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National Situation Update: Sunday, June 8, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Midwest 
The Plains and Midwest will continue to deal with strong to severe thunderstorms and more rain, damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes from the panhandle of Texas to Wisconsin and northern Michigan, probably through Monday. A thunderstorm complex could deliver 5 to10 inches of rain across southern Minnesota and central Wisconsin early this morning, and flash floods are possible. A second thunderstorm complex Monday morning could dump comparable amounts of rain on parts of eastern Kansas and central Missouri.
Northeast
Temperatures in the Hudson Valley and New England will continue to rise, with temperatures 10 to 20 degrees above average. Heat Advisories are in effect from 1:00 p.m. EDT to Sunday evening for the Mid-Atlantic region, from central North Carolina north to New Jersey. Temperatures in Boston and Albany, N. Y. will move into the 90s Sunday and Monday; New York City will experience 90s through Tuesday and Washington will near 100 degrees through Tuesday. 
South
Isolated thunderstorms could erupt anywhere across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic; northern New York and northern New England may experience scattered strong thunderstorms today and into early next week, and locally heavy rain is possible in Southern Texas. Temperatures will climb 5 to 20 degrees above average across the lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast into the upcoming week. High temperatures will peak in the upper 90s and just over 100 across much of the Carolinas and Georgia.
West
Temperatures will remain as much as 5 to 18 degrees below average from Washington, Oregon and northern California to Montana and Wyoming, with scattered showers, thunderstorms and mountain snow.(NWS, Media Sources)

Region V - Central Indiana Storms and Flooding – June 7

Storms into Saturday night left up to eleven inches of rain in already-saturated areas of central Indiana, resulting in numerous road closures, evacuations, and water rescues. Rivers in southern Indiana have been rising rapidly, with the largest impact occurring on the White River in southwest Indiana. Record flooding is possible on the Eel River, and the White River from Martinsville to Edwardsport. 
The Indiana Governor declared emergencies Saturday for ten counties: Brown, Clay, Greene, Johnson, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Shelby, Vermillion, and Vigo. Nine of the counties (except Clay) were already part of the 41 counties with declared emergencies from severe storms that began May 30. Of the 24 counties affected by the new storms, 18 have declared local States of Emergency.
Duke Energy reports 6,259 customers without power as of 5:00 a.m. CDT. More than 6,000 customers cannot receive electric service due to flooded conditions at homes and businesses. Power will be restored to all other customers by 8 a.m. CDT Sunday (http://www.duke-energy.com)
The State EOC reports one drowning fatality in Morgan County. Red Cross reports 14 shelters open in 11 counties; no occupant counts are available at this time. Indiana State EOC has been activated and conducting operations. Indiana National Guard received a mission request by the State to provide flood response support. Equipment and 209 State Active Duty guard members have been assigned.
FEMA Region V has a state Liaison Officer and a member of the Region V IMAT at the State EOC. Region V RRCC is activated to Level II, 24/7. Region V IMAT advance element arrived in Martinsville, Morgan County Saturday. Region V coordinated a State request with the US Coast Guard to deploy air assets to assist in rescue operations. US Coast Guard is available to conduct air rescues at daylight if necessary. US Corps of Engineers representative is at the State EOC providing technical assistance. No requests for Federal assistance. (Region V, NGB, Duke Energy)

Region V – Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin Severe Storm Reports – June 7

Illinois
Severe storms developed across North Central Illinois and tracked across Northeast Illinois and Northwest Indiana (Lake County) on Saturday. There are unconfirmed reports these storms produced several tornadoes from Livingston County through Southern and Eastern Will County. ComEd reports that approximately 29,000 customers are without power. Damage assessments are ongoing. Will County reported 12 homes were affected due to wind damage; primary damage was downed trees and power lines. There have been reports of minor injuries but no fatalities. 
The state EOC has not activated. There are no unmet needs and no request for State or Federal assistance at this time. The American Red Cross has opened 3 shelters with approximately 100 occupants. Region V is monitoring conditions. There have been no requests for Federal assistance. FEMA Region V RRCC is activated at Level II, conducting 24 hour operations with select Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) activated.
Michigan
Portions of central Michigan were affected by severe storms and high winds Saturday afternoon, causing power outages, uprooted trees and flooding. The southern portion of Ottawa County received over 5 inches of rain since Saturday night and is experiencing basement and business flooding in the Holland, MI and Zeeland, MI area.
Osceola County reports the entire town of Marion, Michigan is without power, including the local hospital and Osceola County Emergency Operations Center. The County also reports that there are a total of 5 injuries, three homes with minor to moderate damage, and that most damage is downed trees and power lines. Consumer Energy reports that 160 customers are without power in Williams County. The Board of Water and Light estimates there are 12,726 customers out of power in Lansing, Michigan. The Michigan State and county EOCs did not activate. There are no reports of fatalities, no reports of open shelters, no unmet needs, and no requests for State or Federal assistance. 
Wisconsin
High winds, possible tornadoes, and approximately four inches of rain caused moderate flooding and wind damage Saturday that impacted nine counties across the south-central portion of the State. More heavy rainfall is forecast for the next 24-48 hours. Damage included downed trees and downed power lines as well as basement, vehicle and road flooding. Damage sustained by the Vernon Electric Cooperative caused power outages in LaCrosse County. The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District reported overflows of untreated sewage into local rivers and Lake Michigan. Local PDAs are scheduled to begin on Monday, June 9 in several counties.
Dodge County reported four minor injuries. Columbia County reported five minor injuries and home evacuations; the Red Cross is assisting with temporary housing in local hotels. The State EOC is activated and the Region V State Liaison Officer is deployed to the State EOC. There are no unmet needs and no requests for State or Federal assistance.

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

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, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Fire Activity as of Saturday, June 7, 2008:
Initial attack activity: Light (123 new fires)
New large fires: 2
Large fires contained: 2
Uncontained large fires: 8 Fire Weather: Hot, dry weather and a few thunderstorms are expected over the Carolinas and Florida today. Winds will be generally light. The Southwest, including west Texas, will be dry with increasing winds over the northern portions of Arizona and New Mexico. California will also be dry with gusty winds over the Sacramento Valley and surrounding foothills.
Evans Road Fire:
As of Saturday afternoon the Evans Road Fire, located 18 miles south of Creswell, Hyde County, North Carolina had grown in size to 30,809 acres. The fire is now 40% contained; however, 25 miles of containment lines still need to be constructed or improved.  On Friday, the Governor declared a State of Emergency in 3 counties affected by the wildfire. Two injuries were reported due to heat related illnesses. Residences are threatened and voluntary evacuation of 75 homes is in place. (National Interagency
Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center, NGB, TX SOC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)