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National Situation Update: Friday, January 19, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Winter Storms Expected to Hit Southwest U.S.

South:
Snow, sleet, and freezing rain are forecast on Friday for the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles and southern New Mexico. The storm system is expected to move quickly through the region, therefore the impacts may not be as severe as those during the previous week.

Northeast:
Cold and windy weather will continue in New England and the Northeast.

Parts of northern Maine may see over 12 inches of snow.

Windy weather with gusts up to 60 miles per hour will be felt in many parts of the northeast during Friday and Saturday.

Lake Effect snow is forecast for northeast Ohio, Pennsylvania, and western New York State where 12-18 inches is expected.

Midwest:
Lake Effect snow is forecast for Michigan on Friday and Saturday.

During the next few days, a storm system will move across Kansas, Nebraska, and Michigan bringing up to 5 inches of snow. The storm system will bring mainly rain and freezing rain to areas in the southern Plains.
 
West:
Stormy winter weather will hit areas in the Southwest on Friday including Arizona and most of New Mexico. New Mexico could receive 1-2 feet of snow on Friday.  (NWS, Media Sources)

Severe Winter Weather Update by FEMA Region

Region I
State and Region I officials will monitor the developments from a Winter Storm Watch for most parts of New England this weekend when rain, snow, and high winds are forecast.

Region II
Region II RRCC in NYC and the alternate RRCC at Ft. Monmouth are activated at Level III; watch status only. Severe weather systems have brought freezing temperatures to the Northeast; Region II staff will be monitoring this situation in consultation with New York and New Jersey.

New York -- SEMO EOC will be standing-down from their limited activation status as of 6:00 p.m. EST Thursday. They will continue to have a normal watch detail on duty.

New Jersey -- Office of Emergency Management (OEM) reports no significant incidents related to cold weather affecting the state.

Region III
Region III RRCC is activated at Level III during normal operating hours. All Region III States are at normal operating levels.

Region IV
The RRCC was activated at 11:00 a.m. on January 16, 2007 because of the Train Fire in Shepardsville, Kentucky. RRCC hours are 7:00AM - TBD on January 19, 2007.

The possibility of freezing rain and ice affecting Region IV states is being monitored.

North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia are under winter storm advisories.

Kentucky State EOC is activated at Level 2, partial activation, 24 hour operations with limited staff due to train derailment that included hazardous materials.

Region V
No significant information to report.

Region VI
The RRCC is operating at Level III and is staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST. Denton MOC has coverage from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. CST.

FEMA Region VI is assisting the State of OK by coordinating disaster relief efforts to identify, mobilize, and provide equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the ice storm impacts. Region VI is coordinating with State EOCs to monitor the impacts from freezing rain, cold temperatures, and excessive rainfall that may occur during this weekend (Jan 19-21).

Oklahoma -- FEMA 3237-EM was declared on 1/14/07. Site surveys are under way to secure a Joint Field Office (JFO) in Oklahoma City. The site should be identified by 1/20/07 and the JFO is anticipated to be operational by 01/22/2007.

• Logistics is identifying an Initial Operating Facility (IOR) to open by COB 1/19/2007.
• ESF-3: US Army Corps of Engineers is providing generators to Oklahoma.
• The Oklahoma EOC is activated at Level II (Extended duty hours).
• Subfreezing temperatures and current icing conditions are negatively impacting operations in the state, where 15 people have died on OK highways during the past week.
• Ten trailers of water will be shipped daily through 1/21/2007.
• Denton MERS Region VI ERT Supply Trailer will be delivered to Oklahoma City, (Oklahoma County) by 5:00 p.m. CST 01/19/2007.
• Public Assistance PDAs and Individual Assistance PDAs are scheduled to begin on 01/19/07.

New Mexico

• Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) continue for a potential request for assistance in 14 counties impacted by winter storms.
• State EOC activated January 18 with Emergency Management Team (EMT) for enhanced monitoring and coordination, in anticipation of the incoming winter storm system.

Arkansas

• Eleven (11) counties have declared a State of Emergency based on flooding and statewide ice storm impacts.
• Numerous county and state roads are closed due to minor to moderate flooding.
• State EOC activation level is at Level 1 (minimum activation).

Louisiana

• A State Declaration of Emergency was issued for Webster and Union Parishes.
• The LA National Guard's 528th Engineer BN is assisting the evacuation and notification efforts around Lake D'Arbonne.
• EOC activated to level 3. Level 3 staffing includes a Crisis Action Team operating 24 hours to monitor the situation and assist parishes.
• The NWS predicts 2-4 inches of rain in the Union Parish area on January 20-21, 2007. Texas
• State reports that 3 shelters are operating with a population of approximately 72.
• The Houston Weather Forecast Office (WFO) has issued a Flood Warning for 21 counties in southeast Texas.
• The Texas Department of Transportation reports Interstate Highway 10 has re-opened.

Region VII

• FEMA-1676-DR-MO, declared on 01/15/07, will co-locate with the current JFO for 1673-MO in Rocheport, MO.
• FEMA Region VII is working DR-1673-MO, DR-1674-NE, DR-1675-KS and DR-1676-MO.
• PDAs for DR-1676-MO are scheduled for the week of 01/22/07.
• The Region VII RRCC will return to normal duty hours (0700 - 1630) as of Friday, 01/19/07. The RRCC will continue support to operations in all four on-going disasters.
• Continuation of daily 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. (CST) conference calls conducted by the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, with local jurisdictions and FEMA Region VII program staff to review current activities in Missouri.
• Missouri EMA stood down its 24/7 operations Thursday night, 01/18/07. State Liaison Officers will continue to operate as FEMA Duty Officers for each assigned state during non-working hours.

Region VIII

• No significant activity to report. The Region VIII RRCC is not activated. Region VIII Operations staff continues to monitor the current situation in all Region VIII states.

Region IX

• No significant information to report.

Region X

• Region X RRCC is not activated.
• Alaska: No responses or activations. JFO open for FEMA-1663, 1666, 1669-DR-AK. Expect to resolve isolated flooding and power outages without outside assistance.
• Idaho: Posted flood warning for Portneuf River in Bingham County. (SE Idaho).
• Oregon - No responses or activations. State is bracing for possible floods caused by river ice dam(s).
• JFO open for FEMA-1672-DR-OR. Joint PDA for December windstorms commenced.
• Washington: No responses or activations. JFO open for FEMA-1671-DR-WA. ( FEMA HQ, FEMA Regions, OK, MO, and TX Emergency Management Agencies)

Winter Storm Power Outage Update

The National Infrastructure Coordination Center (NICC) and U.S. Department of Energy report that approximately 205,000 customers remain without power as a result of this week's winter storm, which is a decrease from yesterday's total of 231,043 customers. As of 4:00 p.m. EST January 18, 2007, the outages in affected states were:                                                              (NICC, U.S. Department of Energy)

Right To Life March in DC Sunday, January 21, 2007

DC EMA is preparing for the Right To Life march that is scheduled on January 21, 2007. EMA is anticipating 800-1,000 buses and 150,000+ marchers.  (FEMA Region III)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

• PDAs for DR-1676-MO are scheduled for the week of 01/22/07.
• IA and PA PDAs in four counties in Oklahoma are scheduled to begin January 19, 2007.
• PA PDAs for 2 counties that began on January 15, 2007, will continue when weather permits.
• PDAs for Oregon were scheduled for January 16-19, 2007.  ( FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)