NPS Incident Management Team Hurricane Sandy Update

Monday, November 5, 2012 – 7:30 p.m.

Incident Information: Phone (786) 385-0067, HurricaneResponseNPS@gmail.com

NPS Incident Management Team Hurricane Update

Staten Island, NY: The National Park Service Incident Management Team (Team) completed its second day of operation with its Command Center Operation at Fort Wadsworth in the New York Harbor area. Specialized support crews are continuing their work supporting employee emergency needs, conducting damage assessments and removing debris in the affected areas. 

Currently 253 National Park Service employees from 38 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia are working with the Team, with more staff continuing to arrive.

National park sites assigned to this team are widespread and include all of National Parks in the New York Harbor area, encompassing the Statue of Liberty National Monument, Ellis Island National Monument, Governors Island National Monument, African Burial Ground National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument, Federal Hall National Memorial, Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site, General Grant National Memorial, Hamilton Grange National Historic Site, St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site, and Gateway National Recreation Area. Additional parks on Long Island and in New Jersey that includes Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, Fire Island National Seashore, Morristown National Historic Park, and Thomas Edison National Historical Park.

Preliminary damage assessments and response to critical needs of the parks continue. Response is framed by the need to work safely and provide support for all NPS employees working in the parks.

News from the field today:

A meteorologist arrived on site to forecast the nor’easter predicted for Wednesday night. In preparation for the storm, field operations are developing an inclement weather contingency plan.

National Parks of New York Harbor

· Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island - FMSS continued assessment of the islands structures. Structural engineers traveled by U.S. Park Police boat to access the Ellis Island Bridge. Crews continue work clearing debris and trash. The Island is not open to the public due to safety concerns.

· Governors Island –FMSS and Resource Advisors have been assessing the area. There is extensive electronic damage to the park’s infrastructure. The park remains closed until further notice.

· Grant’s Tomb, Hamilton Grange and St. Paul’s -The Natchez Trace Parkway saw team removed debris from Hamilton Grange and St. Paul’s. A 70’ tree was removed from the area of seven headstones. Four of the headstones were damaged, while the remaining three were not. The stones date back to between 1790 and 1820. Plans are being made for restoration. St. Paul’s is open to the public. Staff will return to Hamilton Grange on Wednesday for a trial run and if successful it will open on Thursday.

· Federal Hall and Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace - The sites have no assessed damage, but remain closed due to no power.

· Castle Clinton and African Burial Ground – There is no power, phone or internet at these sites, but damage is minimal.

Gateway National Recreation Area

Jamaica Bay

· Crews are working on acquiring Conex boxes, as well identifying locations to place roll off dumpsters for debris collection, and worked to identify and secure an open pit well.

Staten Island

· Teams worked to remove debris and placed 24 pallets of sandbags to secure breeches in the NW, NE and SW areas of Battery Weed. 

· Maintenance workers assessed Building 6 and the historic hangar in Miller Park and found work will be needed.

Sandy Hook, NJ

· FMSS teams have continued assessment of damage at Sandy Hook; detailed assessments will follow.

· Traffic on the road to the Sandy Hook unit has increased. Crews are starting to weatherize for winter months ahead.

· Public Health has assessed the waste water treatment plant and crews began pumping it dry so repairs could begin. 

Fire Island National Seashore & Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

· Plumbers and electricians began to winterize and secure homes.

· Water service wells currently are running on generators. Getting power to them is a priority.

· Police patrols have been increased and 5 four person teams of tree cutters arrived and are clearing trees and brush.

· Beach areas and overwashes continue to be assessed.

Morristown National Historical Park

· 500 hazardous trees have been identified and prioritized for removal, and cleanup has continues.

· There is no power to the area.

· The Park will be closed until further notice.

Edison National Historical Park

· The Northeast Region arborist team continued to take down hazard trees. 

· Power was briefly restored, but then lost.

· The Park is closed until further notice.

Social Media remains active. Visitation to the Facebook site has been reached nearly 16,200 individuals to date. The Twitter site continues to retweet incoming information from the parks and other agencies.

Closures: All National Park Service sites assigned to this team remain closed today. 

Photo: Aerial view of the breach at Old Inlet, 1½ miles west of the Wilderness Visitor Center, as seen from the Atlantic Ocean to the bay on November 2, 2012.

NPS Photo/Dunphy