National Situation Update: Thursday, April 30, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
An upper level trough will move through the Northern Rockies into the Northern High Plains. Snow and rain showers are forecast from the Northern Rockies to the Plains of Wyoming and Montana as the disturbance moves through. Tomorrow, a new storm will bring precipitation to Oregon and northern and central parts of California.
Midwest:
A frontal system will produce rain and thunderstorms across much of the region through tomorrow. Localized flooding is possible. Rain and thunderstorms are expected from the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley to the Central Plains. Portions of northern Minnesota and North Dakota will see scattered showers, while western North Dakota will get a rain/snow mix. Isolated severe thunderstorms will be possible from western Illinois westward into portions of Missouri and southeast Kansas.
South:
The sub-tropical jet stream will continue to move moisture into the region. Isolated to scattered severe thunderstorms are forecast from eastern Texas and Oklahoma into the lower-Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys. Yesterday, the National Weather Service had preliminary reports of a total of nine tornadoes across Texas, Arkansas and Kansas. Thunderstorm activity in the region will continue into Saturday as a cold front approaches from the Midwest.
Northeast:
A warm front will bring rain to West Virginia, western Virginia, western Pennsylvania and southwestern New York. The eastern Mid-Atlantic will see a slight chance of a shower and mostly cloudy skies. Rain will spread across the entire region tonight into tomorrow. (National Weather Service, various media sources)

H1N1 Flu Outbreak Update

H1N1 Flu Outbreak - USA

The H1N1 Flu outbreak continues to grow in the United States and internationally. Wednesday, April 29 the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 91 confirmed cases of H1N1 Flu in the U.S
Most confirmed and suspected cases of H1N1 Flu in the U.S. remain relatively mild. The CDC confirmed one death (Mexican citizen) related to H1N1 in the U.S.
The Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) pandemic alert level increased to Phase 5. Characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.
One quarter of the Strategic National Stockpile of anti-viral medications, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices is being released to the states.
The DHS Office of Health Affairs is working with other Federal Partners to issue an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and 9-1-1 specific guidance document to the nation's first responders.

H1N1 Flu Outbreak - International

Wednesday, April 29 the CDC reported there were 48 laboratory-confirmed cases of H1N1 Flu outside of the U.S. CDC reports 7 confirmed deaths in Mexico.
An additional 243 probable cases are being tested for H1N1 Flu in Mexico (205); South Africa (2); Peru (3); Costa Rica (1); Thailand (1); Italy (20) Guatemala (1); New Zealand (10).
The Mexican Ministry of Health requested U.S. assistance with anti-viral medications and personal protective equipment. CDC experts in Mexico are working with Embassy, Mexico City, and local officials to clarify Mexico's specific requirements.
The Government of Mexico has closed schools and suspended all public events.

H1N1 Flu Outbreak - FEMA Response

Leadership is monitoring the current situation and participating in conferences and planning sessions to respond to the needs of State and local agencies.
FEMA NRCC is maintaining contact with FEMA Regions, DHS, HHS/CDC, and other Federal and state partners.
Select Regions are standing by or have activated personnel in response to the Department of Health and Human Services nationwide Public Health Emergency Declaration.

Travel Considerations related to H1N1 Flu Outbreak

The United States Embassy in Mexico suspended all visa and non-emergency American citizen services from April 27 - 30, 2009.
CDC issued a Traveler's Health Alert Notice and a Traveler's Health Warning, which recommends against nonessential travel to Mexico. (HHS SOC April 29, DHS Leadership Brief April 28; CDC Update April 29; PAHO/WHO Update on Swine Influenza April 28, 2009, FEMA DSAR April 29, 2009)

Flooding in the Lower Mississippi Valley

A series of weak impulses within the subtropical jet stream will produce heavy rainfall from Texas to the upper Tennessee and Lower Ohio River valleys.
As shown in the graphic at the right, some areas will receive more that eight inches of precipitation during the next five days.
The additional rainfall will exacerbate existing problems in already saturated areas particularly southeast Texas.
Besides the excessive rainfall it will be relatively mild and humid as a moist southerly flow in advance of the approaching trough spreads northward into the Great Lakes region. (National Weather Service, Hydrometeorological Prediction Center)

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 Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 12:54 am EST an earthquake measuring 4.8 struck (previously reported as 5.0) about 162 miles south southwest of Anchorage, Alaska at a depth of 31.1 mile. There were no reports of damage or injuries and there was no tsunami generated. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

Florida Wildfire Update
State EOC is at activation Level III (monitoring).
The Deep Fire has burned approximately 27,000 acres within Big Cypress National Preserve. The fire is 60% contained. Backfires are being used to control spread of fire and are generating heavy smoke in the area. Due to the smoke, Interstate 75 is open from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm EDT.
No injuries or damages reported. No structures or facilities have been impacted, and there has been no request for Federal assistance.(National Park Service, FL DEM, NOAA SPC, InciWeb)

Disaster Declaration Activity