Severe Weather Operations Update from the
Joint Information Center (JIC)
CLEVELAND – Public Safety, Works and Utilities crews across NEO are working as much as possible to clear debris from homes and buildings, clear downed trees and power lines, and secure flooded areas in addition to responding to emergencies. Below are updates on the status of our efforts:
· Over the past 24 hours, the Division of Fire responded to 1,291 assignments, mostly weather-related hazard assignments, including downed power lines.
· Police responded to 1,375 and had 85 pending as of 3:35 p.m. Officers are working extended shifts (14 hours vs. 10 hours).
· Approximately 40 individuals from Traffic Control, Police Districts and Police Community Services Unit are working traffic control
o Staff will be posted at key intersections for the evening rush hour
o 90 WB still closed Eddy Road and E. 55
o 90 EB threes lanes open.
§ Traffic signals have been restored at Eddy and St. Clair, MLK and St. Clair, and E. 105 and St. Clair. These key intersections help move traffic in and out of downtown.
· EMS handled more than 363 calls for service in a 24 hour period
· The Sterling Building was deemed safe by structural engineers and CECOMS has been cleared to return normal operations.
· Urban Forestry received 254 calls for service as of 3 p.m. About 26 residential streets are still blocked by trees/large limbs. Our priority is to first open the right-of-way then clean-up. 10 crews will be working around the clock responding to calls for service as well as proactively addressing problem areas. Cleveland residents can call 216-664-3104 to report trees down. Residents outside of Cleveland should contact their respective cities.
· Cuyahoga County residents are encouraged to report damage to property by calling 216-443-5000 or emailing pictures and descriptions to ema@cuyahogacounty.us.
· CPP is reporting just above 4,000 customers remain without power as of 3 p.m. That is down from a high of 17,200 customers at 3 a.m. There is still the potential for additional power outages depending on the weather. We have a full contingent of 58 crews clearing downed power lines while restoring power at the same time.
· Those without power county-wide number 159,170.
· First Energy is reporting 41,000 Cleveland customers are without power. That is an increase from the previous 37,000 customers reported at 8 a.m. We are still waiting on The Illuminating Company (First Energy) to give us an operations plan to remove 13 downed power lines in large trees that are obstructing the right of way and restore power to Cleveland customers.
· Cleveland Water reports no impact to water service at this time. However, the Pleasant Valley Pump Station which serves Brecksville, North Royalton, Seven Hills, BroadviewHeights and Parma, is currently without power. We are still waiting on The Illuminating Company (First Energy) for power restoration at this location.
· Water Pollution Control reports flooding at Big Creek, Broadway & Turney, Memphis &Fulton and Doan Brook. Additional street flooding is being reported throughout the city. Five Water Pollution Control pump stations are currently without power from The Illuminating Company (First Energy). One currently has overflowed. We are still waiting on The Illuminating Company (First Energy) to restore power at these locations.
· The Chagrin and Cuyahoga Rivers are receding.
· Flight operations at Hopkins have resumed as of 1:30 p.m. Anticipate 60-65 departures today, about 25% of normal operations. Airlines are predicting that Wednesday air traffic will be near normal. Route 237 reopened at about 1:30 p.m. All roadways near the airport are open. A number of water leaks throughout the airport are under control. Debris is being removed from the airfield.
· Burke Lakefront Airport resumed air craft operations as of noon today. We are experiencing sporadic power outages at Aviation High School and are working with CPP on this issue. Lean Dog Walkway (to the barge) has been removed and the entrance to the boat has been sealed. The roof membrane at Burke has been damaged. A contractor has been out and will provide a quote. Debris is being cleared from the airfield.
· 11 Recreation Centers are currently open until 8 p.m. John F. Kennedy Recreation Centeris no longer open due to power outage. Estabrook has opened. We are gathering information from residents at the centers regarding the need for shelter past 8 p.m. We are in discussions with the Red Cross about this need and will advise if any recreation centers will be used as shelters overnight.
· WARN (Wide Area Rapid Notification) messages were sent to approximately 40,000 seniors yesterday. Today, the Department of Aging has been responding to calls for need, checked in on our regular Care Call clients and dispatched field workers to check on seniors as needed. All seniors in the program were safe and well.
· Waste Collection is on target to conduct all scheduled pick-ups today.
