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National Situation Update: Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Northeast
Locally heavy rain, winds and thunderstorms will occur March 19, 2008, as a storm system moves eastward through the region.

The precipitation may begin as snow, changing to rain in southern New England, and to sleet or snow (with pockets of freezing rain) in northern New England.

A few thunderstorms could turn severe from New York State southward. The main threat will be strong, damaging wind gusts.

South
A cold front moving eastward through the South March 19, 2008 will develop severe thunderstorms and locally heavy downpours on the region.

The severe storms will cause strong, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes are possible.

Midwest
Showers will take place across the lower Midwest on March 19, 2008 in the wake of a storm system moving across the region.

A few severe thunderstorms could affect Ohio and Kentucky through midday March 19, 2008.

In the northern Plains, an upper-air disturbance will cause rain and snow showers.  (NOAA)

Georgia and South Carolina Tornadoes Touchdown Update:

Georgia
A tornado touched down in Atlanta, Friday March 14, 2008 and in Polk and Floyd Counties, Saturday, March 15, 2008.

The Governor of Georgia declared a State of Emergency for Atlanta and Fulton County on March 15, 2008. The Georgia EOC is at normal operations. Hours 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT (M-F)

Joint Federal/State PDAs continue in seven affected counties. 

There were two (2) fatalities in Polk and Floyd Counties and 28 injuries reported by the State EOC.

To date 58 Residences have been reported as Destroyed, 840 Residences and 105 Businesses Damaged. There were also three Schools reported damaged.

One shelter, with 45 occupants, was opened at the Central Park Recreational Center in Fulton County.

Civil Air Patrol (CAP) provided flights for aerial damage surveys.  (GEMA, Region IV)

South Carolina
Five confirmed tornadoes touched down throughout South Carolina Saturday, March 15, 2008. PDAs are being conducted by the State. There have been no requests for Federal assistance.

State EOC is activated at Level IV (Partial Activation) Hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT (M-F)

There were 21 injuries reported by the State EOC. (Region IV)

Kilauea Volcano, HI:

Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) fumes have doubled since a new gas vent opened on March 13, 2008 in Halemaumau Crater, Kilauea Summit.

Levels are over the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) acceptable exposure standards.

Hawaii Volcano National Park (HAVO) Incident Command System (ICS) team has been managing the developing incident for approximately three weeks and, on March 17, 2008, requested a National Park Service Type II Team while the park gears up for the next level of activity.

The park's eruption staff has been assisting Hawaii County in eruptive activity outside the park in the Kalapana area, including visitor safety, traffic control, public health and Emergency Medical Services, there have been no evacuations reported.

Region IX RRCC will follow-up with State of Hawaii on March 19, 2008 for any pertinent updates concerning this situation.  (DOI, USGS, Region IX)

Flooding Update

Current Situation
A strong storm system will affect Missouri and Kansas through the morning of March 19, 2008, with flooding rains.

Flash Flood Watch and Flash Flood Warnings remain in effect through the morning of March 19, 2008 for large portions of Missouri and Kansas.

Storm system will bring widespread rain and thunderstorms to Illinois and Indiana.

Flood Warnings issued for parts of Illinois and Indiana, due to possible heavy rainfall, through March 19, 2008.

Multiple river gauges throughout southern Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio are reporting near flood stage or minor flooding occurring. (NWS, Regions V & VII, NRCC)

State and Local Response
Missouri:
Flooding is taking place in the State of Missouri due to significant rainfall. Many counties are reporting Major to moderate flooding.  A cold front slowly moved across Missouri the last 24 hours and brought locally heavy rains across the State.  The South Central area of Missouri has been hardest hit with upwards of five inches of rain and southwest Missouri has received 4-6 inches of rain.

A Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) worker was killed during this storm setting up a road barrier.  The state is assisting with water rescues in the counties of Cape Girardeau, Van Buren, Bollinger, Reynolds, and the City of Piedmont (Webster County). The governor declared a State of Emergency on March 18, 2008. There have been two (2) confirmed fatalities.

The State Emergency Operations Center activated to a Level Two with 24/7 operations.

Federal Response
FEMA Region VII
RRCC activated at Level III from 6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. CDT through Thursday, March 20, 2008.

Hours of operation may be extended or reduced, based on State operations.

Region VII Operations staff has been in contact with the US Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) and USACE is assisting the State with flood-fighting support, such as sandbags and pumps.

FEMA Region V
RRCC activated Level III 24/7 March 18-19, 2008.

No requests for Federal assistance. (NOAA, MO SITREP, NGB, Regions V & VII, NRCC, NWS)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

FMAG-2754-TX was issued for the Burns Ranch Fire in Brooks County, TX, March 19, 2008.  The fire started on March 18, 2008 and is not contained.  Fire is less than 1/2 mile from homes in the towns of Linn and San Manuel, and reports indicate that several have been destroyed. Four hundred and fifty people have evacuated the area. (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

Texas Wildfire Update:
Texas EOC is activated at Level I, 24/7 (emergency operations) due to wildfire activity throughout the State. A FEMA state liaison remains deployed to TX EOC for coordination.(Region VI, Texas SOC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:37:14 EDT