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National Situation Update: Monday, December 10, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Midwest Ice Storms

The National Weather Service has issued Ice Storm Warnings from north Texas across Oklahoma, Missouri, and extending into Illinois. Warnings will remain in effect through Monday night, December 10, 2007. The resulting ice glaze will coat surfaces with one-half to over one inch of ice. It is possible that warmer air may move north and change the freezing rain to rain over Oklahoma and southern and eastern Missouri late Monday night and Tuesday.

On December 9, 2007, the Governor of Missouri declared a State of Emergency and activated the Missouri State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC). The Oklahoma Emergency Operations Center is not activated, but is monitoring the situation. FEMA Region VI is deploying and staging a generator kit, Prime Power Team from the USACE, and three tractor trailers of water to Oklahoma City. FEMA Region VII is deploying a state liaison to the Missouri SEOC.

There are extensive power outages reported throughout Oklahoma and Missouri. The storm caused the downing of trees, power lines, and severe travel problems. State and local authorities are reporting hazardous travel conditions and encourage motorists not to drive. In Oklahoma, five fatalities are attributed to the storm. (NWS, Missouri EMA, Oklahoma DEM, Region VI, Region VII, Media Sources)

Significant National Weather

West
Snow is forecast from northeastern Oregon, eastward through Idaho, and into much of Montana and northwest Wyoming. Rain and mountain snow will occur in Arizona and New Mexico, and possibly move northward into the Colorado Rockies.

Midwest
Freezing rain and icing will persist in the lower Midwest and southern Plains. Eastern Kansas through central Missouri will experience icing most of the day, while light freezing rain will change to rain in western and central Kansas. Further east, light freezing rain or freezing drizzle may move into the central and northern portions of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.

South
Expect morning icing in the Texas Panhandle and Oklahoma with rain arriving later in the day. Scattered or isolated showers will occur in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Northern Mississippi and south Florida may also experience scattered or isolated rain.

Northeast
Light snow or flurries may occur in upstate New York and northern New England tomorrow. Rain will move from southern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, southward into Virginia. Snow, rain, and light freezing rain will occur mainly over northeastern Pennsylvania, southeastern New York, and the valleys of southern New England.  (NWS, Media Sources)

Pacific Northwest Winter Storms and Flooding Update

FEMA-1733-DR (Oregon) and FEMA-1734-DR (Washington) were amended on Sunday, December 9, 2007 to add Individual Assistance for select counties. Significant recovery efforts continue; however, downed trees and power lines are hampering recovery of power and communications in some counties. Over 16,000 customers in Oregon and Washington remain without power. A drop in temperature is expected to increase shelter populations and heating requirements overnight. Boil water notices continue to remain in effect for numerous counties in Oregon and Washington. Final Preliminary Disaster Assessments by the American Red Cross report 151 dwellings destroyed and 893 with major damage in Oregon;  63 dwellings destroyed and 124 with major damage in Washington. The next weather system of interest is expected Friday, December 14, 2007; this system could bring significant snowfall to all of eastern Washington and northern Idaho. (NWS, Region X, Disaster Assistance Directorate Declarations Unit)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

An area of showers and thunderstorms located 425 miles east of Puerto Rico is moving west at 20 mph with gale force winds. Environmental conditions appear to be favorable for some development and a tropical or sub-tropical storm could form during the next 24 hours.  (NWS TPC/National Hurricane Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA-1733-DR-Oregon: The Disaster Declaration signed on December 8, 2007 was amended on December 9, 2007 to add Individual Assistance for Columbia and Tillamook counties already designated for debris removal and emergency protective measure (Categories A and B), including Direct Federal Assistance, under the Public Assistance program.

FEMA-1734-DR-Washington: The Disaster Declaration signed on December 8, 2007 was amended on December 9, 2007 to add Individual Assistance for Grays Harbor and Lewis counties already designated for debris removal and emergency protective measure (Categories A and B), including Direct Federal Assistance, under the Public Assistance program. (FEMA HQ)