Skip to content

National Situation Update: Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Winter Weather in the Southwest

West
Snow is forecast on Tuesday in the southwest including eastern Utah, Colorado, and the higher elevations of New Mexico and Arizona. Moderate to heavy snow is expected in southwest Colorado and northeast New Mexico. Meanwhile some showers are forecast in western Washington. High temperatures in the West will range from the 20s in the higher elevations to the 60s in Southern California.

South
The southeast will have mild weather on Tuesday. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast for Texas and Oklahoma. Cold air in the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles may bring some freezing rain and sleet. High temperatures will range from the 30s in the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles, 60s-70s in the Deep South and the low 80s in parts of Florida.

Midwest
The Midwest will have seasonal temperatures and dry weather with the exception of Kansas and Nebraska where rain, snow, and sleet are forecast. High temperatures will range from the 30s to the 50s north to south.

Northeast
The Northeast will be mostly dry on Tuesday with cool temperatures. Highs will range from the 20s in northern New England and far northern New York to the 50s across much of Virginia.  (National Weather Service, media sources)

Pacific Northwest Storm Update

As of 9:00 pm EST December 18, 2006, the Washington State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) reported that approximately 206,050 customers in western Washington did not have power restored (down from 212,141).

As of 4:00 pm EST December 18, 2006, the Washington State EOC reported fewer shelters (33 down from 41) are providing shelter for more people (population up to 359 from 153).

In Washington, all major federal highways have been cleared of downed trees and are now open. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is fully operational.

No requests for federal assistance are anticipated at this time. The State of Washington has indicated that Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) may be requested after the state assesses local impacts and damages.

FEMA Region X will continue to monitor the situation. (NOAA, Region X, WA State EOC )

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

At 11:59 am EST, December 18, a 5.3 (moderate) magnitude earthquake was reported 70 miles southeast of Rota, Northern Mariana Islands at a depth of 26.5 miles. No damage or injuries were reported.   (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers, media sources)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On December 18, 2006, The Governor of Missouri requested a major disaster declaration for Public Assistance for 11 counties and one independent city and Hazard Mitigation statewide. (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:21:26 EDT