SITUATION REPORT 2007- 1b - Holly Tornado

Previous SITREPs posted at: http://dola.colorado.gov/dem/operations/sitreps/sitreps.htm
Press Releases posted at: http://dola.colorado.gov/dem/Press/press_releases.htm

Report Date: March 30, 2007, 9:00am

Event Type: Tornado

Situation: The Town of Holly has issued a Disaster Declaration. Recovery operations continue throughout the Town, through the use of mutual aid agreements. Local hospitals were able to handle the surge and are confident they can handle future needs. Last night operations comprised of law enforcement keeping the area secure. One today’s objectives will be to re-establish the Town’s infrastructure.

Wal-Mart from Limon has provided bottled water to the Town.

At the request fo the state, a Preliminary Damage Assessment of the area will be started on Friday, March 30th with team members coming from DEM, FEMA, and the SBA and the Colorado Division of Local Government. The Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) is a joint assessment used to determine the magnitude and impact of an event's damage. A FEMA/State team will usually visit local applicants and view their damage first-hand to assess the scope of damage and estimate repair costs. The State uses the results of the PDA to determine if the situation is beyond the combined capabilities of the State and local resources and to verify the need for supplemental Federal assistance. The PDA also identifies any unmet needs that may require immediate attention.

A local mental health team comprising six professionals has been walking the streets. This is critical, due to the holiday blizzards and this tornado that has hit the region. The Colorado Division of Mental Health has been assisting in this coordination.

The Salvation Army sent its mobile command post, a mobile kitchen from Denver, a 50' refrigerated trailer with food supplies, teams from Colorado Springs, Denver and Baca County. Meals will be coordinated with American Red Cross. The Red Cross has established a shelter in the Middle School and other temporary shelters have been set up. A majority of the affected residents are staying with family or friends.

CDPHE is taking the lead in coordinating such issues as: air quality, consumer protection, health facilities, emergency medical systems, and water quality with the local public health officials. The Department has issue a battle water order and has provided guidance city water.

All donations are being routed through the Adventists. A press release should be issued later today with the details.

Weather Report: A slight chance of snow showers before 8am, then a slight chance of rain showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 54. North northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Agencies Involved:

  • Adventist Community Services Disaster Response
  • American Red Cross
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Office of the Governor
  • Colorado Department of Education
  • Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
  • Colorado Department of Local Affair
  • Division of Emergency Management
  • Division of Local Government
  • Colorado Division of Mental Health
  • Colorado State Patrol
  • FEMA Region VIII
  • Kansas Department of Transportation
  • Prowers County
  • Public Utilities Commission
  • Salvation Army
  • Small Business Administration
  • State Senator Brophy’s Office

Additional Assistance Requested: National Guard support is not being requested by the local jurisdictions at this time.

Misc. Info: Entries are being made in WebEOC on the Duty Officer Position Log (https://webeoc.colorado.gov). The State EOC is not activated at this time.

The National Weather Service has preliminary data suggesting this tornado was an F2 (113-157 mph).

The Governor toured the area on March 29th.

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (welfare)(through US Dept of Health & Human Services), under emergency assistance, provides:

1. Emergency Assistance to Families with Children. This includes case planning services, case management services, counseling, family support programs intensive family therapy, day treatment, home-based services, non-medical drug and alcohol treatment, and crisis intervention services.

2. The TANF Director is obtaining additional details from the State Director in terms of financial assistance to clients who may or may not already be receiving welfare benefits. It is a block grant from the office, and the State can set the guidelines for assistance.


Source: Denver Channel 9 Source: Denver Channel 9


Source Denver Channel 9 Source: Pueblo Chieftain