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National Situation Update: Saturday, March 17, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

Northeast:
A low pressure system continues to track along the New England coast. A wintry mix of precipitation will continue through the weekend. Winter Storm Warnings and Flood Watches remain in effect for many areas of New England through midday. This storm has produced up to two feet of snow from the eastern Pennsylvania, through eastern New York to Maine. Western New York has six to twelve inches of snow.  An additional one to three inches of rain may produce flooding across southwestern New England today. A wind advisory for coastal areas is forecasting gusts to 40 miles per hour. Lake-effect snow is forecast for areas south of Lake Ontario.

South:
No significant weather but the Northerly winds on the backside of the East Coast storm will result in cold and windy conditions.  High temperatures range from the 40s in Virginia to the 60s in the deep South and 80s in western Texas.

Midwest:
The region will have partly cloudy skies under high pressure centered over Wisconsin. There will be a few rain and snow showers from the Dakotas down to Missouri.  Temperatures will be below average east of the Mississippi and above average in the Plains. Highs will range from the 30s in the Upper Midwest to the low 70s in Kansas.
 

West:
A cold front will produce showers over western Washington, northern Idaho and western Montana
A ridge of high pressure will keep the rest of the West warm and dry.   Temperatures will be 5 to 25 degrees above average except along the coast. Highs will range from the 50s in Montana to low 100s in the Desert. (NWS, media sources)

Western Minnesota Flooding Update

Minnesota reports that Traverse County and the Town of Browns Valley have declared emergencies.

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) records indicate that there are 26 flood insurance policies in the community.

The State EOC is not activated. Reports from the State and the ARC indicate that the water has been receding.  The State reports that the county has not requested State assistance. 

A Region V State Liaison (a member of the Region V FIRST) is at the State EOC.  The State has not requested Federal assistance. (Region V, media sources)

Puerto Rico Drought

Drought season and fires near farm areas in Puerto Rico have caused negative effects to cattle farmers in sixteen municipalities. Governor Acevedo Vila signed an executive order to activate emergency funds to support the affected farmers. The aid will be available starting next week through April 30, 2007.

The emergency relief will provide up to $1.2 million in assistance to 250 cattle farmers, mostly in the Southern section of the island. 

The municipalities included in the executive order are Santa Isabel, Pe?uelas, Ponce, Coamo, Aibonito, Juana D?az, Villalba, Salinas, Guayanilla, Yauco, Guayama, Lajas, Cabo Rojo, Gu?nica, Arroyo, and Patillas.

There is no request for federal assistance at this time. (FEMA Region II)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

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

The most significant earthquake during the last 24 hours occurred at 7:49 PM EDT on Friday, March 16, 2007. The magnitude 4.9 event occurred 530 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska, at a depth of 21.7 miles.

No tsunami was generated and there were no reports of any injuries or damages.  (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)

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA-1683-DR-OR is amended effective March 16, 2007.  Amendment 1 adds Wasco County for Public Assistance.

FEMA-1686-DR-GA is amended effective March 16, 2007.  Amendment 2 adds Warren, Webster, and Wilkinson Counties for Public Assistance.  (FEMA HQ)