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National Situation Update: Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:  A storm system moving in from the Pacific will bring much rain and snow across western Washington and western Oregon today. The system will bring only scattered showers as far down as central California.  High wind warnings are in effect along the southern Washington and most of the Oregon coast. Snow levels in the Cascades will be in the 3500-4500 foot range where over a foot may fall. Some snow will also fall in the mountains of central Idaho, the Bitterroots, and the Tetons.

Midwest:  A warming trend will continue across the Plains and will drift eastward with much of the Midwest remaining dry today. Some very light snow may develop later today over parts of North Dakota and northern Minnesota and freezing drizzle is possible over western North Dakota. High temperatures will range from the teens in northern North Dakota to the low 70s in southwest Kansas.

Northeast:  The recent New England storm dropped nearly 30 inches of snow over parts of northern Maine. The storm is now over but diminishing winds and scattered snow flurries will continue over parts of central New York and northern Maine today.  High temperatures will range from around 20 in the Adirondacks and portions of far northern New England to the 40s in most of Virginia.

South: Increasing southerly winds will bring temperatures to high above February averages over much of Oklahoma and Texas. New Orleans will see mild temperatures for Mardi Gras festivities. High temperatures will range from the mid-40s in the higher Appalachians to near 90 in far western Texas near the Rio Grande.

Winter Storm

FEMA Region I
Maine

The Maine EOC is currently at Steady State (Normal Operations). The Governor has declared a State of Emergency due to the winter storm that impacted the state. Areas of the state received up to 26 inches of snow.

As of 5:00 p.m. EST, Feb 23, 127,000 customers remain without power statewide according to sstat utilities. The utility companies report that the significant snow fallhad created, poor road conditions, and the rural nature of many of the outages are complicating factors in power restoration.

There are approximately 15 local shelters and warming centers are open with and unknown number of individuals There have been no reports of injuries.

Presidential Address to a Joint Session of Congress

FEMA Region III

  • RRCC will activate to Level III effective Feb 24, 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 pm.
  • ERT-A will be placed on Alert status.
  • Region LNO will deploy to District of Columbia Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency (DCHEMA) Emergency Operations Center.

FEMA HQ

  • NRCC will activate to Level III effective 6:00 p.m. on Feb 24, to 12:00 a.m. on Feb 25.
  • National IMAT-E will be placed on Alert status.
  • FEMA Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) System will deploy to provide command, control and communications support to the United States Capitol Police (USCP) and the Office of the Attending Physician (ESF-8).
  • ESF-9 will place the National Urban Search and Rescue Response (US&R) System assets on Advisory status.
  • FEMA LNOS will deploy to Transportation Security Operations Center (TSOC), FBI Strategic Information and Operations Center (SIOC), USSS WFO Multi-Agency Coordination Center (MACC), Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region (JFHQ-NCR) Joint Operations Center (JOC) and USCP JOC.

Volcanic Activity – Redoubt Volcano, Alaska

No significant activity.  (USGS, Alaska Volcano Observatory, R-X)

Fire Management Assistance Grant

No activity.  (FEMA HQ)

Critical Fire Weather

A belt of moderate mid level westerly flow, a surface trough situation from western Nebraska south into western Texas, along with warm and dry conditions, will lead to elevated fire weather conditions this afternoon in western-southwestern Texas and central eastern New Mexico. Red Flag Warnings are in effect until this evening for all of the eastern Florida Panhandle,  the Florida Big Bend, southwest Georgia and portions of south-central Georgia,.

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

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred at  12:58 a.m. EST on February 24, 105 miles from Hagatna, Guam, at a depth of 6.2 miles. There were no reports of injury or damage and no tsunami was generated. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The Governor of Indiana is requesting a major disaster declaration as a result of a severe winter storm and localized flooding that occurred during the period of January 26 - February 6, 2006.  The request includes Public Assistance for 15 counties, and Hazard Mitigation statewide. (FEMA HQ)

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