Prepared Brief: St. Paul ICE raid protests, Boil‑water advisory in New Orleans East
November 19, 2025
Analyst Insight
The past day has been strained, with immigration enforcement sparking mass demonstrations and infrastructure weaknesses resurfacing.
Federal agents executed raids on businesses in Minnesota and North Carolina, drawing hundreds of protesters and prompting police use of pepper spray.
This is the second major immigration crackdown in less than a week (after Operation Charlotte’s Web in Charlotte) and signals a sustained nationwide campaign.
At the same time, parts of New Orleans remain under a boil‑water advisory after a water‑main break, while elevated winter demand and a recent cyber outage highlight vulnerabilities in the power and digital grids.
Preparedness efforts should account for simultaneous social unrest and infrastructure strain, with attention to water, power, and communication redundancies.
Domestic Security & Civil Unrest
ICE raid protest in St. Paul, MN – Federal agents from several agencies raided the Bro‑Tex plant in St. Paul on Nov 18 as part of an immigration investigation. Hundreds of protesters blocked vehicles leaving the plant; agents deployed chemical irritants and pepper spray to disperse them. Several protesters were zip‑tied and detained, and the mayor later met with demonstrators.
Why it matters: This large crowd interference marks escalating opposition to federal immigration operations and could spur further protests; local law enforcement resources are stretched, and travel near industrial areas may be disrupted.
Operation Charlotte’s Web – Charlotte, NC – In the first 48 hours of “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” more than 130 people were detained in Charlotte; 81 arrests occurred in the first five hours. The crackdown targeted sanctuary‑city policies, and CBP commander Greg Bovino vowed to “hit Charlotte like a storm.” Local officials criticized the operation and urged residents to document agent behavior.
Why it matters: Large multi‑agency sweeps are intensifying nationwide; unexpected checkpoints and worksite raids may disrupt daily routines and generate additional protests.
Immigration protests in Raleigh/Durham, NC – Hundreds gathered at Moore Square in Raleigh and near a Durham daycare after reports of federal raids. Activists claimed Border Patrol detained people at gas stations and outside stores; a daycare temporarily locked down when agents were spotted in the parking lot.
Why it matters: Community fear can lead to impromptu protests and business closures, straining municipal resources and potentially impacting travel.
Dearborn, MI demonstrations – A small anti‑Islam group marched toward Dearborn’s city hall on Nov 18 and threatened to burn a Quran, while counter‑protesters from the large local Muslim community confronted them. One person was arrested; police maintained a heavy presence.
Why it matters: Religious‑targeted protests can quickly inflame tensions; travelers should avoid demonstration areas, and faith‑based institutions should review security protocols.
No major active‑shooter incidents or large brawls were reported in the past 24 hours. Normal public events can proceed, but situational awareness is advised near protest sites.
Infrastructure & Grid Alerts
Boil‑water advisory – New Orleans East – A broken water main caused pressure to fall below safe levels, prompting a precautionary boil‑water advisory for a defined area of New Orleans East (Hayne Blvd to Wave Dr and Reading Rd). Water pressure has been restored, but authorities are still testing samples; residents should boil water for at least one minute before drinking or cooking until the advisory is lifted.
Why it matters: Water contamination risks can emerge without warning; residents should maintain bottled water supplies and filtration methods.
Cloudflare outage – On Nov 18, a misconfiguration in Cloudflare’s bot‑management software doubled a data file’s size and exceeded memory limits, causing core software to crash and taking down significant portions of the internet. Engineers began rolling back the change at 14:30 UTC, and normal traffic resumed by 17:06.
Why it matters: This widespread outage highlights the fragility of digital infrastructure; preparedness plans should include alternative communications methods and offline access to critical documents.
Winter energy reliability – NERC’s 2025–26 Winter Reliability Assessment warns that most of North America could face energy shortfalls during prolonged cold snaps due to a 20‑GW increase in electricity demand and limited natural‑gas supply. The grid is adequate for normal demand, but extreme cold may necessitate controlled outages; NERC recommends improved cold‑weather preparedness and load forecasting.
Why it matters: Households should winterize homes, test generators, and stock fuel; businesses should prepare for possible rolling blackouts.
Gas‑line explosion – Chino Hills, CA – Firefighters concluded that a gas leak caused a home explosion on Nov 16 in Chino Hills that injured eight people and hospitalized several childrencbsnews.com. Officials have not yet located the leak.
Why it matters: Natural‑gas systems can fail suddenly; check detectors, know how to shut off gas, and review evacuation plans.
No major cyberattacks on critical services were reported beyond the Cloudflare incident.
Extreme Weather & Natural Hazards
Severe storms – Tennessee/Kentucky – Middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky saw thunderstorms on Nov 18 with damaging winds and hail. Additional storms are possible through Nov 20.
Why it matters: Residents should secure outdoor items, review tornado shelters and stay alert to NOAA weather alerts.
Realization Fire – Boulder County, CO – The Realization Fire on Flagstaff Mountain burned roughly 2 acres on Tuesday night. Fire crews from multiple agencies quickly contained the slow‑moving blaze; no structures were threatened.
Why it matters: Though small, the fire underscores very dry conditions along Colorado’s Front Range; avoid outdoor fires and maintain defensible space around structures.
Hostler 2 Fire – Humboldt County, CA – The Hostler 2 wildfire was discovered around 10:30 AM on Nov 18 on Bureau of Indian Affairs land. The cause and containment were not yet reported.
Why it matters: Even modest fires can expand rapidly; travelers should monitor local advisories.
Earthquake – Central California – A magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck near Templeton, CA on Nov 18 at 9:54 AM PST, later downgraded from 4.4. More than 1,000 people reported shaking; no major damage was reported.
Why it matters: Light quakes are reminders to refresh earthquake kits and secure heavy furniture.
Atlantic tropical outlook – AccuWeather/Associated Press reported that no tropical development is expected in the Atlantic for at least seven days.
Why it matters: Hurricane season threats are low (and the season appears to be wrapped up), but always maintain a basic hurricane kit if living near the Gulf or Atlantic coast.
Border & Immigration
Charlotte crackdown – Over 130 people were detained during the first 48 hours of Operation Charlotte’s Web; the operation redeployed agents to New Orleans after the week. Community leaders are warning residents to document conduct by immigration agents.
Readiness tie‑in: Expect delays at checkpoints and increased law enforcement presence.
Other regions – No major cartel activity or interdiction operations were reported in the past 24 hours. Border traffic remains heavy but within seasonal norms; travelers should anticipate standard wait times.
Church, Mission & Civilian Safety
No reports of attacks or kidnappings against faith‑based workers or mission teams were identified in the last day. Travel and outreach operations can proceed with standard precautions.
International Flashpoints
Shipping & conflict – No new international incidents were reported within the last 24 hours that directly threaten U.S. security or supply chains. However, ongoing tensions in the Red Sea and Gulf regions continue to pose risks to global shipping; maritime operators should remain vigilant and monitor advisories.
Why it matters: Even absent fresh attacks, continued instability could impact fuel prices and delivery times.
Supply Chain & Liberty Watch
Supply chain: No significant disruptions were reported. Ports and rail operations are recovering from prior weather delays, and there were no new labor strikes or closures.
Liberty & policy: U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. sentenced former police officer Ira Brown to five years in prison for possessing a fully automatic AR‑15 and an auto‑sear discovered during a 2020 search. Investigators also found about 10,000 rounds of .223 ammunition. Brown fled while on bond and was arrested in Oregon; he pleaded guilty in July 2025.
Why it matters: The case highlights federal enforcement of machine‑gun prohibitions.
Signals to Monitor
Escalation of immigration raids beyond Charlotte and St. Paul; watch for reports of checkpoints, worksite sweeps, or large protest mobilizations.
Infrastructure stressors, such as additional boil‑water advisories, gas leaks, or cyber‑related outages affecting essential services.
Weather advisories for severe storms in the southeast and renewed wildfire risk in the West; monitor NOAA and local emergency management feeds.
Energy demand surges during upcoming cold fronts; utilities may issue conservation notices.
Red Flags
Large protests turning confrontational near government or corporate facilities - if law enforcement deploys crowd‑control agents or detentions increase, avoid the area and expect traffic restrictions.
Water tests fail in New Orleans East, or similar advisories expand - stock additional potable water and consider portable filters.
Severe storms produce tornado warnings - seek shelter immediately; have weather radios ready.
Unplanned power outages lasting more than a few hours during cold weather - enact generator plans and conserve fuel.
Preparedness Action Items
Top off drinking water supplies today and store at least one gallon per person per day for three days; boil water in affected areas until advisories end.
Avoid protest areas and monitor local news for route closures if commuting through downtown St. Paul, Charlotte, or other demonstration sites.
Secure outdoor items and park vehicles under cover ahead of forecast storms; review tornado shelter procedures by 5 PM.
Check generator fuel and battery backups today; ensure flashlights and communication devices are charged in case of power or network disruptions.
Inspect gas detectors and know how to shut off your gas main; schedule a professional inspection if you smell gas or see unexplained dead vegetation near lines.
Review firearm storage and licensing to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, particularly regarding prohibited devices like auto‑sears.
Preparedness Focus of the Day
Safely Storing Emergency Water - Learn how to store potable water long‑term by sanitizing containers with unscented bleach, filling them with tap water, and rotating every six months. Consider adding portable water filters capable of removing bacteria and protozoa; they are lightweight and useful if boil‑water advisories persist.