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National Situation Update: Thursday, May 18, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

New England Flooding Update

At this time the ground in portions of New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts is fully saturated as a result of the rains that began May 12.

Rivers continue to recede, but many are still in flood, particularly the Spicket and the Merrimack. Flooding and flood warnings continue throughout the stricken area.

Although no additional heavy rainfall is expected, with the currently soggy ground even the light rains predicted for today and tomorrow could have an impact.  Federal, State, and local officials continue to monitor for dam failures and further flooding.

River levels are expected to fall below flood stage by Saturday.

Thousands of people evacuated their homes during the flooding, and the American Red Cross reports that shelters remain open in parts of Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.  However, in some areas residents are being allowed to return to their homes and businesses as cleanup begins.

In New Hampshire, over 800 National Guard were activated to assist with security, sandbagging, traffic control, and evacuation.

In Massachusetts, sections of I-95, I-495, and US-1 remain closed due to flooding. Maine reports no Interstate highway closures. All airports and railways in the affected areas are reported to be operational.

In anticipation of potential needs, FEMA has issued Mission Assignments to elements of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) and the National Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) System to ensure their teams' readiness if required, and elements of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Coast Guard (USCG) have also been alerted.  The US Army Corps of Engineers and the US Department of Transportation have also activated staff.

FEMA Region I staff continue to monitor the situation, particularly the status of vulnerable dams in New England, and are developing contingency plans should dams be breached and assistance required. 
FEMA Logistics is looking into potential Joint Field Office (JFO) sites in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire in anticipation of major disaster declaration requests. (FEMA Region 1, NWS)

Significant National Weather

West: Under a weakening ridge of high pressure, today should be another day of near-record heat for the western third of the country.

Midwest: The storm diving through the Midwest with showers and heavy thunderstorms should move east of the region today. The southern Great Lakes and Ohio River Valley will see isolated showers and thunderstorms from the retreating system.

South: A cold front extending south from the low over Western New York will produce scattered showers and thunderstorms over the Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachians.

Northeast: The storm moving into the region from the Midwest will produce precipitation over the area through early Saturday. Lacking the deep tropical moisture connection of the previous storm last weekend heavy rainfall amounts are not expected. However, some areas of New England could pick up another inch or two of rainfall through Saturday. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast for much of the Mid Atlantic and New England. A few of the storms could produce some hail and gusty winds from New York City south to Raleigh, North Carolina, and northwest to Buffalo, New York. (NWS, Media sources)

Tropical Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No significant activity in the U.S. or its territories.

There have been a number of significant earthquakes in the South Pacific during the last 24 hours the most significant of which was a 5.9 (moderate) earthquake in the ocean 90 miles east-northeast of Nuku' Alofa, Tonga. No tsunami was produced.(United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program NOAA/NWS Pacific Tsunami Warning Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

The National Preparedness Level remains at Level 2

Initial Attack activity was light with 98 new fire reported nationally. Two new large fires were reported in Oklahoma, two large fires were contained in Florida and Oklahoma. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah.

Dry conditions are expected in Florida and the adjacent southeastern states again this afternoon. High pressure will continue over the west. Afternoon thunderstorms will occur in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Nevada with a few thunderstorms in the other western states. (NWS, NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On May 17, 2006 the President declared a major disaster for Washington (FEMA-1641-DR-WA) for Severe Storms, Flooding, Tidal Surge, Landslides and Mudslides from January 27 to February 4, 2006.

Designations and types of assistance:

• Individual Assistance: None.
• Public Assistance: Clallam, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Pacific, Pend, Oreille, San Juan, Snohomish, and Wahkiakum Counties.
• Hazard Mitigation Grant Program: All counties in the State of Washington are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
• Additional designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation.

Amendment #8 to FEMA-1624-DR-TX approved. 1 county for Individual Assistance. 3 counties added Public Assistance Category F (already PA Cat B). 4 counties added Public Assistance Cat F (already IA and PA Cat B).  (FEMA HQ)