Cook County Government’s Post

..."This is our fifth loss in the last month." Unacceptable & terrible loss of life. We can - and must - do better. Wildfires literally burn 3% of the US's GDP every year - larger than the entire DoD budget (and growing every year) We have to switch from reacting to fires - to proactively staying ahead of the fires. To put it in financial terms - if we spend 10% of the current cost that *we are already paying* (.3% of the GDP) we can save 1.5% of the US's GDP - if not more. ...and it's not a US problem- the world is on fire.

Tornado damage from 7 May in Portage, Michigan in the video below. Tornadoes in Michigan are relatively infrequent compared to regions like Tornado Alley in the central U.S.. On average, the state experiences about 15 tornadoes per year. They typically occur between April and September, with the highest frequency in late spring and early summer. Most tornadoes are EF0 or EF1 in intensity, though stronger tornadoes occasionally occur. The tornado that occurred on 7 May was an EF2, with winds up to 135mph!

Navigating through foggy weather poses significant risks due to reduced visibility, elevating the chances of accidents. Yet, a straightforward remedy exists: outfitting your vehicle with front fog lights. Read more - https://lnkd.in/e_UDcTXH #warranty #vehicles #essentials

🚨 Dramatic Truck Rescue in the US 🚨 This is the moment a truck driver was rescued from as her lorry dangled over the edge of The Clark Memorial Bridge in Louisville, Kentucky. A recent incident in Kentucky serves as a stark reminder of the importance of not only situational awareness and fatigue management but also rescue and emergency preparedness in any situation. Following a crash on the highway, the lorry was left hanging over the boundary of an overpass, prompting a swift response from emergency services. While fortunately, there were no serious injuries reported, the scene underscores the critical need for readiness in times of crisis. Did you know that fatigue is a leading cause of road accidents in the UK? According to statistics, tiredness contributes to around 20% of accidents on major roads. This highlights the importance of rest and proper fatigue management, especially for drivers who play a crucial role in rescue and emergencies. https://lnkd.in/eqN7cTwU #EmergencyPreparedness #RescueReadiness #SafetyAwareness #SituationalAwareness #StaySafe #roadsafety #fatiguemanagement #safety

With the recent weather in North America, its easy to get stuck. If your helping someone please keep in mind, tow balls are made for towing, they are not recovery points. Straps slip off under tension destroying grills and radiators or worse, shear and become potentially lethal. I did not take this photo, it is a timely reminder. #earthcruiser #safety #overlanding #offroad

🌪️ #ThunderstormThursday 🌩️ Thunderstorm Preparation is important for keeping your home, vehicles, and family safe. This guide provides advice for how to prepare before, during, and after a thunderstorm. https://hubs.la/Q02BK3Xw0

Very sad to see the destructive effects of these storms! Keep in mind that the structural building codes do not require designs that account for tornadoes. From the ASCE7: "C26.14 TORNADO LIMITATION Tornadoes have not been considered in the wind load provisions because of their very low probability of occurrence. However, some building owners might want to have portions of their buildings designed to provide a greater level of occupant protection from tornadoes or minimize building damage associated with EF0–EF2 rated tornadoes." Because of their unique behavior, tornadoes can create wind pressures that are almost 2 times greater than regular winds of the *same* speed. A building that can withstand 150 mph hurricane winds may not be able to withstand 150 mph tornado winds.

Can #firefighting #aircraft still perform firefighting missions in 55 mph winds? #wildfire Firefighting aircraft face significant challenges when operating in high winds, particularly those exceeding 55 mph. While some firefighting aircraft, such as heavy tankers and helicopters, may be capable of operating in moderately windy conditions, safety concerns arise when winds reach such high speeds. At 55 mph, winds can severely affect the stability and maneuverability of firefighting aircraft, increasing the risk of accidents and reducing the effectiveness of firefighting efforts. Crosswinds, turbulence, and gusts can make it difficult for pilots to accurately drop retardants or water on target areas, potentially leading to ineffective suppression and wasted resources. https://lnkd.in/e74TN3zX

MULTIPLE SOURCES REPORTING CHECK multiple YouTube sites for video drone coverage Here are the key takeaways from the aftermath of what may well be the most destructive storm to ever strike the region: - the death toll stands at 120 across six states - hundreds of roads and highways remain closed, especially in North and South Carolina - numerous truck stops and travel centers are closed or have reduced services - more than 2 million customers remain without power - the path of destruction stretches 800 miles from the Florida panhandle to Tennessee and Kentucky - as much as 29 inches of rain fell in the mountains of North Carolina Many highways in western North Carolina remain closed. NCDOT posted to its website: "I-40 is impassable in multiple locations. I-26 is closed at the Tennessee state line. There are many closed roads that are not listed on this site as many areas are not able to report at this time. All roads in Western North Carolina should be considered closed and non-emergency travel is prohibited."

Can the combined efforts of state, federal, and military responders prevent disaster in Northern Nevada?  After the Davis Fire tore through Washoe Valley, destroying 14 structures, responders faced severe weather conditions, including single-digit humidity and 40 mph winds. Yet, thanks to the hard work of firefighters, the fire line held for two days without any movement, despite forecasts predicting it would jump 3-7 miles in just 24 hours.  Stewart Turner, Fire Behavior Analyst with Southwest Area Incident Management Team 1, emphasized that the success wasn’t due to luck or weather changes, but the tireless work of firefighters on the ground. As of Friday afternoon, the fire was 56% contained, having burned through 6,000 acres, but responders remain cautious.  The Southwest Area Incident Management Team 1 took over Monday evening, after state agencies, including the USDA Forest Service, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, Nevada Division of Forestry, and Nevada National Guard, initially battled the fire.  The Nevada Army National Guard played a critical role, deploying Black Hawk helicopters to drop 200,000 gallons of water, while Guardsmen assisted in firefighting and providing security. Maj. Gen. Ondra Berry, Nevada Adjutant General, emphasized the Guard’s readiness, saying, "Readiness is our number one priority in the Nevada National Guard."  Can these dedicated teams continue to prevent further destruction and keep residents safe?  Visit our blog for the full story and updates: https://lnkd.in/gyzAKWmh #AvfoilNews #WildfireResponse #FirefightingHeroes #DavisFire #NevadaNationalGuard #EmergencyManagement #BlackHawkHelicopters #CommunitySafety #IncidentManagement #AviationInAction