National Situation Update: Sunday, October 4, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

West:
A winter storm continues to move across the western U.S., producing rain and mountain snow from the Pacific Northwest into the Rockies. Warnings are in effect, and higher elevations in Oregon, Montana, and northern Wyoming could accumulate up to 4 feet of snow by Monday. Red Flag Warnings are in effect today for portions of northwestern Montana, north central California and western Nevada. High Wind Warnings have been issued today for portions of southern California and northern Arizona. A Fire Weather Watch is in effect through this evening for elevations below 6,000 feet in western Coconino and Yavapai Counties in Arizona.
Midwest:
Showers are expected across South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas as a storm system moves into the region.
South:
Rain and thunderstorms are currently impacting the south-central states, and are expected to move into the Southeast later tonight. Accumulations up to 6 inches are possible across northeast Texas, southeast Oklahoma and central and southern Arkansas.
Northeast:
A cold front and low pressure system off the New England coast could produce heavy rain for portions of eastern Maine. Showers are also possible from the eastern Great Lakes to the remainder of northern New England. Flood Watches have been issued for portions of eastern and far northern Maine through Monday night.(NOAA's National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Tsunami Recovery American Samoa

On September 29, 2009, at 1:48 p.m. EDT, an 8.0 magnitude undersea earthquake occurred 140 miles southwest of American Samoa generating a tsunami. At approximately 2:25 p.m. EDT a 5.1 ft tsunami wave struck American Samoa causing significant loss of life and injuries, and damage to the coastal area of American Samoa.

Federal Response
Region IX

Region IX RRCC activation level has changed to Level II
Region IX Incident IMAT is deployed to American Samoa with DCO, DCE, and MERS support
National IMAT West and Region VIII remain on a 2 hour recall to provide back-up to Region IX
FEMA 1859-DR-AS was approved on September 29

FEMA Headquarters:

FEMA NRCC transitioned to Level II on Saturday, Oct 3 with 24 hour operations and select ESFs present.

Current Situation / Status of Response:

Priorities include power restoration and generator support, search and rescue, commodity distribution and completion of damage assessments
32 confirmed deaths
Shelters are serving 3,559 meals three times a day (10,677 total meals/day) at 16 shelters. Overnight shelter population figures are difficult to verify as some people are using the shelters as feeding centers only, and returning home to sleep.
JFO location has been identified and acquisition being finalized
Several coastal villages have been badly damaged; extensive damage to roads, buildings and homes
One of the two island power plants remains off-line. Work on long-term power generation issues continues.
5 generators are on-island and 4 are in place; Installations in progress, not yet complete
Aviation fuel supply is available and fuels management plan being formulated
Hawaii National Guard CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP) personnel will redeploy to HI on Oct 4. Twelve (12) Hawaii National Guard Civil Support Team (CST) personnel will remain to assist with possible long term HAZMAT mission

Super Typhoon 20W (Melor)

Melor no longer poses a threat to the CNMI or other U.S. interests in the region. Super Typhoon Melor passed the Commonwealth of North Mariana Islands (CNMI) early Saturday EDT. Due to a last minute shift in the track and reduction in intensity, Saipan recorded sustained winds of approximately 30 mph.

Current Situation

CNMI Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has returned to normal operations
No significant damage reported to infrastructures on property
Only 10% of Saipan is reported without power; Saipan's one hospital has power
Super Typhoon 20W passed CNMI early Saturday; Saipan registered sustained winds approx 30 mph
No significant damage reported to infrastructure or property
CNMI Governor has declared "all clear" condition for Saipan & Tinian
CNMI EOC returned to normal operations
Shelters closing; residents returning to homes

Federal Coordination

FEMA NRCC activated at Level II, 24 hour operations, with select ESFs
Region IX RRCC at Level II activation
Region IX demobilizing deployed personnel and assets
With concurrence of the GAR and the CNMI EOC Director, deployment of resources on hold except for Region IX IA and PA personnel that may be needed for preliminary damage assessment.

Southeast Flooding Recovery

Current Situation

Region IV RRCC Status: Level IV with the Watch Unit at 24/7
Georgia EOC has returned to normal monitoring operations
Fatalities: 10 confirmed by the state medical examiner
Shelters: 2 Occupants: 138 (ARC )
IA PDA's are complete
JFO operational on Oct 1 for FEMA-1858-DR
14 fully staffed DRCs are open in 13 designated counties

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

FMAG-2840-FM-AZ approved October 3, 2009 for the Twin Fire, located near the town of Williams in Coconino County, Arizona.

Twin Fire - Arizona

FMAG-2840-FM-AZ approved October 3, 2009.
1,000 acres burned; 0% contained
Started Friday, Oct 2; fire started as a deliberate, pre-emptive burn to rid the forest of undergrowth and protect Williams from wildfires
Near town of Williams (pop 2,842) on private and federal land
Mandatory evacuations - 200 citizens (64 homes)
One evacuation center opened at a local school middle school; occupants unknown
Threatened - 600 homes, Escalante subdivision, 60 businesses, 8 public facilities & critical infrastructure (Fire & Police Stations, Communications Towers)
Estimated containment date is unknown (Region IX, NIFC) (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic
No tropical cyclones are expected during the next 48 hours.

Eastern Pacific
Olaf has dissipated into a remnant low. Rainfall and gusty winds associated with the remnants of Olaf will continue to spread northwestern Mexico until dissipation later tonight. Advisories are no longer being issued on this system.

Central Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected through Monday afternoon.

Western Pacific
Typhoon 19W (Parma)
Typhoon 19W (Parma) is not expected to affect U.S. Territories.

Earthquake Activity

4.5 M earthquake occurred at 7:37 a.m. EDT Saturday in central CA (7 mi south of Keeler, CA) near Death Valley National Park (sparsely populated area), at a depth of 1.2 miles. These earthquakes are a continuation of the swarm of more than 200 aftershocks that have followed the 5.0 M earthquake that occurred on October 1, 2009 in the same location. There have been no reports of damage or injury. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 2
National Fire Activity as of Saturday, October 3, 2009:

Initial attack activity: Light (46 new fires)
New large fires: 9
Large fires contained: 1
Uncontained large fires: 6
States affected: AZ, OR, ID, MT, , CA, WY, NV, TX (NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity