National Situation Update: Friday, February 13, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

West:
Another low pressure system originating from the Gulf of Alaska will move across the region today, bringing more rain and snow to the Pacific Northwest. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect through early this morning for the Oregon Cascades and northwestern California, with snow accumulations of 4 to 10 inches expected in the higher elevations. Rainfall may exceed an inch in the lower elevations of the coastal mountains. Localized flooding is possible in the burn areas of Southern California. The heaviest snows associated with this storm will shift inland across Nevada, Utah, southern Wyoming and Colorado tonight and Saturday.
A second, more powerful storm is expected to move into northern California on Saturday, bringing heavy rain to the lower elevations of the coastal range from San Francisco northward. From Sunday into Monday, higher elevations of Southern California will be blanketed with several feet of snow and very heavy rain. Lower elevations may even see from 1 to 2 inches of rain with over 5 inches in the higher elevations. Flooding may occur, even outside of the burn areas, and gusty winds will also accompany this significant storm.
Midwest:
An area of low pressure will slide eastward from the central Plains to south of the Ohio River today. A band of snow will spread eastward from Nebraska and northern Kansas toward the northern Ohio Valley, with rain expected to the south. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for most of Nebraska and southwest Iowa today, with snow accumulations between 4 to 8 inches expected. Flood Warnings remain in effect across much of the Midwest today, though only minor flooding is occurring in most areas. Temperatures will trend downward over the next few days, with expected highs in the single digits and teens in North Dakota and northern Minnesota through Sunday. Highs will be in the 50s and lower 60s from southeast Kansas to Kentucky on Friday, but will rise only into the lower 40s by Sunday.
South:
Rain and thunderstorms will develop in eastern Texas and the lower Mississippi Valley today and then shift eastward through the Southeast tonight and Saturday. Approximately, 1 to 2 inches of heavy rain could fall across southeast Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama and southern Georgia. A few severe thunderstorms are possible along the immediate Gulf Coast. A Red Flag Warning will be in effect from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST for the Florida Big Bend due to long periods of low relative humidity below 35 percent.
Northeast:
Gusty winds linger over the Hudson Valley and New England today and into Maine on Saturday.
Snow showers are expected Saturday across parts of southern Pennsylvania and Maryland, with light rain and snow forecast across the Virginias. (NOAA, National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

February 11-12 Winter Storm Update

A strong low pressure system moved across the central and eastern United States Wednesday and Thursday, resulting in over 1.3 million power outages in 12 states. As of Thursday evening, approximately 463,000 remain without power. The system originated in the southern Plains on Tuesday, and produced damaging winds and tornadoes across northeastern Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. As the system moved toward the northeast, the resulting severe thunderstorms knocked trees and power lines down Wednesday evening from Ohio and West Virginia to Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The highest registered wind gust associated with this system was 92 mph just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (NWS, DHS-NOC)

Winter Ice Storms - Update

Recovery efforts continue for impacted areas. Federal, State and Local governments are coordinating these response and recovery operations.

Winter Ice Storm – Region IV

RRCC Status: at Watch/ Steady State; 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST (M-F)

Kentucky JFO stood up on February 7th; hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST (12/7) (RIV Status Briefing, 1818-DR, EST, Feb 7& KY JFO Sitrep #2 as of Feb 9)
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

Kentucky

State EOC remains activated at Level III (Full Activation)
Fatalities: 35 confirmed for FEMA 1818-DR-KY and FEMA 3302-EM-KY (KY JFO 4:24 pm EST Feb 12)
ARC and faith-based Shelters: 8 (-2) Occupants: 122 (-44) (KY JFO 4:24 pm EST Feb 12)
Power Outages: (KY Public Service Commission, as of 6:00 pm EST, Feb 12)
Total power outages for Kentucky - approximately 60,149 customers (combined ice storm and high wind events)
Approximately 26,500 customers without power due to the ice storm (JFO ESF-12 Field Rpt 4:00 pm Feb 12)
Approximately 33,649 customers without power due to the February 11 high wind event (KY Public Service Commission, as of 6:00 pm EST, Feb 12)
Some cooperatives are estimating it may take up to a month to restore all individual customers, although the bulk of customers should be restored within a week
Boil Water Advisories remain in effect for 15 (-4) counties, affecting a total population of 43,025 (-4,194) (KY JFO 4:24 pm EST Feb 12)
The Critical Facilities Assessment Task Force is moving crews throughout the Commonwealth for power site assessments/data analysis for critical infrastructure/key resources; assessments have been completed on 617 out of 2,030 structures. 30% complete (KY JFO 4:24 pm EST Feb 12)
9 Joint FEMA/Commonwealth PA PDA teams have completed PDAs in 20 of 120 counties (KY JFO 4:24 pm EST Feb 12)
MERS personnel are supporting disaster operations at 4 different sites; remaining MERS assets are scheduled to demobilize by COB February 14 (KY JFO 4:24 pm EST Feb 12)
All medical facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes and critical care facilities are fully operational. One nursing home remains on generator power (KY JFO 4:24 pm EST Feb 12)
A total of 157 generators were installed and 39 have been de-installed. One hospital in Ohio County remains on generator power.
No resource shortfalls or limiting factors.

Winter Ice Storms & Severe Tornado Weather – Region VI

RRCC Status: at Level III, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. CST (M-F)

Two teams began IA PDAs in Oklahoma today, and are scheduled for completion tomorrow, February 13. (Tornadoes OK, TX, AR).
Three teams are conducting IA PDAs in Oklahoma (Winter Ice Storms).

Winter Ice Storm

Arkansas

Arkansas JFO is located in North Little Rock; MEOV and IMAT personnel are currently located at the JFO
State EOC activated at Level IV (Full Activation) 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. CST (12/7)
Level I (Normal Operations/Monitoring) from 7:30 p.m. CST - 7:30 a.m. CST
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
Individual Assistance (IA) PDAs are on-going; 12 PDAs were confirmed completed and two were scheduled for completion as of COB February 12th; the remaining two are scheduled to be completed by today (AR JFO)
Fatalities: 19 confirmed fatalities (JFO Sitrep Feb 11)
Shelters 5; Occupants: 51;1 independent shelter open for feeding only ; all American Red Cross Shelters are closed (JFO Sitrep Feb 11)
Power Outages: 14,724 (-2,469 ) customers; restoration unknown at this time (AR Public Service Commission as of 11:00 pm CST, Feb 12)
53 (-24) generators installed; no requests for more installations, and no requests for de-installations (currently 102 de-installed) (JFO Sitrep Feb 11)
1 hospital and 1 nursing home in Clay County remain on generator power (JFO Sitrep Feb 11)
Boil water orders remain in place for 8 (-2) counties (AR JFO)
No limiting factors or unmet needs

Severe Weather / Tornadoes in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas

A strong storm system moved through southwest and central Oklahoma and Texas Tuesday evening February 10, and overnight, resulting in severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and high winds impacting counties in Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas.

Oklahoma

State EOC returned to normal operations, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. CST (R-6 SITREP, Feb 12)
3 State Liaisons and Senior Field Team Leader in Oklahoma (R-6 Ex Sum, Feb 12)
Three PA PDA and two IA PDA teams are currently conducting PDAs; anticipate IA PDAs will be completed by COB today (R-6 SITREP & email (6:03pmEST) Feb 12)
Fatalities: 8 (confirmed) in Lone Grove (Carter County) (R-6 Spot Rpt #5, as of 4:30 pm CST, Feb 12)
Injuries: 17 (14 in Lone Grove; 3 minor injuries in Oklahoma City - treated and released) (R-6 Spot Rpt #5, as of 4:30 pm CST, Feb 12)
All power restored as of 7:30 p.m. CST, February 12th (AEP Public Service Company of OK, Feb 12)
Shelters (Red Cross): 2 (-1) / Occupants: 17 (+17) (Oklahoma City, and Ardmore). (NSS Feb 12)
Two (-2) Red Cross canteens operating in Oklahoma City and Lone Grove (R-6 Spot Rpt #5, as of 4:30 pm CST, Feb 12)
Destroyed: 106 (+100) residences / Damaged: 33 (+11) residences, 62 mobile homes, and 1 commercial building (R-6 Spot Rpt 6, Feb 12)
The State is transitioning from the response phase to the recovery phase; assessments continuing (R-6 Ex Sum, Feb 12)
The Governor and the State Office of Emergency Management toured the damaged areas yesterday, February 12 (R-6 Ex Sum, Feb 12)
The State has not requested any commodities; commodities on stand by at DC Forth Worth (R-6 Ex Sum, Feb 12)
No request for Federal assistance

Texas (Source for all bullets - TX Spot Rpt #3, Feb 12)

FINAL REPORT
State EOC is at Level I (emergency [normal] operations)
All power restored as of February 12th
30 Counties reported damages
State Operations Center (SOC) will continue to collect damage reports from emergency managers in the affected areas as local damage assessments are completed
Destroyed: 2 residences, 1 commercial building and 1 airport hangar
No request for Federal assistance
Arkansas (AR DEM Sitrep Feb 11 - No updated report)
Arkansas EOC activated at Level III (Limited Activation), 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST (R-6 Sitrep, Feb 12)
Injuries: 7
Damages: 9 residences (roofs blown off houses)
Power Outages: total unknown. Power outages reported in Benton County; Johnson County (restored); Van Buren County (widespread power outages); White County (2,000 customers).
The severe weather activity / tornado caused a slow down of power restoration caused by the winter storms; however, efforts have resumed
No request for Federal assistance

Winter Ice Storm – Region VII

RRCC Status: activated at Level III (minimal staffing), 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. CST
ESFs 3 and 8 are on stand-by; ESF 12 continues to provide support from a remote location

Missouri

Emergency Declaration (FEMA-3303-EM-MO) was signed on January 30, 2009
State EOC (SEOC) activated at Level II (all state agencies activated), 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. CST
Governor requested a Major Disaster Declaration on February 6
IA PDAs continuing
Fatalities: 8 confirmed (MO EMA SITREP as of 5 :10 pm CST, Feb 12)
Power outages: 8,529 (+900) customers; the majority of power outages remain isolated to the extreme southwest portion of the state (MO EMA SITREP as of 5 :10 pm CST, Feb 12)
Heavy rains and high winds Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb 10-11, resulted in additional outages and mud is preventing crews from reaching many remote locations (MO EMA SITREP as of 5 :10 pm CST, Feb 12)
Estimated time of restoration for most customers will be by the end of this week, with the exception of some rural areas, which will be by February 17th (MO EMA SITREP as of 5 :10 pm CST, Feb 12)
American Red Cross Shelters: 2 (-1) / Occupants: 21 (MO EMA SITREP as of 5 :10 pm CST, Feb 12)
Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) reports 2 road closures in southeast Missouri, either due to utility damage or debris on the road (MO EMA SITREP as of 5 :10 pm CST, Feb 12)
Five nursing homes on generator power (MO EMA SITREP as of 5 :10 pm CST, Feb 12)
All Boil Water Orders have been lifted (MO EMA SITREP as of 5 :10 pm CST, Feb 12)
No unmet needs and issues

Volcanic Activity – Redoubt Volcano, Alaska

As of February 12th, unrest at Mount Redoubt continues with little change. Elevated seismicity persists, dominated by ongoing volcanic tremors and occasional small earthquakes. The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) will maintain 24/7 observation of the volcano until further notice. 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

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments