Beyond Katrina

Groups seek limits on Mississippi, Gulf pollution

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Environmental groups in nine states have petitioned the federal government to set and enforce pollution standards in the Mississippi River basin and the Gulf of Mexico. The petition to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency followed Monday's announcement that the dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico is the second largest to date at 8,000 square miles. Continue>>>

Top Forecasters Launch Digital Disaster Network

Former NHC chief Max Mayfield and Bryan Norcross, a top hurricane specialist,  are unveiling a prototype of the America Emergency Network at next week's hurricane conference in Fort Lauderdale. Their hopes are the network will serve as a one stop digital resource for emergency managers, the public and the media. Mayfield told the Miami Herald this is the most important work he's ever done. Inasmuch as I provided live, on the ground, round the clock coverage of Katrina and other 2005 storms during their approach, landfall, and  aftermath,  this seems quite an ambitious project and I hope they can pull it off.  As a disaster communicator I do see quite a few issues that will have to be worked through in order to render the site effective. Maybe I should have a conversation with Mayfield and Norcross - Yes?  :) At any rate, you can get all the scoop on the newly launching disaster clearinghouse at the Miami Herald. BTW, I'll be covering next week's National Hurricane Conference here at Beyond Katrina s o be sure and stop back by...