Cobb County Emergency Management Agency

 

Situation Report

Flooding

Operational Period:  8:00AM –  8:00PM

September 25, 2009 20:00

 

Current Situation

The Cobb County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains activated and staffed with representatives from Cobb County Fire and Police Departments, Cobb Douglas Public Health, Cobb County Community Development, Cobb County Water System, Cobb County Information Services, Cobb County GIS, Cobb County Communications, Cobb CERT, Cobb EMA and a representative from the American Red Cross.

 

Several areas affected by flooding in the county remain inaccessible as the flood waters continue to rescind.  There is a significant chance of up to 5” inches of predicted rainfall in the next 24 hours which would result in additional flooding.

 

Declarations

Local

Chairman Sam Olens issued a countywide disaster declaration Monday evening, September 21, 2009.

State

Governor Sonny Perdue issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in 17 counties including Cobb, Monday, September 21, 2009.

Federal

Thursday afternoon, President Obama announced that Cobb County received approval for a Presidential Declaration to provide Individual Assistance (IA) for disaster relief in affected areas.  The county is still providing information to FEMA hoping to receive Public Assistance (PA) support.

 

ESF-1 Transportation

LEAD AGENCY: Cobb County Department of Transportation

OPERATIONS:  A total of 286 roads have been closed throughout the entire county due to flooding.  As of 3:15 p.m. this afternoon 12 roads remained closed.  CCDOT has been providing barriers to inaccessible roads and making structural repairs.  CCDOT has also been providing the public with alternative routes due to the road closings.  Cobb County Transportation (CCT) transported evacuees during the early stages the shelter opening.

FUTURE/ANTICIPATED OPERATIONS:  CCDOT will continue efforts to open roads and make repairs.

UNMET NEEDS:  NONE

 

ESF-2 Communications

LEAD AGENCY: Cobb County E-911 and Cobb Emergency Management Agency

OPERATIONS:  Cobb E-911 provided first responder communications during the rescue and evacuation efforts, as well as a cad operator for the EOC. CEMA has maintained the operation of Web EOC as an intra and cross-jurisdictional method of communication and continues to coordinate all disaster efforts. FUTURE/ANTICIPATED OPERATIONS:  CEMA will continue to coordinate communications with all partners.

UNMET NEEDS:  NONE

 

ESF-3 Public Works & Engineering

LEAD AGENCY: Cobb County Department of Transportation & Cobb County Water System

OPERATIONS:  The Cobb County Water System has been monitoring flood gauges for all of the major basins within the county and assessing damage.  Structural assessments have been conducted on bridges and roadways by the Department of Transportation. All public works departments continue repair work.

CCDOT is developing recommendations for debris removal planning.

FUTURE/ANTICIPATED OPERATIONS:  Efforts will continue in identifying, repairing and mitigating damage to water and sewer facilities as well as roadways.  A decision will be forthcoming from the County regarding debris removal.

UNMET NEEDS:  NONE

 

ESF-4 Fire Services

LEAD AGENCY: Cobb County Fire Department

OPERATIONS:  The Cobb County Fire Department responded to numerous rescue and evacuation missions. The 900 Unit was deployed to Austell re/explosion.

FUTURE/ANTICIPATED OPERATIONS:

UNMET NEEDS:  NONE

 

ESF-5 Emergency Management & Planning

LEAD AGENCY: Cobb County Emergency Management Agency

OPERATIONS:  The Cobb County EOC activated Monday September 21st and remains activated.   CEMA has assisted with wellness checks within the City of Austell jurisdiction of Cobb county.  CEMA led residential damage assessments throughout the county prior to the Presidential Declaration. CEMA is compiling data and working with FEMA reps on public assistance totals. CEMA is staffing the Disaster Recovery Center in Austell.

FUTURE/ANTICIPATED OPERATIONS:  CEMA personnel will staff the EOC during the weekend. Normal working hours will resume within the EOC beginning Monday, September 28, 2009.  CEMA will assist with providing information to flood victims at the Disaster Resource Center for a minimum of two weeks. CEMA will continue tracking and coordinating through CEMA reps.

UNMET NEEDS:  NONE

 

ESF-6 Mass Care & Feeding

LEAD AGENCY: American Red Cross

OPERATIONS:  The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at the Cobb County Civic Center located at 548 S. Marietta Parkway, Marietta 30060 for displaced residents.  As of 6:00 p.m. this afternoon, the shelter housed approximately 275 residents.

FUTURE/ANTICIPATED OPERATIONS:  The County has requested assistance from Marietta Fire Department in servicing the shelter should the numbers exceed 299 due to sprinkler system regulations.

UNMET NEEDS:  NONE

 

ESF-7 Resource Support

LEAD AGENCY: Cobb Emergency Management Agency

OPERATIONS:  The Purchasing Department has been securing resources necessary for operations and recovery. Cobb IS has provided technical assistance and GIS mapping.

FUTURE/ANTICIPATED OPERATIONS:  Purchasing will continue to procure the necessary resources, and IS departments will provide support as needed.

UNMET NEEDS:  NONE

 

ESF-8 Health & Medical

LEAD AGENCY: Cobb/Douglas Public Health

OPERATIONS:  Public Health has coordinated with the American Red Cross with the Civic Center shelter opening and administered flu vaccinations. They also provided EOC reps and staffed the Disaster Recovery Center.

FUTURE/ANTICIPATED OPERATIONS: PH will staff all venues as needed.

UNMET NEEDS:  NONE

 

ESF-11 Natural Resources & Animals

LEAD AGENCY: Cobb County Animal Control

OPERATIONS:  Cobb County Animal Control (CCAC) has concluded search and rescue efforts of pets.  As of September 24, 2009 CCAC had 54 dogs 14 cats being sheltered.  CCAC has enlisted the assistance of area veterinarians to treat animals that have been exposed to flood waters and severe weather.

FUTURE/ANTICIPATED OPERATIONS:  CCAC will continue to treat and shelter affected animals.

UNMET NEEDS:  NONE

 

ESF-12 Energy

LEAD AGENCY: Cobb County EMC

OPERATIONS:  Cobb County EMC and other utility companies are restoring power to individuals and businesses within the county whose power supplies were interrupted as a safety precaution due to flooding.

FUTURE/ANTICIPATED OPERATIONS:  Cobb EMC will work with Community Development to ensure properties are properly assessed before power is restored.

UNMET NEEDS:  NONE

 

ESF-13 Public Safety & Security

LEAD AGENCY: Cobb County Police Department

OPERATIONS: Cobb’s Police Department, City PDs, and Sheriff’s Office secured affected areas and evacuated areas as needed. Cobb Police Department will be posting officers in flood areas within the city of Austell for security and in other areas as needed.  Cobb Police Department continues to assist with road closures and traffic diversion.  Cobb’s Sheriff’s Office is maintaining security at the Civic Center shelter.  Cobb Police Department assisted as escorts for Vice-President Biden’s motorcade. 

FUTURE/ANTICIPATED OPERATIONS:  Cobb Police Department will continue to assist with monitoring the status of road closures and traffic diversion. SO will continue to provide security at the shelter site.

UNMET NEEDS:  NONE

 

ESF-14 Long-term Recovery and Mitigation

LEAD AGENCY: Cobb County Emergency Management Agency

OPERATIONS:  Community Development and Storm Water Management reps have begun conducting limited structural assessments of damaged commercial buildings and residences.  The Cobb Disaster Recovery (CDR-local VOAD) held a meeting to begin operations.

FUTURE/ANTICIPATED OPERATIONS:  CDR will begin gathering information to provide resources and support to residential victims of the flood. Community Development and Storm Water Mgt will continue to conduct structural assessments.  Cobb EMA will compile information on damage incurred within the county to assist with the development of mitigation projects, risk assessment, and planning.

UNMET NEEDS:  NONE

 

ESF-15 External Affairs

LEAD AGENCY: Cobb County Communications Department

OPERATIONS:  Communications has been actively obtaining information in the EOC to disseminate to county officials, the county manager, various departments, and the public.

FUTURE/ANTICIPATED OPERATIONS:  Communications will continue to obtain and disseminate information as needed.

UNMET NEEDS:  NONE.

 

Schools

The Cobb County and Marietta City Schools closed early Monday, September 21, 2009 and remained closed through September 23rd.  Both school systems reopened on Thursday, September 24, 2009.  Clarkdale Elementary School was unable to reopen due to extensive flooding.  Students have been routed between Compton Elementary and Austell Intermediate School.

 

Community Information and Assistance for Affected Residents

For disaster assistance contact:  1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

 

To donate or volunteer for disaster relief efforts, contact the American Red Cross

via their website or by phone at 1-800-HELPNOW (1-800-435-7669)

 

The Cobb Schools Foundation is accepting monetary donations for the Clarkdale Elementary School Relief Fund. A secure link to the fund is on the system’s Web site at www.cobbk12.org. Donations can also be mailed to the Cobb Schools Foundation, 514 Glover St., Marietta, GA 30060.

EPA Household Mold Brochure:

 

English HTML

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldguide.html

 

English PDF

http://www.epa.gov/mold/pdfs/moldguide.pdf

 

Spanish PDF

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/pdfs/moldguide_sp.pdf

 

Check continuously with your local newspapers, radio, and television stations for updates on changes within the county.