Winter

March 3, 2008 -- AUGUSTA, MAINE — County and state emergency management officials are reminding Mainers of risks associated with the snow piled up on roofs and around vents.

“We strongly recommend that residents and business owners take steps to clear snow off their roofs,” MEMA Director Rob McAleer said today. “The roof failure at Sacopee Valley High School underscores the damage that can occur from the sheer weight of so much snow. Snow on the roof can also cause ice dams, permanent roof damage and leaks.”    » read more »

02/12/2008 - A Tulsa man is accused today of price gouging during the December ice storms after an investigation by the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit.

Mohammed Mannan, 38, was charged today in Tulsa County District Court with three misdemeanor counts of violating the Oklahoma Emergency Price Stabilization Act.

The charges were filed after three consumers contacted the attorney general’s office to report that the price of gas at a station owned by Mannan jumped from $2.69 to $3.29 after a state of emergency was declared in December.    » read more »

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 »

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 »

Governor Announces Nine Counties Receive Public Assistance

February 5, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY– Missouri Governor Matt Blunt announced President George W. Bush approved his request for nine Counties to receive Disaster Public Assistance for the January 2008 severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding in Southwest and South Central 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 »

January 31, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today signed a proclamation designating a State of Emergency in multiple counties as a result of repeated snow storms hitting mountain passes and Eastern Washington. The counties covered by the proclamation include Adams, Clark, Columbia, King, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Skamania, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman and Yakima.    » read more »

Clinton Stands Ready to Offer Aid and Assistance to Storm Damaged Areas

January 30, 2008 -- “We have watched today as the ferocious winter winds from the cold front that is sweeping across the county have ripped through Western New York. I, like many others, have been monitoring the situation very closely, and I have reached out to the Governor’s office as well as to local officials to offer my support and assistance.    » read more »

January 29, 2008 -- Saint Paul – Minnesota Governor Pawlenty is directing the Minnesota National Guard to open its armory in Owatonna for travelers who may be stranded because of today’s blizzard conditions in southeastern Minnesota. The Guard will coordinate with local relief agencies to provide emergency assistance for anyone unable to travel through the area.

The Governor has also directed the Guard to make other armories available for emergency shelter if needed by local authorities.    » read more »

27 January 2008 -- Heavy snow in southern China has left thousands of railway passengers stranded as they head home for the Lunar New Year holiday.

Chinese state media says more than 150,000 people were stuck Sunday at the Guangzhou railway station, which is the southern end of a key railway link to the capital Beijing.

Authorities say they expect the number of stranded to rise as high as 600,000 by Monday.

Railway officials say it is not immediately clear when service will be restored.    » read more »

January 24, 2008 -- JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today asked President George W. Bush to approve a Disaster Declaration to help Missouri recover from a devastating storm that killed two and injured more than 30 people.    » read more »

Snow, Sleet and Freezing Rain Expected to Make Some Roads Dangerous

1/16/2008 -- Raleigh - North Carolina Governor Mike Easley today warned citizens in the western and central portions of the state that a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain could make traveling hazardous on Thursday morning. A low pressure system from the Gulf of Mexico will move into central North Carolina after midnight bringing a brief period of snow and sleet followed by freezing rain that will eventually turn to rain.    » read more »

January 14, 2008 -- FEMA is closely monitoring the winter storm affecting parts of the Northeast. FEMA stands ready to support and will coordinate with federal partners, tribal, state and local governments and voluntary agencies if needed.

While the federal government continues to monitor and prepare for possible winter storm hazards, FEMA urges citizens also to be cautious. There are steps individuals can take to protect their families during winter storms.

Before A Winter Storm:

Prepare a disaster kit and add the following supplies:

* Rock salt to melt ice on walkways    » read more »