33 Conspiracy Theories That Turned Out To Be True

Most people can’t resist getting the details on the latest conspiracy theories, no matter how far-fetched they may seem. At the same time, many people quickly denounce any conspiracy theory as untrue … and sometimes as unpatriotic or just plain ridiculous. Lets not forget all of the thousands of conspiracies out of Wall Street like Bernie Madoff and many others to commit fraud and extortion, among many crimes of conspiracy. 

Conspiracy theory is a term that originally was a neutral descriptor for any claim of civil, criminal or political conspiracy. However, it has come almost exclusively to refer to any fringe theory which explains a historical or current event as the result of a secret plot by conspirators of almost superhuman power and cunning.

To conspire means “to join in a secret agreement to do an unlawful or wrongful act or to use such means to accomplish a lawful end.” The term “conspiracy theory” is frequently used by scholars and in popular culture to identify secret military, banking, or political actions aimed at stealing power, money, or freedom, from “the people”.

To many, conspiracy theories are just human nature. Not all people in this world are honest, hard working and forthcoming about their intentions. Certainly we can all agree on this. So how did the term “conspiracy theory” get grouped in with fiction, fantasy and folklore? Maybe that’s a conspiracy, just kidding. Or am I?

Skeptics are important in achieving an objective view of reality, however, skepticism is not the same as reinforcing the official storyline. In fact, a conspiracy theory can be argued as an alternative to the official or “mainstream” story of events. Therefore, when skeptics attempt to ridicule a conspiracy theory by using the official story as a means of proving the conspiracy wrong, in effect, they are just reinforcing the original “mainstream” view of history, and actually not being skeptical.

This is not skepticism, it is just a convenient way for the establishment view of things to be seen as the correct version, all the time, every time. In fact, it is common for “hit pieces” or “debunking articles” to pick extremely fringe and not very populated conspiracy theories. This in turn makes all conspiracies on a subject matter look crazy. Skeptics magazine and Popular Mechanics, among many others, did this with 9/11.

They referred to less than 10% of the many different conspiracy theories about 9/11 and picked the less popular ones, in fact, they picked the fringe, highly improbable points that only a few people make. This was used as the “final investigation” for looking into the conspiracy theories. Convenient, huh?

In fact, if one were to look into conspiracy theories, they will largely find that thinking about a conspiracy is associated with lunacy and paranoia. Some websites suggest it as an illness. It is also not surprising to see so many people on the internet writing about conspiracy theories in a condescending tone, usually with the words “kool-aid,” “crack pot,” or “nut job” in their articulation. This must be obvious to anyone that emotionally writing about such serious matter insults the reader more than the conspiracy theorist because there is no need to resort to this kind of behavior. It is employed often with an “expert” who will say something along the lines of, “for these conspiracies to be true, you would need hundreds if not thousands of people to be involved. It’s just not conceivable.”

I find it extremely odd that the assumption is on thousands of participants in a conspiracy. I, for one, find it hard to believe any conspiracy involving more than a handful of people but the fact remains that there have been conspiracies in our world, proven and not made up, that involved many hundreds of people. It’s not a matter of opinion, it’s a matter of fact.

One more thing to consider, have you noticed that if the conspiracy is involving powerful interests with the ability to bribe, threaten or manipulate major institutions (like the mafia, big corporations or government) then don’t you find it odd when people use one of those as the “credible” counter-argument? What I mean is, if you are discussing a conspiracy about the mafia, and someone hands you a debunking article that was written by the mafia, it doesn’t seem like it would take rocket science to look at that with serious criticism and credibility. This is the case with many conspiracies. In fact, I am handed debunking pieces all the time written in many cases by the conspirators in question. Doesn’t this seem odd to anybody else but me?

While intelligent cynicism certainly can be healthy, though, some of the greatest discoveries of all time were initially received (often with great vitriol) as blasphemous conspiracy theories — think of the revelation that the earth was not the center of the universe, or that the world was not flat but actually round.

What follows are some of these most shocking modern conspiracy theories that turned out true after thorough investigation by our society. Some through congressional hearings, others through investigative journalism. Many of these, however, were just admitted to by those involved.  
These are just 33 of them, and I still had a long list of others to add. There are a total of 33 in this article. Many of these are listed with original and credible news clips on the matter, as well as documentaries.

Continue HERE:  All 33 "Conspiracy Theories" with Videos



 

FEMA is Preparing for Hurricane Sandy to Possibly Disrupt Next Week’s Elections

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is preparing for Hurricane Sandy to disrupt next week’s elections, agency Administrator Craig Fugate said Monday afternoon.

“We are anticipating that, based on the storm, there could be impacts that would linger into next week and have impacts on the federal election,” Fugate said on a conference call with reporters.

But any potential tinkering with Election Day would bring a bevy of legal issues.

“Our chief counsel’s been working on making sure that we have the proper guidance,” he added. “We’re going through the regulatory policy and making sure all that’s in place and we can support it.”

Fugate did not address whether the election could be delayed — a question that federal officials said last week is up for states to decide.

“Whether the election can be postponed or not is a legal black hole,” said Adam Winkler, a law professor at the University of California at Los Angeles. “There’s very little precedent for such an act.”

Federal law requires presidential elections to be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, but it also provides that if a state “has failed to make a choice on the day prescribed by law, the electors may be appointed on a subsequent day in such a manner as the legislature of such State may direct.”

In case of emergencies that threaten to disrupt voting, the federal Election Assistance Commission advises state election officials to “review existing State law to determine if the Governor has the power to cancel an election or designate alternative methods for distribution of ballots.”

At the moment, Fugate said, authorities don’t have enough information about Sandy’s impacts.

“It’s really too early to say what will be the impacts of the storm, and that’s why it’s again important that we’ll be supporting the governors’ teams and their supervisors of election or secretaries of state as they determine what … assistance they may need,” he said.

That lack of information also extends to legal circles, which have only just today begun to discuss the issue, Winkler said.

One primary issue is that any weather bad enough to postpone an election would likely have to be catastrophic in scale, UCLA Center for the Liberal Arts and Free Institutions Director Daniel Lowenstein wrote to POLITICO in an email.

“There is always likely to be some bad weather somewhere and various other kinds of problems on Election Day,” he said. “To warrant any kind of postponement of the election, it would have to be truly extraordinary and pretty widespread.” 

Based on what little legal precedent there is -- most of which is because of concerns over terrorism -- plus the role of the states in administering elections, the president and Congress aren't very likely to step in, according to Winkler.

A prominent example is New York's Sept. 11, 2001, mayoral primary was postponed due to the terrorist attacks on that city.

Winkler also pointed to the 2004 election, during which concerns about terrorist attacks disrupting the election swirled.

The House of Representatives that year overwhelming passed a resolution declaring that "the actions of terrorists will never cause the date of any Presidential election to be postponed; and ... no single individual or agency should be given the authority to postpone the date of a Presidential election."

Then-Sen. Joe Biden rejected the idea of setting up a contingency plan to postpone an election, saying it would only give terrorists new resolve.

"I think that is the worst idea in the world," Biden said in a 2004 interview on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," according to a transcript. "Essentially acknowledging to the whole world we think we're going to be attacked before this happens, I think it is absolutely mindless with all due respect."

The symbolism behind postponing an election because of a terrorist attack versus a natural disaster is very different, Winkler said -- but the legal mechanism is pretty much the same.

If Sandy presents enough of an issue for Congress to intervene, then lawmakers might be more willing to do so because there is no enemy to dissuade.

"What we've seen in past elections is that the parties will come together to solve an emergency crisis that interferes with voting," Winkler said. "So while the law is unclear, I think the parties would come together should any serious emergency arise and find a pragmatic, workable solution."

"Wouldn't that be nice for a change?" he added jokingly.

Of course, expect any change to Election Day to bring a host of lawsuits.

Without much precedent to go on, though, Winkler predicts courts will back up any changes made in Sandy's wake.

"Just as the parties tend to come together to solve these kinds of crises, the courts usually recognize the legitimacy of these pragmatic workarounds," Winkler said.

A 2004 Congressional Research Service report notes that there is no constitutional instruction or federal law on postponing a federal election.

However, the report theorizes that presidential emergency power could be used to delay an election -- specifically, if "attacks, disruptions and destruction are so severe and so dangerous in certain localities, particularly in crowded urban areas, that the President under a rule of necessity may look to protect the public safety by federalizing State national guard and restricting movement and activities in such areas which would obviously affect the ability to conduct an election at those sites."

Congress could also theoretically step in and pass a law or give that power to the president, the report says. Courts have typically left it up to Congress to set election procedures.

source

EARLY, Heavy Snowfall Catches Muscovites Unprepared

Abnormally heavy snowfall left Muscovites squelching through slush Sunday morning, and meteorologists forecast rainfall for the rest of the day, compounding the capital's weather woes.

"Over the course of three hours, between 5 and 6 centimeters of snow fell in Moscow, which is atypical for the end of October," a weather forecaster from the capital's Fobos Weather Center told RIA-Novosti.

"What we are seeing now is characteristic of the snow covering in November."

The forecaster explained Sunday's heavy snowfall by a southern cyclone bringing dense rainclouds to Russia, adding that there would be no further snow Sunday due to rising temperatures.

"By the middle of the day, the air temperature will start to rise and reach between 5 and 7 degrees Celsius. The rising temperatures will continue into the evening," the meteorologist said.

Rain had already started to fall in northern Moscow by mid-morning.

By nighttime Sunday, forecasters expect the temperature to dip once more, and Muscovites trudging into work Monday morning can expect to be dealing with slippery conditions as Sunday's slush turns to ice.

"The slush formed from snow and rain will freeze, turning into black ice," the forecaster told the news agency.

source

Surprise October Snow Hits Central Germany

Winter appeared overnight in many parts of Germany on Saturday with unseasonal heavy snow fall and subzero temperatures hitting central and southern areas. 

Meteorologists say this is the first time for decades that snow has fallen on low lying areas in October. More flurries are expected over the weekend.

As much as 17cm of snow fell overnight in Thuringen forest in central Germany – a suspected record for this time of year. Heavy snow also fell on Bavaria, Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse and Saarland, with further flurries expected on Saturday in Leipzig, Dresden and Munich, according to the DWD.


"This happens maybe once every 30 or 40 years," meteorologist Christoph Hartmann of the German weather service (DWD) told Die Welt newspaper on Saturday, referring to the unusual snowfall in October.

The severe drop in temperature - by 20 degrees within a week - also occurs “very, very seldom,” he added.

And with winter's first onslaught came the first disruption to transport, as fallen trees blocked train lines between Leipzig and Munich, causing delays and diversions to the ICE high speed rail network.

The first taste of winter will be felt elsewhere this weekend as the cold front brings frost and subzero temperatures, which are expected to plummet to between minus one and minus six on Saturday night, excluding only coastal areas, said DWD.

A further 10-15 cm of snow is expected overnight in the Alps and in the Ore Mountains in Saxony, where DWD said temperatures could fall as low as minus ten.

Sweden Braces for Week of Heavy Snow

Sweden is bracing for a white week as meteorologists predict heavy snowfall throughout the country and have issued a nationwide class 1 warning.

"There may be large quantities of snow," explained Lisa Frost of the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, SMHI, to the Aftonbladet newspaper.

"As it's the first snow and it's quite early in the season, we're issuing the warning - especially as some people haven't changed to their winter tyres yet."

A class 1 warning is the least serious on SMHI's three-level scale, and indicates "certain risks for society" which can cause "disruption to some important societal functions".

The snowfall is expected to be heavy in certain parts of central Sweden and by Monday night will likely move on towards the north.

Throughout Monday, the Dalarna and Värmland counties have been slammed by a lengthy snow storm, which has left ten centimetres of snow. SMHI forecast a further 10 centimetres before Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) is already fighting the blizzards.

“The snow that has fallen has made the roads slippery,” Fredrik Glennemo of the agency told the Expressen newspaper.

“But we have people out there plowing. So far, we haven’t had any accidents.”
Southern Sweden is set to escape the snowfall for a little while longer with temperatures hovering just above zero

The season’s lowest temperature was recorded on Sunday night with Nattavaara in far northern Sweden hitting -22.1 degrees Celsius.

source

France - 'Winter before it should be'

“C’est l’hiver avant l’heure;” or ‘it is winter before it should be’, was one local person’s reaction to heavy snow falls which have hit eastern parts of France.

The cold snap brought power cuts with up to 50,000 households in the Isere region in the Alps deprived of electricity.

Authorities have issued an “Orange” warning, the second highest alert, and rescue services have been fully mobilised.

Up to 50 centimetres of snow fell in some parts making driving hazardous. An icy wind and fresh falls of snow on top of the ice only added to the dangerous conditions.

Many drivers were forced to abandon their cars while emergency services were called to clear trees from roads felled in the high winds, with gusts blowing up to 130 kilometres per hour recorded in one area.

Parts of the south of France were the worst hit by the high winds where on the riviera two people have been reported missing.

A search has been mounted for a 12-year-old boy on the island of Porquerolles. Emergency services say his bike has been found. A 26-year-old windsurfer is also missing.

In the port of Marseille the ferry Napoleon Bonaparte was damaged when strong winds broke the ship’s moorings.

The hull smashed against the dock flooding two of its watertight compartments.

Hurricane Sandy - Pictures Say a Thousand Words...

Avalon Fishing Pier damage

Subway station flooding... 

Water washes into the Carey Tunnel, formerly the Brooklyn Battery tunnel, in downtown New York

As the sun comes up, Manhattan is still dark

Firefighters battling a massive blaze in Breezy Point, Queens.

The illuminated Empire State Building is a beacon of light in an otherwise powerless New York skyline

Residents of Manhattan's Lower East Side watch powerless as waters sweep past their cars

 

Rising water, caused by Hurricane Sandy, rushes into a subterranean parking garage in the financial district of New York City.

A flooded street in Manhattan as Hurricane Sandy approached New York City on October 29.

Lower Manhattan is submerged

Atlantic City's Boardwalk wiped out.

Grocery Store near Battery Park

Broken Twisted crane on top of building in Midtown

Sandy continues to wreak havoc as the cold front merged along with the storm creeps up the eastern states.  Power outages are widespread, and more are most likely to happen due to the winter weather enveloping the Northeast States.

Sandy is not finished with us yet...

While We Were Watching Hurricane Sandy Approach, A New Executive Order Has Been Signed into Law

While our attention has been focused on Hurricane Sandy, a new Executive Order has been put into force that allows the Government to have full control of "the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, foundations, community-based organizations, and State, local, tribal, and territorial government and law enforcement -- to address homeland security challenges."  

This will be enforced through a new "Steering Commitee" that will provide "guidance' to the Council and perform other functions as set forth in the executive order.

This Steering Commitee will include representatives from the Departments of: State, Treasury, Defense, Justice, Interior, Agriculture, etc., etc., ... National Intelligence, SBA, FBI...

The Steering Commitee will provide "guidance" on priorities, challenges, and opportunities for local partnerships to support Homeland Security Priorities...  Basically, this EO wraps it all up neatly, so Homeland Security now has complete control over the full private sector of the US.

note:   "steering committee" definition:  An advisory committee usually made up of high level stakeholders and/or experts who provide guidance on key issues such as company policy and objectives, budgetary control, marketing strategy, resource allocation, and decisions involving large expenditures.

The Full Executive Order: "Executive Order -- Establishing the White House Homeland Security Partnership Council" can be seen HERE

Hawaii Tsunami Warning Lifted After 100,000 Flee to Higher Ground

Visitors and Oahu residents watch the water level in the Ala Wai Harbor waiting for the arrival of a tsunami Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, in Honolulu. A tsunami warning has been issued for Hawaii after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked an island off the west coast of Canada.  

(AP Photo/Eugene Tanner)

(Reuters) - A tsunami warning prompted by a powerful earthquake off the Canadian coast sent at least 100,000 people fleeing from shore to higher ground in Hawaii late on Saturday, but an evacuation order was canceled after a series of weaker-than-expected waves rolled through the islands.

The warning was downgraded to an advisory - a lower-level alert - shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday, though state civil defense authorities said beaches and harbors would remain closed for the time being, and residents were urged to stay away from the water.

There were no immediate reports of injuries, serious flooding or damage, but officials warned that abrupt changes in sea level and strong currents could still pose a hazard to swimmers and boaters.

"The threat may continue for several hours," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in its alert.

While scientists had warned early on that waves as tall 6 feet could occur in places, tsunami wave activity was reported to have peaked at just 2.5 feet at the island of Maui shortly after 10:30 p.m.

"The tsunami arrived about when we expected it should," Senior Geophysicist Gerard Fryer told reporters at a news conference, saying: "I was expecting it to be a little bigger."

Tsunami warning sirens began blaring across the islands at about 8 p.m. as state officials ordered a coastal evacuation, prompting a mass exodus that clogged roadways as motorists fled low-lying areas.

As the forecast arrival time of the tsunami neared, Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle announced that all police and emergency personnel were being pulled out from potential flood zones, leaving anyone defying evacuation orders to fend for themselves. He also urged motorists who remained caught in harm's way due to gridlocked roads to abandon their vehicles and proceed on foot.

"If you are stuck in traffic, you might consider getting out of your car and consider walking to higher ground. You will have to assess your own situation, depending on where you are right now. Right now it is critical," he said.

CANADIAN ORIGINS

Vindell Hsu, a geophysicist at the tsunami warning center, said the evacuation affected an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 people who live in Hawaii's coastal zones.

Shelly Kunishige, a spokeswoman for Hawaii State Civil Defense, said evacuation orders were lifted once the tsunami warning was downgraded. But a thorough assessment of flooding or damage could not be made until after daybreak, she said.

The warnings followed a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 that hit Canada's Pacific coastal province of British Columbia late on Saturday [ID:nL1E8LS03H].

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered 123 miles south-southwest of Prince Rupert at a depth of 6.2 miles.

The Earthquakes Canada agency said the temblor was followed by numerous aftershocks as large as magnitude 4.6 and that a small tsunami had been recorded by a deep-ocean pressure sensor.

On Oahu, Hawaii's most populous island, tsunami warning sirens could be heard blaring out across Honolulu, the state capital, prompting an immediate crush of traffic, with many motorists stopping at service stations to top up with gasoline. At movie theaters, films were halted in mid-screening as announcements were made urging patrons to return to their homes.

The last time Oahu had a tsunami warning was after the devastating Japanese earthquake of March 2011.

On Honolulu's famed Waikiki Beach, residents of high-rise buildings were told to move to the third floor or higher for safety.

"I moved my car up the hill, packed up my computer and have my animals all packed and with me," said Staphany Sofos, a resident of the Diamond Head community near Waikiki as she waited word for an all-clear that came several hours later.

Fryer said the tsunami had caught scientists by surprise.

"We thought that the earthquake was on land and when we learned that it was deeper undersea and we gathered more information, we had no choice but to issue a warning," he said.

As residents scrambled to reach higher ground on Oahu, at least four major road accidents were reported by the state Emergency Medical Services. More accidents were reported on the outer islands. But Kunishige said no major injuries were reported.

A tsunami advisory was also posted for coastal areas of northern California and Oregon, where a maximum rise in the sea level was estimated at 6 inches, the National Weather Service said. The agency said no significant flooding was expected.

Breaking News! Tsunami Warning for (UPDATED TO INCLUDE HAWAII, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND OREGON) Alaska and British Columbia

Hawaii Tsunami Warning Lifted:  
Further Information HERE

JUST IN: Hawaii is putting evacuations into place for all coastal areas.  Tsunami is directed straight to Hawaii, and is expected through models to be at least 7 feet high.  TSUNAMI SIRENS ARE NOW SOUNDING THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF HAWAII.

Tsunami Evacuation Zones (Hawaii) - Click Here - Please check your Island and respond accordingly... be safe...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW UPDATE TO ALSO INCLUDE TSUNAMI WARNING TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND OREGON
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

USGS

UPDATED TO INCLUDE HAWAII:

KITV —

A tsunami warning has been issued for all Hawaiian Islands just after 7 p.m. Saturday following a 7.7 magnitude quake off of the west coast of Canada.
Related

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that the first impact could be seen as soon as 10:28 p.m.

The warning was issued as a result of a large 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck off of Canada's west coast near British Columbia Saturday evening
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Locations: Coastal areas between and including the north tip of Vancouver Island, British Columbia to Cape Decision, Alaska (85 miles SE of Sitka); Langara Island, British Columbia; Sitka, Alaska; Elfin Cove, Alaska; Tofino, British Columbia; Craig, Alaska; Craig, Alaska

West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center

The tsunami Warning continues in effect for the coastal areas of British Columbia and Alaska from the north tip of Vancouver Island, British Columbia to Cape Decision, Alaska (85 miles SE of Sitka). - Event details: Preliminary magnitude 7.7 (Mw) earthquake / Lat: 52.900, Lon: -131.900 at 2012-10-28T03:04:10Z Tsunami warnings mean that a tsunami with significant widespread inundation is expected, or occurring. Warnings indicate that widespread dangerous coastal flooding accompanied by powerful currents is possible and may continue for several hours after the initial wave arrival.

Langara Island, British Columbia    9:16 PM GMT-07 (51 minutes ago)   
Craig, Alaska    8:25 PM GMT-08 (42 minutes ago)   

Recommended Actions: A tsunami has been generated which is expected to damage the regions under a warning . People in low-lying coastal areas should be alert to instructions from their local emergency officials. If in a tsunami warning coastal area, move inland to higher ground. Next update and additional information: This message will be updated in 30 minutes or sooner if the situation warrants. The tsunami message will remain in effect until further notice. Refer to the internet site wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov for more information.

MORE INFORMATION:

Andrea Janus, CTV News
Published Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012 12:04AM EDT
Last Updated Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012 1:13AM EDT

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake has struck off the British Columbia coast, triggering a tsunami warning for a region stretching from Vancouver Island to Alaska.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck just after 8 p.m. local time about 139 km south of Masset in the Haida Gwaii region, at a depth of about 17 kilometres.

Earthquakes Canada, which initially gave the quake a magnitude of 7.1, said the quake was felt across much of north-central B.C.

The quake was followed by an aftershock measuring 5.8 magnitude, the USGS said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The quake triggered a tsunami warning from Environment Canada for a region from the north tip of Vancouver Island up to Alaska.

“If you are in a low lying coastal area you are at risk and must move to higher ground or inland now,” the agency said.

“Do not return until directed to do so. Closely monitor local radio stations for additional information from local authorities.”

In a bulletin issued at 9:10 p.m. PT, the U.S. National Weather Service’s West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center said that a “small tsunami” was recorded on a deep ocean pressure sensor.

“Those feeling the earth shake, seeing unusual wave action or the water level rising or receding may have only a few minutes before the tsunami arrival and should move immediately,” the bulletin said.

Emergency Info BC warned that a tsunami is a series of waves that “could last several hours.”

B.C. Premier Christy Clark took to Twitter late Saturday to say the agency is monitoring the situation “and the province is prepared to respond as needed.”

Bruce Presgrave of the USGS said a tsunami warning “is pretty much standard procedure” after a 7.7-magnitude quake.

A tsunami could do more damage to the region than the quake itself, he told CTV News.

“A 7.7 is a strong earthquake, capable of producing significant damage or casualties in populated areas,” Presgrave said.

“But as I’m sure you folks know, Haida Gwaii itself is pretty sparsely populated. And even though the West Coast of northern British Columbia there is fairly sparsely populated, the biggest risk could be if a tsunami has been generated.”


 

(UPDATE FROM OBAMA AND HAARP) 'Sandy May Pose the Greatest Risk to Human Life That I Have Seen': Hurricane Sandy Even Looks Scary from Space

Sandy Superstorm Threat Launches Mass Evacuations:

WARNING ANNOUNCEMENT FROM PRESIDENT OBAMA:

Highest EVER HAARP Readings - Right Where Sandy is Projected to Make Landfall

LIVE HURRICANE TRACKER CLICK HERE

NOAA UPDATE:

Note: The time of the tropical cyclone's center location at the bottom of the graphic will be 3 hours earlier than the time of the current advisory. The forecast cycle for each advisory begins 3 hours prior to the issuance of the advisory products.

These graphics show probabilities of sustained (1-minute average) surface wind speeds equal to or exceeding 34 kt...39 mph (tropical storm force). These wind speed probability graphics are based on the official National Hurricane Center (NHC) track, intensity, and wind radii forecasts, and on NHC forecast error statistics for those forecast variables during recent years. Each graphic provides cumulative probabilities that wind speeds of at least 39 mph will occur during cumulative time periods at each specific point on the map. The cumulative periods begin at the start of the forecast period and extend through the entire 5-day forecast period at cumulative 12-hour intervals (i.e., 0-12 h, 0-24 h, 0-36 h, ... , 0-120 h). An individual graphic is produced for each cumulative interval, and the capability to zoom and animate through the periods is provided. To assess the overall risk of experiencing winds of at least 39 mph at any location, the 120-h graphics are recommended.

These probabilities will be updated by the NHC with each advisory package for all active tropical cyclones in the Atlantic and eastern North Pacific basins. While separate graphics are focused on each individual tropical cyclone, probabilities resulting from more than one active tropical cyclone may be seen on each graphic.

Additionally, these probability products are available on the National Weather Service's National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD) graphical tropical webpage.

The previously provided strike probability product (discontinued after 2005) conveyed the chances of a "close" approach of the center of the cyclone. However, these new probability products are about the weather. That is, these cumulative wind speed probabilities provide the chances that wind speeds of at least 39 mph will occur at individual locations. The cumulative probabilities can answer the question, "What are the chances that sustained winds of tropical storm or hurricane force will occur at any specific location?" This can also help one answer the question, "Do I need to take certain actions to prepare?" A companion product, the wind speed probability text product, will also be issued and updated with each advisory package. That product is recommended to more easily assess when winds of each threshold are most likely to start at any specific location, helping to answer the question, "How long do I have to prepare?" Overall, these probabilities provide users with information that can enhance their ability to make preparedness decisions specific to their own situations.

It is important for users to realize that wind speed probabilities that might seem relatively small at their location might still be quite significant, since they indicate that there is a chance that a damaging or even extreme event could occur that warrants preparations to protect lives and property.

This NASA TV frame grab shows Hurricane Sandy
from the International Space Station as it barrels
up the Atlantic Coast of the United States

A state of emergency has just been declared in New York in advance of Hurricane Sandy, which is expected to hit the East Coast late on Sunday - with the possibility it could shut down airports, cripple mass transit and flood densely populated low-lying areas.

Governor Cuomo said the declaration allows the 62 counties to better prepare for the storm with access to federal funding and the national guard, with the possibility that up to $1billion damage could be caused and up to 400,000 people evacuated.

The city's emergency management situation room has been activated and those in low-lying areas may have to evacuate, including zones like Battery Park City, Coney Island, Manhattan Beach, Far Rockaway and Midland Beach and South Beach in Staten Island.

Meteorologists expect a natural horror show of high wind, heavy rain, extreme tides and maybe even snow on higher ground beginning early Sunday

The National Weather Service is predicting sustained winds of up to 80mph for at least a 24-hour period and said it has the potential to be one of the worst in the city’s history with major flooding.

Experts say the tempest has a 90 per cent chance of making landfall with the potential to wreak havoc with heavy winds, rain, flooding, and downed trees and power lines.

'After 26 years in TV weather and two years with NOAA, Sandy may pose the greatest risk to human life that I have seen'

In fact, longtime weatherman Chad Myers, who works for the NOAA, wrote: ‘After 26 years in TV weather and two years with NOAA, Sandy may pose the greatest risk to human life that I have seen.’

Gov Andrew Cuomo has activated the state's emergency crews and urged people to prepare storm kits, which include non-perishable food, water, cash, filled prescriptions, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, first aid kit, flashlights and batteries.

'We want to take every precaution possible,' he said.

State Division of Homeland Security commissioner Jerome Hauer said: 'They’re saying it’s a worst case. It certainly has a possibility of being one of the worst. We're at a point of time where people need to take precautions now.'

He warned that New York could face even more devastating storm surge flooding than was anticipated during Hurricane Irene last year when large swaths of the city were evacuated.

Officials will decide by Saturday whether evacuations will again be needed this week, according to the New York Daily News.

The MTA, which shut down all buses and subways ahead of Irene’s blast last year, is considering its second subway shutdown in history.

The transportation authority’s hurricane plan 'calls for an orderly shutdown of service before the arrival of sustained winds of 39 mph or higher' in the elevated portions of the subway system and the agency’s railroad.

Parts of the subway that are below sea level are particularly susceptible to flooding.

Ominous: Hurricane Sandy is seen churning towards the United States in this NASA handout satellite image taken on October 26, 2012

Sand bags line the front of an arcade on the boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach New Jersey earlier today

Deputy Mayor Cas Holloway said the city's agencies were meeting today to decide what action to take.

He said: 'Obviously, this is a very strong storm and there are a lot of different weather patterns that could come into play as it makes its way up the coast. It's already done damage in the places that it’s been and so we're taking it very seriously.'

Mayor Bloomberg advised New Yorkers to be ready for Sandy with a 'go kit' that includes bottled water, a flashlight, first aid kit and other emergency supplies.

'Our city is very likely to feel its effects in the form high tides, high winds and heavy rainfall lasting for several days,' the mayor said.

'We are taking all the steps that we need to take. But the storm is moving at a rate that we're still not going to have a good sense of when and where it's going to hit land.

'It's better to be safe than sorry but at the moment we do not think it is necessary to make the decision to evacuate just yet.'

He added: 'During Hurricane Irene, these (low-lying) areas were put under a mandatory evacuation order, and as of now, we are not going to require evacuations of these areas.

'But if that changes, we will make an announcement giving further details. The course of the storm is unpredictable, and it’s simply premature to make decisions about evacuations or other disruptive measures.

'The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is considering either a partial or total suspension of service, but no decision has yet been made.

'No matter where the storm hits, New York City is likely to experience high tides, high winds and heavy rainfall that lasts several days.

'There’s a significant possibility for flooding, and high winds could force some bridges to be shuttered. Anything can happen. What I want to stress is we are so far away from the main event that you just don’t know.

'Everybody should plan to go to school and plan to go to work on Monday. We are trying to be balanced and not too early worry people.

'But common sense says you should start taking precautions, get ready just in case. This is a potentially dangerous storm. There are some forecasts that say it’s going to weaken.

'Some forecasts say it’s going to strengthen. Some forecasts say it’s going to hit south of us or north of us or on us. Nobody really knows.'

He also requested that hospitals and nursing homes in the most flood-prone parts of the city release patients that can be discharged safely and cancel elective hospital stays.

The first evacuations in New Jersey were issued Friday afternoon for Cape May County. The voluntary order for the county's barrier islands would become mandatory on Sunday, the county emergency office said.

Gov Chris Christie is urging residents to closely monitor the storm and prepare to put in motion their own emergency plans.

'I encourage all of our families to stay informed, get ready and reach out to those you know who may be isolated, or in need of extra assistance during adverse conditions,' he said in a statement to NBC New York.

Some U.S. airlines are giving travelers a way out if they want to scrap their plans due to Hurricane Sandy.

JetBlue, US Airways and Spirit Airlines are offering waivers to customers who wish to reschedule their flights without paying the typical fee of up to $150. The offers cover passengers flying just about anywhere from Latin America to New Hampshire.

Most other airlines are monitoring the storm and plan to update passengers later Friday. The airlines have only canceled a handful of flights so far, nearly all of them in and out of Florida and the Caribbean.

Local forecaster's in Philadelphia have warned that the storm could directly hit the City of Brotherly Love and residents in South Jersey have begun stocking up on bottled water and batteries to prepare.

One sixth of the U.S. population or 50 million people are directly in the path of the storm and the general consensus is that the super-storm will make a direct hit on Monday or Tuesday somewhere from Virginia to New England.

Projection: A satellite image taken Thursday shows the massive Category One storm as it makes its way north; it could hit by East Coast by Halloween

Hurricane Sandy has already cut a swathe through the Caribbean, leaving 21 dead as it left the area over the Bahamas and passed into the Atlantic.

Utilities are lining up out-of-state work crews and canceling employees' days off to deal with expected power outages. From county disaster chiefs to the federal government, emergency officials are warning the public to be prepared. And President Barack Obama was briefed aboard Air Force One.

'It's looking like a very serious storm that could be historic,' said Jeff Masters, meteorology director of the forecasting service Weather Underground. 'Mother Nature is not saying, 'Trick or treat.' It's just going to give tricks.'

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecaster Jim Cisco, who coined the nickname Frankenstorm, said: 'We don't have many modern precedents for what the models are suggesting.'

Government forecasters said there is a 90 percent chance — up from 60 percent two days earlier — that the East will get pounded.

Coastal areas from Florida to Maine will feel some effects, but the storm is expected to vent the worst of its fury on New Jersey and the New York City area, which could see around five inches of rain and gale-force winds close to 40 mph. Eastern Ohio, southwestern Pennsylvania and western Virginia could get snow.

And the storm will take its time leaving. The weather may not start clearing in the mid-Atlantic until the day after Halloween and November 2 in the upper Northeast, Cisco said.

'It's almost a weeklong, five-day, six-day event,' he said from a NOAA forecast center in College Park, Md. 'It's going to be a widespread, serious storm.'

It is likely to hit during a full moon, when tides are near their highest, increasing the risk of coastal flooding. And because many trees still have their leaves, they are more likely to topple in the event of wind and snow, meaning there could be widespread power outages lasting to Election Day.

Eastern states that saw outages that lasted for days after last year's freak Halloween snowstorm and Hurricane Irene in late August 2011 are already pressuring power companies to be more ready this time.

Asked if he expected utilities to be more prepared, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick responded: 'They'd better be.'

Jersey Central Power & Light, which was criticized for its response to Irene, notified employees to be ready for extended shifts. In Pennsylvania, PPL Corp. spokesman Michael Wood said, "We're in a much better place this year."

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Thursday said the city was striking a tone of calm preparedness.

'What we are doing is we are taking the kind of precautions you should expect us to do, and I don't think anyone should panic,' Bloomberg said. The city has opened an emergency situation room and activated its coastal storm plan.

Some have compared the tempest to the so-called Perfect Storm that struck off the coast of New England in 1991, but that one hit a less populated area. Nor is this one like last year's Halloween storm, which was merely an early snowfall.

'The Perfect Storm only did $200 million of damage and I'm thinking a billion' this time, Masters said. 'Yeah, it will be worse.'

As it made its way across the Caribbean, Sandy was blamed for more than 20 deaths. The 18th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season hit the Bahamas after cutting across Cuba, where it tore roofs off homes and damaged fragile coffee and tomato crops.

Norje Pupo, a 66-year-old retiree in Holguin, was helping his son clean up early Thursday after an enormous tree toppled in his garden.

'The hurricane really hit us hard,' he said. 'As you can see, we were very affected. The houses are not poorly made here, but some may have been damaged.'

Experts from the Weather Channel are also cautioning residents across the north eastern states, including North Carolina, New York, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.

Residents in coastal areas are advised to take precaution as the deadly storm barrels its way up the U.S. shoreline. Early forecasting by NOAA reveals that the storm could hit somewhere between Pennsylvania and Long Island, putting central New Jersey at the greatest risk thus far.

Those in the tri-state area are no strangers to deadly super storm threats. Only last year, Hurricane Irene ploughed through the greater New York City area, causing extensive damage. However, the overall impact was less than expected.

The ‘Frankenstorm’ could also deposit snowfall as far south as North Carolina, according to WThe Wall Street Journal’s Metropolis blog.

Government meteorologists are giving the storm a 70 percent chance of hitting land next week, ruining Halloween celebrations for millions of children who have dressed up for trick or treating door knocks.

'The potential is there,' said National Weather Service scientist Charlie Foley.

The horrific storm could happen if Hurricane Sandy in the Caribbean, an early winter storm in the West, and a blast of arctic air from the North collide, sloshing and parking over the country's most populous coastal corridor starting Sunday.

The worst of it should peak early Tuesday, but it will stretch into midweek, forecasters say.

'It'll be a rough couple days from Hatteras up to Cape Cod,' said forecaster Jim Cisco of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration prediction center in College Park, Maryland. 'We don't have many modern precedents for what the models are suggesting.'It is likely to hit during a full moon when tides are near their highest, increasing coastal flooding potential, NOAA forecasts warn. And with some trees still leafy and the potential for snow, power outages could last to Election Day, some meteorologists fear. They say it has all the earmarks of a billion-dollar storm.

Currently, Sandy is moving through the Caribbean with high winds and heavy rain.

It made landfall in southeastern Jamaica yesterday with a wind speed of 80 mph and has already been responsible for the death of one person in Haiti and two in Jamaica.

Satellite image from the “Perfect Storm” in October 1991.

Some have compared it to the so-called Perfect Storm that struck off the coast of New England in 1991, but Cisco said that one didn't hit as populated an area and is not comparable to what the East Coast may be facing. Nor is it like last year's Halloween storm, which was merely an early snowstorm in the Northeast.

Multiple elements must come together for Hurricane Sandy to become a repeat or match the 'Perfect Storm' of 1991.

This nightmare outcome is referred to by meteorologists as an atmospheric 'bomb' according to Accuweather.

Fearing this, people from North Carolina to Maine and Nova Scotia have been told to keep watching weather forecasts in case the Halloween storm does hit with full force.This has much more mess potential because it is a combination of different storm types that could produce a real whopper of weather problems, meteorologists say.

'The Perfect Storm only did $200 million of damage and I'm thinking a billion,' said Jeff Masters, meteorology director of the private service Weather Underground. 'Yeah, it will be worse.'

But this is several days in advance, when weather forecasts are far less accurate. The National Hurricane Center only predicts five days in advance, and on Wednesday their forecasts had what's left of Sandy off the North Carolina coast on Monday.

But the hurricane center's chief hurricane specialist, James Franklin, said the threat keeps increasing for 'a major impact in the Northeast, New York area. In fact it would be such a big storm that it would affect all of the Northeast.'

Late Thursday, the hurricane's center was about 185 miles (300 kilometers) east-southeast of Freeport, Bahamas. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 kph) and was moving north-northwest at 13 mph (20 kph).

Sandy, which crossed Cuba and reached the Bahamas as a category 2 hurricane, was expected to maintain its category 1 storm status for the next several days.The forecasts keep getting gloomier and more convincing with every day, several experts said.

Cisco said the chance of the storm smacking the East jumped from 60 percent to 70 percent on Wednesday.

Masters was somewhat skeptical on Tuesday, giving the storm scenario just a 40 percent likelihood, but on Wednesday he also upped that to 70 percent.

The remaining computer models that previously hadn't shown the merger and mega-storm formation now predict a similar scenario.

The 1991 Perfect Storm lasted from October 28th to November 4th and struck from Canada to Florida.

It resulted in massive flooding as 30-foot waves smashed into seafront communities - resulting in the deaths of 13 people.

A Hollywood film, 'The Perfect Storm' starring George Clooney told the story of the event through the eyes of a fishing boat the 'Andrea Gail' which sank offshore.'

'The weather system could have some similarities to the perfect storm,' said Paul Walker, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather.com in State College, Pa. "

'I'm not quite sure if it will be that bad.'

If the weather systems do not converge, then all the panic could have been for nothing.

It is unusual for tropical storms and non-tropical colder systems to come together and if it doesn't happen this time then Sandy will be a side-show out in the Atlantic.

There would be a more common and predictable nor-easter, but offshore with significantly less damage, with drenching rain and winds which may cause only minor flooding.
But, while the experts have not fully agreed on the path of the 'Perfect Storm 2', the likelihood is of a massive weather system causing some damage to the Atlantic coast of the U.S.

The biggest question mark is snow, and that depends on where the remnants of Sandy turn inland.

The computer model that has been leading the pack in predicting the hybrid storm has it hitting around Delaware. But another model has the storm hitting closer to Maine.

If it hits Delaware, the chances of snow increase in that region. If it hits farther north, chances for snow in the mid-Atlantic and even up to New York are lessened, Masters said.

NOAA's Cisco said he could see the equivalent of several inches of snow or rain in the mid-Atlantic, depending on where the storm ends up. In the mountains, snow may be measured in feet instead of inches.

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The True Threat of Hurricane Sandy

President Barack Obama receives an update on the ongoing response to Hurricane Sandy during a conference call with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, Dr. Rick Knabb, Director of the National Hurricane Center, and John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, in the Oval Office, Oct. 26, 2012. Alyssa Mastromonaco, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, and Richard Reed, Deputy Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, are seated at right. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

VIRGINIA — Mitt Romney cancelled one of three campaign stops this Sunday in reaction to the recent weather threat presented by hurricane “Sandy” which is predicted to affect parts of the eastern seaboard, thus stopping Romney from appearing at the Virginia Beach rally he had previously scheduled.

 Meanwhile, President Obama has already been briefed on the storm as of late Wednesday and east coast residents are urged to monitor local weather reports for what is being called a “super storm”.

With Sandy’s wide wind field of 550 plus miles merging with a polar air mass over the eastern US, things could get pretty rough.

The storm also has the potential to bring massive amounts of rain and snow.

An excerpt from the New York Times reads, “The storm is also expected to dump as much as 10 inches of rain in the area where it makes landfall and to create a significant storm surge that will lead to flooding throughout a large coastal area, perhaps most seriously in Delaware, forecasters said.

“We expect a long-lasting event — two to three days for most people,” said James Franklin, branch chief of the National Hurricane Center in a conference call on Friday. It is, Mr. Franklin said, “a very large system.”

On Friday morning, the hurricane tore through the Bahamas with 100-m.p.h. winds, after killing at least 28 people in the Caribbean. By noon, the system was moving north out of the Bahamas, as a Category 1 storm, with wind speeds of 80 m.p.h., Mr. Franklin said.

The hurricane is likely to turn northeast late Friday or Saturday, roughly parallel to the Carolina coast, forecasters said.”

This storm looks like it has the potential to knock power out in regions of the eastern US as most American’s are unprepared and will be blindsided by such an event.

Not to mention how a possible transportation shutdown could affect the economy.

Reuters reads (regarding the storm), “Its structure is evolving as we speak because it’s interacting with this weather feature at higher levels of the atmosphere,” said Todd Kimberlain, a forecaster at the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

“The models are suggesting that the storm could actually become better organized or intensify a little bit, not due to the normal processes than we would expect for a tropical cyclone but more related to this weather feature,” Kimberlain said.

On its current projected track, government forecasters said Sandy could make landfall early next week anywhere between Virginia, Maryland or Delaware up through New York or southern New England.

In New York City, the global financial hub, officials were considering closing down mass transit before the storm hits.”

If mass transit shuts down in New York and other areas because of a “super storm” things could get hairy as people are already on the edge in many ways.

The US government has forecast warnings that hurricane Sandy will be more violent in nature then last years Irene.

The White House released the following statement on the 26th of October entitled, Readout of the President’s Briefing on Hurricane Sandy reading:
    “This morning, President Obama convened a call with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, National Hurricane Center Director Dr. Rick Knabb, and Homeland Security Advisor John Brennan to receive an update on Hurricane Sandy and ongoing federal actions to prepare for the storm as it continues to move toward the United States mainland.

    The President directed Administrator Fugate to ensure that all available federal resources are being brought to bear to support state and local responders in potentially affected areas along the eastern seaboard as they prepare for the severe weather.

    Impacts from the storm could be felt as early as this weekend, and FEMA is in close contact with state and local partners as the storm approaches.

    At the request of states, FEMA is proactively deploying Incident Management Assistance Teams to multiple states up and down the Eastern seaboard to assist efforts as state and local partners prepare for the storm.

    Because of the potential for significant power outages, FEMA is encouraging state and local authorities responsible for coordinating with local utility companies to do so ahead of any impacts. The President asked his team to continue to ensure there were no unmet needs and to keep him regularly updated on weather forecasts and hurricane preparations.”
FEMA has also made the following announcement:

    “The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through our regional offices in Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston, continues to closely monitor Hurricane Sandy located in the eastern Caribbean Sea about 85 miles south-southeast of the central Bahamas with maximum sustained winds of 105 miles per hour, and remains in close coordination with state emergency management partners in Florida and the potentially affected southeast, Mid-Atlantic and New England states.

    With hurricane season lasting through November 30, FEMA stands prepared and ready to support state, local, tribal and territorial partners in responding to storms. The agency has a federal coordinating officer and staff that are currently in Florida working previously declared disasters.  They continue to work closely with the state on recovery operations.

    Regional Administrators and other senior officials in FEMA’s regional offices along the East Coast have been in contact with their state counterparts in order to ensure coordination for any emergency response. FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams are on alert for potential deployment to states in order to help with coordination, should emergency response assistance be needed or requested. At all times, FEMA maintains commodities, including millions of liters of water, millions of meals and hundreds of thousands of blankets, strategically located at distribution centers throughout the United States and its territories, including Atlanta, Ga. and Frederick, Md., if needed and requested.

    “As Hurricane Sandy proceeds closer toward southeast Florida, residents should listen to local officials for updates and follow their instructions,” urged FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate.  “As the storm moves northward, it serves as a reminder that we all need to be prepared for severe weather.  Now is the time to update your family communication plans, check your supplies, and stay informed.  A hurricane isn’t a point on a map – it’s a big storm and its impact will be felt far from the center. FEMA is in contact with states and tribal governments and stands ready to support their preparedness efforts.”

    According to NOAA’s National Weather Service, Sandy is now a Category 2 hurricane expected to produce storm conditions along the east coast of Florida tonight and Friday.  Also, rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are possible across the Florida Keys into southeast and east-central Florida.  Tropical Storm watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service remain in effect in southeast Florida.  Tropical Storm warnings are in effect for Florida east coast from Ocean Reef to Flagler Beach and Lake Okeechobee.  A Tropical Storm watch is in effect for the Florida east coast from  north of Flagler Beach to Fernandina Beach; for  the Florida Upper Keys from Ocean Reef southward to Craig Key; and Florida Bay.

    FEMA urges residents in potentially impacted areas, including the Florida Keys, southern Florida peninsula to listen to NOAA Weather Radio and local news, monitor for severe weather updates and warnings, and follow instructions of local officials.  State and local officials make determinations and announcement about evacuations, and if local officials give the order to evacuate, leave immediately.  While the exact track of the storm is uncertain, according to the National Weather Service, storm conditions associated with Hurricane Sandy may impact additional states throughout the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast early next week.

    While tropical storms are unpredictable, those in the possible path of the storm should be preparing. If you haven’t done so already, take the time now to put together a family emergency plan and emergency kit.  Some of the items in a basic emergency kit include: one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation; at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food; battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio; flashlight and extra batteries; and First Aid kit.  Having a kit can help you weather the storm.

    Everyone should familiarize themselves with the terms that are used to identify a severe weather hazard.  A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours.  A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within 48 hours.

    We urge coastal and inland residents to be familiar with flood and flash flood terminology and safety tips:

    Driving through a flooded area can be extremely hazardous. Almost half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. When in your car, look out for flooding in low lying areas, at bridges, and at highway dips. As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.  Remember – turn around, don’t drown.
    Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
    Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if local officials give notice to evacuate, do so immediately.
    Flash Flood Watch: Rapid rises on streams and rivers are possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.

    Flash Flood Warning: Rapid rises on streams and rivers are occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.

    More information about what to do before, during and after a disaster can also be found visiting ready.gov and listo.gov.  FEMA Applications for mobile devices are also available visitinghttp://www.fema.gov/smartphone-app.  Sharing information using social media tools is also a good way for residents to stay informed.  Follow FEMA online at http://blog.fema.gov,www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.

    FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.”

America, already in turmoil, does not need the added problems of a “super storm” to weigh in on an already dire situation.

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