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National Situation Update: Friday, June 6, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Midwest:
Destructive and potentially life-threatening tornadoes, severe weather and thunderstorms will spread eastward into the southeast half of Missouri, Illinois, eastern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Flooding concerns elevate as heavy rain continues through the Upper Midwest, across southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

South:
Few thunderstorms may impact the Appalachians, eastern Carolinas and south Florida over the next few days; however, precipitation will not ease the current drought conditions. Scattered thunderstorms are forecast across parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.  High temperatures will top 100 degrees in spots across the Carolinas and Georgia through Monday. Record highs are likely.

Northeast:
Temperatures in the region are expected to remain in the 60 to 80 degree range through today, then surge into to 90s as the heat currently stationed across the Southeast moves northward to the Canadian border this weekend.  Some record highs are possible.

West:
Cooler temperatures and the possibility of scattered showers, thunderstorms and mountain snow are forecast from Washington, Oregon and northern California to Montana and Wyoming today and through the coming weekend. (NWS, Media Sources)

Mid-Atlantic Severe Weather Outbreak

District of Columbia:
PEPCO reports 2,123 customers remain without power as of Thursday night.  DDOT is clearing debris, mostly from downed trees.  Some schools will remain closed for a few days. 

Maryland:
The power companies serving Maryland report 34,585 customers without power statewide as of Thursday night. Full service has been restored on the light rail system.

Charles County EMA reports widespread problems with downed trees and powerlines.  Calvert County is reporting 14 homes damaged by trees.  There were four storm-related injuries. Fifteen families were sheltered in St. Mary's County Wednesday night. The shelter is now closed.

In the western part of the state, Washington County EMA reported multiple structures damaged ranging from major to minor. Local damage assessment teams will complete PDAs by today. Ten families were sheltered Wednesday night. No shelters remain open.

The State of Maryland has returned to Condition 1 as of midnight Wednesday. Most County EOCs are still managing the event, but are now at normal operations. FEMA Region III continues increased monitoring and communication with State EOC.

Virginia:
Power companies throughout Virgina report 21,844 customers still without power as of Thursday night.
One storm-related fatality was reported in Fairfax County. Tornado touchdowns reported in Huntington, Fairfax County and Falls Church, City of Falls Church, VA.  Local damage assessments were expected to be completed by Thursday night.

Virginia EOC returned to normal operations maintaining situational awareness and prepared to respond to request for assistance from impacted localities.

West Virginia:
Current power outages reported statewide are 25,336. Marion County reported one storm-related death Wednesday night due to flooding. Local PDAs are expected to be complete Friday or Saturday. Damage reports are being received from multiple counties in northern West Virginia.  Most of the storm damage is related to straight line wind.

West Virginia EOC is at an increased activation level. Several county EOC's are active.  A State of Emergency due to flooding, flash-flooding, river flooding, mudslides, landslides, disrupted transportation, downed trees, stream blockages and the potential for additional severe weather has been declared for Barbour, Doddridge, Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Taylor and surrounding counties.
No request for Federal assistance. Region III not activated but the Duty officer is monitoring. (FEMA HQ, FEMA Region III, National Weather Service, Various media Sources).

Mid-West Severe Weather Outbreak

On June 3-5, 2008, the National Weather Service (NWS) had preliminary reports of numerous tornadoes in an area stretching from northeast Colorado across southern Nebraska to south Iowa.  Six tornadoes were reported from Illinois to northwestern Indiana.

Indiana: 
Indianapolis Power & Light Co. reports that approximately 1,766 customers are without power. Duke Power Company reports approximately 10,182 customers without power.

In Ohio County, 2 storm-related injuries were reported. Twenty homes were reported damaged.  In Owen County one  home was destroyed. The Red Cross opened one shelter with a population of sixty on Wednesday night.
The State EOC has deactivated and returned to Level IV (normal operations). County level declarations has increased to 9 counties to include Brown, Franklin, Greene, Jennings, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Wayne and Vermillion due to the severe weather, tornadoes, floods, heavy rains that occurred on June 3, 2008. There have been no requests for Federal assistance. Region V is monitoring conditions.

Iowa:
Many power lines downed from fallen trees. Preliminary damage assessments report 59 homes affected throughout three counties. Flooding of some homes and roads reported.  No deaths or injuries have been reported.

State EOC is partially activated at 24/7. No Federal assistance requested. FEMA Region VII is activated at Level III operating 24/7.

Nebraska:
Tornadoes, storms and severe weather moved across the State the evening of June 4 and continuing into June 5.  Flooding, downed power lines and trees.  Flooding resulted in evacuations at several locations.
Red Cross had two shelters open with a population of 11 Wednesday night. (NSS)

State EOC is fully activated. No Federal assistance requested. FEMA Region VII is activated at Level III operating 24/7.

Oklahoma:
Power companies report 47,600 homes and businesses are without power statewide. Storms and severe weather moved across the State the evening of June 4 and continuing into June 5.

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

FMAG-2769-OK was approved on June 5, 2008, for the Gotebo Fire, Town of Gotebo, Kiowa County, Oklahoma.  The Fire has burned 250 acres with 100 residences threatened. The fire is 70% contained.  High winds are expected in the area for the next 24 hours.  One firefighter has been injured.  120 personnel and equipment are assigned to the fire. Air support from the state has been requested. (FEMA HQ)   

National Drought Summary -- June 3 2008

The mid-Atlantic and Southeast:  
Rains continued to fall in some of the areas that need it the most. Parts of eastern Tennessee, northern Alabama and northwestern Georgia saw rains on the order of 2 to 4 inches. A one-category improvement is the result along the western and northern areas of drought in Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia. Severe drought still persists in these areas, though.

The Plains and Upper Midwest:
Some improvement occurred to parts of the Dakotas due to rains last week. This has led to the trimming of abnormally dry conditions in northern South Dakota and removal of abnormally dry conditions in extreme southeastern North Dakota.

The West:  
The dryness continued this past week for the entire Southwest and most of California. In California, many locations recorded a record or near-record dry spring. On June 4, Governor Schwarzenegger declared a statewide drought. As a result of the past 90 days, abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions have pushed north up the valley and along the coast north of Santa Barbara up to Eureka. To the north, this same dryness has started to have an effect on parts of eastern Washington and southern Idaho as well this week. Abnormally dry areas have now advanced into eastern Washington, and expansion of moderate dry areas in southern Idaho.

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Eastern Pacific:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Western Pacific:
No activity. (NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Indiana:  Individual Assistance (IA) Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) in multiple counties that began on June 4, 2008, have been completed.
West Virginia:  IA and PA (Public Assistance) PDAs in six counties are scheduled to begin on June 6, 2008. (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 2
National Fire Activity as of Thursday, June 5, 2008:
Initial attack activity: Light (165 new fires)

New large fires: 5
Large fires contained: 1
Uncontained large fires: 8

Fire Weather:   Dry weather in combination with strong winds will create significant fire potential in eastern New Mexico, western Texas, and southern portions of Missouri and Illinois.  Warm temperatures and moderate relative humidity will impact the Southeast (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center, NGB)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The Governor of Oregon has requested a Major Disaster Declaration for Disaster Unemployment Assistance and Hazard Mitigation for seven counties as a result of the closure of salmon fishing in the Pacific Ocean during the period of March 15 to October 31, 2008. (FEMA HQ)