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National Situation Update: Saturday, April 25, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Midwest
The northern part of a cold front, extending from the Great Lakes to the central Plains, will slowly move through MI while the remainder of the front stalls, possibly producing severe thunderstorms from KS to MI, along with inch-plus rains.
Morning showers from SD to Lake Superior may be mixed with wet snow, as cold air moves in behind the front.
More rain and snow may move out into SD and NE later today from a disturbance moving through the central Rockies.
Tomorrow, low pressure from WY will move north toward the Great Lakes, producing rain and thunderstorms across a large part of the region from the Plains to the Great Lakes.
Heavy, foot-plus snow could fall in the higher elevations of the Black Hills.
Tornadoes are forecast to occur from KS to IA and MN.
One-to-three-inch rains are possible from KS into the Upper Midwest.
Highs will range from the 40s in of ND, SD, MN, WI and MI to the 80s in the OH Valley.
On April 27, the cold front aligned from MI to MO and KS will focus 1-to-4-inch downpours and strong thunderstorms over KS, MO, IA and IL, with inch-plus rain into MI.

Northeast
A few isolated thunderstorms in the Mid-Atlantic are forecast today and tonight.
Off of Lakes Erie and Ontario, southwest winds may gust to between 35-and-40-mph.
Temperatures today will be 15 to 30 degrees above average, moving into record territory.
Tomorrow, a cold front is expected to move through Upstate NY and New England, accompanied by few thunderstorms.

South
A weak upper-level disturbance may trigger heavy-rain-producing thunderstorms (a few severe) over TX early today, with a few thunderstorms expected to occur in the southern Appalachians later today.
Tonight, severe thunderstorms are forecast for TX and OK, with gusty winds across the southern Plains topping 35 mph as times.

West
As low pressure moves from UT toward WY, the cold front will swing southeast through the Four Corners region today.
Despite showers and scattered thunderstorms at the lower elevations, the higher elevations of NV, UT, CO and WY will pick up accumulating snow.
Gusty winds will remain a fire threat across AZ, NM and CO. (National Weather Service, Various media Sources)

South Carolina Wildfire

The SC State EOC is at Level II (Full Activation) and a FEMA State Liaison is identified.

A State of Emergency was declared by the Governor for Horry County; a Mutual Aid and Firefighter Compact was activated with NC.

The fire covers approximately 20,500 acres and is currently 80% contained, with containment forecast for April 26, 2009.

2,500 residents were evacuated.

69 homes, three (3) firefighting vehicles and eight (8) automobiles were destroyed; 100 structures were damaged.

One (1) shelter is open, with 1 occupant, but other shelters can be reopened if they are needed.

The SC National Guard is providing five (5) soldiers (SAD) and one (1) UH-60L with bambi bucket, with an additional four (4) additional UH-60s requested from North Carolina.  (FEMA Region IV SPOTREP #5, 8:35 p.m. EDT, April 23; NIFC SITREP, 8:00 a.m. EDT, April 23) 

Swine Influenza Outbreak Information

Current Situation
Human cases of Swine Influenza-A (H1N1) Virus infection have been identified in the US (San Diego and Imperial Counties, CA and San Antonio, TX).  Internationally, human cases of Swine Influenza-A (H1N1) Virus infection have been identified in Mexico.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with similar Swine Influenza Viruses.
CDC is working very closely with state and local officials in California, Texas, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization (WHO/PAHO).  (USPHS/CDC, www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/investigation.htm)

Background
Swine Influenza (Swine Flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by Type-A Influenza that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza among pigs.  Swine Flu viruses do not normally infect humans; however, human infections with Swine Flu do occur, and cases of human-to-human spread of Swine Flu viruses have been documented.
From December, 2005 through February, 2009, a total of 12 human infections with Swine Influenza were reported from 10 states in the US, with no deaths occurring.  Since March, 2009, a number of confirmed human cases of a new strain of Swine Influenza-A (H1N1) Virus infection in CA, TX and Mexico have been identified.  (USPHS/CDC, www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/key_facts.htm)

General Information
People do not normally get Swine Flu, but human infections can/do happen; most commonly, human cases of Swine Flu happen in people who are around pigs, but it's also possible for Swine Flu Viruses to spread from person-to-person.
Are there human infections with Swine Flu in the U.S.?
In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with Swine Influenza-A (H1N1) Viruses were first reported in Southern CA and San Antonio, TX.  CDC and local/state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.
Is this Swine Flu virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.
What are the signs and symptoms of Swine Flu in people?
The symptoms of Swine Flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with Swine Flu.  In the past, severe illness (pneumonia/respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with Swine Flu infection in people.  Like seasonal flu, Swine Flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
How serious is Swine Flu infection?
Like seasonal flu, Swine Flu in humans can vary in severity from mild-to-severe.  In September, 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in WI was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with Swine Flu and died eight (8) days later.  A Swine Flu outbreak in Fort Dix, NJ occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.
How do you catch Swine Flu?
Spread of Swine Flu can occur in two (2) ways:  through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with Swine Flu viruses and/or through contact with a person with Swine Flu (and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu, mainly through the coughing/sneezing of infected people).
Are there medicines to treat Swine Flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or Zanamivir (Relenza) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these influenza viruses and work best if started within two (2) days of symptoms.
How long can an infected person spread Swine Flu to others?
People with Swine Influenza Virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic, possibly up to seven (7) days following illness onset.  Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in San Diego or Imperial Counties, CA or Guadalupe County, TX and become ill with influenza-like symptoms (fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea) you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms, to determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
Can I get Swine Influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No, you cannot get Swine Influenza from eating properly-handled and cooked pork or pork products.  (USPHS/CDC, www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/investigation.htm#general)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No significant activity.

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

The Governor of Alabama amended the request for a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of Wind, Rain, Severe Storms, Hail, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, Flash Flooding and Flooding that occurred April 10 - 13, 2009, specifically requesting Individual Assistance for three (3) counties, Public Assistance for five (5) counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide.

On April 24, 2009, Amendment #1 for FEMA-1831-DR-FL was approved for Public Assistance in 11 counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide.

On April 24, 2009, Amendment #3 for FEMA-1829-DR-ND was approved for Hazard Mitigation statewide.

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:25:27 EDT