPORTED
WIDESPREAD REPORTS OF TREES DOWN ALL ACROSS AIKEN COUNTY AT 505 PM
(CAE)
2310 UNK THOMASVILLE THOMAS GA 3083 8396 REPORTED BY STORM SPOTTER.
TELEPHONE POLES DOWNED ON CLAY STREET IN THOMASVILLE (TLH)
1445 69 DUKE OKALOOSA FL 2996 8239 (MOB)
1455 59 PENSACOLA BEACH ESCAMBIA FL 3033 8713 (MOB)
1530 60 MONTGOMERY MONTGOMERY AL 3238 8630 DOWNTOWN
MONTGOMERY (BHM)
2218 63 RICHLAND COUNTY RICHLAND SC 3401 8098 63 MPH WIND GUST
REPORTED AT MCENTIRE AIR NATIONAL GUARD STATION (CAE)
0000 UNK THOMASVILLE THOMAS GA 3083 8396 REPORTED BY LAW
ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL. TREES AND POWER LINES DOWNED AROUND
THOMASVILLE. (TLH)
Fields marked UNK are unknown
All Times UTC
Wind Gusts in MPH
Hail Sizes in 1/100 of an Inch (75 = 0.75")
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=> OFDA -- EL SALVADOR - Earthquake Fact Sheet #6,
U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE (BHR)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
Fiscal Year (FY) 2001 January 19, 2001
Background
On January 13, 2001 at approximately 11:35 am local time, an earthquake
with a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter Scale and a depth of 60 km occurred
off the El Salvadoran coastline some 65 miles southwest of San Miguel at
12.8 degrees latitude and 88.8 degrees longitude. More than 660
aftershocks have occurred throughout El Salvador since the earthquake.
Numbers Affected
As of January 18, El Salvador's National Emergency Committee (COEN)
reports 681 deaths, 2,615 injuries, 45,842 people displaced, 24,759 houses
destroyed, and 90,292 houses damaged.
Current Situation
Overview
- El Salvadoran President Francisco Flores declared a national emergency
and appealed for international assistance soon after the earthquake
occurred.
- The focus of the response has shifted from search and rescue/extraction
to providing for the needs of evacuees.
- COEN continues to operate an Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and is
responsible for coordinating the overall response (e.g., conducting damage
and needs assessments, compiling assessment information, and setting
relief priorities). COEN departmental committees are working in
coordination with COEN's main office to identify needs and set priorities
in the individual departments. The USAID/Disaster Assistance Response
Team (DART) has set up an office in COEN to assist it in coordination
efforts and to ensure access to the latest information.
- President Flores has named General Perdomo Chief of Operation for the
disaster. As such, the El Salvadoran military is now taking the lead for
all operational aspects of the response, with COEN working in parallel.
In particular, the military is responsible for site planning and
establishment of basic facilities in shelters. The El Salvadoran military
has stationed liaison officers within civilian agencies involved in the
response.
- The GOES has named Minister of Economy Miguel Lacayo as Chief of
Reconstruction Efforts. The Legislative Assembly is currently debating
how to restructure its 2001 budget and planned international loans to
create a $600 million reconstruction fund.
Damages/Assessments
- According to preliminary assessments, Usulutan suffered the most
extensive damage. However, all of El Salvador's 14 departments suffered
some damage, particularly those located near the coastline (e.g., San
Miguel, La Paz, Sonsonate, and La Libertad).
- There are pockets of damage throughout the country that range from 0% to
60% affected. The southern and eastern portions of the country are
most-affected, while little damage is in the north. Those structures with
adobe walls and clay-tiled roofs experienced the most damage.
- According to COEN, total loss is estimated at $1 billion, including
damage or destruction to 315 hectares of coffee plantations and
infrastructure (e.g., irrigation systems, culverts, piers, bridges,
agro-industrial facilities, and buildings).
- On January 17, COEN released a prioritized list of areas most in need of
assistance. The first priorities are the landslide-affected communities
near San Salvador; followed by Comasagua in La Libertad Department; six
villages in Usulutan Department; and the town of Juayua in Sonsonate
Department.
- COEN has provided a list of priority needs, including shelter materials,
food and water, kitchen utensils, and personal hygiene items.
- Similarly, a U.N. Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team
reports the need for drinking water and containers, building materials to
repair damaged houses, blankets, lanterns, mattresses, and tarpaulins.
- PAHO reports that as of January 18, 39 percent of hospitals have been
destroyed and there has been significant damage to laboratory supplies.
Temporary clinics have been established in several areas to accommodate
medical needs.
- According to the USAID/DART, there are adequate food resources available
in-country and in the region to meet the needs of displaced persons.
However, distribution to some specific affected areas is problematic.
With ground transport opening up, food distribution is likely to improve
in the near future. On January 16, the Legislative Assembly approved
legislation to freeze prices of the basic food basket for 90 days.
- On January 17, the USAID/DART reported that there are approximately
9,000 people at the Cafetalon shelter site in Santa Tecla. The Mexican
military has set up a kitchen there, where they are providing food and
water. Furthermore, the Mexicans are providing medical assistance at
Cafetalon, where sanitary facilities have increased to 61.
- COEN reports that 273 landslides have occurred, resulting in blocked
roads and the destruction of houses, particularly in the Las Colinas
district of Santa Tecla, where several hundred houses are buried.
Additional landslides are likely to occur as aftershocks continue.
- Telephone services are mostly restored; electricity and water are
returning to normal in major cities, but continue to be problematic in
outlying areas.
- The international airport at Comalapa is open and functioning at 100%
capacity, although the radar is inoperable and the terminal is damaged.
The military airport in Ilopango is the base of operation for humanitarian
airlifts.
Response
- Based on a thorough assessment of health sector damages and needs, the
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has revised its initial appeal
from $770,000 to $1,750,000. PAHO's assessment reveals the need for
immunizations, restoration of the cold chain, and emergency rehabilitation
measures in health facilities. PAHO also is recording incoming relief
supplies and distribution of assistance in its humanitarian relief supply
management system (SUMA).
- The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is providing $50,000 for
emergency transportation and logistics, PAHO is providing medicines to
hospitals and relief centers, and the U.N. Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is providing $30,000 for emergency relief
supplies.
- The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
(IFRC) reports that they have distributed emergency relief supplies,
including blankets, kitchen sets, hygiene items, and plastic sheeting, to
more than 4,500 families in 30 communities. The Salvadoran Red Cross is
coordinating with COEN and is providing support to 46 emergency shelters,
with assistance from some 1,000 volunteers.
- The U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) has issued an appeal for $650,000 to
provide immediate relief interventions in the following sectors: water
and sanitation, hygiene, prevention of water-borne diseases, psycho-social
counseling, education, child protection, communications, and social
mobilization.
- WFP continues to distribute family rations, consisting of maize, rice,
pulses, vegetable oil, and corn-soya blend. In total, WFP will distribute
525 metric tons (MT) of food assistance to some 150,000 affected people in
La Libertad, La Paz, Sonsonate, Usulutan, San Vicente, Santa Ana, San
Salvador, and Ahuachapan. This expands WFP's initial emergency food aid
package worth $200,000 for 54,500 people.
- The Inter-Development Bank (IDB) has convened a Special Consultative
Group in support of reconstruction and development in El Salvador, and has
approved a $50,000 non-reimbursable humanitarian assistance grant in
response to the earthquake. On January 17, an IDB assessment team arrived
in El Salvador to reorient resources in IDB's portfolio and prepare an
emergency reconstruction loan in the amount of $20 million.
- On January 16, the World Bank announced that it will divert $200 million
for previously approved development projects to reconstruction activities.
A World Bank assessment team will begin assessing damages in El Salvador
this week.
U.S. Government (USG) Assistance
- U.S. Ambassador Rose Likins declared an earthquake disaster on January
14. This disaster declaration opened the door for the provision of USG
assistance, outlined below.
USAID/DART Personnel
- Three USAID/OFDA personnel were in San Salvador at the time of the
earthquake. They immediately began liaising with the El Salvadoran Red
Cross, the Government of El Salvador (GOES), the U.S. Embassy in San
Salvador, and the USAID Mission to ascertain the extent of damage and
humanitarian needs and coordinate assistance.
- On January 13, USAID/OFDA activated its Washington-based Response
Management Team and began preparations to augment its personnel in El
Salvador and to transport relief supplies to affected areas.
- On January 14, 11 additional USAID/OFDA personnel arrived in San
Salvador, bringing to 14 the total number of the USAID/DART. The
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department (MDFRD) component of the USAID/DART
departed El Salvador on January 17. While in-country, the MDFRD personnel
assisted the GOES in developing site strategies for search and rescue
activities, safety measures for rescue workers, and security plans for
search sites. The total USAID/OFDA cost in support of the MDFRD personnel
is $34,800, including transport and other support costs.
- On January 19, an MDFRD shelter specialist will arrive in El Salvador
followed by two others on January 21. These personnel will assist the
USAID/DART in training COEN and NGOs on the proper use of plastic
sheeting.
- At the request of the EOC, the USAID/DART identified five shelter
management experts from the Costa Rican Red Cross to assist COEN in
coordination of shelter activities. USAID/OFDA will provide
transportation of the five shelter management experts from Costa Rica to
El Salvador, and the American Red Cross will provide for their in-country
expenses.
USAID/OFDA Commodities Provided
- On January 14, a USAID/OFDA-chartered aircraft arrived in El Salvador
carrying a pre-packaged Ground Operations (GO) kit, containing medical
equipment and supplies to treat 1,000 people for a week; 1,002 hygiene
kits, each with supplies sufficient for a family of five for two weeks; 40
rolls of plastic sheeting (enough to temporarily shelter 400 families);
1,000 five-gallon water jugs; and 1,000 wool blankets. The cost of the GO
kit is valued at $20,550. In addition to the GO kit, the charter aircraft
transported 500 water jugs and 60 rolls of plastic sheeting, valued at
$750 and $13,200, respectively. The cost of the commodity airlift is
valued at $37,700. All USAID/OFDA commodities are being consigned to
COEN, except medical supplies, which are being provided directly to the
Ministry of Health.
- On January 15, USAID/OFDA provided $25,000 to USAID/San Salvador for the
purchase of SAR tools and equipment.
- On January 16, USAID/OFDA provided $150,000 to USAID/San Salvador for
the local purchase of rice, beans, and water tanks/jugs and transportation
of these commodities to Usulutan.
- On January 17, USAID/OFDA provided $40,000 to USAID/San Salvador for the
local purchase of 10,000 blankets. Nine thousand blankets will be
distributed in El Cafetalon and 1,000 will be distributed in Usulutan.
- On January 19, a USAID/OFDA charter aircraft arrived in El Salvador
carrying 5,004 hygiene kits and 250 rolls of plastic sheeting for
distribution in Usulutan. The hygiene kits and plastic sheeting are
valued at $77,730 and the transport cost of the commodities totals
$40,950.
USAID/OFDA Grant Programming
- On January 15, USAID/DART conducted an NGO coordination meeting in
cooperation with USAID/San Salvador. It was decided that the Mission
would serve as the focal point for NGO assessment information. The
USAID/DART reconvened the coordination group on January 18 to establish
relief priorities and locations.
- Similarly, USAID/DART met with various donors, including the European
Union, Swiss, Germans, and Canadians, to reach agreement on
information-sharing about program plans and priorities throughout El
Salvador. USAID/San Salvador will serve as the focal point for compiling
this type of donor-related information.
- In accordance with a request by the Government of El Salvador (GOES),
the United States will concentrate its assistance in Usulutan Department.
USAID/OFDA assistance in this area will focus on shelter. To plan for its
programming, the USAID/DART met with NGOs on January 16 to discuss
temporary shelter programs.
- In support of its work in Usulutan, the USAID/DART plans to establish a
base-of-operations in the department. On January 16, USAID/OFDA provided
$25,000 to USAID/San Salvador for administrative and support costs
associated with the establishment of the base.
- On January 17, the USAID/DART met with the governor, military commander,
and the COEN departmental committee in Usulutan to develop an
organizational mechanism for coordination among the GOES, USAID/DART, and
NGOs that will be implementing the USAID/OFDA-led shelter program in
Usulutan. A USAID/DART program officer will relocate to Usulutan on
January 19, and begin conducting a thorough housing needs assessment in
Usulutan, in cooperation with the COEN departmental committee.
Other USG Assistance
- USAID/OFDA is funding three Blackhawk and two Chinook helicopters
provided by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) in support of the
humanitarian response in El Salvador. The DOD helicopters arrived in El
Salvador on January 14 and are conducting humanitarian missions through
January 19. DOD also is providing a total of 46 personnel, including
flight crews, structural engineers, medics, and radio operators. The
total operational cost incurred by USAID/OFDA in support of DOD's
assistance is $450,000. The USAID/DART has been working with COEN and the
U.S. military to establish priority missions for DOD helicopters.
- On January 18, DOD helicopters delivered food to Canton Victorias,
Comasagua, and areas outlying the latter; provided overflight assessment
for landslide experts and volcanologists from the U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS); and transported a local volcanolgist to Santa Ana Volcano for
observation.
- From January 14-18, DOD helicopters transported 133.3 MT of relief
commodities and SAR equipment and 367 relief workers and SAR personnel.
Between this same period in time, DOD helicopters had flown approximately
91 hours in support of response operations, and conducted approximately 30
missions overall.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will dispatch a
specialist from January 18-27 to work with CDC field staff, PAHO, and the
Ministry of Health on emergency health issues.
Mitigation Assistance
- At the request of the GOES, three USGS personnel arrived in El Salvador
on January 16, and undertook an overflight assessment of Santa Ana Volcano
and areas in danger of landslides on January 17, via DOD air support. The
USGS personnel report that an eruption is not imminent. The USGS team
debriefed President Flores on January 16 and 17; and, at his request, held
a press conference to explain its findings. With USAID/OFDA funds, the
USGS plans to install additional seismic monitoring equipment in El
Salvador to monitor seismic and volcanic hazards.
- For more than 10 years, OFDA has provided extensive training in El
Salvador and neighboring Central American countries to increase their
capacity to prepare for and respond to disasters. Courses include Damage
and Needs Assessment, Advanced First Aid, and Rescue from Collapsed
Structures.
- USAID/OFDA also contributes funds to GeoHazards International (GHI) to
reduce seismic hazards in San Salvador as part of a larger grant
supporting similar work in 12 other earthquake-prone cities along the
Pacific Rim.
Total USAID/OFDA Assistance $923,680
USAID/OFDA
Action
Funding
Charter aircraft to transport USAID/DART members
$8,000
Transport of MDFRD personnel
$9,800
MDFRD support costs
$25,000
Value of GO kits
$20,550
Value of 60 rolls of plastic sheeting and 500 water jugs
$13,950
Transport of first commodity airlift
$37,700
Disaster Assistance Authority for purchase of protective gear
$25,000
Funding to DOD for air operations
$450,000
Local purchase and transport of rice, beans, water tanks, and water jugs
$150,000
Value of 250 rolls of plastic sheeting and 5,004 hygiene kits
$77,730
USAID/DART administrative and support costs
$25,000
Local purchase of blankets
$40,000
Transport of second commodity airlift
$40,950
Total USAID/OFDA Assistance
$923,680
Public Donation Information
- In the interest of effective coordination of public response, USAID
encourages the public to contact directly those private voluntary
organizations (PVOs) currently working in the region to provide monetary
donations.
- A list of the PVOs may be obtained from the USAID web site at
http://www.usaid.gov/. The list is composed of PVOs that are registered
with USAID and/or listed by InterAction, a coalition of voluntary
humanitarian and development organizations that work overseas.
InterAction can be contacted at 1-202-667-8227 x106, or via the Internet
at http://www.interaction.org/. Those interested in providing specific
technical relief services or commodities should contact Volunteers in
Technical Assistance's (VITA's) Disaster Information Center for
information and guidelines at 703-276-1914.
- USAID will not deviate from standard Denton Program procedures for
transporting privately-donated relief supplies. USAID will prioritize
delivery of essential relief commodities. For more information on the
Denton Program, please refer to the USAID website at
http://www.usaid.gov/hum_response/pvc/denton.html.
- For additional information about the relief effort in El Salvador,
please refer to the Natural Disasters section of ReliefWeb at
http://www.reliefweb.int/.
- The American Red Cross donations hotline is 1-800-HELP NOW.
distributed by
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Volunteers in Technical Assistance
=> DOT Announces Proposed Rule on Pipeline Integrity Management in High
Consequence Areas
The U.S. Department of Transportations Research and Special Programs
Administration (RSPA) today announced a proposal
that will extend safety and environmental standards to hazardous liquid
operators with less than 500 miles of pipeline. The
standards will provide additional protection to areas where a pipeline
failure could pose the greatest threat to people and the
environment.
The proposed regulations would step up testing and safety standards for
hazardous liquid pipelines in "high consequence areas"
such as populated areas, areas that are considered highly susceptible to
environmental damage, and commercially navigable
waterways.
"Safety has been President Clinton and Vice President Gore=s highest
transportation priority," Transportation Secretary Rodney
E. Slater said. "We have been committed to protecting lives and the
environment. This proposed rule will help us to fulfill that
commitment, especially in areas where pipelines could pose the greatest
threat to people and the environment."
This proposed rule, like the rule RSPA finalized on Nov. 3, 2000 for
operators of hazardous liquid pipelines of 500 or more
miles, would require pipeline operators to develop and follow a safety
program including continuous evaluation of pipelines
including mandatory testing with a five-year interval for retesting.
The Departments Office of Pipeline Safety will enforce the regulations.
RSPA plans to propose increased safety requirements
for natural gas transmission pipeline operators in a separate rule.
"Pipelines are one of the safest means to transport hazardous liquids, and
we must be sure to minimize the potential damage to
pipelines," said John P. Murray, acting administrator of RSPA, the agency
that oversees the federal pipeline safety program.
"These proposed measures will improve our ability to identify and prevent
damage to pipelines in high-risk areas and step up
our safety measures so we can prevent pipeline failures in the future and
ensure the safe transportation of hazardous liquids."
The rule has been sent to the Federal Register and will be on display
shortly.
=> Classified Ads
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GPS receiver picks up satellite signals and uses them to pinpoint your
location on earth
Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000J495/thedisastercenteA/
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
rates. Your account is held in strictest confidence and you won't keep
hearing from us if you decide not to keep the service. We believe in the
value of StormWarn, and we think you will too.
*Direct pages and faxes are limited to 50 bulletins during the trial period.
http://www.stormwarn.com/index.asp?a=10296
=> Links Area
Earth Songs
Our planet is a natural source of radio waves at audio frequencies. An
online receiver at the Marshall
Space Flight Center is playing these songs of Earth so anyone can listen.
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast19jan_1.htm?list66492
LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM OVER SOUTHEAST US
Southeast US
This GOES-8 image shows clouds associated with a low pressure system located
over the Deep
South. Powerful
thunderstorms rumbled through Louisiana and Mississippi Friday morning
generating damaging
winds, heavy rain,
and lightning. A wind gust of 48 mph was reported in New Orleans, along
with downed trees and
telephone poles in
Pearl County, Mississippi.
http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Storms/US_Southeast/STMusSE019_G8.jpg
FIRES IN AFRICA
Sudan and Ethiopia
Heat signatures (red) and smoke (light blue) are visible from fires burning
in Sudan and Ethiopia.
http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Fires/Africa_E/FSMHSsudan019_N4.jpg
FIRES IN VENEZUELA
Venezuela
Heat signatures (red) and smoke (light blue) are visible from fires burning
in Venezuela.
http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Fires/Venezuela/FSMHSven019_N4.jpg
FIRES IN FLORIDA
Florida
Heat signatures (red) and smoke (light blue) are visible from fires burning
in Florida.
http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Fires/US_Florida/FSMHSusFL019_N2.jpg
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sun Feb 04 2001 - 18:34:32 EST
