National Situation Update: Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

Midwest:
Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible today across the Midwest. Heavy rain will accompany the front, with some locations receiving accumulations of up to two inches. Behind the front, strong winds gusting to 55 mph are possible across the northern Plains. Major flooding continues along several streams and rivers in the Dakotas and Minnesota. Moderate and Major flooding continues along the Illinois River, though river levels are receding. 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.

West:
Rain and snow showers will linger over Montana and northern Wyoming this morning as the low pressure system continues to move eastward. Another storm system will approach the Pacific Northwest by late today, resulting in showers and mountain snow. Gusty northerly winds will continue to impact Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles Counties in California, resulting in a high fire danger. Sunny and dry conditions will continue over the Southwest, with high temperatures in the 80s, 90s, and 100s through the lower elevations. A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the Santa Ynez Range and the south coast of Santa Barbara County until 2:00 p.m. EDT Thursday due to gusty north winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures.

South:
As a cold front moves into the Plains, parts of Oklahoma and northern Arkansas will see an increased risk for thunderstorms by this afternoon. Scattered thunderstorms are expected in the Florida Peninsula. Isolated showers and thunderstorms may develop with afternoon heating in portions of Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. Temperatures will reach the 80s and 90s over Texas and Oklahoma, while much of the southeast will be in the 70s and 80s. Major flooding is occurring along the Little River at Horatio in Arkansas. 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 storm system approaching from the Midwest will bring rain to portions of West Virginia, western Virginia, and western Pennsylvania. (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 am EDT on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 3,009 laboratory-confirmed cases in 44 states plus the District of Columbia
1,002 hospitalizations, including three (3) confirmed deaths in the US
As of Tuesday, May 12, 2009, there were 640 probable cases in 35 states

H1N1 Influenza Outbreak - International

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2:00 am EDT on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, there were 5,251 confirmed cases in 30 countries, including the US.
WHO reported Mexico had 2,059 confirmed cases of H1N1, including 56 deaths

Alaska Flooding Update

Alaska Governor issued a State Disaster Declaration for interior flooding events beginning on May 4 and continuing.
Alaska SECC activated at Level IV (Major Property Damaging Event)
Flood Warnings are in effect for the Yukon River from Stevens Village to Tanana
Unified Command established and two river watch teams deployed; break-up will continue to threaten villages on several rivers for the next few weeks.
Preliminary reports indicate 21 homes in Eagle with significant damage; clinic confirmed destroyed
Alaska National Guard is providing water to the city of Eagle
One (1) Red Cross shelter has opened in Eagle for residents displaced by Yukon River flooding; no overnight stays, but food service provided for approximately 100 people.
Potential for flooding in City of Bethel (pop. 5,600)
No Federal Assistance has been requested. (Region X, Bothell MOC)

Jesusita Fire, Santa Barbara, CA

Tentative demobilization for the Santa Barbara EOC on May 14
Cal Fire reported 8,733 acres burned as of Tuesday, May 12, with 80% containment
Full containment is expected today
0 fatalities; 28 firefighters injured
Damage assessment: 78 homes & 67 outbuildings destroyed, 22 homes & 69 outbuildings damaged
Approximately 145 properties evacuated (mandatory); affecting approximately 362 people
3,141 total personnel assigned to the incident
Equipment in use: 37 dozers, 45 water tenders, 5 air tankers and 13 helicopters
FMAG FM-2817 approved May 6, 2009
No requests for additional 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 on May 12, 2009
State EOC activated to Level II (partial activation)
Fire has burned 1,400 acres; containment unknown
Three civilian injuries reported
One mobile home destroyed and one damaged
520 homes, 3 commercial buildings, and infrastructure are threatened
Damage Assessment: 1 home destroyed; 1 damaged
Communities threatened are Felda and Indiantown
Fire is on 100% private land

Severe Weather/Tornadoes

Region III:
West Virginia Flooding

WV EOC at partial activation due to flooding
Governor has declared six (6) counties and surrounding areas local disaster areas (McDowell, Mingo, Raleigh, Boone, Logan and Wyoming)
Water has receded in most areas
IA & PA PDAs are ongoing
Preliminary reports indicate 300-400 homes destroyed, 1,000 damaged, 2,000-3,000 affected, 15 bridges destroyed and 25 bridges damaged.
1 shelter; population of 2
Two Services Delivery Sites opened for bulk distribution in Mingo County
One 1,500 meal Southern Baptist Church (SBC) kitchen in Gilbert opened May 12; a second has been requested for Matewan.
No unmet needs or anticipated 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.
Kentucky EOC is at Level III (Full Activation)
Fatalities: 2 / Injuries: 4
State of Emergency declared for 16 counties and 5 cities
Scattered power outages; restoration ongoing
Shelters: 3 / Occupants: 23 (Floyd, Pike, and Breathitt Counties)
Joint IA PDAs in 5 counties are pending recession of water
KY National Guard 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.

Illinois

Severe storms on May 8th, 2009 also moved through southern Illinois near Murphysboro, Carbondale, and Marion, Illinois; EF-1 tornado touched down in Jackson County
Affected counties include Franklin, Jackson, Jerry, Perry, Randolph, Saline, Williamson, and White.
Illinois Governor declared an Emergency in Williamson, Franklin and Jackson Counties.
6 shelters open; population of 30
675 meals were served to sheltered and emergency workers
An estimated 54,708 customers without power; restoration ongoing
Damage assessments and first stage debris removal began on Monday, May 11
No request for Federal assistance (NWS, Region V)

Region VII:
Missouri

Severe storms and high winds affected portions of southern Missouri on May 8
Governor declared State of Emergency for southern Missouri
State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) activated at Level I, SEMA Staff only
Fatalities: 4 / injuries: 12
An estimated 14,450 (-462) customers remain without power; restoration ongoing
State IA PDAs scheduled to begin in some locations today
48 homes destroyed
No request for Federal assistance

Kansas:

Severe storms, flooding and tornadoes occurred May 7-8, causing downed power lines and trees, and damage to residences and businesses.
Fatalities: 1
PA PDAs expected to start on May 15 for 25 to 30 counties
State EOC is not activated

Volcano Activity:

Mount Redoubt, AK
Aviation Color Code remains at ORANGE; Alert Level remains at WATCH. Seismicity has remained low over the past several days. Rock falls continue along the slopes of the growing lava dome. Clear webcam views show vigorous steaming from the margins of the lava dome. An explosive event could occur with little or no warning. (AVO)

Joint Field Office (JFO)

20 Field Offices are supporting 30 Major Disaster Declarations and 12 Emergency Declarations. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Eastern Pacific:
No activity affecting US territories. 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 (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