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National Situation Update: Sunday, March 23, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
Rain and mountain snow are forecast for western Washington and western Oregon as a Pacific cold front moves inland.  High temperatures will range from the 30s in the Rockies to the 90s in the lower Colorado River Valley and California's Death Valley.

Midwest:
A mix of rain and snow showers is likely from eastern Missouri into southern Indiana and western Kentucky.  Amounts are expected to be light and should not affect current flooding.  Flood Warnings issued for Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana and Tennessee.  Temperatures will be unseasonably low with highs ranging from the teens in parts of Michigan's Upper Peninsula to the 50s in the western High Plains and across most of Kansas.

South:
Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue over the southern portion of the Florida Peninsula today.  A Red Flag Warning is in effect until this evening for the entire Florida panhandle, south central Georgia and southeast Alabama due to expected long durations of relative humidity below 35 percent.  Temperatures are forecast to range from the 40s in West Texas to the 80s along the lower Rio Grande River in Texas.

Northeast:
Snow showers or flurries are forecast for upstate New York and northern New England today.  Temperatures will range from the 20s in Upstate New York to the 50s in Virginia. (NOAA)

NOAA: Current Major Flooding in U.S. a Sign of Things to Come

Major floods striking America's heartland this week offer a preview of the spring seasonal outlook, according to NOAA's National Weather Service.

NOAA Urges Communities to Prepare During Flood Safety Awareness Week
Record rainfall and melting snow packs are just some of the many factors that will contribute to above-average flood conditions.  This week, more than 250 communities in a dozen states are experiencing flood conditions.

The science supporting NOAA's short-term forecasts allows for a high level of certainty. National Weather Service forecasters highlighted potential for the current major flood event a week in advance and began working with emergency managers to prepare local communities for the impending danger. 

"We expect rains and melting snow to bring more flooding this spring," said Vickie Nadolski, deputy director of NOAA's National Weather Service. "Americans should be on high alert to flood conditions in your communities. Arm yourselves with information about how to stay safe during a flood and do not attempt to drive on flooded roadways - remember to always turn around, don't drown."

Nadolski is urging local emergency management officals to prepare for a wet spring and to stay focused on educating the public about the potential for dangerous local condiditons.
 (Excerpt from  http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080320_springoutlook.html)

Midwest Flooding Update

State and Local Response
Illinois:
  • State EOC activated 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CDT
  • FEMA State Liaison Officers are assigned in the Illinois Emergency Operations Center
  • Counties:  19 counties declared States of Emergency
  • Fatalities:  2 (Region V)
  • Shelters:  5 open with 38 occupants 
  • No requests for Federal Assistance. (Illinois SITREP #11)

Arkansas:

  • Arkansas Department of Emergency Management activated at Level I, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. CDT
  • Counties:  43 affected with 35 under State Disaster Declaration
  • Fatalities:  1
  • Injuries:  4
  • Missing:  1
  • Shelters: Closed; however, feeding operations continue.
  • Joint PDAs scheduled to begin March 25, 2008. (Region VI, NWS, NSS, NGB, TX SOC, ARC)

Indiana:

  • Indiana EOC is activated;  24 hour operations
  • Counties:  5 affected with 4 declared States of Emergency
  • Fatalities:  1
  • Injuries:  8
  • Shelters:  1 with 1 occupant
  • State and local PDAs ongoing; no request for joint PDAs received. (Incident Report #4)

Ohio:

  • State EOC returned to normal operating operations, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CDT (M-F)
  • Illinois EMA deployed 5 Regional Coordinators and a satellite vehicle on-site
  • Counties:  7 affected with 4 declared as States of Emergency
  • Fatalities:  2
  • Shelters:  All shelters closed
  • State damage assessments continue
  • No requests for Federal Assistance (Region V, NWS, NSS, NGB, IL EOC, OEOC, NOAA)

Missouri:

  • Missouri SEOC activated at Level II, 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. CDT
  • Fatalities confirmed: 5
  • Shelters: 6 with 35 occupants  (NSS ARC)
  • Joint State/FEMA Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) will begin the week of March 25 for Individual Assistance. Public Assistance PDAs will begin the week of March 31. (EMA Sitrep as of March 22, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.)

Georgia/South Carolina Tornadoes Update:

Georgia
The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated at a Level III (Normal Operations).  An Emergency Response Team (ERT) is activated and working out of the FEMA Regional IV Office in Atlanta, Georgia for DR-1750.  A Mission Assignment has been issued to General Services Administration (GSA) to locate and lease the Joint Field Office (JFO)

South Carolina
Seven confirmed tornadoes touched down throughout South Carolina late Saturday March 15, 2008.
Joint FEMA/State Preliminary Damage Assessments are being conducted.  There have been no request for federal assistance. (Region IV, National Shelter System (NSS), NWS)

Salmonella Outbreak - Colorado

The CO Health and Human Services reported an outbreak of Salmonella in Alamosa County March 19, 2008.  Governor Ritter has declared a State Disaster Emergency for Alamosa County.  The Colorado State EOC is activated at Level II, 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. MDT today.  Region VIII Liaison is deployed to the EOC; there are 106 cases suspected, 57 cases have been confirmed; nine individuals are currently hospitalized.  No Federal assistance has been requested

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

Nothing significant 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

Texas Wildfire
Texas EOC Activated at Level I, 24/7 (emergency operations) Cumulative fire information (as of 2:00 p.m. CDT 21 March, 2008)

  • Total Acres Burned:  1,026,726
  • Total Homes Threatened:  7,540
  • Total Homes Saved:  7,388
  • Total Homes Lost:  152
  • Total Homes Damaged:  36

Disaster Declaration Activity

Amendment #1 to major disaster declaration for the State of Georgia (FEMA-1750-DR) dated March 20, 2008; adds 6 counties for Individual Assistance and 3 counties for Public Assistance.(FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:37:10 EDT