Natural disasters

9/1/2008 - BATON ROUGE, La. (AFPN) -- As Hurricane Gustav made landfall on the Gulf Coast, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security praised the men and women of the Air Force and the National Guard for their efforts during preparations for the storm.

Secretary Michael Chertoff said the services were especially useful to help evacuate people with medical needs, such as critical care patients, who would be unable to otherwise leave the area.

"It was really the Air National Guard and the Air Force who came to the rescue setting up an air bridge so we could fly people out on C-130s and C-17s," he said. "It was a real positive addition to the capabilities we have on the ground."    » read more »

August, 2008 -- CHICAGO – To help injured disaster survivors that may be at risk for infection from blood-borne viruses or tetanus in the environment, new vaccine recommendations were released today in the latest issue of the American Medical Association (AMA) Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness journal. The recommendations are co-published with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).    » read more »

24 June 2008 -- U.S. President George Bush says the United States will do it all it can to help the victims of the typhoon that struck the Philippines over the weekend. Following talks at the White House with Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, Mr. Bush announced plans to send a U.S. aircraft carrier to the scene.

President Bush says the USS Ronald Reagan and other naval assets are moving into place.

"We are happy to do it. We want to help our friends in the time of need," the president said.

With President Arroyo at his side, Mr. Bush also expressed America's condolences to the victims of the storm and their families.    » read more »

June 20, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) joined members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation today in sending a letter to the President in support of Governor Rod Blagojevich's request for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance for the 21 Illinois counties affected by severe flooding.

Illinois flooding, June 2008: Photo by Jim Simonson (CC)    » read more »

23 June 2008 -- Chinese authorities say they have punished 31 officials and fired 12 others because of their poor handling of relief supplies and response to the country's massive earthquake last month.

China's top anti-corruption official, Ma Wen, told reporters Monday that most of the demerits and firings were a response to complaints about misuse of tents and improper distribution of food and other goods.

China's May 12 quake killed nearly 70,000 people and left millions homeless. The government has previously warned that it would come down hard on those who misused aid funds or relief supplies.

Corruption is rampant across China, and there is concern about the use and destination of donations.    » read more »

INDIANAPOLIS (06/16/2008) - Soldiers and Airmen from the Indiana National Guard began returning to home stations Sunday after spending eight days fighting floodwaters in southwest Indiana.

Sixty Soldiers from Joint Task Force-81 will remain behind in the vicinity of East Mount Carmel and New Harmony, Ind., working with local responders to observe the water level at local levees.    » read more »

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Army National Guard flew one of its CH-47 Chinook helicopters into Cedar Rapids on Monday to help the town turn its water back on. The massive helicopters were used to pluck seven electrical pumps from a well field in Northwest Cedar Rapids still under water. Water receded enough by Saturday for the pumps to be above water.

National Guard flood relief, Cedar Rapids, Iowa: An employee from the Cedar Rapids Water Utility prepares to attach a lift cable from an Iowa Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook to a damaged water pump on the Iowa River near Cedar Rapids, Iowa. U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt Jack Braden    » read more »

Iowa Delegation joins Harkin in urging Bush to grant 60-day waiver for state matching funds for emergency protective measures and debris removal

June 17, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) was joined by Iowa’s Congressional Delegation in urging the President to waive for 60 days the percentage of matching funds the state must contribute to qualify for federal disaster assistance concerning emergency protective measures and debris removal. The current White House took similar action to aid Louisiana and Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina to lower the in-kind matching requirement for the period immediately following the hurricane.    » read more »

June 17, 2008 -- THE PRESIDENT: I've just assembled my -- many people on my domestic policy team to discuss the current flooding in the Midwest. Of course, our hearts and thoughts go to those who lost life. And of course, we're concerned about those whose -- who lost their homes or lost their businesses.

George W. Bush offers media a photo opportunity on Midwest flood relief: White House photo

I've been briefed by Secretary Chertoff and Secretary Schafer and Director Paulison about the response. First task at hand is to deal with the flood waters, to anticipate where the flooding may next occur, and to work with the state and local authorities to deal with the response.    » read more »

Beijing -- 16 June 2008 -- Massive flooding across a broad stretch of southern China has killed 57 people and forced more than one million others to flee their homes.

For China, spring and summer flooding has become a regular event. But Civil Affairs Ministry official Li Baojun says this year is different.

Flooding in China: Photo by Dennis Kruyt (CC)

Li says there are floods every year, but that in some areas, this has been the highest rainfall in history. He especially points to southern Guangdong province, which has seen 250 to 500 millimeters of rain since the
second half of May.    » read more »

Lansing, Saginaw; Allegan, Eaton, Mason counties affected

June 16, 2008 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today issued an executive order activating the Michigan National Guard to assist jurisdictions operating under a state of emergency because of storms that swept the state earlier this month. The jurisdictions include the cities of Lansing and Saginaw and the counties of Allegan, Eaton and Mason.    » read more »

June 16, 2008 -- (JOHNSTON) – At a press conference today held at the Joint Forces Headquarters, Iowa Lt. Governor Patty Judge confirmed today that a flood-related fatality occurred in Louisa County bringing the death toll to five. The body of a 35-year-old man was found Sunday in flood waters.

With response efforts continuing along the Mississippi River in Davenport, Burlington and Keokuk, Lt. Governor Patty Judge told reporters today that many areas of Iowa are starting down the long road to recovery. And, she said, resources are being provided to aid individual Iowans as well as communities.    » read more »

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JUNE 13, 2008 -- As directed by Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, acting governor, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is working with the State Emergency Management Agency, federal, state and local agencies as well as the public on environmental concerns due to the flooding issues across the state.

"As we continue to monitor river levels, Missourians need to know that our state is prepared with resources and equipment to address flooding concerns," Lt. Governor Kinder said. "I encourage communities and Missouri families to take necessary steps to minimize potential flood damage and ensure their safety."    » read more »

June 15, 2008 -- JOHNSTON - Below is the latest update on flooding in Iowa.

I. AREAS OF CONCERN
*NEW* Waterloo
Due to overnight severe weather in Northeastern Iowa, there are power outages in Black Hawk County.

Des Moines
750 National Guard soldiers are currently deployed in Des Moines.

Last night a levee breach in Des Moines’ Birdland Park Neighborhood resulted in the evacuation of more than 200 homes.

North High School is flooded.

Reported numbers in shelters by American Red Cross: Harding Middle School, 40 people; Callanan School, 5 people

Coralville
Members of the Coast Guard Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) assisted with getting recreational boats and three people out of the water in Coralville.

Iowa City    » read more »

Announce creation of www.flood2008.iowa.gov as a resource for latest information on flooding

June 15, 2008 -- JOHNSTON – Today at the Joint Forces Headquarters, Iowa Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Judge announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved a Presidential Disaster Declaration for individual assistance for 6 new Iowa counties – Cedar, Jones, Louisa, Muscatine, Polk, and Winneshiek

Iowa River flooding, Amana, Iowa: Photo by BitHead (CC)    » read more »