National Situation Update: Thursday, February 22, 2007
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
National Weather Summary
West: Rain and mountain snow will dampen much of the Far West from the Pacific Northwest and western Montana southward to Southern California (with the exception of the deserts).
A heavy, steady snow is likely in the Sierras, as is a soaking rain for much of central and Southern California. Travel over Siskiyou Summit on I-5 in extreme southern Oregon will continue to be slowed by snow. And pushing over Donner Summit (I-80) in the Sierras may become difficult.
Snow levels in the Sierras will drop to 4000 feet or less by late in the day; and in the mountains north of L. A., to 5000 feet or less.
Northeast: A clipper system will bring several inches of snow to much of Upstate New York and Vermont's Green Mountains. Elsewhere, only light snow or a mix of rain and snow showers is expected.
Cold, blustery winds will set in behind the clipper late today and tonight. Light snow may accompany the gusty winds, especially in parts of New York state and central and southern New England.
Midwest: Gusty northwest winds in the wake of the fast-moving clipper storm will sweep over much of the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley today. Scattered snow showers and flurries will cover areas from the Arrowhead of Minnesota into Michigan and Ohio.
South: Temperatures are expected to soar well above late February averages under the influence of abundant sunshine. (NWS, Media Sources)
Kenai Peninsula, Alaska Borough Mayor Declares Disaster Emergency
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor John Williams today signed a Disaster Emergency Declaration for areas along the Kenai River from the mouth of Skilak Lake to the mouth of the Kenai River, including the City of Soldotna.
This declaration was in response to the nearly $6.0 million in property damages to government and private property caused by recent flooding and ice jams in the Kenai River within the Kenai Peninsula Borough, as well as over $1.0 million in damages inside the city limits of Soldotna.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough will be seeking the cooperation of Federal, State and local agencies to expedite needed permits to affect the clean up of the debris, repairs to infrastructure and to replace important habitat projection projects along the Kenai River so as to maintain and protect the important fish rearing areas along the banks of the Kenai River that are so vital to the commercial and sport fishing industries of the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
The Borough will also seek appropriate State aid for private property owners such as low interest loans to help rebuild and repair damaged property such as boardwalks, docks and homes. (DHS/NOC)
Potential River Flooding
Tributaries to eastern Platte River Basin are flooding due to increased run off and ice jams created by extreme weather temperature variations. Weeks of subzero temperatures to above 40 degrees in a few days has created the flooding conditions.
Omaha district emergency operations center activated on February 20, 2007 for the flood event and currently is activated at Level 1, operating from 7:30 an to 5:30 pm EST. (US army Corps of Engineers)
Tropical Weather Outlook
Atlantic/Caribbean/Eastern Pacific: No significant activity to report.
Western Pacific: No activity threatening U.S. Territories.(NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)
Earthquake Activity
There was no significant earthquake activity during the past 24 hours. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)
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
FEMA-1677-DR-OK is amended effective February 21, 2007. Amendment 1 adds three counties for Public Assistance.
FEMA-1678-DR-OK is amended effective February 21, 2007. Amendment 2 adds 20 counties for Public Assistance. (FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Thursday, 22-Feb-2007 08:00:03 EST