RUSSIAN DIPLOMAT SAYS THE G8 SUMMIT'S JOINT STATEMENT ON ENDING SYRIA'S CIVIL WAR WILL NOT MENTION WHETHER PRES BASHAR ASSAD MUST LEAVE POWER AS PART OF ANY PEACE SETTLEMENT *

DEPUTY FOREIGN MIN SERGEI RYABKOV SAYS G8 NATIONS HAVE AGREED THEY SHOULDN'T SPECIFY ANY OUTCOME FROM PEACE TALKS IN GENEVA THAT ALL NATIONS AGREE SHOULD BEGIN SOON *

HE SAYS THE TALKS SHOULD FOCUS ON CREATING A TRANSITIONAL COALITION GOVT FOR SYRIA, BUT SHOULDN'T PREDETERMINE WHETHER ASSAD CAN PARTICIPATE IN THAT GOVT *

RUSSIA ALSO DISMISSED TODAY'S WESTERN CLAIMS THAT ASSAD'S FORCES USED CHEMICAL WEAPONS AS SPECULATED, ADDING THEY REQUIRE FURTHER INVESTIGATION *

FORMAL SYRIA DECLARATION IS EXPECTED TO BE PUBLISHED LATER TODAY *

RUSSIA'S FOREIGN MIN SAYS IRAN IS WILLING TO HALT ITS 20% ENRICHMENT OF URANIUM, A KEY CONCESSION SOUGHT IN INTL TALKS OVER IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM *

IT'S THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ENRICHMENT ACKNOWLEDGED BY IRAN AND ONE EXPERTS SAY COULD BE MADE WEAPONS GRADE IN JUST MONTHS *

SERGEY LAVROV SAYS "FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MANY YEARS" THERE ARE ENCOURAGING SIGNS IN INTL EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE DISPUTE WITH IRAN *

TWO HOMICIDE BOMBERS BLOW THEMSELVES UP INSIDE AND NEAR A SHIITE MOSQUE IN BAGHDAD, KILLING 26 PEOPLE AND WOUNDING AT LEAST 50 OTHERS *

BLASTS ARE THE LATEST IN A STRING OF ATTACKS THAT HAVE RAISED FEARS OF A RETURN OF WIDESPREAD SECTARIAN VIOLENCE THAT PUSHED IRAQ TO THE BRINK OF CIVIL WAR IN 2006 AND 2007 *

NEARLY 2,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN IRAQ SINCE THE START OF APRIL, INCLUDING OVER 220 THIS MONTH *

SWISS LAWMAKERS REJECT A GOVT-BACKED BANKING BILL THAT WOULD'VE ALLOWED SWISS BANKS TO TURN CONFIDENTIAL DATA OVER TO U.S. PROSECUTORS WITHOUT VIOLATING CLIENT SECRECY LAWS *

CRITICS CALL THE PLAN A VIOLATION OF SWISS SOVEREIGNTY, WHICH UNFAIRLY EXPOSES LOCAL BANKERS, ADVISERS AND ATTYS TO LEGAL PROSECUTION IN THE U.S. *

ABOUT A DOZEN BANKS SWISS BANKS HAVE ALREADY BEEN UNDER INVESTIGATION BY U.S. AUTHORITIES *

LATEST VOTE SENDS THE MEASURE BACK TO THE UPPER HOUSE, WHICH APPROVED IT LAST WEEK, FOR FURTHER DEBATE *

SEN CLAIRE MCCASKILL (D-MO) SAYS SHE'S SUPPORTING A SUPER POLITICAL ACTION CMTE ENCOURAGING HILLARY CLINTON TO RUN FOR PRES IN 2016 *

MCCASKILL IS THE FIRST SITTING MEMBER OF CONGRESS TO ENDORSE THE "READY FOR HILLARY" GROUP *

THE ORG DOESN'T HAVE OFFICIAL TIES TO CLINTON, BUT IS WORKING TO LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR ANOTHER CLINTON CAMPAIGN *

MCCASKILL WAS RE-ELECTED TO HER SECOND TERM IN THE SENATE IN 2012 *

MAN BLOWS HIMSELF UP IN A CROWD OF MOURNERS ATTENDING A FUNERAL IN NW PAKISTAN, KILLING 27 PEOPLE *

AMONG THE DEAD WAS A NEWLY ELECTED LAWMAKER WHO MAY HAVE BEEN THE TARGET *

BLAST WAS THE DEADLIEST ATTACK IN THE REGION SINCE MAY 11 NATL AND REGIONAL ELECTIONS INSTALLED A NEW GOVT IN THE NW PROVINCE OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA *

WORLD LEADERS AT THE G8 SUMMIT DECLARE THAT GOVTS MUST COOPERATE ON CLOSING TAX LOOPHOLES *

G8 LEADERS SAY TAX AUTHORITIES SHOULD AUTOMATICALLY SHARE INFORMATION "TO FIGHT THE SCOURGE OF TAX EVASION" AND MAKE IT HARDER FOR COMPANIES TO "SHIFT THEIR PROFITS ACROSS BORDERS TO AVOID TAXES" *

MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES WOULD BE OBLIGED TO DECLARE HOW MUCH TAX THEY PAY IN EACH COUNTRY WHERE THEY OPERATE *

G8 PLANS WILL BE DEVELOPED AT A G20 SUMMIT LATER THIS YEAR *

HEAD OF THE NATL SECURITY AGENCY TELLS CONGRESS THAT THE GOVT'S SWEEPING SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMS HAVE THWARTED SOME 50 TERRORIST PLOTS AROUND THE WORLD, INCLUDING ONE TO BOMB THE NY STOCK EXCHANGE *

ARMY GEN KEITH ALEXANDER TELLS THE HOUSE INTEL COMMITTEE THAT THE TWO PROGRAMS THAT WERE RECENTLY DISCLOSED ARE CRITICAL IN THE TERRORISM FIGHT *

ALEXANDER SAYS THE PROGRAMS HELP THE INTEL COMMUNITY "CONNECT THE DOTS" *

CHRYSLER AGREES TO RECALL 2.7 MIL OLDER JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND LIBERTY SUVS THAT COULD BE AT RISK OF A FUEL TANK FIRE *

NATL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMIN (NHTSA ) SAID EARLIER THIS MONTH THAT THE JEEP'S GAS TANK COULD RUPTURE IF HIT FROM THE REAR, CAUSING A FIRE, AFTER 51 PEOPLE DIED IN FIERY JEEP CRASHES *

RECALL COVERS JEEP GRAND CHEROKEES FROM MODEL YEARS 1993 THROUGH 2004 AND JEEP LIBERTY SUVS FROM 2002 THROUGH 2007 *

TWO OF MUAMMAR QADDAFI'S ADULT CHILDREN MOVE FROM ALGERIA TO OMAN IN WHAT THE UN SAYS IS A VIOLATION OF ITS TRAVEL BAN *

AISHA AND MOHAMMED QADDAFI HAVE BEEN ON THE UN SANCTIONS BLACKLIST SINCE EARLY 2011 AND ARE SUBJECT TO AN ASSET FREEZE AND TRAVEL BAN *

BOTH FLED TO ALGERIA AFTER THE LATE LIBYAN LEADER WAS OUSTED LATER THAT YEAR *

SYRIAN WARPLANES STRIKE REBEL POSITIONS NEAR A MILITARY AIR BASE IN THE COUNTRY'S NORTH *

MEANWHILE, GOVT FORCES HAVE STEPPED UP ATTACKS AGAINST OPPOSITION FIGHTERS IN THE KEY PROVINCE OF ALEPPO *

OFFICIALS SAY THE VIOLENCE IS ALSO SPILLING OVER THE BORDER INTO LEBANON, WHERE CLASHES BETWEEN PRO-HEZBOLLAH GUNMEN AND FOLLOWERS OF A SUNNI CLERIC HAVE KILLED AT LEAST TWO *

U.S. WILL HOLD TALKS WITH THE TALIBAN IN AN ATTEMPT TO END THE 12-YR-OLD WAR IN AFGHANISTAN *

THE TALIBAN MET A KEY U.S. DEMAND BY PLEDGING NOT TO USE AFGHANISTAN AS A BASE TO THREATEN OTHER COUNTRIES *

BUT THE U.S. SAYS THE GROUP MUST ALSO DENOUNCE AL QAEDA...PRES OBAMA PRAISES THE MOVE, BUT SAYS THE PROCESS WON'T BE QUICK OR EASY *

HE CALLS THE TALIBAN'S OPENING OF A POLITICAL OFFICE IN QATAR AN "IMPORTANT FIRST STEP TOWARD RECONCILIATION" BETWEEN TALIBAN AND AFGHAN GOVT *

 

JUST WHAT WE NEED! UGH! SEE WARNING FROM FEMA

by Posted in:

Oct 25 2012 - 4:26 PM ET

comments

 

News Release

 

 

As Hurricane Sandy Nears Southeast Florida, FEMA Urges Residents to Prepare for Extreme Weather

WASHINGTON – 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 visiting http://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.

###

 

 

Mike Majchrowitz

White House Correspondent

Fox News Radio

Greta Alerts

Get Greta's Breaking News Alerts via email. Enter your email address below to sign up.

Latest Slideshow

Interviewing Sen. Hatch