Emergency Preparedness for the week of February 1, 2010

February 2, 2010

Another snow storm is scheduled to hit the Navajo County area delivering rain and snow. Forecasters are anticipating up to 7” of new snow in higher elevations and increasing mud in some parts of the county.

Navajo County Emergency Management is encouraging all citizens, including residents of the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe to be prepared by having enough food, water, medicine and heating fuel for the next few days.

As we have learned from the last major storm system communication is extremely important. Please take a few minutes to discuss with family, friends/neighbors and loved ones to be aware of how you are doing. Also, remember to keep your cell phone charged and a traditional land-line telephone.

You are encouraged to keep abreast of this snow storm by listening to locally broadcasted news and weather or by calling Navajo County’s Emergency Management Hotline at 928-524-4200, option 3. Weather and other emergency services information is also available on the County’s website at www.navajocountyaz.gov.

For more information review the link below as the Arizona Division of Emergency Management has prepared a brochure on helpful tips in the event of an emergency: www.dem.azdema.gov/operations/docs/pubs/brochures/preptips.pdf

The National Weather Service forecast information at: www.wrh.noaa.gov/fgz/

Thank you and please be safe.

Navajo County Deactivates Emergency Operations Center

February 2, 2010

Holbrook, Arizona — Navajo County will deactivate the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) effective today, February 2, 2010 at 4:00 p.m., returning to non-emergency business as usual status.

Navajo County Emergency Management will keep a telephone line available for calls from residents reporting property damage in the un-incorporated areas of Navajo County. The number is: 928-524-4790. Please note a voicemail has been set up with this number for residents to report damages caused by the severe snow storm beginning January 21, 2010.

For Damage Assessment information, if you reside within a town or city boundary (non-tribal jurisdictions), please call:

Please have as much information as available about the damage you may have sustained during the recent storms. The following information is needed to report any damage related to this storm (not pre-existing damage or deferred maintenance):

• Name of owner
• Location/address and telephone number
• Residential or commercial
• If residential, indicate whether it is a primary or secondary home
• Brief, but good description of damage
• Whether or not the owner has insurance
• Ballpark estimate of the cost of repairs

Tenney, DeSpain meet with U.S. Sec. of Agriculture and Congresswoman Kirkpatrick to discuss Forest Initiative

February 2, 2010

Holbrook — Capitalizing on months of research and collaboration, Navajo County Supervisors David Tenney and JR DeSpain joined local elected officials, Forest Service officials, forest health experts, and state policymakers in a historic gathering with Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to promote the Four Forest Initiative—a multi-party effort designed to restore northern Arizona’s forests on a landscape scale.

“This was a extraordinary moment in the history of northern Arizona’s forests,” Supervisor Tenney declared. “The presence of the Secretary of Agriculture was a clear sign that the Four Forest Initiative is gaining momentum and national attention. We are grateful for his support.”

Held in Christopher Creek on Saturday, January 30, the meeting featured presentations from community leaders and forest experts on the benefits of the Initiative, which calls on the Forest Service to dramatically increase the number of acres available to private industry for thinning and treatment. The Initiative would triple or even quadruple the acreage being treated in northern Arizona’s forests each year. The Initiative would also potentially lead to the creation of as many as 600 jobs as a result of the demand for additional facilities to process the harvested wood into a marketable product.

Representing the Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG), Supervisor JR DeSpain thanked Kirkpatrick and Vilsack for their support of the Initiative. “All 22 cities and four counties in northern Arizona have endorsed this plan,” DeSpain said. “The community support behind this is unprecedented.”

Tenney and DeSpain were joined by a host of environmental groups, forest health scientists (including NAU Professor Wally Covington), industry representatives, and elected officials from Flagstaff to Greenlee County. All present expressed their conviction that the Four Forest Initiative is Arizona’s best opportunity to restores the state’s forests, prevent large-scale wildfires, and create jobs.

State Senator Sylvia Allen (R-Snowflake) who sponsored a measure expressing the state’s endorsement for the Initiative last year, was present at the meeting and emphasized the state’s support. “This is a great opportunity for northern Arizona. The State of Arizona is looking to the Forest Service to get this done.”

Secretary Vilsack was impressed by the show of support. “We want to be supportive,” Vilsack declared. We believe you’re on to something that has more than just a regional significance here in Arizona.”

Congresswoman Kirkpatrick thanked the Secretary for his presence and expressed her hope that the Initiative would serve as an economic engine for northern Arizona. “This is a model not only for restoring the forest, but creating jobs as well.”

Arizona Food Bank Contributes to Operation Winter Storm

January 31, 2010

Holbrook, Arizona — Humanitarian efforts continue throughout the Navajo Reservation and the Hopi Tribal Land. Crews are actively distributing food and supplies to villages and chapterhouses for residents impacted by the recent winter storms. To contribute to the relief operation St. Mary’s Food Bank is donating a semi truck load of non perishable food items.

Food bank representatives will depart from Phoenix early Sunday to be at the Incident Command Post in Holbrook first thing in the morning. Crews with the Arizona State All Risk Incident Management Team in Holbrook will organize distribution via Arizona National Guard trucks to the seven established stockpile locations: Kayenta, Pinon, Tuba City, Dilkon, Window Rock, Chinle, and Kykotsmovi. Residents can contact their chapterhouse or village for details.

Emergency Supplies Available for Distribution by Chapters
7 locations throughout the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe provides a central location for supplies

January 30, 2010

Holbrook, Arizona — Operation Winter Storm with the assistance of Navajo, Coconino, and Apache counties along with the Navajo Nation Emergency Management and the Hopi Tribe Emergency Management has established several stockpile locations for food, water, and heating fuel supplies. These locations are Kayenta, Pinon, Tuba City, Dilkon, Window Rock, Chinle, and Kykotsmovi.

Residents will receive supplies from the stockpile locations listed above, distributed by their chapter or village. Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe residents who have been negatively impacted by the severe snow storm starting January 21, 2010 should contact their chapter or village for necessary supplies.

The National Guard has been providing direct assistance to the chapters or villages by transporting the necessary emergency supplies from the Flagstaff and Holbrook area to the stockpiles. For this mission, the National Guard is unable to provide delivery services to residential sites.

It is requested that if residents are stranded or need emergency help please call your local Police Department for assistance or contact the Navajo Nation Emergency Management office at 928-871-6892 or -6892.

Navajo County Begins Conducting Preliminary Damage Assessments

January 29, 2010

Holbrook, Arizona — Navajo County, Cities, and Towns will be working together to provide the Arizona Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) with preliminary damage assessments in the recovery after the onset of the severe snow storm.

The first step is to compile a complete assessment list of all known reports of possible damage. Navajo County’s Emergency Management team stated they have contacted the cities, towns and public agencies and requested for them to assemble the information they have received and also to go out in the community and provide assessments. Navajo County will forward all assessments to ADEM officials, who will use the information to identify locally damaged areas that will need to be prioritized and assessed in more detail.

For Damage Assessment Information for the citizens in non-tribal jurisdictions, please call:

Please have as much information as available about the damage you may have sustained during the recent storms. A good description, photos, and cost estimates are very helpful. The cities and towns as well as the county will be assembling this information for the state.

The State of Arizona has activated the State Emergency Call Center in support of affected counties across the state, and to help facilitate the recovery process. The information provided by callers is important to the Major Disaster Declaration request process. It is used to determine State eligibility for federal assistance.

The State urges citizens with questions about the Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) process and reports of disaster-related damage to call the State Emergency Call Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and on weekends. The statewide phone number is 1-877-464-1144.

State Seeks Donations of Hay, Transportation for Affected Reservations
Arizonans Dial Call Center With Questions, Damage Reports, Charitable Gifts

January 29, 2010

Phoenix — Impassable roads and snowdrifts up to 8 feet in some places has created a need for resources and hay among those living in remote areas on Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation lands.

The Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation have identified a combined need for 4,750 bales of “cow hay” (grass) to feed livestock. The White Mountain Apache Tribe has sufficient hay, but needs help moving 600 bales from separate locations in and around the town of Whiteriver.

People able to donate hay, transport or both should contact the State Emergency Call Center at the statewide phone number, 1-877-464-1144. Donors are asked to supply transportation of hay contributions if at all possible. Road conditions in some areas may require a four-wheel drive vehicle for safe delivery.

“The State Incident Management Team in Holbrook has done a professional job in moving survival needs by land and air to those removed from resources and services,” said Lou Trammell, Arizona Division of Emergency Management Director. “Now there’s a need for hay for livestock. Livestock is a source of sustainable food and a livelihood for some on the reservations, so it’s imperative that we work cooperatively to sustain those assets.”

Since Jan. 25, Operation Winter Storm in Holbrook, Navajo County, has delivered 22,400 meals, 26,750 gallons of water, 4,500 Red Cross blanks and 100 cots to the Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation.

The State Emergency Call Center remains open to take public inquiries about the damage assessment process, reports of disaster-related damage and, now, of offers of gifts and services. The center is staffed by live operators 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance of affected counties are ongoing. PDAs are conducted in the field, where assessors can tour and gauge the damage caused to residential and commercial properties and public infrastructure.

Visit the Arizona Emergency Information Network website, www.azein.gov, for incident information, including links to the recovery resources.

Air Mission on Tribal Lands Delivers Needed Emergency Aid to Isolated Residents Affected by the Storm
Officials make contact with isolated Navajo Nation residents

January 26, 2010

Holbrook, Arizona — a scheduled air mission for isolated areas around the Kayenta and Black Mesa area was conducted by the National Guard yesterday delivering emergency food and water supplies to residents in the far remote areas in northern Navajo County. These residents have been severely affected by the storm that hit Northeastern Arizona nearly one week ago. “It is amazing to see how hard the people were hit by the storm, because the farther we flew the more snow there was. The vastness of the land is very apparent.” Navajo County’s Sheriff, KC Clark stated in reflection of the mission and the picture below as they first saw snow about 10 miles north of Holbrook.

The National Guard piloted the Blackhawk that Sheriff Clark and Navajo County District I Supervisor Jonathan Nez rode in during this mission. The mission was successful as supplies were successfully dropped to families in several isolated areas along and around the Black Mesa Ridge. Black Mesa is approximately 50 miles northeast of Pinon. Supervisor Nez pointed out the last 18 miles to Black Mesa is dirt road. They were able to view the impact of the large amount of precipitation along with the snow has saturated the clay infused dirt roads causing worsening roadway conditions. Nez explained the only way to get supplies and medical help to the residents is by air or in the early morning hours when the clay mud is frozen.

Both Sheriff Clark and Supervisor Nez were inspired at the people’s ability to be resourceful in spite of the severe snow storm. “We were flying and then the pilot saw a reflection signal coming from a mirror, as we turned back, we then saw a family with children waving their arms in the universal sign of distress.” The pilot located a safe place to land the plane so we could inquire about their needs. The family was housebound from the high levels of snow and had run out of food and water with one adult family member was on home dialysis.

From the start of Operation Winter Storm, all agencies involved raised concern for dialysis patients since the storm grounds many families from being able to attend their Wednesday appointment. Failing to receive treatment can cause a person to go into shock and could lead to death. Sheriff Clark stressed, “Time is of the essence. They are already nearly a week overdue with their dialysis treatments. If we do not get supplies and medicine to the people now the mission will be more costly and may have devastating results.”

“I am proud of my people as they are resourceful in finding ways to provide assistance for themselves and their neighbors,” Supervisor Nez stated when telling of a family they came upon during this air mission who had dug through approximately one mile of snow in an attempt to get help; unfortunately, they still had about three more miles to go before getting to a main road. Supervisor Nez, along with Board of Supervisors Chairman Jesse Thompson request that any need for assistance as a result of this storm and the upcoming storm should be relayed to the Navajo Nation Emergency Management at 928-871-6892 or -6894.

The entire region is thankful for the State assistance, including the incident management team and the National Guard, being provided during this emergency, as a result of the recent State of Emergency declared by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer.

Sheriff Clark said residents can get the latest information about emergency efforts by calling the Emergency Management Hotline at 928-524-4200, Option 3. Weather and other emergency services information is also available on the Navajo County website at www.navajocountyaz.gov or on the Arizona Emergency Information Network at www.azein.gov.

Counties, Tribes Cooperate on Emergency Storm Relief for Hard-Hit Residents of Tribal Lands
22 Hopi families to receive immediate assistance

January 25, 2010

Holbrook, Arizona — Emergency management officials from Apache, Coconino and Navajo Counties, together with their counterparts from the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe, met in Holbrook today to plan relief efforts for residents of tribal lands impacted by last week’s historic storm.

Identified for initial relief were some 22 families on Hopi Partition Land, eight of which require immediate medical assistance. An All-Risk Incident Management Team is conducting an aerial scouting mission to determine other areas of Navajo and Hopi land where the need for assistance is critical.

“The effects of the storm are magnified on tribal lands, where the roads quickly become impassable and many families live in remote and isolated locations,” said Navajo County District I Supervisor Jonathan Nez. Nez was joined at the roundtable by District II Supervisor Jesse Thompson.

The emergency officials discussed locations where medical supplies, food and water, and heating fuels can be stockpiled in support of National Guard relief missions. The distribution centers in Navajo County will include Greasewood, Kayenta and Pinion. Kykotsmovi will have two such centers.

“We’re determining priorities based on information received from chapters and villages,” said Navajo County Sheriff K. C. Clark. Clark said chapters and villages can support the cooperative relief efforts by taking inventory of their snow removal and road equipment. This information should be relayed to the Navajo Nation Emergency Management at 928-871-6892 or -6894.

Navajo County Attorney Brad Carlyon said the meeting in Holbrook is “an example of how quickly county and tribal officials can come together when human lives are at stake.” Carlyon noted that the groundwork for such cooperation has been laid by a number of partnership agreements the counties and tribes have entered into in recent years.

“I think it’s fair to say that a new era of trust and cooperation has dawned,” Carlyon said. “A lot of the red tape that hindered this sort of cooperation in the past has fallen by the wayside.”

Sheriff Clark said residents can get the latest information about emergency efforts by calling the Emergency Management Hotline at 928-524-4200, Option 3. Weather and other emergency services information is also available on the Navajo County website at www.navajocountyaz.gov or on the Arizona Emergency Information Network at www.azein.gov.

State of Arizona, Navajo, Coconino, Apache Counties
With the Cooperation of the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe
Assist in Responding to Emergency Situations on Reservations

January 24, 2010

Holbrook — In the first meeting of its kind, the Navajo County Emergency Management team hosted representatives from Coconino County, Apache County, the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the Arizona Division of Emergency Management throughout Saturday, January 23 and Sunday, January 24, in a joint effort to mount a coordinated response to the worsening conditions in communities north of Interstate 40.

“The winter storms of the last week have had a devastating impact on the reservation communities of the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe,” explained Navajo County Emergency Manager Dusty Parsons. “The combination of heavy snowfall followed by heavy rainfall has produced dangerous conditions for residents and drivers. A situation of this magnitude requires more than a piecemeal response.”

Parsons explained that the high levels of precipitation have caused localized flooding isolating individual residents and entire neighborhoods. The situation has become particularly dangerous for residents with serious medical conditions.

In a coordinated effort to an unprecedented and historic degree, the joint interagency team from the state, three counties, and two tribes strategized to deploy resources to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe. The missions which are expected to begin within the next 24 hours will include:

• Medical/health supplies and rescue
• Food and water supplies
• Heating fuel (wood, coal, propane); and lastly
• Livestock

Parsons expressed his thanks to Governor Brewer for her willingness to deploy staff from the Division of Emergency Management. “The staff and resources from the state have been pivotal in our efforts to coordinate an effective response,” Parsons said. “Governor Brewer’s declaration of emergency and subsequent deployment of resources has made an enormous difference.”

“We have large numbers of residents who need medication and other supplies that we can’t reach because of impassible snow packed and flooded roads,” reported Navajo Nation Emergency Operations Center Liaison Herman Shorty. “In some cases, it may even become necessary to air-evac some residents.”

Supervisor Jesse Thompson thanked the three northern Arizona counties for their assistance to the residents of the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe. “It’s during difficult times like these that you find out who your friends are. I’m grateful and proud to call these counties a friend.”