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National Situation Update: Thursday, February 2, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Storms Rumble Across The South

South:  Strong-to-severe storms rumble on along the Gulf Coast last night into today. An advancing frontal system will continue to move through the Deep South, dragging along with it rain showers and the threat for thunderstorms. Through this morning, that threat extends from the ArkLaTex to Mississippi, with the severity of the storms increasing as you move southward towards the coast. This system traverses the South with heavy rain and thunderstorms for southern portions of Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia as well as the panhandle of Florida throughout the day. Gulf moisture moves beyond the Tennessee Valley and into the Ohio Valley where afternoon and evening showers are expected to fire.

West:  Winter storm advisories are in effect for the Wasatch mountain range in Utah and north and central Colorado in anticipation of high accumulations of snow resulting from an advancing system across the Intermountain West. Snow levels in these regions will remain above 7,000 feet, and accumulation could exceed a foot with winds of 20 to 30 mph creating higher drifts. Behind the system, onshore flow will continue to drive Pacific moisture inland. Coastal showers and inland rain/snow showers will continue in earnest throughout the day. Additional snowfall accumulations for the Cascades and Sierra also could exceed a foot below pass level, making for dangerous driving conditions. Drier, warmer conditions will dominate the Southwest.

Midwest:  Despite another round of snow showers from North Dakota to northern Wisconsin, the region as a whole remains relatively quiet. Tomorrow, the Northern Plains snow showers move over the Great Lakes, though any accumulations are expected to be light. There is a slight possibility for an isolated shower or thundershower for the fire-scorched areas around the Red River. Temperatures will be remain unseasonably warm today, with highs from the 50s and 60s surging as far as Nebraska and Iowa. 70s and 80s encompass most of Texas and Louisiana, with the possibility of even isolated reports of 90-degree highs in extreme south Texas.

Northeast:  With the next storm not expected to arrive until tomorrow, the Northeast will enjoy a break that will be marked by dry conditions and mild temperatures. Ahead of the incoming system, winds will flow freely from the south and southwest, drawing warm, moist air to the region, though the threat of precipitation will hold off until the end of the week.  Temperatures will be about 10 degrees warmer today than yesterday. As the pattern has been all winter, today's highs will be 5 to 15 degrees warmer than average. This all comes crashing down tomorrow as the approaching system will bring cooling showers, but more importantly will open the door for colder air to seep in from central Canada, a preview of the expected nationwide pattern change.  (NWS, Media Sources)

Regional Activities

North Carolina: (Final)  Explosion at Chemical Plant

  • At approximately 11:45 am EST, January 31, 2006,  there was an explosion in Morganton, North Carolina (Burke County).  The explosion occurred at Synthron Corporation, which is an extremely hazardous substance (EHS) facility.
  • As of 11:15 am EST, February 1, 2006, the State Highway Patrol and Department of Transportation have re-opened US 70.  Norfolk Southern Railroad had also suspended rail traffic near the facility; they have also resumed use of the rail line.  
  • There  were 14 injuries reported; 13 were plant employees and 1 an emergency worker.  No fatalities were reported.
  • The major environmental concern from the initial response appears to focus on potentially contaminated water run off from fire fighting efforts into Hunting Creek.  A fish kill was discovered along an area approximately one mile downstream from the facility.
  • Synthron, Inc. has contacted a private cleanup contractor (STAT, Inc.) to begin cleanup operations in coordination with the EPA.
  • A North Carolina Division of Emergency Management (NCDEM) Branch Manager and Area Coordinator remain on site
  • The NC DENR (Divisions of Water Quality and Air Quality) remain on scene and have begun conducting air and water sampling.
  • The shelter that was opened at the Morganton Recreation Center was staffed by ARC personnel until midnight.  Three families displaced by the incident were housed in local hotels overnight.  The ARC reported providing approximately 400 meals for families and response personnel.
  • No FEMA or any other Federal assistance has been requested.  The Regional Duty Office (RDO) will remain in close contact with the State.  Updates will be made as soon as information is received.
  • The US Department of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has dispatched a team from Atlanta, Georgia to the scene.  The FBI and ATF have dispatched investigative teams to the scene.(FEMA Region IV)

Washington:  Severe Weather and Flooding

  • 5:15 pm EST, February 1, 2006, Multiple storm fronts and weather patterns have struck the West coast over the last month creating severe conditions in western Washington contributing to flooding conditions in several rivers across the region.  Washington has experienced multiple impacts from these events including flooding, landslides and road closures.  Flooding has impacted several rivers including the Skokomish, Chehalsis and Columbia.  Continuing rains are forecast for the remainder of the week.  Flooding continues in Mason, Lewis, Grays Harbor and Cowlitz Counties.  
  • Kitsap County has issued a Declaration of Emergency due to damage to public infrastructure and private property.  On January 31, 2006, the Washington Director of Emergency Management Division signed and forwarded for the Governor's signature a State Proclamation of Emergency in support of the recovery action being undertaken by Washington State Department of Transportation. Local declarations have been made in at least 2 counties (Lewis and Kitsap).  Local and State DOT crews are clearing roads due to mudslides.
  • State EOC at Camp Murray activated at Phase II (Enhanced).  Lewis County and Kitsap County EOC activated at Phase I.  There is no request for Federal assistance at this time.  (FEMA Region X)

Augustine Volcano Continues to Erupt

Augustine Volcano continued to erupt Tuesday, with the volcano producing a continuous crescent-shaped plume of steam, and ash and gas speeding down the flanks of the island mount and into the sea.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory made hourly updates early Tuesday on its Web site with each one beginning the same way - "Eruption is in progress."
The volcano on an uninhabited island has been erupting since Saturday, with explosions thrusting particles almost five miles into the skies around south-central Alaska. 

With winds shifting the ash away from major air routes, airlines cautiously resumed dozens of flights that had been canceled as a precaution. Ash particles can damage engines.  Alaska Airlines on Tuesday resumed all flights to and from Kodiak Island and Anchorage, the state's largest air hub, said  spokeswoman Amanda Tobin. The airline had canceled all of its 36 Anchorage flights Monday night as a precaution. Flights to and from Kodiak had been canceled Sunday and Monday.  Era Aviation also was back to a normal schedule after canceling five flights to Kodiak Monday, according to President Paul Landis.

"This is a nonstory as long as public health is concerned, but it's a different thing for the aviation community," said Joel Curtis, lead forecaster at the National Weather Service.  The volcano's constant release of gas, rock and ash - rather than a quiet buildup beneath the mountain - may be averting a more powerful eruption, said scientists at the Alaska Volcano Observatory.  "This current material shows the vent is staying open and letting off pressure continuously," said Michelle Coombs, a geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey.

Wind currents were moving the ash in a northerly direction early Tuesday. A very light ash fall was expected over Kamishak Bay and northward to the western Cook Inlet. An ash fall advisory also was issued for the Alaska Range near the Big River Lakes area.
After a 10-day lull, Augustine resumed erupting Friday. The continuous ash plume began issuing from a newly cleared vent on Saturday afternoon, Coombs said.  (Media Sources)

Alaskan Augustine Volcano Update

Current Level of Concern Color Code: ORANGE.  Seismic data indicate that eruptive activity continues intermittently and has changed little in character or intensity over the past 24 hours. Ash clouds to altitudes greater than 15,000 ft. above sea level have not been observed on National Weather Service radar since 10:21 am EST on January 30 (15:21 UTC). Eruptive activity occurring now is characterized by low-level explosions, block-and-ash-flow style pyroclastic flows, and sustained production of ash. This type of activity is likely to continue for hours to days.

Further explosive activity producing ash clouds to altitudes over 25,000 feet may still occur with little or no warning. The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) is monitoring the situation closely and the observatory is staffed 24/7.  (NOAA/NWS, Alaska Volcano Observatory,  Media Sources)

Tropical Weather Outlook

There are no active tropical disturbances in the Atlantic or Pacific areas affecting United States interests. (USDOC/NOAA/NWS, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No major earthquake activity affecting U.S. interests during the previous 24 hours.  (United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

The National Interagency Fire Center published its last daily activity report, giving the National Preparedness Level at 1, the lowest state of readiness.  No significant new activity is being reported.  (NIFC, NOAA)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The JFO for FEMA-DR-1613-PR will close March 10, 2006.
The JFO for FEMA-DR-1610-NH will close February 6, 2006.
The JFO for FEMA-EM-3264-MA will close February 6, 2006. (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:18:44 EDT