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National Situation Update: Sunday, April 5, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant Weather

West:
No significant weather forecast.
Midwest:
A low pressure system will bring heavy snow from southwestern Kansas to northern Missouri to western Pennsylvania.  Accumulations of up to 15 inches are possible near the South Dakota/Nebraska border.  Snow accumulations of six to 12 inches are possible across southern Minnesota, northern Iowa and southwestern Wisconsin.
A Blizzard Warning remains in effect until 1:00 p.m. MDT today for portions of South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado for heavy snow accompanied by strong winds.  A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 4:00 a.m. CDT Monday for portions of Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota.  A mix of rain and snow is expected and precipitation is expected to change over to all snow overnight. In addition, a wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet and snow should occur in some areas with an isolated thunderstorm also possible.
South:
A cold front moving through the region may trigger storms, some severe, producing gusty winds, hail and tornadoes.  The tornado threat is greater near the Gulf Coast.  Red Flag Warning in effect until 10:00 p.m. CDT today for much of south central Texas and the hill country.  Northerly winds of 15 to 25 mph, with higher gusts, along with relative humidity falling into the teens will create critical fire weather conditions.  Flood Warnings have been issued for several rivers throughout the region.
Northeast:
No significant weather forecast.  A Flood Warning has been issued for rivers in northern Maine. (NWS, and Various Media Sources)

Red River Flood Preparations

Federal Response:
FEMA Headquarters

  • FEMA NRCC is at Watch/Steady State; 24/7 (Watch only)
  • National IMAT West deployed to ND EOC
  • National IMAT East has returned to normal status

Region VIII:

  • RRCC is On-Call for weekend
  • ERT-A deployed to Bismarck, ND
  • IMAT West deployed to Bismarck, ND
  • Denver MERS deployed to Bismarck, ND
  • Implementing plan to close Grand Forks Federal Staging Area NLT COB April 9

North Dakota

  • State EOC Level I - 24/7
  • Two confirmed fatalities; 62 injuries
  • All shelters are closed.
  • IA PDAs ongoing
  • No limiting or unmet needs at this time

Region V

  • 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. CDT with all ESFs on standby.
  • Region continues to monitor flooding and maintain communications with USACE and ESFs
  • Implementing transition plan from IOF to JFO
  • One FEMA LNO; Region V IMAT at MN SEOC
  • No unmet needs

Minnesota

  • State EOC operational 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CDT this weekend with State agencies on standby.
  • Red River flood wave continues to move downstream with the crest now in the Oslo, MN area.
  • PA PDAs requested for the original seven counties are complete; add-on counties are in process.
  • Joint IA PDAs ongoing
  • All evacuation orders for Minnesota have been lifted.
  • All shelters are closed.

Flooding and Severe Weather in the South

  • Flooding continues in parts of MS, AL, GA, and FL.
  • Another strong storm system will affect the panhandle of Florida today and Monday. There will be potential for large hail and damaging wind gusts.

Alabama:

  • State EOC will be at Level III (Partial Activation), 24/7 with select staff
  • On March 30, 2009, the Governor issued an emergency proclamation for 11 counties.
  • 2 storm-related fatalities (Houston County)
  • 37 counties reported damage.
  • PA PDAs are scheduled to begin April 7 in six counties.
  • IA PDAs are scheduled to begin April 14 for three counties.

Florida:

  • State EOC is at Level II (Partial activation) through the weekend; select staff working until 12:00 midnight.
  • IA PDAs will begin in six counties beginning April 6.
  • Shelters are open in 2 counties; population unknown
  • Damages: Minor - 135; Major - 26; Destroyed - 16.

Georgia:

  • Governor declared a State of Emergency for 10 additional counties (initially 6 counties) affected by the severe weather of March 27-28.
  • These counties have over 50 percent disruption of roads.
  • Assessment teams continue to assess damage.

Iowa Dams

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) plans to upgrade levees in Des Moines that provide protection for major industries, a sewage treatment plant and a primate research center. Engineers said work along the Des Moines River in southeast Des Moines is required for the city's protection. FEMA is working with USACE to update flood maps. USACE can not certify the levees in their current state will protect against a 100-year flood. Iowa's Department of Transportation and USACE expect to complete a study of the area within three months.(NICC, Media Sources)

Mt Redoubt

On April 4th, plans to transfer 2.8 million gallons of oil from the Drift River Oil Terminal (DROT) near Mt. Redoubt were postponed when the volcano erupted again. A Tesoro chartered tanker scheduled to arrive at the Christy Lee platform to off load crude was re-routed to anchor in southern Cook Inlet because of ash fall. Mt. Redoubt erupted at 5:58 a.m. AKDT yesterday, sending ash as high as 50,000 feet into the air. The NWS issued a flash flood warning for the Drift River Valley due to mud flow. The multi-agency unified command established to monitor the DROT situation plans to begin oil removal operations  today.(NICC, Media Sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

FEMA 2902-FM-TX was approved April 4 for the Magic City fire in Wheeler County, TX.  This fire encompasses 12,000 acres of private land, with zero percent containment.  The fire is threatening 300 homes and 60 businesses.  Two homes and one business have been lost in the fire.  (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

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 16:26:20 EDT