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Archive for August 29, 2008

United States (Country threat level - 3):

The Republican National Convention will take place in Saint Paul, Minnesota, from 1 to 4 September 2008. The convention will be held at the Xcel Energy Center in downtown St. Paul. The Department of Homeland Security has designated the convention as a National Security Special Event, which heightens the security measures that will be in place. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will restrict airspace over the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. More than 3,500 state and local police officers and 2,100 National Guard troops will be deployed. Authorities will maintain a robust security presence around the Xcel Center. Authorities will close two interstate ramps in downtown St. Paul beginning at 1800 local time on 29 August 2008.

City officials expect more than 50,000 protesters to converge on the city. The RNC Welcoming Committee, an anarchist group, has threatened to “blockade” downtown St. Paul and disrupt transportation on bridges. Anti-war activist groups plan to march from the Capitol building in St. Paul to the Xcel Center beginning at 1100 local time on 1 September.

Cayman Islands / Cuba / United States (Country threat levels - 2 / 2 / 3):

 As of 1200 UTC on 29 August 2008 Tropical Storm Gustav was located approximately 100 mi/160 km west-northwest of Kingston, Jamaica, and 200 mi/320 km east-southeast of Grand Cayman. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 65 mph/56 kt and is moving west-northwest at 8 mph/7 kt. A hurricane watch is in effect for the provinces of Isla de Juventud, Pinar del Rio, La Habana and Ciudad de la Habana in western Cuba. Grand Cayman is expected to experience tropical storm force winds between 1900 and 2000 local time on 29 August. Owen Roberts International Airport (MWCR/GCM) is reportedly streamlining the check-in process at tents outside the facility to expedite the check-in process for departing flights. Most flights in the afternoon and evening on 29 August and all day on 30 August have been canceled. The airport has warned travelers to anticipate traffic congestion along Owen Roberts Drive near the airport.

According to meteorologists at Wilkens Weather Technologies, the storm is expected to strengthen to at least Category 3 hurricane status. Early forecasts indicate that the storm could make landfall along the Louisiana coast on 2 September 2008; however, the storm could strike anywhere along the Gulf Coast from Corpus Christi, Texas, to Panama City, Florida. Mississippi and Louisiana have declared states of emergency. Louisiana will likely issue a mandatory evacuation order along the Gulf Coast by 1200 local time on 30 August. Texas has issued a disaster declaration and warned residents along the coast to make preparations for a possible evacuation order. The storm has killed more than 60 people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

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