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National Situation Update: Thursday, October 19, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Summary

West:
Scattered rain showers and high elevation snow showers from Washington and Oregon eastward to the Bitterroots and Tetons.  Snow flurries in the central Rockies.  Sunshine will dominate Southern California, Arizona and New Mexico. High temperatures will range from the 30s in some Rocky Mountain locations to the 80s in southwest Arizona and southeast California. Parts of California's Central Valley may reach the low 80s.

Midwest:
A cold front through the lower Midwest will deliver scattered showers and thunderstorms from Ohio through the OhioValley into southeastern Missouri. Rainfall in southern Illinois and southeast Missouri, could be heavy.  High temperatures will be below average, ranging from the 40s in North Dakota, northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan to the low 70s in eastern Kentucky.  

South:
Flash flood watches and warnings have been posted from western Mississippi to eastern Texas including Houston.  Isolated severe storms and scattered showers will accompany the cold front through Arkansas, Tennessee and Alabama. Isolated showers and storms across the Southeast.  High temperatures are forecast to range from the 50s in northern Arkansas (and adjacent areas of Oklahoma) to the 80s in much of the Southeast including Florida.

Northeast:
A cold front will trigger scattered showers and thunderstorms from northern New England to western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.  The showers and storms will become widespread as a low pressure center moves northeastward along the front.  Temperatures are expected to range from the 50s in parts of northern New England, Upstate New York and Pennsylvania to the low 80s in south-central Virginia.  (National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Hawaii Earthquake Update FEMA-1664-DR-HI

No shelters currently open. Electrical power restored.  Two schools remain closed.  Structural engineer report pending for Kona Hospital and Honokaa Long Term Care Facility.  Kawaihae Harbor is accepting barge traffic.  Other portions of the harbor remain closed.  (FEMA HQ, Region IX, Hawaii State EOC, NDMS-EOC)

Buffalo, New York Snowstorm Update

New York Joint Operations Center (JOC) reports 249 National Guard deployed.  The power companies report 95,200 customers remain without power.  Representatives from the National Grid anticipate total restoration by October 22, 2006.   There are 13 shelters housing a total of 391 people.  A local community center is being used as a shelter for the Seneca Tribal Nation. (DHS NICC, FEMA HQ,  Region II)

Tropical Weather Outlook

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

Central and Eastern Pacific:
Tropical storm formation is not expected through Friday.

Western Pacific:
No significant activity to report. (USDOC/NOAA/NWS, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

On Tuesday, October 18, 2006 at 2:59 pm EDT a light (magnitude 3.4) earthquake occurred 100 miles north of Memphis, Tennessee. There were no reports of damage or injuries.
Aftershocks continue in Hawaii, Alaska, and California.  (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

PDAs for Hawaii began on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 for earthquake that occurred on October 15.
PDAs for Buffalo, New York area began on Wednesday, October18, 2006 for Severe Winter Storm on October 12 . (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level 1
National Fire Activity

Initial attack activity: Light (21 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

DR# 1661Virginia is amended to include the Greensville, King and Queen, and Lunenburg Counties for Public Assistance.. 
FEMA-3268-DR New York is amended to appoint Peter J. Martinasco, Federal Coordinating Officer.   (FEMA HQ )