Green Bay, WI, USA
Despite being an experienced sailor, 56 year-old James Nelson was caught in a nightmarish situation on Sunday when he was knocked from his 23-foot sailboat into Michigan's Green Bay. A sudden rush of wind knocked the vessel's boom into Nelson's head, sending him flying into the water without his life jacket, which he had laid in the seat next to him. The same wind blew his boat hopelessly out of reach as Nelson drifted far out into the Bay. That night, his wife reported him missing at about the same time the coast guard found his boat, adrift with its motor still running.
For 12 hours, Nelson had been swimming, treading water, and resting frequently in a dead man's float, hoping and praying for rescue. In an interview with Fox, Nelson said that he tried to focus on his family and how he wanted to get home. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard sent seven boats and two helicopters to join a group of recreational boaters in the search for the missing man. At around 3:00 in the morning, one of the helicopters' crew finally spotted Nelson, who was so exhausted that a diver had to be sent to help him hold on as he was lifted out of the water. "When we heard a survivor was spotted in the water, you'd have thought we won the Super Bowl from the cheers," said Chief Mike Weisenbaugh, officer in charge of Coast Guard Station Green Bay.
James Nelson was treated for dehydration at St. Vincent's Hospital, before finally getting home safely.
To read more, visit http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gvu8VYab2kZ8YljiHJcMo8BAX0DwD92LCL9G2
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Fay Fades From Florida, Leaves Little Damage, No Casualties
Florida, USA
Florida residents were all breathing a sigh of relief yesterday, when Tropical Storm Fay proved wet and windy, but far less severe than hurricanes of the past. In fact, Fay's milder gusts never even allowed her to achieve official hurricane status, and her tropical storm title was stripped as she continued up the continent.
Police, government, and state agencies had braced for the storm's arrival by imposing a curfew, closing schools, evacuating at-risk residents, and urging businesses to take the proper precautions to safeguard local buildings against damage. Those businesses that braced for the storm, took the opportunity to puff their chests and shake their fists at storms of the past, with plywood window covers painted with taunts such as "Pop Off Charley" and "Oh Wilma!" Other than minor debris and street flooding, however, there were neither casualties nor damages.
Even in Cuba and the Caribbean, where Fay's path had not yet been slowed by the US landmass, there was good news. A bus toppled by the storm where 30 passengers lives were unknown was met by U.N. peacekeepers who confirmed that 41 passengers had made it out safely.
As the 10.8 million people who fell within Fay's path waved her goodbye, life is back to normal. Evacuation orders have been lifted to the north of Tampa Bay, and state and government offices are scheduled to re-open. As Sally Bishop, Pinellas County emergency management director, put it on this August morning, "I think we're going to all enjoy a nice summer day."
Florida residents were all breathing a sigh of relief yesterday, when Tropical Storm Fay proved wet and windy, but far less severe than hurricanes of the past. In fact, Fay's milder gusts never even allowed her to achieve official hurricane status, and her tropical storm title was stripped as she continued up the continent.
Police, government, and state agencies had braced for the storm's arrival by imposing a curfew, closing schools, evacuating at-risk residents, and urging businesses to take the proper precautions to safeguard local buildings against damage. Those businesses that braced for the storm, took the opportunity to puff their chests and shake their fists at storms of the past, with plywood window covers painted with taunts such as "Pop Off Charley" and "Oh Wilma!" Other than minor debris and street flooding, however, there were neither casualties nor damages.
Even in Cuba and the Caribbean, where Fay's path had not yet been slowed by the US landmass, there was good news. A bus toppled by the storm where 30 passengers lives were unknown was met by U.N. peacekeepers who confirmed that 41 passengers had made it out safely.
As the 10.8 million people who fell within Fay's path waved her goodbye, life is back to normal. Evacuation orders have been lifted to the north of Tampa Bay, and state and government offices are scheduled to re-open. As Sally Bishop, Pinellas County emergency management director, put it on this August morning, "I think we're going to all enjoy a nice summer day."
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