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National Situation Update: Sunday, December 3, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

High pressure dominates the country's weather today with only two corners of the country experiencing clouds and precipitation with the vast majority of the nation under partly cloudy to sunny skies.

South:  A stalled front just off the Southeast Coast is forecast to develop into a new storm system bringing showers and breezy conditions to northern Florida, southern Georgia, and eastern sections of the Carolinas. This storm will take shape and move off toward the Northeast by tomorrow.

Elsewhere around the southern half of the nation, a strong high-pressure system is forecast to move across Texas and the Gulf of Mexico today bringing with it a fresh shot of cold air and breezy conditions.

Northeast:  The Eastern Seaboard will stay partly cloudy and cool with afternoon highs generally in the 40s, right around average for this time of the year.  A cold front will move out of the Midwest and into the Northeast bringing a better chance of light snow to locations west of the Appalachians and another round of cold air to the entire region.

Midwest:  Light snow is forecast to remain around the Great Lakes and across North Dakota. Otherwise partly cloudy to sunny skies will dominate under the influence of a Canadian high-pressure system.

West:  Winds blowing offshore in Southern California will bring warm and dry conditions to Los Angeles and San Diego. The Santa Ana winds will be the strongest in the canyons and passes where gusts could exceed 50+ mph. With the dry winds there is a high fire danger and red flag warnings are posted through this evening for much of Southern California. Afternoon highs will generally run 5 to 15 degrees below average for most of the West.   (NWS, Media Sources)

Thousands still without power after Midwest's first big snowstorm of the season

Thousands of homes and businesses had no electricity for heat and lights Saturday after the Midwest's first big snowstorm of the season.  The storm cut a swath from Texas to Michigan and then blew through the Northeast late Friday and early Saturday. Schools and businesses were shuttered and hundreds of airline passengers had been stranded by canceled flights.

In Peoria, a nursing home roof collapsed into the building's cafeteria on Friday night and four people were taken to a hospital, reportedly with cuts and bruises, said fire Division Chief.  Cars and trucks slid off a 70-mile stretch of I-80 in northern Illinois, halting traffic.  Many areas of Illinois, Wisconsin and Missouri got more than a foot of snow, including 14.5 inches at Racine, Wis., and Chicago measured 6.2 inches. As far south as Oklahoma, Tulsa measured more than 10 inches.

Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt declared a state of emergency and sent the National Guard to the hardest hit areas. Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius declared a disaster emergency for 27 counties.

About 500,000 Ameren Corp. customers in Illinois and Missouri were still without power late Friday night after ice snapped power lines and tree limbs.  As the storm moved east, gusty wind blacked out more customers from Tennessee to New York. About 34,000 homes and businesses were still without power Saturday across upstate New State because of high wind in severe thunderstorms. More than 25,000 waited for power Saturday in Michigan. In Pennsylvania, more than 19,000 homes, mostly in the western part of the state, were without power Saturday morning, a Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency spokesman said.

Wind hit more than 50 mph in parts of Pennsylvania, and peaked at 67 mph in western New York state, according to the National Weather Service.  The combination of sleet, rain and snow also made travel on the ground treacherous. Oklahoma police urged people not to travel Friday night and early Saturday because snow melted Friday and then refroze during the night, forming a layer of ice on many roads.  (Media Sources)

Winter Storm – Regional Updates

FEMA Region III

Impacted counties in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania include Allegheny, Beaver, Bedford , Blair, Cameron, Clarion, Crawford, Cumberland , Dauphin, Erie , Franklin , Indiana , Jefferson, Lawrence , Lehigh, Lycoming, Luzerne, McKean, Northampton , Perry, Schuylkill, Venango , Washington , Westmoreland, and York .

The majority of counties reported downed trees and power lines, and minimal structural damage which includes damaged roofs and several collapsed buildings. Two residents are sheltered in Westmoreland County and two are sheltered in Dauphin County .

The Civil Air Patrol will help with local damage assessments providing aerial imagery.

There are two fatalities reported in Pennsylvania (one confirmed).

The Commonwealth has not received any requests for assistance.

In the District of Columbia , Maryland , Virginia and West Virginia , Emergency Management Officials have not received reports of significant damage or requests for assistance.

State Emergency Management Offices continue to monitor the situation and coordinate with impacted counties. All State EOCs remain at normal operating levels.

Requests for Federal Assistance have not been received. Response Operations is coordinating with all Region III States and will continue to monitor the situation and take the appropriate actions as necessary. (FEMA Region III)

FEMA Region V

There are no critical issues to report

Total Power Outages was 234,075. 11,801 clients have been restored.Total Outages have been reduced to 222,274

The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) will re-open at 09:00 am EST, December 3, 2006. SEOC requested the Illinois National Guard (ING) to provide reconnaisance from I-88 south to I-70 west and I-74 and east to I-57, with this mission continuing tomorrow.

IEMA coordinated the shipment of 120 cots from the ING and 600 meals to 4 shelters in St. Clair Co.

St. Clair Co. may have debris issues that will be addressed December 4, 2006. Madison Co. reports that debris removal activity may be limited in scope; there are no requests from locals for debris activities. Montgomery Co. has received debris reports from 5 local areas and State assistance is probable. Monroe Co. also has a probability of requesting State assistance with debris removal.

Monroe Co . Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is requesting (1) 25 - 50 kw Generator; 110/220 for the Maeystown Fire Department. Mt. Olive High School has requested a 50KVA generator. The High School is new with hot water heat and the design will not allow the system to be drained - freezing of pipes is issue.

St. Clair Co . has requested 2 12KW generators for the Specialized Living Center - Mentally Disabled - 100 residents. Generators from Illinois Department Of Transportation (IDOT) are en route. 

Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC)Chain Saw Inmate Work Crews - Vandalia Correctional Center has 26 inmates who are trained for this type of work (debris removal).

ING is prepared to use soldiers performing training in a Federal Status, during December 2-3, 2006, to support state recovery activities and missions. East St. Louis has requested 100 ING personnel to assist the city over the course of the next 24 hours going door-to-door to check on residents in the affected area. The ING will be escorted by East St. Louis officials. E. St Louis currently has 15 soldiers with vehicles on the ground. ING will have100 personnel for the mission by 9:00 am EST, December 3, 2006. They will be available until 3:30 pm EST.

Nine shelters and 2 assisted locations are still active. Overnight Shelter statistics at ARC shelters for December 1, 2006: Belleville – 57, Decatur – 57, Edwardsville – 10, Findlay – 2, Springfield – 73, Taylorville – 116, Waterloo (Community operated - ARC supported) – 12, TOTAL – 327.

There is no request at this time for federal involvement but the RRCC will be staffed by the FEMA Duty Office paralleling the hours of the SEOC. (FEMA Region V, Illinois Emergency Management Agency)

FEMA Region VII

Kansas

A winter storm system moved across Kansas early Wednesday 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 Kansas on Thursday November 30, 2006 bringing significant snowfall accumulations. 

Governor Sebelius on Thursday November 30, 2006 issued a State of Disaster Emergency Proclamation . This declaration covers several storm related activities, but the primary purpose is to extend working hours for utility crews.

State agencies responding to the storms include the Department of Transportation, Division of Emergency Management, Highway Patrol and the Public Affairs Office of the Adjutant General's Department.

The State will not activate its EOC over the weekend since there is an established duty officer protocol for contact outside normal business hours.  The State has not received any additional reports of damages or requests for assistance and based on the information the State has received thus far, it does not anticipate the need to conduct damage assessments.  

The potential for Federal involvement is unlikely at this time. FEMA Region VII and the State will continue to collect information and distribute reports as new information becomes available. (FEMA Region V, Kansas Emergency Management Agency)

Missouri

A winter storm system moved across the Missouri early Wednesday November 29, 2006 with gusty north winds from 20 to 30 mph, temperatures between 15-25 degrees, freezing rain and sleet. A second winter storm moved into Missouri on Thursday November 30, 2006 bringing significant snowfall accumulation. The freezing rain and sleet caused major power outages throughout Missouri , blocked roads and caused structural damages to buildings.

Governor Blunt on Friday December 1, 2006 signed Executive Orders of Emergency for the winter storms. The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is activated at Level II (24/7) operations meaning key state agencies are activated to assist in the coordination of the state response. The Governor also signed a DNR Debris Waiver on December 1, 2006.

Ameren officials report that as of 10 a.m. Saturday December 2, 2006, about 253,000 customers in Missouri remained without power. 1,900 linemen are involved in restoration efforts. Ameren officials continue to work directly with city, county and state authorities to coordinate other priority restoration areas as needed. Major locations impacted include the following: 

Fatalities: 3 total; 2 traffic deaths (Phelps and Boone Counties ) and 1 electrical fire death ( St. Louis County ).

Following is updated state and local information from SEMA's 12/02/06 1300 CST situation report:

In St. Francois County three shelters are operating with one each in Park Hills, Desloge and Bonne Terre. Two ARC shelters are operational in St. Francois County/Farmington.

The county is working on debris removal, with assistance from the Missouri National Guard. The City of Bismarck Fire Department is out of fuel and cannot respond to emergency calls. The only gas station in the city is non-operational because of power loss. The Missouri Department of Transportation opened its fuel distribution center in Park Hill to Bismarck emergency vehicles. Park Hill is approximately 7 miles from Bismarck . Commercial gas stations are available in Park Hill for Bismarck residents.

In the City of St. Louis health and welfare checks are underway for people previously identified with special needs.

In St. Louis County 13 warming centers were open on Saturday December 2, 2006.

Washington County : Six warming centers are open on Saturday December 2, 2006. A voluntary boil water advisory was issued for the City of Potosi .. Potosi experienced water plant problems due to electrical outages, but that was thought to be remedied on Saturday December 2, 2006. Power was restored briefly in parts of Potosi , including the water plant, but problems with electrical equipment caused another power interruption.

Hickory County : Officials report substantial damage to boats and marinas around Lake Pomme De Terre, with estimated losses at $4 million.

The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) is coordinating and monitoring the situation and requests for state assistance. The SEOC was operational until 10:00 pm EST on December 2, 2006 and will resume operations on Sunday December 3, 2006 from 8:30 am – 5:30 pm EST. The SEMA duty officer is on call 24/7.

The American Red Cross (ARC) is operating 5 shelters; 3 in St. Louis City/County and 2 in St. Francois County/Farmington. ARC has also served 1,500 meals and supplied heater meals to St. Francois and Washington Counties .

AmeriCorps has representatives in local EOCs in the St. Louis area who are coordinating guidance for the United Way 's Information Line. AmeriCorps is also performing some debris removal activities in the affected areas.  

On Saturday December 2, 2006 AmeriCorps provided 40 cases of water to the City of Potosi ( Washington County ).

The Missouri National Guard (MONG) has over 270 personnel on duty performing various missions. Approximately150 people are working in the St. Louis metro area conducting health and welfare checks and approximately 80 people are assisting with debris removal activities in St. Francois County . About 12 people are assisting with generator operations and other activities in Washington County .

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHHS) is monitoring personnel and power status to medical facilities and nursing homes. DHSS has also issued a press release on winter storm safety issues.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issued a waiver of the requirement for disposal of yard waste as a result of the storm. The waiver allows any yard waste generated as a result of the storm to be disposed of in permitted sanitary demolition landfills. DNR is also providing technical support for municipal water systems.

Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) is providing personnel to assist with management of donated goods and services as well as providing support to shelters.

Missouri Department of Transportation (MDOT) reports that all highways have been reopened.

Office of Administration (OA) staged generators, air mattresses, blankets and food for distribution in the affected areas.

FEMA Region VII is in contact with SEMA for incident updates and briefings.  The Governor has requested SEMA conduct damage appraisals with the potential for requesting Federal assistance. 

The RVII RRCC will be operational throughout the weekend from 8:00 am – 10:00 pm EST. An alert has been issued to the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for possible activation to the RRCC.  (FEMA Region VII, Missouri SEMA)

Tropical Weather Outlook

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

Earthquake Activity

There were six light earthquakes in Alaska over the past 24 hours ranging in magnitude from 3.1 to 3.9.  None of the events caused any damage or injuries.

At 3:32 am EST, a light earthquake (4.6 magnitude) struck 722 miles southwest from Anchorage, Alaska.  There was no tsunami generated and no damage or injuries were reported.

At 4.42 am EST a minor (3.1) quake hit 19 miles east from Waimea, Hawaii.  There were no damages or injuries reported, and no tsunami was generated.

At 9:01 am EST on December 1, 2006 a strong (6.3) earthquake occurred 840 miles east of Jakarta, Indonesia.  No tsunami was generated 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)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)