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Emergency and disaster management briefing for August 5, 2020: A massive and deadly explosion that rocked the port of Beirut in Lebanon was likely caused by stored ammonium nitrate; Hurricane Isaias sparked multiple structure fires after it made landfall in Ocean Isle Beach; Isaias prompted nearly 100 tornado warnings and caused widespread power outages along the East Coast; a search and rescue crew from Andersen AFB found three missing mariners on a remote island in Yap; Isaias-spawned severe winds and a possible tornado damaged a hospital and child care facility in Doylestown; fire season is in full swing and California fire officials urge mitigation, planning, and action by residents; the Vine Street Expressway Bridge is temporarily closed in both directions after an unsecured barge slammed into a bridge pylon; and the FBI opens at least 300 investigations into domestic terrorism following riots across the nation.

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1) A deadly and devastating explosion in the port of Beirut in Lebanon on Tuesday killed at least 100 people and injured thousands more. Search and rescue efforts continue across the city, where damage caused by the massive blast and shockwaves destroyed buildings and homes up to 10 miles away. According to Lebanese officials, damage to the main port will top $3 billion. Much of the area was flattened by the blast, which was likely caused by a fire that ignited 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse at the port.

2) Isaias made landfall late Monday night near Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of at least 85 mph with higher gusts. The storm brought at least three feet of floodwaters to the area and spawned multiple tornadoes in the state. One of the tornadoes killed two people, injured several and left at least three people missing in Bertie County. The storm also cut power to thousands and sparked multiple structure fires in Ocean Isle Beach.

3) As Tropical Storm Isaias made its way up the East Coast, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued nearly 100 tornado warnings across multiple states, including Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia. More than 3.3 million customers were without power on Tuesday morning after the storm wreaked havoc all along the I-95 corridor. The storm disrupted the Staten Island Ferry in New York, along with outdoor subway lines. In North Myrtle Beach, the storm surge waves collapsed a large section of the Sea Cabin Pier late Monday.

4) Three mariners were found and rescued from a small, remote Pacific Island by a KC-135 crew from Andersen Air Force Base. The three went missing on July 29 after taking a skiff from Puluwat Atoll to travel to Pulap, Chuuk, 21 nautical miles away. However, they never made it to their destination. A coordinated effort that included the Hawaii Air National Guard, the 171st Air Refueling Wing, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Royal Australian Navy made the search and rescue successful. The three mariners were rescued on August 3 from the tiny Pikelot Yap island in the Federated States of Micronesia.

5) Four children and two teachers were injured when strong winds ripped off part of the roof of a child care center in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Tropical Storm Isaias moved through the area Tuesday around 11:00, and its high winds ripped off the roof of the child care center, while the fierce winds also damaged parts of the nearby Doylestown Hospital. Officials are working to determine if a tornado spawned by Isaias was responsible for the widespread damage.

6) The Pond Fire burning near Santa Margarita in San Luis Obispo County, has scorched over 2,500 acres, destroyed two structures and is threatening at least 200 others. Multiple fires are burning in California and the wildfire season is in full swing. Fire officials are urging residents to ensure their homes have defensible space, which helps assist firefighters in protecting their homes and outbuildings. Readyforwildfire.org offers comprehensive information to help homeowners and businesses mitigate, plan, and act to protect their loved ones and their properties — along with the lives of firefighters — should a wildfire threaten them.

7) An unsecured barge slammed into a bridge pylon that takes I-676 over the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. Transportation officials closed the Vine Street Expressway Bridge after heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Isaias led to a swollen river that likely dislodged an unsecured construction barge and slammed it against the bridge. According to officials, they are waiting for the water to recede somewhat before the barge can be towed. Drivers should expect to experience detours into the city of Philadelphia until at least Thursday.

8) The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched at least 300 domestic terrorism investigations after violence and rioting across the nation that began on May 28. The cases do not include any potential civil rights investigations or violent crime that was associated with the riots that have taken place. The information was released at a Senate Committee hearing chaired by Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who noted that while “peaceful protests must be protected, riots must be stopped.”

 

By William Tucker

Since the inception of the Syrian uprising, IHS has discussed the international dimension of the conflict, but the initial posturing by regional and international powers, though discernible, was largely opaque. As the civil war has drug on the hand of foreign interlopers has become visible in the form of continuing support for the Assad regime from Russia and Iran, while many Arab and Western nations have provided support to the rebels.

By William Tucker

Multiple media reports on January 30th, 2013, stated that the Israeli air force had struck a convoy of missiles on the Syrian-Lebanese border. As the day went on other news outlets began reporting that the target was a fixed military facility near Damascus that was still under control of the Assad regime. It didn’t take long before speculation became mixed with unverified reports in this situation.

By William Tucker

Presidential candidate and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has stated on several occasions that, “Syria is the route that allows Iran to supply Hezbollah with weapons in Lebanon. Syria is Iran’s route to the sea.” This statement has been met with confusion among many political watchers. On their website the Washington Post even responded by calling it “weird.”

By William Tucker

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency filed a lawsuit against the Lebanese Canadian Bank in December 2011 following allegations that the bank was laundering money for Hezbollah. The Lebanese terrorist group was using the banks to hide proceeds from drug trafficking and the sales of U.S. manufactured vehicles in Western Africa. Eventually the money made its way to Lebanon and was used to support the group’s activities.

By William Tucker

Military forces loyal to the Syrian regime launched a massive attack against the city of Homs. Raw video posted to the internet shows artillery being used in the city, but what exactly is being targeted is unclear. At this juncture, however, it is unlikely that the regime is concerned with protecting civilians trapped inside the target area. The call by the UN to withdraw heavy artillery from the cities has been ignored.