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National Situation Update: Friday, May 15, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

Midwest:
Another storm system, less severe than the one that moved through the region on Wednesday, will affect the northern Plains and upper Midwest today. Showers and thunderstorms should develop and the storm will still provide a threat of severe weather. Some of the thunderstorms across western Missouri and eastern Kansas could become severe and produce tornadoes, large hail, and damaging wind gusts. Northern Missouri, Illinois, and southeast Iowa may also see hail and damaging wind gusts with isolated tornadoes possible in areas that were affected by severe weather last Wednesday. Tonight and tomorrow will see showers and thunderstorms across the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. Some of this rain from southern Michigan southwest to southern Missouri could be locally heavy and increase the flooding potential in these areas.
West:
The northern Rockies will stay cool with rain and higher elevation snow showers today. California will see highs in the 60s and 70s along the coast and in the interior valleys with highs in the upper 90s and lower 100s in the deserts.
South:
A few afternoon thunderstorms are possible today across the southeast with gusty winds, hail, locally heavy rain, and localized flooding. Temperatures in parts of central and southern Florida and central and western Texas could reach the low 90s.
Northeast:
The departing storm system will bring decreasing cloudiness and cool temperatures. A stalled front over West Virginia and northern Virginia will keep the area cloudy with showers and a few thunderstorms possible. Another storm system will move through the region on Saturday.  (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 Thursday, May 14, 2009, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 4.298 confirmed and probable cases in 46 states plus the District of Columbia
  • 153 hospitalizations, including three (3) confirmed deaths in the US

H1N1 Influenza Outbreak - International

  • According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2:00 am EDT on Thursday, May 14, 2009, there were 6,497 confirmed cases in 33 countries, including the US.
  • WHO reported Mexico had 2,446 confirmed cases of H1N1, including 60 deaths

Alaska Flooding Update

  • Alaska Governor issued a State Disaster Declaration for interior flooding events beginning on May 4 and continuing.
  • AK SECC activated at Level IV (Major Property Damaging Event)
  • Ice jam flooding continues along the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers in Alaska
  • 71 people evacuated from Tanana; preliminary reports of 25-30 homes affected; water returning to normal levels
  • 39 people remain in shelters in Kwethluk
  • No Federal Assistance has been requested.  (Region X, Bothell MOC)

Severe Weather/Tornadoes

Region III:
West Virginia Flooding

  • WV Governor requested a Major Disaster Declaration
  • Water has receded in most areas
  • IA and PA PDAs complete in Mingo and Wyoming counties; PDAs in other counties suspended until additional data becomes available from local emergency management offices
  • 86 homes destroyed, 315 homes major damage / 334 homes minor damage
  • All shelters remain on stand-by

Region V:

  • FEMA Region V RRCC is activated at Watch/Steady State

Illinois

  • IL Governor declared a State of Emergency for 6 counties on May 8 and 3 additional counties on May 12.  
  • 6,593 customers remain without power in southern IL; restoration ongoing
  • Damage assessments and first stage debris removal began on May 11 
  • No request for Federal assistance  (NWS, Region V)

Region VII:
Missouri

  • Severe storms and high winds affected portions of southern MO on May 8
  • Governor declared statewide State of Emergency
  • State EOC is at Level 1
  • Fatalities: 4 / injuries: 12
  • 6,260 customers remain without power; restoration ongoing
  • IA PDAs began May 13 in 35 counties; PDAs in 14 counties completed; estimated completion date of remaining counties is May 18
  • PA PDAs will begin after IA PDAs have been completed
  • Additional tornado touchdowns in portions of southwestern, central and northeastern Missouri on May 13
  • 2 fatalities; 12 injuries
  • 3,600 customers without power in Kirksville and St. Louis areas

Volcano Activity:

Mount Redoubt, AK
Aviation Color Code remains at ORANGE; Alert Level remains at WATCH.  Seismicity remains low compared with earlier phases of the eruption. Rock falls and vigorous steaming continues from the lava dome and summit crater.  An explosive event could occur with little or no warning. (AVO)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

  • FEMA-2820-FM-AK approved May 14, 2009, for Mile 17 East End Road Fire in Kenai Peninsula, Alaska.
  • 1,500 acres; 10 % contained
  • 70 homes in Homer threatened (15 miles from fire); 110 homes in two Russian villages in Homer East End Road (Vonesenka and Kechemak - 2 miles from fire) threatened
  • 200 people evacuated  (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 (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

Jesusita Fire, Santa Barbara, CA

  • 8,733 acres burned; 90% contained (CalFire)
  • Full containment is expected  May 20
  • 80 residences, 79 outbuildings, and 1 commercial building destroyed
  • 15 residence and 2 outbuildings damaged
  • 500 residences threatened
  • 113 residents remain under mandatory evacuation
  • All shelters on stand-by
  • FEMA-2817-FM-CA approved May 6, 2009
  • No requests for additional Federal Assistance
    (FEMA Region IX RRCC, NWS, InciWeb, CalFire, Santa Barbara County, State of CA)

Florida Wildfires

  • On May 14, 2009, Governor of Florida declared State of Emergency for the entire state due to drought conditions in Central, South and Southwest Florida and 140 wildfires throughout the state with 11,357 acres burned
  • Martin County Complex Fire
  • FEMA-2819-FM-FL was approved on May 12, 2009
  • Fire has burned 1,939 acres
  • 2 homes destroyed; 7 homes damaged; 31 homes threatened
  • Orlando-Volusia Complex Fire
  • 7,526 acres; 30% contained

Disaster Declaration Activity

  • Kentucky request for Major Disaster Declaration as a result of Severe Storms, Heavy Rain, Flooding, High Winds, Tornadoes, and Mudslides beginning May 3, 2009 and continuing. The Governor is requesting Public Assistance for 19 counties, Hazard Mitigation statewide and direct Federal Assistance for the first seven (7) days. (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:28:31 EDT