Showing posts with label hurricane. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hurricane. Show all posts
2011-09-01
East Coast Tries to Recover From Irene
Eastern US Tries to Recover From Irene
September 1st, 2011
VOA
Emergency crews in the eastern U.S. continue to help residents recover from a storm that ravaged the region, as floodwaters recede after rising to record levels.
Flooding devastated areas in the states of Vermont, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey after Hurricane Irene brought high winds and heavy rains to the eastern U.S. Irene hit North Carolina Saturday with 120 kilometer per hour winds, before moving up the East Coast and weakening.
Hundreds of thousands of people in the region are still without power, and many schools remain closed. Roads in the area are under repair.
In Vermont, emergency workers have airlifted food and water to thousands of residents stranded after floodwaters washed out roads and bridges, isolating some communities in the state's worst floods in nearly a century.
Irene is blamed for at least 45 deaths in the U.S. and five in the Caribbean, and has caused billions of dollars of damage. U.S. President Barack Obama signed disaster declarations for New York, New Jersey and North Carolina, making federal funding available for recovery efforts.
Mr. Obama is scheduled to visit the state of New Jersey on Sunday to view wind and flood damage from Irene.
Meanwhile, forecasters are monitoring Hurricane Katia in the Atlantic, which is moving northwest with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour.
Katia is a Category One hurricane on the five-point scale of hurricane intensity, centered about 1,700 kilometers east of the Leeward Islands. The National Hurricane Center says Katia could become a major hurricane by Saturday.
It is the second Atlantic hurricane of the season.
The National Hurricane Center is also watching a storm moving northwest through the Gulf of Mexico, saying it could become a tropical cyclone in the next two days. It says U.S. Gulf Coast states should monitor the storm, which could produce rains that bring relief to drought-stricken Texas.
September is normally the peak of the hurricane season. Experts predicted an active 2011 hurricane season with eight to 10 hurricanes possible, which would be slightly more than normal.
September 1st, 2011
VOA
Emergency crews in the eastern U.S. continue to help residents recover from a storm that ravaged the region, as floodwaters recede after rising to record levels.
Flooding devastated areas in the states of Vermont, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey after Hurricane Irene brought high winds and heavy rains to the eastern U.S. Irene hit North Carolina Saturday with 120 kilometer per hour winds, before moving up the East Coast and weakening.
Hundreds of thousands of people in the region are still without power, and many schools remain closed. Roads in the area are under repair.
In Vermont, emergency workers have airlifted food and water to thousands of residents stranded after floodwaters washed out roads and bridges, isolating some communities in the state's worst floods in nearly a century.
Irene is blamed for at least 45 deaths in the U.S. and five in the Caribbean, and has caused billions of dollars of damage. U.S. President Barack Obama signed disaster declarations for New York, New Jersey and North Carolina, making federal funding available for recovery efforts.
Mr. Obama is scheduled to visit the state of New Jersey on Sunday to view wind and flood damage from Irene.
Meanwhile, forecasters are monitoring Hurricane Katia in the Atlantic, which is moving northwest with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour.
Katia is a Category One hurricane on the five-point scale of hurricane intensity, centered about 1,700 kilometers east of the Leeward Islands. The National Hurricane Center says Katia could become a major hurricane by Saturday.
It is the second Atlantic hurricane of the season.
The National Hurricane Center is also watching a storm moving northwest through the Gulf of Mexico, saying it could become a tropical cyclone in the next two days. It says U.S. Gulf Coast states should monitor the storm, which could produce rains that bring relief to drought-stricken Texas.
September is normally the peak of the hurricane season. Experts predicted an active 2011 hurricane season with eight to 10 hurricanes possible, which would be slightly more than normal.
2011-08-28
Tropical Storm Irene Brings Death, Flooding to East Coast
Massive Tropical Storm Brings Death, Flooding to US East Coast
Michael Bowman | Washington
August 28, 2011
VOA
Days after withstanding a rare earthquake, large swaths of the densely populated U.S. East Coast have weathered Irene, a once-powerful hurricane later downgraded to a tropical storm. Irene drenched New York Sunday after coming ashore over coastal areas farther south. At least 18 deaths are blamed on the storm, which prompted a massive mobilization of federal, state and local governments.
For three days, Irene pummeled the U.S. East Coast with high winds and torrential rains. Although no communities were obliterated, destruction is widespread over thousands of square kilometers with flooding, downed trees, damaged homes, power outages and impassable roads.
One Washington D.C. resident, who identified himself as Leonard, survived a harrowing night with his family after a giant tree fell on his home.
“It seemed like a pretty tame storm, and then all of a sudden these big oak trees started falling down on houses," he said. "[I was] very scared. I have two little kids, a two-and-a-half year-old and a one-year-old.”
Untold numbers of travelers were stranded amid thousands of canceled flights. Irene prompted New York City’s first-ever subway closure due to a natural event.
But stoic New Yorkers seemed to take the storm in stride, including grocery store owner Faris Algabbon.
“Everybody buys a lot of stuff - for nothing. Nothing happened," he said. "We only closed for a couple hours. Now we are open, and now we are good to go.”
Unlike last week’s sudden earthquake, Irene's arrival was anticipated days in advance. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg had a simple message for residents.
“Everyone should be prepared to go inside and stay inside,” he said.
In many areas, a prolonged period of clean-up and recovery awaits.
“We do not know how much damage has been done, how many trees are down on [train] tracks across New Jersey," said New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. "Clearing trees from our roadways.”
From Washington, a promise of federal assistance, and a warning issued by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
“We are not out of the woods [safe from potential harm] yet," she said. "Irene remains a large and potentially dangerous storm. Hazards still persist in communities that have already seen the storm pass.”
Hurricane or no, some events would not be postponed, including one New York wedding. A beaming bride, Sammy Miller, spoke from the steps of her church. “It is too important of a day to miss,” she said.
And some babies could not wait to be born. In a Wilmington, North Carolina hospital, Kristen Elliot cradled her infant daughter. "I just kind of felt that she [the baby] was going to come right during the hurricane,” she said.
Irene’s remnants are expected to dissipate over Canada later Monday.
Michael Bowman | Washington
August 28, 2011
VOA
Days after withstanding a rare earthquake, large swaths of the densely populated U.S. East Coast have weathered Irene, a once-powerful hurricane later downgraded to a tropical storm. Irene drenched New York Sunday after coming ashore over coastal areas farther south. At least 18 deaths are blamed on the storm, which prompted a massive mobilization of federal, state and local governments.
For three days, Irene pummeled the U.S. East Coast with high winds and torrential rains. Although no communities were obliterated, destruction is widespread over thousands of square kilometers with flooding, downed trees, damaged homes, power outages and impassable roads.
One Washington D.C. resident, who identified himself as Leonard, survived a harrowing night with his family after a giant tree fell on his home.
“It seemed like a pretty tame storm, and then all of a sudden these big oak trees started falling down on houses," he said. "[I was] very scared. I have two little kids, a two-and-a-half year-old and a one-year-old.”
Untold numbers of travelers were stranded amid thousands of canceled flights. Irene prompted New York City’s first-ever subway closure due to a natural event.
But stoic New Yorkers seemed to take the storm in stride, including grocery store owner Faris Algabbon.
“Everybody buys a lot of stuff - for nothing. Nothing happened," he said. "We only closed for a couple hours. Now we are open, and now we are good to go.”
Unlike last week’s sudden earthquake, Irene's arrival was anticipated days in advance. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg had a simple message for residents.
“Everyone should be prepared to go inside and stay inside,” he said.
In many areas, a prolonged period of clean-up and recovery awaits.
“We do not know how much damage has been done, how many trees are down on [train] tracks across New Jersey," said New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. "Clearing trees from our roadways.”
From Washington, a promise of federal assistance, and a warning issued by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
“We are not out of the woods [safe from potential harm] yet," she said. "Irene remains a large and potentially dangerous storm. Hazards still persist in communities that have already seen the storm pass.”
Hurricane or no, some events would not be postponed, including one New York wedding. A beaming bride, Sammy Miller, spoke from the steps of her church. “It is too important of a day to miss,” she said.
And some babies could not wait to be born. In a Wilmington, North Carolina hospital, Kristen Elliot cradled her infant daughter. "I just kind of felt that she [the baby] was going to come right during the hurricane,” she said.
Irene’s remnants are expected to dissipate over Canada later Monday.
Typhoon Nanmadol Kills 7 in Philippines - Hurricane Irene Also Deadly in USA
Typhoon Kills 7 in Philippines, Heads for Taiwan
August 28, 2011
VOA
Taiwan's weather bureau issued sea and land warnings Sunday, as slow-moving Typhoon Nanmadol moved away from the Philippines, leaving death and destruction in its wake.
Taiwan weather officials say Nanmadol may not make landfall, but warn that the powerful storm is expected to move north along Taiwan's eastern coast Monday and Tuesday on its way to Japan's southern Okinawa island.
Officials in the Philippines said Sunday that at least seven people were killed by drowning or landslides and six are missing after the storm drenched northern provinces for days before pounding them with wind gusts of up to 230 kilometers per hour.
Authorities say the casualties count could rise as officials assess the full impact of the storm.
The storm is moving at about eight kilometers an hour, with decreased winds still reaching 155 kilometers per hour.
News from VOA
To read about the deadly Hurricane Irene in the USA follow this link -
http://www.easternshoremagazine.com/2011/08/hurrican-irene-update-7-dead-15-million.html#links
August 28, 2011
VOA
Taiwan's weather bureau issued sea and land warnings Sunday, as slow-moving Typhoon Nanmadol moved away from the Philippines, leaving death and destruction in its wake.
Taiwan weather officials say Nanmadol may not make landfall, but warn that the powerful storm is expected to move north along Taiwan's eastern coast Monday and Tuesday on its way to Japan's southern Okinawa island.
Officials in the Philippines said Sunday that at least seven people were killed by drowning or landslides and six are missing after the storm drenched northern provinces for days before pounding them with wind gusts of up to 230 kilometers per hour.
Authorities say the casualties count could rise as officials assess the full impact of the storm.
The storm is moving at about eight kilometers an hour, with decreased winds still reaching 155 kilometers per hour.
News from VOA
To read about the deadly Hurricane Irene in the USA follow this link -
http://www.easternshoremagazine.com/2011/08/hurrican-irene-update-7-dead-15-million.html#links
Hurrican Irene Update - 7 Dead, 1.5 Million without power
Seven Dead as Hurricane Irene Churns Up US East Coast
Powerful storm pummels eastern US with heavy rains, strong winds, leaving 1.5 million without power
Alex Villarreal | Washington, DC
August 27, 2011
VOA
Hurricane Irene continues to pound the U.S. East Coast with heavy rains and strong winds, leaving at least seven people dead in its wake and paralyzing ground and air traffic.
New York started feeling the effects of the hurricane Saturday shortly before midnight, with winds increasing early Sunday. Forecasters say Irene will move into southern New England in the northeastern U.S. by Sunday afternoon before reaching Canada Sunday night.
Irene blasted ashore in North Carolina early Saturday, flooding streets and toppling trees with sustained winds of 140 kilometer per hour. The storm later moved into the Washington area, which continues to be hit with strong winds, heavy rain, localized flooding and falling trees.
More than 1.5 million homes and businesses are without power in the eastern U.S, with at least seven people killed. Tens of millions of people are in the path of the storm, which is passing through some of the country's most densely populated areas, with winds of 130 kilometers per hour. Tornadoes spurned by the hurrican destroyed homes in Delaware and Virginia.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the massive storm system is expected to continue moving north-northeast at about 24 kilometers per hour.
American Red Cross spokesperson Kate Meier is in North Carolina, and told VOA that even away from the coast, conditions are worrying.
"When I was driving to the shelter, a tree branch hit the windshield of my car, which was terrifying. Fortunately everything was okay, and that's what we're seeing here is some downed branches, but hopefully not a lot of damage in this immediate area. But knowing that I'm 150 miles [241 kilometers] inland and that it's that much worse on the coast is pretty frightening," said Meier.
Along with organizations like the Red Cross, federal, state and local authorities have mobilized resources to confront the storm, which is on track to move up the U.S. East Coast.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said officials anticipate heavy rain, flooding and significant power outages throughout the region. There also is a threat of tornadoes.
"Irene remains a large and dangerous storm. People need to take it seriously. People need to be prepared," she said.
Top emergency coordinators in Washington also got a visit Saturday from President Barack Obama.
"This is still obviously going to be a touch-and-go situation for a lot of communities," said the president.
Already there have been large-scale evacuations and thousands of flight cancellations.
In New York City, the entire public transit system, including subway trains and buses, shut down Saturday for the first time ever. Red Cross spokesman Steve Bayer is on New York's Long Island, where he said the organization is prepared with shelters that can care for thousands of people.
"We have registered nurses, and in some cases, even doctors. And we have a lot of mental health professionals that come to us, volunteer their time to work in our shelters, because it is a pretty heavy load for people who have left their house. They don't know where their animals are," said Bayer.
The Red Cross said its response to Irene could be one of the largest it has undertaken in recent memory.
The organization is responding in more than a dozen states, and said it could take weeks, even months, to be able to fully address the disaster.
National Hurricane Center forecaster Todd Kimberlain said the problem with Irene is its path.
"It's dangerous in the sense that this part of the country is not used to receiving many hurricane strikes. In fact, New England has not received a hurricane strike in 20 years. [In] the mid-Atlantic states, the last hurricane was Isabel in 2003, so this is a significant weather system for this part of the country," he said.
Kimberlain also said Irene is not the strongest hurricane, and nowhere close to 2005's devastating Hurricane Katrina, but he says it is still capable of causing damage.
Powerful storm pummels eastern US with heavy rains, strong winds, leaving 1.5 million without power
Alex Villarreal | Washington, DC
August 27, 2011
VOA
Hurricane Irene continues to pound the U.S. East Coast with heavy rains and strong winds, leaving at least seven people dead in its wake and paralyzing ground and air traffic.
New York started feeling the effects of the hurricane Saturday shortly before midnight, with winds increasing early Sunday. Forecasters say Irene will move into southern New England in the northeastern U.S. by Sunday afternoon before reaching Canada Sunday night.
Irene blasted ashore in North Carolina early Saturday, flooding streets and toppling trees with sustained winds of 140 kilometer per hour. The storm later moved into the Washington area, which continues to be hit with strong winds, heavy rain, localized flooding and falling trees.
More than 1.5 million homes and businesses are without power in the eastern U.S, with at least seven people killed. Tens of millions of people are in the path of the storm, which is passing through some of the country's most densely populated areas, with winds of 130 kilometers per hour. Tornadoes spurned by the hurrican destroyed homes in Delaware and Virginia.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the massive storm system is expected to continue moving north-northeast at about 24 kilometers per hour.
American Red Cross spokesperson Kate Meier is in North Carolina, and told VOA that even away from the coast, conditions are worrying.
"When I was driving to the shelter, a tree branch hit the windshield of my car, which was terrifying. Fortunately everything was okay, and that's what we're seeing here is some downed branches, but hopefully not a lot of damage in this immediate area. But knowing that I'm 150 miles [241 kilometers] inland and that it's that much worse on the coast is pretty frightening," said Meier.
Along with organizations like the Red Cross, federal, state and local authorities have mobilized resources to confront the storm, which is on track to move up the U.S. East Coast.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said officials anticipate heavy rain, flooding and significant power outages throughout the region. There also is a threat of tornadoes.
"Irene remains a large and dangerous storm. People need to take it seriously. People need to be prepared," she said.
Top emergency coordinators in Washington also got a visit Saturday from President Barack Obama.
"This is still obviously going to be a touch-and-go situation for a lot of communities," said the president.
Already there have been large-scale evacuations and thousands of flight cancellations.
In New York City, the entire public transit system, including subway trains and buses, shut down Saturday for the first time ever. Red Cross spokesman Steve Bayer is on New York's Long Island, where he said the organization is prepared with shelters that can care for thousands of people.
"We have registered nurses, and in some cases, even doctors. And we have a lot of mental health professionals that come to us, volunteer their time to work in our shelters, because it is a pretty heavy load for people who have left their house. They don't know where their animals are," said Bayer.
The Red Cross said its response to Irene could be one of the largest it has undertaken in recent memory.
The organization is responding in more than a dozen states, and said it could take weeks, even months, to be able to fully address the disaster.
National Hurricane Center forecaster Todd Kimberlain said the problem with Irene is its path.
"It's dangerous in the sense that this part of the country is not used to receiving many hurricane strikes. In fact, New England has not received a hurricane strike in 20 years. [In] the mid-Atlantic states, the last hurricane was Isabel in 2003, so this is a significant weather system for this part of the country," he said.
Kimberlain also said Irene is not the strongest hurricane, and nowhere close to 2005's devastating Hurricane Katrina, but he says it is still capable of causing damage.
2011-08-27
Hurricane Irene - Four Dead as hurricane is pummeling the eastern USA
Four Dead as Hurricane Irene Slams US
Alex Villarreal | Washington, DC
August 27, 2011
VOA
Hurricane Irene is pummeling the eastern United States with heavy rain and strong winds, after claiming the lives of at least four people. U.S. officials say three people were killed in North Carolina and one in Virginia.
Violent winds, intense rains, massive power outages are deadly signs that Hurricane Irene has hit the United States.
The powerful storm barreled ashore Saturday in the eastern state of North Carolina, flooding streets and toppling trees with sustained winds of 140 kilometer per hour. More than 630,000 homes and businesses are without power.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the massive storm system is expected to continue moving north-northeast at about 24 kilometers per hour. Forecasters warned the category 1 storm would pass through the Washington, D. C., area during the evening and overnight hours without losing strength.
American Red Cross spokesperson Kate Meier is in North Carolina, and told VOA that even away from the coast, conditions are worrying.
"When I was driving to the shelter, a tree branch hit the windshield of my car, which was terrifying. Fortunately everything was okay, and that's what we're seeing here is some downed branches, but hopefully not a lot of damage in this immediate area. But knowing that I'm 150 miles [241 kilometers] inland and that it's that much worse on the coast is pretty frightening," said Meier.
Along with organizations like the Red Cross, federal, state and local authorities have mobilized resources to confront the storm, which is on track to move up the U.S. East Coast.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said officials anticipate heavy rain, flooding and significant power outages throughout the region. There also is a threat of tornadoes.
"Irene remains a large and dangerous storm. People need to take it seriously. People need to be prepared," she said.
Top emergency coordinators in Washington also got a visit Saturday from President Barack Obama.
"This is still obviously going to be a touch-and-go situation for a lot of communities," said the president.
Already there have been large-scale evacuations and thousands of flight cancellations.
In New York City, the entire public transit system, including subway trains and buses, shut down Saturday for the first time ever.
The storm is expected to reach the city and its surrounding areas on Sunday. Red Cross spokesman Steve Bayer is on New York's Long Island, where he said the organization is prepared with shelters that can care for thousands of people.
"We have registered nurses, and in some cases, even doctors. And we have a lot of mental health professionals that come to us, volunteer their time to work in our shelters, because it is a pretty heavy load for people who have left their house. They don't know where their animals are," said Bayer.
The Red Cross said its response to Irene could be one of the largest it has undertaken in recent memory.
The organization is responding in more than a dozen states, and said it could take weeks, even months, to be able to fully address the disaster.
National Hurricane Center forecaster Todd Kimberlain said the problem with Irene is its path.
"It's dangerous in the sense that this part of the country is not used to receiving many hurricane strikes. In fact, New England has not received a hurricane strike in 20 years. [In] the mid-Atlantic states, the last hurricane was Isabel in 2003, so this is a significant weather system for this part of the country," he said.
Kimberlain also said Irene is not the strongest hurricane, and nowhere close to 2005's devastating Hurricane Katrina, but he says it is still capable of causing damage.
Alex Villarreal | Washington, DC
August 27, 2011
VOA
Hurricane Irene is pummeling the eastern United States with heavy rain and strong winds, after claiming the lives of at least four people. U.S. officials say three people were killed in North Carolina and one in Virginia.
Violent winds, intense rains, massive power outages are deadly signs that Hurricane Irene has hit the United States.
The powerful storm barreled ashore Saturday in the eastern state of North Carolina, flooding streets and toppling trees with sustained winds of 140 kilometer per hour. More than 630,000 homes and businesses are without power.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the massive storm system is expected to continue moving north-northeast at about 24 kilometers per hour. Forecasters warned the category 1 storm would pass through the Washington, D. C., area during the evening and overnight hours without losing strength.
American Red Cross spokesperson Kate Meier is in North Carolina, and told VOA that even away from the coast, conditions are worrying.
"When I was driving to the shelter, a tree branch hit the windshield of my car, which was terrifying. Fortunately everything was okay, and that's what we're seeing here is some downed branches, but hopefully not a lot of damage in this immediate area. But knowing that I'm 150 miles [241 kilometers] inland and that it's that much worse on the coast is pretty frightening," said Meier.
Along with organizations like the Red Cross, federal, state and local authorities have mobilized resources to confront the storm, which is on track to move up the U.S. East Coast.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said officials anticipate heavy rain, flooding and significant power outages throughout the region. There also is a threat of tornadoes.
"Irene remains a large and dangerous storm. People need to take it seriously. People need to be prepared," she said.
Top emergency coordinators in Washington also got a visit Saturday from President Barack Obama.
"This is still obviously going to be a touch-and-go situation for a lot of communities," said the president.
Already there have been large-scale evacuations and thousands of flight cancellations.
In New York City, the entire public transit system, including subway trains and buses, shut down Saturday for the first time ever.
The storm is expected to reach the city and its surrounding areas on Sunday. Red Cross spokesman Steve Bayer is on New York's Long Island, where he said the organization is prepared with shelters that can care for thousands of people.
"We have registered nurses, and in some cases, even doctors. And we have a lot of mental health professionals that come to us, volunteer their time to work in our shelters, because it is a pretty heavy load for people who have left their house. They don't know where their animals are," said Bayer.
The Red Cross said its response to Irene could be one of the largest it has undertaken in recent memory.
The organization is responding in more than a dozen states, and said it could take weeks, even months, to be able to fully address the disaster.
National Hurricane Center forecaster Todd Kimberlain said the problem with Irene is its path.
"It's dangerous in the sense that this part of the country is not used to receiving many hurricane strikes. In fact, New England has not received a hurricane strike in 20 years. [In] the mid-Atlantic states, the last hurricane was Isabel in 2003, so this is a significant weather system for this part of the country," he said.
Kimberlain also said Irene is not the strongest hurricane, and nowhere close to 2005's devastating Hurricane Katrina, but he says it is still capable of causing damage.
Weather - Eastern Shore of MD - Is there a hurricane in the forecast?
Hurricane Forecast Eastern Shore of MD
Hurricane Irene Arrives - East Coast USA
US Launches Huge Hurricane Response as Irene Arrives
Sean Maroney | Washington
August 27, 2011
VOA
The federal and state governments, as well as humanitarian agencies and local groups up and down much of the eastern United States, are in the middle of a massive storm response, as Hurricane Irene makes landfall.
Weather forecasters expect the storm's center to focus on the heavily populated corridor from Washington to New York. The storm already has killed at least one person in Puerto Rico and two in the Dominican Republic and destroyed homes in The Bahamas.
U.S. officials are not taking any chances as Hurricane Irene moves up America's east coast with the potential of affecting 65 million people and causing billions of dollars in damage.
Major airports are closing down for the storm, and train services in parts of the eastern U.S. are suspended. Authorities also ordered a quarter of a million people to leave low-lying areas of New York, marking the city's first-ever mass evacuation. In addition, officials closed the city's entire public transit system for the first time.
A few hours ahead of Irene's early Saturday landfall in North Carolina, state authorities were reporting flooding, power outages and tornado warnings.
Speaking from the eastern part of the state, American Red Cross spokesman Chris Osborne told VOA he and his fellow relief workers were forced to join those evacuating from the coast. But he said that despite the challenges, his organization was working at full speed.
Osborne said, "We've got probably somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 people or so in various shelters. There's probably more than a dozen shelters open in the North Carolina area. And we've got some 70-plus shelters that are on standby, so certainly lots of areas for people who are evacuating."
Osborne says the Red Cross has workers from North Carolina in the south, all the way north past New York. While they are focused mainly on providing the basics of food, shelter and water, he says they have many other tools at their disposal, especially for those who might lose everything.
He said, "We have trained counselors that help people deal with the emotional needs that arise sometimes from these kinds of disasters, so just a wide gambit of resources."
Irene is the first hurricane to seriously threaten the United States in three years. It also hits at the six-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, whose flooding killed more than 1,800 people and forced more than a million residents from their homes in the southeastern United States.
The federal response to Katrina was widely criticized as slow and mismanaged, and Osborne says the Red Cross is mindful of that as they mobilize against Irene.
Osborne said, "Every disaster is different. Every disaster is a learning opportunity. We think we learned a lot from Hurricane Katrina, and we think we're better positioned and better ready to serve the people who need us."
He says the Red Cross is working very closely with community partners and government agencies in the relief efforts. U.S. President Barack Obama also has directed federal agencies to ensure all the needed resources are available.
Sean Maroney | Washington
August 27, 2011
VOA
The federal and state governments, as well as humanitarian agencies and local groups up and down much of the eastern United States, are in the middle of a massive storm response, as Hurricane Irene makes landfall.
Weather forecasters expect the storm's center to focus on the heavily populated corridor from Washington to New York. The storm already has killed at least one person in Puerto Rico and two in the Dominican Republic and destroyed homes in The Bahamas.
U.S. officials are not taking any chances as Hurricane Irene moves up America's east coast with the potential of affecting 65 million people and causing billions of dollars in damage.
Major airports are closing down for the storm, and train services in parts of the eastern U.S. are suspended. Authorities also ordered a quarter of a million people to leave low-lying areas of New York, marking the city's first-ever mass evacuation. In addition, officials closed the city's entire public transit system for the first time.
A few hours ahead of Irene's early Saturday landfall in North Carolina, state authorities were reporting flooding, power outages and tornado warnings.
Speaking from the eastern part of the state, American Red Cross spokesman Chris Osborne told VOA he and his fellow relief workers were forced to join those evacuating from the coast. But he said that despite the challenges, his organization was working at full speed.
Osborne said, "We've got probably somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 people or so in various shelters. There's probably more than a dozen shelters open in the North Carolina area. And we've got some 70-plus shelters that are on standby, so certainly lots of areas for people who are evacuating."
Osborne says the Red Cross has workers from North Carolina in the south, all the way north past New York. While they are focused mainly on providing the basics of food, shelter and water, he says they have many other tools at their disposal, especially for those who might lose everything.
He said, "We have trained counselors that help people deal with the emotional needs that arise sometimes from these kinds of disasters, so just a wide gambit of resources."
Irene is the first hurricane to seriously threaten the United States in three years. It also hits at the six-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, whose flooding killed more than 1,800 people and forced more than a million residents from their homes in the southeastern United States.
The federal response to Katrina was widely criticized as slow and mismanaged, and Osborne says the Red Cross is mindful of that as they mobilize against Irene.
Osborne said, "Every disaster is different. Every disaster is a learning opportunity. We think we learned a lot from Hurricane Katrina, and we think we're better positioned and better ready to serve the people who need us."
He says the Red Cross is working very closely with community partners and government agencies in the relief efforts. U.S. President Barack Obama also has directed federal agencies to ensure all the needed resources are available.
2011-08-26
Hurricane Irene - Ocean City, MD Evacuation Mandatory
Beach vacationers rolled across the bridge out of Ocean City, Maryland on Thursday evening. Ocean City, MD was one of many East Coast resort areas where evacuation was mandatory because of the approaching Hurricane Irene.
Hurricane Irene - Eastern U.S. states are scrambling to prepare...
Hurricane Irene Video Clip 25 August 2011
Hurricane Irene pounded the Bahamas with winds as high as 115 miles per hour (185 kilometers per hour)
Hurricane Irene pounded the Bahamas with winds as high as 115 miles per hour (185 kilometers per hour)
2011-05-19
Hurricane Season - NOAA Predicting ‘Above Average’ Hurricane Season
NOAA: Get Ready for ‘Above Average’ Hurricane SeasonThursday, May 19th, 2011 at 9:30 pm
U.S. forecasters say residents of hurricane-prone areas should prepare themselves for an “above-average” hurricane season.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)