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National Situation Update: Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Northeast 
Temperatures will be well below seasonal average from the Virginias to western and central Pennsylvania and western New York. Snow is forecast for higher elevations from southwestern New York to West Virginia.

Midwest
Showers will continue around the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley areas. Snow may mix with the rain from extreme northern Ohio into Lower Michigan. Scattered showers are possible in North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.

West
Heat across California the last few days resulted in record-setting temperatures in over 50 locations. One broken record in San Diego was set 110 years ago. Temperatures will still be quite warm today, and highs will be well above average from eastern Oregon into Idaho and Montana, and southward to Arizona and New Mexico. A storm system from the Central Pacific is moving into the Pacific Northwest, bringing colder temperatures, showers, and snow for the higher elevations of Seattle, WA and Portland, OR.

South
Gusty south winds of 15 to 30 mph will impact portions of Texas, including Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. Red Flag Warnings are in effect this afternoon through evening for the Florida Big Bend and eastern Panhandle and for all of southeast Alabama, southwest and south central Georgia due to long durations of low relative humidity. (National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Region IV Severe Weather Recovery

Florida State EOC remains at Level II (partial activation) in response to flooding conditions in the Panhandle and Big Bend regions of the state. Most river locations in northern Florida continue to slowly recede; however, major to moderate flood warnings continue along the Santa Fe River, a tributary of the Suwannee River. All locations along the Suwannee River have crested and are receding.

Red River ND/MN Flood Status

All river systems in the Red River basin have crested and water levels are rapidly improving. Reservoir releases may keep some locations in major flood, with the Sheyenne River at historically high levels for the next 8 to 10 days. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun awarding contracts for the removal of contingency dikes and other temporary flood protection measures on both sides of the Red River. All shelters are closed in North Dakota and Minnesota. Region V Logistics Incident Staging Base (ISB) in Dilworth, MN remains operational. 

Minnesota:
One Mobile Disaster Recovery Center is scheduled to open today in Hendrum, MN. The State requested additional Public Assistance Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) in one county and Individual Assistance PDAs in two counties.

North Dakota:
Flood fighting continues in Valley City, Jamestown, Lisbon, LaMoure, and James River and Sheyenne River Basins. The Valley City, ND sewer by-pass is in place; however, water-use restrictions are expected to continue for approximately 30 days due to river water taxing the sewer pump system. Six Disaster Recovery Centers are open in ND. Individual Assistance and Public Assistance PDAs are complete for all requested counties and tribal reservations. North Dakota State EOC remains at full activation (Level I).

Volcanic Activity – Mount Redoubt, Alaska

The eruption of Mt. Redoubt volcano continues. Seismicity remains elevated. Clear views of the volcano on Monday show the lava dome steaming and a steam plume rising to just above the summit. Rock falls occasionally occur resulting in steaming further down hill from the dome. Satellite data clearly show a thermal anomaly in the summit crater. Additional explosive events are possible with little or no warning. The volcano remains at Aviation Color Code: ORANGE and Alert Level: WATCH. (USGS, Alaska Volcano Observatory Observations April 21, 2009 at 22:44:03 AKDT)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

A 3.8 magnitude earthquake was centered in Bibb County, Alabama Tuesday morning at 5:25 a.m. EDT at a depth of 3.1 miles. No reports of damage or injuries.

A 4.2 magnitude earthquake occurred on the Island of Hawaii, 26 miles SW of Hilo, at 10:58 p.m. EDT Tuesday. Depth was 5.7 miles. No reports of damage or injuries. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Fire Activity
National Preparedness as of April 21 is Level 1, Minimal Activity. Oklahoma and New Mexico were the only two states affected. Initial attack activity was Moderate with 276 new fires reported. There were two new large fires, two large fires contained, and no uncontained large fires reported on Tuesday.  (National Interagency Fire Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The President signed major disaster declaration FEMA-1831 for the State of Florida Tuesday, April 21 in response to severe storms, flooding, tornadoes and straight-line winds that began March 26, 2009, and continuing. Public Assistance, including Direct Federal Assistance, was granted for eleven counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide. (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:25:33 EDT