National Situation Update: Thursday, April 2, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant Weather

West:
The next in a series of storms hitting the Pacific Northwest will produce up to an inch of rain in Washington and northwest Oregon. Snow levels in the Cascades will drop to 2,500 feet with one to three feet of new snow. The rain and snow will move across the Wasatch of Utah and into the Rockies later tonight. This storm will continue moving through the Rockies tomorrow and by Saturday the storm will drop into the Western Plains.
Midwest:
A developing storm will move across the Southern Plains and through the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes today and tomorrow. Rainfall totals of one to two inches are expected. Severe thunderstorms are forecast for southern Missouri, southern Illinois, southwestern Indiana and western Kentucky.
South:
A developing storm over the Midwest combined with the frontal system and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico will produce heavy precipitation and widespread thunderstorm activity. Heavy rain will also continue the flood threat along the Gulf Coast, especially southern Georgia and the Florida panhandle where up to five inches of rain is expected. Severe thunderstorms are possible from Texas to coastal South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Due to low relative humidity most of southern Texas will be under Red Flag Warnings.
Northeast:
Most of the region will remain sunny and dry, except for scattered showers in eastern New England. The next storm will sweep across the region on Friday producing rain and increasing winds.(NWS, and Various Media Sources)

Red River Flood Preparations

Federal Response:
FEMA Headquarters

FEMA NRCC is at Level III (8:00 am - 4:30 pm EDT); 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 April1) 5:30 p.m.):
On Hand:(DR-1829-ND)
- Meals (ea) 181,485
- Water (lt) 247,969
- Cots (ea) 29,095
- Blankets (ea) 65,195
- Generators (ea) 54
Inbound (DR-1829-ND):
- Water (lt) 61,345
- Cots (ea) 1,728
- Blankets (ea) 5,195
- Generators (ea) 1
- MDRC 5
- Partitions 630
On Hand (EM-3304-MN):
- Water (lt) 72,288
- Meals (ea) 40,320
- Cots (ea) 4,400
- Blankets (ea) 4,412
- Generators (ea) 50
Inbound (EM-3304-MN)
- JFO Kits 4

Region VIII:

RRCC is at Level II - 6:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. MDT; on Apr 3 operational hours will be 6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
ESFs are working on a demobilization plan
ERT-A deployed to Bismarck, ND
IMAT-West deployed to Bismarck, ND
Denver MERS deployed to Bismarck, ND
IRCT operational in Bismarck, ND
One DMAT operational; four are being staged; one on alert

North Dakota

State EOC Level I - 24/7
Two confirmed fatalities; 62 injuries
Seven shelters; population 240

South Dakota

State EOC is at normal operations
James River and tributaries remain above flood stage

Region V
Region V RRCC is activated at Level II - 24/7; ESFs 1, 3, 6, 8, 9 and 10 are on call-back status as of 7:00 pm Apr 1.

Region continues to monitor flooding and maintain communications with USACE and ESFs
Region V IMAT at MN SEOC
Maynard MERS at Moorhead, MN
JFO location has been contracted in Dilworth, MN
JFO assumes operational control from Region V on Apr 8
No unmet needs

Minnesota Flooding - Red River Basin

The State EOC is activated 24/7.
One shelter; population: 97
Joint PA PDAs are ongoing in Clay County and scheduled to be completed by Apr 3.
Joint IA PDAs for seven counties are scheduled to begin on Apr 2.
Maynard MERS and MEOV on station in Detroit Lakes (Becker County).

Mt Redoubt

Low elevation gas and ash emissions continue from the volcano, and are now visible in webcam images. Weak volcanic tremor is ongoing, punctuated by small, discrete earthquakes. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) are still in effect over Mt. Redoubt and the Drift River Terminal Facility at a 10 mile radius over the mountain up to 60,000 feet. Level: WARNING / Aviation Color Code: RED

Southeast Flooding

Significant rainfall across the southeastern United States over the last couple of days has caused major flooding in portions of MS, AL, GA and FL.

Region IV
Region IV RRCC is at Watch/Steady State; 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. EDT

R-IV ERT-A & IMAT on standby
No Federal assistance requested

Mississippi:

State EOC is at Level III (Partial Activation)
Governor declared a State of Emergency for impacted counties
28 injuries reported in 3 counties
Damage: has been reported in 31 counties
- 751 structures
- Multiple power outages and trees down

Alabama:

EOC activated at Level III (Partial Activation)
NG transported 5 boxes & 3 pallets of sandbags to Dothan, AL
1 shelter, unknown occupants

Georgia:

EOC activated to Level II, 24/7 operations
Governor declared State of Emergency for 6 counties
7 shelters on standby

Florida:

EOC activated to Level II (Partial Activation)
8 counties declared Local States of Emergency
6 counties issued voluntary evacuation orders
1 shelter/11 occupants
Damage: 76 structures

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

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

On April 1, 2009 at 7:24 a.m. EDT, there was a 4.3 earthquake at a depth of 21 miles and about 21 miles SE of Adak, AK. There were no reports of damage or injuries. No Tsunami Warnings or Advisories were published as a result of this event. (USGS)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity