[ARRL-OK] Situation Update 1

[Mark D. Conklin N7XYO]

SITUATION UPDATE

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management

Situation Update 1
August 30, 2008, 1:30 p.m.


OKLAHOMA STANDING BY TO ASSIST GULF COAST STATES IN ADVANCE OF HURRICANE
GUSTAV


State and local officials are standing by to assist neighboring states
impacted by Hurricane Gustav.  The storm is now a major category 4
hurricane and is anticipated to make landfall early Tuesday between
Houston, Texas and Mobile, Ala.

The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated. Officials with
the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) are working with
FEMA and officials in Texas and Louisiana to provide assistance should it
be needed.

Gov. Brad Henry has declared a state of emergency for Oklahoma. This
serves as a precursor to requesting federal disaster assistance should
Oklahoma receive evacuees.


Evacuations Underway

Evacuations are underway in Louisiana coastal areas to include New
Orleans. Within the next 24 hours about 150 patients from southwest
Louisiana hospitals are expected to arrive at the Oklahoma Air National
Guard Base at Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City. The patients are being
evacuated by air transport through the National Disaster Medical System
(NDMS). Once in Oklahoma City, the evacuees will be transported to area
hospitals by EMSA and other ambulance services. This NDMS evacuation to
Oklahoma is being coordinated through the Oklahoma State Department of
Health, Medical Emergency Response Center and OEM.


Weather

Hurricane warnings continue for the Cayman Island and parts of western,
southern Cuba.

The eye of Gustav is located near the Isle of Youth.  Movement is toward
the northwest at 14 mph and this track is expected to continue the next 24
hours. Maximum sustained winds are near 145 mph and additional
strengthening is forecast with Gustav, possibly making Category 5 status.
Hurricane force winds extend outward to 70 miles from the center and
tropical storm force winds to 175 miles. All persons in eastern Texas,
Louisiana, and Alabama are urged to monitor the progress of Gustav and be
prepared for hurricane watches later today.

At this time officials anticipate that Gustav will make landfall Tuesday
morning most likely on the Louisiana coast. There may also be a bend to
the west, which would take Gustav into east Texas.


Please Do Not Self-Deploy

Oklahomans are discouraged from self-deploying to the Gulfport regions
where evacuations are already or soon will be underway. In most cases,
access to the affected areas, requires proper credentials and travel
documents. As Oklahoma receives requests for personnel, equipment and
supplies, OEM will look to local county and municipal emergency managers
to identify the needed resources. OEM will work through the Emergency
Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), an interstate mutual aid agreement,
to deploy resources to the affected areas.


How Can Oklahomans Help?

Monetary donations are best. A number of the disaster relief agencies
Oklahoma has always depended on in disaster times are already working to
assist those affected by Gustav. Oklahomans are urged to give to the
disaster relief agency of their choice, to include the American Red Cross,
The Salvation Army and other faith-based organizations. Go to
www.okvoad.org for a list of disaster relief organizations.


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