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National Situation Update: Friday, October 27, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Snow and Blizzards Across Colorado, Severe Storms Moving East

West

Two (2) feet of snow fell over most of the Colorado's Front Range. Travel remains hazardous in many areas of Colorado with strong winds and heavy snow bringing down trees and power lines.  A storm system that brought snow and blizzards to Colorado has moved into the central and southern Plains. Southern Kansas is reporting tornadoes and severe storms. Offshore winds continue to be strong in the northern Sierra and the coastal range of central and Southern California, continuing the threat for fires there.  A new storm system will generate a few showers over the Pacific Northwest.

South

A storm system is expected to move from the central Plains to the lower Mississippi Valley into the Mid-Atlantic and coastal Southeast.  Gulf moisture is being pulled northward resulting in heavy rain from southeast Texas to the lower Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys.  The Northern Gulf Coast States and Southeast is forecasted to see some flooding, particularly across the Lower Mississippi River Valley as heavy rains (3 to 5 inches) move into areas where rivers are still running high from previous rains.
Thunderstorms could turn severe with a possibility of hail and strong winds in excess of 60 mph, from eastern parts of Oklahoma and Texas into the lower Mississippi Valley through the northern Gulf Coast States and southwest Georgia.

Midwest

A storm moving across the Middle Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys will bring rain to the mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys.  A severe storm out of Colorado will bring heavy rains to eastern Kansas, Missouri and the Ohio Valley. Winds are expected to be strong over the central Plains as the storm moves east.  The northern Plains and Upper Midwest should continue to be rain free as the storm system remains south of that area.  The threat for rain will move east of the area, as high pressure builds across much of the area.  Snow is forecasted across the Great Lakes area as colder air arrives from the west.  A new storm from out of the Northwest will approach the Plains and Midwest early next week.

Northeast

The Mid-Atlantic and Northeast will see partly cloudy skies and cool temperatures. Northern New England will possibly see some rain and snow showers as a strong storm system arrives for the Northeast late Friday.  Clouds will move in to the Ohio River Valley, as a new storm system advances toward the area. Friday the Mid-Atlantic, including Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Washington, will see rain.  (NWS, Media Resources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

FEMA-2678-FM-CA was approved October 26, 2006 for the Esperanza Fire. (FEMA HQ)

Esperanza Fire in Southern California

Governor Schwarzenegger declared State of Emergency for Riverside County, California, on October 26, 2006.  It is the deadliest wildfire firefighting disaster in the United States since July 10, 2001, when four firefighters were killed in Washington's Okanogan National Forest. The firefighters were trying to protect a house from the 19,105- acre wildfire, when the flames over ran their position. A fifth firefighter is hospitalized in critical condition. Close to 400 people were trapped when fire blocked the only road out of a RV park.  The fire quickly burned more than six square miles and destroyed at least 10 homes. The weather service issued warnings for extreme fire danger in the region due to high winds and dry conditions. 500 homes and 3 commercial properties are threatened. Mandatory evacuations have been issued for Twin Pines, Poppet Flats, Vista Grand, South Banning and Wonder View areas.  The cause of the wildfire is not clear but media reports continue to site arson as the source. It started burning early Thursday, October 26. Nearby homes and businesses were evacuated in the area of Cabazon, which is about 90 miles east of Los Angeles and 17 miles northwest of Palm Springs in Riverside County.   (Region IX, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Riverside County Fire Department, Media Resources)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean Sea:

No significant activity to report.

Central and Eastern Pacific:

• The NWS issued its final advisory for Tropical Depression Paul at 05:00 am EDT October 26, 2006.
• At 11:00 pm EDT Thursday, October 26, 2006 Tropical Depression 18-E was located off the coast of western Mexico moving west at 35 mph.. 18-E does not pose any threat to the U.S. or any U.S. territories.

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

At 10:15am EDT, Thursday, October 26, 2006, an earthquake with preliminary 5.1 (moderate) magnitude occurred 40 miles northeast of Amchitka, Alaska (Rats Islands, Aleutian Islands). No reports of injuries or damage have been received. The magnitude is such that a tsunami will not be generated. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA-DR1661-VA is amended effective October 26, 2006, to include King George County for Public Assistance.  (FEMA HQ )