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National Situation Update: Friday, October 6, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Summary

West: 

Heavy rain and thunderstorms predicted for much of Arizona, Utah, western Wyoming and immediately adjacent areas easternmost Nevada, northwest New Mexico and western Colorado. This system already brought Las Vegas, Nevada their wettest day in 2006. Utah and Arizona will be particularly prone to flooding. A few of the storms could turn severe with isolated tornadoes and damaging wind gusts. Snow levels will be very high elevations.

Midwest:

On the western side of the high-pressure area, south to southwest winds will be strong and gusty from Kansas to the Upper Midwest. Gusts could peak between 30 and 45 mph especially during the afternoon hours.

Northeast:

A Canadian high pressure will bring frost and some freezing temperatures to Upstate New York and parts of northern New England. The front will bring heavy rain to eastern Virginia, Delaware, Maryland in an overall late-week rain shield that will stretch from southeast Pennsylvania and New Jersey to the Carolinas.

South:

The wet and windy Mid-Atlantic storm will also affect parts of the Carolinas before moving out to sea. There will be above average temperatures in the south central states.  (NWS, Media Sources)

Chlorine Gas Explosion in North Carolina

 At around 9 p.m. Thursday night, a large leak of chlorine gas exploded, sending flames over 100 feet high setting off multiple explosions. Town officials of Apex, North Carolina, a Raleigh suburb, declared a state of emergency early Friday and evacuated about half of the town.

 The chlorine gas leak and explosion took place at Environmental Quality North Carolina (EQNC) a waste management facility that stores bulk universal and drummed wastes.

There are evacuations are underway, local news is reporting up to 15,000 are affected by the evacuation order. There were no immediate reports of injuries. North Carolina Emergency Operations Center (NC EOC) is not taking any action at this time, due to local state officials taking responsive actions.    (Media sources, NICC spot report)

Flooding and Hail Damage in Ohio

Flooding and hail from severe storms brought damage to central and southern Ohio, forcing residents of Ross and Pike Counties to evacuate.

Hail, the size of quarters, shattered windows, damaged homes and dented automobiles.
Several hundred homes east of Columbus in Pataskala, had vinyl siding damaged by hail and/or strong winds.

About 3 to 4 inches of rain fell, flooding southern areas of Ohio, closing local schools and several roads, prompting evacuations from homes near streams that overflowed their banks.

Officials in Pike County were assessing damage near Lake White, where about 60 to 70 homes were flooded and roads were damaged.  A state of emergency was lifted Thursday afternoon in an area about 40 miles south of Columbus near Waverly, Ohio.   (Media sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

Nothing new to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean Sea:
Tropical storm formation is not expected through today.
Central and Eastern Pacific:
Tropical storm formation is not expected through Saturday.
Western Pacific:
There are no threats to US territories or interests.    (USDOC/NOAA/NWS, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No activity to report. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level 2
National Fire Activity
Initial attack activity: Light (86 new fires)
New large fires:  1
Large fires contained:  1
Uncontained large fires:  5
Area Command Teams:   0
Type 1 IMTs committed:  1
Type 2 IMTs committed:  2
Fire Use Teams: 0
2005 (1/1/05 - 9/29/05):  Fires: 53,175; Acres: 8,160,688
2006 (1/1/06 - 10/05/06):  Fires: 84,333; Acres: 9,080,628

Predictive Service Discussion:  A trend of warmer and drier conditions predicted for California.  Dry weather will continue across Florida and the southeastern states.   (National Interagency Fire Center, National Interagency Coordination Center, Media Sources)

Bar Fire Complex in Trinity County, California is 48% contained. The fire has consumed 98,463 acres.  This complex consists of three fires which are located 14 miles northwest of Weaverville. Three hundred and ninety-one residential structures are threatened and road closures are in place. Five hundred and thirty-five personnel are currently assigned to the fire. (NIFC, NICC, Region IX)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)