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Katrina Situation Update
Here's the part of FEMA's National Situation Update for Thursday, September 8, 2005 relating to hurricane Katrina:
This is a twice daily executive summary of salient actions, plans and a synopsis of key features from the most recent situation report. Strategic Efforts/Considerations Near Term:
General:
Evacuation:
Response & Recovery:
Levee Breach:
Critical Infrastructure:
Transportation:
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Major Developments in Katrina's Aftermath
U.S. Seeks Larger NATO Role in Katrina Aid, Mexico Army Brings Aid to Katrina Victims, U.S. Mum on Cuba Offer for Katrina Relief, Anonymous Donor Thanks America for Rescue
The United States has asked NATO to transport more European aid to areas hit by Hurricane Katrina.
A Mexican Army convoy has arrived in the United States with aid.
The United States has still not responded to Cuba's offer to send doctors to help hurricane Katrina victims.
A 90-year-old anonymous donor has donated 1,000 euros (about $1,245) saying it was a thank you for being rescued from a concentration camp more than 60 years ago.
Bush Pledges More Aid to Katrina Victims, Republican push for black votes hit by storm, 9/11 panel heads rue Katrina errors, Many Chiefs in White House Recovery Effort, Congress Taking Up $51.8B Relief Bill, Senators press Bush on hurricane relief czar, Cheney, Gonzales Tour Stricken Gulf Coast, Disaster aid will cover farm losses nationwide, Congress postpones cuts to Medicaid program, Dems Blast Bush Over Hurricane Response, Cabinet secretaries to visit Gulf Coast, FEMA Head Bears the Brunt of Katrina Anger
President Bush promised that the government will cut through red tape to get $2000 to displaced families. Friday was to be a national day of prayer and remembrance for victims of hurricane Katrina.
The Republican Party will have its work cut out to attract African American votes as 66% of them believe that the response to the disaster was slower than it would have been if most of the victims had been white.
The former chairman and vice-chairman of the 9/11 inquiry said that America's response to Hurricane Katrina showed all the mistakes of 9/11, including a lack of leadership and poor communications.
For example, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, White House chief of staff Andy Card, domestic policy adviser Claude Allen, Vice President Dick Cheney and the president himself are all involved in hurricane Katrina efforts. Then there was Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Brown.
Congress moved to approve $51.8 billion in emergency relief and recovery aid for victims of Hurricane Katrina. President Bush was working on a plan to give victims a full range of health care, job training and other government benefits.
Democratic congressional leaders said they would boycott a proposed Republican-led congressional investigative committee
Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas and Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania urged President Bush to appoint a top official to lead long-term hurricane Katrina recovery efforts.
Vice President Dick Cheney called relief efforts "very impressive" as he toured Gulfport, Mississippi.
The Senate Agriculture Committee said that all farmers affected by hurricane Katrina and other weather losses would receive financial aid. Food stamps, which account for roughly half of the U.S. Agriculture Department's budget, may not be cut as expected.
Cuts to the Medicaid health program have been postponed in the wake of hurricane Katrina.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York blasted relief coordinator Michael Brown, for example. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada wants a broad investigation.
Treasury Secretary John Snow, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, Labor Secretary Elaine Chao and Social Security Commissioner Jo Anne Barnhart were visiting Houston, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama on Thursday and Friday.
Federal disaster chief Michael Brown has been called an idiot, an incompetent and worse, and he's the first scapegoat. But last week President Bush said, "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job".
States Want Medicaid Coverage for Storm
The States want the federal government to cover all the costs of Medicaid health benefits for hurricane Katrina victims.
Texas Governor to Host Katrina Evacuees, La. Governor Suspends Legal Deadlines, Newsview: Governors Worry Over Katrina
Texas Gov. Rick Perry is playing host to the largest number of Katrina evacuees as he faces reelection in 2006. He hopes some employers will move to Texas to provide jobs for some of the evacuees, and that some evacuees can be sent on to other states.
Gov. Kathleen Blanco has suspended all deadlines for court cases until at least Sept. 25.
Both Republican and Democratic governors are concerned that any disaster that might befall their state might be dealt with by the same federal incompetence as hurricane Katrina was. They are identifying steps that they can take to avoid some of the problems.
Long lines, confusion over cash aid, Infections kill 3 after Katrina; others at risk, Celebs Pledge Help to Katrina Victims, La. Storm Victims Say They Feel Forgotten, All but One Baby Reunited With Parents, Miss. Boy, Family Adjust to Chicago Life, Music of New Orleans reminds of what's lost, A Look at the Katrina Refugee Situation, EPA: Contaminated Floodwater Dangerous, Duplication Rife in Online Relief Efforts, Superdome Damage Assessment to Take Months
Thousands of refugees lined up for payments from the American Red Cross in the hot sun amid confusion as to who was paying what, and when. Their long days are spent lining up.
So far the 3 deaths from bacterial infections in Gulf states after Hurricane Katrina are from diseases picked up from the dirty water, not from person-to-person infection. The water has been tested and found very contaminated, particularly with raw sewage, so contact with it should be avoided wherever possible and the highest standards of hygiene followed. Stomach upsets are common and could easily spread among the crowded, vulnerable evacuees. Evacuees will be urged to be vaccinated as soon as the new season flu this season's influenza vaccine is available.
A variety of celebrities have pledged to support the hurricane victims and several benefits are planned.
U.S. Coast Guard chief of staff Vice Admiral Thad Allen has taken over the federal response in New Orleans from former International Arabian Horse Association worker Michael Brown.
Residents of parts of Louisiana which were hit harder by Katrina than New Orleans feel abandoned and angry. Some are still under water, like New Orleans.
Of all the babies evacuated to Baton Rouge without their parents, only one, Barren Snell, remains to be reunited. His mother, father and 3 siblings have not been heard from. An aunt has been found.
A 4-generation extended family of 7 has been reunited in Chicago in donated accommodation. The children start school this week.
New Orleans' Preservation Hall, a home of jazz, is still standing and the man who operated it has survived. The music lives on, too.
Evacuees are scattered in at least 32 states.
The EPA warns that the new Orleans floodwaters are dangerous to health.
There is considerable duplication in online relief efforts, which means that volunteers have to laboriously type in evacuees' details into several different databases in different formats. A central site would speed things up and prevent people missing each other because each had posted on different sites. There are many possibilities including the Red Cross Family Links Registry and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which can include photos and police-style descriptions. Others include GulfCoastNews and Lycos search.
It could be months before a damage assessment can be completed and a decision is taken about what to do with the Superdome.
Teams Work to Find New Orleans Survivors, New Orleans pushing out survivors in grim search, Rescuers search door to door, The living become hard to find in New Orleans, Officers Go House to House in New Orleans, Storm survivors defy order to leave, Military Gets Creative for Evacuations
Teams are still searching for survivors in New Orleans and trying to persuade them to leave, whilst others are collecting corpses. 30 corpses were found in a nursing home. It is not safe to stay because of the risk of disease from te water. A suspected sniper was apprehended by over 100 officers with 7 armored personnel carriers. 23 of the cities 148 pumps are now working, as well as 3 portables, and the waters were slowly receding.
The military is finding better ways than force to persuade Louisiana hurricane victims to leave. They have built cages at their base so that pets can be evacuated too and cared for until there is somewhere for them to go. Not all rescuers will take pets, however.
First Steps to Rebuild Roads Begin
Local transportation departments have begun entering contracts for the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast's roads and bridges. They have not looked at New Orleans yet. The first projects include work on the Interstate Highway 10 bridge in Columbia and the Twin Span Bridge over Lake Pontchartrain. Highway 90 from stretches from New Orleans to the Florida Panhandle is being looked at.
Businesses Try to Keep Going After Katrina
Many businesses are making do with cramped temporary accommodation in different states and even different time zones as they try to keep their businesses afloat.
Reporters Barred by FEMA
FEMA has banned members of the press from recovery operations, saying that it would not be appropriate for photos to be taken of dead bodies.
'Dome's Darkest Fear Revealed
The Superdome was within an hour of being plunged into darkness before soldiers made a hole in the roof to let in a hose for commandeered gasoline to be pumped in. Conditions already seemed very dangerous in the building.
Tropical Storm Strengthens Off Fla. Coast
Tropical Storm Ophelia was packing sustained 60 mph winds as she hung around about 60 miles out from Cape Canaveral.
Tainted loons, senators tackle EPA on mercury
Loons, which are relatively long-lived and eat fish like we do, are being tested for toxic mercury. This year the Environmental Protection Agency issued emission regulations changing the categorization of mercury as a hazardous pollutant under the Clean Air Act, which would have led to hundreds of coal-fired power plants having to reduce emissions, to a less stringent category. Vermont Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy is leading a group pushing for a debate on the subject.
Asia sees sense in going green as oil prices rise
Asian governments, seeing a runaway increase for imported energy, are turning to alternative energy to take away the sting of rising oil prices. Air pollution is another reason to go green; China burns a lot of coal. China aims for 10 to 15% of its energy to be from renewable sources by 2020. Hydro, wind, solar and geothermal power are all being looked at seriously. Indonesia needs to invest in harnessing its geothermal power, whilst the Philippines is already the world's second top producer. India makes good use of wind power, being in the world top 5. Bangladesh is switching all public transport to domestically produced compressed natural gas. Thailand is moving towards gasohol.
Wheat fungus may pose global threat: report
A new form of stem rust called Ug99, a strain of wheat fungus, is affecting Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia. It could easily be spread by wind or travellers to the Middle East, Asia and the Americas. To avoid major losses like those in North America in 1903, 1905 and 1950-54 and which caused famine in Asia, it is necessary to isolate wheat varieties that are resistant to it and distribute them to farmers who could be affected.
This is one of the reasons why biodiversity is important - if everyone is growing the same strains and the rest have been eliminated, then epidemics would be a lot harder if not impossible to prevent.
Pensacola Opposes Contaminated Soil Plan
The Pensacola city council has voted unanimously against the federal government's plan to leave soil contaminated with dioxin untreated. 350 families have been relocated from near the former Escambia Wood Treating Co. site.
Earthquake Shakes Alpine Region in Italy
A magnitude 4.4 earthquake shook the Alpine region of Italy, but no harm was done.
Global warming could hit India agriculture: study
A joint India-UK study estimates that global warming will cause average temperatures in India up by degrees Celsius by the end of the century. This would lead to increased rainfall and more malaria. Crops would be affected, and rising sea levels could affect the coastal railway network. India has ratified the Kyoto climate change protocol, but as a developing nation does not have to do anything before 2012.
Popular Walrus Cam to Go Offline for Hunt
Normally it is possible to watch live webcams of Pacific walruses in Alaska, but they will be temporarily switched off from Friday during the Alaska Native hunt. The webcams will also be offline during the winter to reduce costs.
Study Finds British Soil Losing Carbon
Thanks to rising temperatures (0.5 C (0.9 F) in 25 years) due to global warming, Soil in England and Wales is losing large amounts of carbon. The estimated 13 million tons of carbon a year is equivalent to 8.2% of Britain's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2004. CO2 is a greenhouse gas, so this contributes to global warming - an example of a positive feedback loop.
Fire Near Calif. Town, So Far a Survivor
Fire fighters are working on a 600-acre blaze near the Gold Rush town of Julian, which has survived 3 major blazes in 3 years. One fire fighter was hospitalized as a result of 15 bee stings to the face.
Mexican Police Find 130 Animals in Bus
Mexican police hearing noises found 130 wild animals in the luggage compartment of a bus travelling from Catemaco to Mexico City. There were an eagle, two toucans, 41 mockingbirds, three iguanas, 14 parrots, 15 snakes, 55 tortoises and a tarantula.
Large Solar Flare May Bring Disruptions
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Environment Center in Boulder, Colorado has reported a large solar flare. This could cause electrical and communications disruptions.
Ill. High School Teaching Grape Growing
Students at a high school in Illinois are being taught how to grow grapes. Illinois has a growing winemaking and grape industry. The students will learn relevant science as well.
New Backpack Puts Juice in Power Walking
Researchers have created a backpack which uses the movement from walking to generate enough electricity to power an MP3 player, a personal data assistant, night vision goggles, a handheld global positioning system or a GSM cell phone. This could help a lot of people working out in the field including researchers, soldiers and disaster workers. In stead of carrying extra batteries, wearers could carry a snack to help with the small amount of extra work involved.
Fossils reveal flying prehistoric giants
Research on pterosaur wings reveals that the giant reptiles could have had wingspans of 18 metres; twice as wide as previously thought. They died out 65 million years ago along with the dinosaurs.
Italian scuba couple move into underwater home
Two Italian "aquanauts" are attempting to break the record for living underwater in the interests of science. They plan to spend 10 days underwater whilst the effect on their bodies is studied. They will be allowed a break in an underwater dry chamber every 5 hours.
Spanish City Gets High-Tech Buggies
The Spanish city of Cordoba is to get solar-powered hi-tech golf buggies to conduct tourists around the sights.
Nuke Reactors on Campuses Keep Low Profile
University-based nuclear reactors tend to keep a low profile. They are used to research into cancer cures. The one at the University of Missouri and the one at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology cannot switch to a safer fuel from highly enriched uranium, which can be used in nuclear weapons.
U.S. Senate panel OKs asbestos subpoena power
The Judiciary Committee gave its leaders authority to subpoena companies facing asbestos lawsuits about how much they would expect to contribute to the privately financed $140 billion fund for asbestos victims.
Government Eases Rule to Stem Mad Cow
The rules intended to prevent the spread among people of mad cow disease are being eased by the government. Part of a cow's small intestine may be used as casing for some specialty sausages.
EPA Proposes Ban on Some Pesticide Tests
The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a ban on pesticide testing on pregnant women and children.
Index of topics in this series.
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Here's the EPA's Response Activity for Thursday, September 8, 2005 relating to hurricane Katrina:
EPA emergency response personnel are working in partnership with FEMA to help assess the damage and prepare for cleanup from Katrina. In emergency situations such as this, EPA serves as the lead Agency for the cleanup of hazardous materials, including oil and gasoline. Our national and regional Emergency Operations Centers are activated 24 hours a day.
Recovery - EPA anticipates conducting limited search and rescue operations in LA on 9/8. Food and water were distributed and an additional 12 people were rescued. Approximately, 787 rescues have been made by EPA in LA. Thirty-three EPA water craft are currently available for rescue and environmental assessment efforts. EPA will discontinue search and rescue operations in LA effective 9/9 to focus on environmental response activities.
Drinking Water Assessment - EPA estimates the number of water systems affected is 73 in AL, 555 in MS and 469 in LA. In AL, many water systems were disabled or impaired by loss of electrical power. Three systems in AL currently have boil water advisories. Two of these systems are awaiting sample results. The other system is running on emergency power. EPA continues its assessment of damage to local drinking water systems in MS, and provides technical assistance to help restore safe drinking water to those systems. EPA has two mobile laboratories in MS assisting the state Department of Public Health in drinking water analysis. The mobile labs became operational on 9/8. Boil water notices issued have increased from 404 to 464 water systems in MS. Samples from these systems will be analyzed for total fecal coliform bacteria before the systems restore service . EPA is assisting the LA Department of Health and Hospitals in assessing drinking water and has deployed 35 more EPA personnel to LA this week. There are approximately 378 drinking water systems that are not in operation in LA with another 48 systems on a boil water notice. In LA, one EPA mobile lab is currently testing drinking water samples and providing analytical data. An additional mobile lab is expected to arrive this week in LA.
Public Advisories - On 9/6, EPA and HHS issued an advisory cautioning the public and all responders about the possible hazards of flood waters due to potentially elevated levels of contamination associated with raw sewage and other hazardous materials. On 9/4, EPA issued an advisory to the public urging caution when disposing of household hazardous waste and asbestos-containing debris from storm-damaged homes and other buildings.
Flood Water Analysis - At a news conference with CDC on 9/7, Administrator Johnson released initial sampling results of New Orleans flood waters from six locations. Preliminary information indicates that counts for E. Coli in sampled areas greatly exceed EPA's recommended levels for contact. Also lead concentrations exceeded drinking water action levels which would be a concern if the flood water was a child's source of drinking water. Given these preliminary results, emergency response personnel and the public should avoid direct contact with standing water when possible. Collection of flood water samples began 9/3 in downtown New Orleans . Samples were shipped to a Houston lab and a local lab in Lafayette, LA for analysis. Daily sampling is ongoing.
Wastewater Treatment Facilities - EPA continues to assess wastewater treatment facilities in LA, MS and AL. EPA estimates the number of wastewater treatment facilities affected is now 13 in AL, 114 in LA and 45 in MS.
Air Surveillance - EPA's environmental surveillance aircraft (ASPECT) is being used to assess spills and chemical releases. On 9/7, ASPECT conducted overflights of railroad yards. Current plans are being developed for using this aircraft to conduct radiological surveys. These surveys will be conducted due to concerns over potential radiological sources from universities and hospitals. EPA and state officials continue to collect air quality information from daily aerial helicopter inspections of facilities. On-the-ground inspections of these facilities will provide additional information in the coming weeks. Air assessments of spills and chemicals releases in New Orleans and surrounding area continue.
Incident Management Team - On 9/6, EPA personnel staffing of a second full Incident Management Team (IMT) began mobilization to LA. On 9/2 EPA deployed a 17 person IMT to Baton Rouge to integrate with LA officials and manage EPA's field operations.
Peer Support & Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM) - EPA has deployed CISM team members to Baton Rouge, LA and Jackson, MS to consult with all EPA staff conducting field operations in areas impacted by the hurricane.
Fuel Waivers - On 9/2, EPA granted a limited waiver from the reformulated gasoline (RFG) requirement for gasoline sold in the Richmond, VA, metropolitan area through 9/9. In consultation with DOE, we are closely monitoring gasoline supplies as we consider requests for waivers in other areas. On 9/1, EPA granted Georgia 's request to waive its state sulfur requirement through 9/15 which required clean burning gasoline to be sold in the 45-county area of Atlanta . On 8/31, to alleviate possible fuel shortages across the country and to help meet emergency demand, EPA granted a nationwide fuel waiver that allows refiners, importers, distributors, carriers and retail outlets to supply gasoline and diesel fuels that do not meet standards for emissions. The temporary waiver is in effect through 9/15.
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Hazardous Waste Disposal - EPA personnel continue to offer technical assistance in the disposal of hazardous waste and other debris left behind by the storm. Teams are working closely with the Coast Guard to conduct assessments of potential oil spills and chemical releases caused by the hurricane.
Technical Expertise - EPA will be providing environmental guidelines for residences and commercial buildings. EPA has practical and scientific expertise in the environmental health hazards caused by flood waters, especially the effects of molds and mildew, and in the disposal of household hazardous waste and asbestos-containing materials from storm-damaged buildings.
Emergency Call Center - EPA expects to deploy 30-50 personnel from the Region 5 (Chicago) office to assist staffing of the FEMA Emergency Call Center that will register people who are applying for federal assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The call center is anticipated to be operational on September 8th.
Here's the EPA's Water issues: Preliminary test results advisory for Thursday, September 8, 2005 relating to hurricane Katrina (click here to see 'Flood water sampling map'):
EPA and CDC Report High Levels of Bacterial Contamination in Preliminary Floodwater Samples from New OrleansSeptember 8, 2005
Floodwaters from six locations across the New Orleans area were sampled by EPA and analyzed for chemicals and bacteria. These initial results represent the beginning of extensive sampling efforts and do not represent the condition of all flood waters throughout the area. Preliminary information indicates that bacteria counts for E. coli in sampled areas greatly exceed EPA’s recommended levels for contact. At these levels, human contact with water should be avoided as much as possible. Map of sampled areas.
Chemical sampling was performed for over one hundred priority pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), total metals, pesticides, herbicides, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Results from these analyses were compared to various Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and EPA health levels. Lead concentrations in flood water exceeded drinking water action levels. These measured levels are a concern if flood water were to be a child’s source of drinking water. For the other chemicals tested, we have yet to detect contaminant levels that would exceed the EPA and ATSDR health levels. Due to the priority of the search and rescue mission, EPA testing has occurred in several highly populated residential neighborhoods and not yet in heavily industrialized areas. Given these preliminary results, emergency response personnel and the public should avoid direct contact with standing water when possible. In the event contact occurs, EPA and CDC strongly advise the use of soap and water to clean exposed areas if available. Flood water should not be swallowed and all mouth contact should be minimized and avoided where possible. People should immediately report any symptoms to health professionals. The most likely symptoms of ingestion of flood water contaminated with bacteria are stomach-ache, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Also, people can become ill if they have an open cut, wound, or abrasion that comes into contact with water contaminated with certain organisms. One may experience fever, redness, and swelling at the site of the infection and should see a doctor right away if possible.
Additional information regarding health and safety issues for both the public and emergency responders can be found on the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website (http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/index.asp) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) website (http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/hurricaneRecovery.html).
Preliminary flood water testing data will be confirmed through additional EPA testing and data analyses to ensure high quality. EPA is implementing a scientific process to ensure that the flood waters of New Orleans are thoroughly sampled for multiple types of key contaminants as appropriate. EPA is actively coordinating all sampling activities and data analyses with federal, state, and local agencies.
