Zack & Joseph’s 1-2 Punch!

Baltimore Update

T PENSACOLA

JournalWednesday April 29, 2015

imes

Federal Military Response

Pensacola Beach –Down to the Rooftops Civilian and military rescue teams continue search. On the first day of rescue operations, Petty Officer 2nd Class Joel M. Sayers, an aviation survival technician, or "rescue swimmer," found himself in a compromising position when he was lowered onto a rooftop to rescue an older woman stranded by the rising floodwaters.The noise and constant, downward air pressure coming from the SH-60 helicopter were nothing new to Sayers; however, the sloped roof and flying shingles presented new hazards to the rescue swimmer who normally works in open water.When he landed, Sayers began talking to the frightened woman and learned that her husband was still in the attic of their house, unable to move. Sayers looked through the small opening in the roof the woman had managed to escape through and saw the woman's husband. After several failed attempts to widen the hole and free the man using the helicopter's hatchet, Sayers knew he needed something with more weight and strength if he was to save the man trapped inside."I knew I had to do something to get him out of there,“ - continue page A4

Peaceful Protests

ZACK’S AFTERMATH

Death and DangerFEMA First Responder’s Door Marking: Top quadrant – Date Searched, Right quadrant – Hazards (electrical, gas, animals, etc), Bottom quadrant - # of people - # of deaths, Left Quadrant – Search Unit

ZACK

Hurricane Zack struck the Gulf Coast with devastating force at daybreak on Apr 22, 2015 pummeling a region that included from Florida to New Orleans and heaping damage on neighboring Mississippi. In all, nearly 1,700 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands of others displaced.Packing 155-mile-an-hour winds as it made landfall, the category 4 storm left more than a million people in three states without power and submerged highways even hundreds of miles from its center. The hurricane’s storm surge — a 20-foot wall of water pushed ashore when the hurricane struck the Gulf Coast.Zack will rank as one of the most punishing hurricanes ever to hit the United States. Damage, costing billions of dollars, has made it one of the costliest storms on record. In southern Florida, floodwaters rose to rooftops in the coastal neighborhoods, and many areas residents were rescued from roofs of homes that became uninhabitable. The hurricane’s howling winds stripped roofs off of homes and businesses. An exodus of hundreds of thousands have left the region to seeking shelter.

Florida Death Toll Reaches

1,650

HEALTH ALERTMold Threat

Pascagoula – Authorities in southeastern Mississippi have requested federal assistance from FEMA to clear roadways and restore electricity to the region. U.S. Navy and National Guard units have arrived in the region and have begun the recovery effort on federal and military installations.

Costliest U.S. Natural Disasters:Hurricanes dominate the list of costliest natural disasters in U.S. history, although earthquakes and tornadoes have also caused extensive damage, hurricanes have by far had the greatest financial impact and loss of life. Sources: Insurance Information Institute; Federal Emergency Management Agency

Pensacola - A member of Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 from Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., watches as a vehicle is lifted from Sherman Cove Marina, during recovery efforts. MDSU-2 is assisting other federal, state, and local authorities managing disaster and recovery efforts.

Search & Rescue

During a flood cleanup, can present serious long-term health risks. Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and mold.

Pensacola – U.S. Navy units from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), Virginia Beach have begun clean up efforts at NAS Pensacola and expect to open the military airfield by this weekend. Responding to local complaints about the perceived lack of clean-up at the Pensacola International airport, Navy spokesman LCDR Tim Kelley explained, “..that military contribution is guided by federal law and directed by civilian authorities. “ The Navy units are ready, willing and able to contribute, but can only act if local and state authorities are unable to respond or if there is an immediate threat to life and property. I believe we will be assisting the civil authorities at Pensacola International once help is requested and it is determined that we’re the best unit for the job.”

Pensacola International airport23 April 2015