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National Situation Update: Sunday, December 9, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Northeast
Precipitation should be light in parts of the Northeast; however, light sleet or freezing rain may make bridges and overpasses slick in interior sections of the Mid-Atlantic states Sunday morning.
The most severe portion of the upcoming winter storm will arrive Sunday afternoon and evening in the eastern Great Lakes and Appalachians. On Sunday evening, a mix of sleet and freezing rain is expected in western and southern New York as well as southern New England. Snow will dominate northern New England and upstate New York and depart by midday Monday. Another winter storm may arrive late Tuesday night into Wednesday.

West
Since Thursday, upwards of three feet of fresh snow had fallen in the Wasatch of Utah and the mountains of Colorado, which is good news for the multi-year Western drought. Heavy snow warnings continue for parts of Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and winter storm warnings stretch into New Mexico.
Light to moderate snow will linger in Utah, northern Colorado and Wyoming.

Snow advisories are in effect for the mountains of Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties, where up to eight inches of snow is possible in the high country, potentially affecting travel on I-5 in northern Los Angeles County. Overnight into early Sunday, thunderstorms and small hail are possible in southern California, and heavy rain may cause flash flooding. In these thunderstorms, snow levels may fall as low as 2,500 feet, possibly bringing heavy snow to valley locations unaccustomed to falling snow.

Midwest
Numerous winter storm warnings, snow advisories, and even heavy snow warnings are in effect from South Dakota and Nebraska to southern Minnesota and Iowa, with snow periodically continuing to fall throughout the area through Sunday; the heaviest accumulations will occur from the Nebraska Panhandle to southern South Dakota. Snow is also expected from Iowa to southern Wisconsin and lower Michigan with freezing rain advisories stretching from Kansas to Ohio.

South
Central and eastern Texas to Kentucky will experience rain and thunderstorms which may persist through Monday, perhaps lifting slightly northward. Heavy rain is possible. Freezing rain and drizzle is possible over much of central and western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle with freezing rain advisories posted in Oklahoma.  (NWS, Media Sources)

Pacific Northwest Winter Storms and Flooding Update

Major disaster declarations were approved on Saturday, December 08, 2007 for the states of Oregon and Washington. This was in response to severe flooding, landslides and mudslides as the result of storms that hit the coast December 1-3, 2007. Eight deaths have been blamed on the disaster; two in Oregon and six in Washington, including a pair of hikers in the Cascade Mountains. Recovery efforts throughout the Pacific Northwest continue with steady progress in opening all state and county roads. There are significant improvements in power and gas restoration. Health issues are being addressed through vaccinations and the establishment of clinics. Boil water notices remain in effect for several counties in Oregon and Washington. Light rain is forecast for parts of western Oregon and Washington overnight. However, weather is not expected to affect recovery operations until Friday, December 14, 2007, when a strong storm is expected to produce moderate to heavy snowfall across much of the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies.(NWS, Region X, Disaster Assistance Directorate Declarations Unit)

Southern California Burn Area Weather

All evacuation orders have been lifted and all Emergency Operations Centers that were activated due to rains have been deactivated. All pre-staged equipment has been released. JFO operations are back to normal. (NWS, CA OES, CA JFO)

Hawaii Storms

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect until 6:00 a.m. HST Sunday for all the Islands. Moist and unstable weather conditions remain in place, and saturated soils bring an increased threat of flash flooding should heavy rain develop.

Drought Activity

The forecast continues to show drought across the Southeast expanding into Florida and the Gulf Coast. Drought is forecast for western and southern Texas, eastern New Mexico, and northward into parts of Colorado, Oklahoma, and Kansas. (NWS, NOAA)

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)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On December 8, 2007, the President signed a Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1734-DR for The State of Washington in response to severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that occurred December 1, 2007 and continuing. The declaration designates Public Assistance for six counties for debris removal and protective measures (Categories A and B) including direct Federal assistance, and Hazard Mitigation statewide. The FCO is Thomas P. Davis of the National FCO Program.

On December 8, 2007, the President signed a Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1733-DR for the State of Oregon in response to severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that occurred December 1, 2007 and continuing. The declaration designates Public Assistance for five counties for debris removal and protective measures (Categories A and B) including direct Federal assistance, and Hazard Mitigation statewide. The FCO is Glen R. Sachtleben of the National FCO Program. (FEMA HQ)