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National Situation Update: Friday, May 8, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

West:
High pressure ridging in off the Pacific should keep the West Coast dry.  East of the ridge, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming will see less than a half inch of rain and three to five inches of snow above 5,000 feet.  Hot and dry conditions combined with locally gusty winds in the mountains and canyons will lead to increased fire danger across the Southwest through the weekend.
Midwest:
A frontal system is draped across the country from Arizona to the Mid-Atlantic.  A series of  disturbances moving along the front will cause widespread shower and thunderstorm activity. A complex of strong to severe thunderstorms should move from Kansas and Oklahoma into the western Ohio Valley. Damaging winds, hail and isolated tornadoes are possible. Heavy rain showers will produce localized flooding as some areas will receive more than two inches over the next 24 hours.  Another front will produce showers and thunderstorms in the upper Midwest and northern parts of the eastern Plains this afternoon and evening. This system will move into the Great Lakes tomorrow.
South:
The frontal system discussed above will bring precipitation from northern Texas across the northern portions of Gulf Coast states to the Carolinas.  The frontal boundary will slide southward through the weekend. This slow moving band of precipitation could bring as much as three to six inches of precipitation to Kentucky, Tennessee, northern Georgia, northern Alabama, northern Mississippi, Arkansas and northeast Texas. Flooding is already occurring in many of these areas.  Some of the thunderstorms could also turn severe producing tornadoes, hail and damaging winds each day.  High temperatures in central and western Texas could climb into the lower 100s each afternoon.
Northeast:
A trough will bring scattered shower and thunderstorm activity to New England.  To the south, the front will produce precipitation across the Mid-Atlantic.  Tomorrow, a disturbance moving along the front will produce widespread and heavier activity.(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. As of 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday, May 7, 2009, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 896 (+254) laboratory-confirmed cases in 41 states.  As of Thursday, May 7, 2009, there were 927 (+82) probable cases in the US, in 42 states and DC. 42 cases resulted in hospitalization, including two (2) confirmed deaths in the US.  There are four (4) states that have declared a State of Emergency (CA, TX, ME, OH ).  The delivery of all Strategic National Stockpile materials is complete.  

H1N1 Flu Outbreak - International
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2:00 p.m. EDT, May 7, 2009, there were 2,147 confirmed cases in 24 countries, including the US.  The WHO reported Mexico had 942 confirmed cases of H1N1, including 42 deaths.  1,251 cases have been reported internationally.

Alaska Flooding Update

Breakup ice jam flooding is occurring or imminent on several major AK rivers and is likely to continue for another week or more.  Flood Warnings/Watches are in effect for the Yukon River until 8:00 p.m. EDT May 9, 2009.  The Governor issued a State Disaster Declaration for Interior AK flooding events, including the drainages of the Yukon, Kuskokwim, Kobuk and Susitna Rivers.  AK SECC is activated at Level 4 with two (2) additional staff assigned.  Two interagency field teams and two river watch teams are monitoring ice jams and providing early warnings to communities in the path of potential flooding.  The City of Eagle/Old Village of Eagle (Southeast Fairbanks Borough, on the Yukon River) is experiencing record-breaking ice jam flooding.  All residents have been evacuated.  Reports indicate that the water supply in the City of Eagle (pop 129, 8 - 10 homes) has been compromised.  Ice flow continues downstream towards the city of Eagle, with potential for jamming/flooding.  The Village of Circle (pop 100) is preparing for ice jam flooding in the near future.  No Federal Assistance has been requested. (Region X, Bothell MOC)

Volcano Activity:

Mount Redoubt, AK
The 2009 eruption continues, seismicity at the volcano has declined over the past 24 hours, but still remains elevated. This change does not reduce the possibility of an explosive eruption over the coming days. Aviation Color Code remains at ORANGE; Alert Level remains at WATCH. 
Mount Veniaminof, AK
Over the past day, earthquake activity has increased at Mount Veniaminof volcano. This increase is a significant change from normal background activity and AVO is increasing the Aviation Color Code to YELLOW and the Volcano Alert Level to ADVISORY.  (Alaska Volcano Observatory)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

FMAG-2818-FM-NM was approved on May 7, 2009 at 12:32 a.m. EDT, for the Buckwood Fire, Otero County, New Mexico. 100 acres had burned at time of the request, mostly on private lands, with 0% containment. Five (5) homes have been destroyed and 300 homes remain threatened. Mandatory evacuation of 65 residents has been ordered. Eight (8) fire departments have responded. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Western Pacific:
No activity affecting US territories.  (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)

Wildfire Update

Jesusita Fire, Santa Barbara, CA
Jesusita Wildfire in Santa Barbara County, CA remains uncontained and is threatening homes in the San Roque area of Santa Barbara.  CalFire reported 2,739 acres burned as of Thursday, May 7, 2009, with 10% containment.  Approximately 3,500 residences and 100 businesses are threatened in Santa Barbara (population 92,325).  Twelve homes have been destroyed.  Evacuation Orders expanded May 7, 2009.  13,575 residents in the Mandatory Evacuation Zone.  One (1) shelter opened, 125 occupants overnight May 6, 2009.  Cal Utilities de energized three (3) 66kV electrical lines May 7, 2009 for firefighter safety.  400 customers are without power, service will not be restored on 8 May.  High Wind Warning in effect until 11:00 a.m. EDT, May 8, 2009.  Winds forecast to be 25 - 40 mph, with gusts up to 65 mph.  1,400 Personnel are on the scene.  Resources include:  Six (6) Helicopters; eight (8) fixed wing aircraft, twenty-four (24) engine strike teams (120 engines); twenty (20) strike teams.  FMAG FM-2817 approved May 6, 2009 at 9:13 p.m. EDT.  (FEMA Region IX RRCC, NWS, CalFire, Santa Barbara County, State of CA)

Timberon Fire, NM
The Timberon Wildfire in New Mexico has burned 140 acres and is 20% contained.  Eight (8) structures have been destroyed, 20 homes have been evacuated.  No structures are threatened at this time, evacuations remain in effect. (New Mexico Fire Information)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Amendment #2 to FEMA-1834-DR-AR approved on May 7, 2009 to add Ashley County for  Individual Assistance. 
Amendment # 3 to FEMA-1833-DR-GA approved May 7, 2009 to add four (4) counties for Individual Assistance and four (4) counties for Public Assistance. (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:25:07 EDT