STATE OF ALASKA
DIVISION OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT 06-349 (as of 11:00 AM, December 15, 2006)
Homeland Security Advisory System – Alaska Level: Yellow-Elevated State of Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management State Emergency Coordination Center Preparedness Level 1 State of Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Maritime Security (MARSEC) Level – Level I – Low. Military installations in Alaska are at FPCON A. State of Alaska Cyber Security Alert Level: Guarded State of Alaska Cyber Security World Health Organization Pandemic Phase - Phase 3: No or very limited human-to-human transmission (An Influenza Pandemic situation report, which contains an explanation of the WHO Pandemic Phases, is attached to this situation report and updated every Tuesday) State of Alaska Situation Blizzard Warnings The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for the Kuskokwim delta including Bethel, Hooper Bay and Nunivak Island from 9 am this morning to 6 pm this afternoon. Southeast winds will increase to 25 to 40 mph with gusts to 55 mph for coastal sections of the Kuskokwim delta this morning as a strong front approaches. Existing snow cover will begin to blow around this morning with snow expected to begin by early afternoon. Visibilities will be reduced to one quarter mile or less during the day along the coast, with reduced visibilities in blowing snow also expected inland later in the day. The strongest winds and lowest visibilities will be confined to the coast with lesser wind speeds further inland. Winds will quickly diminish behind the front as it moves inland. Snow will continue to fall throughout the night. The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for the Bristol Bay area including King Salmon, Dillingham, Naknek and Pilot Point from noon today to 10 pm this evening. Southeast winds will increase to 25 to 40 mph with gusts to 50 mph along the western capes around noon as a strong front approaches. Existing snow cover will begin to blow around early in the afternoon with snow expected to begin by late afternoon. Visibilities will be reduced to one quarter mile or less during the afternoon and evening along the western capes, with reduced visibilities in blowing snow also expected inland this evening and overnight. The strongest winds and lowest visibilities will be confined along the western capes with lesser wind speeds further inland. Winds will quickly diminish behind the front as it moves inland. Snow will continue to fall throughout the night. Boaters Must Not Operate 121.5/243 Mhz EPIRBs After 31 December 2006 The US Coast Guard reminds all boaters that beginning January 1, 2007, both 121.5 and 243 MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) are prohibited from use in both commercial and recreational watercraft. Boaters wishing to have an emergency rescue beacon aboard their vessel must have a digital 406 MHz model. For more information, see the USCG press release: http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/786/139352/ Alaska Volcano Weekly Summary The following Alaska volcanoes have elevated level-of-concern color codes: Fourpeaked:Yellow : Advisory Cleveland: Yellow : Advisory Veniaminof: Yellow : Advisory Korovin: Yellow : Advisory The following volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia have elevated level-of-concern color codes: Karymsky: Orange Bezymianny: Yellow Sheveluch: Orange For more information, see the Alaska Volcano Observatory web site: http://www.avo.alaska.edu/ ’06 October Southern Alaska Storm On October 8, a strong storm caused severe flood damage on the southern areas of Alaska. State disaster assistance is available to individuals and families in the Cordova, Glennallen, Valdez and Seward areas who suffered damages to real property (primary residence), personal property and transportation during the October 2006 flooding. The application period to apply for State Disaster Assistance is November 27, 2006 to January 26, 2007. Persons wishing to apply should call 1-800-921-3682. FEMA in Alaska for two Federally-Declared Disasters FEMA team has set up a Joint Field Office in Anchorage in support of applicant briefings, kickoff meetings, and project worksheet development for two federally-declared disasters: 06 Hooper Bay Fire (FEMA 1666-DR-AK) and 06 August Southcentral Flooding (FEMA 1663-DR-AK). International Situation Gaza City, Gaza -- Tens of thousands of Hamas supporters took to the streets Friday, the day after their leader -- Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya -- survived an alleged assassination attempt. Hamas officials blamed the former ruling party Fatah for the attack on Haniya -- the latest sign of the worsening power struggle between the Palestinians' two major political movements. Tensions boiled over into fighting in both Gaza and the West Bank on Friday. Medical sources said 38 people were hurt in the West Bank city of Ramallah. More... Colombo - Thousands of refugees are fleeing Tamil Tiger territory through jungle and by sea in the island's east, the military and witnesses said on Friday, trying to escape artillery duels between the army and rebels. Nearly 1,300 minority Tamils arrived in camps in schools and welfare centers near the government-held town of Valachchenai on Friday, and hundreds more were on their way, the military said -- adding eight refugees drowned at sea in their bid to escape. More... Significant Dates
No news to report. The Next Situation Report: will be published as of 11:00 AM, December 18, 2006. A significant change in the situation or the threat level will prompt an interim report. Direct questions regarding this report to Wayne Rush at 907-428-7032 or wayne_rush@ak-prepared.com. How to reach the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management: Phone the State Emergency Coordination Center (SECC) by dialing (907) 428-7100 or 1-800-478-2337, 24 hours per day. Information on emergency topics is available on the Division's web site at http://www.ak-prepared.com. Homeland Security information may be found at http://www.ak-prepared.com/homelandsecurity/ How to reach the Division of Administration –State Cyber Security Program: If you have questions you may contact Darrell Davis, State Computer Security Officer, at darrel_davis@admin.state.ak.us. For further information: Being prepared: Ready.gov Countries: U.S. State Department Background Notes. Maps: United Nations Cartographic Section Terrorist Groups: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/20119.pdf http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/20120.pdf | ||