Situation Report #7 LSE 5.9.07

[ryan simpson]

 

Putnam County Emergency Management

 

Situation Report # 7

May 9, 2007 6:55 PM

Emergency Operations Center Level: 3; Monitoring Activation

 

County Situation & County Actions:  

 

Effective May 7, 2007 the Proclamation dated April 30, 2007 declaring Putnam County to be in a State of Emergency has been extended for seven days through Monday May 14, 2007. Please be advised that dangerous fire weather conditions still exist in Putnam County. 

 

ESF-4 Fire

 

As result of subtropical storm Andrea 30% chance of rain is expected Thursday. However, it will likely not be a soaking rainfall. The rain that does fall will likely not be enough to help firefighters battle the fires over southeast Georgia and northern Florida.

 

To date, Fire Units have responded to 25 separate wild land fires that total of 1,100 acres. These units in cooperation with the Division of Forestry have worked together to keep the fires contained, and continuously monitored. Wild land fire smoke and ash remains a health concern. Currently in Putnam County are 24 active fires ranging in size from 2 acres to 1,000 acres.

 

As of April 30, 2007, the Putnam County Board of County Commissioners have declared a Local State of Emergency as provided for by Chapter 252 of Florida Statues and by Putnam County Ordinance No. 96-14.

 

As of April 30, 2007, Emergency Order No. 1 has been ordered regarding a ban on open burning and other during the forest and brush fire declared emergency. Emergency Support Function 4-Fighterfighing and Emergency Management will continue to monitor the situation and provide additional updates as necessary. An Arson reward is also being offered. The information line is 1-888-277-TIPS.

 

ESF-6 Mass Care

No Shelters are open at this time in Putnam County. The American Red Cross has been placed on standby status. No Evacuations currently exist in Putnam County.  

 

Putnam County Weather Forecast:

 

Unique Subtropical Storm Andrea is named by the NWS. What began as a mid-latitude or extratropical low pressure system has transitioned to a subtropical storm named Andrea. A tropical storm watch is posted from Altamaha Sound, Georgia southward to Flagler Beach, Florida.

Andrea has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and little change of strength is forecast. The storm is located about 105 miles southeast of Savannah, Georgia and is moving slowly towards the west at 3 mph. The center of Andrea is forecast to remain offshore through at least Thursday morning and possibly for the remainder of its lifespan.

The greatest impacts from this storm have likely peaked on Monday and Tuesday (before it was even given a name) but an isolated tropical storm-force wind gust or two is still possible especially along the South Carolina and Georgia coast.

 

 

 

Tonight...Partly cloudy with a chance of showers. Areas of smoke after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. West winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Thursday...Considerable cloudiness. Areas of smoke in the morning. A slight chance of showers in the morning...Then a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 80s. West winds 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Thursday Night...Considerable cloudiness with a slight chance of showers. Lows in the upper 60s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the northwest around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of rain 20 percent.

Friday...Considerable cloudiness with a chance of showers. Highs in the mid 80s. North winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the east around 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Friday Night...Partly cloudy. A slight chance of evening showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 60s. East winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the northeast around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of rain 20 percent.

 

State and Surrounding Actions:

 

The State EOC has activated to a level 1, full activation/full staff status. The State of Florida, Office of the Governor has declared Executive Order Number 07-86.  Conference calls are being held regularly and Putnam County Emergency Management is participating.

 

Wildland fire activity statewide is increasing and demands for resources are escalating. Currently 52 of 67 Florida Counties have active wildfires.

 

City of Keystone Heights: No evacuations at this time