Weather being monitored before Trump's military parade, Pentagon says
By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The weather is being closely monitored and taken into consideration ahead of the U.S. Army anniversary parade planned for Saturday in Washington, but at this point nothing has changed, the Pentagon said on Friday.
Some airlines say the parade could be moved to earlier Saturday or potentially Sunday, which could have a significant impact on flights.
A White House spokeswoman said the Army would announce any changes if made. "No matter what, a historic celebration of our military servicemembers will take place," the White House said. The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday it plans to suspend flights at Reagan Washington National Airport from 6 p.m. ET to 9:30 p.m. during the anniversary parade on Saturday.
The event is also blocking off a significant section of Washington to vehicle traffic.
Major airlines are offering flexibility to travelers. United Airlines said it is offering a travel waiver for Reagan National, as well as adding two additional departures from and two additional arrivals at nearby Washington Dulles International Airport on Saturday.
American Airlines said it has "adjusted our schedule during this timeframe, temporarily added larger aircraft at DCA to accommodate more customers at alternative times and issued a travel alert that includes flexibility to travel on a different day or through Washington Dulles and Baltimore Washington at no extra cost."
The airport is located less than two miles from the National Mall.
The U.S. Army is bringing 6,500 troops into Washington, along with 150 vehicles and 50 aircraft for the celebration. The flyover will include Apache and Black Hawk helicopters along with Chinooks. Older aircraft like the World War Two-era B-25 bomber and P-51 Mustang will also take part.
The Washington area is the most heavily restricted airspace in the United States. No drones are permitted in Washington without special FAA approval.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
New FEMA chief sparks frustration with head-turning statement at staff meeting: 'Disaster response is no joke'
David Richardson, who took over as head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in May, seemed to say on a June 2 call that he was unaware the United States experienced a hurricane season. Richardson's remarks may be even more concerning in light of his decision not to update FEMA's hurricane response plan this year. As Reuters first reported, Richardson is understood to have said in a conversation with staff, just one day after the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season, that he was unaware there was such a season in the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the agency, later said in a statement that Richardson was joking. The FEMA chief, who has no background in disaster response, per Reuters, reportedly announced in that same meeting that new guidance for hurricane recovery would not be completed this season. Instead, according to the Wall Street Journal, FEMA will stick to last year's plan — though some seem to have expressed concerns about how even that plan will be executed in the wake of recent staff and program cuts. It was reported earlier this year that FEMA also decided to rescind its broader strategic plan and dramatically reduce its in-person emergency training, all in the lead-up to hurricane season. "Suffice to say, disaster response is no joke," Representative Bennie Thompson said in a statement to Reuters. "If you don't know what or when hurricane season is, you're not qualified to run FEMA. Get someone knowledgeable in there." Thompson serves on the House Homeland Security Committee, which provides oversight of FEMA. Whether Richardson was uninformed or making a questionable quip, there are serious concerns about America's readiness for this hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted that the season, which extends from June through November, will bring "above-normal hurricane activity," with up to 19 named storms, including six to 10 hurricanes. Storm preparedness at the federal, state, municipal, and individual levels is crucial to safe navigation of weather events with the potential for severe impacts. Hurricanes can cause major flooding, extensive power outages, significant property damage, and, most terribly, injuries and death. Last year's Atlantic hurricane season was devastating for the U.S. This May, USA Today reported that "with more than 400 fatalities, 2024 was the nation's deadliest hurricane season since 2005," when Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast. The six months' worth of storms also dealt at least $190 billion in damage to affected regions, according to NPR. Experienced, engaged, and compassionate leadership is essential to deploying a reliable disaster response force when hurricanes strike. Delivering care and resources in the aftermath of major storms can save human lives and help rebuild livelihoods. What would you do if natural disasters were threatening your home? Move somewhere else Reinforce my home Nothing This is happening already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. With the federal plans and capacities still uncertain, some hurricane-vulnerable states are taking on certain elements of storm preparedness themselves. Individuals and communities will also be doing what they can to ensure local safety, home security, and critical supplies. Working out a disaster plan in advance — one that accounts for evacuation routes, property weatherization, and collection of non-perishable food, clean water, and medical supplies — is key. And it might be most effective when developed in coordination with neighbors. Talking with friends and family about critical climate issues can help make important — sometimes overwhelming — tasks like this more doable. Whether exchanging information about how to install solar panels as a backup to get through grid outages, learning about how to support policies that safeguard communities, organizing food drives, or just looking out for one another, cooperative efforts can make a big difference in tough times. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
a day ago
Men hit by lightning plucked from mountain in a record-high helicopter rescues
Rescuers fetched two men struck by lightning from a Colorado peak in what they believe were the highest helicopter rescues on record in this mountainous state. One man remained hospitalized in fair condition Friday while the other was treated at a hospital and released. The rescues happened late Thursday near the summit of Torreys Peak, a 14,300-foot (4,360-meter) mountain about 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of Denver. Torreys Peak is ranked variously as the 11th or 12th highest summit in Colorado and is less than 200 feet (60 meters) shorter than the state's highest mountain, Mount Elbert. The men from New York state, whose identities weren't released, had decided to summit the mountain during a road trip, Alpine Rescue Team public information officer Jake Smith said. They first called for help around 5 p.m. after getting off course on their way up a technical route. A different route doesn't require climbing gear or expertise. 'It doesn't sound like they had a ton of prior experience. I think it was probably just a lack of awareness,' said Smith, who was among the rescuers on the ground. Rescue officials guided the men back on course, and they made it to the summit. Minutes later, one of them called back to report they had been struck by lightning. About 30 rescuers went up the mountain while another team used a Colorado National Guard Blackhawk helicopter to get the more seriously injured man, who was nonresponsive and in critical condition, off the peak using a hoist at 14,200 feet (4,330 meters). He was flown down to an ambulance and taken to a local hospital, then to a Denver hospital with a burn unit, Smith said. The helicopter made another trip around midnight to fetch the less seriously hurt man by partially touching down on the mountain. The rescuers believe Colorado's previous record for a helicopter rescue was 13,700 feet (4,175 meters). Such rescues are challenging because thin air causes helicopters to lose lifting ability the higher they fly; the Blackhawk has an altitude limit of about 19,000 feet (5,800 meters). Hikers and climbers often prefer to ascend during the morning and avoid the Rocky Mountain high country on summer afternoons. Thunderstorms are common and can develop suddenly with dangerous lightning, hail and plummeting temperatures.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Men hit by lightning plucked from mountain in a record-high Colorado helicopter rescues
Rescuers fetched two men struck by lightning from a Colorado peak in what they believe were the highest helicopter rescues on record in this mountainous state. One man remained hospitalized in fair condition Friday while the other was treated at a hospital and released. The rescues happened late Thursday near the summit of Torreys Peak, a 14,300-foot (4,360-meter) mountain about 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of Denver. Torreys Peak is ranked variously as the 11th or 12th highest summit in Colorado and is less than 200 feet (60 meters) shorter than the state's highest mountain, Mount Elbert. The men from New York state, whose identities weren't released, had decided to summit the mountain during a road trip, Alpine Rescue Team public information officer Jake Smith said. They first called for help around 5 p.m. after getting off course on their way up a technical route. A different route doesn't require climbing gear or expertise. 'It doesn't sound like they had a ton of prior experience. I think it was probably just a lack of awareness,' said Smith, who was among the rescuers on the ground. Rescue officials guided the men back on course, and they made it to the summit. Minutes later, one of them called back to report they had been struck by lightning. About 30 rescuers went up the mountain while another team used a Colorado National Guard Blackhawk helicopter to get the more seriously injured man, who was nonresponsive and in critical condition, off the peak using a hoist at 14,200 feet (4,330 meters). He was flown down to an ambulance and taken to a local hospital, then to a Denver hospital with a burn unit, Smith said. The helicopter made another trip around midnight to fetch the less seriously hurt man by partially touching down on the mountain. The rescuers believe Colorado's previous record for a helicopter rescue was 13,700 feet (4,175 meters). Such rescues are challenging because thin air causes helicopters to lose lifting ability the higher they fly; the Blackhawk has an altitude limit of about 19,000 feet (5,800 meters). Hikers and climbers often prefer to ascend during the morning and avoid the Rocky Mountain high country on summer afternoons. Thunderstorms are common and can develop suddenly with dangerous lightning, hail and plummeting temperatures.
