Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Update on Storm
(Des Moines) Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge wanted to give an update on the severe storm system coming into Iowa and ensure that Iowans are able to get shelter information before the storm hits.
From Brenda Brock – Meteorologist in Charge of Des Moines National Weather Service:
“The approaching weather system is a potentially life threatening winter storm for many areas in Iowa. As low pressure moves across the state on Thursday the storm will continue to strengthen. This is a very dangerous storm as travel will be difficult and additional power outages could occur.
“The combination of heavy rain, freezing rain and sleet followed by heavy snow with blowing and drifting during the day on Thursday will cause travel difficulties. Many areas of the state have blizzard warnings. This will lead to whiteout conditions and make travel dangerous or impossible. The northern half of Iowa could receive nine to eighteen inches of snow with 4 to 8 inches in central and southern areas ... with flooding in southeast Iowa combined with a few inches of snow.
“Please check your local weather details as the weather system is huge, but a variety of mixed weather and accessing your particular weather area is important.”
From the Iowa Department of Homeland Security:
- There are currently 46 shelters open throughout the state.
- A comprehensive list of statewide shelters is available at the HSEMD website, www.iowahomelandsecurity.org (click on “Current Iowa Winter Storm information” then click on “Iowa Shelters and Warming centers”).
- A list is also available by calling the Iowa Concerns hotline, toll-free state-wide at 1-800-447-1985.
- Residents in parts of Iowa have access to the 2-1-1 social service hotline. That resource will have available the list of shelters in your area.
From the Iowa National Guard:
- There are currently eight Armories open.
- Cedar Rapids, 10400 18th St. SW
- Charles City, 2003 Clark Street
- Johnston, 734th Regional Support Group Armory, 7105 NW 70th Ave.
- Marshalltown, 909 Summit Street
- Mason City, 1160 19th St. SW
- Oskaloosa, 2260 Highway 63 North
- Waterloo, 3106 Airport Blvd.
- Washington, 501 Highway 1 South
- There are currently 230 Iowa National Guard troops on the ground to assist with the storm damage. Major General Ron Dardis, adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard, has ordered 400 National Guard troops to be on the ground by tomorrow morning.
- Three teams are also conducting these door-to-door welfare checks throughout the Marshall County area.
- A total of 38 Soldiers provided “welfare checks” throughout the 728-square miles of Tama County. These teams, consisting of elements of the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry and 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry, went door-to-door ensuring that county residents were safe and secure, if they were in good health, required any necessary medications, or needed any additional assistance.
- A total of 23 generator missions have been accomplished within the state, with another 11 missions still-ongoing. These generators are being used to pump water and sewage in rural communities and provide emergency power to critical care facilities and community shelters.