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National Situation Update: Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Summary

Northeast: A powerful winter storm  will affect the entire Northeast today as it moves up the East Coast. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 2 pm for much of the region. One to two feet of wind-blown snow is forecast for portions of Upstate New York  northwest Pennsylvania and northern Vermont. Other areas from Virginia to New England will receive lesser amounts (2-3 inches) of snow depending on the exact trajectory of the low pressure system. A wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain is falling over northern Virginia, Maryland, eastern Pennsylvania, southeastern New York and southern New England. Freezing rain in the DC Metro area is forecast to produce ice accumulations from one quarter inch to one inch. In New England winds will increase as the storm strengthens, producing blizzard conditions in some areas. High temperatures are expected to range from the teens in the heavy snow areas to the low 50s in southeast Virginia. For detailed information on the winter storm go to: www.nws.noaa.gov/om/winterstorm

Midwest: Yesterdays winter storm produced snow accumulations near 20 inches from central Illinois through northeast Ohio. Significant icing occurred over southern Indiana and southern Ohio where up to one inch accumulations were common. Under a building high pressure system cold winds with light snow and snow flurries will dominate weather on the Plains from South Dakota to Kansas. Lake-effect snows are expected downwind (southward) of Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron. Light snow on the on the backside of the yesterday's storm is forecast for southeast Michigan, Ohio and eastern Kentucky. High temperatures will range from the single digits in the northern Plains to the 20s in  Kentucky.

South: Most of the South will be windy and cold (30's to 50's) except for Florida. Precipitation will be limited to just a few morning showers in the Carolinas and scattered afternoon snow showers in the Southern Appalachians.

West: A frontal system extending from a low off the Canadian Maritimes will produce rain over coastal Washington and Oregon. A stationary front is draped across the West from the Idaho Panhandle south to the vicinity of El Paso TX.  The resulting light snow and snow showers will extend from the eastern Rockies to the Dakotas and south to Oklahoma.(National Weather Service, various media reports)

FEMA Regional Activity Reports

Region I:

• Winter storm preparation
  • Connecticut: EOC not activated but monitoring storm.
  • Maine:  EOC activated with minimal staffing.
  • Massachusetts: EOC activated with minimal staffing.
  • New Hampshire: EOC not activated but monitoring storm.
  • Rhode Island: EOC not activated but monitoring storm.
  • Vermont:  EOC activated with minimal staffing.

Region II:

• Oswego County in New York State continues to be activated 24/7 for the snow.
• 77 New York National Guard members are supporting winter storm response.

Region III:

• Most states are planning conference calls with jurisdictions and NWS for tomorrow AM. Specific State activity:
  • Delaware: Increased EOC operations to 24 hours a day.
  • Maryland: Bringing personnel into the EOC early to track storm effects.
  • Pennsylvania: Increased from normal operations to Level 2.
  • Virginia: As of 1308 hours 13 February Governor Kaine declared a state of Emergency due to the ice storm.
  • Virginia:  75 National Guard members are supporting winter storm response.
• Region III is monitoring events. There are no anticipated requests for federal assistance at this time.

Region IV:

• The Florida EOC remains at a partial activation for the February 2, 2007 tornadoes.

Region V:

• Indiana activated the State EOC and Seven City EOC for the winter storm.
• Ohio activated the Assessment Room (portion of EOC) for the winter storm.

Region VI:

• Tornadoes touched down in Acadia, St. Martin, Jefferson, Orleans, Lafayette and Iberia Parishes in Louisiana.
• 28 Louisiana National Guard are providing Tornado response.
• FEMA Region VI has sent a Liaison officer to the State EOC to monitor the situation.
• A conference call was be held with the Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP).
• No Federal assistance has been requested at this time.

Region VII:

• Nothing significant to report.

Region VIII:

• Nothing significant to report.

Region IX:

• Nothing significant to report.

Region X:

• Nothing significant to report. (FEMA Regions I-X, FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Activity:

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

Earthquake/Tsunami Activity:

Nothing significant to report. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean/Eastern Pacific: No Activity.

Western Pacific: No activity threatening U.S. Territories. (NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Louisiana: Individual Assistance and Public Assistance PDA's in multiple Parishes are scheduled to begin today, Feb 14, 2007.  (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)