National Situation Update: Sunday, February 25, 2007
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
Winter Storms Hit the Midwest and South; Head for the Northeast
Midwest
A major storm system with gusty winds will move through the Midwest on Sunday bringing severe weather to a large portion of the region.
Heavy snow accompanied by high winds will create blizzard conditions over much of the central and northern Plains.
Blowing and drifting snow is expected across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
Blizzard conditions on Saturday caused the closure of many highways on the Plains.
Light snow is forecast for the region from the Dakotas to Missouri.
A mixture of rain and snow is expected over a wide area ranging from Indiana eastward through southern Michigan, northern Ohio, and eastern Pennsylvania.
South
A strong storm system is moving eastward through the Southeast Saturday night and Sunday. The system will be accompanied by tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail and torrential downpours.
The area from eastern Texas to the Florida and Georgia Atlantic coasts will be affected by severe weather during the weekend.
Tornadoes have injured a number of people in Arkansas.
NortheastSnow, sleet, and freezing rain will affect the region this weekend. Southern Virginia will have rain.
Eastern Pennsylvania, eastern Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey will see a mixture of rain and freezing rain.
Western Pennsylvania and New York will see snow and mixed precipitation.
West
A new storm system is moving into the Pacific Northwest bringing rain and snow with up to 12 inches in the higher elevations.
High winds are forecast for the coastal areas of southern Oregon and central California on Sunday when winds of 20-30 mph and gusts near 50 mph are expected.
In Colorado, Interstate 70 was closed for about 200 miles in both directions from just east of Denver to Colby, KA, due to blowing snow and slippery road surfaces. Wind gusts of 68 mph were also reported in the Denver area. A stretch of about 125 miles of I-80 was closed in both directions in western Nebraska from Ogallala to the Wyoming line. Farther east, a 30-mile stretch of U.S. 275 was also closed in Nebraska due to flooding. (NWS, National Infrastructure Coordination Center,Media Sources)
Tornadoes Strike Arkansas
Arkansas Department of Emergency Management reported the city of Dumas in Desha County sustained significant damage to 10 homes and some businesses as a result of a tornado. An Entergy substation was damaged affecting power in the area.
As of 10:30 pm EST Saturday, there were 27 injuries reported by State Emergency Management.
Three shelters have been opened in Desha County with a population of 78 people. (FEMA Region VI, Arkansas Emergency Management)
Iowa Storms Causing Power Outages
Severe storms are affecting several counties in Iowa. Counties are reporting significant power outages due to ice accumulation that are taking power poles down. The NWS has issued a Blizzard Warning in effect until 6:00 pm Sunday for northeast Iowa. Projected snow accumulation is 6 to 10 inches with strong wind gusts 35 to 50 mph. The American Red Cross is preparing shelters as precautionary measures. Power may not be restored to rural areas for 2-3 days. (FEMA Region VII)
Maine Propane Gas Shortage Update:
Surrounding New England States and New York have noted high demand for propane and tight supplies but they have not reported problems such as those in Maine.
Maine railroad officials are working with Canadian National to retrieve propane cars in Montreal and put them in priority for delivery to Maine.
Maine officials have been in contact with Northeast utilities and the State of New Hampshire to arrange for incremental supplies of propane.
The Maine Emergency Management Agency is currently coordinating all propane supply activities in the State. Governor Baldacci has declared a state of emergency and has urged Canada to resolve the railroad workers dispute.
The State of Maine has recommended conservation measures for propane consumers. In addition, some Maine propane suppliers have put their customers on allocation. (DOE, FEMA Region I)
Potential Ice Jams and Flooding in Vermont
Vermont Emergency Management (VEM) is asking companies and municipalities that are removing snow following last week's storm not to push or dump excess snow into the state's rivers.
Many towns and private land owners have been forced to truck snow off-site due to the volume of snow on streets, sidewalks, and parking lots. VEM is asking those who are trucking snow to find a dump site away from rivers and streams due to flood concerns.
Many factors are raising the possibility of spring floods due to potential ice jams on rivers and the deep snow pack on the ground.(FEMA Region I)
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
A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck 84 miles west-southwest of Adak, Alaska (Andreanof Islands, Aleutian Islands), at a depth of 22 miles Saturday at 6:43 pm EST.
A magnitude 4.6 earthquake also struck 95 miles west-southwest of Adak, Alaska (Andreanof Islands, Aleutian Islands), at a depth of 9 miles Saturday at 7:37 pm EST.
There were no reports of damages and no tsunami was generated.
(USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)
Preliminary Damage Assessments
FEMA Region 6 will send a state liaison to the Arkansas EOC by 8:30 am CST Sunday. An IA and PA liaison will report to the State EOC Sunday to coordinate potential PDA activity as a result of Saturday's tornado. (FEMA Region 6)
Wildfire Update
No significant activity.
National preparedness level is 1 (lowest on a 1-5 scale). (National Interagency Fire Center)
Disaster Declaration Activity
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Monday, 26-Feb-2007 07:44:55 EST