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

National Situation Update: Thursday, April 19, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

Northeast:
The nor'easter has moved over the Atlantic Ocean; however, Flood Warnings remain in effect across New England and New Jersey as rivers and creeks continue to run above normal levels.  A few light showers and winds are expected and high temperatures will continue to run below average, mostly in the 40s and 50s.

South:
Eastern Tennessee, western North Carolina, South Carolina and possibly far eastern Georgia will experience scattered showers and thunderstorms due to a fast-moving upper-air disturbance.

Midwest:
A few showers are expected in the upper Ohio Valley and eastern Kentucky.  Approximately a half-inch of rain and gusty southeast winds are expected in the Dakotas. Showers will reach southward into Kansas.  High temperatures are expected to be predominately in the 50s and 60s throughout the Midwest and Plains, although eastern Kansas and southwest Missouri probably will push into the 70s.

West:
Scattered light rain and mountain snow showers will extend from the Pacific Northwest and northern California into Montana and northern and western Wyoming.  A large upper-atmosphere low over the region will produce temperatures below seasonal average, especially in the interior.  Highs are forecast to range from the 30s in the northern Rockies and Sierra Nevada to the 80s in southwest Arizona and parts of southern New Mexico.  (NOAA, National Weather Service, Media Sources)

Flood Concerns Follow Nor'easter

The Nor'easter has moved over the Atlantic Ocean so it poses no additional threat to the U.S. or its territories.  Flooding is now the major concern.  The Passaic River at Little Falls, NJ was at 11.34 ft. as of 5:30 am; 2.34 feet above major flood stage.  Expected impacts from the water levels above nine feet are widespread flooding throughout Lincoln Park and Wayne with many evacuations.  River Flood Warnings continue in Maine and New Hampshire.  (NOAA)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

Wednesday, April 18, 2007, 7:16 AM EDT, an off shore earthquake (magnitude 4.0) was detected 55 miles southwest of San Luis Obispo at a depth of .4 miles (poorly constrained).  No reports of injuries or damage.  (FEMA Region IX, NOAA, USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

West Virginia: Public Assistance PDAs in 11 counties began on April 17, 2007.

Maine: Individual Assistance and Public Assistance PDAs in 11 counties began on April 18, 2007.

New Jersey: Individual Assistance and Public Assistance PDAs in an undetermined number of counties began on April 18, 2007.

New York: Individual Assistance and Public Assistance PDAs in an undetermined number of counties began on April 18, 2007.

New Hampshire: Individual Assistance and Public Assistance PDAs in 10 counties are tentatively scheduled to begin on April 19, 2007.

Vermont: Public Assistance PDAs in four counties are scheduled to begin on April 19, 2007.

FEMA Region V personnel arrived at the Region I RRCC to assist in the staffing of PDA teams.  (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

Current Situation: Light fire activity continues with 127 new fires reported. Three new large fires were reported: one in Georgia and two in North Carolina. One large fire was contained in North Carolina.

Weather Discussion: Florida and Georgia will have low humidity, warm temperatures, and dry weather conditions for the next few days. Southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico are predicted to have strong winds and low humidity.

California:
Golden (Death Valley National Park): 3,000 acres at zero percent contained.  The fire is located 22 miles southwest of Death Valley.  The fire is burning in grass and brush. This will be the last report unless new information is received.

Georgia:
Sweat Farm Road (Georgia Forestry Commission): 20,000 acres at five percent contained.  This fire started on private land 10 miles southeast of Waycross, GA.  It is burning in southern rough and timber.  Extreme fire behavior continued.  Residences were evacuated and seven structures were destroyed. Highways 84 and 122 are closed.

(NEW) Knee Knocker Swamp (Georgia Forestry Commission): 2,000 acres at 50 percent contained.  This fire is located two miles northwest of Nahunta.  Fire behavior included crowning and spotting.

Fort Mudge Road (Georgia Forestry Commission): 925 acres at 95 percent contained.  This fire started on private land 13 miles southeast of Waycross. Minimal fire behavior was reported.

North Carolina:
(NEW) Table Rock Road (Western Region, Nevada Division of Forestry): 3.000 acres at 60 percent contained.  This fire is 20 miles east of Reno in grass and sagebrush.  Isolated structures and secondary power lines are threatened.  High temperatures and low relative humidity contributed to active fire behavior.  Short fire runs were reported in the flashy fuels.

Florida: A red flag warning remains in effect from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm EDT, April 19, 2007.  (NIFC, NWS, media sources)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)