The Exent of the Devastation Multiple Federal Links and Site

[Downdraft]

Satellite Photos of Damaged Areas

This link has some good high-resolution satellite photos of areas affected
by Hurricane Katrina. The photos provided show both before and after
damage.

http://www.digitalglobe.com/katrina_gallery.html

FEMA Mapping and Analysis Center

Current and detailed maps from FEMA are available to see the extent of
flooding, impassable roads, damaged railroads, and debris impacted areas.

Each link leads to dozens of maps. The Mapping and Analysis Center (MAC)provides national level Geographic Information System (GIS) support andcoordination to the Agency. Below are the GIS mapping products by state:

Hurricane Katrina -
http://www.gismaps.fema.gov/2005pages/katrina.shtm
• DR-1605_ Alabama - http://www.gismaps.fema.gov/2005pages/dr1605.shtm
• DR-1604_Mississippi - http://www.gismaps.fema.gov/2005pages/dr1604.shtm
• DR-1603_Louisiana - http://www.gismaps.fema.gov/2005pages/dr1603.shtm
• DR-1602_Florida - http://www.gismaps.fema.gov/2005pages/dr1602.shtm

National Situation Report

The National Situation Report is typically available to emergency managers via FEMA’s public Web site. The report gives detailed information regarding the status of infrastructure, damages, and current search and rescue operations. It provides an excellent top level overview of the situation.

http://www.fema.gov/emanagers/

[MBismyPlayground]

Downdraft, thanks for those links.

[artist]

here is the latest situation update which seems to cover juts about all the subjects that have been discussed here -

National Situation Update: Saturday, September 3, 2005
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
Troops Bring Food, Medicine to New Orleans
To cries of "Thank you, Jesus!" and catcalls of "What took you so long?," a National Guard convoy packed with food, water and medicine rolled through axle-deep floodwaters Friday into what remained of New Orleans and descended into a maelstrom of fires and floating corpses.

More than four days after the storm hit, the caravan of at least three-dozen camouflage-green troop vehicles and supply trucks arrived along with dozens of air-conditioned buses to take refugees out of the city. President Bush also took an aerial tour of the ruined city, and answered complaints about a sluggish government response by saying, "We're going to make it right."

In what looked like a scene from a Third World country, some people threw their arms heavenward and others nearly fainted with joy as the trucks and hundreds of soldiers arrived in the punishing midday heat. But there were also profane jeers from many in the crowd of nearly 20,000 outside the convention center, which a day earlier seemed on the verge of a riot, with desperate people seething with anger over the lack of anything to eat or drink.

The soldiers' arrival-in-force came amid angry complaints from the mayor and others that the federal government had bungled the relief effort and let people die in the streets for lack of food, water or medicine. By nightfall Friday, the mayor's tone had changed. Nagin returned from a meeting with President Bush a picture of calm. A day earlier, the mayor erupted in tears during a radio interview and told the government to "get off your asses and let's do something."

The president took a land and air tour of hard-hit areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, and admitted of the relief effort: "The results are not enough." Congress passed a $10.5 billion disaster aid package, and Bush quickly signed the measure.

What were perhaps the first signs of real hope for recovery came on a day that was ushered in with a thunderous explosion before daybreak and scattered downtown building fires that only confirmed the sense that New Orleans was a city in utter collapse.

The explosion at a warehouse along the Mississippi River about 15 blocks from the French Quarter jostled storm refugees awake and sent a pillar of acrid gray smoke over a city that the mayor has said could be awash with thousands of corpses. Other large fires fire erupted downtown.

With a cigar-chomping general in the convoy's lead vehicle, the trucks rolled through muddy water to reach the convention center. Flatbed trucks carried huge crates, pallets and bags of relief supplies, including Meals Ready to Eat. Soldiers in fatigues sat in the backs of open-top trucks, their rifles pointing skyward.

Gov. Kathleen Blanco said the military presence helped calm a jittery city. The governor also said refugees in the convention center should be evacuated Saturday. Guardsmen carrying rifles also arrived at the Louisiana Superdome, where a vast crowd of bedraggled people — many of them trapped there since the weekend — stretched around the entire perimeter of the building, waiting for their deliverance from the heat, the filth and the gagging stench inside the stadium.

Within minutes of the soldiers' arrival at the convention center, they set up six food and water lines. The crowd was for the most part orderly and grateful for the first major supply convoy to reach the arena. With Houston's Astrodome already full with 15,000 storm refugees, that city opened two more giant centers to accommodate an additional 10,000. Dallas and San Antonio also had agreed to take refugees.

At the broken levee along Lake Pontchartrain that swamped nearly 80 percent of New Orleans, helicopters dropped 3,000-pound sandbags into the breach and pilings were being pounded into place to seal off the waters. Engineers also were developing a plan to create new breaches in the levees so that a combination of gravity and pumping would drain the water out of the city, a process that could take weeks.

Law and order all but broke down in New Orleans over the past few days. Storm refugees reported being raped, shot and robbed, gangs of teenagers hijacked boats meant to rescue them, and frustrated hurricane victims menaced outmanned law officers. Police Chief Eddie Compass admitted even his own officers had taken food and water from stores. Officers were walking off the job by the dozens.

Some of New Orleans' hospitals, facing dwindling supplies of food, water and medicine, resumed evacuations Friday. Rescuers finally made it into Charity Hospital, the city's largest public hospital, where gunfire had earlier thwarted efforts to evacuate more than 250 patients. Behind, they left a flooded morgue where residents had been dropping off bodies. After it reached its capacity of 12, five more corpses were stacked in a stairwell. Other bodies were elsewhere in the hospital. (Media Sources)

Hurricane Katrina Recovery – Gulf Coast area (Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas)
There is a shortage of fuel of all types in the affected area. Several electric utilities have lost infrastructure, causing power outages throughout the region. Additionally, cellular and other telephone services have also been disrupted.

FEMA is working with other federal agencies to provide assistance to state and local governments in the affected areas. The U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has provided 605 buses to transport evacuees out of the affected areas (primarily New Orleans). An additional 500 buses will be provided shortly. DOT is coordinating the use of military and commercial aircraft to speed up the evacuation process out of Louisiana. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will assist by expediting passenger inspection.

The U.S. Coast Guard has deployed Search and Rescue (SAR) Units from throughout the country to provide 24-hour assistance to residents in Mississippi and Louisiana. The USCG is also working to open all waterways in the affected areas, especially for the movement of gasoline and coal barges. USCG law enforcement assets have been deployed to the Gulf region to assist local and state police agencies. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Spenser arrived in New Orleans Thursday evening (September 1).

The U.S. Navy has deployed 10 ships to support Katrina recovery efforts.

FEMA is coordinating with states and other federal agencies to provide commodities to the affected areas. The current priorities are food, water, fuel, and ice. FEMA is prepared to deploy 30 million Meals-Ready-To-Eat (MREs) to the affected area; many of which have already been distributed.

FEMA is also working with state and other federal officials to develop long-range plans for the recovery of the affected area. Initial recovery plans include development of temporary housing for the several thousand residents of New Orleans and other areas that have been displaced by the hurricane damage. (FEMA HQ)

National Weather
Northeast: The upcoming weekend looks great for much of the Northeast with sunshine and pleasant temperatures. The beaches from Maine to Maryland are looking mighty fine. High temperatures will range from the 60s and 70s across Upstate New York and northern New England to the 80s in much of Virginia.

South: The Southeast will be quite warm to start the weekend but humidity levels will be tolerable from the Carolinas to northern Alabama. Conditions will be different from Texas to the Gulf Coast, however, as heat and humidity rule. This includes the Mississippi Gulf Coast and southeastern Louisiana. A few isolated thunderstorms will pop up west of the Mississippi, but otherwise most thunderstorms will be confined to Florida and south Texas. Florida beaches on the Atlantic side, especially from Daytona Beach southward will have to endure scattered thunderstorms and a stiffening northeasterly breeze. The persistent wind flow will increase the risk of rip currents especially by Labor Day. Use caution along Florida’s Atlantic coast this weekend and be mindful of any lifeguard warnings. A weakening stationary front will hang around the south-central part of the state and this alone will be a focus of thunderstorms. Low pressure (possibly tropical in nature) could develop along the stalled front somewhere off the east coast of Florida. This situation will have to be monitored closely.

Midwest: High pressure over the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley this weekend will keep dry weather conditions across the Midwest. Daytime temperatures will range from the 60s and 70s in Upper Michigan to the 80s in Kentucky. Farther west, the 90s will take control of a large portion of the Plains with even a few near 100-degree readings in South Dakota. Look for isolated thunderstorms from the eastern Missouri Valley to Upper Michigan. Monday through Wednesday, a cold front will press across the northern half of the Plains, the northern Mississippi Valley and the western Great Lakes, preceded by scattered thunderstorms.

West: Some changes will occur over the Northwest and northern Rockies this weekend as a cold front sweeps through the region. A few light showers may slightly dampen parts of Washington and northern Oregon this weekend while isolated afternoon thunderstorms pop in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming tomorrow and linger in eastern Montana and Wyoming on Monday. Temperatures will become significantly cooler. Meanwhile, expect scattered thunderstorms across the Four Corners' states and possibly adjacent parts of Nevada and southeast California. (NWS, Media Sources)

Wildfire Update
National Preparedness Level 4

CURRENT SITUATION:
Initial attack activity was light nationally with 81 fires reported. One new large fire was reported in the Northern Rockies Area. Three large fires were contained, one each in the Eastern Great Basin, Southern California and Western Great Basin Areas. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in California, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. A Presidential Disaster Declaration was issued on 8/29 for Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. An Area Command Team (Williams-Rhodes) is providing incident coordination at the Regional Response Coordination Center in Atlanta, GA. for Hurricane Katrina Support. An Area Command Team has been ordered. Numerous resources are being mobilized as part of the relief effort.
OUTLOOK: Fire Weather Watches: For Saturday in p.m. hours due to moderate to strong winds combined with low humidity for areas in and near northeast California. Weather Discussion: Warm and dry conditions will continue over much of the interior West as high pressure continues to build over the Rockies. Windy conditions will begin to develop across portions of the Northwest, eastern California, Nevada, Idaho and western Montana, mainly across ridge tops and favored valley locations. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible along the Canadian border with eastern Washington and Idaho. Scattered wet thunderstorms are forecast for the four corners region.

Idaho
Long Black Complex (Clearwater National Forest): 2,610 acres at 25 percent contained. This complex, comprised of the Long Creek and Black Canyon fires, is 38 miles northeast of Pierce. Steep terrain, numerous snags and limited access continue to hamper containment efforts. Fire activity increased due to lower humidity. The Long Creek fire is contained but will continue to be monitored by aircraft.
Frank Church (Payette National Forest): 27,636 acres. This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident, comprised of the Bear Creek, Root Creek, West Fork/Joe, Missouri Ridge and several other fires is 50 miles northeast of McCall. The fire is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. Commercial property, residences and historical structures remain threatened. Structure protection is in place. Fire behavior remains active.

Montana
Signal Rock (Beaverhead/Deerlodge National Forest): 7,700 acres at 10 percent contained. The fire is 17 miles southwest of Philipsburg and is burning on both the Bitterroot and Beaverhead/Deerlodge National Forests. Structures remain threatened. Fire activity increased yesterday.
Rockin (Bitterroot National Forest): 4,950 acres at 60 percent contained. The fire is 10 miles northwest of Darby. Warmer temperatures increased fire activity.
Seepay #2 (Flathead Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs): 7,000 acres at 40 percent contained. The fire is two miles southwest of Perma. A microwave communications site, structures and cultural sites remain threatened. Steep rugged terrain and heavy fuel loading are hampering containment efforts. Active surface fire with isolated single tree torching was observed.
Selway-Salmon Complex (Bitterroot National Forest): 15,320 acres. This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) complex, comprised of the El Capitan, Wapiti, Beaverjack, Reynolds Lake and numerous other fires, is 26 miles southwest of Hamilton. This complex, burning on both the Salmon-Challis and Bitterroot National Forests, is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. A historic ranger station and lookout continues to be threatened. Structure protection remains in place. Magruder road is open to restricted travel. Torching was reported on the majority of the fires with smoldering on the remaining fires.
Hazard Lake (Lewis and Clark National Forest): 760 acres. This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) fire is 33 miles near Choteau. This fire is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. Private land and a cabin are potentially threatened. Structure protection is in place. Creeping and smoldering was reported. This will be the last report unless significant activity occurs.

Oregon
Granite Complex Granite Complex (Wallowa-Whitman National Forest): 33,468 acres. This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is 30 miles east of Enterprise. This complex is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. Warmer temperatures caused fire activity to increase. (National Interagency Fire Center, National Interagency Coordination Center)

Other Tropical Cyclone Activity
In the Eastern/Central Pacific, no storms threaten land or any U.S. interests.

In the Western Pacific, no storms threaten any U.S. interests. (National Hurricane Center, Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity
No significant earthquake activity occurred during the past 24 hours.(USGS National Earthquake Information Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs)
No change during the past 24 hours. (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity
FEMA-3215-EM-AR was declared on September 2, 2005 for Hurricane Katrina.
Specifically, FEMA is authorized to provide Public Assistance Category B (emergency protective measures), including direct Federal assistance, at 100 percent Federal funding.
This assistance is for all 75 counties in the State of Arkansas.

FEMA-3216-EM-TX was declared on September 2, 2005 for Hurricane Katrina.
Specifically, FEMA is authorized to provide Public Assistance Category B (emergency protective measures), including direct Federal assistance, at 100 percent Federal funding.
This assistance is for all 254 counties in the State of Texas.

FEMA-1602-DR-FL was amended on September 2, 2005. The amendment provides for Category A & B Public Assistance. (FEMA HQ)

FEMA Readiness Alert Status:
ON CALL:

NRCC Emergency Team Red (portion not activated for Hurricane Katrina)
Domestic Emergency Support Team (DEST)
FEMA Liaison Officers at the FBI Strategic Information and Operations Center (SIOC)
NORMAL STATUS:
All assets committed.
AVAILABLE:
8 FEMA Regional Emergency Response Teams-Advance Element (ERT-A)
8 FEMA Regional Response Coordination Centers (RRCC)
FEMA NCR Communications Unit
Quick Response System (QRS)
OPERATIONAL:
FEMA National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) Red Team at Level I for Hurricane Katrina (24/7)
Emergency Response Team – National (ERT-N) BLUE Deployed to Louisiana EOC
Urban Search And Rescue (US&R) Incident Support Team (IST) BLUE
FEMA Desk at the Homeland Security Operations Center (HSOC) 24/7 for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Katrina with supplemental coverage by the NRCC.
FEMA Operations Center (FOC) (24/7)
FEMA NDMS Operations Support Center (OSC) (24/7)
5 FEMA MERS Operations Centers (MOCs) (24/7)
Region IV RRCC – Full Activation at Level I
Region VI RRCC – Full Activation at Level I
ERT-A (1 Team Assigned to Region VI)
ERT-A (2 Teams Assigned to Region IV, 1 Team Assigned to Region IX)
NDMS – (3 MSTs, 23 DMATs, 3 DMORTs, 2 VMATs, and 9 Strike Teams)
US&R – All Assets



Last Updated: September 03, 2005 11:01 AM