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National Situation Update: Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Rain in the Central U.S., Heavy Snow in the West

West:
Heavy snow is forecast for western Montana, Idaho, northeastern Nevada and Utah.

Isolated thunderstorms and mountain snow is expected for most of the West today with the exception of Southern California, Arizona and New Mexico.

The heaviest precipitation will extend from western Montana southward into the Great Basin, with gusty winds over much of the West, especially the higher elevations of Southern California and the Southwest where blowing dust could lead to problems.

South:
Thunderstorms and rain is expected in eastern Texas, eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.

Isolated thunderstorms will move into areas of Mississippi, Alabama and eastern Tennessee.

Midwest:
A slow-moving front will provide scattered showers and thunderstorms from the eastern Plains through the lower Great Lakes and lower Midwest today.

Blustery easterly winds are likely over the Plains and Upper Midwest.

Northeast:
Isolated showers and thunderstorms are forecast for the Northeast today.

Highs will range from the 40s in northern Maine to the 80s in the Mid-Atlantic.  (NWS, Media Sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

A Fire Grant request was approved at 9:02 pm EDT, March 26, 2007 (Declaration # 2684-FM Florida) for the "53 Big Pine Fire", located near Indian Lakes Estates, Polk County, Florida. (FEMA HQ)

U.S. Weather Outlook for March 30 through April 10, 2007

• On March 30-31, severe thunderstorms are possible across the central states and much of the Midwest.
• On March 30, strong winds are expected across the northern and central Plains and upper Mississippi Valley.
• River flooding is possible along rivers in the Upper Midwest and the middle Mississippi Valley.
• From March 26-31, conditions will be favorable for the development of wildfires in the Southeast.
• Severe drought will continue across the Edwards Plateau in Texas, with some improvement expected.
• Severe drought will persist across Wyoming, western South Dakota and western Nebraska, with some improvement expected. (NOAA, National Weather Service)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean/Eastern Pacific: No significant activity to report.

Western Pacific: No significant activity to report. (NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

A 4.8 magnitude earthquake was reported March 26, 2007 at 2:18 pm EDT, about 45 miles SSW of Attu, Alaska, at a depth of about 6 miles.  No tsunami was generated and there was no report of damages or injuries. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

New Mexico - Individual Assistance and Public Assistance PDAs for three counties are scheduled to begin on March 27, 2007, for severe storms and tornadoes on March 23-24, 2007. (DHS/FEMA Recovery Division)

Wildfire Update

Lee County Fire - Florida.
Fire is 100% contained.
Red Cross shelter closed at 8:30 EDT, March 26, 2007.  (Thomasville MOC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Amendment number 1 to FEMA- 1684-DR-Pennsylvania was approved. One county was added for Public Assistance.

Amendment number 2 to FEMA- 1687-DR-Alabama was approved. One county was added for Individual Assistance.

Amendment number 1 to FEMA- 1688-DR-Iowa was approved. Two counties were added for Public Assistance. (FEMA Operations Center)