AMU Emergency Management Public Safety

Emergency and Disaster Management Week in Review February 8, 2016

Emergency and Disaster Management Week in Review, February 8, 2016: North Korea launches rocket as tensions rise, WHO declares Zika emergency but a vaccine is at least 18 months out, the Clean Energy Plan is delayed by Supreme Court vote, Winter storms plague the nation, and the Oregon standoff ends.

North Korea launched a long-range rocket this past weekend, drawing the ire of the United Nations. The UN Security Council condemned the launch, calling the act a “dangerous and serious” violation of international restrictions.  The estimated range of the rocket (6,300 miles) confirms that North Korea now has the ability to reach the contiguous U.S., as California is approximately 5,800 miles from North Korea.  The U.S. Senate approved sanctions against North Korea yesterday after two recent incidents involving the country grabbed worldwide attention. The sanctions, which passed unanimously (96-0), come in the wake of what some are calling flagrant violations of international law by Pyongyang.

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) activated its highest emergency level yesterday due to the risk of Zika virus transmission in the U.S.  The White House announced yesterday that is it asking for $1.8 billion to combat Zika virus both within the United States and around the globe.  Late last week, Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in five Florida counties due to the virus and has added an additional two this week, for a total of seven counties, while the number of Zika cases stands at 16.

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The Supreme Court issued a temporary freeze on President Obama’s sweeping Clean Power Plan that required states to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), environmentalists, and other supporters indicate that delaying deadlines outlined in the plan will prevent a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and further impact climate change.  The new rule put forth by the Obama Administration was in response to the Paris Climate Change Agreementin December.Plan supporters say upholding the rule is critical to the United States taking a global leading role in climate change and to fully uphold the Paris Agreement.

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The National Weather Service (NWS) issued winter storm warnings Sunday in Massachusetts that affected more than two million people as Winter Storm Mars hit the Northeast, with New England receiving the biggest impact.  The Middle Plains and Upper Midwest also saw blizzard-like conditions with strong winds and near-zero visibility in some locations.  Airlines canceled hundreds of flights at Boston, Newark and New York City airports ahead of the expected winter storms.  Winter storms wreaked havoc on coastal towns, including the Jersey shore, Long Island, and New York City, due to coastal flooding that impacted these locations.

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After more than a month long standoff, which began on January 2, the Oregon Wildlife occupation is at a peaceful end.  The final four militants occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon surrendered to authorities, ending the standoff after 41 days.  Three of the four remaining occupiers surrendered yesterday morning, but the final occupier, David Fry, didn’t surrender until hours later. Police arrested Fry without incident, ending the standoff.

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Kimberly Arsenault serves as an intern at the Cleveland/Bradley County Emergency Management Agency where she works on plan revisions and special projects. Previously, Kimberly spent 15 years in commercial and business aviation. Her positions included station manager at the former Midwest Express Airlines, as well as corporate flight attendant, inflight manager, and charter flight coordinator. Kimberly currently holds a master's degree in emergency and disaster management from American Public University.

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