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National Situation Update: Friday, October 20, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Rain, Snow and Flooding in the Forecast

South

Flooding is forecast for parts of southeast Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi through the weekend. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Bundick Lake in Beauregard Parish in southwest Louisiana until Friday afternoon. A flood warning continues for the rivers near Beaumont and Houston, Texas through late Monday night (October 23rd).

Showers and thunderstorms may hit the Southeast Coast and Florida on Friday.

Northeast

Strong winds and locally heavy rains are expected to develop over the Mid-Atlantic area Thursday night then shift into New York and New England Friday.

Some parts of Upstate New York and northern New England could receive 2 to 4 inches of rain.

Highs today will range from the 40s west of the Appalachians to the 60s and 70s along the Atlantic Coast.

West

Heavy snow is forecast for the mountains and high Plains of Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado.

Winter storm watches, snow advisories and heavy snow warnings are being issued for Montana and northern Wyoming.

Heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected in areas from Kauai to Oahu, Hawaii on Friday and Saturday. At 4:15 am EDT Friday, the NWS issued a Flash Flood Warning for the Island of Hawaii due to heavy rain totaling 1-2 inches per hour. NWS indicates heavy rains may cause flash flooding and could trigger rock and mud slides in steep terrain. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for other Hawaiian Islands through Sunday (October 22).

Midwest

Flood Advisories have been issued for several rivers in western and southern Indiana through October 24th.

Highs in the 40s-50s are expected over the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley.

Rain will change to snow over western South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa as rain increases over the Great Lakes and mid-Mississippi Valley.

Areas from Louisville, Kentucky to Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio may experience some localized flooding.

A new storm system is expected to bring showers to the High Plains, spreading into the Great Lakes and Midwest by Saturday.   (National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

New York State Storm Recovery

Western New York continues to recover from last week's record snow storm.

There are 63,686 customers still without electrical service. Estimated time of complete restoration is midnight Saturday, 10/21/06.

Currently 1,714 utility personnel are working to restore power.

Federal support currently totals 40 U.S. Coast Guard personnel, 10 FEMA responders, and 249 National Guard troops.

Public water supplies are being monitored and water sampling is being conducted where needed.
17 school districts remain closed due to ongoing debris clearance and will be closed for the remainder of the week.  They will re-open when roads are safe for transporting students.

American Red Cross established contact with the Seneca Tribal Nation and is providing them with resources.  A local community center is being used as a shelter for the Seneca Tribal Nation.  (FEMA Region II, New York State EOC)

Hawaii Earthquake Damages

Current damage estimates from last Sunday's earthquakes in Hawaii could top more than $100 million dollars. According to damage estimates provided by State and County Civil Defense officials, more than 1,130 residences suffered minor damages and 29 had major damage. The cost to repair or replace homes is not estimated at this time. Major infrastructure damages included:  $43.5 million to schools, $20 million to repair or replace state roads and bridges, and $10 million to repair hospitals. Additional damage estimates include $5 million to restore electric utility infrastructure, nearly $12 million to repair damaged businesses, $7 million to repair Kawaihae Harbor, and $3 million to repair or replace county roads and bridges. (Hawaii State and County Civil Defense)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

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

During the past 24 hours several light magnitude aftershocks have been reported in Hawaii. There were no reports of damage or injuries.  (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 1 on a scale of 1 (low) - 5 (high)
National Fire Activity
Wildfire activity:  Light (36 new fires)

New large fires:  0

Large fires contained:  0

Uncontained large fires:  2 large fires in California

Wildfire discussion:  Santa Ana winds accompanied by warm temperatures and low humidity will continue in Southern California through Friday making fire-fighting difficult.  (National Interagency Fire Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)