Directly from Tennessee Emergency Management Agency

http://www.tnema.org/

Weekly Operations Summary
February 1-7, 2009

Mission # 6
Multiple counties in northwest Tennessee were affected by a winter ice storm that passed through the state. The State EOC was activated at a Level III in response to damages in and requests for assistance by Henry, Lake, Obion, Dyer and Weakley Counties. Power and road infrastructure have been restored to all but a few hundred customers as of the completion of this report.

In addition to the response to Tennessee, the state has fulfilled 20 Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) requests made by Kentucky EMA including TEMA Communications assets, 30 Humvees, four ambulance strike teams, four TEMA Area Coordinators and 16 incident managers from local government, as well as sending shelter supplies to various counties. Most Tennessee assets have demobilized at this time. TEMA will continue to support any further requests made by Kentucky.

State EOC has continued 24-hour staffing since the night of the ice storm and continues to closely monitor incoming severe weather systems that may threaten the state.

Bredesen Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration for Seven Counties
Released on Fri, Feb 06, 2009 – 3:47 pm under
• Governor Bredesen
NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen has asked President Obama to declare seven counties in West Tennessee federal disaster areas following the winter storm that struck on Wednesday, January 28. The counties are Dyer, Henry, Lake, Obion, Montgomery, Stewart and Weakley.
At Bredesen’s request, the Federal Emergency Management Agency this week began the process of conducting the damage assessments required for a formal request of federal aid. The preliminary damage assessments have totaled more than $11 million in storm-related damages and emergency response costs in those seven counties.

“I appreciate the exemplary work of first responders and utilities in reacting to the emergency situation that impacted Tennessee as well as our neighboring states,” said Bredesen. “I’m also pleased with the quick action taken by local, state and federal officials to obtain the damage assessments required to support this request.”

In Tennessee, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency reports that more than 20,000 customers lost power for an extended period and one fatality in Obion County was attributed to the storm’s impact to the region. That individual died due to carbon monoxide poisoning from an improperly vented generator.

“The effects of the ice storm in multiple states cost many their lives, often tragically due to carbon monoxide poisoning or hyperthermia,” said James Bassham, Director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. “Those deaths highlight the continued need for individuals to be prepared to safely sustain themselves or their neighbors during a large-scale emergency until outside assistance can be mobilized.”

Directly from Kentucky Emergency Management

http://kentucky.gov

Kentuckians continue to recover from the winter storm that struck Kentucky causng hundreds of thousands to loose power and over 6,500 leave their homes seek shelter elsewhere.
After a request from Governor Steve Beshear, on the evening of January 28, 2009 President Obama approved a Federal Emergency Declaration for Kentucky. This emergency declaration allowed FEMA to immediately initiate curcial resources to the state critical to infrastructure and protection and safety of life.
Vast power outages and lack of communications have hendered emergency response in some areas. If you are having difficulty contacting a local emergency management office please call 1-502-607-1600 for assistance or information.

Please see: “Katrina Redux? If GWB Hated Blacks in 2005, Does BHO Hate Whites in 2009?” – http://www.genelalor.com/blog1/?p=790.

That article compared the treatment accorded GWB and FEMA for not acting quickly enough to Katrina and the tragedy in New Orleans with BHO not reacting at all to the ice storm tragedy in the Midwest. Some even suggested that Bush’s hatred of Blacks explained the delays.

Recall what you said back then, Mr. Obama?

“Across the city, we see the evidence that George Bush’s promises were empty,” Obama said [at the time]. If catastrophe comes, the American people must be able to call on a competent government. When I am president, the days of dysfunction and cronyism in Washington will be over.”

It took 10 days for Acting FEMA administrator, Nancy Ward to even make an appearance in Kentucky where tens of thousands still suffer without electrical power and where 4,600 National Guardsmen were activated to assist residents. And that tragedy is ongoing.

Where’s Waldo? I mean, Obama?

“Obama Handles First Natural Disaster from Afar(CNSNews.com) – President Barack Obama is handling the first natural disaster of his presidency from the White House – an ice storm that has claimed the lives of at least 59 people – and so far has not visited the affected region. . .

(Read the rest of this article at http://genelalor.com/.)

All we can do is make sure it is limited to four years

So Red Blooded American this is no normal ice storm, and I am sorry that the media is hiding it from you. Trees have falled on houses trapping people. Water is contaminated from lack of power to treatment plants. This is not slippery roads. In fact the roads aren’t slick at all. The worst road danger is the power lines laying across the highway gets wrapped up in your wheel causing you to wreck. Now that has been happening.

On the other hand electric crews from AR and LA were gathering on the Fri. before the storm to start as soon as possible. And state workers cleared roads and driveway while the freezing rain was still falling and the limbs coming down so people could try and get out. Now that is response. I don’t know what Obama’s FEMA is, not speedy that’s for sure.

“As a person living in the affected area, and having been without power etc for 5 days or so, I have to say: haven’t seen FEMA, EMAC, or any other kind of help here other than the Red Cross”

I’m sorry about your situation, but with no power, how can you use your computer? I know about batteries, but . . .

Thanks, turfmann!

Those of us who are self-reliant non-victims just don’t get the whole entitlement bunch of bull. Sure, if somebody REALLY needs (and deserves) a hand, then by all means give them one. But, we Kentuckians really don’t expect a whole lot from the gubment. Keep in mind, “A country boy can survive!”

I’ll bet two hogs and a milk cow that Kentucky recovers from this disaster faster than New Orleans-because we’ll do it ourself, not wait for a handout. Furthermore, I’ll bet the crime rate doesn’t go up here like it did there.