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National Situation Update: Tuesday, April 4, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

Northeast:  Winter will return to portions of the Northeast with a substantial snowfall, potentially 8 inches or more, in the Adirondacks and northern Green and White Mountains. Snow showers and flurries may occur even in lower elevations of Vermont, New York and Pennsylvania. Slushy accumulations are possible in southwest New York, northwest Pennsylvania and the higher mountains of West Virginia. Rain and rain showers are expected from New York City northeastward into southern New England, southern New Hampshire and eastern Maine. Locally heavy rain may impact some areas.

Midwest:  Areas from the northern Great Lakes to the upper Ohio Valley will remain blustery and chilly with scattered snow showers today while the northern Plains experience temperatures 10 to 20 degrees above seasonal norms. No severe storms are likely today or tomorrow.

West:  Much of the West will be rainy and snowy with heavy snowfall continuing in the high Sierras (where snow levels are expected to range between 5500 and 7500 feet). While Los Angeles and San Diego are forecast to be damp, Seattle and Portland may remain dry. Eastern Montana, eastern Wyoming, eastern Colorado, New Mexico and much of Arizona should be dry but locally heavy showers are forecast for the mountains of Southern California. Gusty winds will whip over the higher elevations of Southern California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona.

South:  Except for the possibility of an isolated storm or two in central Texas and central Florida, the South should enjoy a mostly sunny Tuesday. Despite the passage of a cold front, temperatures will be close to early April averages.   (NWS, Media Sources)

"Super Outbreak" 25th Anniversary

This week marks the 25th anniversary of the April 3-4, 1974, super tornado outbreak. It was the worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history with 148 twisters touching down in 13 states. Before it was over 16 hours later, 330 people were dead and 5,484 were injured in a damage path covering more than 2,500 miles.

Twenty-five years ago, National Weather Service forecasters could see only green blobs on their radar scopes and had to wait for visual confirmation of the tornado before issuing a tornado warning. Today's forecasters, thanks to a $4.5 billion weather service modernization effort, view evolving storms in graphic detail and can now issue warnings before tornadoes even form, with an average lead time of 11 minutes.

"Deadly storms such as the 1974 super outbreak can and will happen again," said Ken Haydu, meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service's forecast office in Wilmington, Ohio. "The people who experienced the super outbreak have an important story about tornado awareness and preparedness to pass on to later generations."

In all, 13 states were struck by twisters: Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.  (NOAA/NWS)

FEMA Regional Incident Reports

Missouri:  An upper level disturbance and associated cold front moved through the Mid-south Sunday evening, April 2, 2006, and dangerous storms were created in a warm, humid and unstable air mass. The storms were severe and contained isolated tornadoes. Several counties in southeast Missouri reported severe damage associated with the storms. Three confirmed deaths are attributed to this storm system.

Severe damage was reported in five counties and the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) was activated. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources responded to a pipeline rupture in Deering (Pemiscot County.)  The Missouri Highway Patrol dispatched officers to Pemiscot County to support the Sheriff's department.  The ARC, Salvation Army and Southern Baptists are responding to the storms with sheltering and meals/snacks for victims and responders.

FEMA Region VII is in contact with SEMA for incident updates and briefings.
Earlier, severe thunderstorms developed from eastern Nebraska to central and eastern Oklahoma continuing across the Midwest on Thursday, March 30, 2006. There were reports of damaging winds (60+ mph), large hail (baseball sized) and tornadoes throughout Missouri.  Damage assessments for the counties affected by the March 30, 2006 storms are ongoing.  (FEMA Region VII)

Tennessee:  Tornadoes struck upper west Tennessee causing severe damage in the counties of Gibson, Dyer, and Weakly on April 2, 2006 at about 7:00 pm CDT.   
A total of 23 deaths have been confirmed, 15 in Dyer and 8 in Gibson counties.  There are numerous reports of injuries and people still unaccounted for.  Preliminary damages were reported in Benton, Carroll, Chester, Fayette, Hardeman, Haywood, and Obion counties.

The severe thunderstorm system moved through western Tennessee producing hail and tornadoes impacting an area approximately eight to ten miles long and up to one-half mile wide.  The Director of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency participated in a flyover of the devastated area today.  Initial assessments indicated approximately 100 homes destroyed in the two counties of Gibson and Dyer, and approximately 12 homes destroyed in Weakley County.  The State indicates over 300 homes and several businesses have been affected throughout the impacted areas.  Typical damages associated with tornadoes such as downed power and telephone lines, and downed trees, limbs and other debris were also noted.  Over 12,500 customers are without power.  Crews are working to restore power.

Shelters have opened, but figures are unavailable at this time.
The State EOC has activated at Level 3, full activation (24 hours), with federal assistance likely for recovery operations.  The EOC is staffed with personnel from the TN Highway Patrol, TDOT, and EMS to affected counties.  Damage assessments are continuing and all affected county governments are providing assistance.

Crews are clearing roadways, and search and rescue efforts continue.  A mobile command post has been established in the affected area.  The State has not requested a response liaison, however the State has indicated they are preparing a letter to request an expedited major disaster declaration for Individual Assistance (IA).  They have also indicated a need for a joint preliminary damage assessment for IA and Public Assistance.  The Governor, Director of TEMA, and Congressional Delegation will visit the impacted area tomorrow.

There has been no formal request for FEMA assistance at this time, although IA and PA PDA teams have been identified.  Region IV is identifying staffing for a Joint Field Office (JFO) in the event of an expedited declaration.  (FEMA Region IV)

Arkansas:  A series of severe thunderstorms moved through Arkansas late afternoon and early evening on Sunday, April 2, 2006, producing large hail, wind, heavy rain, and tornadoes.   The city of Marmaduke in Greene county is hardest hit, with 400 to 500 homes affected.  The Red Cross reports 130 houses destroyed, 25 mobile homes destroyed in Marmaduke.  Out in the county, 19 houses and 11 mobile homes destroyed. 
ADEM has requested four Preliminary Damage Assessment teams from FEMA Region VI for Greene County.  Two are Public Assistance teams (infrastructure) and two are Individual Assistance teams.

Forty seven (47) injuries were reported in Greene County; two were serious and were airlifted.  Five injuries were reported in Cross County, and all were hospitalized. In Greene County there were approximately 50 people sheltered in three shelters.  In Cross County four people were sheltered in local hotels.  Preliminary estimates are 400-500 homes are between affected and destroyed.  Approximately 3600 customers are without power throughout the State.  It is anticipated that many customers will have power restored rapidly.

The Arkansas EOC is activated at level 3 (next to the highest level of activation), and  local response agencies are continuing to report damage estimates.  The Arkansas National Guard (30 troops) and the Arkansas Forestry Commission are involved in debris clearing operations for roads.  Two IA PDA teams will begin assessments on April 4, 2006 in Greene County, Northeast Arkansas, and the Conway County/Little Rock area.  The teams will include SBA and Mitigation.  Two PA PDA teams will begin assessments on April 5, 2006 in Greene County and other counties determined by the State.  A FEMA Region VI State Liaison reported to the State EOC April 3, 2006 and FEMA Region VI is maintaining contact with ADEM.  (FEMA Region VI)

Indiana:  On April 2, 2006, 8:00 pm CDT, tornadoes struck six counties. The State EOC reports 9 injuries.  Counties Declaring a State of Emergency are: Daviess, Jennings, Knox, Greene, Marion and Shelby Counties.  County Damage Reports: 19 homes destroyed - 172 Major damage (18 mobile homes) - 232 minor ( 3 mobile homes ) - 125 affected.

Two schools in Daviess County have experienced damage.  School in doubt for tomorrow for Washington Schools.  One church destroyed and one church with major damage (these are not-for-profits).  Incident Command has been established at the West End Fire Station in Washington. 3 main electrical feeds for the town of Washington are down & 15% of electrical infastructure is destroyed. Hoping to restore main feeds by Wednesday night or mid-day Thursday.

Duke Power (Cinergy/PSI) reported that the total number of customers without power exceeded 37,000 at 10:00 p.m., April 2, 2006.  There were numerous reports of power outages in Marion County.  At peak, 25,000 customers were without power according to IPL  Sixteen miles of main line power poles are down near Princeton.  Numerous other power poles are down.  US-41 near Toyota Plant is closed due to power lines down.  Haubstadt, Princeton and Ft Branch were without power.  Duke Power/Cinergy is reporting a major feeder line outage in Lawrence County near Bedford. 

A FEMA Liaison has been dispatched to the State EOC.  (FEMA Region V)

North Dakota:  The rapid snowmelt of heavy winter snow accumulations compounded by spring rains and sudden warm temperatures is causing spring flooding along the Red River Valley, starting on March 31, 2006.  There was one confirmed fatality on March 31, 2006, north of Grand Forks; a drowning in a drainage ditch after an individual escaped from a vehicle driven into the floodwater-filled ditch.

National Weather Service (NWS) forecasters expect a storm system to move into the Red River Basin mid-week, extending river crests for several days.  An analysis by the NWS calls for one to two inches of rain in the southern portion of the basin and lesser amounts of one-half inch in the Grand Forks area to one-quarter inch north to the border. 

The Red River at Wahpeton is slowly falling after cresting at approximately 16 feet.  A one-foot rise is forecast for the Sheyenne River at the Diversion where backwater from the Red River is located west of I-29. Local and state officials are monitoring water levels in case water begins flowing over I-29.  North Dakota Highway Patrol troopers have been monitoring road conditions throughout the weekend. All highways are currently open. Areas of concern include I-94 at Mapleton and I-29 at Harwood. 

Engineers for the ND State Water Commission conducted a ground surveillance of rivers and tributaries in the Red River Basin. Their findings indicate Maple River floodwaters are encroaching but have not overtopped the roadway shoulder at Mapleton.  Water is also encroaching on County Road 17 in Richland County.

Floodwaters on the south branch of the Elm River are receding and are holding on the north branch. The north branch of the Goose River in Traill County is still rising.  In the Buxton-Thompson areas in Grand Forks County, flows are decreasing in creeks.

Local agencies responding to the emergency include law enforcement, city and county administration offices, city, county and township public works departments, communications centers, emergency management offices, private contractors and other emergency services; as needed.

The Governor's office, State Water Commission (SWC), North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP), North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH), North Dakota Department of Human Services (NDDHS), North Dakota National Guard (NDNG), North Dakota Air National Guard (NDANG), and the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) are monitoring the situation.

On April 3, 2006, the Salvation Army provided assistance to 2,404 people; served 1,454 meals; 2,658 snacks; and 2,676 drinks.   In Fargo/Cass County, the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross, FirstLink and the Red River Radio Amateurs continue to help in the flood fighting efforts. 

Other than assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, there is no request for Federal Assistance at this time.  (FEMA Region VIII)

 

Students Fill Sandbags As Red River Rises

Hundreds of students answered an urgent call for sandbaggers Monday to protect homes from the rising Red River, expected to crest about 20 feet above flood stage this week.
More than 660 students from three high schools joined the sandbagging effort - and did so well, so quickly that they were given the job of piling the sandbags as well as filling them, said a Fargo School District spokesman.  Volunteers of all ages came out to fight flooding in the Red River Valley.

The Red River, which runs north along the North Dakota-Minnesota line, has been swollen by melting snow and heavy rains. The National Weather Service expects it to crest Wednesday in the Fargo area at about 37.5 feet; flood stage is 18 feet.
"This has been a very dramatic rise. We have not seen a 5-foot increase (every day) for two or three days - ever," city Public Works Director Dennis Walaker said.  If the river hits 37.5 feet at Fargo, it would match the level that caused the area's second-worst flood of the century, in 1969, Walaker said. The worst was in 1997 when the river hit 39.5 feet.
In the years since those devastating floods, however, the city has bought up flood-prone land, removed homes and built new levees. In the area the students were filling sandbags to protect, about 75 homes were in danger of flooding.

The Red River already crested at Wahpeton, about 50 miles south of Fargo, after reaching 15 feet, about 5 feet above flood stage, the weather service said. Downstream, it was expected a crest Thursday at 47 feet near Grand Forks, 7 feet above flood stage.  Two of the three bridges between Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, Minn., were closed, leaving only one bridge open between the two cities.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty authorized the mobilization of 135 National Guard soldiers to help with dike patrols, security and traffic control.  During the 1997 flood, about 50,000 people were evacuated in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks as the river crested 26 feet above flood stage.  (Media Sources)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

A minor earthquake (Magnitude 3.0) struck Mt St Helens April 3, 2006, at 11:13 am EDT.  There were no reports of damage or injuries.

Two minor earthquakes (Magnitude 3.1 and 3.7) struck Puerto Rico April 3, 2006, at 1:27 pm and 2:25 pm EDT.  Both earthquakes were located approximately 63 miles northeast of San Juan.  There were no reports of damage or injuries.

A moderate earthquake (Magnitude 5.9) occurred 175 miles southwest of Puerta Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico on April 3, 2006, at 10:30 pm EDT.  There was no Tsunami warning generated as a result of this earthquake. (Source: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

PDAs for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance are scheduled to begin in Arkansas on April 4, 2006. (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

Current situation:  The National Preparedness Level is 2.  Initial attack activity was light nationally with 63 new fires reported. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire.

Outlook:  A storm system will make its way across the Great Lakes and into the Northeast today. A trailing cold front with showers and thunderstorms will extend from the eastern Great Lakes down across the Gulf Coast States and southern Plains. Gusty winds can be expected near the cold front. Elsewhere, dry conditions will continue across portions of the southern Plains and southern Rockies with breezy conditions. (NIFC, NICC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA-1623-DR-Oklahoma,  is amended to add 4 counties added for Public Assistance and to close the incident period effective March 31, 2006.

FEMA-1624-DR- Texas,  is amended to add the counties of Callahan and Montague for  Public Assistance,  and the counties of Caldwell, Gray, Guadalupe, Hutchinson, Roberts and Wheeler for Individual Assistance.  (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:18:48 EDT