Skip to content

National Situation Update: Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Midwest:
A developing low pressure system will bring large swath of precipitation extending from the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley southwest to the Central Mississippi Valley. The already saturated ground from Missouri to Ohio will receive up to an additional 2.5 inches of rain. River flooding will continue and flash flooding is possible. Severe weather is forecast from Michigan to Missouri. Damaging winds, hail and tornados are possible.  On the backside of the storm, snow will spread from the Dakotas into Minnesota, where a foot or more of snowfall is possible. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph will produce blizzard conditions.  High temperatures will range from the single digits behind the front in North Dakota to the upper 70s across the Ohio Valley where temperatures are forecast to drop as much as 30 degrees tomorrow after the front passes.
South:
Most of the region will dry with high temperatures in the 70s and 80s.  The tail end of the front, associated with the developing Midwestern system, will break the drought in Texas.  Expect a broad swath of precipitation, including strong to severe thunderstorms across central Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.
Northeast:
An approaching warm front will produce rain to areas from New York State south to West Virginia and Virginia by this afternoon.  Some precipitation will fall as a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain in Upstate New York and interior sections of New England tonight. Tomorrow will be wet over the region as a cold front moves in from the west.
West:
The Pacific Northwest will finally enjoy improving conditions over the next couple of days. The northern and central Rockies will see lingering snow. Temperatures are forecast to be as much as 40 degrees below average in portions of Montana.  Look for highs ranging from the single digits below zero near the Montana/Canadian Border to the 70s in southern Arizona and southeastern California.(NOAA, National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Midwest Flood Warnings

On Sunday, March 8, 2009, a series of thunderstorms and heavy rains moved through the area producing 1.5 to 2 inches of rain.  Two low pressure systems will move through the area tonight and tomorrow bringing an additional 1-2 inches of rain to an already saturated region.
Illinois:
As a result of the recent rainfall in the Midwest, there is widespread Major and Moderate flooding along the Illinois River from Ottawa to Havana and the Rock River from Joslin to Moline.  Numerous roads are closed and there is a potential for residential flooding along the river.  This area could receive an additional 2.5 inches of rain in the next 48 hours.  These rivers are forecast to crest later this week.  The Illinois Emergency Operations Center is not activated at this time and there are no requests for Federal assistance.
Ohio:
This area received 2.5 inches of rain the past 48 hours and is forecast to get an additional 2.5 in the next 24 hours.  This has resulted in several rivers rising to Major and Moderate Flood stages.  The Blanchard River in Ottawa is at Major flood stage causing widespread flooding and isolating 30-40 homes.  The city has requested 3,000 sandbags from the US Army Corps of Engineers and an interoperable communications van from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency.  There are two shelters open; one in Ottawa and one in Findlay with 14 occupants.  A local emergency was declared for Ottawa on March 8.  The Blanchard River is forecast to crest Wednesday, March 11.  A second river reaching Moderate flood stage is the Maumee River from Defiance to Waterville.  This river is forecast to crest Thursday, March 12.  The Ohio Emergency Operations Center is not activated and there has been no additional requests for Federal assistance.

Tropical Weather Outlook

Eastern 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 Monday, March 9, 2009 at 3:44 pm EDT, an earthquake measuring 4.0 struck 17 miles NNW of Honomu, HI or 190 miles ESE of Honolulu, HI at a depth of 11.8 miles.  There were no reports of damage or injuries. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Amendment No. 2 to FEMA-1818-DR-KY (Severe Winter Storm and Flooding) adds 90 counties for Public Assistance (Categories C-G),  (already designated for emergency protective measures and debris removal Categories A and B) including direct Federal Assistance and 10 additional counties for Public Assistance. (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:26:58 EDT