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National Situation Update: Saturday, May 17, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West                                                        
Record-setting temperatures in the 90s and 100s are forecast for eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, Idaho and southward through central California today.  High temperatures continue for California, Nevada and Arizona.  The extreme heat over the mountains is leading to rapid snow melt, which is filling streams and rivers and prompting flood warnings.  There is also a high risk of avalanches on the Cascade and Olympic Mountains (Oregon and Washington) until cooler weather arrives next week.
Northeast
Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are forecast for western New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia today.  Some of the stronger thunderstorms could contain gusty winds and hail.  Temperatures should remain below average with highs in the 50s to lower 60s in New England and in the middle 60s to lower 70s in the Mid - Atlantic States.   
Midwest                                                        
Showers and thundershowers are forecast through Sunday from Minnesota and the Great Lake region down to the Ohio Valley.  Some of the stronger thunderstorms could contain strong wind gusts and hail.
South
Most of the south will experience dry, warm weather this weekend.  A stalled front will bring some thunderstorm activity to south and central Florida and southern Texas this weekend.  Scattered thunderstorms are possible over the Carolinas northern Georgia and eastern Tennessee until Sunday afternoon.  A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the panhandle of Florida for low humidity and warm temperatures until 6:00 p.m. EDT.  These conditions create an increased fire risk. (NWS, Various Media Sources)

Northwest Avalanche Warnings:

The Pacific Northwest Olympics and Cascades received a deep snowpack and record snow depths in some areas this season as a result of cool winter temperatures that have continued into the spring.  The continued cool weather has caused the snowpack to remain generally stable with few avalanches reported.  Recent rainy weather has added several inches of rain to the snowpack, resulting in increasingly wet and unstable snow.  A major change in the weather pattern is currently underway in the northwest.  A ridge of high pressure and warm air mass is causing hot, sunny weather that is expected to continue through this weekend.  This unseasonably hot weather is likely to result in a widespread spring avalanche cycle in the Olympics and Cascades.  Large, wet snow avalanches may travel very fast and run long distances.  Watches and Warnings are in effect throughout the northwest this weekend. (The Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center)

Florida Wildfires:

Region IV:
FEMA Response Liaison at the Florida EOC in response to the Florida Brush Fires.
Florida
Brevard Complex Fire Update: 12,390 acres burned, overall containment is 70%.  No fatalities and three injuries have been reported.  There are no open shelters.  Within the County of Brevard 86 residences have been affected; 40 were destroyed and 66 have received major/minor damage.  All power has been restored.  On May 12 the Governor declared a State of Emergency and ordered the activation of the FL National Guard; there are 29 National Guardsmen supporting FL wildfire response.  The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is operating at Level II, Partial Activation. (Florida Incident Report # 9 - May 16, 2008)

Severe Weather Outbreak:

Region IV:
Georgia
Tornado Response Update: Two fatalities and twelve injuries resulted from severe storms and tornadoes that occurred on May 10, 2008. One shelter is operational with 23 occupants.  GA Power reports power has been restored to all customers that can receive power.  Joint PDAs are complete, a total of 2,028 residences were affected; 158 residences were destroyed, 394 received major damage and 748 experienced minor damage.  On May 11 the Governor declared a State of Emergency in 13 counties; twenty-one counties were affected.  State EOC returned to normal operations this afternoon. State ESFs 1 and 3 will resume cleanup and debris removal operations on Monday, May 19, 2008. (Region IV)

Region VI:
Joint FEMA-State IA PDAs are ongoing in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma
Tornado Update: Eight confirmed fatalities and 152 injuries reported in Oklahoma (Ottawa and Pittsburg counties).  No shelters are open.  There are no power outages; however, natural gas service is "weeks away".  Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1756-OK was signed as a result of Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding that began May 10, 2008 and are continuing.  Individual Assistance for Ottawa County and Hazard Mitigation statewide were approved. (Region VI)

Region VII:
All Joint PDAs were completed as of May 14, 2008 for damages incurred in Missouri. 
Tornado Update: Sixteen fatalities confirmed as a result of severe storms and tornadoes that occurred May 10, 2008. Over 200 injuries reported in Newton County.  One hundred and fifty-four residences and four businesses have been destroyed; a total of 316 residences and businesses were damaged.  State Response: The State Emergency Management Agency - SEOC is operating at Level I. (Region VII)

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

No new activity (FEMA HQ)