NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

BLACKBERRY EDITION

Monday, August 29, 2005

INCIDENTS

Eastern Areas

Katrina Pummels Everglades, Heads for Louisiana

Hurricane Katrina caused significant damage in Everglades NP, but so far appears not to have had a major impact on other Florida parks. This morning, the hurricane will again make landfall, probably in Louisiana. It will then move to the north and east, bringing heavy rains along its path. This morning's summary begins with preparations in Louisiana, then reports on the hurricane's impacts in Florida:

Jean Lafitte NHP/New Orleans Jazz NHP

The parks began releasing employees at noon on Saturday. Employees, whether they evacuate or not, have been directed to check in with dispatch at Natchez Trace Parkway. Storm preparations were begun on Friday and completed early Saturday morning.

Everglades NP

The west wall of Hurricane Katrina's eye made landfall near the Miami-Dade-Broward county line at 6:38 p.m. last Thursday, and, to the surprise of most residents, dipped to the south and moved southwest across Miami-Dade. As Katrina progressed across southwest Miami-Dade, the south edge of the eye passed directly over the National Hurricane Center with gusts measuring 86 mph. This path caught many residents by surprise and had more dire consequences later: The storm moved diagonally over much of the park and exited Florida in the narrowest portion of the peninsula. That meant the storm had less time over land to weaken. And it impacted Flamingo with unexpectedly strong force winds and rain. The storm surge caused flooding in excess of five feet throughout the area. Its path and renewed strengthening over Gulf waters also had unexpected impacts on Dry Tortugas National Park (below).

Park staff living in Miami-Dade are dealing with the continuing county-wide effects of high water (12 to 15 inches of rain fell throughout the area, with locally greater amounts) and downed trees. More than 1.5 million residents were initially without power, with more than 850,000 in Miami-Dade County.

Park staff conducted an initial assessment of impacts on the park on Saturday. Assessments were made by ground and air, with most attention centered on Flamingo. The main park road is passable, but numerous downed trees are being removed from the roadway. Work on removing them was to continue on Sunday, along with work on secondary roads and trails.

Power has now been restored to the headquarters and Pine Island complexes. The Gulf Coast Visitor Center has power and shows relatively fewer storm-related effects. Shark Valley and Flamingo remain without power. Shark Valley may reopen in the near future after power is restored and downed trees are removed, but Flamingo will remain closed. More detailed assessments of building and property damage will be required to determine how long this area must remain closed to the public. First priority is for the welfare of resident park and concessions employees whose homes and property have been damaged. Employee losses include five personal vehicles and numerous personal household items. All Flamingo staff have been evacuated to temporary housing at Pine Island or in the local community.

The park estimates that 10 to 11 government vehicles have been destroyed. Some additional few vehicles may join the list. All government boats at Flamingo appear to be okay. Since four to six feet of water entered most ground floor buildings, many tools and selected pieces of equipment have been destroyed. Park heavy equipment, including tractors, fire truck and ambulance, appear to be okay. Two NPS housing trailers have damage and most concession housing trailers are total losses. Heavy losses were suffered among concessions boats, with houseboats pushed on land and canoes and kayaks scattered throughout the area. The concessions marina store and gift shop were flooded. It appears that not all lodge rooms were flooded and lodge roofs remain largely intact. The rental cabins all have some level of high water and/or wind damage. The Flamingo campground came through in relatively good shape, but extensive debris, including grills, picnic tables and amphitheater benches, have scattered, sometime far into mangrove areas. The amphitheater screen is gone.

Visitor services were to resume at Gulf Coast VC on Sunday, but the remainder of the park remained closed.

The park is currently managing the incident with in house resources and assistance from a saw crew team from Big Cypress as a Type 3 team. The park anticipates requesting outside assistance through a Type 2 team early next week.

Dry Tortugas NP

Hurricane Katrina passed about 30 miles west of the park, with recorded wind speeds of 105 MPH. It appears that the park's communications tower is down, as Everglades staff have been successful in only limited satellite phone contact. It appears that park staff are okay following the storm.

Biscayne NP

The re-entry team checking the park reported half a dozen trees down, with some on the park entrance road. The dock suffered some structural damage. The park has power. Due to unsafe conditions accessing the park, including flooded streets, the park will remain closed.

Big Cypress NP

Minimal damage is reported. Numerous trees are down on Loop Road and power is out. Monroe Station, a historic structure in deteriorated condition, lost a six by six section of wall that was already rotted and termite infested. Other park buildings mainly suffered raised roof shingles and blown out screens. The damage assessment was to continue on Sunday with a helicopter overflight.

Canaveral NS

Due to the change in the hurricane's track on Friday, the park returned to normal operations that same day.

[Ken Garvin, Regional FMO, SERO; Leigh Zahm, Supervisory Park Ranger, JELA; Bill Wright, Chief Ranger, EVER; Scott Anderson, Program Assistant, CANA; Brenda Lanzendorf, IC, BISC; Ed Clark, Chief Ranger, BICY]

FIRE MANAGEMENT

NIFC remains at PL 3. There were 146 new fires on Sunday, with four becoming large fires. Three Type 1 teams have been mobilized to support Hurricane Katrina recovery operations. A planning team and several logistics management teams have also been ordered.

Individual fire entries for today for the National Park Service can be obtained at HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/fire/news" http://www.nps.gov/fire/news . The full NIFC Incident Management Situation Report for today can be obtained at HYPERLINK "http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.pdf" http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.pdf.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Nothing today.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Nothing today.

JOBS

Nothing today.

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Prepared by Visitor and Resource Protection, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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