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Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management Crisis and Emergency Management Newsletter Website |
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October
2005
Volume
9 - Number 1 |
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Saturday, August 27th:
Hurricane Katrina Timeline of Events 2 A.M. EDT
The National Hurricane Center issues public advisory number 15A stating that "Katrina continues to strengthen . . . still moving toward the West-Southwest. . . Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 110 MPH with higher gusts.” 5 A.M. EDT The National Hurricane Center issues public advisory number 16A which indicates Katrina is gradually turning toward the west-northwest. The storm is upgraded to a category three hurricane, and additional strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours. 9 A.M. CDT (approximate) As part of Executive Order No. 939, Governor Haley Barbour directs the Mississippi National Guard to active duty to assist in the preparations and recovery from Hurricane Katrina. Governor Kathleen Blanco requests an emergency declaration from President Bush for Louisiana for all southeastern parishes and northern parishes along the I-20 corridor, as well as $9,000,000 in emergency aid. Governor Blanco also issues a State of Emergency order for Louisiana to support the evacuations of coastal areas. 12 P.M. CDT (approximate) Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announces that President Bush has authorized aid under an emergency disaster declaration following a review of the Louisiana request for assistance. Thirty-nine parishes were declared eligible for assistance. 1 P.M. CDT The National Hurricane Center issues hurricane watches for the southeastern coast of Louisiana, including metropolitan New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain as part of public advisory 17A. The advisory states “some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours . . . and Katrina could become a category four hurricane.” 4 P.M. CDT The National Hurricane Center issues a public advisory number 18 extending the hurricane watch along the northern gulf coast and forecasting rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 15 inches. Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard advises parish residents to evacuate as soon as possible. The Louisiana State Police activate a contra flow plan beginning at 4 p.m. This allows traffic to use both sides of Interstates 55, 59, and 10 to evacuate New Orleans to the north, east and west. Toll collections have been suspended. 5 P.M. CDT In a joint news conference with Governor Blanco, New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin calls for a voluntary evacuation of New Orleans, particularly for residents of Algiers, the Lower Ninth Ward, and low-lying areas. He asks evacuees going to shelters to bring four days of food, sleeping gear, and medical supplies. The Superdome will be opened as a refuge of last resort for special needs patients. Tulane University closes and advises students to evacuate. 10 P.M. CDT The National Hurricane Center issues a hurricane warning for the north central gulf coast. Advisory 19 warns of coastal storm surge flooding of 15–20 feet above normal tide levels with large and dangerous waves. Katrina is expected to strengthen to a category four hurricane on Sunday. National Hurricane Center Director Max Mayfield calls Mayor Nagin at his home to warn that Hurricane Katrina was a “worst-case” pattern. He urged Mayor Nagin to order a mandatory evacuation. Sources: Boston Globe: http://www.boston.com/news/weather/articles/2005/09/11/chronology_of_errors_how_a_disaster_spread City of New Orleans: http://www.cityofno.com/portal.aspx?portal=1&tabid=1&ctlid=5&range=30days Federal Emergency Management Agency: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18447+ Louisiana’s Governor’s Office: http://www.gov.state.la.us/Press_Release_detail.asp?id=976 Mississippi Governor’s Office: http://www.governorbarbour.com/EO939.htm Times-Picayune: http://www.nola.com/newslogs/breakingtp/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_Times- Picayune/archives/2005_08_27.html http://www.nola.com/newslogs/breakingtp/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_Times-Picayune/archives/2005_08_27.html http://www.nola.com/newslogs/breakingtp/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_Times-Picayune/archives/2005_08_27.html The White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/20050827-1.html |