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

National Situation Update: Friday, January 5, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Summary

South:
Heavy rain and severe weather has caused flooding that continues in Louisiana. A tornado has already killed two people at New Iberia. Rain and thunderstorms will move eastward through the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida today. A few storms may be severe from the Florida Panhandle to the eastern Carolinas.

West:
A storm system will bring rain and wind into coastal areas of Washington and Oregon late today.
Rain and snow is expected from Washington and Oregon into the northern Rockies. Snow levels in the Washington Cascades will be at 2,000 feet on Friday. Snowfall will be significant, especially across southern Washington and northeast Oregon. Look for more strong winds this weekend across Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Strong north-to-northeast winds will be in the higher elevations, passes and canyons of Southern California Friday, which could gust as high as 100 mph in places.

Northeast:
Soaking rains will spread from the lower Mississippi Valley through Northern New England on Friday. The heaviest precipitation is expected over the South and southern Appalachians, although around nightfall a line of thunderstorms is expected to develop through northeastern Pennsylvania through Connecticut that could also drop some significant precipitation.

Midwest:
Another storm is affecting the Mississippi Valley this afternoon with drenching rain from the western Gulf of Mexico coast to Indiana and Illinois.
Portions of eastern Texas have received over 2 inches of rain from the system.
Flood watches and warnings were in effect for much of the lower Mississippi Valley. (NWS, Media Sources)

Colorado Winter Storms - FEMA Region VIII Update

The Colorado National Guard continues their agricultural hay lift operation throughout the southeast region.  This includes both ground and air assets.  Approximately 1,500 bales of hay have been dropped thus far in support of ranchers feeding their stranded livestock.

As of 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, the Colorado National Guard had completed 25 operations to rescue stranded motorists and deliver relief supplies and 13 support missions to local authorities.

5 cargo teams and 1 fuel team continue to support mobility operations in the SE portion of the state. 97 General support operations have been completed including 60 in the past 24 hours.

Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) continues its snow plow operations throughout the southeast region and is expanding their snow blower and snow plow support by assisting in the county road clearing effort.  

The main concern at this point is building collapses due to weight of heavy snow. 

An additional concern is for residences running out of propane gas for heat.  ESF-8 staff has been in contact with the State and county health departments and they indicate that they are releasing Public health messages to assist residents.  In addition, coordination with the nursing homes and assisted care facilities indicates they have the situation under control.  All are fully functional. 

One Assisted Care Facility had a partial roof collapse but the patients have been safely relocated.

Requests for Assistance:  Most National Guard snow removal equipment is focusing on the town of Lamar, Colorado with additional assets conducting maintenance.

Shelters Open: A shelter is being set up at the Springfield High School.  The Salvation Army is sending food and blankets to Springfield. 

Federal Assistance:  Region VIII State Support Team has deployed to the CO DEM/EOC and is actively working with the state regarding the December blizzards.

State Weather Forecast:  Friday, a cold front is pulling in from the northwest moving through Colorado quickly.  This system will bring gusty conditions and a dusting of snow. High temperatures in the upper 30s to low 40s.(Region VIII)

Severe Weather in Louisiana Parishes

The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) has reported severe weather in portions of southeastern Louisiana Wednesday night and into Friday morning. 

Additional rainfall will increase river crest heights that could add to flooding problems being caused by swollen rivers.

A flash flood watch was in effect for portions of southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi through Friday morning. The National Weather Service forecast 2 to 4 inches of rain, with locally heavy amounts possible, creating potential flooding.

Tornadoes were reported in Pointe Coupee Parish, where 2-3 homes were damaged, 1 with major damage. Some trees and power lines are down. No injuries or fatalities reported.

In Iberia Parish, at least one tornado was confirmed, 3 homes one of which is a mobile home, were damaged, 2 fatalities and 3 people injured (2 serious, 1 minor). No assistance requested by the parish at this time.

The following parishes have declared states of emergency due to localized flooding or the expectation for flooding to occur:  Vermillion, Allen, Sabine, Acadia, Calcasieu, St Martin, and Pointe Coupee. GOHSEP will continue to monitor the situation and provide assistance as needed.  (GOHSEP)

Power Plant Fire in Puerto Rico

Fire and explosions at the Palo Seco Electrical Generation Power Plant in Cataño, Puerto Rico last Saturday, caused sustained significant fire damage in this third largest electrical power plant in PR. 

The power plant is inoperable due to the damage; however, power is being provided by secondary facilities.

Contingency planning is underway to handle the anticipated peak loads during "high season" and needs from critical facilities.

With highly probable power failures in critical facilities, the need for backup generators, whether FEMA or privately supplied, is now a real possibility.

The FEMA Logistics Center has 164 mission capable generators ranging in capacity from 9.6KW to 800 KW. 

The PR National Guard continues their activation to provide security in every electrical generation power plant.

Depending on the assistance from the insurance company, the Government of Puerto Rico may or may not request any assistance to the Federal Government.
 
During a press conference held Wednesday afternoon by PR Governor, Anibal Acevedo Vila, he announced that FBI, ATF, and PREPA investigation concluded that the explosions/ fire were an accident. (Region II, PR State Emergency Management agency, National Guard Bureau)

Rocket Body Reentry

A rocket body (space junk) was anticipated to reenter over the United States at approximately 1:15 p.m. EST Wednesday.

The possible impact areas were in Western Colorado and Western New Mexico, with the greatest potential for the debris actually reaching the ground in Northwestern New Mexico.

There were no confirmed reports of debris striking the ground, although a Wyoming Highway Patrol sergeant found a 3-by-5-foot area burned through the snow about 35 feet from the edge of the highway in Riverton. The highway was closed at the time because of bad weather (NORAD USNORTHCOM CMD CTR, media sources)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

Minor earthquakes ranging from 3.0 to 3.4 were recorded in Alaska (4), California (1), Oregon (1) and Puerto Rico (1). No damage or injuries 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

Public Assistance PDAs are scheduled to begin in Oklahoma on Friday, Jan 5.  Right now two counties will be assessed, Texas and Cimarron in the Oklahoma panhandle.  Today Region 6 is sending two PA PDA teams.   (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Governor Dave Heineman is requesting an expedited major disaster declaration for the State of Nebraska as a result of severe winter storms during the period of December 19, 2006 to January 2, 2007.The Governor is requesting Public Assistance, including direct Federal assistance, for 57 counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide.

Governor Kathleen Sebelius is requesting an expedited major disaster declaration for the State of Kansas as a result of a severe winter storm and record and near record snowfall beginning on December 28, 2006 through December 31, 2006.  The Governor is requesting Public Assistance, including direct Federal assistance, for 44 counties, Public Assistance (Category B) snow removal assistance for 20 counties, and Hazard Mitigation for all counties in the State.  (FEMA HQ)