EDM Wednesday Briefing: Denver Bomb, Hurricane Matthew, Cybersecurity, DC Metro

Emergency and disaster management briefing for October 12, 2016: Authorities investigate an explosive device left at a law enforcement office in Colorado, the death toll in the U.S. from Hurricane Matthew rises to 36, flooding spawns more evacuations in North Carolina, U.S. companies begin to realign cybersecurity priorities, the Washington, D.C. Metro budget deficit may prompt a rate hike, concern grows about the link between disasters and domestic abuse, and a train derailment in Tennessee forces rail line closures.

1. Early Tuesday morning, police [link url=”http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/suspicious-package-investigated-at-nederland-shopping-center” title=”discovered a suspicious package”] just outside the Nederland Marshal’s Office in Colorado. A member of the police department originally brought the bag inside and, after he began to examine the contents, saw what he believed was an explosive device. This prompted an evacuation, and authorities deployed [link url=”http://kdvr.com/2016/10/11/police-believe-explosive-device-left-outside-nederland-police-department/” title=”robots from the Boulder County Bomb Squad”] to get a closer look at the device. Late Tuesday night, Police Marshal Paul Carrill confirmed that it was an explosive device; the device was later moved by the bomb experts to a safer location.
2. The [link url=”http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/hurricane-matthew/hurricane-matthew-blamed-three-more-deaths-north-carolina-n664361″ title=”death toll in the U.S. from Hurricane Matthew”] has risen to 36. Included in the death toll is a man whose car was swept away by floodwaters in Robeson County, North Carolina. Many of the fatalities occurred when people drove into floodwaters and their cars were swept away and/or submerged. Officials are urging citizens to avoid driving around barriers and into water covered roadways as just 12 inches of water can float a vehicle. [link url=”http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/with-hurricane-matthew-flooding-north-carolina-police-shooting-death-happens-1.12435547″ title=”North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory also stated”] that citizens disregarding warnings not to drive through floodwaters also place “first responders’ lives in jeopardy.” [relink url=”https://amuedge.com/floods-planning-and-preparedness/”]
3. On Tuesday morning, Pender County officials in North Carolina [link url=”http://www.wect.com/story/33366385/mandatory-evacuation-for-black-river-basin-in-pender-county” title=”issued a  mandatory evacuation order”] for the Black River Basin due to swiftly rising water levels – 3 to 5 inches an hour – of the Black River. Officials opened two shelters, including one that was pet friendly with proof of rabies, along with a church that was also made available as a place of shelter. Nearly 500 residents had evacuated by 6 p.m., and emergency management officials noted that the [link url=”http://www.wwaytv3.com/2016/10/11/mandatory-evacuation-for-black-river-basin-in-pender-county/” title=”flooding is likely to exceed record flood levels from 1945″].
4. Recent cyber attacks around the country and the desire to meet regulatory requirements are leading U.S. companies to realign priorities, with many [link url=”https://amuedge.com/cybersecurity-becoming-a-higher-priority-for-u-s-businesses/” title=”now placing cybersecurity at or near the top”]. According to a recent survey, there are [link url=”https://amuedge.com/cybersecurity-becoming-a-higher-priority-for-u-s-businesses/” title=”two top driving forces”] for why companies recently increased focus on cybersecurity. The major driver has been the attempt to meet regulatory requirements, while the other is recent intrusions of companies around the country.
5. The Washington, D.C. Metro has been [link url=”http://www.enr.com/blogs/20-rebar-madness/post/39897-dc-metros-safety-surge-report-card” title=”plagued with safety issues and systemwide disruptions”] that have angered riders and [link url=”https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2016/10/11/metro-hints-at-fare-increases-to-close-budget-gap/?tid=hybrid_collaborative_1_na” title=”caused significant delays for commuters”] on a frequent basis, including delays yesterday. Ongoing infrastructure repairs on the aging rail system through the SafeTrack program, and a freeze on rate increases through fiscal year 2017, has had a negative impact on the Metro ridership and its budget. Now, Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld [link url=”https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2016/10/11/metro-hints-at-fare-increases-to-close-budget-gap/?tid=hybrid_collaborative_1_na” title=”may be asking for a rate increase”] on both bus and rail service in his 2018 budget proposal. There is concern that the rate increases will further decrease ridership, especially on the rail service. But the increases may be needed to help close the $275 million gap in the budget. [relink url=”https://amuedge.com/infrastructure-critical-to-americas-continued-economic-success/” url2=”https://amuedge.com/the-infrastructure-bill-is-due/”]
6. October is [link url=”https://amuedge.com/disasters-and-domestic-abuse-a-life-threatening-link/” title=”Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month”]. The campaign is dedicated to educate and inform families about physical and mental abuse, and to offer programs and resources to assist families in need. Disasters can exacerbate situations for vulnerable populations, including those relocated to safe areas or locations away from abusers. Studies show that the aftermath of disasters usually [link url=”https://amuedge.com/disasters-and-domestic-abuse-a-life-threatening-link/” title=”result in an increased number of domestic violence incidents”], but in many cities, funds for programs are decreasing, even as the needs increase.
7. [link url=”http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/10/11/bermuda-prepares-for-hurricane-as-ts-nicole-strengthens.html” title=”Hurricane Nicole has re-formed”] and is again a Category 1 storm meandering its way toward the island of Bermuda. The storm is expected to impact the nation early Thursday morning and the [link url=”http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/10/11/bermuda-prepares-for-hurricane-as-ts-nicole-strengthens.html” title=”National Hurricane Center expects the storm to strengthen”] and possibly becoming a major hurricane before it impacts Bermuda. Currently, winds are sustained at 90 mph, with a central pressure of 970 millibars and the storm is moving at a speed of 7 mph.
8. In Chattanooga, TN, a [link url=”http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/33371012/breaking-csx-train-derailment-on-bailey-ave” title=”a train derailment”] of at least 10 cars occurred, with at least one of the cars containing some type of hazardous residue. The train derailed early Tuesday morning at Central Avenue and CSX and Norfolk have closed rail lines in the area. [relink url=”https://amuedge.com/trains-and-train-crossings-safety-first/” url2=”https://amuedge.com/aging-rail-tunnels-under-the-hudson-river-need-attention/”]