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National Situation Update: Saturday, January 20, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

More Winter Storms in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico

South:
Many of the same areas in Oklahoma and Texas that were hit by snow, sleet, and freezing rain last week are preparing for more of the same this weekend. While electric utility crews are attempting to completely restore power to the region, the weekend weather may cause further power outages.
 
Severe weather, including up to 12 inches of snowfall, is forecast for the area from southeastern Arizona through the Oklahoma/Texas Panhandles to Missouri.

Heavy snow and ice is causing several road closings in New Mexico and Texas.

Northeast:
Cold and windy weather will continue in New England and the Northeast. Parts of northern Maine may see up to 6 inches of snow.

Windy weather with gusts up to 60 miles per hour will be felt in many parts of the Northeast on Saturday.

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

Midwest:
Lake Effect snow is forecast for Michigan Saturday.

During the next few days, a storm system will move across the Central Plains bringing up to 5 inches of snow. The storm system will bring mainly rain and freezing rain to areas in the southern Plains.
 
West:
New storms are forecast to bring rain and snow to the Pacific Northwest this weekend. (NWS, Media Sources)

Winter Storm Power Outage Update

The National Infrastructure Coordination Center (NICC) and U.S. Department of Energy report that approximately 131,000 customers remain without power as a result of this week's winter storm, which is a decrease from yesterday's total of 205,567 customers. As of 4:00 p.m. EST January 19, 2007, the outages in affected states were:                                                              (NICC, U.S. Department of Energy)

Severe Winter Weather Update by FEMA Region

Region I
RRCC is activated at Level III to monitor effects from weekend winter storm that is expected to bring 5-8 inches of snow to northern Maine, 3 inches of snow to northern Vermont, and strong winds (up to 40 miles per hour) in several parts of New England. The coastal areas of MA, CT, NH, and RI may see winds up to 60 mph that may cause power outages and downed trees and power lines.

Region II
Region II RRCC in NYC and the alternate RRCC at Ft. Monmouth are activated at Level III; watch status only. Region staff will monitor impacts from winter storm this weekend.

New York -- SEMO EOC has a limited activation of their EOC in Albany to monitor storm impacts.

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
No significant activity to report.

Region V
No significant activity 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 will monitor winter storm effects this weekend where at least 12 inches of snow is predicted in Texas.

Corps of Engineers has fulfilled all state requests for generators in Oklahoma.

Tentative opening date for the JFO for FEMA-3272-EM-OK is January 23, 2007.

As of 4:30 p.m. EST Friday, January 19, FEMA was on schedule to provide 44 trailer loads of drinking water to six different locations in Oklahoma. (Each trailer contains 16,200 liters of water)

New Mexico - State EOC is activated with Emergency Management Team (EMT) for enhanced monitoring and coordination, in anticipation of the incoming winter storm system.

Region VII
Region VII RRCC activated at Level III during normal duty hours.

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 activity to report.

Region X
No significant activity to report.   ( FEMA HQ, FEMA Regions)

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 were 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)