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National Situation Update: Saturday, March 28, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant Weather

West
A storm system will bring rain and mountain snow to the Northwest from Washington and Oregon to parts of Montana and western Wyoming.  Snow levels in the Cascades will be around 3,000 but lowering to 1,500 feet by tonight.  A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the west slopes and passes of the north and central Cascades for snow, which is in effect through 5:00 a.m. PDT Sunday.
Midwest
As a storm system moves from Arkansas to the Great Lakes, rain will shift eastward through southern Michigan and the Ohio Valley.  Accumulations could reach 2 to 3 inches in some areas.  Severe thunderstorms are possible in the Ohio Valley.  A band of snow will extend northeastward from Kansas to northern Michigan bringing up to 8 inches of snow to Kansas City and up to 4 inches in Milwaukee.  Flood Warnings remain in effect for all of northwest and west central Minnesota and much of eastern North Dakota (except the Devils Lake Basin). Significant overland flooding continues across much of the region.  A Blizzard Warning is in effect for portions of southwestern and central Kansas until 7:00 a.m. CDT today.  Snowfall amounts between 8 to 16 inches, with locally higher amounts, are expected through tonight. North winds will result in significant blowing and drifting snow.  Drifts may be several feet deep in some areas.  A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 4:00 p.m. CDT today for portions of eastern Kansas and western Missouri.  Snow and some sleet will persist overnight across the area, with snow tapering off by midday today. Total accumulations of 3 to 8 inches are possible before the snow comes to an end this afternoon. In addition, gusty north winds will blow around the falling snow which may significantly reduce visibilities (less than one-half mile). 
South
The winter storm producing blizzard conditions in the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles will slowly move from Arkansas toward Lower Michigan today.  A cold front, accompanied by heavy rain and severe thunderstorms, will continue to move across the Southeast today.  A Blizzard Warning remains in effect through this afternoon for heavy, blowing snow across the western and central Texas and Oklahoma panhandles.  A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 1:00 p.m. CDT today for much of west central and southwestern Oklahoma and a small portion of western, north Texas. Heavy snow will continue to fall over parts of Oklahoma and strong winds will create blizzard conditions in some areas.  A Red Flag Warning is in effect for western and central portions of south central Texas until 8:00 p.m. today.  Flood Warnings have been issued for rivers in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee.
Northeast
No significant weather forecasted. (NWS, and Media Sources)

Red River Flood Preparations

Federal Response:
FEMA Headquarters

  • FEMA NRCC is at Level II (24/7); including select ESFs
  • National IMAT - West deployed to ND EOC
  • National IMAT East is on alert for possible deployment
  • FEMA's National Logistics Staging Area (NLSA)/Grand Forks (LMD commodity update as of Mar 27 11:00 p.m.):
  • On Hand:
    • Meals (ea)                       305,469      8 TL
    • Water (lt)                          46,656      3 TL
    • Cots (ea)                               792       1 TL  
    • Blankets (ea)                       2,300     1 TL
    • Generators (ea)                        50      6 TL         
  • Inbound (DR-1829-ND):
    • Meals (ea)                         20,000      1 TL
    • Water (lt)                         243,000     15 TL
    • Cots (ea)                           30,100      43 TL
    • Blankets (ea)                     60,200     32 TL
    • Generators                                 6      5 TL
    • Hygiene Kits                       50,000
    • MDRC (ETA 29/30 Mar)                  5 TL
  • Inbound (EM-3304-MN):
    • Water (lt)                          72,000      4 TL
    • Meals (ea)                         40,000      2 TL
    • Cots (ea)                            4,400       5 TL
    • Blankets (ea)                       4,500     1 TL
    • Generators (ea)                        50      6 TL
    • Hygiene Kits (ea)              50,000     

Region VIII:

  • RRCC is at Level II - 24/7; ESFs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 15, DCE and a representative from the National Weather Service
  • ERT-A deployed to Bismarck, ND
  • IMAT-West deployed to Bismarck, ND
  • Denver MERS deployed to Bismarck, ND
  • Two FEMA Region VIII Liaison Officers are deployed to the ND EOC
  • One Region VIII GIS Specialist is active at the ND EOC
  • Two US&R Specialists deploying to Fargo and Bismarck, ND

North Dakota

  • State EOC Level I - 24/7
  • President approved FEMA-1829-DR-ND as a result of severe storms and flooding beginning March 13 and continuing.
  • 2 fatalities; 50 injuries
  • 11 flood related illnesses reported
  • Potential voluntary evacuation for approximately 20,000 residents in low-lying areas; potential evacuation of up to 100,000 people; approximately 22,000 to 27,000 individuals would require sheltering.
  • Vulnerable hospitals in Fargo (including the VA hospital), with the exception of Prairie St. John, were evacuated the night of March 26.
  • The ND Department of Human Services, American Red Cross, and ND Department of Emergency Services have developed a plan to shelter Fargo evacuees.  Shelters for 30,296 evacuees have been identified within ND. American Red Cross (ARC) can cover sheltering (facility and staffing) for 9,000 occupants.
  • A National Logistics Staging Area (NLSA) was established by USNORTHCOM at Grand Forks Air Force Base.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' resources dedicated solely to North Dakota include three Power Assessment Teams; a Generator Management Team with forklifts and fuel trucks on site. Currently on hand in North Dakota are 4,577,000 sandbags, 52 pumps, 2,072 poly roles and 4,360 linear (L) feet (ft) of Hesco Bastion; en route or on hand are 10,069,000 sandbags, 114 pumps, 454 poly rolls, 28,360 linear feet of Hesco Bastion, 1,250 linear foot Port-a-Dam and a 1,250 linear foot rapid deployable dam
  • DOD has provided two helicopters (UH-1) and has been requested to provide an additional five helicopters for medium lift and search and rescue missions. DOD also will be providing airlift capabilities to move personnel and cargo as required.
  • Coast Guard assets include 2 Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs), 1 in Fargo, 1 in Bismarck; 3 boats and 2 helicopters positioned in Fargo, 4 airboats from Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin to be positioned in Fargo.
  • FEMA has deployed a Tribal Liaison to North Dakota. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota reports that flooding is under way there, while the Standing Rock Indian Nation in North Dakota is reporting that flood waters on the reservation have begun to subside. FEMA has contacted the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Services to inventory resources for possible use in response operations.

South Dakota

  • The State EOC is activated to coordinate the state response and provide resource assistance to impacted counties and communities.
  • On March 25, the Governor of South Dakota signed an emergency declaration to help with flood response efforts.
  • American Red Cross is providing 23 shelter management teams, 33 Emergency Response Vehicles and 10 shelter trailers.
  • US Army Corps of Engineers continues to provide support for levee construction, and sandbagging operations. Power teams to begin assessing generator needs.
  • Sandbagging operations continuing in Brown County (50,000 sandbags, 4 National Guard boats)

Region V

  • The FEMA Region V RRCC is activated at Level II with ESFs 1,3,8,9 10, DCE and USCG 
  • Region continues to monitor flooding and maintain communications with USACE and ESFs
  • The FEMA Region V IMAT is active in the MN SEOC. 
  • Two FEMA LNOs are active in the MN SEOC; the second was released to become part of the Joint PDA team. 
  • A USCG LNO is active in the MN SEOC.
  • Two FEMA External Affairs Officers are active in the MN SEOC and two External Affairs Officers are deployed to Moorhead, MN.
  • No unmet needs

Minnesota Flooding - Red River Basin

  • MN EOC is fully activated 24/7 until further notice
  • There are no reports of injuries, fatalities or individuals missing.
  • FEMA will be establishing an Incident Staging Base near the Moorhead area to prepare for the possibility of providing water, meals, cots and blankets to aid 3000 people for a 48-hour period. FEMA Region V will also pre-stage a 50-pack generator and several pumps in anticipation of future requests.
  • Denton MERS will deploy personnel and vehicles to Moorhead, MN on March 28.
  • On March 26, 2009, the President signed Emergency Declaration FEMA-3304-EM for the State of Minnesota as a result of the severe storms and flooding.
  • The Red River in Moorhead, MN is currently at 40.69 feet.  This level exceeds the maximum height observed in the 1997 flood which was 39.57 feet. Clay County has changed focus from preserving property to infrastructure and life safety.
  • Voluntary evacuations issued in Moorhead (3,500 homes, 12,000 people), Georgetown (total population 100-120) and low lying rural areas. Planning for evacuations in Oakport (600 homes) Halstead, Perley, and Shelly (total population 1450).
  • 500 homes have been evacuated from the Moorhead/Oak Port Township region.
  • Shelters:  A shelter is opened at Moorhead High School with a population of 10. There is another shelter opened at the Detroit Lakes National Guard Armory with an overnight population of 9.  There are 2 shelters on standby in Moorhead and one shelter on standby in Felton, MN.
  • Planning for the next operational period will focus on evacuation in the City of Moorhead.
  • MDOT is continues to build a 4 foot high dike on 1,500 feet of the North side of I-94 in Moorhead; Cities of Oslo (Marshall County) and Hallock (Kittson County) are increasing the height of dikes for crest projections.
  • Amtrak suspended service on North Dakota side of the Red River
  • Joint PDAs began today, March 27 for the 7 affected counties

Winter Storm

Texas and Oklahoma
A major winter storm is impacting Texas and Oklahoma tonight through Saturday morning. Forecasts call for approximately 8 to 12 inches of snow and ice accumulation, blowing snow and drifts up to 10 to 15 feet in some areas, with lesser accumulations in surrounding areas. Winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 50 mph are possible.

  • Region VI staged a 50-pack of generators at Oklahoma City to add to state generators already pre-staged in the OK Panhandle. Generators will be used to provide backup power to water treatment facilities.
  • State Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs) for TX, NM, and OK are coordinating road closures, storm requirements and response with Region VI. Oklahoma has declared a State of Emergency for 50 counties.
  • Numerous major highway closures and hazardous travel conditions are in effect throughout the region. Power outages due to icing on power lines have already begun.
  • State and Federal agencies (TXDOT, ARC, Texas Salvation Army) standing by for response activities. Texas Military Forces and National Guard personnel/equipment are being pre-positioned for response.

Louisiana

  • East Baton Rouge and Tensas parishes have declared local emergencies due to flooding and tornado damages from storms beginning Wednesday, March 25, and resulting in street and limited structure flooding, isolated power outages, and school closures. There have been no requests for State assistance submitted from any parishes.

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean:
No current tropical cyclone warnings.(NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)
Eastern Pacific:
There are no current tropical cyclone warnings.(NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)
Western Pacific:
No tropical cyclone activity affecting U.S territories in the Western Pacific. (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)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:26:37 EDT