Topic: Irma Causes Evacuations

[tomahawk6]

The Navy has begun evacuating non essential personnel from NAS Key West. About 50-60 personnel will remain behind. Subs from Naval Base Kings Bay have been sent to sea.

https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2017/09/05/no-irma-evac-for-gitmo-key-west-exodus-to-start-tomorrow/

[tomahawk6]

Video from USVI. Crazy storm.

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2017/09/stunning-videos-irma-hits-barbuda-st-martin/

[jollyjacktar]

This thing is the size of France or Ontario (take your pick) and at 300km or 185 mph winds.  I have a hard time formulating that in my mind.

[milnews.ca]

Ouch!  Good luck to all in its path!!!!!

Meanwhile ...

A senior source in Ottawa has confirmed to CTV News that HMCS St. John’s is on standby to help with Hurricane Irma relief, if requested.

There has been no request for assistance, or order for HMCS St. John’s to deploy at this time, but planning is underway in case.

The Halifax-based navy frigate is being prepared for possible deployment and could leave as early as Thursday afternoon.

In this geocolor image captured by GOES-16 and released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Hurricane Irma, a potentially catastrophic category 5 hurricane, moves westward, Tuesday morning, Sept. 5, 2017, in the Atlantic Ocean toward the Leeward Islands. (NOAA via AP)

The vessel recently returned to Halifax on July 17 following a six-month deployment with NATO forces in Europe.

[tomahawk6]

The USN has a number of amphib ships with Marines embarked to assist where needed on the east coast. Better for the ships to be at sea if the storm runs up the coast.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/09/06/u-s-military-preparations-for-hurricane-irma-now-include-four-navy-ships-and-thousands-of-troops/?utm_term=.c0d0693c0521

[Chief Engineer]

Ouch!  Good luck to all in its path!!!!!

Meanwhile ...

Actually they came alongside after a couple of days at sea in the middle of a sea training program. They are in the process of bringing on aircraft and disaster relief supplies. They probably will continue the program a a few days.

[tomahawk6]

The Governor of Florida has made arrangements for more fuel deliveries under police escort to help people get out. The first responders will need fuel as well when its over.

[jmt18325]

Any request for Canadian help at this point (that anyone has heard of, anyway)?

[tomahawk6]

Not yet.Have to see where the need is at.After Monday FEMA will know.

[jmt18325]

Not yet.Have to see where the need is at.After Monday FEMA will know.

I was thinking more from the point of the Caribbean islands.

[jollyjacktar]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/hmcs-st-johns-navy-hurricane-irma-1.4279685

STJ is heading to the neighbourhood and will give what assistance they can if so ordered by the GoC.  Such a shame we don't have heavy lift capabilities with an Amphib or new Tankers.  I expect we will only see more of this kind of need in future.

[jmt18325]

HMCS St. John's left a few minutes ago just in case - still no request for assistance:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/hmcs-st-johns-navy-hurricane-irma-1.4279685

[Chief Engineer]

HMCS St. John's left a few minutes ago just in case - still no request for assistance:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/hmcs-st-johns-navy-hurricane-irma-1.4279685

They actually left yesterday, they are conducting a scheduled program. They did embark a air det and extra disaster relief supplies just in case.

[jmt18325]

They actually left yesterday, they are conducting a scheduled program. They did embark a air det and extra disaster relief supplies just in case.

Sorry - should have looked at the date.  I made a bad assumption since the story had just been updated 18 minutes ago when I posted.

I would imagine that finding a way between the projected paths of Irma and Jose will be like threading the eye of the needle.

[YZT580]

'EYE' is probably not the best choice in words.  Considering they have to traverse the length of the continent nose into the storm system it is not going to be your tropical cruise.  Stay safe.

[tomahawk6]

I suspect they will be put to good use. The USN has added the USS Lincoln to the ships alraedy slated for Irma relief.

https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2017/09/08/aircraft-carrier-lincoln-three-more-ships-underway-for-irma-relief/

The aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and three other ships were ordered to get underway Friday to provide assistance in the wake of Hurricane Irma, which is expected to hit Florida this weekend.

That group’s arrival will bring the number of Navy vessels assisting in the region to seven ships.

Fleet Forces Command commander Adm. Phil Davidson has ordered the carrier, as well as the amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima, the amphibious transport dock ship New York and the destroyer Farragut, to get into position to provide humanitarian relief if requested by state and federal authorities in Irma’s wake, according to a Navy statement.

[mariomike]

Any request for Canadian help at this point (that anyone has heard of, anyway)?

September 8, 2017 4:09 PM PDT

Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) Task Force One is getting ready for the green light.

The 120-member team includes firefighters, paramedics, and police officers.
http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/vancouver-urban-rescue-team-ready-to-go-to-florida-if-needed

"It’s the kind of disaster situation where the heavy urban search and rescue team — one of just four in Canada, but the one considered best prepared for international assignments — excels."

Regarding the decision of whether or not to activate heavy rescue, I would guess much will depend on how well the high-rise structures hold up.

[jmt18325]

September 8, 2017 4:09 PM PDT

Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) Task Force One is getting ready for the green light.

The 120-member team includes firefighters, paramedics, and police officers.
http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/vancouver-urban-rescue-team-ready-to-go-to-florida-if-needed

"It’s the kind of disaster situation where the heavy urban search and rescue team — one of just four in Canada, but the one considered best prepared for international assignments — excels."

Regarding the decision of whether or not to activate heavy rescue, I would guess much will depend on how well the high-rise structures hold up.

We should be sending them to Oaxaca right now, IMO.

[PuckChaser]

We should be sending them to Oaxaca right now, IMO.

You cannot just send random government-sponsored rescue teams into a sovereign nation without a request. There's likely a lot more bureaucratic steps as the HUSAR agency in question doesn't even belong to the federal government, but a municipality.

[jmt18325]

You cannot just send random government-sponsored rescue teams into a sovereign nation without a request. There's likely a lot more bureaucratic steps as the HUSAR agency in question doesn't even belong to the federal government, but a municipality.

True - I'm being over enthusiastic, I suppose.

[Blackadder1916]

You cannot just send random government-sponsored rescue teams into a sovereign nation without a request. There's likely a lot more bureaucratic steps as the HUSAR agency in question doesn't even belong to the federal government, but a municipality.

Bingo!

And one of those bureaucratic steps will likely be waiting for the storms to pass and see who's left (or more specifically, who's flattened).  Then, IMO, we will probably (or should) pick some Caribbean island nation that doesn't have a big brother former colonial master willing (or able) to help dig them out.  Sorta like Haiti redux (though hopefully not as long term).

[mariomike]

There's likely a lot more bureaucratic steps as the HUSAR agency in question doesn't even belong to the federal government, but a municipality.

"In the case of Hurricane Irma, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency would contact Public Safety Canada, which would then request that the provincial government activate the team."

That is what happened during Hurricane Katrina.

[tomahawk6]

US VI hit hard.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/09/08/hurricane-irma-devastates-us-virgin-islands-but-their-sense-community-is-unwavering.html

[tomahawk6]

There are 16,000 utility techs standing by in Daytona from the US and Canada ready to help restore power after the storm passes.

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2017/09/16000-utility-technicians-30-states-canada-already-stationed-florida-help-bring-power-back-irma-video/

Alot of photos at the link.

https://weather.com/safety/hurricane/news/hurricane-irma-images

[jmt18325]

A Canadian disaster assessment team is being deployed to Antigua.

[FSTO]

If only we had a ship that could support numerous helicopters and some heavy duty landing craft.

If Canadians were really serious about disaster relief and if the models are to be believed there will be more and more of these sorts of events then we should be producing the equipment to be self sustaining in the disaster area. As it is right now we are more of annoyance than a assistance.
IMHO of course.

[jmt18325]

An update on Canadian efforts in relation to Irma, including the deployment A C-17 to transport supplies from France, 2-3 C-130s to deliver supplies from Canada and other countries, a CP-140 for survey duties, and HMCS St. John's with helicopter:

http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/operations-abroad-current/op-renaissance-irma.page