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National Situation Update: Thursday, May 15, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
Temperatures for most locations in the central California valleys will be in the 90s, with record highs and temperatures in the 100s likely in some areas.  Heat advisories and excessive heat warnings are in effect along the central coastline, including San Francisco.  Showers and thunderstorms are forecast from Colorado (snow in the mountains) to New Mexico today.  The West will remain hot and dry through the weekend.  Red Flag Warnings are in effect on the borders of Arizona, California and Nevada until 11:00 p.m. EDT.  Conditions favor an increased fire alert due to increased warm winds, hot temperatures and decreased humidity.  Red Flag Warnings are in effect for Northern California until 3:00 a.m. EDT Saturday.  Conditions favor an increased fire alert due to increased warm winds, hot temperatures and decreased humidity.
Midwest:
Rain will move into the lower Ohio Valley today, with showers and thunderstorms forecast for Missouri into Ohio.  Some areas could see an inch or more of rain.  Dry conditions are expected in the western Great Lakes with a few showers possible across the Upper Midwest.  Dry conditions are forecast through the weekend across the Plains, with a chance of rain in the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley.
South:
Showers and thunderstorms are forecast for the Southeast and the Lower Mississippi Valley today.
Some thunderstorms could turn severe across the Southeast, with gusty winds, large hail, and the chance of an isolated tornado.  Scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast for Texas and Louisiana through this afternoon.  The weekend forecast is for dry conditions and near normal temperatures across the entire region. A Tornado Watch is in effect until 11:00 a.m. EDT for southern Arkansas, north central Louisiana and eastern Texas. 
Northeast:
The forecast is for widespread rainfall across the Northeast tonight into Friday.  Each day will bring the threat of showers to the region.  The temperatures will be in the 50s and 60s.  Drier and milder conditions are expected across Virginia into Saturday.  (NWS, Various Media Sources)

Wild Fires:

Florida
There are currently 30 new wildfires burning 8,763 acres. Statewide there are 120 wildfires burning a total of 25,844 acres.  Brevard Complex Fire Update: 10,159 all fires 50% to 100% contained.  No fatalities and three injuries have been reported.  One shelter is open with a population of 15. 

All mandatory evacuations have been lifted.  Damages: 167 homes have been destroyed; 2 businesses with minor damage; 1 Fire station (#89) damaged. 4,700 customers are without power.  State Response: The Governor declared a State of Emergency and has ordered the activation of the FL National Guard. The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is operating at Level II, Partial Activation. The Florida Department of Forestry Red Strike Team deployed to Brevard County.  FEMA Response Liaison deployed to Florida EOC in response to the Florida Brush Fires  (FEMA Region IV Incident Report and FL Dept of Emergency Management, May 14-1100 EDT)

Severe Weather Outbreak:

Region IV:
FEMA Region VIII deployed a 12-person Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) Team to Region IV as a result of damages that occurred during severe storms on May 10, 2008. Five Public Assistance (PA) and seven Individual Assistance (IA) Joint Federal-State Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) began on Wednesday, May 13, 2008. PDAs are scheduled to be completed Friday, May 16, 2008
Georgia:
Two fatalities and three injuries have resulted from severe storms and tornadoes that occurred on May 10, 2008; 4,000 residents remain without power today. Damages: 1,039 homes and businesses were affected; 11 homes/mobile homes and one business were destroyed. Thirty-six homes/mobile homes received major damage and 85 received minor damage. State Response: State EOC partially activated to Level II, with some ESFs activated. The Governor declared six counties for State of Emergency; 21 counties were affected. State of Emergency was extended in Bibb, Carroll, Douglas, Jefferson, Johnson, and Laurens Counties. The Governor also added seven additional counties on May 12: Clayton, Crawford, Emanuel, Glynn, Jenkins, McIntosh and Twiggs.
Region V:
Region V continues to monitor ongoing conditions along the Rock and Mississippi Rivers as well as rain showers and thunderstorms forecast today across much of central Indiana, central Illinois, and Ohio.
Illinois:
Flood gauges along the Upper Mississippi River indicate Moderate Flood Stage at numerous locations;
New Boston, Keithsburg, and Gladstone Lock and Dam are forecast to hold steady or crest within Moderate Flood Stage levels by Thursday, May 15, 2008. Quincy and Chester are cresting today; however Moderate Flood Stage is forecast to continue. This is a critical stage for Drainage Districts in the Quincy area, and Chester may experience water on railroad tracks and roads.

Region VI:

  • Due to the severe weather last weekend, Joint FEMA-State IA PDAs are ongoing in Oklahoma
  • IA and PA PDAs are ongoing in Arkansas
  • Region leadership in communication with State EM Directors

Arkansas:
No fatalities or injuries have been reported as a result of severe storms that occurred May 10, 2008.
Damages: 25-30 homes destroyed; 25-30 homes received major damage; 40-45 homes with minor damage and 15 businesses were destroyed. State Response: Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) EOC is at Level I (Normal Operations). Damage assessments in Stuttgart (Arkansas County) are ongoing. Local damage assessments in Phillips County are ongoing. An ADEM liaison has been dispatched to Stuttgart in Arkansas County.
Oklahoma:
Eight confirmed fatalities and 150 injuries reported in Oklahoma (Ottawa and Pittsburg counties)
Damages: IA PDAs (Ottawa County) indicate 114 homes were destroyed, 30 sustained major damage and seven had minor damage. Sixteen more were affected, bringing the total count to 167. State Response: The president signed FEMA-1756-DR-OK, providing Individual Assistance for Ottowa County and Hazard Mitigation statewide. Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) personnel are on site assisting with response. Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) provided 18 State Troopers. OK National Guard provided 25 soldiers to assist with assessment and security in Picher. Tulsa's Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team deployed to Picher. Tornado Watches are in effect this afternoon and evening for portions of southeast New Mexico, west central Texas, and southern Louisiana. Tornadoes, hail to 2.5 inches in diameter, and gusts to 70 mph are possible in these areas.

Region VII:
Joint PA PDAs completed and IA PDAs are ongoing for damages incurred in Missouri as a result of severe storms and tornadoes that occurred May 10, 2008 in Newton County.
Missouri:
16 confirmed fatalities, over 200 injuries reported as a result of severe storms and tornadoes that occurred May 10, 2008. State Response: The State Emergency Management Agency – SEOC is operating at Level I. Boil water order is ongoing in DeSoto, due to power loss at the water department, according to Department of Natural Resources
Nebraska:
Joint FEMA-State PA PDAs began Tuesday, May 13 in Gage, Johnson, Morrill, Nemaha, and Pawnee Counties for damages as a result of severe storms and tornadoes that occurred on April 29, 2008. (Region IV, Region VI, Region VII, Federal Agencies, Affected States, FEMA HQ)

Region VIII:
A 12-person PDA Team deployed to Region IV HQ in Atlanta on May 12, 2008, to assist the Region in performing PDAs in Georgia resulting from the severe weather that occurred on May 11, 2008.
South Dakota:
The Governor of South Dakota requested a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of South Dakota as a result of a severe storm/snowfall during the period of May 1-2, 2008. The Governor is requesting Public Assistance for five counties, snow removal assistance for three counties, and Hazard Mitigation statewide.
Montana:
The Joint FEMA-State PDAs were concluded in Carter and Fallon Counties May 13, 2008. Assessed damage resulted from spring storms occurring May 1-2, 2008.

Region IX:
California:
Big Horn Fire, San Bernardino County: A 310-acre vegetation fire near Mt. Baldy started at approximately 4:30 a.m. PDT May 13, 2008 and is currently 10% contained. The fire is in a heavily fueled, inaccessible area and winds are gusting 5-10 mph. A mandatory evacuation of the Bear Canyon community in Bear Canyon Creek is in effect. This community is primarily a hike-in recreation cabin area. Evacuation of 256 permanent residents of the Mt. Baldy Village Area is being considered. A U.S. Forest Service Type II Incident Management Team is assigned.

Region X:
Idaho:
The Coeur D'Alene River is forecast to pass above Flood Stage by May 18, 2008. Affected areas include Kootenai and Shoshone Counties. Idaho EOC has been activated to Phase 1, Enhanced Operations, and Shoshone County has issued a pre-incident emergency declaration in anticipation of flooding in Northern Idaho.
Alaska:
Alaska State Emergency Coordination Center (SECC) is operating at Level 2, Enhanced Operations, monitoring ongoing spring ice breakup, and potential flooding of major rivers. Minor flooding from ice jams is possible along the Buckland and Kobu Rivers.

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

Oklahoma:  The president signed FEMA-1756-DR-OK, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding for IA in Ottawa County and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) statewide.  (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:36:12 EDT