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National Situation Update: Saturday, May 9, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

West:
Most of the region will be dry. The northern Rockies will see scattered showers and thunderstorms, higher mountain peaks may see a few snow showers.  In Southern California lighter offshore winds should allow for cooler temperatures and higher humidity giving firefighters better conditions to fight the wildfires in the Santa Barbara area.  Higher temperatures will reach the 60s and 70s along the coast and in the mountains, while the deserts will see temperatures in the 90s to very low 100s on Saturday and Sunday 
Midwest:
An area of low pressure will produce showers around the Great Lakes. Precipitation will end tomorrow as the low moves eastward.  A developing front dropping out of the Rockies will bring precipitation to Montana and Wyoming, then spreading southeastward to Colorado and New Mexico  later today.
South:
The front that has brought so much weather to the Midwest and South is now stretched from Virginia to south central Texas. It will continue to drop slowly south through the weekend and make it down to the Gulf Coast by Monday.  The front combined with moisture off the Gulf of Mexico will produce a broad swath of showers and thunderstorms. Some of these thunderstorms may turn severe producing hail, damaging winds and tornadoes.  By Monday, total accumulation of rainfall of three to six inches are possible across eastern Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and northeast Texas. Flooding is already occurring in some of these areas and it should get worse through the middle of next week.
Northeast:
A frontal system moving into the region will produce showers and thunderstorms across the Northeast.
Severe thunderstorms are forecast from southern New York south to Virginia.  Tomorrow northern New England and northern New York will have showers due to a low pressure system off the Maine coast.(National Weather Service, various media sources)

H1N1 Influenza Outbreak Update

H1N1 Flu Outbreak - USA
The H1N1 Influenza Outbreak continues to grow in the United States. As of 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday, May 8, 2009, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 1,639 laboratory-confirmed cases in 43 states and 849 probable cases in 39 states.  There were 56 cases resulting in hospitalization, including two (2) confirmed deaths in the US.  Four (4) states have declared States of Emergency (CA, TX, ME and OH).  Seven (7) states (NE, IA, WI, IL, VA, MD, FL) and American Samoa have declared Public Health Emergencies.  All of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) materials are delivered.  

H1N1 Influenza Outbreak - International
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 8, 2009, there were 3,114 confirmed cases in 24 countries, including the US.  The WHO also reported Mexico had 1,112 confirmed cases of H1N1, including 44 deaths.

Alaska Flooding Update

Breakup ice jam flooding is occurring or imminent on several major Alaska rivers.
Breakups will likely continue for another week or more.  Flood Warnings are in effect for the Yukon River until 8:00 p.m. EDT May 9, 2009.  The Governor issued a State Disaster Declaration for the Interior AK flooding events.  3 Riverwatch teams are deployed for notification of emergency notification of flooding .  The AK SECC activated at Level 4, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. AKDT, with two (2) additional staff assigned.  22 communities are reporting flooding along the Chistochina, Kuskokwim and Yukon Rivers.  No Federal Assistance has been requested. (Region X, Bothell MOC)

Jesusita Fire, Santa Barbara, CA

Cal Fire reported 3,500 acres burned as of Friday, May 08, 2009, with 10% containment.
There were 11 firefighter injuries; approximately 3,500 residences and 100 businesses are threatened in the Santa Barbara area (pop 92,325) and 75 residences have been damaged or destroyed.  A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for approximately 30,500 residents.  A voluntary evacuation order is in effect for 29,000 residents.  2 shelters are opened with 848 occupants.  A high wind warning is in effect until 1:00 p.m. EDT, May 9, 2009.  The winds are forecast to be 20 - 30 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph.  Resources include:  246 Engines, 62 crews, 46 strike teams, 14 air tankers and 15 helicopters.  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)

Severe Weather/Tornadoes

Region IV

Kentucky
Severe thunderstorms along with high winds around 80-90 mph and possibly five tornados
Seven (7) structures were destroyed.  More than 4,000 customers are without power  One (1) fatality has been confirmed; no injuries reported.  CSX Corp has reported overturned train cars.  

Mississippi
State EOC is at Level III (Partial Activation).  Damage reported in 29 counties in north, central and southern parts of the state  80 residences suffered major damage/destroyed.

Tennessee
The Mississippi River is forecasted to go above flood stage this week due to severe storms

Region V
Illinois
FEMA staff at FEMA-1826-DR-IL JFO in Marion reported power outages and downed trees.
Power outages are affecting 51,964 customers in southern Illinois.  The water treatment plants in Williamson and Carbondale counties have lost power to water delivery pumps.  Both facilities are working to get power restored.  Interstate 57 is closed from mile marker 59-74.  The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed 106 mph winds in Carbondale.  The State EOC is not activated.  No requests for State/Federal assistance.

Region VII
Missouri
Damage is widespread, mainly in the Springfield area.  There are three (3) confirmed fatalities and twelve (12) injuries.  Significant flash flooding has occurred in the Ozarks region.  An estimated 152,000 customers are without power.  68 buildings have been destroyed.  Four (4) shelters have opened.  The state is continuing to assess the damage and impact.  No request for Federal assistance.

Kansas
Winds gusts over 100 mph and widespread flash flood damage have occurred in SE Kansas.  One (1)
fatality has been reported.  An estimated 15,628 customers are without power with hundreds of buildings damaged or destroyed including an airport hanger.  The state is continuing to assess the damage.  No request for Federal assistance.

Volcano Activity:

Mount Redoubt, AK
Two AVO crews are collecting data near the volcano: one is taking thermal images of the dome from a helicopter and sampling ash east of the volcano.  A second crew is collecting gas data from the plume in a fixed wing aircraft.  The Aviation Color Code remains at ORANGE; and the Alert Level remains at WATCH. 

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

On Thursday, May 8, 2009 at 4:27 pm EST an earthquake measuring 4.2 struck about 4 miles east of Ojai, Calif.  at a depth of 4.7 miles.  There were no reports of damage or injuries. (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)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On May 8, 2009, the President signed a Major Disaster Declaration, FEMA-1836-DR, for the State of Alabama, as a result of Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes and Straight-line Winds occurring April 10 - 13, 2009.  Specifically designated is Public Assistance for five (5) counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide.  The FCO is Albert Lewis from the National FCO Program. (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:25:06 EDT