Terror Threat in Your Area

[southerngale]

Are you in a high risk area for a terror attack? What do your local officials say?


It's a little freaky here. The Port of Beaumont ships more military supplies out than any other port in the U.S. The military plans to move equipment through the Port of Beaumont until at least the first week of April.

Right here in the Golden Triangle (Beaumont, Port Arthur(Nederland, Groves, Port Neches), Orange) we refine 10% of the country's petroleum. We have refineries everywhere!!

Tom Ridge has asked the National Guard to beef up security at ports and refineries because they are at a very high risk. The media has referred to it as orange+ :?

Also, Houston has the largest port in the country.

Anyway, I'm not changing anything in my day to day life but it is a little spooky to pick up the paper and read warnings about your specific area and discussions about whether your county is in the top 10 target areas.

:o

[vbhoutex]

Yes it is somewhat disturbing!! Especially when you live in a city that is home to numerous refineries, nuerous chemical plants, and as SG said the largest port in the country. Many more on patrol in the sensitive areas and specific warnings as to what to watch for have been given to the public over the tv.

Past being more vigilant than normal I have no plans to change how I live.

[Guest]

I know the feeling - where I work we are 1 1/2 blocks from Exxon. The local police department has beefed up security around the plant.

My motto is its better to be safe than sorry.

Patricia aka Ticka1

[cycloneye]

In Puerto Rico we are preparing for any thing that might happen at the international airport,Hotels,ports and bases here such as the big Roosvelt Roads base.

[Rainband]

I am free of pretty much any target areas. The only thing near me is MCdill AFB...40 miles south and a nuclear power plant 45 miles north..Guess I am the meat in the sandwich???



Johnathan

[sunny shine]

I am free of pretty much any target areas. The only thing near me is MCdill AFB...40 miles south and a nuclear power plant 45 miles north..Guess I am the meat in the sandwich???



Johnathan

[wx247]

Good morning.

I saw on television last night where security has been stepped up across the city of Branson, not too far from here. Otherwise, in my immediate area we do not have any other areas of increased visible security.

[azsnowman]

There was an article some years ago in the Az Republic stating that the White Mountains of Az are probably one of the *safest places* to be in the times of war! We have a never ending supply of fresh water etc. NOW....the only possible threat to us would be the main E-W BNSF railline, that's in Holbrook, 54 miles to my north, also a small power plant at Joseph City, 11 miles west of Holbrook, other than that, *that's it*

Dennis

[bfez1]

Having a very large port here we are under very tight security. We also have several oil refineries here. But the whole country is on orange alert so security is beefed up thru out the entire USA. No one is out of the woods right now. Just be aware of your surroundings and stay safe.
God Bless America!!!

[JCT777]

Living about 6 miles away from the Limerick nuclear power plant has given me a little bit of cause for concern, although there have been no specific statements from local officials regarding heightened awareness for those living close to the plant. For me, I just try not to think about it too much.

[rainstorm]

i am expecting no terrorist attacks within the us borders, and few elsewhere. one thing i give bush credit for is that he has basically destroyed al queda and i also feel we little to fear from iraqi supporters.

[StormCrazyIowan]

I live with in 10 miles of the Rock Island Arsenal,and I believe with 60 miles of the Cordova Nuclear power plant, but honestly, I am not very worried, I'm just gonna live, that's all I can do!

[Guest]

How true your statement is Jacki !

Patricia

[southerngale]

Yes it is. Like I said before, I don't change anything that I do in my life, but it is still a little freaky to have all of this in the back of your mind.


One of the articles in the paper was describing the local preparedness, etc. and one comment was "If you see people laying in the street having seizures or unconscience, it is probably a chemical attack." :o

I guess I should stop reading the paper or articles about what local folks are doing to prepare. They are quite disturbing.

[Amanzi]

well said Jacki. If we start to live ourlives "differently" terror has won. Not to say we should not be more vigilant.

-----------------Effects of terror alert status ripple throughout Florida


STAFF AND WIRE REPORT
Last updated: Mar 18, 11:39 PM

DAYTONA BEACH -- School field trips were canceled, short-term parking at Daytona Beach International Airport was closed, and security at local utility plants was stepped up Tuesday in preparation for war with Iraq.
The U.S. Coast Guard increased patrols of the area's coastline, and security officers resumed random inspection of vehicles arriving at the Daytona Beach airport to comply with a national security plan outlined Tuesday by the Department of Homeland Security.

The plan, dubbed "Operation Liberty Shield," heightens security at the nation's borders, airports, seaports and railways, nuclear and chemical plants and among elements of the nation's food supply and distribution system.



Florida's preparations since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks puts it in a much better position to respond to war-related attacks, Gov. Jeb Bush said Tuesday as security was increased around the state, including banning flights over Disney theme parks in Orlando.



"You have to remain vigilant in these times," said Stephen Cooke, director of air service marketing and community affairs at the Daytona Beach's airport.

At the direction of Homeland Security, airport officials closed parking within 300 feet of the terminal and started checking vehicles Monday evening when the terror alert was raised to orange, Cooke said.


Local law enforcement agencies have also stepped up patrols and increased security at water and utility plants, government offices, courthouses and small airports in Volusia and Flagler counties.

Daytona Beach police officers continued nightly patrols at the Islamic Center of Daytona Beach, as they have since Sept. 11, 2001. President Mustafa Isa said no additional security measures were planned, despite a national alert from an Islamic civil rights group warning of a possible backlash against Muslims.

"If someone wants to do something, you can't stop them," Isa said. "But we feel secure. We leave it to God."


Volusia public school officials canceled all out-of-county field trips through April 4 because of the threat of war and the possibility of terrorist attacks.

Even before the announcement Tuesday afternoon, Spruce Creek High School Principal Tim Egnor had canceled today's trip to New York City for eight students in his school's Finance Academy.

"I wouldn't want to feel responsible for sending kids into harm's way at the exact moment (war) was supposed to happen," Egnor said.

At least five Volusia middle schools also have canceled early- to mid-April trips to Washington, D.C.

In general, travel is experiencing a downturn because of the impending war, though airlines have indicated they will not penalize those who cancel because of war, local travel agents said.

"Cruise lines have indicated they are cutting back in Europe, and people who have planned trips to Greece and Turkey have canceled," said Jeff Sussman, owner of Granada Travel Agency in Ormond Beach. "People who were talking about their summer trips have told us they are going to wait."


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[Aslkahuna]

has deployed troops to guard the Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant (the largest in the Nation) west of Phoenix, Tucson is home to Raytheon, who makes some of the missiles to be used in Iraq as well as Davis-Monthan AFB. Sierra Vista is just north of The Sieve, jokingly referred to as the Border, and is home to Forth Huachuca which is the Headquarters of the US Army Military Intelligence Center and School as well as the DOD Training Facility for the UAVs now over in the Gulf region. So we are at risk. That being said, I think the locations that are most vulernable to initial terror attacks are NYC, DC, LAX, and SFO at top priority followed closely by Chicago, Seattle, ATL followed by any city you care to name in no particular order. It is not inconceivable that US Civilian casualties due to terrorist attacks could exceed those of our Military forces in Iraq. As I told my son last night, we will very likely see the types of attacks that Israel gets but in larger numbers. Additionally, there will be a concerted effort to bring down our cybernetworks like the Net. Be prepared to experience prolonged power, gas, and water outages as well as strikes are launched against our utility infrastructure.

Steve