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National Situation Update: Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

West:
A low pressure system will move into the Pacific Northwest today, bringing rain and snow.  The Cascades may see 3 to 6 inches of snow.  High winds will affect much of the interior West from the Great Basin and Northern Rockies to the Four Corners.  Northerly winds are forecast for much of Southern California, keeping the fire danger high for Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties.  High temperatures will range from the 50s and 60s through the lower elevations of the Northwest to the 90s and 100s in the Desert Southwest.  A Red Flag Warning will be in effect for extreme southwest Alaska from 2:00 pm until 10:00 pm AKDT.
Midwest:
Showers and thunderstorms are forecast from the Plains to the Mississippi Valley.  Isolated severe storms will develop late today, producing large hail, gusty winds and possible tornadoes.  A Hard Freeze Warning is in effect for northern Michigan until 8:00 am EDT this morning.  Major flooding continues along several streams and rivers in the Dakotas and Minnesota.  A Red Flag Warning will be in effect for the northwest and southwest corners of Colorado from 10:00 am until 9:00 pm MDT today.
South:
A front will move across the southern Plains and Gulf Coast today, producing scattered showers and thunderstorms from Texas to Florida.  Major flooding is occurring along the Little River in Arkansas (at Horatio). A Red Flag Warning will be in effect for northeast and central-east New Mexico from 1:00 pm until 8:00 pm MDT.
Northeast:
A Hard Freeze Warning is in effect for western New York until 8:00 am EDT this morning.  Major flooding is occurring along the White River in Vermont (at West Harford). (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 12:41 pm EDT on Monday, May 11, 2009, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 2,600 laboratory-confirmed cases in 44 states.  There are currently 98 hospitalizations and three (3) confirmed deaths in the U.S.  As of Sunday, May 10, 2009, there were 865 probable cases in 41 states.

H1N1 Influenza Outbreak - International
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2:00 am EDT on Monday, May 11, 2009, there were 4,694 confirmed cases in 30 countries, including the US. The WHO reported 1,626 confirmed cases and 48 deaths in Mexico.

Alaska Flooding Update

The Governor of Alaska issued a State Disaster Declaration for interior flooding events beginning on May 4 and continuing. The AK SECC is activated at Level IV (Major Property Damaging Event).  A Unified Command has been established and two River Watch Teams have been deployed as break-up continues to threaten villages on several rivers. One (1) Red Cross shelter has opened in Eagle for residents displaced by Yukon River flooding.  There have been no overnight stays, but food service has been provided for approximately 100 people.  There have been no requests for Federal Assistance.  (Region X, Bothell MOC)

Severe Weather/Tornadoes

Region III:
West Virginia Flooding
The West Virginia Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is partially activated due to flooding.  The Governor has declared six (6) counties and surrounding areas local disaster areas (McDowell, Mingo, Raleigh, Boone, Logan and Wyoming) and state PDAs began yesterday in those counties.  Damage assessments indicate 300-400 homes destroyed, 1,000 homes damaged, and 2,000-3,000 homes affected.  In addition, 15 bridges have been destroyed and 25 damaged.  There are currently no unmet needs and no requests for Federal Assistance.

Region IV:
FEMA Region IV RRCC is activated at Level III (Partial Activation) 
Kentucky
Governor declared a statewide State of Emergency due to tornadoes and flooding that occurred May 8, 2009.  The Kentucky EOC is currently at Level III (Full Activation).  There have been 2 fatalities and 4 injuries reported.  Approximately 300 customers remain without power, though restoration efforts are ongoing.  Two shelters remain open, housing 5 occupants.  Extensive damage was reported in Madison and Estill Counties; State PDAs began Sunday and are continuing.  The KY National Guard is providing law enforcement, transportation, and command and control support.

Region V:
FEMA Region V RRCC is activated at Watch/Steady State and will continue to monitor Illinois response and recovery operations.  A FEMA Liaison Officer is available for deployment. 
Illinois
The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-1 tornado (peak winds 95 mph) in northern Jackson County, Illinois on Friday, May 8th.  The path of the tornado was approximately 100 yards wide and traveled for approximately 3 miles.  Severe storms also moved through 8 additional southern Illinois counties, resulting in downed trees and power lines and building damage.  The IL EOC is not activated at this time, though further State and local coordination will continue.  The Illinois Governor has declared an Emergency in Williamson, Franklin and Jackson counties.  There are currently 6 shelters open, housing 30 occupants.  An estimated 54,708 customers remain without power; though restoration efforts are ongoing.  Damage assessments and first stage debris removal began on Monday, May 11th.  The State is providing generators to one Public Water System and 3 IDOT lift stations. 
The IL Emergency Management Agency confirms that all resource requests for debris removal have been addressed.  There have been no requests for Federal assistance. (NWS, Region V)

Region VII:
Missouri
Severe storms and high winds occurring on May 8 caused flash flooding in southern Missouri, where the Governor has declared a State of Emergency.  The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) is activated at Level I.  There have been four confirmed tornado touchdowns, resulting in four fatalities and 12 injuries.  An estimated 14,912 customers remain without power, though restoration efforts are ongoing.  There are currently 2 shelters open, housing 10 occupants.  Early reports indicate 48 homes destroyed.  There have been no requests for Federal assistance.
Kansas:
Severe storms, flooding and tornadoes occurred on May 7-8, resulting in downed power lines and trees, and damage to residences and businesses.  One fatality has been reported.  PA PDAs are scheduled to begin Tuesday, May 19 for 30 counties  PA PDAs for 13 counties will be complete on Friday, May 15 in response to severe weather and snow that occurred April 25.

Volcano Activity:

Mount Redoubt, AK
The Aviation Color Code remains at ORANGE; Alert Level remains at WATCH.  Seismicity has remained low over the past several days.  The growing lava dome at the summit may be increasingly unstable; rock fall from the lava dome continues to produce very minor ash emissions.  Steaming is still visible in clear webcam views.  An explosive event could occur with little or no warning.  (AVO)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

FEMA-2819-FM-FL approved for the Martin County Complex Fire (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Eastern Pacific:
The Eastern Pacific hurricane season will officially start on Friday, May 15, and run through November 30th.
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
As of Monday, May 11, Cal Fire reported 8,733 acres burned and 80% containment.  Full containment is expected on May 13th, and tentative demobilization for the Santa Barbara EOC has been scheduled for May 14th.  Damage assessment includes 78 homes & 67 outbuildings destroyed, 22 homes & 69 outbuildings damaged, and 500 residences threatened.  There have been 28 firefighter injuries.  Approximately 145 properties have been evacuated (mandatory), affecting approximately 362 people.  One shelter remains open with 13 occupants (overnight Sunday).  There are currently 3,174 total personnel assigned to the incident, utilizing 37 dozers, 45 water tenders, 5 air tankers and 10 helicopters.  FEMA-2817-FM-CA was approved May 6, 2009, and there have been no additional requests for Federal Assistance.  (FEMA Region IX RRCC, NWS, InciWeb, CalFire, Santa Barbara County, State of CA)

Martin County Complex Fire, FL
FEMA-2819-FM-FL was approved for the Martin County Complex Fire on May 12, 2009.  The fire has burned 1,400 acres and is 0% contained.  There have been 1,000 people evacuated and three civilian injuries have been reported.  Approximately 520 homes are being threatened in the communities of Felda and Indiantown, as well as several commercial buildings and a bio-fuel plant.

Disaster Declaration Activity

On May 11, 2009, the Governor of Oklahoma requested a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of a severe winter storm and snow that occurred March 27 through March 28, 2009.  The Governor is requesting Public Assistance for 11 counties, snow removal assistance for 4 counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide.
Amendment No. 5 to FEMA-1831-DR-FL (Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight line Winds that occurred March 26, 2009 and ending on May 5, 2009) adds 3 counties for Individual Assistance and 4 for Public Assistance.(FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:28:34 EDT