Latest news with #EmergencyManagement
CBC
13 hours ago
- Climate
- CBC
Manitoba looks to move Thompson evacuees elsewhere amid struggle for hotel space, minister says
Manitoba is looking at moving more than 100 wildfire evacuees from the northern city of Thompson to another part of the province, as it struggles to find enough hotel space for everyone forced out of their homes this spring. As of Thursday, about 114 people were still living in the evacuation centre in that city, including some who had been there for close to three weeks, Lisa Naylor, the minister responsible for Manitoba's Emergency Management Organization, said at a news conference. "It is provincial policy for people not to stay in congregate shelters. And we have worked really hard, but because we can't find rooms in the area we are looking at moving people to a different location in Manitoba," Naylor said. "That's going to be sorted out over the next probably 24 to 48 hours. Folks have been there a really long time, and that was never the intention." Those evacuees are among more than 22,000 people forced out of their homes this spring by wildfires, in what Naylor described as one of the largest evacuations in the province's history. People from 14 Manitoba communities are still evacuated from their homes as wildfires continue to burn across the province, said Christine Stevens, assistant deputy minister of the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization. While evacuees from some areas have started to go home, Stevens said there are a number of elements local officials have to make sure are in place before that happens everywhere, including the return of medical staff and law enforcement, and the reopening of schools, grocery stores and gas stations. As of Thursday, there are 21 wildfires burning across Manitoba, including seven deemed out of control, said Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister of the Conservation Officer Service and the Manitoba Wildfire Service. The province overall is at a moderate to high fire danger — and while there are pockets where rain has helped, officials are also anticipating more possible fire starts caused by recent and forecast thunderstorms, Hayward said. Updates on out-of-control fires Hayward also gave updates on a number of out-of-control fires burning near communities across Manitoba, including two in northwestern Manitoba near the city of Flin Flon. One of those fires is now about 7,200 hectares on the Manitoba side of the border, while the other is over 370,000 hectares and still very active after recent rain dried up — though Hayward said crews are still making steady progress in the area immediately around Flin Flon. Another out-of-control fire in eastern Manitoba, in the area of Nopiming Provincial Park, is over 218,000 hectares. Hayward said while that blaze continues to burn actively on its north and west sides, residents in some other areas nearby were able to return home recently, as crews have gotten good control on those sections of the fire. Good progress is being made on an out-of-control fire that's now over 21,500 hectares in the Split Lake area, northeast of Thompson, while another in the Lynn lake region is over 71,000 hectares, with the north half actively burning but the south part, closer to the community, looking better, she said. Another blaze in the Cross Lake area that's about 64,000 hectares has been stable, meaning it's not growing significantly over time, Hayward said. Meanwhile, two other fires in western Manitoba have had their status change, with one near Wanless deemed under control and another close to Grand Rapids being held, she said. 'Could get worse from here, I won't sugarcoat it' As for what the rest of the summer may hold for wildfires in Manitoba, that's more difficult to predict, Hayward said. "I wish I had a crystal ball, as I usually say," she said, adding what's clear is the long-term forecast shows prolonged periods of warmer than average temperatures and a possibility of lower than normal precipitation. "We're coming into a season where we see a lot of thunderstorms and a lot of lighting passing through. So, you know, things could get worse from here, I won't sugarcoat it — but hopefully they don't." WATCH | Thursday's Manitoba wildfire update: Manitoba wildfire update 43 minutes ago Duration 22:47 Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor gives an update on the wildfires burning across Manitoba, alongside Kristin Hayward, assistant deputy minister of the Conservation Officer Service and the Manitoba Wildfire Service, and Christine Stevens, assistant deputy minister of the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization. To date, the province has recorded 124 fires this spring — above the 20-year average of 118 for this time of year, she said. The total area burned in Manitoba this year is now over 902,000 hectares. The province now has 297 people from outside Manitoba helping with the wildfire effort, including some from Newfoundland and Labrador and from Parks Canada. Most are from U.S. federal and state agencies, including firefighters from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, Hayward said.
CBS News
15 hours ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Southeast Michigan communities to open cooling centers for potential record-high temperatures
Local officials in several Metro Detroit communities are preparing to help residents take shelter from a heat wave that is expected to start Sunday through designating cooling centers. "Even an hour or two in these locations will cool you down," the Oakland County Emergency Management Agency said on its site. These designated sites are air conditioned spaces at dozens of community centers, senior centers, city and township government buildings, recreation facilities, shopping malls and public libraries where local residents are welcome to gather and get a break from the heat. In some cases, police stations and fire stations are among the designated sites. Most are open to the public only during specific times. Locations and drop-in hours are listed at the following links: City of Detroit Livingston County Macomb County Oakland County Washtenaw County Wayne County
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Washington County just upgraded its emergency alert system. Are you signed up?
Washington County has launched a new emergency notification system, WashCoMD Alerts, to keep residents informed and safe, according to an announcement. The new system, powered by Smart911, replaces the county's previous system, Everbridge, and aims to offer faster and more reliable communication during emergencies. WashCoMD Alerts will deliver real-time notifications about critical events, including infrastructure outages, severe weather, major traffic incidents, evacuations, major crimes and missing persons, according to the announcement. Current users of the Everbridge system will have their data transferred to the new system, but all new contacts will require user confirmation to receive email alerts. Upon upload of public data, users will receive an automated confirmation email with a link to verify their account and consent to receive emails from Washington County. Residents not currently enrolled can register to receive alerts by texting "WashCoMD" to 226787 or by going to and following the prompts. Registration is free. 'We're committed to keeping our community safe and informed,' Alan Matheny, director of emergency management and communications, said in the release. 'WashCoMD Alerts gives us a more advanced, efficient way to reach residents quickly in emergency situations. This upgrade ensures timely and accurate information is always just a text away.' Through integration with Smart911, users can also create a free Safety Profile that provides 9-1-1 and emergency responders with important personal details, including medical conditions, home addresses and emergency contacts. For more information, contact Washington County's Public Relations and Marketing Department at 240-313-2380 or pr@ This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at The Herald-Mail is growing its local news: Send your news to us This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: New WashCoMD Alerts system promises faster emergency updates
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Connecticut braces for heat wave: Here's how to stay safe
Connecticut is preparing for a heat wave starting June 22. According to a community announcement, Gov. Ned Lamont has activated the state's Extreme Hot Weather Protocol. This protocol will be in effect from noon on June 22 through at least 8 p.m. on June 25. This marks the first time this year that the protocol has been activated. The weather forecast predicts temperatures will exceed 90 degrees, with a heat index ranging from 100 to 105 degrees. The protocol aims to protect vulnerable populations during these extreme conditions. State agencies, municipalities, and partners will coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 to provide information on cooling centers available statewide. These centers will offer relief for those in need. Individuals can find their nearest cooling center by calling 2-1-1 or visiting where a list will be published online. The protocol includes several actions to ensure effective communication and assistance. The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection's Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will utilize its WebEOC communications network. This internet-based system allows local, regional, and state emergency management officials to share real-time information about various situations. More: Norwich weather is about to change: Where there could be a heat wave Municipalities and partners will submit information about cooling center openings into the WebEOC, creating a real-time database of available locations. United Way 2-1-1 will act as a clearinghouse to help residents locate these centers. Regional coordinators will monitor WebEOC to respond to requests from municipalities for state assistance. Energy utility companies will provide regular updates on the impact of the weather on their services throughout the protocol's duration. Certain groups are at greater risk for heat-related illnesses. Infants and young children are particularly sensitive to high temperatures and depend on caregivers to provide adequate hydration and a safe environment. Older adults, especially those 65 and older, may struggle to manage heat stress and often do not sense temperature changes effectively. Individuals who are overweight may retain more body heat, increasing their risk of heat sickness. Those who overexert themselves during work or exercise may become dehydrated and more susceptible to heat-related issues. People with existing health conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, or those taking specific medications, may also be affected by extreme heat. To stay safe during periods of extreme heat, residents are advised to keep their body temperature cool. Staying in air-conditioned buildings is recommended. If outdoor activity is necessary, it should be limited to the morning and evening hours. Resting in shady areas can help the body cool down. Finding an air-conditioned location is crucial. Residents are encouraged to call 2-1-1 for a list of cooling centers. Relying solely on fans is not advisable. Avoiding direct sunlight and wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing can also help. Taking cool showers or baths is recommended, as is checking on at-risk individuals several times a day. Pets should have access to water and shade if they cannot be brought indoors. Leaving pets in parked vehicles is dangerous, as temperatures can rise to life-threatening levels quickly. Staying hydrated is essential during extreme heat. It is advised to drink more water than usual and not wait until feeling thirsty to hydrate. Drinking two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outdoors is recommended. Residents should also avoid alcohol and sugary drinks. Reminding others to stay hydrated is important for community safety during this heat wave. This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Connecticut activates heat emergency plan — here's what to expect
CBS News
a day ago
- Climate
- CBS News
As flash floods in West Virginia kill at least 8, Gov. Morrisey aims to rally residents during clean-up
It's been a challenging and heartbreaking few days for West Virginians since deadly flooding devastated many communities. The death toll continues to rise, search and rescue operations are still underway, and clean-up efforts are far from over. "I do have some somber news to report. We now can clearly state that eight people are confirmed dead in Ohio County," said Gov. Patrick Morrisey. The grim update from Gov. Morrisey came several days after flash flooding destroyed homes and washed away roads in the Wheeling-Ohio County area. A man was found dead Wednesday morning in the Ohio River, bringing the death toll to eight. "We can't take that back, but we can honor their memory by coming together and doing everything we can to help the remaining people that might be out there, and help rebuild in Ohio County," Morrisey said. Crews didn't know the man who was found Wednesday was missing. They found him while looking for a woman who's still missing. "We have at least one unaccounted for, but we don't know whether there will be others. We're going to continue to look. That's the top priority right now," the governor said. "We retrieved a person this morning, and we all knew that even though we had eight, there might be people who were never witnessed and were in the water," said Lou Vargo, the Ohio County Emergency Management Agency Director. As much as four inches of rain fell in the northern panhandle within just 40 minutes Saturday night. Marion County was also hit hard by flooding. Governor Morrisey said everyone there is alive and accounted for. He said he's been in touch with the White House for assistance and will send damage surveys to FEMA once they're all submitted by flood victims. He and Vargo urged residents impacted by the floods to submit those surveys. "I know President Trump cares deeply about West Virginia, he really does, and so I'm going to make my best argument to him as to why Ohio County and West Virginia, and Marion County, all these areas deserve the help to get our citizens back on the right track," Morrisey said. Despite the tragedy and the long road ahead, West Virginians are strong, and they'll rebuild together. "One thing that's true about West Virginians: We're never, never going to give up," Gov. Morrisey said. "We're going to come back from this stronger than ever, and we're going to work together." "Volunteers are stepping up in a way that we haven't seen before. Everyone is reaching out to help their brothers and sisters in need. The coordination on the ground has been excellent," he added.
