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National Situation Update: Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

West
Rain and snow showers are forecast from Washington and Oregon to Montana and Wyoming; however, the Southwest will be dry but windy.  Coastal areas of southern California will be cool with increasing onshore winds.  Widespread fog is anticipated for the coastal area of California today.  Red Flag Warnings are in effect today for south Nevada, south Utah, most of Colorado and Arizona, and for all of New Mexico due to strong winds and low relative humidity combined with high temperatures resulting in extreme or critical fire weather conditions.  High temperatures will range from the 20s in Yellowstone National Park, to the 90s in the lower Colorado River Valley, southwest Arizona and southeast New Mexico.

Midwest
Rain is forecast for the western Dakotas; the rest of the Midwest is expected to be dry but windy.
Strong southerly winds are anticipated northward from Texas to the Upper Midwest.  The High Plains may experience winds gusting to 50 mph.  Red Flag Warnings exist for western Oklahoma and southwest Kansas from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. CDT today due to strong winds, low humidity and dry fine fuels.  High temperatures will range from the 40s near the Great Lakes to the low 90s in far southwest Kansas; highs in the 60s extend into North Dakota.

South
The South is expected to be sunny today; strong winds are forecast across the southern Plains, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas.  Fire weather conditions will become extreme in the far western portions of Oklahoma and Texas.  Red Flag Warnings exist most of today for southeastern Alabama, west and central Georgia, the Big Bend and Florida Panhandle, and west Texas due to long durations of relative humidity.  High temperatures should range from the 60s in much of North Carolina and northeast Tennessee, to the 90s over western Oklahoma, west Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley.

Northeast
The Northeast will be dry; however, parts of New Hampshire and western Maine may see some light snow today.  Highs will range from the 40s across northern New York and northernmost New England, to the 60s around the Chesapeake Bay, while New York and Boston will peak in the 50s.  Flood Warnings exist for rivers in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont for the next 24 hours; however, all rivers are below Major Flood Stage. (NWS)

Mississippi Valley Flooding

FEMA Regional Offices and the NRCC are monitoring current river levels in the Mississippi Valley. 
Flood Warnings and Watches continue for the Mississippi River Valley from Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri to Arkansas and Louisiana.

Louisiana:
The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) continue to monitor levees seven days a week (USACE Level 2 Activation).  USACE Emergency Operations Center continually works with the Engineer Division and Construction Division to train engineers to inspect levees in different sectors.  USACE personnel continue to work closely with the US Coast Guard (USCG) issuing navigation bulletins and marine safety broadcasts due to the high waters.

The Bonnet Carre Spillway remains open.  The Bonnet Carre staff continues to oversee structure readiness and preparing on-site maintenance personnel to perform opening duties as necessary.  According to the (USACE), there are 160 bays which are currently open allowing the water to flow into Lake Pontchartrain from the Mississippi River.  There is no expected impact on residents or businesses. (Region IV RRCC, Region VI RRCC, National Weather Service)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No significant activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Severe Storm and Tornado Activity in Southeast Virginia

On April 29, 2008, the National Weather Service confirmed that on April 28 an F-1 tornado touched down in Halifax County, Virginia and an F-1 tornado touched down in Colonial Heights, Virginia.  Additional tornado touch downs have not been confirmed.  Damage was reported in the cities of Suffolk and Colonial Heights, and the counties of Brunswick, Halifax, Isle of Wight, and James City.  The Virginia Emergency Operations Center (EOC) reported:

• Injuries: 200 (unconfirmed)
• Homes damaged: 48 destroyed; 42 with major damage; 160 with minor damage
• Businesses damaged: (some - exact number unknown at this time)
• Power outages: 1,953 customers without power (as of 5:00 p.m. April 29)

The Virginia EOC is activated to a "Response Operations" level. FEMA Region III has deployed an ERT-A cell and is coordinating with the Commonwealth of Virginia on potential Preliminary Damage Assessments in the affected areas. 

FEMA LNO was deployed to the Virginia EOC on April 28.  The Governor of Virginia declared a State of Emergency on April 28.  The American Red Cross has one shelter open in Suffolk County with a population of 37 (as of midnight April 28). (Region III)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

California:
At 11:03 p.m. EDT on April 29, a 5.2 magnitude earthquake occurred 191 miles northwest of Sacramento, CA at a depth of 11.1 miles. There are no reports of damage or injury.

Nevada:
Earthquake activity continues in the Verdi-Mogul area near Reno, NV.  On April 29, seventeen earthquakes ranging from 1.0 to 3.2 magnitude occurred 5 - 8 miles west of Reno, NV.  There were no reports of damage or injury. 

The FEMA National-IMAT and Region IX sent a planning assessment team to Carson City, NV to conduct gap analysis and develop contingency plans.  The team arrived on April 29. (USGS, FEMA HQ, Region IX)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 1
National Fire Activity as of Tuesday, April 29, 2008:

• Initial attack activity: Moderate (246 new fires)
• New large fires: 1
• Large fires contained: 1
• Uncontained large fires: 9

Weather Discussion: Strong winds and low relative humidity will develop over the southern Great Basin, southeast California and the Southwest, and move into the Northern Rockies and Rocky Mountain areas.  Low relative humidity is forecast for the southeast U.S. as a large high pressure system begins to form.(National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, InciWeb, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)