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National Situation Update: Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Pacific Northwest Winter Storm

Flood risks continued in Washington and Oregon on Monday as a result of several strong Pacific storms that battered the Northwest over the weekend.  Wind gusts of more than a 100 mph and torrential rains were reported along the Washington and Oregon coasts. 

The Governors of Washington and Oregon declared States of Emergency due to severe storms and flooding on December 03, 2007.  In Washington, the State EOC is fully activated (Phase III Level).  In Oregon, the State ECC has been fully activated, State agencies are currently ramping up staffing for 24/7 operations.  Region X has deployed liaison officers to both EOCs. 

The Washington EOC is reporting three fatalities; two in Grays Harbor and one in Mason County.  In Lewis County rescues are ongoing using a combination of local, State, and Coast Guard resources.  Five American Red Cross shelters and five local run shelters are being established, shelter population unknown.  In Oregon, three shelters have been activated in Columbia County and two people were rescued by the United States Coast Guard from the rooftop of a home.  In the city of Vernonia, 1,500-3,000 people have been evacuated.  Oregon National Guard facilities at Camp Rilea are being configured to receive 50-75 evacuees.  The Oregon Joint Operations Center and Joint Forces Headquarters planning cells are activated.  Warning orders have been issued to the 41st Brigade for water support with a reverse osmosis water purification unit, and to the 82nd Brigade for equipment support for road clearing.  Joint Forces Headquarters - Washington alerted the 1st Squadron 103rd Calvary for winter storms response missions in support of State authorities beginning the morning of December 4, 2007.

Flood warnings are in effect for Clallam, Jefferson, Skagit, Whatcom, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, and Grays Harbor counties in western Washington.  Flood watches have been issued for King, Lewis, Pierce, Thurston, and Grays Harbor counties in western Washington.   

In Washington approximately 72,500 power outages (approximately 3% of the entire state) have been reported.  Power crews from Bonneville Power Administration are working to assess damage resulting from high winds.  Customers could be without power for up to three or four days because high winds are hampering repair crews.

FEMA Mobile Emergency Response Support System is providing assistance to the United States Coast Guard for communications connectivity from Astoria, Oregon to Seattle, Washington.  There have been no requests for Federal assistance, resources, or Stafford Act assistance.  United States Army Corps of Engineers flood fighting support and the United States Coast Guard search and rescue efforts are being conducted under separate authorities.  (FEMA MOC-Bothell, Region X, NICC)

Significant National Weather

West
Significant river flooding will continue in western Washington and northwest Oregon.  Heavy surf will continue along most western beaches.  Snow levels across the Washington Cascades as well as the Bitterroots and Tetons will be down to 5,000 feet by Tuesday evening.  Parts of the Pacific Northwest will continue to see frequent showers and gusty winds on Tuesday.  By Friday, another Pacific storm system may spread rain across southern California and into the Desert Southwest this weekend.  Gusty winds will occur across eastern portions of Wyoming and Colorado.  High temperatures will range from the 30s in the northern Washington Cascades and northern Rockies, to the 70s in Southern California, southern Arizona, eastern New Mexico, and southeast Colorado. 

Midwest
High temperatures will range from the teens up north to the 70s in southwest Kansas.  Most cities around the Great Lakes will see highs in the 20s or low 30s.  Most areas will experience two to four inches of snow but these systems are capable of producing eight or nine inches in isolated locations.  On Tuesday, a fast-moving weather system will spread a band of precipitation across the Midwest.  The upper Mississippi Valley to the Great Lakes will experience snow while mixed precipitation is likely from the Dakotas to central Illinois.

Northeast
Tuesday highs will only reach the 20s from central Pennsylvania, upstate New York and northern New England.  Highs in the 30s are likely in the Boston to Washington corridor and highs near 50 will hold over southern Virginia.  Elsewhere, a storm system off the Maine coast will move up to the Canadian Maritimes on Tuesday but several more inches of snow, along with gusty winds will impact parts of northern New England.  Northwest Pennsylvania, southwestern New York and central New York may see over a foot of snow.  Bands of snow will spread much farther eastward than usual due to strong winds.  Flurries may occur from New York and Philadelphia, and snow from Lake Erie may extend down to the mountains of the Virginias. 

South
No rain is in the forecast for the next week.  Tuesday highs will range from the 40s in the southern Appalachians to the 70s in central and south Florida, the western two-thirds of Texas and western Oklahoma. (NWS, Media Sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

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

California - All evacuation orders have been lifted and all EOCs that were activated due to the rains have now de-activated.  A weak to moderate offshore flow will develop today through December 5, 2007.  This offshore flow along with warmer daytime temperatures (70s and 80s) combined with lower humidity will once again bring a fire weather threat to some of those areas that did not receive recent rains.   Onshore flow will return December 6, 2007 as a strong low pressure system approaches the west coast.  This next system looks to be very robust with rain now expected over the burn areas beginning December 7, 2007, continuing through at least December 8, 2007.  Rainfall amounts may exceed an inch in most areas with the mountains potentially reaching three inches. 

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the Los Angeles County area from 6:00 a.m. PST Tuesday to 10:00 a.m. PST Wednesday due to north to northeast winds 18 to 30 mph with local gusts to 45 mph, mainly below passes and canyons from highway 14 westward.  Humidities ranging from eight to 15% are expected.  The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.  (NWS, Pasadena JFO)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)