Gov. Mike Huckabee is in route with State Police escort coming from Kentucky.
All Law enforcement agencies preparing for briefing from FEMA;
All State, County, and Municipal Police are reporting to work;
Police at major intersections in pairs and teams at malls, downtown office buildings;
Department of Energy Emergency Response team on full alert at Arkansas Nuclear ONE in Russellville, civilians sent home.
State Police at all Bridge/Highway intersections; NLR and Little Rock PD at Murray Lock and Dam barring all entry;
Little Rock Police at Little Rock National Airport with full Fire crews on station;
32 planes on ground at LR National Airport, most forced to land as per FAA orders;
Little Rock School District on high alert with closed down campuses;
RED CROSS pleading for blood and clothing donations;
Nothing follows, things seem to be calming down.
Very quiet downtown. Federal building and three other large buildings evacuated. Many businesses in "lockdown"; that is, you must have identification to enter. I see numerous emergency vehicles on the street, parked, with lights on, but no reports of incidents. Traffic nonexistent (and THAT's saying something hereabouts). Reports Canadian border closed are unconfirmed. No news on KAL flight downed north of here. No cars being transported on ferries but all are running in passenger-only mode. Most of the people at my company (downtown) have gone home.
Our office building in Reston was evacuated about 10:30am. Exiting the parking garage took about 45 minutes - on a positive note, drivers were courteous.
Trip home to Alexandria, normally 45 minutes, took nearly three hours. Took to the side streets, in lieu of the highways. This looked to be a good strategy, since most of the traffic jams occured near major road junctions and entrances.
Rumors on the airwaves that the "Beltway" (Interstate 495) was closed, but later reports indicated this to not be true. However, Shirley Higway (Interstate 395, a major north-south Virginia highway into Washington, DC) was closed northbound. Shirley Highway goes straight past the Pentagon before ending at the Potomac river bridges. Presumably southbound Shirley Highway was open to facilitate the egress from DC. All major and minor routes around the Pentagon were pretty much closed off. Metrorail system was running, but Pentagon station was bypassed.
Governor Gilmore declared a state of emergency, and asked Commonwealth residents to avoid unnecessary car trips (presumably after getting home). Shopping Malls closed.
Received an email from our local church announcing a special liturgy at 7:30 this evening.
-My brother -- who works in the WTC -- made it out alive.
Base personnel escorted the president to an underground command center, where he was reportedtly to contact the National Security Council.
Eppley Airport is closed. Highway 75, which passes near Offut Air Base, is also closed to through traffic. All non-essential Air Force personnel have been dismissed from the base, and not even news media are allowed beyond the entrance gate.
A former member of the Air Force One service crew has stated that the specially equipped presidential craft can refuel in the air, and carries two complements of crew aboard. As a result, the airplane can stay aloft indefinitely.
UPDATE: As of 4:30 Central, Air Force One had departed Offut Air Base in Bellevue, NE. Its destination was unknown.
My friend's mother called me from Portugal, where she is vacationing. She can't wait to get home.
Just watched Tony Blair on C-SPAN offering condolences and, as was to be expected, resolutely supporting President Bush and the American people.
Some things go deeper than party politics.
This Brit also offers sympathy to the victims and their families.
I have every confidence that President Bush will deal well with this tragedy.
Any Freepers in Madrid??
All calm. Gas prices "normal" (as normal as they can be). Gassed up a bit ago, no long lines. People very quiet. Stopped at the ATM machine to get some emergency cash. First attempt failed w/ no explanation. Went inside and tellers appeared shaken & were bustling about. People were waiting by the safe deposit box desk. Second attempt at ATM withdrawal went OK.
Wondering about the port and oil refineries on the east side of the city. After hitting "trade" and "military", seems like "energy" would be the next target.
FREEPers, there are still those who are willing to take advantage of the consumer even in our moments of anguish. Get the name, address, take a picture if you can, and report these @$$wipes to your BBB or other consumer agency. Then don't do them the honor of your business in the future. Tell your friends and aqcuaintances.
GISax
Ear Assault
Temporarily domiciled in Sleep Inn on Route 219 South. Exit off Route 56 East to Airport shut off by State Police. Two aircraft seen after 4:00 PM: One civilian helicopter and an airliner that looked like a United flight. It was seen moving North, parallel to Route 219, headed for the airport. It dumped fuel as it flew low in the direction of the local airport.
Banks closed, ending our audit for today. Pittsburgh was a complete mess as people were sent home at about the same time. Schools closed. Most stores, except Walmart and Kmart closed. The local Hoss' Restaurant locked its doors after we got in for a last minute lunch. Little street traffic. Very quiet. People milled around the downtown Johnstown streets looking shell shocked when I arrived this morning.
Federal courthouse evacuated early
Federal employees sent home
Airport closed, vehicles barred from airport roads.
Public schools stay open- parents allowed to pick up children anytime.
Cops on high alert.
Many churches holding special services.
Colleges closed early
After-school activities cancelled.
Most evening meetings cancelled
People talking about it everywhere- some angry, some scared, some saying the "chickens have come home to roost" for the US, most in disbelief that this could happen here.
Rumors of $5.00 per gallon in Detroit...
Gas lines formed all afternoon throughout Tulsa, blocking major streets and intersections. Tulsa County Sheriff had to ask for calm...
Here is an update from Kansas City.
All this is from Drudge plus I live near KC and just saw on the local news some stations charging 4.99 a gal.