The USA Disaster Situation Report
The Daily USA Disaster Situation Report
For March 22, 2001
Christopher Effgen, Editor, host{at}disastercenter.com
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IN THIS ISSUE
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=> USA Daily Temperature Extremes
=> Special Notes
=> Current Active National Weather Service Warnings:
=> Severe Weather Probability Forecast
=> Precipitation Forecast, Excessive Rainfall, Heavy Snow And/Or Significant
Icing Forecast
=> USA Flood Report
=> USA Fire Report and Forecast
=> USA Earthquake Report
=> Yesterday's USA Severe Weather Reports
=> Guest Column-
=> Sponsored by The Rothstein Catalog On Disaster Recovery
**** ARTICLES ****
=> Article National Weather Service Day 3-10 U.S. Threats Valid Friday,
March 23, 2001
- Tuesday, April 3, 2001.
=> Article National Drought Summary -- March 20, 2001
=> Article Earthquake Survival at the Little Church on The Prairie Learning
Center
=> Article Federal Government Makes Final Call For Data, Public Comment
Before
Writing New Report On Cancer-Causing Substances
=> Article Emergency Declaration Issued For Maine Snowstorm
=> Classified Ads
=> Links Area
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
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Sponsored by the The Rothstein Catalog On Disaster Recovery
http://www.disastercenter.com/Rothstein/
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=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information
The Daily USA Disaster Situation Report
For March 22, 2001
Christopher Effgen, Editor, host{at}disastercenter.com
------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
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=> USA Daily Temperature Extremes
National Temperature Extremes
High Wed...92 At Death Valley And Palm Springs CA
Low Thu...9 At Warroad And Hallock MN
=> Special Notes
The MRF shows a low over north Texas on the 29th heading toward Indiana /
Illinois the 30th.
=> Current Active National Weather Service Warnings:
Active Warnings:
Updated Thu Mar 22 11:14:13 2001
Flash Flood
Connecticut
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
A FLOOD WARNING FOR SMALL RIVERS AND STREAMS CONTINUES
UNTIL 5 PM...
THE WARNING INCLUDES NORTHERN CONNECTICUT...MOST OF RHODE
ISLAND...AND MUCH OF SOUTH CENTRAL AND EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS.
Maine
FLOOD WATCH FOR THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING FOR
MAINE... COASTAL YORK COASTAL CUMBERLAND
New Hampshire
FLOOD WATCH FOR THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING FORNEW
HAMPSHIRE... INTERIOR ROCKINGHAM MERRIMACK COASTAL
ROCKINGHAM STRAFFORD
Flood
Alabama
Florida
A FLOOD WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE SHOAL RIVER...
Connecticut
New Jersey
New York
THE MINOR COASTAL FLOODING...MODERATE LEVELS OF BEACH EROSION ARE
EXPECTED AROUND TIMES OF HIGH TIDE ALONG OCEAN FACING BEACHES
THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING AS A RESULT OF HEAVY SURF.
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
RIVER FLOOD WARNING FOR THE ASSABET RIVER...CONCORD RIVER...NORTH
NASHUA RIVER... AND SHAWSHEEN RIVER...
RIVER FLOOD WARNING FOR THE BLACKSTONE RIVER...CHARLES
RIVER...NEPONSET RIVER...
South Carolina
RIVER FLOOD WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE CONGAREE RIVER
Wisconsin
FLOOD WARNING FOR THOSE PARTS OF BROWN COUNTY ADJACENT TO DUCK
CREEK.
Non Precipitation
Massachusetts
BARNSTABLE MA-DUKES MA-NANTUCKET MA-..WIND ADVISORY TODAY
THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON REMAINS IN EFFECT...
Winter Storm
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
LOCALLY HEAVY SNOW WILL FALL AT THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF NORTHERN
CHESHIRE AND NORTHWEST HILLSBOROUGH COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST NEW
HAMPSHIRE THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY. ACROSS THE REST OF
SOUTHWEST NEW HAMPSHIRE...AS WELL AS NORTHERN AND WESTERN
MASSACHUSETTS...THE RAIN WILL MIX WITH WET SNOW AT TIMES
TODAY...AND THEN CHANGE TO ALL SNOW LATE THIS AFTERNOON OR
EVENING.
Maine
A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR WESTERN MAINE AND
NORTHERN...CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST NEW HAMPSHIRE TODAY THROUGH
FRIDAY MORNING.
New York
WINTER STORM WARNING FOR THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY - CENTRAL VERMONT
AND MUCH OF EXTREME NORTHERN NEW YORK STATE THROUGH TONIGHT...
Vermont
WINTER STORM WARNING FOR THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY - CENTRAL VERMONT
AND MUCH OF EXTREME NORTHERN NEW YORK STATE THROUGH TONIGHT...
=> 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 a 5% probability of any severe weather tomorrow over east southeast
New Mexico, Texas
except the west southwest area, the southeast 1/4, and the central north
area, and a portion of
central south Oklahoma.
The 15% probability area covers far east southeast New Mexico, and central
through central west
Texas.
Likelihood of hail/ locally damaging winds from the stronger storms...with
the potential for a few
supercells. The severe threat should diminish after sunset.
=> Precipitation Forecast, Excessive Rainfall, Heavy Snow And/Or
Significant
Icing Forecast
Precipitation Forecast
The 24 hour precipitation forecast is calling for 2 inches of precipitation
eastern massachusetts,
extreme northern Rhode Island, southeastern New Hampshire, and extreme
southern Maine.
Over 1 inch of precipitation is forecast over northeast Connecticut, Vermont
except the northern
area, New Hampshire except the far northern area, Massachusetts except the
far western area, the
southern 1/3 of Maine and Rhode Island
The 24 - 48 hour precipitation forecast is calling for less than 1 inch of
precipitation.
Excessive Rainfall Forecast
Rainfall may exceed flash flood values over east central and eastern
Massachusetts, extreme
northeastern Connecticut, Rhode Island except the far southwestern area,
southeast New
Hampshire, and coastal Maine.
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 central
east and far northeast New York, Vermont, New Hampshire except the far
southeast area,
northwest Massachusetts, and the southern 2/3 of Maine,
The moderate probability area covers extreme northwestern Massachusetts,
Vermont except the
northwest area, New Hampshire except the far northwestern and the
southeastern area, and the
southern 1/3 of Maine except the coastal area.
The high probability area covers southeast Vermont, New Hampshire except the
southeastern 1/3
and the northeastern areas, and central west Maine.
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
Maine except the extreme northwestern area, and far central east New
Hampshire.
The moderate probability area covers extreme central east Maine.
The probability of 1/4 inch or greater of ice accumulation is less than 20%
Current USA Snow and Ice Cover
http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/surface/us_NESDISsnow.gif
=> USA Flood Report
NATIONAL HYDROLOGIC SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HEADQUARTERS
10:00 AM EST THUR MAR 22 2001
FLOOD SUMMARY
FLOODING FROM NOR'EASTER IN EAST; SNOWMELT IN PLAINS
FLOOD WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT FOR A FEW RIVERS FROM VIRGINIA,
NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA INTO MASSACHUSETTS,
RHODE ISLAND AND CONNECTICUT FROM RECENT HEAVY RAINS.
FLASH FLOODING OF SOME CREEKS AND STREAMS WAS REPORTED OVERNIGHT
FROM PARTS OF VIRGINIA TO MASSACHUSETTS FROM THE HEAVY RAINS
WARM CONDITIONS ACROSS THE PLAINS HAS RESULTED IN SNOWMELT AND
ICE JAM FLOODING ON SEVERAL RIVERS IN NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA,
NEBRASKA AND IOWA.
FLASH FLOODING:
FLOOD/FLASH FLOOD AND/OR URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD ADVISORIES
WERE ISSUED DURING THE PAST 24 HOURS FOR LOCATIONS INCLUDING:
CONNECTICUT: FAIRFIELD, HARTFORD, NEW HAVEN, TOLLAND AND
WINDHAM COUNTIES
DELAWARE: NEW CASTLE COUNTY
KENTUCKY: BATH, ESTILL, FLEMING, MENIFEE, MONTGOMERY, POWELL
AND ROWAN COUNTIES
MASSACHUSETTS: BRISTOL, ESSEX, MIDDLESEX, NORFOLK, PLYMOUTH,
SUFFOLK AND WORCESTER COUNTIES
RHODE ISLAND: BRISTOL, KENT, PROVIDENCE AND WASHINGTON
COUNTIES.
VIRGINIA: ALBEMARLE, AUGUSTA, BUCKINGHAM, FREDERICK, GREENE,
HALIFAX, MADISON, NELSON, PAGE, RAPPAHANNOCK, ROCKINGHAM,
SHENANDOAH AND WARREN COUNTIES; CITIES OF HARRISONBURG,
STAUNTON, WAYNESBORO AND WINCHESTER
WEST VIRGINIA: HAMPSHIRE COUNTY
RIVER FLOODING:
RIVERS AND STREAMS WITH LOCATIONS EITHER ABOVE FLOOD STAGE OR
EXPECTED TO RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE INCLUDE:
ALABAMA: THE ALABAMA, TOMBIGBEE, TALLAPOOSA, LOWER BLACK
WARRIOR, PAINT ROCK AND LOCUST FORK RIVERS; CATOMA CREEK
ARKANSAS: THE OUACHITA AND CACHE RIVERS
CONNECTICUT: THE YANTIC RIVER
FLORIDA: THE APALACHICOLA AND ESCAMBIA RIVERS
GEORGIA: THE OHOOPEE, WITHLACOOCHEE, OCHLOCKONEE, ALTAMAHA,
OCMULGEE AND OCONEE RIVERS
ILLINOIS: THE ILLINOIS RIVER
IOWA: THE BIG SIOUX, LITTLE SIOUX, MID AND UPPER FLOYD, DES
MOINES, NORTH RACCOON, IOWA, SOUTH SKUNK, WAPSIPINICON AND
SKUNK RIVERS; BEAVER CREEK
LOUISIANA: THE ATCHAFALAYA, RED, CALCASIEU, LITTLE,
OUACHITA, PEARL AND BOEUF RIVERS; RED CHUTE BAYOU, DORCHEAT
BAYOU; BODCAU LAKE, LAKE BISTINEAU, CADDO LAKE
MASSACHUSETTS: THE CHARLES, BLACKSTONE AND NEPONSET RIVERS
MINNESOTA: THE RED LAKE RIVER
MISSISSIPPI: THE PEARL AND BIG BLACK RIVERS
MISSOURI: THE GRAND RIVER, MISSOURI RIVER AT GASCONADE
NEBRASKA: THE NIOBRARA AND LOUP RIVERS
NORTH CAROLINA: THE NEUSE RIVER
NORTH DAKOTA: THE SOURIS AND WINTERING RIVERS; APPLE CREEK
RHODE ISLAND: THE BLACKSTONE RIVER
SOUTH CAROLINA: THE CONGAREE RIVER
SOUTH DAKOTA: THE VERMILLION, LOWER JAMES AND LOWER BIG
SIOUX RIVERS
TENNESSEE: THE SOUTH CHICKAMAUGA RIVER
TEXAS: THE TRINITY, SABINE, NECHES, ANGELINA AND SULPHUR
RIVERS; ATTOYAC AND BLACK CYPRESS BAYOUS
VIRGINIA: THE MEHERRIN RIVER
WISCONSIN: THE DUCK CREEK
Yesterday's
NATIONAL HYDROLOGIC SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HEADQUARTERS
0900 AM EST WED MAR 21 2001
FLOOD SUMMARY
3-6 INCHES OF RAIN FELL IN PARTS OF THE CAROLINAS, CAUSING ONLY
LIMITED FLOODING BECAUSE OF EXISTING DROUGHT CONDITIONS. A
NUMBER OF RIVERS, FROM GEORGIA NORTHWARD INTO THE CAROLINAS ARE
RISING IN RESPONSE TO RECENT HEAVY RAIN.
ICE JAMS ARE CAUSING MINOR FLOODING ALONG SEVERAL RIVERS AND
CREEKS IN THE DAKOTAS AND IOWA.
MINOR TO MODERATE FLOODING CONTINUES ON NUMEROUS RIVERS ACROSS
THE CENTRAL PLAINS AND THE SOUTH, WITH LEVELS FALLING.
FLOOD WATCHES ARE IN EFFECT FOR PARTS OF MARYLAND, DELAWARE,
PENNSYLVANIA, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, CONNECTICUT, RHODE ISLAND AND
MASSACHUSETTS.
WARN TEMPERATURES IN THE NORTHERN PLAINS WILL KEEP RIVER LEVELS
HIGH IN THE DAKOTAS, NEBRASKA, MINNESOTA AND IOWA.
FLASH FLOODING:
FLOOD/FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS AND/OR URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD
ADVISORIES WERE ISSUED OVER THE LAST DAY FOR:
KENTUCKY: BATH, ESTILL, FLEMING, MENIFEE, MONTGOMERY, POWELL
AND ROWAN COUNTIES
NORTH CAROLINA: BRUNSWICK, COLUMBUS, NEW HANOVER AND
PENDER COUNTIES
NUMEROUS AREAS AFFECTED BY STREET FLOODING
SOUTH CAROLINA: HORRY COUNTY
RIVER FLOODING:
SEVERAL LOCATIONS ALONG THE MID-MISSISSIPPI RIVER (GRAFTON,
CHESTER AND CAPE GIRARDEAU) AS WELL AS AT RED RIVER LANDING
REMAIN ABOVE FLOOD STAGE BUT CONTINUE TO FALL.
OTHER RIVERS AND STREAMS WITH LOCATIONS EITHER ABOVE FLOOD STAGE
OR EXPECTED TO RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE INCLUDE:
ALABAMA: THE ALABAMA, BLACK WARRIOR, PAINT ROCK, TALLAPOOSA
AND TOMBIGBEE RIVERS
ARKANSAS: THE CACHE AND OUACHITA RIVERS
FLORIDA: THE APPALACHICOLA, CHOCTAWHATCHEE, ESCAMBIA AND
OCHLOCKONEE RIVERS
GEORGIA: THE ALTAMAHA, FLINT, OCHLOCKONEE, OCMULGEE, OCONEE,
OGEECHEE, OHOOPEE AND WITHLACOOCHEE RIVERS
IOWA: THE DES MOINES, IOWA, NORTH RACCOON, SKUNK AND SOUTH
SKUNK, AND WAPSIPINICON RIVERS; PERRY CREEK
ILLINOIS: THE ILLINOIS RIVER
LOUISIANA: THE ATCHAFALAYA, BLACK, BOEUF, CALCASIEU, LITTLE,
OUACHITA, PEARL, RED RIVERS; RED CHUTE BAYOU AND
BAYOU DORCHEAT; LAKE BISTANEAU, CADDO LAKE; THE
BAYOU BODCAU RESERVOIR
THE BAYOU BODCAU RESERVOIR ROSE TO A NEW RECORD LEVEL,
CAUSING SIGNIFICANT FLOODING
SEVERE BACKWATER FLOODING OF TRIBUTARIES ALONG THE
RED RIVER, INCLUDING THE CANE AND FLAT RIVERS, ALOHA,
KISATCHIE, LOGGY AND SALINE BAYOUS, AS WELL AS
BAYOUS NANTACHES AND PIERRE, AND BLACK LAKE
MISSISSIPPI: THE BIG BLACK, PEARL AND YAZOO RIVERS
MISSOURI: THE GRAND AND MISSOURI RIVERS
NEBRASKA: THE LOUP AND NIOBARA RIVERS
NORTH DAKOTA: THE SOURIS AND WINTERING RIVERS
SOUTH CAROLINA: THE EDISTO RIVER; STEVENS CREEK
TEXAS: THE ANGELINA, GUADALUPE, NECHES, SABINE, SULPHUR AND
TRINITY RIVERS; ATTOYAC AND BLACK CYPRESS BAYOUS
=> 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 2001 MAR 22 at 00:15 UTC
NO EVENTS
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
NATIONAL EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION CENTER
GOLDEN, COLORADO
LISTS OF U.S. EARTHQUAKES IN THE LAST 30 HOURS
Prepared by USGS/NEIC 2001 MAR 21 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
2001 MAR 20 09:59:21.00 38.0 N 118.8 W 10 km 3.2
30 miles ESE of Bridgeport, California
=> Yesterday's USA Severe Weather Reports
Note: All data is considered preliminary
Tornado Reports
No reports received
Hail Reports
No reports received
Wind Reports
No reports received
Fields marked UNK are unknown
All Times UTC
Wind Gusts in MPH
Hail Sizes in 1/100 of an Inch (75 = 0.75")
=> Guest Column
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=> National Weather Service Day 3-10 U.S. Threats Valid Friday, March 23,
2001 -
Tuesday, April 3, 2001.
Summary of Forecasts & Threats
SYNOPSIS: Models indicate changes in the long-standing pattern we have seen
from one with a
storm track across the southern U.S. to one with storms entering the lower
48 states in the
Northwest. Such a pattern is likely to bring warmer average temperatures to
southern sections of the
Nation and wetter conditions to the North, especially the Northwest.
THREATS
Abnormally heavy snowpack and snow water content pose a spring flood threat
in parts of the
midwest, the northern Great Plains and New England.
Long-term drought continues over most of Florida, and over western portions
of the Carolinas,
eastern Tennessee, and northern Georgia.
Low mountain snowpack conditions that have developed over much of the West
are likely to
experience some relief during the next two weeks.
DETAILED SUMMARY
For Friday March 23 through Sunday March 25: As the intense storm lifts out
of the East, cold air
filters into the Northeast, while a large storm system is predicted to move
into the Gulf of Alaska,
bringing strong winds to Alaskan coasts and rains to the Northwest.
For Monday March 26 through Tuesday Apr 03: Indications for this period are
quite uncertain. The
trough is expected lift from the East early in the period. This seems likely
to be followed by a more
zonal pattern with a succession of storms entering the country in the West
from central California
northward. There is a chance a cutoff low may form in the Southwest and move
into the central and
southern continental U.S. during days 11-14, possibly bring a brief period
of heavy rain.
=> National Drought Summary -- March 20, 2001
The Southeast: Torrential rainfall continued to pound the Southeast at
regular intervals, leaving
topsoils wet despite underlying subsoil moisture and water-supply shortages.
As a result,
hydrological drought persisted across most of the Southeast, remaining at
extreme (D3) proportions
in western North Carolina. Despite some lingering long-term moisture
deficits in southeastern
Louisiana and coastal Mississippi, recent heavy rains warranted the
elimination of abnormally dry
(D0) conditions. Farther north, abnormally dry and moderate drought
conditions (D0 and D1)
expanded northward across the Mid-Atlantic region. According to preliminary
data from the
National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), October 2000 - February 2001 was the
driest such period
on record in West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida.
On March 15, the South Florida Water Management District's Governing Board
voted to implement
Phase III water restrictions in portions of the Lower East Coast and Lake
Okeechobee service
areas. The more stringent restrictions, which will limit the typical
homeowner to lawn watering once
per week, are scheduled to take effect on March 28. The average surface
level of Lake
Okeechobee fell to 10.16 feet on March 18, then rose slightly the next day,
but remained at a record
low for this time of year. The all-time record-low lake level of 9.75 feet
was established on July 29,
1981. The year's most significant rainfall, locally in excess of 5 inches,
overspread Florida on March
19. The heaviest rain fell in two bands, the first just north of a line from
Tampa to Orlando, including
Ocala and Daytona Beach, and the second in a corridor roughly from Ft. Myers
to West Palm
Beach, including Lake Okeechobee. March 19 rainfall of 2.07 inches in Ft.
Myers and 5.05 inches
in West Palm Beach accounted for more than half of the cities' respective
year-to-date totals.
The Central Appalachians: Generally light precipitation brought little
change to hydrologically dry
(D0) areas in southern West Virginia and adjacent areas, while locally more
than 1 inch of moisture
provided limited relief to abnormally dry areas in Pennsylvania and southern
New York.
The Plains: Little precipitation was observed on the Montana High Plains,
where severe drought
(D2) continued. Hydrological dryness (D0) remained a concern as far south as
northwestern Kansas
and west-central Iowa. Varying degrees of hydrological dryness (D0 to D2)
also continued to affect
southwestern Texas and southeastern New Mexico.
The West: A weather pattern change brought a sustained period of dry weather
to the Sierra
Nevada for the first time in 2 months. According to the California
Department of Water Resources,
the water content of the Sierra Nevada snow pack climbed to about 22 inches
during the 2-month
wet spell, up from 5 inches in early January. However, the snow pack's water
content stood only
slightly greater than 80 percent of normal for mid-March, leaving lingering
summer water-supply
(D0) concerns in areas fed by the Sierra Nevada spring runoff. Meanwhile in
the Northwest, light
precipitation provided limited drought relief, primarily from the Cascades
westward. Slight
expansions of abnormal dryness (D0) and moderate drought (D1) were noted in
northern Utah and
southeastern Oregon, respectively. A new area of severe drought (D2) was
added in southern
Oregon due to meager snow packs and poor spring runoff prospects. According
to USDA's
SNOTEL network, mid-March snow pack water equivalents generally ranged from
45 to 75
percent of normal in key watershed areas from the Cascades to the northern
Rockies. According to
NCDC, October 2000 - February 2001 was the second-driest such period during
the 106-year
period of record in Washington and Oregon. Going back further, NCDC's
Northwest Region,
comprised of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, experienced its second-driest
March-February
period on record, with a 12-month precipitation total slightly less than
two-thirds of the long-term
average. Only March 1976 - February 1977 was drier in the Northwest.
Hawaii and Puerto Rico: In Hawaii, significant showers were confined to
typically wetter windward
locations. However, enough rain recently fell across the eastern part of the
Big Island to warrant
dropping water conservation notices and change the moderate drought (D1)
designation to
abnormally dry (D0) in most areas. In Puerto Rico, recent widespread showers
brought some
improvement in streamflows, although abnormally dry (D0) conditions
persisted on southern and
eastern portions of the island.
Looking Ahead: Weather features to watch in the next 10-day period that may
affect areas
experiencing dryness or drought include: 1) A storm system will continue
produce widespread
precipitation, including high-elevation snowfall, in the northern
Mid-Atlantic States and central
Appalachians into Thursday, March 22; 2) Mostly dry weather is forecast to
return to the Southeast,
including Florida, although a cold front may produce light rain toward week'
s end; 3) Light
precipitation is possible during next few days across the central Plains,
but mostly dry weather is
expected elsewhere on the Plains; 4) Generally light precipitation may
provide limited drought relief
in the Northwest by week's end; and 5) The NWS 6-10 day outlook for the last
5 days of March
calls for below-normal precipitation in drought areas of the Southeast,
southern High Plains, and
Montana Plains. In contrast, beneficial precipitation is forecast to
continue in the Northwest,
especially from the Cascades westward.
Author: Brad Rippey
=> Earthquake Survival at the Little Church on The Prairie Learning
Center
Lakewood, WA March 14, 2001 -- When the Nisqually Earthquake hit Feb. 28,
the children of the
Little Church on the Prairie Learning Center in Lakewood, Washington, were
protected from falling
objects because the center had mitigated the facility with FEMA assistance.
During the temblor, teachers gathered children under a large table; and,
according to the center's
director, Pat Ivy, "Nothing fell over because of our preventive measures. It
was amazing."
Last September, volunteers from the University of Puget Sound, Pacific
Lutheran University and staff
members of the Pierce County Emergency Management Department worked with
FEMA hazard
mitigation officials to make sure the daycare center was safe in the event
of an earthquake.
Mitigation measures included bolting cribs to the walls and strapping water
heaters, television sets
and computers in place. Volunteers also mounted protective sheathing on
light fixtures to keep lights
from falling.
The project was funded in part with FEMA Hazard Mitigation funds, while
Puget Sound Energy and
Key Bank of Lakewood supplied financial support and the hot water strapping.
Ivy had not planned on mitigating her center when first approached by
disaster officials, but when
she was told the center was located in a seismic zone, she chose to proceed
with the program.
Though the center suffered some structural damage, inside there was none.
And, most importantly,
there were no injuries.
=> Federal Government Makes Final Call For Data, Public Comment Before
Writing
New Report On Cancer-Causing Substances
Do estrogens, wood dust, a common solvent called trichloroethylene, the
flavoring methyleugenol
and the antibiotic chloramphenicol cause human cancer under some
circumstances? The National
Toxicology Program, headquartered at the National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences,
today sought final public comments and data on these and several other
substances and exposures
before recommending whether to list them as human carcinogens in the federal
government's tenth
and newest "Report on Carcinogens".
Comments will be accepted for 60 days.
Last year, two federal science committees and one public peer review panel
with non-government
members looked at eight nominated substances. The three scientific review
committees evaluated
available, published data relevant to listing these substances as "known"
or, with less complete data,
as "reasonably anticipated to be" causes of human cancer. Here are the
substances reviewed:
--TRICHLOROETHYLENE. This widely used metal degreasing solvent was
unanimously
recommended for upgrading from "reasonably anticipated" to listing as a
"known" human carcinogen
by one government panel, the NIEHS Review Committee, but the upgrade was
turned down, 4 to 3,
by the second government panel representing other agencies and regulators,
and by the public panel.
If not upgraded, trichloroethylene would continue to be listed as
"reasonably anticipated to be a
human carcinogen."
--ESTROGENS. Steroidal estrogens, which are used in some post-menopausal
therapy and as oral
contraceptives, were recommended as "known" human carcinogens by unanimous
votes of the two
government panels and 8 to 1 by the public panel. Conjugated estrogens, a
subgroup of the broad
group of steroidal estrogens, are already listed as "known" and drug
labeling or package inserts
discuss the possible side- effects that occur in some people. --WOOD DUST.
All three panels,
after reviewing the data, unanimously recommended wood dust, produced in
furniture and cabinet
manufacturing, as a "known" human carcinogen.
--UV RADIATION, UVA, UVB AND UVC. All three panels voted unanimously to
recommend
broad spectrum ultraviolet radiation, whether from the sun or from
artificial sources, be listed as a
"known" human carcinogen. The lengths, UVA, UVB and UVC were each
recommended for listing
as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen."
--METHYLEUGENOL. All three panels recommended this flavoring, traces of
which are used in
some jellies, baked goods, nonalcoholic beverages, chewing gum, candy and
ice cream, be listed as
"reasonably anticipated" to be a human carcinogen. Methyleugenol is also
used as a fragrance in
many perfumes and cosmetics and occurs naturally in many foods.
--CHLORAMPHENICOL. All three panels (with one person abstaining in one of
the panels)
unanimously recommended the highly restricted antibiotic chloramphenicol be
listed as "reasonably
anticipated to be a human carcinogen." The drug is considered a "last
resort" antibiotic under certain
circumstances where other antibiotics have failed.
--NICKEL AND CERTAIN NICKEL ALLOYS. Used in commercial operations for more
than
100 years, metallic nickel and certain of its alloys were recommended as
"reasonably anticipated" by
a vote of 6 to 2 in the initial NIEHS committee, but the second and third
panels voted against the
alloys being listed, recommending only that nickel itself be listed.
--TALC. Natural mineral talc containing a distinctive fiber shape, called
asbestiform fibers, was
approved for listing as a known human carcinogen by the NIEHS panel but
rejected by the second
government panel, which voted 6 to 2 for its listing as "reasonably
anticipated to be a human
carcinogen." The public panel split 5 to 5 on whether it should even be
listed as "reasonably." The
two government panels recommended that talc that does NOT contain
asbestiform fibers should be
listed as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" but the public
panel voted 7 to 3 that it
not be listed at all. This last panel did not consider studies linking
ovarian cancer and talc because it
was not clear whether the talc contained asbestiform fibers or not.
Additional information can be obtained from the NTP Home Page web site at
http://ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov/ or by contacting C. W. Jameson, NTP Mail
drop EC-14, P.O. Box
12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709; phone: (919) 541- 4096, fax: (919)
541-0144, email:
jameson{at}niehs.nih.gov. Comments also should be addressed to Dr. Jameson.
The "Report on Carcinogens" is a Congressionally mandated listing of known
human carcinogens
and reasonably anticipated human carcinogens and its preparation is
delegated to the NTP by the
Department of Health and Human Services. The law states that the reports
should provide available
information on the nature of exposures, the estimated number of persons
exposed and the extent to
which the implementation of current federal regulations decreases the risk
to the public.
NIEHS/NTP plans to publish the tenth report next year.
Further details appear in the "Federal Register", Vol. 66, No. 43, pages
13334-13338.
=> Emergency Declaration Issued For Maine Snowstorm
Washington, March 20, 2001 -- Federal disaster funds were made available
today for communities
in western Maine hit by record snowfall earlier this month, according to the
head of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh said the assistance was authorized under an
emergency declaration
issued by President Bush following a review of the agency's analysis of the
state's request for federal
assistance. The declaration covers jurisdictions with record and near-record
snowfall from the late
winter storm that occurred over the period of March 5-7.
Immediately after the declaration, Allbaugh designated the counties of
Cumberland, Lincoln,
Sagadahoc and York eligible for federal funding to pay part of the cost for
emergency protective
measures undertaken as a result of the snowstorm. This includes state and
local government
operations needed to protect public health and safety and to prevent damage
to public or private
property.
Under the emergency declaration, FEMA will provide reimbursement to local
and state agencies for
75 percent of the total eligible costs of equipment, contracts, and
personnel overtime related to
emergency services in dealing with the snow over a 48-hour period. These are
the crucial hours
when work crews clear snow from emergency routes and roads to critical
facilities to permit the
passage of emergency vehicles. Related emergency protective measures such as
sanding and salting,
search and rescue, shelter operations, and police and fire department
response will also be eligible
for reimbursement.
Allbaugh named David Rodham of FEMA to coordinate the federal assistance in
the affected areas.
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=> Links Area
The Inez coal tailings dam failure (Kentucky, USA)
http://www.antenna.nl/wise/uranium/mdafin.html
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
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