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National Situation Update: Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
Under high pressure, most of the region will be dry with the exception of the Sierra Nevada, where rain and snow showers are possible due to an upper-level low moving inland.  The Pacific Northwest will see near record cold, with temperatures dropping into the 20s.
Midwest:
A large high pressure system ridging southward into the region will result in generally dry and cold conditions.  Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota will continue to receive a mix of ice and snow.
Precipitation is ending in the Ohio and middle Mississippi River Valleys, but it will take several days for the watersheds to drain and many rivers remain at moderate flood. In the Upper Midwest, high temperatures will be as much as 30 degrees below average. Following yesterday's record highs in the Ohio Valley, temperatures will only be in the single digits and teens following the cold frontal passage. The cold temperatures, in combination with very gusty winds, may produce wind chill values under -30 from North Dakota to the Great lakes.
South:
The cold front extending from the Mid-Atlantic across the northern portion of the Gulf Coast States will produce a wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, snow and thunderstorms.  Central Texas will receive up to two inches of precipitation during the next 24 hours. Areas south and east of the front, the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida will enjoy good weather and above-average temperatures. Following the cold frontal passage, tomorrow temperatures will fall 20 to 30 degrees.
Northeast:
A deep low pressure system in Canada and the associated front will produce widespread precipitation across the region from New England to the Mid-Atlantic until the front moves offshore tonight.
Northern New England and Upstate New York will see a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain. Flood watches are posted from northern Pennsylvania, north to New York and Vermont. Ice jams on the rivers will contribute to the flooding. Southerly winds ahead of the front will bring temperature highs from 30s and 40s in Northern New England to 60s and 70s across a large portion of the Mid-Atlantic. (NOAA, National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Midwest Flood Warnings

The first of two low pressure systems moved through the region producing 1 to 1.5 inches of rain.  The heaviest rain fell in central Missouri causing a rise of the Mississippi River from Quincy to the Clarksville Lock and Dam.  A line of thunderstorms also moved through the area last night producing high winds.  This line stretches from Arkansas to Ohio and continues to push eastward.  Flood Watches and Warnings are in effect for portions of Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.  A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for east-central Illinois and west-central Indiana.
Illinois:
No significant issues or damages as a result of the heavy rains; however, a Flood Warning remains in effect through tomorrow for many counties.  Heavy rain is falling on saturated grounds resulting in rapid runoff.  Rivers, creeks and streams have already begun rising again; in addition, low lying and poor drainage areas will likely experience flooding.  The Rock River at Moline, IL (pop. 46,016) and the Illinois River at Ottawa, IL (pop. 18,307) have reached Major Flood stage.
Indiana:
No significant issues or damages have been reported; however, the state continues to monitor the flooding situation.  The main threats from these storms include damaging straight line winds, large hail and lightning.  The Kankakee River at Shelby, IN, Iroquois River at Rensselaer, IN (pop. 5294) and Tippecanoe River at Ora, IN (pop. 1,294) are forecast to reach Major Flood stage in the next 48 hours.  Currently, there are no significant impacts due to river flooding.
Ohio:
The state has provided 18,000 sandbags for Ottawa and 4,000 sandbags for Findlay as a precautionary measure. Two shelters remain open; one in Ottawa with 9 occupants and one in Findlay with 11 occupants.  The Blanchard River has crested and fallen below flood stage but will begin to rise again and crest at just below Moderate Flood stage today, less than originally anticipated.  No additional requests for Federal assistance.  There are no significant issues or damages reported.

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity. (FEMA HQ)

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

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)