Event will showcase lessons from earthquakes past for future risk reduction
Memphis, Tenn. – As 2012 marks the bicentennial of a series of strong earthquakes that struck the New Madrid seismic zone in late 1811 and early 1812, earthquake experts and emergency managers from around the U.S. will gather in Memphis for the National Earthquake Conference (NEC), April 10 to April 13 at the Peabody Hotel.
“The Institute is absolutely thrilled to hold in annual meeting in Memphis this year,” said Jay Berger, executive director of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI). “As the nation’s leading technical society for earthquake professionals we understand the seriousness of the seismic risk in the central US and the vulnerability of a built environment insufficient to the meet the expected intensity of shaking. We hope that bringing our nation’s leading earthquake risk reduction experts from academia, practice and government to Memphis will encourage local planners and officials to elevate their efforts at addressing the exposure to the seismic risk. Joining forces this year with the National Earthquake Conference increases the diversity of the participants and adds an increased emphasis on preparedness and mitigation, especially applicable to communities like Memphis and in the surrounding region.”
Sessions at this year’s NEC, themed Learning from the Past to Protect the Future, will provide participants opportunities to learn lessons from recent and historic earthquakes, and how to apply them to reduce future impacts and build resiliency.
NEC plenary and breakout sessions will cover:
• The vulnerability of aging, large infrastructure;
• Information on tools for earthquake risk reduction;
• Successful earthquake mitigation and response programs in the public and private sectors; and
• The latest information on seismic safety improvements for schools.
Among the NEC’s featured speakers will be: Timothy Galarnyk, host of the History Channel’s Inspector America; Tom O’Rourke, professor at Cornell University and EERI Distinguished Lecture; Conevery Bolton Valencius, professor at University of Massachusetts; Kathleen Tierney, director of the University of Colorado Natural Hazards Center; Chris Poland, chairman and senior principal of Degenkolb Engineers; and Sandra Knight, deputy federal insurance and mitigation administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“As one of the lead organizations coordinating the NEC, I’m delighted Memphis was chosen to be serving as the host city for the 2012 National Earthquake Conference,” said Jim Wilkinson, executive director of the Central United States Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC). “CUSEC, which has been headquartered in Memphis since 1987, has worked tirelessly with its many partners across academia, government, and private sectors to increase not only the awareness of the earthquake risk, but to demonstrate effective risk reduction methods while simultaneously planning to respond and recover from a damaging earthquake. Hosting the NEC will allow us the opportunity to highlight the many positive changes that have taking place in Memphis and throughout the central U.S.”
The National Earthquake Conference (NEC) brings together hundreds of geoscientists, engineers, insurance regulators, building officials and emergency management professionals to discuss advancements in earthquake theory, mitigation, preparedness and education.
Besides EERI and CUSEC, other members of the NEC organizing executive committee include the Western States Seismic Policy Council (WSSPC), Northeast States Emergency Consortium (NESEC), and Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup (CREW).
FEMA, U.S. Geologic Survey, National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program and National Institute of Standards and Technology are lending their support to this year’s NEC, too.
For registration and event information, visit www.earthquakeconference.org.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has terminated a state of emergency enacted to respond to the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding of Feb. 29 to March 2, 2012.
This termination was achieved through a proclamation, signed by the Governor on March 23, 2012. Emergency personnel will continue to support recovery from the impact of the severe weather.
On March 17, 2012, Gov. Haslam announced 10 Tennessee counties would be receiving individual assistance under a federal disaster declaration. The counties include Bradley, Claiborne, Cumberland, DeKalb, Hamilton, Jackson, McMinn, Monroe, Overton and Polk.
Under state law, a state of emergency exists for 60 days from its declaration, unless extended for another 60-day period or terminated by the Governor using a proclamation or executive order.
Federal and State assistance efforts are ongoing in disaster affected counties, but individuals can move their recovery forward by being proactive.
Please use this TN.Gov disaster recovery web page as a guide to help you find resources on the following topics:
Federal Disaster Aid
Resources and Consumer Tips for recovery
Transportation
Drinking Water Safety
Clean-up Safety, Procedures and Services
Agriculture
Volunteering and Donating to Help Flood Victims
Visiting Tennessee
Courts and Justice
Other Resources
Residents in the Tennessee counties affected by recent storms and flooding are urged to be careful of scams during recovery efforts. (more…)
At this time, emergency operations around the state have stabilized enough that TEMA will cease publishing twice daily status updates. Updates will only be posted when necessary or conditions have changed sufficiently to warrant more regular updates.
For media inquires only, please call 615-741-0482 to reach TEMA’s public information officers during normal business hours or use e-mail. (more…)
OVERALL SITUATION
New Information in BoldTennessee experienced two, significant waves of severe weather outbreaks on Friday, March 2, 2012. The first outbreak the morning of March 2, impacted East Tennessee primarily and after a two-hour lull, the second wave hit Middle Tennessee and East Tennessee was impacted a second time.
A total of 75 tornado warnings were issued between 9:25 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., CST, on March 2, 2012. Several counties reported tornado touchdowns.
No fatalities have been reported in Tennessee from the severe weather of March 2.
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February 29-March 3, 2012
MIDDLE & EAST TENNESSEE – MULTIPLE COUNTIESOVERALL SITUATION
New Information in Bold — This will be the final update for March 3.
Tennessee experienced two, significant waves of severe weather outbreaks on Friday, March 2, 2012. The first outbreak the morning of March 2, impacted East Tennessee primarily and after a two-hour lull, the second wave hit Middle Tennessee and East Tennessee was impacted a second time.
A total of 75 tornado warnings were issued between 9:25 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., CST, on March 2, 2012. Several counties reported tornado touchdowns.
No fatalities have been reported in Tennessee from the severe weather of March 2. There have been 45 people injured: Hamilton-23; Cumberland-4; Bradley-4; McMinn-9; Davidson-2; Knox-3 (more…)
February 29-March 3, 2012
MIDDLE & EAST TENNESSEE – MULTIPLE COUNTIES
OVERALL SITUATION
Tennessee experienced two, significant waves of severe weather outbreaks on Friday, March 2, 2012. The first outbreak the morning of March 2, impacted East Tennessee primarily and after a two-hour lull, the second wave hit Middle Tennessee and East Tennessee was impacted a second time.A total of 75 tornado warnings were issued between 9:25 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., CST, on March 2, 2012. Several counties reported tornado touchdowns.
No fatalities have been reported in Tennessee from the severe weather of March 2. There have been 33 people injured: Hamilton-21; Bradley-3 & McMinn-9. There are three previously reported fatalities (Cumberland – 2 and DeKalb –1) from the Feb. 29 tornadoes
Five shelters are open with one each in Hamilton, Bradley, Loudon, Cumberland and Cookeville, with no current occupants.
All requests for assistance and resources have been met and there are no unmet needs at this time.
18,650 customers are without power statewide, with the largest outages in Bradley, Dickson, Hamilton and McMinn.
The State Emergency Operations Center remains at Level 3 and the state of emergency continues due to severe weather across much of Tennessee.
Goals: Support local resource requests and efforts, ensure coordination between all levels of government, and continue to meet local government needs.
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Current Situation Report, as of 7 p.m.
March 2, 2012
The State Emergency Operations Center remains at Level 3 and the state of emergency continues due to severe weather across much of Tennessee.
A total of 75 tornado warnings were issued between 0925 and 1900 hrs. Numerous tornadoes were reported in several counties across the state.
There are no reported deaths. A total of 29 injuries were reported statewide.
15,700 customers are without power statewide.
Surveys of damage are still being conducted and storms are still moving through the state. The next update will be published on Saturday morning at approximately 0900 hrs. (more…)
Current Situation Report, as of 3 p.m.
The State Emergency Operations Center remains at Level 3 and the state of emergency continues due to severe weather across much of Tennessee.
As of March 2 at 1500 hours, there have been numerous tornado warnings issued in counties primarily in Middle and East Tennessee. More severe weather is expected to continue throughout the evening and into Saturday morning.
At this time, there are no fatalities reported from Friday’s storms. There have been reports of injuries in the following counties: Bradley, Hamilton, Polk, McMinn and Monroe. (more…)
A State of Emergency remains in place in Tennessee due to the severe weather of Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012, and the expectation of further storms crossing the state on Friday.
The following is the Current Situation Report as of 5 p.m., CST, on Thursday, March 1, 2012.
Cumberland County
2 fatalities
5 injuries
95 homes affected
2 homes destroyed
1 shelter open at Bethlehem Baptist Church
DeKalb County
1 fatality
50 homes affected
7 homes destroyedDamage assessments are continuing in the affected counties.
The State of Emergency is in effect until the situation causing the emergency is concluded or 60 days from the initial has expired, unless renewed in writing by the Governor.
For media inquries only, please call 615-741-0482 to reach TEMA’s public information officers or use e-mail.
If you need emergency assistance, please dial 9-1-1 to be connected to the nearest emergency dispatch center.
The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville moved to a Level 3 activation on Thursday morning at 6 a.m. CST due to severe weather impacts in the state. The primary goal at this point is to provide any requested assistance to local government and conduct preliminary damage assessments in affected counties. More severe weather is expected on Friday.
At Level 3 activation, there is a declared state of emergency. This declaration is in effect until the situation causing the emergency is concluded or 60 days from the initial has expired, unless renewed in writing by the Governor. (more…)
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency launched Ready TN, an internally developed smartphone application, to give real-time community-level situational information before, during and after emergencies. The Ready TN app became available on Feb. 1 in the Android Market and it has nearly 7,000 active users in its first month. (more…)
The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut earthquake drill will be at 10:15 a.m., CST, on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. This will be an opportunity for individuals at home, at work and at school to practice the Drop, Cover and Hold On technique, the recommended procedure for what to do during an earthquake. (more…)
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) hopes these earthquake safety series of videos tips helps you prepare during Tennessee’s Earthquake Preparedness Week. (more…)
Proclamation for 2012 Earthquake Awareness Week
WHEREAS, Feb. 7, 2012, marks the New Madrid Bicentennial remembering the series
of earthquakes in 1811 and 1812 that forever changed the mid-western landscape of
the United States, including the creation of Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee; and (more…)
Residents should prepare for severe weather predicted to move through the state today and continuing through the night. (more…)
The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut earthquake drill will be at 10:15 a.m., CST, on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. This will be an opportunity for individuals at home, at work and at school to practice the Drop, Cover and Hold On technique, the recommended procedure for what to do during an earthquake.
The ShakeOut will be held across Tennessee and is open to anyone willing to participate. More than 1,000,000 people have registered to participate so far.
The goal of the ShakeOut is to provide a sense of urgency about earthquakes, encourage participates to get prepared and practice what to do to be safe.
The ShakeOut also coincides with the 200th anniversary of the 1811-12 New Madrid earthquakes that created Reelfoot Lake in northwest Tennessee and destroyed the town of New Madrid, Missouri. Were these earthquakes to happen today, there would be widespread damage and disruption.
Individuals, families, schools, families, organizations and businesses can register for the ShakeOut at www.ShakeOut.org/centralus/register.
As 2011 – one of the most active years for disasters in recent history – comes to a close and Americans get ready to ring in a new year, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency are encouraging people to Resolve to be Ready in the new year by making a resolution to be prepared for emergencies.
“Every family, community and state are susceptible to disasters,” said TEMA Director Jim Bassham. “The most effective way to protect our homes, businesses and loved ones is for everyone to take preparedness as an individual responsibility.”
Tennessee had five presidentially declared disasters for severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in 2011.
FEMA has launched its annual campaign, Resolve to be Ready in 2012. The campaign urges Americans to make preparedness a priority during the holiday season by making a new year’s resolution to be ready for disasters.
“One of the most important lessons we can take away from this year is that disasters can impact all of us, no matter what part of the country we live in,” said FEMA Regional Administrator Phil May. “Resolving to be Ready in 2012 could be the most important pledge you make this year.”
By making a resolution to take a few simple steps in advance, Tennesseans can minimize the impact of an emergency on their families, homes or businesses. To take the pledge, visit www.ready.gov/resolve or www.listo.gov, which includes free information, checklists, and guidelines about how to put together a kit, make a plan, and stay informed. For information on Tennessee, visit www.tnema.org.
Resolve to be Ready in 2012 is a nationwide effort to increase awareness and encourage individuals, families, businesses, and communities to take action and prepare for emergencies in the New Year. This effort is led by FEMA’s Ready Campaign in partnership with Citizen Corps and The Advertising Council. For more information, visit Ready.gov and CitizenCorps.gov or follow the campaign on Twitter using the hashtags #ready2012 and #resolve.
National Weather Service calls 2011 the second deadliest year on record for tornadoes
An assessment from the April 27 tornado outbreak was recently completed and is now available to the public. The assessment team traveled to the impacted areas to interview weather service staff, emergency managers, the media, other government agency personnel and the public.
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/historic_tornadoes.pdf
During a 4-day period from April 25-28, 2011, more than 200 tornadoes occurred in five southeastern states. The deadliest part of the outbreak was the afternoon and evening of April 27, when a total of 122 tornadoes resulted in 313 deaths across central and northern Mississippi, central and northern Alabama, eastern Tennessee, southwestern Virginia, and northern Georgia. Three additional lives were claimed by tornadoes in the pre-dawn hours of April 27 bringing the daily total to 316.
There were 15 violent (Enhanced Fujita Scale 4 or 5) tornadoes reported. Eight of the tornadoes had paths lengths in excess of 50 miles. Two of the tornadoes – one in northern Alabama and another that struck the Tuscaloosa and Birmingham areas in Alabama – each claimed more than 60 lives.
In addition to the death toll, more than 2,400 people were injured and the area experienced more than $4.2 billion in property loss.
December 16, 2011 – Two hundred years ago today, a major earthquake struck the New Madrid Seismic Zone. (more…)
Ten hospitals from East Tennessee recently participated in training for a mass casualty incident at FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Ala.
On November 9th at 2:00 PM Eastern, Tennessee will participate in a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System.
It will be heard on the radio and seen on local, cable, and satellite TV.
This test will last for approximately three minutes.
The National EAS is a public alert and warning system that enables the President to address the American public during emergencies.
The test will serve as a reminder that everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and a plan.
This message brought to you by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters and this station.
TEMA is participating in the Emergency Management Association of Tennessee (EMAT) training conference in Rutherford County. The three-day training event will featuring speakers, such as Chief Billy J. Rhoads, Fire Chief & Dir. of Emergency Services in Fort Hood, Texas, with lessons learned from the Ft. Hood shooting., and feedback from the 2011 disasters in Tennessee.
The conference will also conclude with a regional response tabletop exercise involving all participants.
You can follow along on Twitter by using the #EMAT hashtag. TEMA is also posting pictures and information on Facebook for TEMA and EMAT.
Representatives of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency will be attending two upcoming forums on emergency management. (more…)
Governor Bill Haslam has terminated a state of emergency enacted to respond to the high winds, heavy rain and flooding in East Tennessee on June 18 through June 25, 2011. At this time, activities have become more administrative in nature.
This termination was achieved through a proclamation, signed by the Governor on July 8. Emergency personnel will continue to support recovery from the impact of the severe weather and flooding.
On Tuesday, the Governor asked President Barrack Obama to declare a major disaster for seven counties in Tennessee from the late June storms. Should this request for assistance be granted, Anderson, Claiborne, Grainger, Henderson, Knox, Loudon and Marion counties would have access to varying levels of federal assistance programs.
Under state law, a state of emergency exists for 60 days from its declaration, unless extended for another 60-day period or terminated by the Governor using a proclamation or executive order.
The State Emergency Operations Center’s activation level moved from Level III to Level IV at noon, CDT, on June 30, 2010, to monitor the damage assessments occurring in East Tennessee, due to recent severe storms, and the recovery phases of the four Presidential Declared Disasters currently covering 64 Tennessee counties.
Information on the disaster recovery efforts can be found online on TEMA’s website and by disaster here: DR-1965, DR-1974, DR-1978 and DR-1979.
As of 12:00 p.m. CDST, Friday, June 10, the State Emergency Operations Center’s Activation Level will move to Level IV to monitor the recovery phases of the four Presidential Declared Disasters currently covering 64 Counties in Tennessee.
Information on those disaster recovery efforts can be found online on TEMA’s website and by disaster here: DR-1965, DR-1974, DR-1978 and DR-1979.
Some misinformation about funding for safe rooms has been circulating in some Tennessee communities. It is possible that some of that misinformation has resulted from the fact that Alabama and Mississippi, which share media markets with Tennessee, have programs that pay part of the cost of safe rooms in homes using federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds.
The following describes State of Tennessee, Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration policies regarding safe rooms:
Tennessee: Although considered an eligible project under FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, safe room project applications are not accepted by the State. The reason is simple: Tennessee has never received enough disaster funds to fairly disseminate the funds to all who would be interested. In order to have the greatest impact with limited funds, the state concentrates on community shelters or reinforced corridors in schools where it can provide a safe place for many people at one time.SBA: Disaster loans cannot be used to build safe rooms. The sole exception is when a previously existing safe room is being repaired or replaced.
FEMA: FEMA does not fund safe room construction under its Individuals and Households Program.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has declared 15 Tennessee counties – Bledsoe, Bradley, Cocke, Dyer, Greene, Johnson, Hamilton, Lake, McMinn, Monroe, Obion, Rhea, Shelby, Stewart and Washington – eligible for federal assistance to individuals and families who have suffered damage from the recent tornadoes, storms and flooding. Disaster assistance in these counties to date:
(more…)
Disaster Recovery Centers are open in Dyer, Lake, Obion and Shelby counties to help individuals and businesses affected by the recent floods, tornadoes and severe storms. The centers are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., CDT, seven days a week until further notice at the following addresses: (more…)
The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville has issued a statewide status report. This information is current as of 1:30 p.m., CDT, on Thursday, May 12, 2011.
(more…)
The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville has issued a statewide status report. This information is current as of 10:30 a.m., CDT on Thursday, May 12, 2011.
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The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville has issued a statewide status report. This information is current as of 2:30 p.m., CDT on Wednesday, May 11, 2011.
(more…)
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation collected flood water samples on May 5, and will continue to collect samples each week as the water recedes. (more…)
The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville has issued a statewide status report. This information is current as of 11 a.m. CDT on Wednesday, May 11, 2011. (more…)
The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville has issued a statewide status report. This information is current as of 6 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, May 10, 2011. (more…)
The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville has issued a statewide status report. This information is current as of 12:30 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, May 10, 2011. (more…)
The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville has issued a statewide status report. This information is current as of 4 p.m. CDT on Monday, May 9, 2011. (more…)
Real time updates about the flood relief/recovery efforts and maps of areas anticipated to flood are posted at www.StaySafeShelby.us. (more…)
The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville has issued a statewide status report. This information is current as of 10 a.m. CDT on Monday, May 9, 2011. (more…)
To help these displaced residents find housing quickly, the Tennessee Housing Development Agency is urging all property providers to list available rental housing on the free, statewide housing locater service www.TNHousingSearch.org as soon as possible. The process of listing takes about 10 minutes and is completely free. (more…)
The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville has issued a statewide status report. This information is current as of 10:30 a.m. CDT on Saturday, May 7, 2011. (more…)
The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville has issued a statewide status report. This information is current as of 4 p.m. CDT on Friday, May 6, 2011. (more…)
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency is at Level II State of Emergency activation, as of 2 p.m., CDT, on Friday, May 5, 2011, due to statewide emergencies and the cresting of the Mississippi River.
The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville has issued a statewide status report. This information is current as of 10:30 a.m. CDT on Friday, May 6, 2011. (more…)
Due to flooding in parts of Tennessee, especially in West Tennessee, many wild animals are concentrating on higher ground.
Residents should take special precaution to avoid risk of injury by approaching these wild animals, already under stress, as they are forced from their natural habitats by flood waters. (more…)
The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville has issued a statewide status report. This information is current as of 9:30 a.m. CDT on Thursday, May 5, 2011. (more…)
The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville has issued a statewide status report. This information is current as of 8 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, May 4, 2011. (more…)
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Transportation wants to alert the public of significant outages to the TDOT SmartWay camera system in the Memphis area due to flooding along the Mississippi River. Approximately 30 cameras on Interstates 40 and 55 are off-line at this time, with outages possibly lasting as long as three weeks. (more…)
The public is strongly encouraged to limit travel in flooded areas and use extreme caution. NEVER drive through flooded roadways. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams. Turn Around Don’t Drown! Currents in flood ravaged areas can be particularly strong, proving challenging for even the most skilled water rescue personnel. Trying to unclog storm water drains can pose a dangerous situation and is a potential drowning hazard. (more…)
Tennesseans affected by recent storms and flooding are urged to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) immediately.
President Barack Obama has declared four Tennessee counties – Bradley, Greene, Hamilton and Washington – federal disasters and eligible for federal assistance. Persons in this area should immediately register with the FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
Persons in emergency situations should immediately call 9-1-1 or their local Emergency Management Agency.
The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville has issued a statewide status report. This information is current as of 6 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, May 3, 2011.
The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville has issued a statewide status report. This information is current as of 11:30 a.m. CDT. on Tuesday, May 3, 2011. (more…)
The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville has issued a statewide status report. This information is current as of 2:00 p.m. CDT. on Sunday, May 1, 2011. (more…)
Residents in the Tennessee counties affected by recent storms and flooding are urged to be careful of scams during recovery efforts. (more…)
The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) has temporarily changed hours of operation for Saturday and Sunday. The SEOC will be fully staffed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (more…)
State and local officials are still monitoring the situation for potential flooding in West Tennessee. (more…)
Stewart County is still at risk for potential flooding. (more…)
The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville has issued a statewide status report. This information is current as of 10:00 a.m. CDT. (more…)