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National Situation Update: Sunday, March 29, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant Weather

West
The Northwest storm will gain strength today as low pressure moves from southern Montana to the central Plains.  The northern Rockies and high Plains of Montana will see snow accumulations up to a foot, and Utah and Colorado will receive rain and mountain snow.  Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect until 11:00 p.m. PDT for the northern Rockies region above 3,000 feet.  Valley precipitation will begin as rain, and then change over to snow. Snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are expected in the mountains and 3 to 6 inches in the lower elevations. In addition, strong west to southwest winds will create blowing, drifting snow.  A Red Flag Warning is in effect until 7:00 p.m. MST for the lower Colorado River Valley due to strong southwesterly winds, low humidity and very high to extreme fire danger.
Midwest
A storm system moving through the Great Lakes will bring rain changing to snow across Michigan with snow ending in Wisconsin and Illinois and rain lingering in the Ohio Valley.  Snow accumulations could reach 10 inches in northern Lower Michigan in Traverse City and Alpena.  Flood Warnings remain in effect for all of northwest and west central Minnesota and much of eastern North Dakota (except the Devils Lake Basin). Conditions on the Red River at Fargo and Moorhead remain dangerous.  The river is currently above record levels, and, at this time, the level is expected to very slowly decrease over the next several days.  Reports indicate that there is still significant overland flooding south of Fargo and this water is expected to still flow into the Red River between Hickson and Fargo while many river gage readings south of Fargo show a slow drop.  A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 1:00 p.m. CDT for portions of eastern Illinois, northwest Illinois and southeast Wisconsin.  Rain, snow and sleet will turn to all snow overnight and snow accumulations of 4 to 6 inches, with local amounts to 8 inches possible. Northeast to north winds will gust to 35 mph.
South
Much of the region will be dry as a front moves off the Southeast Coast.  Eastern North Carolina and portions of Florida may see severe thunderstorms.  A Freeze Warning remains in effect until 9:00 a.m. CDT for portions of Texas, eastern Oklahoma, eastern Missouri and northwest Arkansas for temperatures near or just below freezing.  A Red Flag Warning is in effect through this evening and a fire weather watch remains in effect from Monday morning through Monday evening for all of southwest and south central New Mexico and far west Texas for low humidity and strong winds with high to very high fire danger.  Flood Warnings have been issued for several rivers in the region.
Northeast
No significant weather forecast.  A Flood Warning has been issued for the Mohawk River at Delta Dam in Albany, New York. (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 28 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 (ea)                 6     5 TL
    • Hygiene Kits              50,000
    • MDRC (ETA 29/30 Mar)        5
  • 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
  • IRCT operational in Bismarck, ND
  • One VA LNO and one VA Plans Officer deployed to IRCT
  • One DMAT operational; four are being staged; one on alert
  • Two FEMA Region VIII LNOs are deployed to the ND EOC

North Dakota

  • State EOC Level I - 24/7
  • Acting FEMA Director Nancy Ward visited the Cass County/Fargo EOC this morning to meet with local officials and staff to observe efforts.
  • FMS (Federal Medical Station) Installation Team is conducting site assessment in Jamestown
  • Five shelters; population: 254
  • Approximately 350 without power
  • President approved the expedited major disaster declaration as a result of severe storms and flooding beginning March 13 and continuing
  • The special needs population has been evacuated and sheltered. The ND Department of Human Services, American Red Cross, and ND DES have developed a plan to shelter any additional Fargo evacuees.  All hospitals in Fargo (including the VA hospital), were evacuated.
  • Eight million sandbags have been used with 2 million remaining.
  • A boiling water advisory continues for the city of Washburn until further notice
  • The US Army Corps of Engineers resumed water releases at the Garrison Dam. An increase to 9,000 cubic feet per second of water from the Garrison Dam will help restart the Basin Electric Power Cooperative and Great River Energy plants. Both plants shut down on 26 Mar due to lack of river water needed to conduct plant operations. Plant officials did not know when the plants would restart, but added that it takes less then a day to restart (NICC)
  • US Army Corps of Engineers continue to provide support for levee construction, and sandbagging operations.
  • Currently there are 3 HH-65s, 8 UH-60s, 3 CH-47s and 2 UH-1s on station at Grand Forks AFB; 2 HH-65s, 10 UH-60s and 3 CH-47s are expected to arrive later today

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.
  • The communities of Fox Island, Southport, Linton, Beulah and West Mott evacuated Thursday, March 26.
  • US Army Corps of Engineers continue to provide support to levee construction, and sandbagging operations.
    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
  • Region V IMAT at MN SEOC
  • 2 FEMA LNOs and 2 FEMA External Affairs personnel at MN SEOC
  • Region V IMAT Staging Area Supervisor is at Grand Forks AFB, to assist in Joint NLSA
  • No unmet needs

Minnesota Flooding - Red River Basin

  • State EOC is activated 24/7.
  • Acting FEMA Director Nancy Ward visited Moorhead this morning to meet with local officials and staff to observe efforts.
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul District; activated 24/7
  • Red River crested at Fargo at 40.8 feet; projected to continue slowly dropping over the next 5-7 days
  • Approximately 2000 customers without power
  • No fatalities or injuries
  • One shelter; population: 60
  • There is one shelter on standby in Moorhead (across the river from Fargo) and one shelter on standby in Norman County, MN
  • Moorhead has requested an ARC member to be stationed within their EOC
  • Moorhead Law Enforcement officials have directed ALL residents within the area North of I-94, South of Main Ave., and West of 8th St. S. / US 75, as well as those in the Country Club Addition to evacuate. 
  • Clay County is evacuating prisoners from the jail located at 915 9th Avenue North as a precautionary measure. Up to 66 inmates affected
  • The towns of Halsted, Hedrum, Perley, and Shelley (Norman County) are planning for possible evacuation. No evacuation order has been issued at this time. Population of 1,450 affected 
  • FEMA will be establishing an Incident Staging Base near the Moorhead area to provide water, meals, cots and blankets to aid 3,000 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.
  • RV IMAT has set up the IOF in the MN SEOC. The FCO, Mike Smith, has arrived.
  • Region V PDA team conducting PDAs in Traverse and Wilkin Counties.

Winter Storm

Region VI
Oklahoma

  • The Governor of Oklahoma declared a State of Emergency for 50 counties.
  • Power: Approximately 1,349 customers are without power.
  • Mass Care: ARC is operating a shelter in Guymon (Texas County). Three local shelters have been opened in Boise City (Cimarron County) to assist stranded motorists.
  • Roads: Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) reports all roads in the panhandle are closed. Roads in the northwestern counties are extremely hazardous; snow, sleet and ice in many places. DOT crews are clearing roads.

Texas

  • State EOC remains at Level 1 due to border issues and fire conditions.
  • The weather has improved in the Panhandle area.

New Mexico

  • I 40: Due to road conditions in Texas; closed eastbound from Moriarty to state line.
  • ARC opened a shelter last night in Tucumcari (Quay County) at a recreation center to assist motorists; population at midnight was 80.
  • The weather has improved; clean-up operations are starting; no unmet needs.

Region VII
Kansas

  • State EOC at Level 2 with 24-hour operations through tomorrow afternoon
  • The Governor of Kansas declared a state disaster declaration March 28 for 62 counties
  • Westar Energy reported over ten thousand customers remained without power after restoring service to over 60,000 customers. Westar officials expect full restoration by late Monday night.
  • The need for Federal involvement is not likely at this time

Mt Redoubt

Volcanic Activity Summary from AVO stated that another explosive eruption of Redoubt volcano occurred at approximately 19:23 AKDT (03:23 UTC).  A radar cloud top above 45,000 ft above sea level was reported.  TSA reports all aviation traffic is being diverted from Anchorage to Fairbanks, AK due to trace amounts of ash fallout at the airport and south side of Anchorage.  The Alaska Volcano Observatory Aviation Color Code remains at RED and the Alert Level remains at WARNING. 
The FAA Temporary Flight Restriction also remains in effect until further notice.  

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

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 16:26:35 EDT