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National Situation Update: Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Midwest:
A polar cold front will move into the upper Mississippi Valley and northern Plains today bringing scattered snow showers over parts of North Dakota and northern Minnesota. 
A storm system moving into the southern Plains late today will produce a band of heavy snow with accumulations of four to six inches from South Dakota, through southern Minnesota to central Wisconsin.  Mixed sleet and freezing rain is possible from northeastern Nebraska, through northern Iowa to southern Wisconsin.
A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect through Thursday afternoon for the Northern Plains for heavy snow, strong winds and freezing precipitation.
Flood Warnings in effect for portions of the Wabash River in Indiana and Illinois until further notice.
Northeast:
The Northeast will be mostly dry today with mild temperatures.  No significant weather is forecast.
South:
The South will see warm, dry conditions today.  No significant weather is forecast.
West:
The Pacific Northwest and northern California will be mostly damp and chilly with scattered rain and mountain snow in some areas.  Portions of Oregon are forecast to receive the most rain. 
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 4:00 a.m. PST for portions of western Montana, central Idaho and northeast Washington for heavy snow. (NOAA, National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Maine Winter Storm

The Governor declared a State of Emergency on Feb 23 due to a Maine winter storm that occurred February 22, 2009.  The State EOC remains activated at Level 2 (Minor Incident) and 12 (-3) shelters and warming centers are open (Region I DSAR, Feb 24).  As of 4:00 a.m. EST, Feb 25, approximately 23,124 (-103,876) customers were without power statewide.(Central Maine Power -CMP and Bangor Hydroelectric-BHE); estimate full power restoration on Thursday, Feb 26, 2009. There have been no requests for Federal assistance.

Clyde Fire, Texas

On Tuesday, February 24 around 4:30 p.m. CST a wildland fire began 3.7 miles northeast of Clyde, TX.  The fire has destroyed two homes and 100 more are threatened.  A mandatory evacuation of twenty people has been implemented. The fire is at 700 acres and is zero percent contained. The Texas Forest Service is providing one air tanker, one incident command, four dozers, one air attack, one lead, one heavy tanker and two helicopters. An FMAG was approved for this event on February 25, 2009. (FEMA Region 6)

Fire Management Assistance Grant

FEMA-2794-FM-TX was approved on February 25, 2009 for the Clyde Fire, (Callahan County) in Texas.(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

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On February 24, 2009, Amendment #1 to FEMA-1822-DR-MO added Barry County for Public Assistance. 
On February 24, 2009, Amendment #3 to FEMA-1819-DR-AR added Pope County for Public Assistance. (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:27:15 EDT