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National Situation Update: Thursday, March 9, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Stormy Windy Weather for Most of the Nation

South: An intense storm center in the mid-Mississippi Valley will trigger violent thunderstorms and possibly tornadoes in Arkansas, Louisiana, western Tennessee, Mississippi and western Alabama. Early in the day, a lesser threat will exist over eastern Oklahoma and eastern Texas; then as the storms rumble eastward late tonight, a diminished threat will push into eastern Tennessee, eastern Alabama and northwest Georgia. Ahead of the stormy weather, gusty southerly winds will develop in the mid-South and Deep South.

Midwest: Showers and thunderstorms will dampen the Midwest from the Mississippi River east. In parts of Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, some of the thunderstorms could be severe with heavy downpours. The greatest risk for damaging storms (high winds and tornadoes) would appear to be in southeast Missouri, extreme southern Illinois and far western Kentucky near the swirl of a potent storm center.

West: Showers and mountain snows will prevail over much of the West with only Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and areas east of the Rockies remaining dry. Gusty winds will prevail in many areas. Temperatures will be below seasonal averages, most noticeably in the Pacific Northwest where snow levels will be very low, generally between 1000 and 2000 feet in the Cascades. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Special Weather Statement for the Sacramento area because cold storms with very low snow levels will affect interior northern California through this weekend.

Northeast: A wintry mix in eastern New York and New England will bring a period of rain and showers. The rain will be lifting northward and eastward from Pennsylvania during the day. Gusty southerly winds, meanwhile, will drive temperatures up with afternoon highs ranging from the 30s in northern New England and northeast New York to the 70s in much of Virginia.

Hawaii: As recovery continues from last weeks rains, only scattered showers are predicted for today and Friday.  NWS has issued a Flood Statement for the island of Hawaii because showers will be heavy for the next two days. The weekend starts several days of clear weather. (NWS, media sources)

Volcano Activity

Unrest continues at Augustine Volcano. During the past week, overall seismicity at the volcano has remained low but is still above background. The current Color Code for Augustine is ORANGE.  (United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Volcano Observatory)

Tropical Activity

There are no tropical disturbances in the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans.(National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

There was no significant earthquake activity during the previous 24 hours affecting the U.S. or U.S. interests.  (USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, NOAA West Coast and Pacific Tsunami Warning System )

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity to report.  (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

The National Preparedness Level is 2. Initial attack activity was light nationally with 155 new fires reported. Five new large fires were reported, and five large fires were contained in the Southern Area. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Colorado, Florida, Texas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. The Southern Area includes both Texas and Oklahoma.

There is a Critical Fire Weather Area for southern and eastern New Mexico and northwest Texas.   A Red Flag Warning remains in effect Thursday afternoon and early Thursday evening throughout central Texas. Low relative humidities and gusty west winds will create a critical fire danger. (National Interagency Fire Center, NWS)

Kansas Grass Fire
On Wednesday the Kansas Division of Emergency Management notified FEMA Region 7 of a large grass fire burning in Butler County, Kansas near the community of Eldorado.  Approximately 5,000 acres are affected.  Local officials issued mandatory evacuations in the area for approximately 150 residents. The fire had reportedly jumped Kansas Highway 196.  Three oil wells in the area were on fire.  The American Red Cross was setting-up a shelter in Eldorado.

A local declaration (Butler County) was issued at 1:00 p.m. CST.  In the late afternoon Butler County officials reported that local fire personnel have the fire under control and the situation does not appear to be beyond local capabilities.  Local officials do not anticipate requesting any assistance from the State.

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management's EOC has been activated and the FEMA Regional Wildland Fire Specialist has been notified.  The Region Office has advised the State of the requirements for a Fire Management Assistance Grant should the situation change. State officials and the FEMA Region 7 will continue to coordinate and will provide updates as appropriate. (FEMA Region 7)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The cost-sharing arrangements for FEMA-1604-DR, Mississippi have been amended effective March 7, 2006.  The President has determined that the damage in certain areas of the State of Mississippi resulting from Hurricane Katrina, from August 29-October 14, 2005, is of sufficient severity and magnitude that special cost-sharing arrangements are warranted. He has authorized Federal funds for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 100 percent of total eligible costs through and including June 30, 2006.  Effective July 1, 2006, the Federal funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program will be authorized at 90 percent of total eligible costs. (FEMA HQ)