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National Situation Update: Saturday, April 28, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

Northeast
Scattered showers and thundershowers are expected over Upstate New York, New England and the Mid-Atlantic.
 
South
A weak upper level storm moving through the Tennessee Valley into the Carolinas will bring scattered showers.  No rain is forecast to assist fire fighting efforts in Georgia. 
 
Midwest
Light rain in the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley.  The Plains and Midwest will experience temperatures between 5 and 25 degrees above average across most of the region by Sunday.

West
High temperatures 5 to 25 degrees above average are expected; 90s and low 100s in the Desert Southwest and 70s and 80s from the Nevada Great Basin to Montana and Wyoming. Record highs are possible.

A front is expected to keep temperatures closer to average in the Pacific Northwest with a few showers in western Washington and isolated thunderstorms spreading eastward across northern Idaho and Montana.

An upper-level low will enter the Southwest this weekend, increasing scattered thunderstorms over parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and possibly Utah and Colorado. Some thunderstorms may bring locally heavy rain, especially in southern New Mexico and southwest Texas. (NOAA/NWS, media sources)

Georgia Wildfire Update

As of 12:00 noon EDT April 27, the National Fire Interagency Center (NIFC) reports that the Sweat Farm Road fire has burned 46,500 acres and is 50% contained.

The nearby Big Turnaround Complex fire has burned 14,746 acres and is 40% contained.

The Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) reports that all road closures have been lifted except US Highway 1 between mile marker 1 and 16 and State Route 177. The CSX Railroad is allowing some trains to pass during specific time slots. 

A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures will create rapid fire growth potential for future operations.

The GFC estimates containment by 6:00 pm EDT April 30, 2007. (NIFC)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

A 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck at a depth of 6.9 miles 342 miles NNE of Fairbanks, AK at 1:20 am EDT April 28, 2007. No injuries or damages have been reported. No tsunami has been generated.   (NOAA, USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Connecticut: Individual Assistance (IA) and Public Assistance (PA) PDAs for all eight counties in the State began on April 19, 2007, and are continuing.

Kentucky: PA PDAs for seven counties began on April 26, and continue.  PDAs are expected to be completed April 28, 2007.

Massachusetts: IA PDAs for eight counties and PA PDAs for five counties began on April 23, and continue.

Rhode Island: PA PDAs for five counties began April 25, 2007, and continue.

Texas:  PDAs continue in three counties due to damages from severe storms and tornadoes that occurred April 21 and 24, 2007.  (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 1 (On a scale from 1 to 5)

Wildland fire activity is light throughout the country with 140 new fires reported. Three new large fires were reported: two in North Carolina and one in Minnesota.

There are currently nine uncontained large fires. (National Interagency Fire Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The President signed a major disaster declaration for New Hampshire (FEMA-1695-DR) for severe storms and flooding that occurred April 15 and continuing.  Five counties have been designated for Individual Assistance and nine counties have been designated for Public Assistance. All counties in the State of New Hampshire are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. 

The Governor of Vermont is requesting a major disaster declaration due to severe storms and flooding occurring April 15, 2007, and continuing for Public Assistance for seven counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide.

FEMA-1694-DR-New Jersey; Amendment No. 1.  This notice amends the major disaster declaration to include the following areas:  Hudson, Middlesex, and Morris Counties for Individual Assistance. Bergen, Burlington, Essex, Passaic, Somerset, and Union Counties for Public Assistance (already designated for Individual Assistance). Camden, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, and Sussex Counties for Public Assistance.  (FEMA HQ)