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National Situation Update: Monday, October 16, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Summary

West:
A low pressure system over the Northern Rockies will produce rain and mountain snow from Washington, Oregon and far northern California eastward. Snow advisories have been issued for the west-central mountains of Idaho and northwest Wyoming.  A winter storm warning is in effect for the Beartooth and Absaroka Mountains of south-central Montana and a winter storm watch for the north-central Colorado Rockies.  High temperatures will range from the 30s in the Northern Rockies to near 90 in southwest Arizona.

Midwest:
Moisture moving northward from the Gulf of Mexico will produce rain and showers for much of the Midwest. Some heavier rain is likely in the mid-Mississippi and lower Ohio Valleys. A frontal system extending from Wisconsin to the low in the Northern Rockies will produce rain in the Dakotas , Minnesota and Wisconsin. High temperature will range from 50s across the Midwest to 70s on the Plains.

South:
Moisture moving northward from the Gulf of Mexico will produce rain through much of the South. The rainfall may be three to eight inches in eastern Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and western Tennessee with the possibility of localized flooding.  Showers are expected for the western portions of Oklahoma and Texas.  Severe thunderstorms and isolated tornadoes are forecast for eastern Texas, southern Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and the boot heel of Alabama.  High temperatures range from the upper 50s in northern Arkansas to the 90s in far south Texas.

Northeast:
High pressure will produce a dry, seasonably cool day in the Northeast. High temperatures are expected to range from the 40s in northern Maine to the 60s from southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey into Virginia and West Virginia. (National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Major Earthquake Near Hawaii

A Strong (6.6 magnitude) earthquake occurred on October 15, 2006, at 1:07 pm EDT (7:07 am local time) with an epicenter located near Puuanahulu in the county of Hawaii (the Big Island).  The earthquake was felt throughout the state and has caused damages to structures, private and public, and public roads and highways in the counties of Hawaii, Maui, and the City and County of Honolulu.  This event has created extended power outages on the islands of Hawaii, Maui and Oahu. 
Kona Community Hospital (Hawaii County) was damaged and retains 9 patients, others have been transferred to alternative sites. No fatalities and no significant injuries reported at this time.
Shelters in Hawaii County include: Yano Hall; Puna Gym; Honokaa Gym; Kona Gym; Sheraton Keauhou. American Red Cross is assisting with localized sheltering.  No significant sheltering problems reported.

State Actions:
Governor Lingle has requested a major disaster declaration from the President.
State Emergency Operating Center is activated.  The State Emergency Response Team has been activated.  Activating Emergency Support Functions (ESF) with special emphasis on ESFs 3 - Public Works and Engineering; 8 - Public Health and Medical Services; and 12 - Energy.

Federal Actions:
ERT-A charter flight is scheduled to depart Oakland at 4 pm PDT (7 pm EDT) today. Passengers have been notified by Region IX RRCC.
NDMS has been activated and two DMATs have been placed on alert.
US&R program management has been notified of situation.
Region IX is activated to Level II (24/7 with ESF's 1, 3, 8, 12) (FEMA HQ, Region IX, Hawaii State EOC)

Buffalo Snowstorm Update

A flood watch continues until 6 pm EDT today for a portion of Western New York including the following counties; Genesee, Niagara, northern Erie, and Orleans. Above freezing temperatures will continue to allow the snowpack to melt. Some flooding problems are still possible today. Downed trees and branches may impede the normal flow of the water.  Drainage problems are also possible where storm drains may be clogged by debris.  There is also the potential for flooding of basements in areas without power.
The power companies report approximately 290,000 customers remain without power, of that total approximately 201,000 are National Grid customers and approximately 90,000 customers are serviced by New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG).  Representatives from the National Grid anticipate total restoration by October 21, 2006. 
Two 50-pack generator have arrived at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY for a total of 100 generators. 
Federal Emergency Declaration FEMA-3268-EM was declared on October 15, 2006. PDAs were scheduled to start on October 15, 2006.

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean Sea:
Tropical storm formation is not expected through Monday.

Central and Eastern Pacific:
No threats to U.S. territories or possessions.

Western Pacific:
No threats to U.S. territories or possessions. (USDOC/NOAA/NWS, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center

Earthquake Activity

A strong 6.6 magnitude earthquake was reported 6 miles southwest of Puako, HI at 1:07 PM EDT.  (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

PDAs for IA and PA in four New York counties were scheduled to begin on Sunday, October 15, 2006. 
PDAs for IA and PA in five Virginia counties are scheduled to begin on Monday, October 16, 2006.   (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level 2
National Fire Activity
Initial attack activity: Light (111 new fires)
New large fires: 0
Large fires contained: 0
Uncontained large fires: 2
Area Command Teams: 0
Type 1 IMTs committed: 0
Type 2 IMTs committed: 0

Disaster Declaration Activity

Federal Emergency Declaration FEMA-3268-EM was declared on October 15, 2006.  (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:22:43 EDT