• Emergency Managers and Personnel
• Situation Reports
• National Incident Management System
• Grants & Assistance Programs
• Training
• Contacts
• Planning
• Best Practices

National Situation Update: Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Winter Weather Moving into the Plains

Midwest

• The storm system that dumped considerable snow in the Four Corners area on Monday will move into the central Plains Tuesday night and Wednesday. The storm could bring up to 12 inches of snow, sleet and freezing rain to areas of Nebraska and Kansas. The snow, accompanied by high winds, will make travel difficult throughout the region.
• Meanwhile other parts of the Midwest will have warmer temperatures and the precipitation will be in the form of rain in Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky.
• Highs will range from the 20s in North Dakota to the 50s in Kansas and Missouri.

West

• A storm system is expected to deliver more snow on Wednesday in Wyoming, eastern Colorado, and northeastern New Mexico with totals of 12 inches in some areas.
• Wind and rain are forecast for western Washington and Oregon Wednesday.
• Highs in the region will range from the 20s in the Rocky Mountains to the 60s in Southern California and the Southwest.

South

• A large portion of the South will have rain and thunderstorms in the areas of Tennessee, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas.
• Highs will range from the 30s in Texas and Oklahoma to the 70s on the Gulf Coast and Florida.

Northeast

• The Northeast will be mostly dry again on Wednesday with seasonal temperatures.
• Highs will range from the 20s in northern Maine to the 50s in the Mid-Atlantic area.  (National Weather Service, media sources)

Washington State Storm Update

• As of 4:00 pm EST December 19, 2006, the Washington State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) reported that approximately 181,189 customers in western Washington did not have power restored (down from 206,050 yesterday).
  " State EOC indicates 32 shelters are providing assistance to approximately 317 people.
• State Route 900 in King County is closed in portions due to debris on highway.
• 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 )

Mount St. Helens Activity

• As of 12:30 pm EST Tuesday December 19, 2006, the United States Geologic Survey (USGS) indicated that growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash.
• During such eruptions, changes in the level of activity can occur over days to months. The eruption could intensify suddenly or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind.
• Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim on Tuesday would drift north-northeast.
• Potential ash hazards to aviation: Under current eruptive conditions, small, short-lived explosions may produce ash clouds that exceed 30,000 feet in altitude. Ash from such events can travel 100 miles or more downwind.
• Recent observations: The view from a fixed camera at the crater mouth shows clouds that partially obscure the mountain. Seismicity continues at rates typical of the past few months.
• Current Volcanic- Alert Level WATCH ; Aviation Color Code ORANGE
• The U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Washington continue to monitor the situation and will issue additional updates and changes in alert level as warranted.
• All other volcanoes in the Cascade Range are at normal levels of background seismicity.  (United States Geological Survey)

Wildfire Activity

• As of Friday December 20, light fire activity was reported throughout the nation with 251 new fires reported. Seven new large fires were reported last week: two each in California and Texas; one each in Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. Four large fires were contained: two each in California and Texas.   (National Interagency Fire Center, media sources)

Tropical Weather Outlook

• No significant activity to report.  (NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

• At 12:05 am EST, December 19, a 5.0 (moderate) magnitude earthquake was reported 225 miles north-northeast of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands at a depth of 21.7 miles. No damage or injuries were reported.
• At 10:21 am EST, December 19, a 4.0 (light) magnitude earthquake was reported 17 miles east-northeast of West Bishop, California at a depth of 5.7 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 information to report. (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

• No new information to report. (FEMA HQ)