Month: March 2022

Officials confirm that at least seven people were killed by tornadoes near Des Moines, Iowa, late Saturday as damage suggested possible tornadoes reached at least an EF-3 status.  Six deaths were reported, consisting of four adults and two children under the age of five, on Madison County.

Diogenes Ayala, the director of the Madison County Emergency Management Agency, said at a news conference that the victims were identified as Melissa Bazley, 63, Rodney Clark, 64, Cecilia Lloyd, 72, Michael Bolger, 37, Kenley Bolger, 5 and Owen Bolger, 2.  Six other people were injured in Madison County; three of them are in serious condition and one who was transferred to a hospital in Des Moines with life-threatening injuries. The sheriff’s office said in a news release that a seventh death was reported in Chariton, a city in nearby Lucas County, while two additional people suffered injuries in Polk County.  Officials said that dozens of homes were lost to damage from the tornados which also downed power lines in the area leaving some without power. Ayala said:  “The best thing the community can do is just to not go to these areas. Let people that are living there. Let them clean up and give them some space. This is pretty devastating for our community.”

The National Weather Service said in a statement that Iowa had at least three thunderstorms producing tornados, but it remains unknown exactly how many tornadoes occurred. The NWS said: “Initial interrogation of photos and videos from around Winterset suggests at least EF3 tornado damage occurred late Saturday afternoon. NWS survey teams will be out Sunday to thoroughly investigate the damage and further assess a potential rating.”

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for Madison County in response the tornados that will allow for state resources to be used to assist with response and recovery efforts, adding: “Our hearts go out to all those affected by the deadly storms that tore through our state today. Kevin and I join with Iowans in prayer for those that lost their lives and those injured. Our hearts ache during this time, but I know Iowans will step up and come together to help in this time of need — they already are.”

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The Biden administration asked Congress to immediately approve $32.5 billion in emergency funding to support Ukraine, as well as to bolster the United States’ COVID-19 response.

The Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) requested $10 billion in new humanitarian, security and economic aid to Ukraine and its central European partners, saying that $22.5 billion would go toward securing the supply of Covid antiviral treatments, funding testing and vaccination and developing vaccines that protect against future variants.  OMB Acting Director Shalanda Young said in a statement that the $22.5 billion in COVID funding plus $10 billion in emergency military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine should be included in Congress’ larger spending bill to fund the U.S. government expected to come by March 11.

Regarding the crisis in Ukraine, Young wrote: “Given the rapidly evolving situation in Ukraine, I anticipate that additional needs may arise over time.” Young added that the current request is based on “the administration’s best information on resource requirements at this time.”  The request also includes $5 billion for the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development to boost security and economic assistance to Ukraine and regional allies, of which $2.75 billion would provide humanitarian assistance.

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At least ten people were taken to hospitals, some with critical injuries, after an explosion and fire at a Maryland apartment building Thursday morning. Firefighters responded around 10:30 a.m. after 911 callers reported an explosion at the four-story building in Silver Spring, less than a mile north of Washington, D.C.

Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service Chief Scott Goldstein said during a news conference that crews arriving on the scene found significant fire and evidence of an explosion, and immediately went to work battling the flames, helping several people get out before the building was completely consumed by fire and collapsed.

People were evacuated from adjacent buildings, and crews continued to search the buildings a second time to make sure no one was missed. , Goldstein said that it was unknown how many people are unaccounted for and how many people will be displaced, and it was not clear where the fire began and too early to say how it started.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan tweeted that his team has been in contact with county officials about the explosion and fire and state fire marshal, state police and state emergency management officials are offering their support.

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