Winter Storms Raise Havoc on Both Coasts, States of Emergency Declared in Several Areas
Special to Emergencynet News -- 02/02/98 - 21:40CST
Florida Storms Cause Heavy Damage
By Richard Forno, reporting from Ft. Lauderdale, FL
(Emergencynet News) -- From 1730 to the present hour South Florida is under a severe weather warning. Nearly half of Monroe County is without power, and Key West International Airport is closed. Miami AP was closed earlier but is now open. Portions of the Beach Road (A1A) in Dade and Broward Counties are flooded and/or washed out.
Several tornado-like damage areas exist in Dade and Broward counties but due to the darkness of night such reports are unconfirmed. First light will allow us to ascertain these reports.
Several downed power lines in Dade County with over 150,000 without power. As mentioned, much of Monroe County and the Florida Keys are without power, as are portions of Broward County, particularly Ft. Lauderdale Beach area.
Wind gusts in Miami reported at over 125 miles per hour, and 55 mile an hour gusts reported in Broward County.
Law Enforcement organizations have not reported looting or other civic unrest despite the damaged areas of South Florida.
The Miami-Date 911 service is working on its reserve backup system which will present delays in dispatching EMS/Police/Fire units within the area.
More to follow as it becomes available.
DISASTER NEWS
UNITED STATES
Storm Damage in Florida KeysMIAMI (EmergencyNet News) - One person was reported killed and numerous homes in the Florida Keys were damaged when at least four confirmed tornados swept through southern Florida on Monday. Electrical power to more than 250,000 people was also knocked out by the storms.
In Monroe County, which encompasses the Keys, a state of emergency was declared with electrical power supplied only to hospitals and emergency shelters. One man was crushed to death in Key West when he tried to secure his boat and was pinned by high winds between his vessel and a pier.
During the storm, wind gusts of up to 104 MPH were reported at Miami International Airport. Up to six inches of rain was reported in many areas.
Recieved/Redistributed by EmergencyNet News at 15:02CST-02/03/98
KERN COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT
5642 Victor St Bakersfield, CA 93308 * (8O5)391-7080 * Fax:(805)391-1017
For Immediate Release
February 3,1998
Kevin Scott; Public Information Officer
(805) 391-7080 Pager: (805)329-1027
El Nino is here.El Nino is bere. Last night the storm hit and Kern County Fire Department responded in force. Between 9PM and 10AM, the emergency dispatch office bandied over 300 incidents. The normal incident activity for that time period is 40 incidents. This increase of nearly 7 times the average workload, was a direct result of the storm.
Most of the calls were related to wind damage: Trees down on roadways and structures; Roofs damaged or gone; Power lines arcing and/or down on the ground; power outages resulted in one person being trapped in an elevator.
There were other rain related calls: 1. Flooding in and around structures or on roadways 2. Traffic accidents resulting from reduced visibility and puddles on the roadway, including:
* A school bus versus big rig at Hwy 58 and Mt Vernon, no major injuries
* AS vehicle collision at Hwy 58 east of General Beale, 2 vehicles over the side of the embankment, no major injuries
There were a half dozen structure fires, including:
1. One mobile home in 18455 South Shafter Avenue, Shafter. The fire was started when a dog kicked over a candle. The structure was completely destroyed with a loss of $5,000
2. One dwelling at 217 Arvin Avenue, Arvin. The fire was started when power lines fell and landed on the structure The dwelling was destroyed with a loss of $25,000.
We have had numerous calls regarding flooding in and around structures. Although currently. Caliente Creek, Kelso Creek and Kern River are all flowing at below normal levels.
At this time. we will wait and see what the remainder of the storm has to offer.
Courtesy of Kern County, CA Fire Dept. - Public Information
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West Coast Storm Causes Flooding and Mud Slides
SAN FRANCISCO (EmergencyNet News) - A winter storm that dumped up to five inches on rain in the San Francisco Bay area is moving on. Flash flood warnings were dropped last night as the storm moved inland, leaving residents to begin the clean-up. Rivers spilled their banks and mudslides were reported across the region. Utility officials say power is being restored to most of the 145,000 homes that lost electricity along the coast as trees were blown into power lines. On the East Coast, a weather system blamed for four deaths in Cuba and another in Florida pounded Carolina beaches with rains and winds, producing flooding in low-lying areas.
Instant-Update - Snow Storm in Kentucky and Tennessee
02/04/98 - 10:00CST
By the EmergencyNet News Team
As this report is being posted, a state of emergency has been issued for several counties in Kentucky and Tennesssee. Reports have been received that at least 12 inches of snow have fallen in the past 24 hours in sections of both states. Heavy snow continues there, and many roads are closed, with additional snow falling at this hour. Emergency management officials are concerned about the elderly and those in remote areas and have issued advisories concerning the current conditions there. EmergencyNet News continues to monitor weather events in several parts of the country and will provide additional coverage/advisories as more becomes available.
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