Dry Season Wildfire Threat Briefing by the Florida Division of Forestry
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
US Seasonal Drought Outlook
PDF Version of Seasonal Drought Outlook Graphic
Latest Seasonal Assessment - Heavy rain and snow during mid-February raised river levels and boosted snow pack in drought-affected areas of California, but major reservoirs remained well below normal. The seasonal drought outlook indicates improving conditions for northern and central parts of the state due to expected above-normal rain and snow into early March. However, it is highly unlikely that water shortages will end before the dry season sets in, given the long-term deficits that have accumulated over nearly three years. Much more precipitation is needed to get the critical snow water content levels up to normal by April, when snow pack typically peaks. Water storage in mid-February ranged from 44 to 83 percent of normal in the largest reservoirs, suggesting that California has a long way to go to see relief from its hydrologic drought. In the southern Plains, moderate to exceptional drought is forecast to continue in Texas and parts of Oklahoma due to forecast below-normal rainfall during March through May. The same dry forecasts also lead to the continued outlook for drought development in southwestern Texas and southeastern New Mexico. Below-normal rainfall expected for March-May also results in a forecast for drought to persist or expand across the Florida Peninsula and into southeastern Georgia and southern South Carolina. Drought affecting parts of Louisiana, Alabama, and North Carolina should also continue. The lingering drought in the southern Appalachians should see improvement toward the northwest in the eastern Tennessee area, but less improvement toward the southeast in the western Carolinas. Areas of drought in Montana and northern Wisconsin are forecast to improve. Lingering drought in parts of Hawaii should also ease.
Forecaster: D. Le Comte
Next Outlook issued: March 5, 2009 at 8:30 AM EDT
Latest Seasonal Assessment - Heavy rain and snow during mid-February raised river levels and boosted snow pack in drought-affected areas of California, but major reservoirs remained well below normal. The seasonal drought outlook indicates improving conditions for northern and central parts of the state due to expected above-normal rain and snow into early March. However, it is highly unlikely that water shortages will end before the dry season sets in, given the long-term deficits that have accumulated over nearly three years. Much more precipitation is needed to get the critical snow water content levels up to normal by April, when snow pack typically peaks. Water storage in mid-February ranged from 44 to 83 percent of normal in the largest reservoirs, suggesting that California has a long way to go to see relief from its hydrologic drought. In the southern Plains, moderate to exceptional drought is forecast to continue in Texas and parts of Oklahoma due to forecast below-normal rainfall during March through May. The same dry forecasts also lead to the continued outlook for drought development in southwestern Texas and southeastern New Mexico. Below-normal rainfall expected for March-May also results in a forecast for drought to persist or expand across the Florida Peninsula and into southeastern Georgia and southern South Carolina. Drought affecting parts of Louisiana, Alabama, and North Carolina should also continue. The lingering drought in the southern Appalachians should see improvement toward the northwest in the eastern Tennessee area, but less improvement toward the southeast in the western Carolinas. Areas of drought in Montana and northern Wisconsin are forecast to improve. Lingering drought in parts of Hawaii should also ease.
Forecaster: D. Le Comte
Next Outlook issued: March 5, 2009 at 8:30 AM EDT
StateRecovery.org - A Service of The Council of State Governments for Economic Recovery | State Recovery
StateRecovery.org - A Service of The Council of State Governments for Economic Recovery State Recovery:
"Welcome to STATERECOVERY
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides over $300 billion in potential funding for states and state-related programs. In order to deliver the services their citizens need, while also addressing an unprecedented fiscal crisis, states need to access, utilize, and account for stimulus funding as quickly and efficiently as possible. However, the sheer enormity and complexity of the legislation makes this a daunting challenge. STATERECOVERY.org is a service of The Council of State Governments (CSG) designed to help states: 1) rapidly decipher potential funding opportunities; and 2) share best practices by tracking how the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government are responding to and impacted by this historic legislation"
"Welcome to STATERECOVERY
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides over $300 billion in potential funding for states and state-related programs. In order to deliver the services their citizens need, while also addressing an unprecedented fiscal crisis, states need to access, utilize, and account for stimulus funding as quickly and efficiently as possible. However, the sheer enormity and complexity of the legislation makes this a daunting challenge. STATERECOVERY.org is a service of The Council of State Governments (CSG) designed to help states: 1) rapidly decipher potential funding opportunities; and 2) share best practices by tracking how the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of state government are responding to and impacted by this historic legislation"
Friday, February 20, 2009
National Governors' Association workforce planning in preparation for pandemic influenz
The National Governors' Association Center for Best Practices has issued a new brief for State Executives on workforce planning in preparation for pandemic influenza. A link to the report is provided below. The recommendations in the brief are a result of regional workshops conducted by NGA in 2007 and 2008.
http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/0902PANDEMICWORKFORCEPLAN.PDF
http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/0902PANDEMICWORKFORCEPLAN.PDF
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Florida's Wildfire Season 2009
Drought + Weather + Humans = Florida's Spring Wildfire Threat.
Not until summer will lightning overtake humans as the primary cause of wildfire starts.
Key Web Sites for Florida's Emergency Managers to monitor the wildfire threat are
Drought - www.drought.gov
Florida Keetch-Byram Drought Index Map from the Florida Division of Forestry
Storm Prediction Center's Fire Weather Forecast
National Weather Service Fire Weather Page
your local National Weather Service will have the latest fire weather products for their county warning area. www.weather.gov
For more information
www.floridadisaster.org
and
www.firewise.org
Not until summer will lightning overtake humans as the primary cause of wildfire starts.
Key Web Sites for Florida's Emergency Managers to monitor the wildfire threat are
Drought - www.drought.gov
Florida Keetch-Byram Drought Index Map from the Florida Division of Forestry
Storm Prediction Center's Fire Weather Forecast
National Weather Service Fire Weather Page
your local National Weather Service will have the latest fire weather products for their county warning area. www.weather.gov
For more information
www.floridadisaster.org
and
www.firewise.org
Monday, February 16, 2009
2008 Atlantic Hurricane Season Animation
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Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Nextgov - Feds and YouTube close to reaching a deal to post video
Nextgov - Feds and YouTube close to reaching a deal to post video:
"Feds and YouTube close to reaching a deal to post video
By Gautham Nagesh 02/10/2009
The federal government is on the verge of reaching an agreement with YouTube that would allow agencies to make official use of the popular video-sharing service." more...
"Feds and YouTube close to reaching a deal to post video
By Gautham Nagesh 02/10/2009
The federal government is on the verge of reaching an agreement with YouTube that would allow agencies to make official use of the popular video-sharing service." more...
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Nextgov - Agencies used social media to manage salmonella outbreak
Nextgov - Agencies used social media to manage salmonella outbreak:
"Agencies used social media to manage salmonella outbreak
By Gautham Nagesh 02/09/2009
Federal health agencies relied heavily on social media to inform the public about the recent outbreak of salmonella tainted peanut butter, possibly reducing the number of death and injuries caused by the illness, according to federal health officials.
Officials with Health and Human Services Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said social media helped them spread the word that peanut butter recall. The agencies used widgets, blogs, Twitter, podcasts, mobile alerts and online videos to warn the public that peanut butter manufactured by Peanut Corp. of America for institutional use and for additives in other products such as snacks may be tainted with salmonella. Eight people died and 500 were sickened by the infected peanut butter.
'The response has been really amazing,' said Janice Nall, director of the division of eHealth marketing at CDC, on the public's reaction to her agency's social media campaign. 'We look at social media as additional channels to reach people where they are.'"
more
"Agencies used social media to manage salmonella outbreak
By Gautham Nagesh 02/09/2009
Federal health agencies relied heavily on social media to inform the public about the recent outbreak of salmonella tainted peanut butter, possibly reducing the number of death and injuries caused by the illness, according to federal health officials.
Officials with Health and Human Services Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said social media helped them spread the word that peanut butter recall. The agencies used widgets, blogs, Twitter, podcasts, mobile alerts and online videos to warn the public that peanut butter manufactured by Peanut Corp. of America for institutional use and for additives in other products such as snacks may be tainted with salmonella. Eight people died and 500 were sickened by the infected peanut butter.
'The response has been really amazing,' said Janice Nall, director of the division of eHealth marketing at CDC, on the public's reaction to her agency's social media campaign. 'We look at social media as additional channels to reach people where they are.'"
more
Thursday, February 5, 2009
EL NIÑO/SOUTHERN OSCILLATION (ENSO)
Climate Prediction Center: ENSO Diagnostic Discussion:
"EL NIÑO/SOUTHERN OSCILLATION (ENSO) DIAGNOSTIC DISCUSSION"
issued by
CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER/NCEP
5 February 2009
ENSO Alert System Status: La Niña Advisory
Synopsis: La Niña is expected to continue into Northern Hemisphere Spring 2009.
more...
"EL NIÑO/SOUTHERN OSCILLATION (ENSO) DIAGNOSTIC DISCUSSION"
issued by
CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER/NCEP
5 February 2009
ENSO Alert System Status: La Niña Advisory
Synopsis: La Niña is expected to continue into Northern Hemisphere Spring 2009.
more...
Monday, February 2, 2009
How GIS Aids Local Government and First Responders in Crises
Public Technology Institute:
"How GIS Aids Local Government and First Responders in Crises"
A new case-study guide illustrates how local government and utility first responders are using geospatial information in large-scale emergencies.
Published by PTI and the Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA), Geospatial Systems That Support Emergency and Disaster Operations: A Case Study Guide for Local Government and Utility First Responders is available until February 28, 2009 at no charge. After that date, the publication will be sold through the PTI Store.
Click for more...
"How GIS Aids Local Government and First Responders in Crises"
A new case-study guide illustrates how local government and utility first responders are using geospatial information in large-scale emergencies.
Published by PTI and the Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA), Geospatial Systems That Support Emergency and Disaster Operations: A Case Study Guide for Local Government and Utility First Responders is available until February 28, 2009 at no charge. After that date, the publication will be sold through the PTI Store.
Click for more...
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Weekly Report from the Florida Division of Emergency Management
Kids Weather Survival Week Feb 2009
more from the Florida Division of Emergency Management at
http://www.youtube.com/FloridaSERT
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
OASIS approves emergency data exchange standards -- Government Computer News
OASIS approves emergency data exchange standards -- Government Computer News: "OASIS approves emergency data exchange standards
By Rutrell Yasin
Jan 08, 2009
The Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS), the international open standards consortium, has approved two emergency data exchange languages as OASIS standards, members of the organization said today." more...
By Rutrell Yasin
Jan 08, 2009
The Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS), the international open standards consortium, has approved two emergency data exchange languages as OASIS standards, members of the organization said today." more...
Monday, January 26, 2009
KidsGetAPlan.com
Sneak Preview - http://www.kidsgetaplan.com/ - still a work in progess. Not all links and functions work, but it will give you the general idea of what we are trying to do.
craig
craig
Friday, January 23, 2009
Florida - preliminary response to the question asked in the statewide survey
Florida - preliminary response to the question asked in the statewide survey:
QUESTION: If your home was destroyed by a major hurricane, which of the following choices would best describe what you would do?
Would you:
64% - Look to remain in your home community and live in temporary housing or with family or friends while your home was rebuilt.
11% - Relocate to another part of Florida
7% - Relocate outside of Florida
8% - Not rebuild, but would relocate to another part of Florida
8% - Not rebuild and would relocate outside the state of Florida
2% - Not sure
Coast Guard flag officers brief new DHS secretary - Defense News
Coast Guard flag officers brief new DHS secretary - Defense News: "Coast Guard flag officers brief new DHS secretary
By AMY MCCULLOUGH
Published: 22 Jan 21:00 EST (02:00 GMT)
One day after being sworn in as the third Homeland Security secretary, Janet Napolitano was briefed by Washington, D.C.-based Coast Guard flag officers about the service's global presence as well as its involvement in anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia, drug interdiction efforts, and the role the private sector plays in securing the nation's border." more...
By AMY MCCULLOUGH
Published: 22 Jan 21:00 EST (02:00 GMT)
One day after being sworn in as the third Homeland Security secretary, Janet Napolitano was briefed by Washington, D.C.-based Coast Guard flag officers about the service's global presence as well as its involvement in anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia, drug interdiction efforts, and the role the private sector plays in securing the nation's border." more...
Thursday, January 22, 2009
FEMA: National Disaster Housing Strategy Released
FEMA: National Disaster Housing Strategy Released:
"National Disaster Housing Strategy Released
Release Date: January 16, 2009
Release Number: FNF-09-001
National Disaster Housing Strategy Base Document (PDF 2.1MB)
National Disaster Housing Strategy Annexes (PDF 2.1MB)
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced the release of the National Disaster Housing Strategy. The Strategy summarizes, for the first time in a single document, the many sheltering and housing capabilities, principles, and policies that guide and inform the disaster housing process. The Strategy also charts the new direction that our disaster housing efforts must take to better meet the disaster housing needs of individuals and communities moving forward."
"National Disaster Housing Strategy Released
Release Date: January 16, 2009
Release Number: FNF-09-001
National Disaster Housing Strategy Base Document (PDF 2.1MB)
National Disaster Housing Strategy Annexes (PDF 2.1MB)
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced the release of the National Disaster Housing Strategy. The Strategy summarizes, for the first time in a single document, the many sheltering and housing capabilities, principles, and policies that guide and inform the disaster housing process. The Strategy also charts the new direction that our disaster housing efforts must take to better meet the disaster housing needs of individuals and communities moving forward."
Friday, January 16, 2009
Thunderbolt Exercise - Solar Storm
The first thunderbolt exercise of 2009. What is a thunderbolt exercise - a no notice exercise for the State emergency Response Team.
Blogging General Reaches Out to Troops, Blows Off Security Fears | Danger Room from Wired.com
Blogging General Reaches Out to Troops, Blows Off Security Fears Danger Room from Wired.com:
"Blogging General Reaches Out to Troops, Blows Off Security Fears
By Noah Shachtman January 16, 2009
While most of the Army is still wringing its hands trying to figure out what to do about blogs and other social media, the two-star general overseeing 19,000 U.S. soldiers scattered across 17,000 square miles of southern and central Iraq has decided to start blogging himself and holding online chats with his troops."
"Blogging General Reaches Out to Troops, Blows Off Security Fears
By Noah Shachtman January 16, 2009
While most of the Army is still wringing its hands trying to figure out what to do about blogs and other social media, the two-star general overseeing 19,000 U.S. soldiers scattered across 17,000 square miles of southern and central Iraq has decided to start blogging himself and holding online chats with his troops."
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Climate Prediction Center: ENSO Diagnostic Discussion
Climate Prediction Center: ENSO Diagnostic Discussion:
"EL NIÑO/SOUTHERN OSCILLATION (ENSO) DIAGNOSTIC DISCUSSION"
issued byCLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER/NCEP
8 January 2009
Synopsis: Developing La Niña conditions are likely to continue into Northern Hemisphere Spring 2009.
"EL NIÑO/SOUTHERN OSCILLATION (ENSO) DIAGNOSTIC DISCUSSION"
issued byCLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER/NCEP
8 January 2009
Synopsis: Developing La Niña conditions are likely to continue into Northern Hemisphere Spring 2009.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Cold Weather Preparedness Tips from FDEM
Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) - YouTube Public Service Announcement - Cold Weather Preparedness
Thunderbolt Exercises Helped Florida React During Blackout - Government Technology
Thunderbolt Exercises Helped Florida React During Blackout - Government Technology
Jan 14, 2009, By Jim Reilly
The cascading power outages that took place in Florida on Feb. 26, 2008 -- the Florida Blackout -- resulted in power losses from Miami to Daytona to Tampa. As the investigation continued into how an apparently isolated event produced such wide-scale outages, this much is clear: Once the outages took place, the performance of the response systems -- both electric reliability coordination and emergency management -- was admirable. The outages were extensive throughout the state, so extensive that many thought that what had occurred was similar to the New York blackout of August 2003.
more
Jan 14, 2009, By Jim Reilly
The cascading power outages that took place in Florida on Feb. 26, 2008 -- the Florida Blackout -- resulted in power losses from Miami to Daytona to Tampa. As the investigation continued into how an apparently isolated event produced such wide-scale outages, this much is clear: Once the outages took place, the performance of the response systems -- both electric reliability coordination and emergency management -- was admirable. The outages were extensive throughout the state, so extensive that many thought that what had occurred was similar to the New York blackout of August 2003.
more
Monday, January 12, 2009
Twitter: A Primer for Public CIOs - Government Technology
Twitter: A Primer for Public CIOs - Government Technology: "Jan 12, 2009, By Emma Newcombe
With the growing abundance of Web 2.0 applications and services, it can be difficult for CIOs to decide which technologies are worth exploring. One tool that has begun to take the public sector by storm is Twitter, a free social networking and micro-blogging service launched in March 2006.
Once a small side project developed in San Francisco, Twitter has become a worldwide service that connects more than 4 million users. Although it was created primarily to keep friends, family and co-workers connected, agencies within the public sector have begun to use Twitter for everything from announcing traffic alerts to holding virtual press conferences.
With the growing abundance of Web 2.0 applications and services, it can be difficult for CIOs to decide which technologies are worth exploring. One tool that has begun to take the public sector by storm is Twitter, a free social networking and micro-blogging service launched in March 2006.
Once a small side project developed in San Francisco, Twitter has become a worldwide service that connects more than 4 million users. Although it was created primarily to keep friends, family and co-workers connected, agencies within the public sector have begun to use Twitter for everything from announcing traffic alerts to holding virtual press conferences.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thunderbolt Exercise - Solar Storm
.jpg)
Tallahassee, Fl
1/9/2009
Day 4 - Solar Storm Exercise
Scenes from the State Emergency Operations Center
This is an Exercise
Thursday, January 8, 2009
More photos from the Thunderbolt Exercise
Tallahassee, Fl1/8/2009
Thunderbolt Exercise - Solar Storm
Scenes from the State Watch Center today as more reports came in from the Space Weather Prepdiction Center http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/
.jpg)
National Resource Center on Advancing Emergency Preparedness for Culturally Diverse Communities
National Resource Center on Advancing Emergency Preparedness for Culturally Diverse Communities
http://www.diversitypreparedness.org/
Mission
The mission of the National Resource Center is to serve as a central clearinghouse of resources and an information exchange portal to facilitate communication, networking and collaboration to improve preparedness, build resilience and eliminate disparities for culturally diverse communities across all phases of an emergency.
http://www.diversitypreparedness.org/
Mission
The mission of the National Resource Center is to serve as a central clearinghouse of resources and an information exchange portal to facilitate communication, networking and collaboration to improve preparedness, build resilience and eliminate disparities for culturally diverse communities across all phases of an emergency.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Air Force Releases 'Counter-Blog' Marching Orders
By Noah Shachtman 
January 06, 2009 | 4:00:00 PM
Bloggers: If you suddenly find Air Force officers leaving barbed comments after one of your posts, don't be surprised. They're just following the service's new "counter-blogging" flow chart. In a twelve-point plan, put together by the emerging technology division of the Air Force's public affairs arm, airmen are given guidance on how to handle "trolls," "ragers" -- and even well-informed online writers, too. It's all part of an Air Force push to "counter the people out there in the blogosphere who have negative opinions about the U.S. government and the Air Force," Captain David Faggard says. more...
1859 Solar Storm
The Great Storm: Solar Tempest of 1859 Revealed
By Robert Roy Britt
Senior Science Writer
posted: 27 October 2003
A pair of strong solar storms that hit Earth late last week were squalls compared to the torrent of electrons that rained down in the "perfect space storm" of 1859. And sooner or later, experts warn, the Sun will again conspire again send earthlings a truly destructive bout of space weather.
more: http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/mystery_monday_031027.html
By Robert Roy Britt
Senior Science Writer
posted: 27 October 2003
A pair of strong solar storms that hit Earth late last week were squalls compared to the torrent of electrons that rained down in the "perfect space storm" of 1859. And sooner or later, experts warn, the Sun will again conspire again send earthlings a truly destructive bout of space weather.
more: http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/mystery_monday_031027.html
------------------------------------------------------------
Visit http://www.SPACE.com - Something Amazing Every Day
Monday, January 5, 2009
HOW TO: Track the Israel Gaza Conflict Using Social Media
HOW TO: Track the Israel Gaza Conflict Using Social Media
same tools can be used to track a disaster and provide two way communications with the survivors.
craig
same tools can be used to track a disaster and provide two way communications with the survivors.
craig
DisasterAssistance.gov
http://www.disasterassistance.gov/
ABOUT DISASTERASSISTANCE.GOV
DisasterAssistance.gov is an easy to use website that consolidates disaster information in one place. Currently, 17 U.S. Government agencies, which sponsor more than 40 forms of disaster assistance, contribute to the website. You can apply for many forms of assistance with a single, online application. Your application information is shared only with those agencies that you identify and is protected by the highest levels of security. Ultimately, DisasterAssistance.gov will speed the application process and allow you to check the progress of your application online.
ABOUT DISASTERASSISTANCE.GOV
DisasterAssistance.gov is an easy to use website that consolidates disaster information in one place. Currently, 17 U.S. Government agencies, which sponsor more than 40 forms of disaster assistance, contribute to the website. You can apply for many forms of assistance with a single, online application. Your application information is shared only with those agencies that you identify and is protected by the highest levels of security. Ultimately, DisasterAssistance.gov will speed the application process and allow you to check the progress of your application online.
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