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National Situation Update: Sunday, May 10, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

West:
Most of the region will be dry today except for isolated thunderstorms in the northern High Plains.
Light rain is expected to spread into western Washington and western Oregon tonight.
Midwest:
The band of precipitation extending from Wyoming to Oklahoma will gradually decrease throughout the day today.  The threat of severe thunderstorm activity will be confined to southeast Oklahoma, 
southwest Arkansas and eastern Texas. 
South:
The front extending from Texas to the Carolinas will continue to bring large amounts of precipitation to the Lower Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast states. Many areas will receive more than an inch of precipitation today. Flooding, particularly in the Lower Mississippi Valley, is expected to continue.
Florida may see a few isolated thunderstorms.
Northeast:
The circulation on the backside of the low over the Canadian Maritimes will bring rain to northern New York and New England.  Northwesterly winds from 15 to 25 mph, gusting to 40 mph, can be expected over much of the region this morning. The winds will gradually decrease from south to north. (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 Saturday, May 9, 2009, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 2,254 laboratory-confirmed cases in 43 states.  There are also 728 probable cases in 41 states with a total of 81 hospitalizations, including 2 confirmed deaths in the US.

H1N1 Influenza Outbreak - International
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday, May 09, 2009, there were 3,440 confirmed cases in 29 countries, including the US.  The WHO reported Mexico had 1,364 confirmed cases of H1N1, including 45 deaths and Canada has reported 242 laboratory-confirmed cases of H1N1, including one death.

Alaska Flooding Update

Flood Warnings are in effect for the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers until 8:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday May 10, 2009. There are three Riverwatch Teams deployed to monitor river levels and to provide advanced emergency notification of flooding.  The AK SECC is activated at Level 4, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. AKDT, with two additional staff assigned.  Twenty-two communities are reporting flooding along the Chistochina, Kuskokwim and Yukon Rivers. One Red Cross shelter has opened for residents displaced by Yukon River flooding. No Federal assistance has been requested.  (Region X, Bothell MOC)

Severe Weather/Tornadoes

Region III:
West Virginia Flooding
WV Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is activated.  The Governor has declared 6 counties local disaster areas, with 3,846 customers are without power; restoration is unknown.  Five shelters opened (four in Mingo County, one in Raleigh County) with an unknown number of occupants.  Rivers causing the most damage include Tug, Guyandotte, and Kanawha.  Areas around Big Sandy River are being surveyed for damages.  National Guard, State Police, State Highway personnel and others are compiling damage information.

Region IV:
Kentucky
Severe weather resulted in one confirmed fatality and four injuries.  7,935 customers are without power; restoration is unknown.  One shelter is opened with an unknown number of occupants.  There is extensive damage in Madison and Estill Counties and the KY National Guard has activated in Madison County.  No request for Federal assistance.

Region V:
Illinois
Severe storms occurred in southern Illinois (Murphysboro, Carbondale, and Marion) with peak wind gusts measured at 106 mph in several locations (DuQuoin and Carbondale). There are 56,400 customers are without power; restoration is unknown.  Local officials are continuing damage assessments in Jackson, Franklin and Williamson Counties.  Water treatment plants in Williamson and Jackson Counties are without power.  There is a Boil Water Order issued in Carbondale (Jackson County), population 26,367. There are reports of extensive damage to the Williamson County Airport (near Marion).  There are 5 shelters open with 52 occupants.  The shelters are also providing food operations. No injuries or fatalities were reported.  No request for Federal assistance.

Region VII:
Missouri
The Governor declared a State of Emergency as a result of severe storms, high winds and flash flooding occurring on May 8. The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) activated at Level I, with SEMA Staff only.  Four confirmed tornadoes; five preliminary tornadoes reported.  The State reported 4 fatalities and 12 injuries. There are 89,000 customers without power; restoration unknown. There is widespread damage across the southeast portion of MO with initial damage assessments reporting 48 buildings destroyed. No request for Federal assistance.

Kansas
The State reported one confirmed fatality as result of severe storms and tornadoes. There are 15,628 customers are without power; restoration unknown. Eight counties reported damage (downed trees and power lines). There are no shelters open and no request for Federal assistance.

Volcano Activity:

Mount Redoubt, AK
Aviation Color Code remains at ORANGE; Alert Level remains at WATCH. (AVO)

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

Jesusita Fire, Santa Barbara, CA
Cal Fire reported 8,733 acres burned as of Saturday, May 9, 2009, with 40% containment.
There are 18 firefighter injuries, along with approximately 3,500 residences and 100 businesses threatened in Santa Barbara (population 92,325).  Thirty-three homes have been damaged or destroyed.  Evacuations are gradually being lifted.  Repopulation began yesterday with 70% able to return their homes.  There are 2 shelters opened with 180 occupants and 4,321 personnel assigned to the incident.  Resources include:  498 Engines, 104 hand crews, 35 dozers, 75 strike teams, 11 air tankers and 13 helicopters.  FMAG FM-2817 was approved May 6, 2009 at 9:13 p.m. EDT.  There are no requests for Federal Assistance.  (FEMA Region IX RRCC, NWS, CalFire, Santa Barbara County, State of CA)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:28:35 EDT