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National Situation Update: Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
A trough will remain relatively stationary off the West Coast with a series of smaller disturbances rotating around it into northern and central California.  This system will produce widespread precipitation along the entire coast and eastward to the northern and central Rockies. The heaviest precipitation, more than two and a half inches per day, is forecast for northern and central California.  Flooding is a major concern for the lower elevations of the mountains surrounding the northern Sacramento Valley. Localized flooding, debris flows and mudslides are likely.  The higher elevations of the Sierra will see from several 6 feet of snow per day through mid-week.
Midwest:
A ridge of high pressure aloft will keep the region generally dry over the next couple of days. However, freezing drizzle, sleet and light snow will be possible from eastern Montana to the western Great Lakes.
It will be cold across the Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley with highs ranging from the 20s in Michigan to the 30s in western Kansas.
Northeast:
The winter storm has moved off the coast of New England and has been replaced by a cold high pressure area. Gusty northwesterly winds will bring freezing temperatures and wind chills below zero or lower for much of the region.  The only significant pricitation will be a few snow showers over Upstate New York and northern New England.
South:
Under high pressure the region will have no significant weather with temperatures rebounding to average and then increasing to above average.  The Southern Plains will also be very warm with temperatures 10 to 30 degrees above average.  The fire danger will increase once again. (NOAA, National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Winter Storm Response

Region III:  

  • RRCC - Monitoring Storm, Watch/Steady State, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. EST
  • State Issues:

 Delaware:

  • Not activated; small planning and operations cell
  • Power outages: minimal
  • No requests for Federal assistance at this time

Maryland

  • State EOC Level I, normal operations;
  • Power outages: 3,875
  • Warming stations/occupants: 1/0
  • No requests for Federal assistance

Pennsylvania

  • State EOC Level II with augmented staff
  • No requests for Federal assistance

Virginia

  • State EOC normal Operations
  • Governor declared state of emergency
  • Power outages: 36,172
  • Warming stations/occupants: 12/0
  • Warming stations can act as overnight shelters if necessary

Region IV: 

  • RRCC - Monitoring Storm, Watch/Steady State, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST
  • State Issues: 

Georgia

  • State EOC is not activated
  • Power outages: 47,000
  • No requests for Federal assistance at this time

North Carolina

  • State EOC is not activated
  • Power outages: 36,769
  • No request for federal assistance at this time

South Carolina

  • State EOC partially activated with ESFs 1, 13 & 16
  • Power outages: 33,110 restoration expected on March 4.
  • Shelters/occupants: 4/<25
  • No requests for federal assistance at this time (FEMA NRCC, FEMA Regions I, II, III, IV, DOE)

Texas Wildfires

Nail Ranch Complex (Shackelford County): 1,304 acres; 90% contained; no structures were reported to be involved. .
Rhodes Ranch Fire (Taylor County): 3,026 acres; 85% contained; 2 structures destroyed
West Fork Fire (Jack County): 2,400 acres; 80% contained.
Wilderness Ridge (Bastrop County): 1,200 acres; 70% contained; 62 structures destroyed and 200 homes threatened. (Southern Area Coordination Center Report, Mar 2)

Fire Management Assistance Grant

No significant 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

A series of earthquakes ranging from 3.0 to 3.4 occurred about 70 miles north of  Breñas, PR. The depth varied from 6.5 to 45 miles deep.  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 Monday, March 2, 2009, the President signed Major Disaster Declaration (FEMA-1824-DR) for the state of Oregon in response to severe winter storms that occurred December 12, 2008 to January 5, 2009. The Declaration authorizes FEMA to provide Public Assistance to seven counties, Public Assistance (Category B) to eight counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide. The FCO is Dolph A. Diemont of the National FCO Program. (FEMA HQ)

On Monday, March 2, 2009, the President signed Major Disaster Declaration (FEMA-1825-DR) for the state of Washington in response to severe winter storms that occurred December 20-26, 2008. The Declaration authorizes FEMA to provide Public Assistance to twenty-four counties, Public Assistance (Category B) to twenty-seven counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide. The FCO is William G. Nunn of the National FCO Program. (FEMA HQ)

On Monday, March 2, 2009, the President signed Major Disaster Declaration (FEMA-1826-DR) for the state of Illinois in response to severe winter storms that occurred January 26-28, 2009. The Declaration authorizes FEMA to provide Public Assistance to nine counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide. The FCO is Nancy M. Casper of the National FCO Program. (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:27:07 EDT