National Situation Update: Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Summary

Midwest
Travel will become difficult if not impossible at times through the lower Midwest as a winter storm unloads on the region. A swath of heavy, wind-blown snow is likely from central and northern Illinois east-northeastward through southern Michigan and northern Ohio. General totals of 6 to 12 inches are expected. Major cities likely to be affected include Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis and Cleveland.

Lighter snow is expected from southern Minnesota southward through Missouri, particularly in the morning. Several inches of snow may coat St. Louis. Farther east, freezing rain, following a period of snow and sleet, may ice over southern Indiana and southern Ohio. Be prepared for power outages. Rain will dampen most of Kentucky.

South
Rain and thunderstorms will plow eastward through the Deep South, Florida and Tennessee in advance of a potent cold front. Severe thunderstorms, including a few tornadoes, are likely in Louisiana, Mississippi, much of Alabama, southern Georgia, extreme southern South Carolina and northern Florida. The eastern portion of these areas will see the severe weather later in the day. Windy and colder conditions will push into Oklahoma and Texas during the morning, then east of the Mississippi River during the afternoon.

Northeast
Rain, freezing rain and sleet will spread into parts of the Northeast, mainly into areas from western and southern New York State southward to northern West Virginia and northern Virginia. Look for mostly snow over New York and much of Pennsylvania with a mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain farther south.

An ice storm warning is in effect for southwestern Virginia and southeastern West Virginia. Icy conditions are possible along the I-81 corridor into southern Pennsylvania this morning.
Conditions will grow increasingly nasty tonight and spread eastward through New England as a storm center jumps from the upper Ohio Valley to the Mid-Atlantic coast.

West
Scattered rain will dot the West, but nothing particularly heavy is forecast. Some modest snows may coat the higher mountains of the West, northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. (NWS, Media Sources)

Winter Storms Generate Alerts and Warnings across Eastern U.S.

Severe thunderstorms are possible along the Gulf Coast, from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle. Some of these storms could produce tornadoes. Heavy rain is possible across the southern Ohio Valley, Tennessee Valley, and Carolinas. Heading farther north, a wintry mix could make for messy travel conditions from St. Louis to Cincinnati to Baltimore.

NWS has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Washington and Baltimore Metro areas. 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice is expected. Snow will mix with sleet this morning, changing to freezing rain by this evening. An ice storm warning is in effect for parts of southwestern Virginia and southeastern West Virginia; it could be icy along the I-81 corridor into the Harrisburg, Pa., area. Winter storm warnings are in effect from northern Illinois to southwestern New York; some areas could see over a foot of snow. Chicago, Indianapolis, Detroit, and Cleveland should all see at least half a foot of snow, with the heaviest falling from northern Indiana to northern Ohio.

On Wednesday, this storm will overspread the entire Northeast. Heavy snow is once again possible in Upstate New York and Northern New England, while New York City, Hartford, and Boston escape with lighter wintry weather before changing to rain. Winds will also be on the increase through Wednesday. Gusts over 40 mph can be expected across much of the Northeast late Wednesday and into Thursday.

For detailed information on the winter storms please go to the following website: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winterstorm (NWS, Media Sources)

Storm Damage Reports in Louisiana

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 6am Tuesday morning for SE Louisiana. Storm Reports issued by the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center indicated possible tornado touchdowns early this morning in the Youngsville area of Lafayette Parish, and Breaux Bridge, St. Martins Parish. Local officials report some damage to houses and trailers, but no injuries. (NOAA)

Chemical Release in the Tacoma Tide Flats

The Pioneer Americas Chlorine Production Plant in Tacoma, Washington has reported a chlorine release at 9:45 pm EST, February 12. The amount of the release is unknown at this time. Tacoma HAZMAT Teams have stopped the leak and the material is mostly within a building at the Pioneer American Plant. U.S. Oil has been given the option to evacuate the area with escort. Pierce County has issued a reverse 911 call with most of the 2,000 calls going to businesses within the port area. Several Merchant Marine ships have been evacuated and the original 300 yard perimeter has been expanded to an evacuation zone to include most of the port north of State Road 509. . (FEMA Region X)

FEMA Regional Activity Reports

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Region II:

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Region IX:

Region X:

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

No significant activity. National preparedness level is 1 (lowest on a 1-5 scale). (National Interagency Fire Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Amendment # 2 for Colorado, FEMA-3271-EM has been issued, adding 3 counties for Public Assistance (PA) Cat B. (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Tuesday, 13-Feb-2007 07:56:26 EST