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National Situation Update: Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Summary

South
Showers and thunderstorms are forecast across parts of the southern Plains, Texas, Arkansas and Tennessee.  Large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes may accompany thunderstorms across western Texas. 

Hot and dry conditions continue across the Southeast proving no relief to drought conditions. 

A few thunderstorms are possible, moving southward from Virginia into North Carolina. 

Midwest
Showers and thunderstorms are forecast from Missouri to the Ohio Valley.  Severe weather is not expected, however flooding remains a concern. 

Northeast
The Northeast will be dry with the exception of showers in parts of coastal New England. 

West
Showers and thunderstorms are expected across the Pacific Northwest.  Snow is forecast in the higher elevations of the cascades and northern Sierra Nevada. 

Showers and thunderstorms are possible over parts of Colorado and New Mexico with snow in mountain areas. (NWS, Media Sources)

Longfellow, MA Bridge Fire

On May 1, 2007, at 7:51 pm EDT, an electrical fire started on the subway tracks underneath the Longfellow Bridge in Boston, MA.  Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority's (MBTA) Charles Station and two subway trains were evacuated and the station was closed.  Fire was confined to the track bed on the wooden section of the bridge.
  
The Longfellow Bridge between Boston and Cambridge was shut down for vehicle traffic and service was suspended on the Red Line Subway which also operates on the bridge.  MBTA Emergency bus shuttle service was activated.  Local traffic was rerouted. MBTA Transit Police and Boston Fire Units responded to the scene.
The fire was extinguished.  No injuries were reported.  The roadways have been reopened.  (NICC, Media)

Kansas Flash Flooding

On May 1, 2007, strong storms in northeast Kansas produced torrential rain over central Pottawatomie County resulting in the flash flooding of intersections, county roads and farmland along the banks of local creeks and streams.  An estimated 6 to 8 inches of rain fell in an area from Louisville (Pottawatomie County) south to Highway 24.  Small streams and creeks meet at or near Louisville and then flow south to the Kansas River by way of the Rock River.  A flood warning was issued for the Rock River near Louisville at 3:09 pm CDT. Minor flooding is occurring or forecast. 

Pottawatomie County, Kansas issued a local declaration this morning as a result of the flooding.  Even though the rainfall has stopped, officials are still concerned about flooding along the Rock River at Louisville.  Flood stage in this area is 27.0 feet and the river is currently at 29.95 feet.  Flood waters begin to approach homes along Webster Road at 31.7 feet.  Additional rainfall could cause the river to rise above flood stage once again.  As a precautionary measure, Emergency Management is recommending residents of Louisville evacuate to Wamego.  The population of Louisville is 209.  There are no critical facilities (hospitals, nursing homes) in Louisville.  Citizen's needing special considerations have already been evacuated.  An American Red Cross shelter is open in Wamego.  No one is staying in the shelter at this time.

All National Guard and Highway Patrol air assets put on alert earlier this afternoon have been asked to stand-down at this time.  Wamego and Louisville are approximately 5 miles apart and are connected by an elevated highway.  If residents self-evacuate, Emergency Management expects residents will drive their privately owned vehicles to Wamego.  State National Guard ground transportation assets are still in the area to assist with evacuations if needed.

The State EOC stood down operations at 5:00 pm CDT.  The State Duty Officer is on call after normal duty hours.
 
No requests for federal assistance are anticipated at this time. (FEMA Region VII)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 1

Initial attack activity: 292 (Moderate)
New large fires: 4
Large fires contained: 4
Uncontained large fires: 14
Area Command Teams committed:  1 NIMO; 1 Type 1 IMT; 4 Type 2 IMTs

Predictive Services Discussion: Warm and dry conditions will continue today over the Southeast under a high pressure ridge. Increased winds over Nevada and the Sierras, and isolated thunderstorms over the Southwest will precede an approaching storm system moving into the Southwest.  (NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

• The President signed a major disaster declaration for severe storms and flooding occurring on April 14-18, 2007 in West Virginia (FEMA-1696-DR).  Boone, Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Wayne, and Wyoming counties were designated for Public Assistance.  All Counties in the State are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. 
  
• The President signed a major disaster declaration for severe storms and tornadoes occurring on April 21-24, 2007 in Texas (FEMA-1697-DR).  Maverick, Moore and Swisher Counties were designated for Individual Assistance and for Public Assistance Category B (emergency protective measures), limited to direct Federal assistance.  All Counties in the State are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.  (FEMA HQ)