Weather

January 2, 2008 -- The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today announced that natural gas customers will see savings on their January bills, thanks to reductions in their gas cost recovery (GCR) factors, warmer than normal temperatures, and high storage levels.

Savings already began in October 2007, when temperatures were significantly warmer than normal. The month of October had an average of 192 Heating Degree Days less than normal. A heating degree day is measured by how many degrees the temperature falls below 65° F.    » read more »

January 4, 2008 -- Ten years ago, one of the worst natural disasters in Maine history struck, first quietly, and then with the crack of falling trees and explosion of transformers. The Ice Storm of 1998 began in the first week of January. It extended over almost three weeks and its effects were felt for months and years by towns, families and business owners struggling to recover.    » read more »

December 18, 2007, 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 the state of Oklahoma to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe winter storms beginning on December 8, 2007, and continuing.    » read more »

December 18, 2007 -- The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Oklahoma and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe winter storms on December 8, 2007, and continuing.

Federal funding is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storms in the counties of Cleveland, Lincoln, Mayes, Oklahoma, Pottawatomie, Tulsa, and Wagoner.    » read more »

Gov. Henry Says More Counties Will Be Added to Designation

December 18, 2007 -- Oklahoma City -- President Bush today granted Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry’s request for a major disaster declaration for seven Oklahoma counties impacted by last week’s ice storm. The Governor noted that more counties will be added to the declaration as damage assessment surveys continue across the state.

Gov. Henry praised President Bush for granting the Dec. 15 request.    » read more »

12.18.07 - Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today sent a letter to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chairman Alan Schriber requesting the Commission to consider a moratorium on PUCO jurisdictional gas and electric utility disconnections this winter.

The complete letter follows:

December 18, 2007

Chairman Alan R. Schriber
Public Utilities Commission
180 E Broad St.
Columbus, Oh 43215

Dear Chairman Schriber:    » read more »

December 17, 2007 -- Lincoln, NE -- Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman today signed a state emergency declaration in the wake of winter storms that affected southeast Nebraska last week. The declaration ensures state assistance will be available to local entities involved in recovery and clean-up efforts.    » read more »

December 17, 2007, SALEM, Ore. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Oregon Emergency Management (OEM) continue to help Oregonians recover from the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides. Disaster assistance totaling more than $1.9 million has been approved and more than $560,000 has already been distributed to residents in Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook, Yamhill and Polk counties for storm related damages and living expenses.

As of close of business Sunday, December 16, more that 1,100 individuals had applied for assistance.    » read more »

16 December 2007 -- A major winter storm has hit both the U.S. midwest and northeastern part of the country, as well as eastern Canada.

Sunday's wintry blast caused hazardous driving conditions and resulted in hundreds of flight cancellations at local airports.

Officials say both Chicago and Boston have received up more than 25 centimeters of snow.

In addition, authorities say at least 40 centimeters is expected in Canada.    » read more »

December 15, 2007 -- Oklahoma City -- Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry today asked President George Bush for a major disaster declaration for an initial seven Oklahoma counties devastated by the recent ice storm. As more damage assessments are completed, requests will be made for additional counties to be declared.

If approved, cities, towns and counties impacted by last weekend’s ice storm will receive public assistance for expenses related to response and recovery efforts. Gov. Henry noted that preliminary damage assessments continue in counties throughout the state.    » read more »

December 14, 2007 -- JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today announced that state and local agencies are providing extra nursing staff to three special needs shelters in Northwest Missouri. When the call came in requesting additional help from St. Joseph, Maryville and Savannah, Gov. Blunt and state agencies responded quickly to coordinate additional medical staff to serve these communities.    » read more »

13 December 2007 -- A new report says the last decade is the warmest on record. The Geneva-based World Meteorological Organization says data from around the world shows extreme weather patterns increasing in every region. It says the data supports scientific claims that global warming is occurring.

The World Meteorological Organization says 2007 is shaping up to be the fifth-warmest year on record. It says this past year has seen, what it calls, a number of remarkable global climatic events.    » read more »

13 December 2007 -- Emergency officials in the Dominican Republic say at least 22 people have been killed in flooding caused by Tropical Storm Olga. Many of the victims were killed by waters released from a hydroelectric dam.

Dominican officials say they were forced to release waters from the Tavera Dam late Wednesday to prevent the structure from collapsing under the weight of heavy rains. The decision allowed millions of liters of water to flow into the swollen Yaque River in the northern province of Santiago.    » read more »

American Red Cross Provides Tips on What to Do Now as States Struggle with the Ice Storm

WASHINGTON -- December 11, 2007 — American Red Cross chapters throughout the Midwest are keeping pace with community needs caused by widespread power outages and a frozen landscape, despite several chapter offices being closed due to the recent ice storm.    » read more »

December 11, 2007 -- In anticipation of requests for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist residents of the Midwest suffering from heavy ice storms and extreme winter weather, the Commander of U.S. Northern Command has ordered the deployment of U. S. Army North Defense Coordinating Officers and a Defense Coordinating Element for FEMA Regions V, VI and VII.    » read more »