[K3PZN-List] Situation Report #2 Tropical Activity from Carroll County Office of Emergency Managemment

[n3sb at qis.net]

Folks;

The latest update from the Carroll County Office of Emergency Management is
attached below. ARES / RACES members should be reviewing their pre-activation
checklists at this time. Also, please monitor our Primary Resource Net
Frequency, 145.410 K3PZN Repeater, in case an activation is required.

FYI - Emergency managers are taking this storm seriously. Howard County RACES
was notified Thursday that they WILL be activated Saturday morning at 0700
Local. 

73; Steve, N3SB
__________________________________________________________________________

CARROLL COUNTY
OFFICE OF PUBLIC SAFETY SUPPORT SERVICES
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

SITUATION REPORT #2

September 5, 2008 @ 15:30 Hours

Tropical Weather Update


SITUATION

Current Conditions
Tropical Storm Hanna has gained strength and is predicted to become a hurricane
before eventual landfall which is currently projected to occur along the
southeast Atlantic coast. Sustained winds are 70 mph.  A Tropical Storm Wind
Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service until 2300 hours
Saturday. Impact on Maryland is projected to begin on Friday evening, with rain
accumulations in Central Maryland expected to total 4 - 8 inches.  Winds between
30-40 mph are expected. Most recent projections have shifted Tropical Storm
Hanna’s “Cone of Uncertainty” (i.e., “Projected Path”) more easterly than
previously indicated, requiring revisions to the potential impact initially
forecast for Central Maryland.

Governor Martin O’Malley has declared a State of Emergency for the entire state,
as a proactive measure and at the recommendation of MEMA Director Richard Muth.

Hurricane Ike has detensified into a Category 3 Hurricane.  As of 23:00hrs,
Sept. 4th, Hurricane Ike had maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (with stronger
gusts).  It is too early to project where, if at all, this storm may impact the
U.S.

Tropical Storm Josephine has maximum sustained winds near 50 mph.  A slow
weakening of the storm is expected to occur during the next couple of days. 
Again, attempts at this time to project where, if at all, Josephine may impact
the U.S., would be premature.

Watches/Warnings
Tropical Storm Strength Wind Warning – Until 2300 Hours Saturday
Flash Flood Watch – Sat AM-Sat PM

ACTIONS / PREPARATIONS

EOC Activation	The Carroll County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has not been
activated at this time. Emergency Management staff is closely monitoring the
path and intensity of TS Hanna, Hurricane Ike, and TS Josephine.  Should
conditions warrant, the EOC will activate to an appropriate level, in
anticipation of deteriorating weather conditions.  Departments and agencies are
urged to continue monitoring the status of these tropical weather systems
through readily available mass media outlets, and to react to changing
conditions, as appropriate.

Emergency Mgmt.	Staff is continuously monitoring the status of the active
tropical weather systems that could potentially impact Central Maryland.  As
these systems evolve and conditions warrant, additional awareness bulletins
will be issued.

Staff is actively participating in regularly scheduled conference calls
coordinated by the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).

Generators
Carroll County’s three (3) large-capacity, mobile generators have been serviced
and made ready for immediate deployment, should the need arise.

Shelters
Carroll County Public Schools has been consulted regarding the potential need to
utilize school facilities to shelter displaced residents, should conditions
necessitate relocation/evacuation.

Roads
County Roads Operations crews have been working to assure bridges, culverts,
pipes, and drainage structures are clear of debris.

Damage Assessment
Departments with members trained in damage assessment have been contacted in
order to have their staff on standby duty until the storm has passed.

MEMA
The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) first activated the State’s
Emergency Operations Center at Noon, Saturday, August 30th.  The State EOC has
been raised to Level 3 Status and is continuously monitoring the status of TS
Hanna, Hurricane Ike, and TS Josephine, closely.  Accordingly, MEMA continues
to coordinate Emergency Management and Public Safety preparations statewide.

COUNTY STAFF WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE STATUS OF THE VARIOUS TROPICAL WEATHER
SYSTEMS, PROVIDING ADDITIONAL UPDATES AS CHANGING CONDITIONS WARRANT.