Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
MEDIA ADVISORY [UPDATED]
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Executive Office of the Mayor
Office of Communications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, August 26, 2011
MEDIA ADVISORY [UPDATED]
MAYOR VINCENT C. GRAY TO HOLD 1 P.M. PRESS BRIEFING AT DC HSEMA
TO UPDATE MEDIA ON DISTRICT’S PREPARATIONS FOR HURRICANE IRENE
WHAT: A press briefing to provide the latest information on the District’s preparations for the expected impact of Hurricane Irene later this weekend.
WHO: Mayor Vincent C. Gray and members of his public-safety team
WHEN: Friday, August 26, 2011
1:00 p.m.
WHERE: D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency
2720 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20032
Washington, DC 20032
Background: The National Weather Service has placed the District under a Tropical Storm Warning and the city is expected to experience winds of at least tropical-storm force, heavy rain and potential flooding of the Potomac River and other estuaries due to Hurricane Irene’s storm surge on Saturday and Sunday. Tornadoes are also often associated with hurricanes.
Mayor Gray and the District’s safety, health and human-services agencies are preparing for potential storm impacts including flooding, wind damage, power loss and other consequences.
PLEASE NOTE: Tours of the DC government’s command center at HSEMA will be available to members of the media following the press conference.
# # #
Follow Mayor Gray on Facebook and Twitter!
Follow Mayor Gray on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/MayorVinceGray and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DCGov
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Robert P. Marus
Senior Writer/Editor
Office of Communications
Executive Office of the Mayor
1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 310
Washington, DC 20004
202.727.6853 (direct line)
202.262.6554 (BlackBerry)
202.727.1977 (fax)
“One City Summer Fun … Something for Everyone”
Mayor Gray’s comprehensive summer program with fun activities, events and services for residents of all ages
For more information visit www.onecitysummer.dc.gov or call 311
Mayor Gray’s comprehensive summer program with fun activities, events and services for residents of all ages
For more information visit www.onecitysummer.dc.gov or call 311
DDOT Prepares For Hurricane Irene
DDOT Prepares For Hurricane Irene
Efforts Underway in Preparation For Storm-Related Impacts
(Washington, D.C.) In anticipation of Hurricane Irene, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced efforts are underway to ensure the safety of the traveling public from potential storm-related impacts in the District of Columbia.
Given the probability of severe winds and the potential for flooding DDOT’s active construction project work sites are being secured to prevent damage. DDOT has also directed permit holders working in public space to take measures to ensure their work zones are secured. All work in the right of way, with the exception of emergency repairs, will be suspended at the close of business today (Friday, August 26).
In addition:
· Drainage ways in flood prone areas are being cleared and actively monitored to prevent flooding issues.
· Generators are being deployed city-wide to provide back-up power for traffic signals.
· The Urban Forestry Administration is proactively pruning trees along some critical roadways.
· DDOT personnel and contractors will be on call throughout the weekend to clear downed trees and debris.
· DDOT is coordinating emergency evacuation preparedness efforts with HSEMA, U.S. DOT, VDOT and MDOT and will continue to track the weather conditions through the weekend.
DDOT will be providing critical traffic-related and emergency information on a real time basis via Twitter.com/ddotdc. Residents are strongly urged to avoid traveling during the storm if possible. High winds could topple trees and pose a hazard to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
Citizens are asked to call 311 to report any downed trees or branches in the public space and to provide as much detail as possible.
The Dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the DC Rally for Full Democracy and the National Action Network March scheduled for this weekend, and the related street closures, have been cancelled.
Transit Services:
If weather conditions become unsafe, transit services may be impacted or suspended during the storm. For updates please use the following resources:
Metrorail and Metrobus: www.wmata.com and www.twitter.com/wmata
DC Circulator: www.dccirculator.com and www.twitter.com/DCCirculator
Capital Bikeshare: www.capitalbikeshare.com, www.twitter.com/Bikeshare and www.facebook.com/CapitalBikeshare
Emergency Information Resources:
Detailed information about traffic evacuation routes and transportation tips for an emergency incident are available online at ddot.dc.gov.
Additional emergency preparedness information is available at 72hours.dc.gov Members of the public are also encouraged to sign up to receive updates on severe weather, traffic and incidents via email and/or text message from ALERT DC at https://textalert.ema.dc.gov. Residents can also monitor Channel 16 in the District for storm updates.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
What to Do During an Earthquake!
What to Do During an Earthquake-
Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and if you are indoors, stay there until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.
If indoors
•DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
•Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
•Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
•Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway.
•Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
•Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
•DO NOT use the elevators.
If outdoors
•Stay there.
•Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
•Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls.
Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.
If in a moving vehicle
•Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
•Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.
If trapped under debris
•Do not light a match.
•Do not move about or kick up dust.
•Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
•Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.
Francisco J. Fimbres
Director
Office of Neighborhood Engagement
Executive Office of the Mayor
(202) 664-6119
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Greetings,
Dear DC Residents and Fellow Washingtonians,
"Washington, DC-At approximately 1:51 pm Eastern time, the entire Mid-Atlantic region experienced an earthquake. Preliminary reports from the U.S. Geological Survey indicate that it measured Magnitude 5.9 on the Richter scale and was centered near Mineral, Va., approximately 80 miles south of Washington. Mayor Gray and his public-safety team continue to be at the District's Unified Communications Center assessing the situation.
District government facilities and the city's transportation infrastructure are being assessed by structural engineers to determine if they are safe. Minor damage has been reported in several parts of the city, but no significant injuries and no public-safety threats are being reported at this time.
Mayor Vincent C. Gray is urging residents to remain in a safe environment before getting on the streets and highways due to potential and continued traffic gridlock.
The Mayor will continue to monitor the situation and will provide further updates on public safety and the status of government facilities and services."
Sincerely,
Francisco Fimbres
Director
Mayor´s Office of Neighborhood Engagement (ONE)
(202) 664.6119
francisco.fimbres@dc.gov
"Washington, DC-At approximately 1:51 pm Eastern time, the entire Mid-Atlantic region experienced an earthquake. Preliminary reports from the U.S. Geological Survey indicate that it measured Magnitude 5.9 on the Richter scale and was centered near Mineral, Va., approximately 80 miles south of Washington. Mayor Gray and his public-safety team continue to be at the District's Unified Communications Center assessing the situation.
District government facilities and the city's transportation infrastructure are being assessed by structural engineers to determine if they are safe. Minor damage has been reported in several parts of the city, but no significant injuries and no public-safety threats are being reported at this time.
Mayor Vincent C. Gray is urging residents to remain in a safe environment before getting on the streets and highways due to potential and continued traffic gridlock.
The Mayor will continue to monitor the situation and will provide further updates on public safety and the status of government facilities and services."
Sincerely,
Francisco Fimbres
Director
Mayor´s Office of Neighborhood Engagement (ONE)
(202) 664.6119
francisco.fimbres@dc.gov
Friday, August 19, 2011
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