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Subject: NPS Morning Report - 9/25/98
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Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 09:26:48 -0400
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Friday, September 25, 1998
INCIDENTS
98-612 - Southeast Region - Hurricane Georges
Hurricane Georges was 50 miles southeast of Key West this morning and
expected to make landfall in the keys by mid-day. Highest sustained winds
are around 100 mph. The current forecast is for the hurricane to reach the
main coastline between Florida and Louisiana this weekend. It will likely be
a Category III storm by that time:
o DeSoto NM (FL) - The park, which is near Tampa Bay on the Gulf side of
the state, completed implementation of its hurricane plan yesterday
afternoon and is now closed. There will be no employees on-site during
the hurricane's passage. Severe erosion appears likely because of the
park's location on the bay and the direction the storm is taking.
o Everglades NP (FL) - All facilities at the park were shut down by 6
p.m. yesterday and all non-essential employees were released to prepare
their homes. Final sweeps of the park were to be conducted yesterday
afternoon; all required occupants were to be checked into designated
shelters by 6 p.m. A total of 33 people are assigned to the incident.
o Virgin Islands NP (VI)/San Juan NHS (PR) - Although damage to park
property in the Caribbean was not severe, all NPS employees in Puerto
Rico and some in the Virgin Islands suffered significant losses to
personal property. At least three San Juan employees lost their homes
from a storm that the San Juan Star called "the biggest and most
destructive hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in 70 years." Eastern
National has set up a donation account to assist those employees.
Anyone wishing to donate to the special hurricane account should send a
check with a note on it saying that it's for "Hurricane Georges" to
Eastern National, 470 Maryland Drive, Suite 1, Fort Washington, PA
19034. The money will be distributed quickly to employees in need. You
can also make a contribution through the Combined Federal Campaign. An
organization called the Federal Employees Education and Assistance Fund
provides up to $600 in a combination of loans and grants to federal
employees suffering from a natural disaster or unforeseen emergency
(such as the Oklahoma City bombing). The fund is listed among the
charities in the Combined Federal Campaign (pledge number 2808), so you
can earmark a direct donation. For more information on the fund, call
1-800-323-4140.
[Ken Garvin, SERO, 9/23; Brian Loadholtz, CR/Acting Superintendent, DESO,
9/24; Maureen McGee-Ballinger, IO, EVER, 9/24; SEFA Public Affairs, 9/25]
98-620 - Point Reyes NS (CA) - Marijuana Cultivation Arrests
Rangers and the regional special agent recently completed a two-month-long
investigation into a marijuana cultivation site within the park near a state
highway. Investigation of vehicles in the area and sensor equipment led to
identification of two Sausalito men as key suspects. They were found in
possession of freshly-cut marijuana near the site. Thirty plants valued at
$60,000 were seized; evidence linking them to the area was also found.
Charges were filed against the pair with the county district attorney's
office. [Charles Strickfaden, PORE, 9/21]
98-621 - Canyon de Chelly NM (AZ) - Apparent Suicide
A local family picking pinon nuts came across what appeared to be human
remains in a remote clearing off Spider Rock Road on September 19th. Navajo
officers received the report and asked rangers for assistance. The remains
were found near a parked vehicle belong to the victim, who apparently died
from a self-inflicted shotgun wound. A shotgun was found near his body;
identification and two suicide notes were found inside the vehicle. The
county sheriff's department is leading the investigation. [CRO, CACH, 9/22]
[Additional reports pending...]
FIRE ACTIVITY
The fire report is not available this morning.
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION
No entries.
PARK DISPATCHES
No entries.
OPERATIONAL NOTES
No entries.
MEMORANDA
No entries.
INTERCHANGE
No entries.
* * * * *
Distribution of the Morning Report is through a mailing list managed by park,
office and/or field area cc:Mail hub coordinators. Please address requests
pertaining to receipt of the Morning Report to your servicing hub
coordinator.
Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation and
support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.
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