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National Situation Update: Monday, August 27, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Hazards for the Week

  • Severe drought persists across southern California, much of the Intermountain West, northern high plains, southern Ohio valley, Tennessee valley and southeast, with some relief possible over the north/central part of the country.
  • River flooding is possible over parts of the upper Mississippi and Ohio valleys August 27-28.
  • River flooding is possible over parts of south/central Texas August 27-28.
  • Heavy rain is possible over south/central Texas August 27-28.
  • Heavy rain is possible over parts of the upper Mississippi valley and western great lakes August 27-28.

National Weather Summary

South:
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to affect the southern states tomorrow, from the Carolinas and Florida to southern Texas, although most of the Tennessee Valley to the southern Plains should be dry.

High temperatures are expected to be in the 90s, although the 80s could prevail in a few areas, especially near the Gulf Coast and the Carolinas.

West:
Much of the rain in the West tomorrow should be confined to the higher elevations of the Four Corners states, although southern Wyoming, southern Nevada and California's Sierra Nevada may receive some precipitation as well. 

Gusty winds were likely to continue in the interior of the Pacific Northwest and Montana, bringing little relief for firefighters.

High temperatures are predicted to range from the 60s in the normally cooler coastal locations, to over 110 in southwest Arizona.

Midwest:
Most of the thunderstorm activity should occur from eastern North Dakota and the Upper Midwest southwestward along the front into eastern South Dakota and Nebraska.

Dry conditions should prevail across the lower Midwest.

High temperatures should range from the 60s in northeast North Dakota and northwest Minnesota to the 90s from southern Nebraska and Kansas eastward into the lower Ohio Valley. (NWS, Media Sources)

Northeast:
There is a chance of showers and some thunderstorms in Virginia and West Virginia tomorrow.

Sunshine is expected across much of the northeast with high temperatures expected to be in the 70s and 80s.

Midwest Flooding Status

Minnesota
On August 23, 2007, the President signed an expedited Major Disaster Declaration, FEMA-1717-DR, as a result of the flooding across Minnesota.  The disaster declaration allows for the availability of Federal funds from a number of programs.

Specifically, FEMA-1717-DR designates Fillmore, Houston and Winona counties for Individual Assistance (IA) and Public Assistance (PA) Category B (Emergency Protective Measures), including Direct Federal Assistance (DFA).  Three counties, Olmsted, Steele, and Wabasha, were added for IA, PA Category B, and DFA on August 24, 2007.  Five Public Assistance teams are continuing Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs).

A Joint Field Office (JFO) will be established in Rochester, Minnesota, to support flood declarations and the bridge collapse effective Monday, August 27.

FEMA is sending Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) to the area.  Fillmore, Houston, and Winona counties are projected to have 1 Mobile DRC each opened on August 27.

Ohio
The Governor has declared a State of Emergency for 9 Ohio counties devastated by powerful storms that moved through the Upper Midwest during most of the past week, causing disastrous floods from southeastern Minnesota to Ohio.  Those declared counties are: Richland, Hardin, Crawford, Allen, Wyandot, Van Wert, Hancock, Putnam, and Seneca.

The State has not requested a Major Disaster Declaration at this time.  FEMA Region V, supported by FEMA Region II, is preparing to establish a JFO in northwest Ohio in anticipation of a Federal Disaster Declaration.  FEMA Region V has deployed a Liaison to the State Assessment Center.

Joint Federal/State Individual Assistance (IA) Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) were conducted on Saturday, August 25, in the 5 counties with the majority of damage (Richland, Crawford, Hancock, Putnam, and Wyandot).  The State will likely request PDAs later in 7 additional counties: Morrow, Paulding, Seneca, Van Wert, Hardin, Allen, and Summit.  PA PDAs may follow.

FEMA Region II, in support of Region V continued PDAs in Allen County Sunday, August 26, 2007.

As of August 26, FEMA Region V, reports initial IA PDA results of: 265 structures destroyed, 448 with major damage, 1,071 with minor damage; 243 affected.

Wisconsin
The President signed a Major Disaster Declaration, FEMA-1719-DR, on Sunday, August 26, 2007.    The declaration provides for Individual Assistance for the counties of Crawford, La Crosse, Richland, Sauk, and Vernon.

As of 5:00 pm CDT on August 24, the Governor had extended the State Emergency Declaration to 7 more counties: Dane, Green, Grant, Jefferson, Kenosha, Racine, and Rock.  This brings the total number of counties to 12.

IA PDAs that began Saturday, August 25, in Crawford, La Crosse, Richland, Sauk, and Vernon counties are continuing.  PA PDAs are scheduled to begin Tuesday, August 28.  PDAs for Jefferson, Kenosha, and Racine counties are scheduled to begin Monday, August 27. 

As of August 25, damage estimates provided by the State include 287 homes with major damage, 1,176 homes with minor damage, and 44 homes destroyed (total 1,507).  140 residents of Vernon County, WI, displaced after torrential rainfall strained a number of nearby dams, were allowed to return to their homes as evacuation orders were lifted Saturday evening, according to county officials. 

Michigan Tornado Update

Approximately 26,000 electric customers were still without power in southern Michigan on Sunday, due to the heavy weather that included tornado activity over the weekend. 

The Mayor of Fenton, MI indicated that damage from the storms was extensive.  Only residents were being allowed back into the city and approximately 17 homes were reported to be destroyed. 

Five people were reported injured in Michigan's Eaton County.  12 homes were destroyed and 7 were heavily damaged, according to the Eaton County Sheriff.

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico:
There are no significant weather systems identified at this time and tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Eastern Pacific:
A large area of showers and thunderstorms is located several hundred miles southwest of Acapulco, Mexico.  While there are currently no signs of organization, environmental conditions appear favorable for gradual development of this system over the next couple of days as it moves slowly northwestward. 

Tropical cyclone activity is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Central Pacific:
Tropical cyclone activity is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Western Pacific:
Tropical cyclone activity is not expected during the next 48 hours. ( NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, FEMA Regions II, IV, VI, FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Individual Assistance (IA) Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) for 5 counties in Ohio began August 25, 2007 and are continuing.

IA PDAs for 5 counties in Wisconsin began on August 25 and will continue August 26 if necessary.  PA PDAs are scheduled to begin Tuesday, August 28.

IA PDAs are continuing for 3 counties in Oklahoma.  Public Assistance (PA) PDAs will begin on August 28, 2007. 

IA PDAs for 13 counties in Iowa are scheduled to begin on August 28, 2007.

PA PDAs for 7 counties in Missouri will be conducted on August 27, 2007.
(FEMA Regions, FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level:  5
States Most Affected:  Montana, Idaho
National Fire Activity as of Saturday, August 25, 2007

New large fires: 2
Large fires contained: 3
Uncontained large fires: 39
2007 acres burned to date: 6,645,305

An advance of the 35,386-acre Castle Rock Fire forced about 1,000 people from their homes in the resort town of Ketchum, Idaho, said officials with the Forest Service on Sunday.  The American Red Cross has opened 1 shelter with 35 occupants. The mandatory evacuation of homes was a precaution taken by fire managers, who expect more high winds and hot, dry weather, said a spokesman for the California Interagency Command Team in charge of fire operations. 

Weather Discussion: A dry cold front will bring gusty winds to Idaho and Montana today. Wyoming will also see dry, windy weather. Moisture increasing from the south will bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms to the southern Great Basin and southern California. Dry and windy conditions will develop today in northeast Minnesota. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected in the Southeast. (National Interagency Fire Center, Media Sources)

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA-1719-DR was declared on August 26, 2007, for the State of Wisconsin, for severe storms and flooding that occurred August 18, 2007 and continuing. The major declaration provides for Individual Assistance for five counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide.  (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:47:31 EDT