Info4 Severe Weather

2011-07-28T15:53:00.000-05:00

Flash Flood Warning
Thursday, Jul 28, 2:03 PM to 5:00 PM Central

ID#: 281903
NWS Ofice: KLIX
Counties: Jefferson Parish, LA

WGUS54 KLIX 281903
FFWLIX
LAC051-282200-
/O.NEW.KLIX.FF.W.0022.110728T1903Z-110728T2200Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW ORLEANS LA
203 PM CDT THU JUL 28 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NEW ORLEANS HAS ISSUED A

* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
NORTHWESTERN JEFFERSON PARISH IN SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA...
THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...METAIRIE...KENNER...

* UNTIL 500 PM CDT

* AT 158 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOODING FROM A THUNDERSTORM OVER THE WARNED AREA.

* THE STORM PRODUCING FLASH FLOODING WILL OTHERWISE REMAIN OVER
MAINLY RURAL AREAS OF THE INDICATED PARISH.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

RADAR ESTIMATES OF 2 TO 3 INCHES HAVE ALREADY FALLEN OVER SOME AREAS
AND ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN THE
WARNED AREA.

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SMALL
CREEKS AND STREAMS...URBAN AREAS...HIGHWAYS...STREETS AND UNDERPASSES
AS WELL AS OTHER DRAINAGE AREAS AND LOW LYING SPOTS.

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS
SAFELY. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.

A FLASH FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR OCCURRING.
IF YOU ARE IN THE WARNING AREA MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY.
RESIDENTS LIVING ALONG STREAMS AND CREEKS SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE
PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS
SWIFTLY FLOWING WATERS OR WATERS OF UNKNOWN DEPTH BY FOOT OR BY
AUTOMOBILE.

LAT...LON 2991 9027 2992 9027 3006 9028 3006 9027
3003 9015 2990 9014

"Amazing video of a tornado hitting a train in Nebraska tonight:"

2011-06-21T01:49:00.001-05:00

2011-06-19T09:38:00.002-05:00

2011-06-19 11:02:09 - Extreme Weather - USA

EDIS Code:	ST-20110619-31210-USA
Date&Time:	2011-06-19 11:02:09 [UTC]
Continent:	North-America
Country:	USA
State/Prov.:	State of Wisconsin,
Location:	Chippewa Valley,
City:
Damage level: Moderate (Level 2) Not confirmed information!

Description:

A powerful line of storms hit the Chippewa Valley Saturday night. The worst of the storms hit between 7 and 10 pm, with an amazing 4.66" of rain falling at the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport during that time frame. Winds also gusted to 51 mph at the airport at the height of the storms. The strong winds did damage to a number of areas, and Xcel energy reported widespread power outages Saturday evening. Flash flooding was also reported on a number of streets in Eau Claire. Both Eau Claire and Chippewa county were under a Flash Flood Warning until 3 am Sunday morning. It was the very slow movement of the storms that accounted for the high rain totals. The storms trained over the same areas, meaning they developed over an area and remained there for close to 2 hours. The forecast for Father's Day does show improvement. We could have some showers and storms early in the day, but the afternoon and evening look dry.

2011-06-14T00:32:00.002-05:00

2011-06-14 05:04:50 - Tornado - Australia

EDIS Code:	TO-20110614-31144-AUS
Date&Time:	2011-06-14 05:04:50 [UTC]
Continent:	Australia & New-Zealand
Country:	Australia
State/Prov.:	State of New South Wales,
Location:	,
City:	Red Rock
Damage level: Moderate (Level 2) Not confirmed information!

Description:

A mini-tornado has hit a small coastal town in northern New South Wales, as wild weather continues to batter the region. Residents say the whirlwind hit Red Rock, north of Coffs Harbour, shortly before 7:00am (AEST). The bowling club lost part of its roof and about 10 homes were also damaged in the small town. Joe Hanson lives across the road from the bowling club. "The tornado or waterspout or whatever it was it cut across through the dunes, across the bowling club, took the roof, then went into a couple of houses across the main street of Red Rock and lifted the roof off one of those houses," Mr Hanson said. "That's a brand new house so they've lost their roof. Just left a path of destruction, so pretty full on. Yeah, it was intense." Another resident, Sue Miller, says the weather had already been atrocious. "We had torrential rain all night and then all of a sudden it got extremely extremely heavy and we heard loud bangs and minor explosive things happening and then realised that roofs had been taken off houses," Ms Miller said. "It was just getting light and in fact as soon as it happened everything went quite quiet and the rain virtually stopped. It was quite eerie for a bit there." Dennis Houghton, from the State Emergency Service, says communities at Sandy Beach, Emerald Beach and Woolgoolga were also hit hard. "From fairly substantial roof damage through to general roof damage in areas around Woolgoolga and Corindi, and also a lot of water damage, where we're doing a lot of sandbagging at the moment," Mr Houghton said. "Normally the area does OK in heavy rain, but when we get extremely strong winds with that, that's when we tend to get significant damage." There are no reported injuries from the storm.

Lingering Floods in Louisiana : Natural Hazards

2011-06-11T12:47:00.000-05:00

Lingering Floods in Louisiana : Natural Hazards

A Joplin doctor said Thursday his hospital treated five Joplin tornado victims for a rare, aggressive fungal infection

2011-06-10T12:11:00.000-05:00

Aggressive fungus strikes Joplin tornado victims

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JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) -- A Joplin doctor said Thursday his hospital treated five Joplin tornado victims for a rare, aggressive fungal infection sometimes found in survivors of other natural disasters.

Dr. Uwe Schmidt, an infectious disease specialist at Freeman Health System in Joplin, said three of those patients who contracted zygomycosis have since died, but he stopped short of blaming their deaths specifically on the infections.

"These people had multiple traumas, pneumonia, all kinds of problems," Schmidt said. "It's difficult to say how much the fungal infections contributed to their demise."

Jacqueline Lapine, a spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, said the department has received reports of eight suspected deep-skin fungal infections among victims of the tornado. She said all of the victims had sustained trauma from the tornado with multiple injuries and secondary wound infections.

Zygomycosis, now known as mucormycosis, is a fungal infection that spreads rapidly and can be caused by soil or vegetative material becoming embedded under the skin. It's more prevalent in people with weakened immune systems or untreated diabetes but can affect healthy people who suffer trauma and are injected with contaminated soil.

Dr. Benjamin Park with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said people who have had a traumatic skin injury that is not improving should seek medical attention immediately so the infection can be identified and treated promptly.

"These fungal infections are usually quite serious, and often have a case-fatality rate of 50 percent or higher," Park said in an email to The Associated Press. "Although persons with weakened immune systems and those with diabetes are the most common risk groups, otherwise healthy people can develop infection, particularly after a traumatic wound. Skin infection usually occurs following traumatic inoculation of the fungal spores into the skin."

Schmidt said he had seen only two cases of zygomycosis in his 30 years of practice, and both of those cases involved people with untreated diabetes.

"I never have seen personally this kind of fungal infection of the skin," he said.

Stacy Fender, a spokeswoman for CoxHealth, said Cox South hospital in Springfield has one patient who may have a fungal infection.

Overall numbers weren't available. The health department in Springfield-Greene County, where some patients were treated, declined to release information about patients sickened by the fungus, citing patient privacy concerns.

The Springfield News-Leader reported the department sent a memo Monday to area health providers warning them to be on the lookout for the infections.

Kendra Williams, the administrator of community health and epidemiology for the health department, said the fungus likely came from soil or vegetative materials imbedded in the skin by the tornado.

In the aftermath of the tornado, Freeman Health System treated more than 1,700 patients. Doctors from St. John's Hospital, which was hit by the twister, treated patients at makeshift facilities.

Schmidt said some wounds that were stitched up had to be reopened because they weren't adequately cleaned.

"These were very extensive wounds," Schmidt said. "They were treated in the emergency room as quickly as possible."

A week after the tornado patients began arriving with fungal infections.

"We could visibly see mold in the wounds," Schmidt said. "It rapidly spread. The tissue dies off and becomes black. It doesn't have any circulation. It has to be removed."

Schmidt said the infection is sometimes seen in survivors of mass trauma such as the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia.

"This fungus invades the underlying tissue and actually invades the underlying blood vessels and cuts off the circulation to the skin," Schmidt said. "It's very invasive."

---

Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.news-leader.com

Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 3pm CDT 6-6-2011

2011-06-06T14:04:00.000-05:00

Alerts for Saint Tammany Parish

Number of Active Alerts:: 1

Go to alert detail:

There is 1 active alert issued for Saint Tammany Parish

Bulletin - Eas Activation Requested Severe Thunderstorm Warning National Weather Service New Orleans LA 154 PM CDT Mon Jun 6 2011 The National Weather Service In New Orleans Has Issued A * Severe Thunderstorm Warning For, Extreme Northeastern Orleans Parish In Southeast Louisiana, St. Tammany Parish In Southeast Louisiana, This Includes The Cities Of, Slidell, Mandeville, Eden Isle, Covington, Western Hancock County In Southern Mississippi, Southwestern Pearl River County In Southern Mississippi, This Includes The City Of Picayune, * Until 300 PM Cdt * At 148 PM CDT, National Weather Service Meteorologists Detected A Severe Thunderstorm Capable Of Producing Quarter Size Hail, And Damaging Winds In Excess Of 60 Mph. This Storm Was Located Near Slidell, And Moving West At 10 Mph. * Other Locations In The Warning Include But Are Not Limited To Lacombe And Abita Springs Precautionary/Preparedness Actions, This Is A Dangerous Storm. If You Are In Its Path, Prepare Immediately For Damaging Winds, Destructive Hail, And Deadly Cloud To Ground Lightning. People Outside Should Move To A Shelter, Preferably Inside A Strong Building But Away From Windows. && Lat, Lon 3056 8947 3018 8948 3017 8956 3014 8958 3014 8976 3017 8975 3020 8978 3022 8985 3025 8989 3025 8998 3030 9000 3036 9010 3036 9013 3058 9014 Time, Mot, Loc 1854z 094deg 16kt 3032 8981

Issue Time:6/6/2011 1:54:00 PM

Valid Until:6/6/2011 3:00:00 PM

Through history, Massachusetts tornadoes not unprecendented, and very deadly

2011-06-05T13:13:00.001-05:00

The legendary “tornado alley” doesn’t run through Massachusetts.
But for one day this week, it took a detour.
Normally found prowling the plains states or swirling through the southern states, tornadoes - a trio of them - hammered Western Massachusetts Wednesday, killing three and destroying or damaging hundreds of homes and businesses in Hampden and Worcester counties along a nearly 50-mile corridor from Westfield to Charlton.
However, as rare as serious tornadoes are in this region, they are not unprecedented.
In fact, in deaths wrought by tornadoes by area, Massachusetts ranks first in the nation. The frequency of tornadoes - three to four a year on average - is lower than many other states, but because of this state’s large population density and relatively small land area, the deaths per square mile are higher.
As evidence of this, the tornado of June 9, 1953, became one of the deadliest in the nation’s history - and the deadliest ever in New England - when it barreled through the city of Worcester, ultimately killing 94 people and leaving 10,000 homeless.
Wednesday’s events were still more evidence for this.
“I think everyone is surprised by the intensity of these tornadoes,” said Michael Rawlins, a climatologist at the University of Massachusetts Climate Research Center.
“What is unusual and rare about this event is the intensity ... combined with the location in which they occurred. Tornadoes in this region are typically short-lived. The fact that several tornadoes struck a highly developed area led to the large amount of damage,” he said.
The heart of tornado territory in the United States, the so-called tornado alley, extends from Texas up to the Dakotas. There, warm air off the Gulf has a chance to confront cold air from Canada amidst the strong winds on the plains, creating the volatile thunderstorms that can spawn tornadoes.
In New England, the same conditions don’t exist, but if the region does have a tornado alley, it is from northwest Connecticut through the Pioneer Valley to Worcester, said Eleanor Vallier-Talbot, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Taunton forecasting office.

John Suchocki, The Republican 6-2-2011 - Storm aftermath - Staff Photo By John Suchocki - Springfield Main Street businesses damaged by the tornado late Wednesday afternoon. Tornado destruction aerials gallery (47 photos)

“Basically, it’s the way the winds set up. It’s usually a southwest wind with warm air that stays over the area” and sets up a confrontation with colder Canadian air, she said.
“Farther east, the wind comes off the water. It’s just cool enough that thunderstorms will tend to lose power,” she said.
There have been nearly three dozen tornadoes that have touched down in the Pioneer Valley since 1950, according to tornadopaths.org, a website based at University of Michigan that compiles tornado data.
Most of those were F0 and F1 tornadoes, the weakest on the Fujita scale that runs from 0 to 5, and their paths were usually less than a quarter mile in length.
Until Wednesday, the strongest tornado to strike the valley was an F3 that touched down briefly in September 1971 on Landy Street in the Florence section of Northampton. However, its path was shorter than a football field.
Within Massachusetts, there have been 152 tornadoes recorded since 1950, including three F4s and five F3s, according to another online site, the Tornado History Project.
The 1953 Worcester tornado - rated an F4, perhaps reaching F5 at times - began in Petersham. It set down just before dinner time and close enough to Quabbin Reservoir that boaters saw it form from the water.
For the next hour and a half, the tornado plodded west, reaching Worcester about 5 p.m., just as many businesses were letting out.
In that city alone, 66 people died. It was later determined that there were about 8,000 people in the area of Worcester where the tornado hit, and of those, 800 were either killed or injured enough to be taken to the hospital.
The tornado finally dissipated near Southborough about 5:40 p.m. In places, its path of destruction was a mile wide.
The debris field was phenomenally large. An item from the twister that originated in Holden was found 110 miles away on Cape Cod.
Chunks of a mattress were lifted high enough into the tornado that they were coated with ice and dropped in their frozen state into Boston Harbor.
The Worcester tornado was the costliest in U.S. history to that point, doing an estimated $53 million in damage (nearly $425 million in today’s dollars). Some 10,000 people were left homeless and 4,000 buildings were damaged.
Proving to be more costly was the F4 tornado of Oct. 3, 1979, that touched down in Windsor, Conn., and cut an 11-mile path of destruction to Suffield, near the Massachusetts line. It killed three people and injured nearly 500 others.
The tornado swept through the heart of tobacco growing country, destroying numerous curing barns.
It also came close to Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks just as a United Airlines plane was about to land. Seeing it, the pilot quickly aborted the landing.
However, the tornado did strike the New England Air Museum nearby, destroying about two dozen vintage planes.
When it was done, the tornado would go into the record books as one of the 10 most costly in U.S. history, causing an estimated $200 million in damage (nearly $600 million in today’s dollars).

Greg Saulmon, The Republican 05.25.2011 | GREAT BARRINGTON - The Great Barrington fairgrounds took a direct hit from a tornado in 1995. Great Barrington Fairgrounds 16 years after the tornado gallery (17 photos)

Among the other powerful tornadoes that have struck the state was one that moved into the Berkshires from New York state on May 29, 1995.
An F3 tornado, it moved fast, covering seven miles in just 10 minutes. In Great Barrington, it destroyed much of the town’s fairgrounds and then moved on to level a truck stop in West Stockbridge.
Three people were killed, two students and a staff member from a private school in Great Barrington, the Eagleton School, when their car was picked up and thrown by the tornado.
Some 27 people were injured, more than 100 homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed, and thousands of trees were toppled by the twister. Its winds were exceptionally strong, estimated to range from 158 to 260 mph.
It will take weeks, perhaps months, to assess the damage done by Wednesday’s tornadoes, but already, they have found a place in the history books. They were also a reminder that tornadoes are not purely history in this region.
“I never thought I’d see one like this up here in New England,” said Vallier-Talbot.

2011-06-05T13:10:00.000-05:00

Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno seeking emergency assistance for businesses affected by tornado

Published: Saturday, June 04, 2011, 6:15 AM Updated: Saturday, June 04, 2011, 12:38 PM

By Conor Berry, The Republican

Email Print

Republican file photoA tornado bears down on Springfield on Wednesday, June 1.

SPRINGFIELD -- As Springfield awaits the possibility of state and federal aid in the aftermath of a devastating tornado that carved a line of destruction through the southern third of the city, Mayor Domenic J. Sarnois seeking emergency help for businesses ravaged by the twister and is asking unaffected businesses to lend a helping hand.

Sarno issued the plea Friday night, urging city businesses affected by Wednesday's tornado to contact theSpringfield Office of Planning & Economic Development as soon as possible. The mayor also urged Springfield businesses willing to donate support services or temporary space to businesses affected by the tornado to contact Springfield City Hall.

"It is important that during this period, while we work with our federal and state partners, we understand the immediate needs of our businesses so that as resources become available we are prepared to mobilize them to the areas hardest hit," the mayor said.

Those wishing to help may log onto the city's website, www.springfieldcityhall.com, or call (413) 787-6664. The Planning & Economic Development Department will link businesses in need with available services.

John Suchocki, The Republican6-2-2011 - Storm aftermath - Staff Photo By John Suchocki - Springfield Main Street businesses damaged by the tornado late Wednesday afternoon.Tornado destruction aerials gallery (47 photos)

"The Springfield business-to-business community has always been strong, and now is the time for our mutual assistance and support to help rebuild those that have lost in this tragic event," Sarno said, thanking those businesses that already have offered support.

The mayor said businesses impacted by the powerful tornado -- the second strongest in Massachusetts' history -- may need temporary space or architectural, engineering, landscaping or legal services.

"If you have services that can help out your fellow Springfield businesses in this tremendous time of need, please consider doing so," he said.

On the web:

Springfield City Hall: www.springfieldcityhall.com
Springfield Office of Planning & Economic Development: www.springfieldplanning.org

Emergency Business Assistance: www.springfieldcityhall.com/planning/171.0.html

2011-06-05T13:03:00.000-05:00

2011-06-05 15:35:30 - Tornado - Sweden

EDIS Code:	TO-20110605-31024-SWE
Date&Time:	2011-06-05 15:35:30 [UTC]
Continent:	Europe
Country:	Sweden
State/Prov.:	Province of Vásterbotten,
Location:	Vásterbotten-wide,
City:
Number of injured people: 1 Damage level: Heavy (Level 3) Affected people: 15000 Not confirmed information!

Description:
Tornadoes and rough winds wreaked havoc yesterday in the north of Sweden, tearing down a large number of trees. One man in the northern province Västerbotten was seriously injured when a tree fell on top of him, and is now in intensive care. "The number of fallen trees is probably the worst I've experienced in several years," Zakarias Juto, traffic controller at the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket). The agency has received hundreds of calls reporting roads that are blocked due to fallen trees. At worst, almost 15,000 of Vattenfall's customers in the provinces Västerbotten and Norrbotten were without electricity. Today thousands are still waiting for the power to return. On Sunday morning, 2,400 of Vattenfall's customers, 425 of EON's customers and 2,280 of Skellefteå kraft's customers were still in the dark, reports regional newspaper Norran. "In some areas our power lines are heavily damaged," Roger Lindmark, information officer at Vattenfall, said to TT. "Poles have been tumbled over and trees have fallen on lines." The thunderstorm was created as cold air from the west pushed out warmer air. Tornadoes in connection with thunderstorms are not entirely rare in Sweden, according to meteorological institute SMHI. "Several cases are observed every year, especially in the summer," confirmed Linnéa Rehn, meteorologist at SMHI. Tornadoes can give extremely high wind speeds. Winds as fast as 70 meters per second have been reported before.

2011-06-03T15:46:00.000-05:00

Shelters Set Up Across Western Massachusetts

Posted: Jun 01, 2011 7:43 PM CDTUpdated: Jun 03, 2011 12:04 PM CDT

Current Shelters:

Central High School, Springfield, MA

Greenleaf Community Center, Springfield, MA

Quarry Hill School, Monson, MA

Coburn Elementary School, West Springfield, MA

West Springfield Middle School, West Springfield, MA

News Alert: June 1 Update on State Agency Flood Fighting Efforts Posted: 6/1/2011 3:54:30 PM

2011-06-03T15:40:00.000-05:00

BATON ROUGE (June 1, 2011) - State agencies continue their efforts to fight and prepare for flooding in communities across Louisiana. Updates from individual agencies are below.

Louisiana National Guard

In support of state and parish requirements, the Louisiana National Guard has 1,150 Guardsmen mobilized for this event. The Guard continues to maintain and fortify protection projects, conduct levee inspections and patrols and provide support to local law enforcement agencies and parish officials.

Today, the Guard is providing aviation support to FEMA and the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to assess levees and structures in Butte La Rose, at the sunken barge at Bayou Chene, Burns Point, Melville and the Old River structure.

Department of Transportation and Development

Today, DOTD will be re-opening the La. 975 on and off ramps from I-10. The ramps were previously closed due to high water.

As flood water recedes in some areas, DOTD reminds citizens to access the latest updates on real-time traffic and road conditions by using the 511 Traveler Information System. In state travelers can dial 511. Out-of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511). Travelers can also visit www.511la.org for updated information.

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Because of rising floodwaters, many animals have been displaced from their normal habitats. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has 205 enforcement agents and 25 wildlife staff on duty, in addition to deploying 103 all terrain vehicles and two amphibious airplanes. LDWF is operating a Mobile Command Unit in Patterson in St. Mary Parish 24 hours a day. LDWF enforcement agents made 252 contacts and issued four verbal warnings while on levee patrol since the evening of May 30. Additionally, in Avoyelles Parish in Little River at the Spring Bayou WMA complex, agents made 51 contacts and issued five verbal warnings while patrolling the no wake zone in the area.

LDWF reports another black bear was seen on the Union Pacific Railroad north of U.S. Hwy. 190. Union Pacific is limiting train speed to 15 miles per hour through the Morganza Spillway to minimize bear injuries or deaths. Two bears were also seen on the east spillway levee about two miles north of U.S. Hwy. 190 and one bear was observed crossing LA Hwy. 77 in Fordoche.

LDWF continues to track and respond to reports of wildlife as necessary. In total, there have been 27 reported bear sightings. The Louisiana Black Bear remains on the threatened and endangered species list. For assistance with black bears that may be forced into populated areas by flood waters, LDWF asks the public call 1-800-442-2511 toll free.

For assistance with any other wildlife species, that endanger human health or safety, call the following LDWF field offices at:

Baton Rouge 225-765-2800
Hammond 985-543-4777
Monroe 318-343-4044
New Iberia 337-373-0032
Opelousas 337-948-0255
Pineville 318-487-5885

DEQ is forecasting an Ozone Action Day for Orleans, Jefferson, St. Charles, St. John, St. Tammany, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishe

2011-06-03T15:20:00.002-05:00

A(n) Action Day has been declared for New Orleans, LA, on Saturday, Jun 4

Tomorrow's Forecast
Saturday, Jun 4:	114 AQI	Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups

Today, mostly sunny skies with temperatures in the 90s will enhance ozone
formation across Louisiana. Therefore, despite moderate southeasterly
winds dispersing some pollutants during the afternoon hours, AQI levels
will be mid- to high-Moderate statewide. Tomorrow and Sunday, mostly
sunny skies and afternoon temperatures approaching 100F will support
ozone formation, and light winds will limit pollutant dispersion. These
conditions, combined with pollutant carryover from day-to-day, will result
in Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups AQI levels in Baton Rouge, New Orleans,
Lake Charles, and Shreveport on both days. Elsewhere, AQI levels will be
mid- to high-Moderate.

DEQ is forecasting an Ozone Action Day for Orleans, Jefferson, St. Charles, St. John,
St. Tammany, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes. The weather conditions will be
favorable for the formation of ozone.

The Air Quality Index indicates that ozone will be at the orange level, which is unhealthy
for sensitive groups. Increasing ozone levels may cause unhealthy air quality during
afternoon hours. Active children and adults, the elderly and people with respiratory
diseases, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor activities and exertion.

Area residents are encouraged to take one or more of the following
voluntary actions to help reduce the formation of ozone::

• Drive less. Carpool, walk and bike, combine errands and care for your car.
Be sure your gas cap is on tight.
• Refuel your vehicle, mow grass and use gas powered lawn equipment and
off road vehicles after 6 p.m.
• Postpone chores that use oil based paint, varnishes and solvents that produce
flame.
• If you barbeque, use an electric starter instead of starter fluid.
• Take your lunch to work or walk to lunch
• Conserve Energy in your home

Incorporating these tips into your daily routines can makje a significant difference.
We all have a stake in better air quality.
SPREAD THE WORD by telling family, friends, co-workers and neighbors about
OZONE ACTION DAYS.

More information about current air quality and what you can do to help prevent
ozone formation is available online at the DEQ website www.deq.louisiana.gov.
For questions, please call 225-219-3489 (weekdays).

To New Orleans area Residents

2011-06-03T13:16:00.002-05:00

Hurricane Season...

It's right around the corner! We are working hard to ensure that our chapter is ready to respond. The most important aspect of our readiness is having volunteers who are trained, informed and ready to help. With that in mind, we will be hosting several Hurricane Volunteer Meetings in the month of June (see below). Also, be sure to check out our current disaster training offerings.

Saturday, June 11^th 1:00pm-3:00pm Bayou & River Region Hurricane Volunteer Meeting-a pot-luck lunch will begin at noon. The chapter will provide paper goods and beverages. The regional meeting will be held at the Thibodaux office (1233 Canal Blvd. Thibodaux, LA 70301). Please RSVP (with your dish to share) with Stanley Keller at 985-447-3229.

Wednesday June 15^th 6:00pm-9:00pm Metro Region Hurricane Volunteer Meeting. This will be a pot-luck meeting held at Chapter Headquarters (2640 Canal Street New Orleans, LA 70119). Please RSVP (with your dish to share) with Cori Meyer at 504-620-3131.

Saturday June 18^th 9:30am-11:30am Northshore Region Hurricane Volunteer Meeting. This will be a breakfast meeting held at the Northshore Regional office (300 Ashland Way Madisonville, LA 70433). Please RSVP with Lou Kennedy at 985-892-4317.

Saturday June 25^th 10:00am-Noon Metro Region Hurricane Volunteer Meeting. This will be a breakfast meeting held at the Chapter Headquarters (2640 Canal Street New Orleans, LA 70119). Please RSVP for this meeting with Cori Meyer at 504-620-3131.

Here is what you can expect from the regional hurricane meetings:

Each meeting will contain approximately 2 hours of presentation/information/question & answer time.
We will bring the mobile ID machine to each regional meeting.
Volunteers can expect to gain information at this meeting about:

SELA's hurricane response plan for 2011
Roles and responsibilities that we need volunteers to fill
SELA Message Relay Hotline
SELA local Disaster Information Hotline
Personal preparedness
Training expectations & schedules
and much much more!

-----------------------------

The National Weather Service In New Orleans Has Issued A Heat Advisory, Which Is In Effect Until 7 PM CDT Friday

2011-06-02T18:04:00.000-05:00

HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT FRIDAYUrgent - Weather Message National Weather Service New Orleans LA 558 PM CDT Thu Jun 2 2011 , Heat Advisory In Effect Through Friday Evening, .Hot Temperatures And High Humidity Values Will Result In Heat Index Values In The Danger Levels. In Addition, Overnight Lows In The 75 To 80 Degree Range Will Provide Very Little Relief From The Heat. Pointe Coupee-West Feliciana-East Feliciana-St. Helena-Washington- St. Tammany-Iberville-West Baton Rouge-East Baton Rouge-Ascension- Livingston-Assumption-St. James-St. John The Baptist- Upper Lafourche-St. Charles-Upper Jefferson-Orleans- Upper Plaquemines-Upper St. Bernard-Upper Terrebonne- Lower Terrebonne-Lower Lafourche-Northern Tangipahoa- Southern Tangipahoa-Wilkinson-Amite-Pike-Walthall-Pearl River- Including The Cities Of, New Roads, Livonia, St. Francisville, Jackson, Clinton, Greensburg, Montpelier, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Lacombe, Plaquemine, White Castle, Port Allen, Addis, Brusly, Baton Rouge, Gonzales, Donaldsonville, Denham Springs, Walker, Pierre Part, Labadieville, Paincourtville, Lutcher, Gramercy, Laplace, Reserve, Thibodaux, Raceland, Larose, Destrehan, Norco, Metairie, Kenner, New Orleans, Belle Chasse, Chalmette, Violet, Houma, Bayou Cane, Chauvin, Dulac, Montegut, Galliano, Cut Off, Golden Meadow, Amite, Kentwood, Hammond, Ponchatoula, Centreville, Woodville, Gloster, Liberty, Crosby, Mccomb, Tylertown, Picayune 558 PM CDT Thu Jun 2 2011 , Heat Advisory In Effect Until 7 PM CDT Friday, The National Weather Service In New Orleans Has Issued A Heat Advisory, Which Is In Effect Until 7 PM CDT Friday. * Temperature: Successive Days Of Record Temperatures In The Upper 90s To Near One Hundred Degrees And Warm Overnight Lows Will Result In Heat Stress Issues For Many Communities In The Advised Area. These Conditions Are Expected To Continue Through Friday Afternoon. * Impacts: These Hot Temperatures Will Combine With High Humidity To Result In Heat Index Values Of 104 To 108 Degrees Friday Afternoon. Low Temperatures In 75 To 80 Degree Range Friday Morning Will Provide A Very Little Relief From The Oppressive Heat. Precautionary/Preparedness Actions, A Heat Advisory Means That A Period Of Hot Temperatures Is Expected. The Combination Of Hot Temperatures And High Humidity Will Combine To Create A Situation In Which Heat Illnesses Are Possible. Drink Plenty Of Fluids, Stay In An Air-Conditioned Room, Stay Out Of The Sun, And Check Up On Relatives And Neighbors. Pets Can Also Succumb To The Effects Of Excessive Heat. Insure Pets Have Adequate Drinking Water And A Shady Place To Rest. Do Not Keep Pets In Cars With Windows Rolled Up, Even Partially. Temperatures Inside A Car With The Windows Up Can Reach Over 150 Degrees Quickly, Resulting In Heat Stroke And Death. Stay Tuned To Noaa Weather Radio, Commercial Radio Or Television Stations, Or Your Cable Television Provider For The Latest Information Concerning This Excessive Heat Event. &&

Issue Time:6/2/2011 5:58:00 PM

Valid Until:6/3/2011 7:00:00 AM

Back to Summary

2011-06-02T15:17:00.000-05:00

Staff ReportsThe Hartford Courant

2:40 p.m. EDT, June 2, 2011

SPRINGFIELD —

Search and cleanup efforts are continuing in Springfield after at least one tornado tore through several towns Wednesday, leaving three people dead.

Officials had counted four dead earlier Thursday, but they determined that one person died of cardiac arrest unrelated to the storm. Five people are still in critical condition.

A West Springfield woman died after she put her 15-year-old child in a bathtub and lay on top for protection, said the Rev. Gary Dailey, Springfield Fire Department chaplain. The child survived.

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State and federal officials were assessing the damage from the storms, and some have estimated damage of more than $100 million.

There are no reports of missing people, said Springfield Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Conant, but they are still conducting a secondary search in the damaged areas.

"We're turning over every stone," said Mayor Domenic Sarno. "We're moving out of triage right now."

Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet said he expects electricity will be restored sometime Thursday evening and that the city is "in a stabilization phase."

"We're confident that we've been successful [in searching for victims]," Fitchet said. "There is a possibility that there are some people under debris."

Some roads have been reopened, but some remain closed.

"We're at the point where we're trying to clean up and get the street reopened," said Dennis Leger, fire department spokesman.

Asked how wide the swath of damage is, Conant said that in some places, it's 10 blocks; in others, it's more narrow.

"It's kind of random" he said.

Sarno said the tornado cut the city in thirds.

Multiple tornados sightings were reported Wednesday night, and survey teams from the National Weather Service office in Taunton, Mass., are in the area to determine how many tornadoes actually touched down, said Alan Dunham, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

"We know we're dealing with at least two tornadoes and maybe three, but the survey teams will be making that determination," he said.

The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado touched down in Springfield at 4:32 p.m.

Gov. Deval Patrick, speaking at a press conference late Wednesday, said 19 communities were hit by the severe weather. Patrick declared a state of emergency and said the state had enlisted the help of 1,000 National Guard troops to help residents clean up the rubble left behind after strong winds, hail and thunderstorms hit along the Massachusetts-Connecticut border.

Thursday morning, Patrick, along with U.S. Senators John Kerryand Scott Brown, toured downtown Springfield with local officials. Patrick said he was pleased with the disaster response.

"The coordination has been superb at the local level, between the local and federal authorities as well," said Patrick.

Kerry echoed the sentiment and said he had faith the federal government would be able to send disaster aid to the region. Kerry hoped the emergency agencies would expedite that process for funding to be delivered sooner.

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2011-06-02T10:12:00.000-05:00

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HelpingChildrenCopeWithDisaster.pdf (application/pdf Object)

2011-06-02T10:07:00.000-05:00

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2011-06-02T09:59:00.000-05:00

Patrick surveying WMass tornado damage: wwlp.com

Patrick surveying WMass tornado damage

Governor touring by air, land

Updated: Thursday, 02 Jun 2011, 8:34 AM EDT
Published : Thursday, 02 Jun 2011, 8:30 AM EDT

Laura Hutchinson
Anthony Fay

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Governor Deval Patrick says that the cleanup process is beginning here in Western Massachusetts following Wednesday’s tornado outbreak.
Patrick says that he has been surveying the profound damage in Springfield and West Springfield both on land and by helicopter. He is scheduled to begin surveying damage in Monson and Brimfield later in the day. He told 22News that it has been a wonder that there have been so few confirmed fatalities. The current count stands at four people.
1,000 National Guard troops are being dispersed from three locations, one in Springfield, one in Ware, and one in Worcester. The troops will be in the area for as long as necessary, Patrick said.
The Governor says that they are in the process of assessing the damage, and that
Patrick reminded viewers to stay off the roads if they can avoid traveling.

2011-06-02T09:49:00.000-05:00

How you can help disaster victims: wwlp.com

How you can help disaster victims

Volunteers being accepted by Red Cross

Updated: Thursday, 02 Jun 2011, 7:22 AM EDT
Published : Thursday, 02 Jun 2011, 7:18 AM EDT

Rich Tettemer
Anthony Fay

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross is accepting volunteers to help people affected by the damage from Wednesday's tornado.
If you can help, you must come in person to the Pioneer Valley Red Cross headquarters at 506 Cottage St. in Springfield starting at 9:30 A.M. Thursday. You will have to fill out an application, be screened for interest and available opportunities, and complete a background check.
You must bring a photo ID with you, as well.

Paige Thayer from the American Red Cross told 22News that potential volunteers must go to the headquarters. They will not be accepting new volunteers who show up at shelters.
You can also help by making a financial contribution at the Red Cross website , or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

You may also mail a check to:

American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter
506 Cottage St.
Springfield, MA 01104

2011-06-02T09:42:00.000-05:00

Situation Update No. 4
Posted:2011-06-02, 03:01:42 [UTC]
Ref.no.: TO-20110602-30971-USA

Situation Update No. 4
On 2011-06-02 at 14:25:33 [UTC]

Event: Tornado
Location: USA State of Massachusetts Springfield, Brimfield, Monson

Number of Deads: 4 person(s)
Number of Injured: 33 person(s)

Situation: ultiple tornadoes slammed western and central Massachusetts Wednesday, leaving a path of destruction that destroyed buildings, flipped vehicles and left at least four people dead and an unknown number injured. At least three tornadoes struck the city of Springfield, Mass., alone, with a fourth unconfirmed twister possibly touching down in the city, Mayor Dominic J. Sarno said. Many of those storms also blasted the areas surrounding the city of more than 150,000 residents which is situated 90 miles west of Boston. According to the National Weather Service, there were seven reports of tornadoes touching down in Massachusetts Wednesday. The twisters hit as unstable weather threatened the entire Northeast, bringing tornado watches to Philadelphia, New York and Boston. Golf Ball size hail was reported from New York to Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire, while thunderstorms produced wind gusts from 60 to 70 miles per hour across New England.

The situation in Massachusetts was so bad that Gov. Deval Patrick declared a statewide state of emergency, calling up 1,000 members of the National Guard. Two of the four fatalities in Massachusetts occurred in West Springfield, and there was one each in Springfield and Brimfield, a state official said, correcting earlier official statements. Peter Judge, from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) told ABC News that as of early Thursday morning there were about 50,000 without power. "There is some very serious damage -- we're aware of city blocks that aren't there anymore, homes that have lost roofs," Judge said. "It was obviously an incredible surprise...we'd been monitoring the weather all day and by early afternoon nobody was overly concerned...but by late afternoon some storm clouds started to appear," he added. Wednesday's tornadoes were the worst outbreak in the state since 1953, when 94 people were killed by a tornado in central Massachusetts. The state's last lethal tornado was in 1995.

2011-06-01T23:11:00.000-05:00

Experts see no link between Mass. tornadoes and Midwest twisters -- or global warming

Posted by Martin Finucane June 1, 2011 09:59 PM

By Carolyn Y. Johnson, Globe Staff

The tornadoes that struck central Massachusetts today are an unusual phenomenon for New England -- the product of warm, humid air and winds that created the perfect conditions to generate the spinning, funnel-shaped storm. While the state doesn't have a large number of tornadoes, a National Weather Service meteorologist said there are typically one or two a year.

Tornadoes begin to form when warm, muggy air at the surface begins to rise and meet colder air above, creating thunderstorms. But by itself, that isn't enough. There also needs to be rotation. This is caused when winds in the upper atmosphere blow in a different direction than the winds closer to the ground, creating a condition called wind shear.

"We look for moisture, we look for lift -- lifting of air into the atmosphere and this turning of the winds with height -- we got all that going together and it was just perfect," said Eleanor Vallier-Talbot, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Taunton. "Everything just lined up."

The last tornado to hit Massachusetts occurred in July 2008, a waterspout tornado that started in Narragansett Bay and struck parts of Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. A destructive tornado occurred in 1995 in Great Barrington, killing several people. In 1953, Worcester weathered a major tornado that caused massive destruction and killed more than 90 people, one of the deadliest in the United States.

In general, said Jerry Brotzge, senior research scientist at the Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms at University of Oklahoma, the Plains are prone to tornadoes because warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico mixes with cool, dry winds blowing off the Rocky Mountains.

"Whereas in the Northeast, our winds are almost generally from the west or southwest through the whole atmosphere -- it's a lot more difficult to get wind shear and strong updrafts," Brotzge said.

Meteorologists and weather specialists said that although there is heightened awareness of tornadoes because of the storms that have been ravaging the South and Midwest this spring, there is no connection between those and the storm system that came through Massachusetts.

"It's just bad luck this year. There's no link we have between global warming, global climate change, and increased frequency of tornado," said Josh Wurman, president of the Center for Severe Weather Research, a nonprofit research organization in Boulder, Colo., that receives funding from the National Science Foundation and has been working on understanding why many thunderstorms that are capable of causing tornadoes don't -- to enable better prediction.

Updates from Mass

2011-06-01T23:07:00.000-05:00

Schools closed in Springfield, Westfield, Wilbraham and Hampden

By Jeanette DeForge, The Republican

June 01, 2011, 9:46PM

Cathedral High School and St. Michael's Academy were heavily damaged. Full story »

Sen. John Kerry: 'We will rebuild, and we will be stronger'

By S.P. Sullivan, MassLive.com

June 01, 2011, 11:36PM

Kerry joined Gov. Deval Patrick in Springfield late Wednesday to survey the damage caused by several unexpected tornadoes. Full story »

Springfield area hospitals go into emergency mode to treat tornado victims

By Buffy Spencer, The Republican

June 01, 2011, 11:22PM

Some people treated at Baystate Medical Center did not have homes to which to return. Full story »

Springfield tornadoes brings fear, wonder

By Jim Kinney, The Republican

June 01, 2011, 10:51PM

At the MassMutual Center, shaken and weeping adults arrived with babies in strollers, wailing children clinging to their legs and whatever belongings they could salvage in plastic bags. Full story »

MassLive readers from Springfield area document the tornado's fury

By Patrick Johnson, The Republican

June 01, 2011, 10:25PM

Several readers of MassLive submitted photos of the tornado and its aftermath Full story »

The Republican plans TORNADO EXTRA!

By The Republican Newsroom

June 01, 2011, 10:04PM

The Extra edition will include 14 pages of photos and stories on the historic storms that swept from Westfield to Charlton, hitting downtown Springfield. Full story »

Schools closed in Springfield, Westfield, Wilbraham and Hampden | masslive.com

2011-06-01T23:03:00.001-05:00

Schools closed in Springfield, Westfield, Wilbraham and Hampden

Published: Wednesday, June 01, 2011, 9:46 PM Updated: Wednesday, June 01, 2011, 10:37 PM

By Jeanette DeForge, The Republican

Don Treeger, Republican staff photographer 06.01.2010 | A child runs for cover as bad weather moved back into the area following a tornado touchdown in the South End of Springfield. This was on Central St. Tornado touches down in downtown Springfield gallery (33 photos)

Schools in Springfield, Wilbraham, Hampden and Westfield will be closed on Thursday after the tornado damaged a number of buildings in the communities.

Cathedral High School and St. Michael’s Academy in Springfield is also closed on Thursday.

In Springfield, Azell M. Cavaan, spokesman for Superintendent Alan J. Ingram said the buildings will be closed while damages are examined.

“There are some damages but we are still assessing. I don’t know to what degree they are damaged,” Cavaan said.

In Westfield, a section of roof at the Munger Hill Elementary School was blown off, and the school will be closed Thursday and Friday, according to Police Lt. Lawrence P. Valliere.

James C. Wiggs, emergency management director for Westfield, said all city schools will be closed until the city is able to evaluate circumstances on Thursday. Three houses in the city were also totally destroyed.

Cathedral High School and St. Michael’s Academy on Surrey Road were heavily damaged. One priest at St. Michael’s broke his leg and suffered a separated shoulder.

“The schools were badly damaged,” Dupont said. “We will assess them tomorrow to see what has to be done.”

Windows were blown out at Cathedral School. Students were inside at the time but no one was injured, he said.

The Cathedral graduation, scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at the school, is expected to be moved. Tentative plans are to hold it at St. Michael’s Cathedral on State Street because the church was not damaged in the storm, Dupont said.

An advisory will be put out as soon as a decision is made, he said.

Map: Western Massachusetts shelter locations for tornado victims | masslive.com

2011-06-01T22:57:00.001-05:00

Map: Western Massachusetts shelter locations for tornado victims | masslive.com

Shelters for tornado victims have been set up in West Springfield, Springfield, Wilbraham, Palmer

and Monson.
Below, a map of the locations. If you know of other shelter locations or resources that should be

added to the map, please post to the comments.
Click here for updates from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

View Western Mass. shelters for tornado victims in a larger map

Related topics: monson, palmer, springfield, west-springfield, wilbraham

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Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno seeking emergency assistance for businesses affected by tornado

Published: Saturday, June 04, 2011, 6:15 AM Updated: Saturday, June 04, 2011, 12:38 PM

2011-06-05 15:35:30 - Tornado - Sweden

Shelters Set Up Across Western Massachusetts

News Alert: June 1 Update on State Agency Flood Fighting Efforts Posted: 6/1/2011 3:54:30 PM

DEQ is forecasting an Ozone Action Day for Orleans, Jefferson, St. Charles, St. John, St. Tammany, St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishe

To New Orleans area Residents

The National Weather Service In New Orleans Has Issued A Heat Advisory, Which Is In Effect Until 7 PM CDT Friday

How To Donate Time, Money To Springfield Area After Tornado

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HelpingChildrenCopeWithDisaster.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Patrick surveying WMass tornado damage

Governor touring by air, land

How you can help disaster victims

Volunteers being accepted by Red Cross

Experts see no link between Mass. tornadoes and Midwest twisters -- or global warming

Updates from Mass

Schools closed in Springfield, Westfield, Wilbraham and Hampden

By Jeanette DeForge, The Republican

June 01, 2011, 9:46PM

Sen. John Kerry: 'We will rebuild, and we will be stronger'

By S.P. Sullivan, MassLive.com

June 01, 2011, 11:36PM

Springfield area hospitals go into emergency mode to treat tornado victims

By Buffy Spencer, The Republican

June 01, 2011, 11:22PM

Springfield tornadoes brings fear, wonder

By Jim Kinney, The Republican

June 01, 2011, 10:51PM

MassLive readers from Springfield area document the tornado's fury

By Patrick Johnson, The Republican

June 01, 2011, 10:25PM

The Republican plans TORNADO EXTRA!

By The Republican Newsroom

June 01, 2011, 10:04PM

Schools closed in Springfield, Westfield, Wilbraham and Hampden | masslive.com

Schools closed in Springfield, Westfield, Wilbraham and Hampden

Published: Wednesday, June 01, 2011, 9:46 PM Updated: Wednesday, June 01, 2011, 10:37 PM

Map: Western Massachusetts shelter locations for tornado victims | masslive.com