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National Situation Update: Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Summary

South:  There will be no relief for the south Georgia fires. Smoke has filled the skies across parts of southern Georgia.  Temperatures across the southeat will be very warm to hot. Highs in the 90s will predominate from southern Virginia, thorugh parts of the Carolinas to northern Florida.

High temperatures and low humidity are aggravating the drought and hampering firefighting efforts in Georgia.  To the west, there will be rain and thunderstorms across parts of Texas. Some thunderstorms may be severe. A flooding threat continues from central to northeast Texas.

Midwest:  Low pressure along a frontal boundary will be the cause of showers and thunderstorms across parts of the Midwest on May 1, 2007. Some storms from Illinois to Ohio will be severe with large hail and damanging winds.  The northern Plains will be dry and mild while showers and thunderstorms will dot the central and southern Plains.

Northeast:  Parts of western New York and Pennsylvania will see showers and thunderstorms on May 1, 2007. These storms will spread eastward through central and southern New England, New Jersey and the Delmarva Peninsula, and southward through West Virginia and northern Virginia.

West:  Wet weather is forecast for May 1, 2007 across coastal sections of the Pacific Northwest from Washington to northern California.

The Rockies will experience thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours. A southeasterly upslope flow may increase the storm activity over eastern Colorado and the Colorado Rockies.
Gusty winds are forecast across parts of the Northwest and much of California, as well as the High Plains of eastern Montana, eastern Wyoming and eastern Colorado.   (NWS, Media Sources)

UT Water Emergency

At about 8:45 am MDT, April 27, 2007, the Tooele County, UT Emergency Program Manager contacted the UT Department of Public Safety/Division of Homeland Security (DPS/DHS) and reported a water line near Ibapah, Tooele County, UT (on the Goshute Indian Reservation) had broken affecting three (3) families. 

There are approximately eight (8) people affected by this line, five (5) of whom are elderly.  Two pumps for the line are broken and the water tank is dry.  There is also a concern that bacteria (E-coli or other) is suspected in the water from the line.   The cause of the break is not known.  The UT DHS Toole County Liaison went to the incident location for damage assessment and to deliver bottled water and chemicals for port-a-potties. 

The UT Division of Drinking Water asked that the Indian Health Services Office in Sparks, NV be contacted as well as the FEMA Region IX EPA liaison since FEMA Region IX covers the Goshute Reservation, and the affected area is in FEMA Region VIII. 

On April 29, FEMA Region IX reported the water was tested for E-coli and other bacteria and the results were negative.  The UT DPS/DHS continues to monitor the situation. 
There has been no request for Federal assistance at this time.    (FEMA Region VIII)

CA Gasoline Tanker Fire/Highway Collapse Update

On April 29, 2007, at approximately 3:40 am PDT a tanker truck carrying 8600 gallons of gasoline caught fire after being involved in a traffic accident in the MacArthur Maze interchange in Oakland, CA.  The fire caused the cables of the connector ramp from Eastbound Interstate 80 to Eastbound Interstate 580 (two sections for a total length of 165 ft.) to melt and collapse.  

Governor Schwarzenegger issued a Proclamation of a State of Emergency to assist in the overpass rebuilding.  Through the proclamation, Caltrans can begin immediate repairs and replacement of the interchange. 

Eastbound Interstate 80 to Eastbound Interstate 580, Westbound Interstate 80 to Southbound Interstate 880, Westbound Interstate 580 to Westbound Interstate 80 and Northbound Interstate 880 at 7th are closed with no estimated reopening time.  

The public has been notified of the traffic impacts through media broadcasts and Web posting.  The California State Warning Center is monitoring the situation.
No federal assistance is anticipated at this time.    (FEMA Region IX)

TX Tornado Recovery Update

Recovery operations continue in Eagle Pass, (Maverick County).  As of 6:00 am CDT, April 30, 2007 two ARC shelters in Eagle Pass (Maverick County) had a total of 297 occupants. 

Severe weather struck the area April 29, 2007, which increased the number of shelter occupants.  A temporary shelter at C.W. Winn High School was opened April 29, 2007 for about an hour and a half because of thunderstorms.  About 360 residents sought shelter in the high school.  The school remains on stand-by due to concerns about pending thunderstorms. One shelter is open in Dumas (Moore County) with 22occupants. Debris clean-up operations continue.  In Cactus (Swisher County) clean-up operations continue.

FEMA Region VI RRCC remains activated at a Level 3 to support the State of Texas recovery operations.  Texas State Operations Center (SOC) will conduct a conference call Tuesday, May 1, at 10:00 am CDT to provide a progress report. The SOC is currently activated at Level 1(Emergency Conditions).  (FEMA Region VI)

Sweat Farm Road/Big Turnaround Fire

As of April 30, 2007, the fire has burned 78,887 acres and is 64% contained.

A majority of the area is in southern rough and pine plantations with timber stands of various ages, and some mature loblolly or slash pine as well as a heavy component of gallberry. Swamp/bays are intermixed throughout and due to a low water table are readily available to burn.

An earlier evacuation order has been lifted and about 50 residents of Ware County's Laura Walker Lake area have returned to their homes.

Fire made a major run to the SE and crews were able to pinch it back into the swamp.  Fire crews are strengthening containment to protect private/public property and forest resources.  Crews are staged along the fire in case of flare ups, and continue to reinforce the firebreak lines along US Hwy 1.  Crews are looking for long term burning spots in already charred areas and strengthening the lines by mopping up where the fire has already been.  Structural protection in the Swamp Park is proceeding.   
 
Residents of Waycross, Jacksonville and neighboring communities to these fires need to continuously monitor official advisories for the status of the fires and the potential for harmful smoke inhalition. 
Road Closures: US Highway 1 between mile marker 1 and 16 (Hatcher Point Road to Race Pond Road) and in Charlton County from mile marker 6.8 to 19.5.  State Route 177. Route 15/121 in Brantley County from mile post 0 to mile post 11.7.  (USFS/InciWeb)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

On April 30, 2007 at 11:27 pm EDT, a 3.9 earthquake struck 3 miles southwest from Puerto Real, Puerto Rico at a depth of 22 miles.  There was no tsunami generated from this event. There were no reports of damage or injuries.

On April 30, 2007, from 8:37 am - 9:45 pm EDT, there were four earthquakes, ranging in magnitude from 5.0 to 5.6, all at a depth of 6 miles between 40 and 110 miles from west to west-southwest of Chirovanga, Choiseul, Solomon Islands.  There were no tsunamis generated from any of these events.

On April 30, 2007 at 6:31 am EDT, there was a magnitude 5.0 quake at a depth of 56 miles, 160 miles west-southwest of Hagatna, Guam.  There was no tsunami and no reports of damage or injuries.  (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)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level:1

National Fire Activity (April 28 to 29) reported Monday, April 30, 2007

Initial attack activity: 294 (Light)
New large fires: 10
Large fires contained: 4
Uncontained large fires: 15
Area Command Teams committed:  1 NIMO; 3 Type 2 IMTs

Predictive Services Discussion: High pressure over the Southeast will continue dry conditions through at least mid-week. An upper level storm system will bring dry and windy conditions today to portions of the Northeast.  (NICC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA-1694-DR-NJ is amended effective April 30, 2007 adding Gloucester County for Individual Assistance and Camden and Mercer Counties for Individual Assistance (already designated for Public Assistance.)

FEMA-1693-DR-ME is amended effective April 30, 2007 adding Franklin, Hancock, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Somerset, and Waldo Counties for Public Assistance. (FEMA HQ)