Preparedness

Following rare blizzard warnings in Southern California counties, plus snowfall at unusually low levels, Interstate 5 has been closed in both directions over the Grapevine.

The derailment spilled hazardous chemicals into streams near the state border. And the controlled explosion did release a large plume of black smoke into the atmosphere. No humans have been reported injured or killed.

In Southern California, the National Weather Service issued a high wind warning for some areas Tuesday night with 30- to 40-mph winds and gusts topping 60 mph.

The radios, which are intended to replace the black Weather Advisor Alert Radios, will be used to broadcast emergencies for severe weather throughout the county or chemical incidents at the Blue Grass Army Depot.

Although Philadelphia has never recorded a major earthquake, hurricanes are a concern, and accidents can happen. To make sure you are as ready as possible, here are different types of emergency kits you should be equipped with.

What happened in East Palestine, Ohio, Feb. 3 is a cautionary tale for Tarrant County. A freight train carrying flammable and toxic chemicals including vinyl choride, human carcinogen, ran off its tracks.

Alabama’s disappearing longleaf pine forests are especially dependent on periodic fires, which would have occurred naturally, but are now provided by crews working in helmets and flame-retardant clothing.

The 7.8- and 7.5-magnitude quakes that have drawn the world's attention to Turkey were made worse because they emanated from relatively shallow centers, experts say.

The Assistance to Firefighters grant is through FEMA. The paramedic program was created through a collaboration with the city and county fire departments, Owensboro Community & Technical College, and American Medical Response.

Lots of Californians spend a good chunk of their time on the road. In your car, you should have a kit with a first aid kit, a blanket, a change of clothes, cash to buy gas, a spare tire, and emergency food and water.

The committee, composed of county, municipal, educational and health-care representatives, as well as technical partners and other stakeholders, will meet during the next several months to update the Vermilion County All Hazards Mitigation Plan.

A civil lawsuit is the first of its kind against a Texas city and one of only a handful nationwide, said a staff attorney at Disability Rights Texas and the nonprofit advocacy agency's disaster resilience coordinator.

Schools in upstate New York are using Sandy Hook Promise’s Say Something Anonymous Reporting System, which features a live, 24-hour call center and the ability for students to report an incident or threat of impending violence by phone, text or email.

“I can say bed availability is an ongoing issue for us, and it’s something we’ve communicated to the community even before the pandemic began and especially since the arrival of COVID.”

After hiring practically ground to a halt during the height of the pandemic and amid social unrest, Portland and other police agencies across the state have resurrected their stalled recruitment programs.

Americans are flying at pre-pandemic numbers. While COVID-19 ushered in new health and cleaning protocols to make airplane travel safer, airlines’ readiness for medical emergencies is in question because of incomplete or insufficient medical kits.

City officials squarely blamed a lack of preparation on incorrect weather forecasts from the National Weather Service — but the agency disputes that and has communications with the city to back it up.

The storm should affect much of the nation, and cover the entire Great Lakes region. But northern Michigan, in particular, should be "in the sweet spot for the worst of it" early Friday through Sunday.