RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

Attention: Directorate
           Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
           Ranger Activities Division Information Network

Day/Date:  Wednesday, March 17, 1993

Broadcast: By 0800 EST

INCIDENTS

93-112 - Eastern Regions - Follow-up on Storm Impacts

More reports have been received regarding the impacts of the "winter
hurricane" which struck the East Coast last weekend.  Many parks,
particularly in Southeast Region, reported minor damage, particularly downed
trees.  The more significant reports follow:

* Everglades - Wind and storm surge damaged park facilities, most heavily
impacting areas which suffered least from Hurricane Andrew.  Commercial
power to the park was off for more than 24 hours, which caused the sewage
treatment plan to go down.  The cost to pump it out is placed at $25,000. 
The park's backcountry was closed; all users were finally accounted for by
early morning on the 15th.  Some damage was inflicted on residences in
Flamingo, the campground was flooded by seawater, and the concessioner's
utility systems to docks and outbuildings were damaged by salt water
inundation.  The Buttonwood Canal dam is leaking.  The park and
concessioner's bulkhead, docks, boats and marine facilities at Everglades
City were severely damaged.  The new $14,000 aluminum marine canopy there
was destroyed.  Salt water overwash damaged a boat hoist, electrical
equipment, lawn mowers and stored lumber.  Structural damage was confined
largely to marina and maintenance facilities.  Employees experienced varying
levels of damage to homes, including those newly repaired or temporarily
stabilized since Hurricane Andrew.  No injuries to employees or visitors
were reported.  Most normal park operations resumed on the morning of March
15th.

* Dry Tortugas - The storm struck this new park on March 13th.  Winds were
recorded at 95 mph at the Fort Jefferson weather station before the tower
blew down.  The National Weather Service recorded wind speeds of up to 106
mph.  Eight vessels in the park anchorage were driven aground on Bush Key,
a large fishing vessel went aground on the swimming beach, and another went
aground on Bird Key.  The fort's wall and moat wall were damaged and trees
were downed or damaged on the fort's parade ground and on several islands. 
The radio and weather tower was blown down, the satellite dish was
destroyed, and a window in the lighthouse was cracked.  Seventeen stranded
boaters were put up overnight at Fort Jefferson.  Park personnel treated
several persons for minor injuries.  A number of fights - both verbal and
physical - occurred aboard some of the vessels.  Park employees had no
communications with anyone until a temporary antenna was set up to contact
Everglades dispatch.  The park is open; staff members are clearing debris
and assisting in the removal of stranded vessels. 

* Big Cypress - Storm winds knocked down antennae, damaged roofs and private
vehicles, and downed trees.

* Biscayne - The park reports some roof and boat damage and wind blown
debris throughout the area.

* Blue Ridge - At the time of the report yesterday, the park was still
snowbound with 10 to 15 foot drifts.  Power is out in many places.  Damage
assessments are underway.

* Great Smokies - The park is closed, and access to the neighboring towns of
Cherokee and Gatlinburg is highly restricted.  The area has been without
power since Friday; it will probably not be restored until tomorrow.  About
20 to 30 park employees are stranded in their residences, but there's little
likelihood that any are experiencing anything more than normal storm-
related problems.

* Cape Hatteras - There was considerable flooding in the park, which led to
significant structural, electrical and septic system damage.  Damage
assessments are underway.

* Cumberland Island - One park boat capsized during the storm.  Some damage
was inflicted on the roofs of park structures, some of them historic, and to
docks.

* Desoto - A tree struck the visitor center roof, a fuel tank was damaged,
and some water damage occurred in unspecified locations.

* Guilford Courthouse - Electrical power at the ranger residence and park
headquarters was off for about 36 hours.  Over 300 trees fell in the park. 
The eastern portion of the park will be closed to public use for about ten
days until all the hazardous trees are removed.  

[Bill Springer, RAD/SERO; Pat Tolle, EVER; Jason Houck, GRSM; Chuck Taylor,
GUCO; 3/16]

93-114 - Great Smokies (Tennessee/North Carolina) - Follow-up on Search

The search for the three groups of eight people from the Cranbrook School -
each comprised of seven teenaged students and a counselor - who were missing
in the park concluded successfully yesterday afternoon when they were found
in good health and winched out by helicopter.  Two of the groups were in the
Upper Hazel Creek bunkhouse; the remaining eight were at a backcountry
campsite about a mile away.  Groups from the Cranbrook School come to the
park each year for an "Outward Bound" type experience in which students hike
with counselors through the park for several days.  This year, ten groups of
eight came to the park.  Searchers found the other seven groups on Monday. 
Although some group members were suffering from hypothermia and frostbite,
some of it severe, most were in good shape.  The search continues for 11
other hikers who are still in the park.  Many of them came to the park
specifically for the winter hiking experience; some of those who have been
contacted have waived rescue, others have walked out and are in good
condition.  The superintendent closed the backcountry yesterday, however;
all those still remaining in the park will be found and evacuated.  Six
helicopters are scheduled to search the park today, but weather conditions
may impede operations.  It is currently very overcast and raining, and flash
flood warnings have been posted for the area.  If the hikers are not found
today, then six Apache helicopters with infrared sensing equipment will fly
over the park tonight.  About ten rangers will also be sent in to high
probability search areas on snowshoe today.  Attention will be focused on
the major trails between Cades Cove and park headquarters and the
Appalachian Trail.  There were about 150 to 175 personnel deployed on the
search yesterday.  They are operating under a unified command with Jason
Houck, the park's chief ranger, serving as incident commander; members are
the NPS, Forest Service, CAP, Tennessee Emergency Management Administration,
and North Carolina Air National Guard.   [Jason Houck, CR, GRSM, 3/16 and
3/17]

93-117 - Coulee Dam (Washington) - Probable Drowning

On the afternoon of March 10th, rangers received a report that fisherman had
seen a boat going in fast circles on the lake near Fort Spokane and that
they'd discovered only two dogs on board when checking it after it ran out
of gas.  Rangers conducted a hasty search until nightfall, but found
nothing.  Investigation revealed that the boat registration matched the
registration of a car with a boat trailer which was left in a parking lot. 
The registration was traced to C.M., a 41-year-old resident of
Spokane.  One of the dogs had a license registered to C.M., the other
was registered to C.M.'s girlfriend/common-law wife.  The search resumed
on the 11th with boats from other agencies, an Air Force helicopter, and the
Spokane sheriff's office dive team.  At about 4 p.m., sonar being used by
the searchers detected a possible "target" at a depth of 240 feet - too deep
for recovery.  C.M. is now listed as "missing and presumed drowned." 
[Mark Arsenault, CODA, 3/11]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No field reports today.

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: No leave or travel scheduled.

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Martin on travel (3/15-3/17);
Dickerhoof on AL (3/15-3/19).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Cook instructing S-230/260/390 (3/15-3/26);
Clark instructing S-490/590 (3/13-3/27).

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone: Branch of R&VP - 202-208-4874
           Branch of F&A (WASO) - 202-208-5572
Telefax:   Branch of R&VP - 202-208-6756
           Branch of F&A (WASO) - 202-208-5977
cc:Mail:   Branch of R&VP - WASO Ranger Activities
           Branch of F&A (WASO) - WASO Fire and Aviation