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National Situation Update: Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

Northeast
A new round of snow, sleet and freezing rain is expanding rapidly into the Northeast. Travel may become difficult and scattered power outages are possible. Heavy snow, possibly mixed with sleet, is forecast from northeast Pennsylvania through Upstate New York to northern New England. From southern New England and southeastern New York State to the Middle Atlantic area snow, sleet, and freezing rain will change over to a cold rain as the day progresses. Freezing rain and sleet is forecast for the northern half of West Virginia, the northern half of Virginia and Maryland this morning.

Midwest
Snow is falling over the Great Lakes area from southern Michigan through northern Indiana and northern Ohio. Moderate to heavy snow is anticipated from southern Illinois northeastward into northern Ohio; snow accumulation could reach up to ten inches. Snow will mix with sleet across central Ohio, and snow, sleet and freezing rain is expected around the Ohio Valley. There may be some significant icing over parts of southern Ohio. Meanwhile, a much weaker storm system will deliver areas of light snow and snow showers to the northern Plains and Minnesota today.

South
An ice storm will continue to heavily impact the region; light freezing rain is forecast from Texas into northwest Louisiana this morning. Periods of rain are expected from the Carolinas southward through southern Georgia and into parts of southern Alabama and northern Florida as the cold front moves in.

West
Light amounts of snow will fall over the Cascades, Bitterroots, Tetons and Colorado Rockies. Sunshine is forecast from Southern and central California eastward through Arizona and New Mexico. (National Weather Service and Media Sources)

NOAA's National Weather Hazard Map

A winter storm is spreading from the Southern Plains to the Mid-Atlantic: At 4:00 a.m. EST a broad swath of precipitation extended from the Southern Plains northeastward into southern portions of the Northeast. Light to moderate snow was falling across the Great Lakes and into New York. Sleet and freezing rain was falling just south of the snow, from northeastern Arkansas, northeast through the Midwest to the Atlantic Coast. Precipitation is expected to continue throughout the day, continuing to track over areas that have already received significant amounts. The potential for heavy snow exists from northeastern Ohio through New England. Icing may occur over the Ohio Valley, upper Mid-Atlantic States, and portions of southern New England.

Winter Ice Storm - FEMA Region III

Region III and the State EOCs continue to monitor the current weather situation; however, no major events or incidents have been reported.

Winter Ice Storm - FEMA Region IV

Kentucky
The Kentucky EOC is partially activated at Level 2.The Governor declared a State of Emergency for the entire State; 28 counties and 8 cities declared local States of Emergency. Twenty-one shelters and numerous warming centers were open Tuesday night, with 179 occupants. Approximately 104,000 customers are reported without power. Lawrence County Emergency Management reports their 911 center is experiencing communications issues and are unable to relay emergency calls and requests for assistance.

Winter Ice Storm - FEMA Region VI

Oklahoma:
The Governor of Oklahoma declared a State of Emergency for all 77 counties. OK State EOC is at Level II (extended operating hours for key personnel). Six shelters were open Tuesday night. One 50-pack of generators is pre-positioned at McAlester, OK; and the US Army Corps of Engineers' Power PRT Team is staged at the National Logistics Staging Area (NLSA) in McAlester.

Arkansas:
The Arkansas EOC is activated at Level 3 (Limited Activation) and the Region VI Liaison Officer (LNO) is deployed to the State EOC. The Governor signed a State Disaster Proclamation for 18 counties. Eleven shelters were open overnight with 117 occupants. One 50-pack of generators is pre-positioned at Fayetteville, AR. More than 106,500 customers are reported without power.

Texas:
The Texas EOC continues to monitor the ice storm, with accumulations of up to ½ inches of ice and 2 inches of snow possible. Texas DOT is pre-positioning equipment and monitoring the need for deicing operations. Winter precipitation is expected to end midday today, as temperatures rise above freezing.  (NWS, AK DOEM, TX DEM, OK OEM, Region VI)

Winter Ice Storm - FEMA Region VII

Missouri
The Missouri SEMA EOC is activated to a Level I (limited staffing). Eleven shelters were open overnight with 255 occupants. Over 35,000 customers are reported without power, up from 4,700 reported at 11:00 a.m. CST.  (NWS, Region VII Incident Report)

Volcano Activity Update

Redoubt Volcano (103 miles southeast of Anchorage, AK): Activity at Redoubt Volcano continues; Seismicity at stations closest to the Volcano has declined, but remains well above background levels. No unusual activity has been observed within the past 24 hours. The AVO conducted over-flight missions Tuesday and observations confirm an eruption has not occurred. (Region X, AVO)

Fire Management Assistance Grant

No activity. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Western Pacific:
There are no current tropical cyclone warnings.(NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

At 6:20 a.m. EST Tuesday, January 27, a 3.1 magnitude earthquake occurred in eastern Kentucky approximately 3 miles north-northeast of Williamsburg, KY and 57 miles north of Knoxville, TN at a depth of 16 miles.  There were no reports of damages or injuries.  (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Amendment No. 2 to FEMA-3299-EM-NY (Severe Winter Storm that occurred December 11 to December 31, 2008) closed the incident period for the emergency declaration effective December 31, 2008. (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:27:48 EDT