EPA Region 6 was requested by FEMA to man the ESF # 10 desk at the Denton Regional Operations Center (ROC) at 07:00 hrs on 07/14/03 as a result of the pending landfall of Tropical Storm Claudette along the Texas Coast. EPA Region 6 personnel will man the ESF #10 desk until further notice from FEMA Region 6.
At approximately 2400 hrs on July 14, the Claudette was upgraded to Category 1 Hurricane Status. The EPA Response and Prevention Branch is monitoring the status of the hurricane since RPB personnel may be tasked by FEMA to assist the State and local jurisdictions responding to household hazardous waste and other pollution incidents resulting from the effects of Hurricane Claudette.
Category 1 Hurricane: Winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt or 119-153 km/hr). Storm surge generally 4-5 ft above normal. No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Also, some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage. Hurricanes Allison of 1995 and Danny of 1997 were Category 1 hurricanes at peak intensity.
