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National Situation Update: Sunday, February 18, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Summary

Midwest:
East of the Mississippi River, temperatures will be 10 to 20 degrees below average, in the High Plains temperatures will peak up to 15 degrees above average.

Lake effect snow will continue over eastern Upper Michigan with flurries in the eastern Ohio Valley.

North to northwest winds will be gusty in the Ohio Valley, especially Sunday morning.

Southerly winds will strengthen in the Plains. Eastern North Dakota could see some very light snow Sunday.

Northeast:
The storm moving off the East Coast Sunday will reinforce the cold air over the region.

Lake-effect snow will move southward Sunday as northwest winds turn gusty across New York and the Mid-Atlantic.

Down East Maine and eastern Massachusetts could pick up a few inches of snow as the storm intensifies south of Nova Scotia.

South:
A storm system will keep the Deep South very cold into early Monday morning. Northwest winds will be gusty across the Southeast Sunday adding to the cold.

Snow is expected in the southern Appalachians through late Sunday.

West:
Showers and mountain snow is forecast for western Washington, western Oregon and northwest California and will move across the Great Basin and northern Rockies Sunday.

Snow levels will drop to 2000 feet in the Washington Cascades and the 3500 feet in northern California.  (National Weather Service, various media reports)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

A 4.9 magnitude earthquake was reported February 17, 2007 at 02:51 am EST, 21 miles WSW of Harding-Birch Lakes, AK. Depth was about 8 miles. No reports of tsunami or damage. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center)

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

Louisiana - February 16, 2007. LA Governor is requesting a major disaster declaration for Individual Assistance, including direct Federal assistance, and Hazard Mitigation for three parishes.

New York - February 16, 2007. NY Governor is requesting an emergency declaration for snow assistance for multiple counties. (FEMA HQ)