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National Situation Update: Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

South
High temperatures will be much above average, especially across the Southeast where sunshine will be more abundant. A cold front will slide down from the north later in the week bringing cooler temperatures. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast from Texas to the western Gulf Coast region. Some rivers across east and southeast Texas are likely to move into flood stage late in the week.

West
The fire danger remains high inland throughout southern California. Much of the West will receive little or no precipitation this week.

Northeast
The Northeast will be dry and mild except for a few showers across northernmost sections of New York and New England.

Midwest
Much of the Midwest will have fair weather except for scattered showers over northern sections of Wisconsin and Michigan. (NWS, media sources)

Vermont's Capital Prepares for Flooding of Ice-Jammed River

In Montpelier, Vermont, a large section of the Winooski River has frozen, and the community is taking extensive precautions. Volunteers have shoveled tons of sand into more than 2,000 sandbags and distributed them to downtown businesses, churches, and homes.

On Monday, Governor Jim Douglas authorized the mobilization of the Vermont National Guard to help in flood preparations. Twenty members of the Guard will help with the assembly and distribution of sandbags for the next several days.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory is also working with State and local officials to manage the ice jam.
The weather will be crucial. City officials say that the danger is likely to increase if there is a major melt.  For example, if temperatures suddenly rose to 50 or 60 degrees, and if heavy rain accompanied the thaw, ice sheets would probably break loose on the river and become lodged at a major curve. That occurred in 1992, causing an ice jam and pushing waves of water back into the city.

Montpelier Mayor Mary Hooper warned that the flood would occur quickly if it happens, with water covering downtown within an hour. City officials have issued warnings, set up a flood watch page on the municipal web site, and recommended evacuation routes.  If and when a flood occurs, a fire department siren may be used to alert the community.

Vermont EMA and FEMA Region I are monitoring the situation and participating in daily conference call updates. (Region I, NGBJOC, Media sources)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

A minor 3.6 magnitude earthquake was reported Monday, at 7:18 pm EDT, four miles south of Mantua, Ohio. Depth was 3.1 miles. The State EOC and Portage County officials report no issues from this event.

A strong 6.0 magnitude earthquake was reported Monday, at 10:59 pm EDT, in the Gulf of California, 581 miles SE of Tijuana, Mexico.  Depth was 26 miles. (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

Moderate fire activity was reported by the National Interagency Coordination Center from Friday, March 9, with 2,068 new starts. Twenty-six new large fires (8 active) were reported and 42 large fires were contained.

Fire fighters worked all day Sunday, through the night, and all day Monday to contain the 3-square-mile Windy Ridge or "241" fire near Anaheim Hills (Orange County), California. By late Monday afternoon fire fighters had contained 80 percent of the fire, partially because cool morning temperatures in the 50's helped them gain an upper hand on the fire. The firefighters are working through the night to make sure the fire is contained by Tuesday.

A subdivision in Sevier County, Tennessee, between Pigeon Forge and Townsend, was evacuated Monday afternoon because of a wildfire. The latest in a series of wildfires has burned ten to 20 acres near several homes and vacation cabins.

Everglade Command reports a 350 acre wildfire six miles southwest of Homestead, Florida. Extreme fire behavior was reported, and the percentage of containment is unknown. (NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The President has signed an Emergency Declaration, FEMA-3274-EM, for snow in Indiana. The designations are as follows: 34 counties have been designated for emergency protective measures (Category B), including snow removal, under the Public Assistance program. The FCO will be Richard Hinrichs.(FEMA HQ)