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National Situation Update: Saturday, December 9, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Forecast

West
Significant snow across the northern and central Sierra Nevada along with fierce winds. Snow levels will range from between 3000 and 3500 feet in the Washington Cascades to 5500 feet in the southern Sierra. Several additional feet of snow to the higher elevations of the Cascades and Sierra and as much as 3 to 5 inches of rain to southwest Oregon's and northwest California's coastal range.  High surf will also pound the West Coast from Washington south to Southern California.

Midwest
Significant warming over the Plains.  Upper-level disturbances from out of the western and south-central states will reorganize over the Plains and Midwest Monday and Tuesday.

South
Quite cold across the south. Lows in the 20s and 30s and lows will dip to near 40 degrees down to central Florida.  East-to-northeast flow over the Florida Peninsula will produce a few showers along with an elevated rip current threat and rough surf.

Northeast
Dry conditions and moderating temperatures will highlight weather conditions across the northeast. 
High temperatures on Saturday should reach the 30s over most locations.

Midwest Storm Updates

As of Friday night, Ameren Electric reported about 2,200 customers still without power in Missouri.  Most of these are now outages not related to the storm.  About 16,000 remain out of power in Illinois.  Illinois SEOC stood down at 5:00 pm Friday December 8, 2006.  The Missouri National Guard has 196 personnel on duty performing various missions in the affected counties.  In Missouri, the American Red Cross (ARC) has closed all its shelters and warming centers.  FEMA Region V is in receipt of Illinois Governor's declaration request. (Ameren Electric, NICC, FEMA Region V and VII)

Multi-state Outbreak of E. coli Infection, November-December 2006

As of December 8, 2006, 62 cases associated with the E. coli outbreak have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 6 states: New York (21), New Jersey (28), Pennsylvania (9), Delaware (2), South Carolina (1), and Utah (1). Other cases of E. coli 0157 infection are under investigation by state public health officials. The vast majority of patients reported eating at a particular fast-food restaurant chain, Taco Bell. No specific food has been implicated yet.

Among the ill persons, 49 (78%) were hospitalized and 7 (11%) developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). Illness onset dates have ranged from November 20 to December 2. The risk to the public is considered ongoing and the CDC expects additional cases to be identified in the coming days.  (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Tropical Depression 25W, currently located 450 miles southeast of Manila, Philippines, has tracked westward at 14 mph.  Winds in the area are estimated to be 28 to 40 mph. No U.S. interests will be affected.  (NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No significant activity in the last 24 hours. (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

192 new fires this week.
5 new large fires this week.
3 Uncontained large fires.

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA-1669-DR-AK was declared effective December 8, 2006 for Severe Storms and Flooding that occurred October 8-13, 2006. Public Assistance for Chugach Regional Educational Attendance Area, Copper River Regional Educational Attendance Area, and Kenai Peninsula Borough and assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant program for all of the state is authorized. (FEMA HQ )

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:24:13 EDT