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National Situation Update: Monday, April 27, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

South 
Several bands of thunderstorms will move through portions of Oklahoma and central Texas during the morning. Severe storms are possible through the day from Oklahoma and Texas into the lower Mississippi Valley. Damaging winds, large hail and tornadoes are possible. Severe storms, tornadoes, large hail and heavy rain are likely from northern Texas to Minnesota, Illinois, and Michigan. Showers and some severe thunderstorms are expected from the lower-Mississippi Valley into the Southern Plains. River flooding continues to gradually recede throughout north Florida.

Midwest  
Showers and thunderstorms are expected from the Great Lakes southwestward into the mid-Mississippi Valley. Showers will also extend westward into the Central Plains. Some severe thunderstorms are expected from western-central Illinois into Missouri. Large hail, damaging winds and a few tornadoes will be possible. Winds of 15 to 30 mph with higher gusts are expected from the Ohio Valley to the Great Lakes.

West  
Rain and snow is forecast over much of the Northwest until Tuesday, April 28. Portions of the Northern Rockies may end up with a foot or more of new snowfall.

Northeast 
Showers and thunderstorms will move through the region Tuesday into Tuesday night.  (National Weather Service, media sources)

Swine Influenza Outbreak Update

Swine Influenza - USA
On April 26, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a Public Health Emergency in the United States. This declaration permits additional preparedness activities to commence, including the release of 25% of the Strategic National Stockpile (50 million treatment courses) of anti-virals. Affected areas will receive the anti-virals initially and then other states, as required.
As of 7:00 p.m. EDT Sunday, April 26, the Center of Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 40 human cases of Swine Influenza A H1N1: seven in California, two in Texas, 28 in New York, two in Kansas, and one in Ohio. All cases have displayed relatively mild symptoms, and no deaths have been reported. The virus appears to be treatable with antiviral drugs. CDC has issued a Traveler's Health Alert Notice, stressing the need to be aware of the illness, take precautions against making contact with ill individuals, avoiding others if you feel ill, and seeking medical attention if neccessary. - see http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu. No additional limitations have been imposed on travel between the U.S. and Mexico borders. CDC is monitoring epidemiological patterns of transmission and working with the World Health Organization (WHO), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and State health officials in investigating the outbreak. (HHS SOC April 26, DHS Leadership Brief April 26)

Swine Influenza - International
Mexico:
Mexico's Health Minister reports 1,400 with influenza-like illnesses, and up to 86 fatalities.
Seven new cases of Swine Influenza H1N1 have been confirmed (six in Mexico City, one in Veracruz), totaling 30 confirmed cases. The Government of Mexico is continuing steps to limit the spread of the illness, including closing schools, museums, libraries and state-run theatres, and cancelling public events in Mexico City. The United States Embassy in Mexico suspended all visa and non-emergency American citizen services from April 27 - 30, 2009.

Canada:
CDC reports 26 cases of influenza-like illnesses, all in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Nova Scotia Chief of Public Health Officer has confirmed six of the 26 cases are Swine Flu.

The World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO has identified unconfirmed influenza-like-illnesses in New Zealand (25); Columbia (5); the United Kingdom (2); and Israel (1). The Director-General of WHO has determined the current events constitute a public health emergency of international concern. The Director-General is recommending that all countries intensify surveillance for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia. (WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan, April 25, 2009; DHS Leadership Brief April 26, 6:00 p.m. EDT)

FEMA Response to Swine Influenza Outbreak
FEMA is coordinating with affected Regions, States, HHS/CDC and Federal and State partners to determine potential requirements. FEMA is conducting, planning, and preparing for possible activations of the NRCC as needed. FEMA Region II RRCC has transitioned to a "heightened Watch Status" and continues to monitor confirmed influenza cases in New York. FEMA Regions V, VI, and IX remain at Watch/Steady State status and continue to monitor confirmed / suspected cases with their State EOCs. FEMA will conduct a VTC with Regional Administrators to prepare for possible future actions in response to the swine influenza outbreak.

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

South Carolina - Highway 31 Fire, Horry County (Myrtle Beach) - Final
South Carolina EOC has downgraded to OPCON IV (possibility of partial activation). Additional accurate GIS mapping information has dropped burnt acreage estimates from 20,500 to 19,500 acres. The fire was near 90% containment Sunday evening. Calm winds overnight should allow complete containment by this morning. All evacuation orders are lifted. There has been no change to previously reported statistics: No injuries or fatalities have been reported; 76 homes were destroyed, 7 homes sustained major damage, and 89 had minor damage. There has been no impact to electric and natural gas infrastructure. FMAG-2816-SC was approved for the Highway 31 Fire on April 23.  (SC EOC SITREP #8, 10:00 a.m. EDT, April 26; FEMA Region IV Spot Report #12, April 26, 2009)

Florida - Deep Fire Update, - Broward & Collier Counties
Florida EOC is at activation Level III (monitoring). The Deep Fire has burned approximately 22,000 acres within the Big Cypress National Preserve. The fire is 20% contained. The National Park Service transferred day-to-day management of the fire to the Southern Area Interagency Management Blue Team yesterday. Florida Highway Patrol estimates they will reopen Interstate75 at or around 9:00 a.m. EDT and, if fire conditions allow, it will remain open through 7:00 p.m. EDT. State Road 29 is closed. This pattern of roadway closures is expected as long as conditions continue. No structures or facilities have been impacted, and there has been no request for Federal assistance. (National Park Service, April 26)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:25:24 EDT