Archive for October, 2018
10/26/1998: Between 11,000 and 18,000 people are believed to have died because of Hurricane Mitch’s devastation across the Caribbean
Friday, October 26th, 2018
Quantifying the burden, timing, and causes of maternal deaths, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Friday, October 26th, 2018Population-based rates, timing, and causes of maternal deaths, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa: a multi-country prospective cohort study
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30385-1
- “……We identified 278 186 pregnancies and 263 563 births across the study sites, with outcomes ascertained for 269 630 (96·9%) pregnancies, including 8761 (3·2%) that ended in miscarriage or abortion.
- Maternal mortality ratios in sub-Saharan Africa (351 per 100 000 livebirths, 95% CI 168–732) were similar to those in south Asia (336 per 100 000 livebirths, 247–458), with far greater variability within sites in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates were approximately two times higher in sites in south Asia than in sub-Saharan Africa (stillbirths: 35·1 per 1000 births, 95% CI 28·5–43·1 vs 17·1 per 1000 births, 12·5–25·8; neonatal mortality: 43·0 per 1000 livebirths, 39·0–47·3 vs 20·1 per 1000 livebirths, 14·6–27·6).
- 40–45% of pregnancy-related deaths, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths occurred during labour, delivery, and the 24 h postpartum period in both regions. Obstetric haemorrhage, non-obstetric complications, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and pregnancy-related infections accounted for more than three-quarters of maternal deaths and stillbirths.
- The most common causes of neonatal deaths were perinatal asphyxia (40%, 95% CI 39–42, in south Asia; 34%, 32–36, in sub-Saharan Africa) and severe neonatal infections (35%, 34–36, in south Asia; 37%, 34–39 in sub-Saharan Africa), followed by complications of preterm birth (19%, 18–20, in south Asia; 24%, 22–26 in sub-Saharan Africa)…..”
Typhoon Yutu: Maximum sustained winds of 180 mph were recorded around the eye of the storm, which passed over Tinian and Saipan early Thursday.
Thursday, October 25th, 2018State/Local Response • CNMI EOC is closed, re-opening tomorrow morning (local time) o Saipan, Tinian, and Rota at COR I o All CNMI public schools remain closed until further notice • Guam EOC returned to Normal Operations; the island returned to COR 4 o Governor declared a State of Emergency o All Guam public schools are closed until further notice o No unmet needs identified, no requests for FEMA assistance
FEMA HQ/Federal Response • FEMA/Federal Response • The President signed Emergency Declaration (FEMA-3408-EM) for CNMI on October 23 • FEMA Region IX RWC at Steady State, continues to monitor o FEMA Region IX IMAT-2 and select ESFs deployed to Saipan o LNOs in Guam and CNMI (already deployed for Typhoon Mangkhut) • FEMA Region VII IMAT deployed to Guam/CNMI in support of FEMA-4396/4398-DR • FEMA HQ ISB team • MERS assets deployed to Guam and Saipan • FEMA NRCC Response Operations Cell (ROC) activated (day shift) • HHS deployed Incident Response Coordination Team (IRCT)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2-m1G8IhF0
US&R requirements limited and within the capacity of local and territorial responders
Food, Water, Sheltering: • CNMI has 14 days of commodities; requesting additional 10 days supply • Water: Saipan water service restoration timeline unknown • Shelters/Occupants: (Region IX midnight SPOTREP ) o CNMI: 17/677 (Saipan 12/553; Tinian 3/45; Rota 2/79) • FEMA is providing 10 days of food and water, 360 cots, 360 blankets, 125 tents, 125 tent kits, 125 toilet kits and 250 tarps in anticipation of needs post storm • Tinian has limited supplies and has requested food and water; DOD is providing resupply via c-17 on 10/26 o Guam: All shelters closed
Health and Medical: • 14 DMAT members transferred to Saipan 10/25 • Tinian Medical Center closed due to extensive damage (no patients were present) • No reported damage at Rota health clinic • Saipan Hospital and the Rota Medical Center on generator power
Energy: • CNMI: widespread power outage; generators requested • Commonwealth Utility Company (CUC) estimates 21 days of fuel available; working with ESF 12 to validate permanent power restoration resource requirements
Communication: • CNMI: Significant damage to cell towers throughout the incident area • Guam: Intermittent cell service
Transportation: • Ports inaccessible; all ports are Condition Zulu (closed) (USCG as of midnight EDT) • Saipan airport sustained significant damage, assessments planned; most flights cancelled • CNMI: Many areas inaccessible due to debris • Guam: Seaport open with restriction
Statement on the FBI’s Investigation of Suspicious Packages
Thursday, October 25th, 2018Between October 22 and 24, 2018, suspicious packages were received at multiple locations in the New York and Washington, D.C., areas and Florida. The packages are being sent for analysis at the FBI Laboratory in Quantico, Virginia.
“This investigation is of the highest priority for the FBI. We have committed the full strength of the FBI’s resources and, together with our partners on our Joint Terrorism Task Forces, we will continue to work to identify and arrest whoever is responsible for sending these packages,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We ask anyone who may have information to contact the FBI. Do not hesitate to call; no piece of information is too small to help us in this investigation.”
The packages are similar in appearance, as depicted in the below photograph, and contain potentially destructive devices.
Exterior of one of the suspicious packages. Addresses have been removed to protect privacy.
The packages were mailed in manila envelopes with bubble wrap interior. The packages were affixed with computer-printed address labels and six Forever stamps. All packages had a return address of “DEBBIE WASSERMAN SHULTZ” [sic] in Florida. Packages identified to date were addressed to:
- George Soros
- Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
- Former President Barack Obama
- Former CIA Director John Brennan, care of CNN
- Former Attorney General Eric Holder
The package addressed to former Attorney General Holder did not reach its intended destination, but was rerouted to the return address in Florida.
The FBI will continue to work with our federal law enforcement partners at the United States Secret Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as our state and local law enforcement partners, to identify and arrest the person or people responsible for sending these packages.
It is possible that additional packages were mailed to other locations. The FBI advises the public to remain vigilant and not touch, move or handle any suspicious or unknown packages.
If you have information about these packages, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov. If you observe any suspicious activity that requires an immediate response, please call 911 or contact your local law enforcement.
“….This clearly is an act of terror attempting to undermine our free press and leaders of this country through acts of violence….”
Wednesday, October 24th, 2018“……A law enforcement official told CNN that the initial examination of all of the devices shows them to be constructed similarly. At least one of the devices appeared to contain projectiles, including shards of glass. The devices are rudimentary but functional….”
FEMA IX and Yutu
Wednesday, October 24th, 2018FEMA Region 9’s area of responsibility includes: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and more than 150 sovereign tribal entities.
Region 9 serves a culturally diverse population in excess of 47 million people and covers 399,000 square miles with a breadth of more than 8,000 miles. The Region’s most common challenges are hurricanes, typhoons and other storms that can cause flooding, flash-flooding, and landslides throughout the region. The Region also experiences earthquakes and wildfires.
FEMA SitRep on Yutu: October 24 (Cat 5)
Wednesday, October 24th, 2018Tropical Cyclone Yutu (CAT 5) (Advisory #12 as of 5:00 a.m. EDT)
• 85 miles SE of Tinian
• Maximum sustained winds 165 mph; moving NNW at 12 mph
• Typhoon force winds extend 65 miles; Tropical storm force winds extend 205 miles
• Typhoon Warnings in effect for Tinian, Saipan, and Rota • Tropical Storm Warning in effect for Guam, Alamagan, Pagan, and Agrihan
Potential Impacts
• Winds: Typhoon conditions are expected this evening through late Thursday morning for Tinian, Saipan and Rota; Tropical storm conditions are expected on Guam late this afternoon through Thursday night
• Rainfall: A Flash Flood Watch is now in effect. 10-14 inches of rain expected for Tinian and Saipan. 6-8 inches for Rota and 4-6 inches on Guam
• Storm Surge and High Surf: Dangerous, extremely high surf is expected along windward shores. Low lying along windward coasts may see inundation of 15-20 feet.
Once Yutu passes surf will build to 16-20 feet along exposed west facing coasts with 5-7 feet of inundation possible. Surf will be 10-20 feet range on Guam and Rota with inundation of 2-4 feet possible
State/Local Response
• CNMI at Full Activation o Saipan, Tinian, and Rota at COR I (onset of damaging winds within 12 hours)
• Guam EOC at Full Activation, COR I (onset of damaging winds within 12 hours)
• Governor of Guam declared State of Emergency
• All Guam and CNMI schools are close until further notice
FEMA Region IX
• IMAT-2 deployed to Saipan
• LNOs deployed to Guam and CNMI
• FEMA Region IX RWC at Steady State, continues to monitor
• FEMA Region IX IMAT-2 and select ESFs deployed to Saipan
FEMA HQ/Federal Response
• The President signed Emergency Declaration (FEMA-3408-EM) for CNMI on October 23
• FEMA Region VII IMAT deployed to Guam/CNMI in support of FEMA-4396/4398-DR
• FEMA HQ ISB team, MERS assets deployed to Guam and Saipan
• FEMA NRCC Response Operations Cell (ROC) activated (day shift)
• HHS deployed Incident Response Coordination Team (IRCT) and DMAT to Guam
• The JFO in Guam for FEMA-4396-MP/4398-DR-GU will be closed October 24; staff have been instructed to work from hotel rooms and shelter in place
State/Local Response
• CNMI at Full Activation o Saipan, Tinian, and Rota at COR I (onset of damaging winds within 12 hours)
• Guam EOC at Full Activation, COR I (onset of damaging winds within 12 hours)
• Governor of Guam declared State of Emergency
• All Guam and CNMI schools are close until further notice
Safety and Security:
Guam: ESF 13 on the ground and embedded with HHS; no unmet needs at this time
Food, Water, Sheltering:
• Shelters o Saipan: 12 shelters, 538 occupants (626 capacity) o Tinian: 1 shelter, 17 occupants (190 capacity) o Rota: 2 shelter, 78 occupants (160 capacity) o Guam: 8 shelters, 290 occupants
• Saipan: Water service for the entire island has been taken down intentionally
Health and Medical:
1 Dialysis and 1 outpatient clinic closed
Energy:
CNMI:
• Commonwealth Utility Company (CUC) estimates 21 days of fuel is currently available on the islands
• Saipan has generators available for post-storm use
• Power has been intentionally shut down for 8 of 9 feeders to protect the system
Communication:
In the event of a post-landfall communications disruption, routine checks through NAWAS and FNARS will commence by Region IX with the Territory
Transportation:
CNMI: • All ports are Condition Zulu (closed) (USCG as of midnight EDT)
• Airports: o Saipan: Airport is at normal operations however several flights are delayed/cancelled
o All flights cancelled out of Tinian and Rota
• Saipan local transit suspended normal services October 23 to provide services for residents to shelter
