| Situation Update No. 1 Ref.no.: ST-20100122-24648-USA
Situation Update No. 1
On 2010-01-22 at 04:48:43 [UTC]
Event: Extreme Weather
Location: USA State of Arizona Arizona-wide Situation: Early this evening Governor Jan Brewer signed a Declaration of Emergency in response to severe weather storms that are striking Arizona. This declaration releases $200,000 from the Governor's Emergency Funds (via the State General Fund) to pay for emergency responses and recovery expenses from the weather events. In addition, the Governor has called for activation of the State Emergency Operations Center as of 5:00 p.m. today. The State Emergency Operations Center provides coordination and direction for all state emergency response activities to assist in the protection of life and property within Arizona. The State Emergency Operations Center, located at the Papago Park Military Reservation, 5636 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, is under the direction of Lou Trammell, Director of the Arizona Division of Emergency Management. Governor Brewer is authorized under state statute to declare a state of emergency. Statute allows the Governor to release an initial expenditure of $200,000 from the Governor's Emergency Funds, which currently contains $2.7 million. Additional expenditures may be authorized as warranted by a majority of the state's emergency council, consisting of the Governor and 11 other elected and designated voting members. Additionally, the declaration directs the following actions:
a. Declares that a State of Emergency exists in Apache, Coconino, Gila, Maricopa and Navajo Counties due to the January 2010 Winter Storm, effective January 21, 2010 and continuing; and
b. Directs that the sum of $200,000 from the general fund be made available to the Director of the Arizona Division of Emergency Management to be expended in accordance with A.R.S. § 35-192, A.A.C. R8-2-301 to 321, and Executive Order 79-4; and
c. Directs that the State of Arizona Emergency Response and Recovery Plan be used to direct and control state and other assets and authorizes the Director of the Arizona Division of Emergency Management to coordinate state assets; and
d. Authorizes the Adjutant General to mobilize and call to activate all or such part of the Arizona National Guard as is determined necessary to assist in the protection of life and property throughout the State.
Current weather forecasts indicate high winds this evening as well as additional accumulations of snow and rain for Arizona during the next several days. This precipitation may cause localized flooding in low-lying areas making roads impassable and resulting in flooded washes, creeks and rivers. These storms could isolate people in their homes. Citizens should be aware of the following precautions they may take to protect themselves during adverse weather conditions:
- Stay tuned to local radio or TV broadcasts for current news and official weather information, travel restrictions, road conditions and emergency instructions.
- Travel only if necessary during severe weather conditions. If you must travel in areas affected by the storms, make certain a responsible party knows where you are going and when you plan to arrive. If you travel in snow, make sure your car is in good operating condition, has been properly serviced, has a full tank of gas and is equipped with chains and/or snow tires.
- Do NOT enter flooded washes, unbridged crossings and rising creeks and rivers. The depth of the water is not always obvious and roadbeds may not be intact under the water. If your vehicle stalls in a flooded area, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground.
- It may take only 6-8 inches of water on the road to stall your vehicle. Rapidly rising water can engulf your vehicle and sweep you away.
State agencies continue to coordinate public safety response with local officials, and continue to prepare for additional response if necessary. For the latest information on road conditions and highway closures, travelers can visit www.az511.gov, or call 511. Information on storm warnings including links to local response efforts, links to the national weather service, and safety tips can be found at the Arizona Emergency Information Network website at www.azein.gov. |
