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National Situation Update: Saturday, February 7, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

West:
The low pressure system producing rain and mountain snow in southern California will spread eastward through the Desert Southwest and through the Intermountain region later today. Higher elevations around Los Angeles have already received up to 5 inches of rain and may see an additional 2 inches before the storm moves to the east. Snow levels in the Sierra and Costal Mountains just north of Los Angeles will lower to 4500 feet. That means snow may fall along the Grapevine (A section of Interstate 5 linking the Los Angeles Basin with the San Joaquin Valley). The southern Sierra Mountains will get an additional 1 to 2 feet of snow. Over 6 inches of snow will fall across Nevada from Tonopah to Ely and the mountains of southern Utah may see over a foot of new snow.
Midwest:
A frontal system over the region will produce a few snow showers over North Dakota, northern Minnesota and freezing drizzle in the upper Great Lakes. Next week warming temperatures, melting snow and additional rain may produce flooding across parts of the region, exacerbated by ice jams along the rivers.
South:
Under a large area of high pressure the region will remain generally dry with highs ranging from the 80s in south Texas to the mid 60's in the Carolinas. Southerly winds will be gusty from the southern Plains to the lower Mississippi Valley.
Northeast:
Rain showers are expected in Pennsylvania, New York State and northward along the Appalachian Mountains. High temperatures will range from the upper 20s in northern Maine to the low 60s in Virginia. A cold front will move through the region tomorrow with a wintery mix of rain/snow showers. (NOAA, National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Winter Ice Storms - Update

Recovery efforts continue for impacted areas. Federal, State and local governments are coordinating commodities and distribution from the National Logistic Staging Areas.

Winter Ice Storm – Region IV

RRCC Status: activated in Atlanta at Level II, 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. EST
ESFs 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 12 and EMAC are activated.
Emergency Declaration (FEMA-3302-EM-KY) was signed on January 28, 2009.
Major Disaster Declaration (FEMA-1818-DR-KY) was signed on February 5, 2009.
JFO in Frankfort, KY is expected to be fully operational later today.
Region IV ERT-A; 20 FEMA LNOs, and the Regional Administrator are on-site at the KY EOC.
PA, and SBA PDA teams are on stand-by in Kentucky; IA PDA teams on-hold.
A warning was issued to discard peanut butter from all FEMA provided rations; 30,000 warning flyers printed and being distributed.

Kentucky
State EOC remains activated at Level III (Full Activation)
Fatalities: 28 confirmed fatalities (per Region IV phone confirmation with KY EOC Feb 5)
Shelters: 148 / Occupants: 3,971; includes both ARC and independent shelters (ESF 6 Midwest Ice Storm Report 9:00 a.m. Feb 6)

Power Outages: 137, 172; some cooperatives report that it may take up to a month for complete restoration (DOE Ice Storm Spot Report #9, 11:00 a.m. EST Feb 6)
All hospitals are on the power grid; 6 nursing homes are on generator power.
4 hospitals are at capacity; 2 of 4 additional hospitals near capacity are critical access; 3 hospitals have beds available

Statewide water outages: 4 drinking water facilities requesting generators
Statewide wastewater systems: 7 wastewater facilities requesting generators
Boil Water Advisories remain in effect for 36 counties

Inbound support to the FEMA Logistics Fort Campbell National Logistics Staging Area (NLSA): 31 truckloads of water (558,000 liters) due evening of Feb 7; 22 truckloads of meals (468,864) due Feb 7
Total number of undistributed meals identified in recall lots: 34,942
Follow-up wellness checks on all RED-tagged homes continue

Winter Ice Storm – Region VI

RRCC Status:  activated at Watch/Steady State; 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST
Arkansas IOF located in North Little Rock; operational with limited communications
Emergency Declaration (FEMA-3301-EM-AR) was signed on January 28, 2009.
Major Disaster Declaration (FEMA-1819-DR-AR) was signed on February 6, 2009
IA PDA teams have been requested for 10 counties in Arkansas (Region VI SITREP Feb 6)

Arkansas
State EOC activated at Level IV (Full Activation) 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. EST
Fatalities: 15 confirmed fatalities (AR DEM SITREP Feb 5)
Shelters 46 /Occupants: 729; includes both ARC and independent shelters (ESF 6 Midwest Ice Storm Report 9:00 a.m. EST Feb 6)

Power Outages: 63,700 (-12,063) customers; Entergy reports that the majority of customers will have power restored by Feb 10 (DOE Ice Storm Report #9, 11:00 a.m. EST Feb 6)
Piggott Community Hospital in Clay County is the only hospital on generator power as of Feb 6

Inbound support to the FEMA Logistics Storm Support, Jonesboro NLSAs: 1 truckloads of meals (21,312) due late evening Feb 4
Inbound support to the Little Rock EOC: 3 truckloads of meals (63,936) due Feb 7
Boil water orders remain in place for 21 counties (Region VI SITREP Feb 6)
No limiting factors or unmet needs

Winter Ice Storm – Region VII

RRCC Status: activated at Level III, 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. CST
RRCC has transitioned operations to the JFO at Jefferson City, MO as of Feb. 3.
ESF 12 is activated; ESFs 3, 6 and 8 are on standby; FEMA Region VII LNO is deployed to the MO State EOC.
PA PDAs have been completed in 20 counties; state continues to evaluate the need for IA PDAs
Emergency Declaration (FEMA-3303-EM-MO) was signed on January 30, 2009.

Missouri
State EOC activated at Level II, 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. CST
Governor requested a Major Disaster Declaration on February 6
Fatalities: 8 confirmed
Shelters: 8 Occupants: 225 (ESF 6 Midwest Ice Storm Report 9 :00 a.m. EST Feb 6)

Power outages: 20,090 customers; some areas may be without power for up to a week as the electrical systems will need to be re-built. (DOE Ice Storm Spot Report #9, 11 :00 a.m. EST Feb 6)
No unmet needs and issues.

Volcanic Activity – Redoubt Volcano, Alaska

Unrest at Redoubt continues at elevated seismicity. The seismic activity consists of continuous tremors that fluctuate gradually. The FAA continues to restrict air travel within a 10 mile radius around Redoubt up to 60,000 MSL. There is anticipated concern that if an eruption occurs it will create an ash event, which will cause respiratory concerns for local populations and an interruption of international air traffic. The staff at the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) is currently monitoring the volcano 24 hours a day. The Aviation Color Code remains at ORANGE and the Volcano Alert Level remains at WATCH.  (Region X, AVO, USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program)

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

On Friday, February 6, 2009 at 6:14 pm EST, an earthquake measuring 3.8 occurred 30 miles S of Little Sitkin Island, AK at a depth of 25 miles.  There were no reports of damage or injuries. No tsunami was generated. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On Friday, February 6, 2009, the President signed Major Disaster Declaration (FEMA-1819-DR) for the state of Arkansas in response to a severe winter storm that occurred January 26, 2009 and continuing. The Declaration authorizes FEMA to provide assistance to State and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities for 23 counties under the Public Assistance program. Direct Federal assistance is authorized along with Hazard Mitigation statewide 

On Friday, February 6, 2009, the Governor of Missouri requested a Major Disaster Declaration due to a severe winter storm beginning January 26, 2009 and continuing The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance, including direct Federal assistance, for 22 counties and Hazard Mitigation for the entire State.   The Governor is also requesting approval of greater than 75% for all Public Assistance categories and direct Federal assistance for the duration of the disaster.

On Friday, February 6, 2009, the Governor of Tennessee requested a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of severe winter storms, flooding and flash flooding beginning on January 27, 2009, and continuing.  The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance for seven counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide.

Amendment #1 for FEMA-3301-EM for Arkansas closes the incident period effective January 30, 2009.

Amendment #1 for FEMA-1817-DR for Washington adds the counties of Benton, Clallam, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Kittitas, Skagit and Whatcom Counties for Individual Assistance. (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:27:38 EDT