• Emergency Managers and Personnel
• Situation Reports
• National Incident Management System
• Grants & Assistance Programs
• Training
• Contacts
• Planning
• Best Practices

National Situation Update: Sunday, April 15, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

    The developing low pressure system over southern Virginia will become a major storm off the New Jersey coast this afternoon and stall near the southern New England coast tonight and Monday.

South: The cold front will produce rain and thunderstorms across the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. A Tornado Watch is in effect for Coastal South Carolina until 9:00 am EDT. The system will produce two to five inches of snow in areas above 3,000 feet in the southern Appalachians. Frequent wind gusts over 40 mph, occasionally in excess of 60 mph, are also possible in the high country today into early Monday.

Northeast: A wide swath of heavy rainfall will move up the East Coast ahead of the surface low. Flood Watches have been posted from North Carolina to southeast Maine, Two or more inches of rain are expected from the Delaware, Maryland, Virginia (Delmarva) Peninsula to coastal Maine today and Monday. A few locations in New England could see up to five inches of rain. Coastal Flood Warnings are up from the Mid-Atlantic to New England; of particular concern is tonight's high tide. Inland areas, especially in the higher elevations, could receive one to two feet of snow before the storm winds down on Tuesday. Wind Warnings and Advisories are in effect for many areas. Sustained from 35 to 45 mph and gusts up to 60 mph can be expected from the Delmarva Peninsula early this morning to New England later today into Monday.

Midwest: The wrap-around moisture on the backside of the storm on the East Coast will produce wet snow from Indiana to northern Ohio. Total accumulations of one to six inches are expected. The snow will be accompanied by northerly winds from 15-25 mph with higher gusts.

West: A "dry" cold front (little moisture) will produce snow above 4,000 feet in the mountains of Southern California. The cold-air aloft may trigger a few thunderstorms this afternoon and evening, with small hail possible in parts of the Los Angeles Basin, southern Sierra and Mojave Desert. Wind gusts from 30-50 mph ahead of the front may trigger areas of blowing dust in the Four Corners region this afternoon. Behind the front, strong winds may develop, continuing through Monday morning. Winds from 20-30 mph with gusts to 50 mph are possible in the passes and canyons of Southern California. Fire danger will be high. The northern end of the cold front will produce a thin band of rain and mountain snow in the northern Rockies and northern Great Basin. (NOAA, National Weather Service, Media Sources)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

There was no significant activity in the United States during the last 24 hours.

An earthquake (magnitude 5.8) was detected 1,054 miles northeast of Tokyo, Japan, at a depth of 6.2 miles.  No reports of injuries or damage; no tsunami was generated.(NOAA, 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

No new activity (FEMA HQ)