Weather

WASHINGTON, D.C. March 26, 2008 -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for Arkansas to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding beginning on March 18, 2008, and continuing.    » read more »

March 10, 2008 -- (AUGUSTA)— The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is cautioning home owners to check the condition of their outside heating oil tanks following a number of spills statewide. Falling ice from roofs and snow compaction around outdoor heating oil tanks can sever lines and break off filters causing costly spills. A broken off filter or severed fuel line can empty the entire contents of the tank.    » read more »

OAK RIDGE, Tenn., March 5, 2008 — A destructive spring freeze that chilled the eastern United States almost a year ago illustrates the threat a warming climate poses to plants and crops, according to a paper just published in the journal BioScience. The study was led by a team from the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.    » read more »

March 5, 2008 -- RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today declared a state of emergency in the Commonwealth of Virginia, directing state agencies to take all necessary actions to aid in the response to severe weather that affected several areas last night.

A declaration of emergency allows the Governor to immediately deploy state personnel, equipment and other emergency response resources, and to coordinate state and local response to the event.    » read more »

Both FAA and the National Weather Service Need to Better Ensure Product Quality

February 12, 2008 -- With yet another winter storm looming, with the potential for power outages, MEMA and the Maine Center for Disease Control warn Maine citizens to be very careful using gas-powered generators, kerosene heaters or other heating or power sources. If not used safely, these devices can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas formed when burning most types of fuels. Using gas-powered generators, kerosene heaters, charcoal grills, and gas grills can cause poisoning if CO gas builds-up in closed in spaces.    » read more »

Feb 11, 2008 -- LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe has added Franklin, Marion and Newton Counties to the list of state disaster areas due to the damage caused by powerful tornadoes and violent thunderstorms on Tuesday, February 5, taking the total to 13 counties. Beebe previously made declarations for Baxter, Conway, Independence, Izard, Pope, Randolph, Sharp, Stone, Union and Van Buren Counties.    » read more »

07 February 2008 -- Emergency teams are fanning out across several U.S. states to assist survivors of violent storms that killed at least 55 people.

Federal and state workers spread out across the southeastern United States to clean up debris and help victims of the deadly tornadoes that swept through the area late Tuesday and early Wednesday. The twisters blocked roads, cut power to many residents and triggered an explosion that shut down a gas pipeline in Tennessee.    » read more »

06 February 2008 -- In a display of natural fury unusual for this time of year, tornados and violent thunderstorms have killed at least 50 people in five south-central states.

Rescue crews are hard at work in a wide area hit by tornadoes overnight Tuesday. In Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky storms killed and injured people and damaged homes and places of business. In many areas power lines are down and streets are filled with debris.

One of the worst hit areas was Jackson, Tennessee, where local resident Michael Denny described what the storm's devastation.    » read more »

February 6, 2008 -- (JACKSON, Mississippi) – Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour declared a State of Emergency today following the tornadoes and severe weather that struck parts of North Mississippi, including Alcorn, DeSoto, and Lafayette Counties. The Governor is requesting preliminary damage assessment teams from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) due to storm damages suffered by the region.    » read more »

Motorists Urged To Drive With Extreme Caution

February 6, 2008 -- SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois State Police (ISP) are responding in full force to the latest round of severe winter weather. Heavy snow blanketed Illinois - including more than five inches of snow falling in Chicago and more than 12 inches in Springfield – making for treacherous driving conditions. Governor Blagojevich, IDOT Secretary Milton R.    » read more »

February 5, 2008, WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for Missouri to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding during the period of January 7-10, 2008.    » read more »

06 February 2008 -- U.S. law enforcement officials say at least 11 people have been killed and dozens injured as tornadoes and thunderstorms tore through parts of the U.S. south.

The U.S. National Weather Service reports severe weather swept across the lower Mississippi Valley, Southern Plains and Midwest Tuesday afternoon and evening.

Reports of tornadoes, wind damage and hail came from Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri.    » read more »

Accumulated snow threatens structures and strands residents

February 4, 2008 -- SANTA FE - New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson today declared Rio Arriba County a disaster area due to recent heavy snow that has blocked roads, threatened structures, and left residents stranded in their homes. The heaviest snow has been reported in the Chama and Tierra Amarilla areas.    » read more »

03 February 2008 -- A brief break in weeks of severe winter weather that has crippled large parts of China allowed troops and police to begin clearing a few roads and rail lines Sunday, but authorities say more snow is on the way Monday and Tuesday.

The winter storm crisis has seriously affected nearly two-thirds of China's provinces and autonomous region. Underscoring the severity of the problem, the Communist Party Politburo's nine-member Standing Committee met Sunday and called for patience as work continues to restore power supplies and transportation.    » read more »