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National Situation Update: Friday, December 1, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

First Major Winter Storm of Season

Midwest:  The first widespread winter storm of the season is moving through the Great Lakes with snow, ice and thunderstorms

The heaviest snowfall should occur along a swath from central Missouri to central Michigan with Chicago near the middle of that band.

Detroit and Indianapolis should have mainly rain from this event until the very end when it should change over to snow with some light accumulations possible.

Tomorrow and Sunday should feature better weather with some lighter snow and snow showers around the Great Lakes and in the northern Plains.

Northeast:  Most of the region is on the warmer side of the storm and could see some severe thunderstorms during this afternoon and evening. Damaging winds and tornadoes are possible from southwest Maine west to Buffalo and south to eastern North Carolina.

Some wintry precipitation is possible in northern New England where temperatures should hover in the 30s for the most part.

South:  A cold front along the tail end of the winter storm in the Great Lakes will push through the Southeast with showers and thunderstorms through the day.

Some thunderstorms could be severe in the eastern sections of North and South Carolina. Damaging winds and tornadoes are possible in those locations.

As the cold front stalls in northern Florida warm temperatures should continue through the weekend southward from Daytona Beach to Tampa.

West:  The gusty Santa Ana winds in Southern California diminished during the day yesterday and today should be a calmer day, but the winds may pick up again over the weekend.

Another cloudy, showery day is expected in the Northwest today before a dry and possibly sunny day tomorrow. Snow showers should fall over the Rocky Mountains through the weekend. (NWS, Media Sources)

Major Snowstorm Hits Plains, Midwest

The first major snowstorm of the season blew across the Plains and Midwest, grounding hundreds of flights, closing schools, glazing highways and threatening to dump up to a foot of snow on communities that had basked in balmy weather only days earlier.

The wintry weather spread across an area stretching from Texas and Oklahoma to Michigan, and a blizzard warning was posted in parts of Oklahoma.

The system roared through the Northwest and Rockies earlier in the week; it rolled through Kansas on Wednesday, coating tree limbs and power lines with half an inch of ice; by yesterday, the storm was moving northeast from Oklahoma on the way to Illinois.

Sleet, snow and freezing rain forced the cancellation of 200 flights out of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and closed some schools. In the Texas Panhandle, roads were covered with ice and up to 7 inches of snow.

Northern Oklahoma expected to receive 8 to 12 inches of snow, while parts of Illinois prepared for 6 to 12 inches. Varying amounts were also forecast for Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas.

In Tulsa, OK, customers raided hardware and convenience stores for storm supplies because of 6 inches of snow in the forecast.

In Springfield, MO, freezing rain and sleet knocked out power to 15,000 customers and the forecast called for snow and high winds.

At Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, more than 400 flights were canceled for today, allowing customers more time to change their travel plans.  270 salt spreaders stood ready to hit the roads.
"It looks like it's going to get messy," said a meteorologist in the suburb of Romeoville, IL. "There could be times where some areas see 2 inches of snow per hour."  (NWS, Weather Underground, Media Sources)

Kansas Winter Storm Incident Report

A winter storm system moved across the Region starting early November 29, 2006 resulting in gusty north winds from over 20 to 30 mph, temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees and freezing rain and sleet.  Some areas had accumulations from ¼ to 1 inch of ice. 

A second winter storm moved into the Region November 30, 2006.

Leavenworth County, Kansas reported that their communications tower was damaged in October (not storm related) and they are concerned that significant ice accumulations combined with strong winds may cause the tower to topple over.  This communications tower is the county's only tower and handles all 911 communications.  The county has a backup; however, it is not sufficient enough to handle all communications.  The State has placed its Communications on Wheels (COWs) vehicle (a Kansas Department of Transportation asset) on standby to support the County if the County's backup fails.
Three Kansas Counties (Butler, Woodson and Neosho) have issued local Declarations of Emergency to allow utility crews to work extended hours. 

Leavenworth, Douglas, Osage, Butler, Neosho and Bourbon Counties activated their EOCs November 29, 2006.  As of the morning of November 30th, Douglas County remained open.

Rural Electric Coops in Greenwood and Woodson Counties reported scattered power outages.  The status of these power outages could not be confirmed at the time of this report.

Overall, area interstates, highways and major roadways are clear and in good condition. 

No shelters are open.

The potential for Federal involvement is unknown at this time.  FEMA Region VII and the State will continue to collect information and will distribute reports as new information becomes available.  (FEMA Region VII)

FEMA Region I Severe Weather Update

NORTHWEST AROOSTOCK COUNTY – MAINE

A Winter Storm Watch is in effect from this evening through tomorrow morning. Snow may be mixed with some sleet this evening before changing to all snow.
Accumulations of 6 to 9 inches are possible.

WESTERN MAINE & NEW HAMPSHIRE

Isolated severe thunderstorms may cross southernmost New Hampshire and extreme southwestern Maine later today and this evening resulting in localized damaging winds of over 55 mph. Localized power outages may result.
After a lull late tonight, winds will increase again tomorrow with gusts of over 45 mph.

SOUTHERN VERMONT AND WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS (BERKSHIRES)

A high wind watch remains in effect from this morning through late tonight. There is a potential for damaging winds mainly from this afternoon into the evening.
Winds may range from 15 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. In addition, thunderstorms are expected which may increase wind speed in some areas.
The cold front has the potential to produce widespread damage in western New England.

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT

A High Wind Watch is in effect from this afternoon through late tonight. Southerly winds are forecasted to increase to 30 to 40 mph by late in the afternoon ahead of an approaching cold front.
Higher damaging winds, reaching 45 to 60 mph, are possible in bands of heavy showers and thunderstorms.
As the front moves through and winds shift to the west and northwest gusts up to 60 mph are possible for a few hours.

SOUTHERN MASSACHUSETTS (INCLUDING CAPE COD) & REMAINING PORTIONS OF CONNECTICUT AND RHODE ISLAND

There is a High Wind Watch in effect from this afternoon through late tonight. Heavy rain showers and embedded thunderstorms have the potential to bring very strong winds aloft to the ground.
The possibility exists for 50 to 60 mph wind gusts with the thunderstorm activity.

NEW ENGLAND POWER SYSTEMS

Independent System Operators (ISO) New England indicates that the current power situation for all New England areas is “Normal”. (FEMA Region I, NWS, ISO-NE)

FEMA Region VI Storm Updates

Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports that statewide, since midnight November 30, 2006, they have worked one fatality wreck; 10 injury and 29 non-injury crashes. Power co-ops report no extensive outages (approx 5400 customers, statewide).

Texas

The cold front will continue to move southeast across Texas. Temperatures across the area will range from 20s to 30s.
Winds are expected to remain at 15 to 30 miles per hour with higher gusts possible. The winds will maintain wind chill readings around zero in the Panhandle and in the 20s for much of central and north Texas.
The Panhandle has an expected snow accumulation of 3 to 6 inches. North central Texas expects between 1 and 3 inches of accumulation.
There is a risk of thunderstorms preceding the cold front across east Texas. Primary risks include damaging winds and large hail, with possible tornadic activity.

The Texas Military Forces (TMF) is ready to respond as needed with 24 personnel and 9 military vehicles remaining on standby in Amarillo, Abilene and Weatherford.
NOTE: No States have requested federal assistance and No jurisdictions have requested State assistance. (FEMA Region VI, NWS)

Tyson Plant Fire in Pleasant Hope (Polk County), Missouri

A fire occurred Wednesday evening November 29, 2006, at the Tyson Poultry Processing Plant in Pleasant Hope, Missouri.

A precautionary evacuation of a one mile radius was made because of an on-site 5,000 gallon propane tank and on-site ammonia (for cooling) and chlorine solution (for plant decontamination operations). 

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) responded to a local request for assistance at approximately 10:30 pm EST, November 29, 2006 with an Environmental Emergency Response Team deployment for air monitoring and water monitoring for 5 miles downstream from the plant the morning of November 30, 2006.

At 12:30 am EST, November 30, 2006, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reported the fire was out. Several firefighters were treated for breathing problems. Residents returned to their homes shortly after midnight after DNR determined that it was safe to do so. 

The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) coordinated and monitored the situation and requests for state assistance. The DNR responded with an Environmental Emergency Response Team. 
FEMA Region VII is in contact with SEMA for incident updates and briefings.  (FEMA Region VII)

Tennessee River Barge Accident Update

Water traffic along the Tennessee River is at a standstill after a barge hit the main lock near the Wilson Dam on Tuesday afternoon, November 28, 2006.  The barge was carrying Xylene (a highly flammable liquid found in petroleum products).

The State has not activated the State EOC for this incident and has not requested any Federal assistance.

The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is working to repair the dam and expects it may take until December 6th for the main lock to be open again for barge traffic.  The RDO has been in contact with the State and will continue to monitor the situation.  This is the final report for this incident unless the situation changes. (FEMA Region IV, USACE, Media Sources)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean Sea:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected through Saturday.

Central and Eastern Pacific:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected through Saturday.

Western Pacific:
No threats to any U.S. Territories or posessions.  (NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

There was no significant earthquake activity in the United States in the past 24 hours.

At 4:20 pm EST on November 30, 2006 a strong (6.3) earthquake occurred in the Pacific Antarctic Ridge (about 2500 miles southeast of Wellington, New Zealand), and at 10:58 pm EST on November 30, 2006 a strong (6.3) earthquake struck 850 miles northwest of Jakarta, Indonesia.  Neither event triggered a Tsunami and there was no damage to any U.S. interests.   (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

No significant activity to report.  (National Interagency Fire Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)