National Situation Update: Monday, October 5, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

West:
A winter storm continues to move across the western U.S., producing heavy mountain snow in the northern Rockies. Snow accumulations up to 3 feet are possible in elevations above 5,500 feet. Winter Storm Warnings have been issued for portions of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming until noon today.
South:
Heavy rain is forecast over eastern Texas, and across the southeast to include northern Alabama, northern Georgia, Tennessee and the western Carolinas. Rain accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are possible in northern and central Georgia; soil in these areas has remained saturated and additional rain may quickly lead to flooding of low lying areas. A Flood Watch is in effect for portions of northern and central Georgia through this afternoon. Flood Warnings have been issued for several rivers in eastern Texas through this afternoon.
Midwest:
Heavy rain is forecast from the western Dakotas east to northern Michigan; accumulations up to 3 inches are possible in some areas. Some areas in the western Dakotas may receive snow accumulations up to 7 inches.
Northeast:
Showers are possible in northern New York and northern New England through this evening. (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 remains activated at Level II
Region IX Incident IMAT is deployed to American Samoa with DCO, DCE, and MERS support
National IMAT-West will provide back-up to Region IX response operations. Region VIII IMAT is currently on a 2-hour recall for possible deployment. Region IX will maintain operational control.
FEMA 1859-DR-AS approved on September 29

FEMA Headquarters:

FEMA NRCC transitioned to Level III; 24 hour operations, with select ESFs

Current Situation / Status of Response:

Transition of citizens from shelters to homes/temporary housing, commodity distribution, long-term power restoration, generator installation, assess HAZMAT conditions
33 confirmed fatalities
Approximately 450 families are being supported by 14 shelters and 9 feeding centers
The overnight shelter figures are difficult to verify as some people are using the shelters as feeding centers only
Additional medical supplies enroute
24 schools will reopen on October 5; 10 schools without power have had power restored; 5 more schools are scheduled to resume classes on 13 October
One of the two island power plants remains off-line. A three-phase plan has been developed between USACE and ASPA to address the short, medium, and long term power requirements of the eastern district
23 generators have been delivered to American Samoa. Additional generators have been requested
Aviation fuel supply is available and fuels management plan is being formulated
Expect full JFO to be operational on Tues, Oct 6
Beginning coordination of Logistics Recovery Planning and retrograde requirements

Super Typhoon (20W) Melor

Super Typhoon (20W) 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 registered sustained winds of less than 30 mph.

Current Situation

CNMI Governor has declared "all clear" condition for Saipan & Tinian
CNMI Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has returned to normal operations
No significant damage reported to infrastructure or property
Shelters have closed; residents returned to homes

Federal Coordination

FEMA NRCC activated at Level III, 24 hour operations, with select ESFs
Region IX RRCC at Level II activation
Region IX has begun redeployment of personnel / equipment

Washington Dust Storm

At 01:30 a.m. PDT the Washington Department of Transportation closed 41 miles of Interstate 90 in east-central Washington State due to low visibility associated with high winds and dust. Affected roads were in Grant and Adams Counties and visibility varied between 5-20 feet. A major vehicle-related accident occurred on I-90, involving 2 semi trucks and three cars, and resulting in 11 non-life threatening injuries. As of Sunday 10:30 p.m. PDT Interstate 90 has reopened, winds have subsided and visibility has improved.

Southeast Flooding Recovery

Current Situation

Region IV RRCC Status: Level IV (Watch Unit at 24/7)
Georgia EOC has returned to normal monitoring operations
JFO operational on Oct 1 for FEMA-1858-DR
Shelters: 1 Occupants: 126 (ARC )
Structures destroyed: 626
Structures damaged: major 1,066, minor 478
One (1) bridge remains closed in Douglas County; Four (4) roads remain closed
14 DRC's are open in 13 designated counties

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

FMAG-2841-FM-CA approved October 4, 2009 for the Sheep Fire, located near Lytle Creek and Wrightwood in San Bernardino County, California.

Twin Fire - Arizona

FMAG-2840-FM-AZ approved October 3, 2009
1,000 acres burned; 10% contained
Started Friday, Oct 2; fire started as a deliberate, pre-emptive burn to rid the forest of undergrowth and protect Williams from wildfires
Fire near town of Williams (pop 2,842) on private and Federal land
Evacuation order remains in effect for residents of the southwest part of the city of Williams; businesses have been allowed to reopen
1 Shelter open with 1 occupant
Estimated containment date is unknown (Region IX, NIFC) (FEMA HQ)

Sheep Fire - California

FMAG-2841-FM-CA approved October 4, 2009
7,500 acres burned; 20% contained
Started Saturday, Oct 3; cause is under investigation
Fire located in San Bernardino National Forest near Lytle Creek and town of Wrightwood (pop 4,482) in San Bernardino County
Mandatory evacuation for Wrightwood and Lytle Creek
2 shelters open with a population 57
Threatened - 2,000 residences; 20 commercial properties
Estimated containment date is unknown (Region IX, NIFC) (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic
Tropical Storm Grace
Located about 585 miles NE of the Azores, and moving NE near 28 mph. This motion is expected to continue early today, followed by a gradual turn toward the north-northeast with a decrease in forward speed Monday night and Tuesday. Weakening is forecast during the next 24 hours and Grace is expected to be absorbed by a large non tropical low pressure area by Tuesday.

Tropical Wave
A tropical wave located about 1200 miles east of the Windward Islands is producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Some gradual development of this system is possible over the next couple of days as it moves westward at 15 to 20 mph. There is a low chance, less than 30 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.

Eastern Pacific
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Central Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected through Tuesday afternoon.

Western Pacific
Super Typhoon 20W (Melor)
Located about 673 miles SE of Okinawa, moving westward at 18 mph. Melor no longer poses a threat to the CNMI. (NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

The USGS reports that a 4.6 magnitude earthquake occurred at 3:12 a.m. EDT, Monday, Oct 5, in the Samoa Island Region 145 miles southwest of Pago Pago, American Samoa, at a depth of 6.2 miles. There have been no reports of damage or injury and no tsunami advisory was issued. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 2
National Fire Activity as of Sunday, October 4, 2009:
Initial attack activity: Light (42 new fires)
New large fires: 1
Large fires contained: 1
Uncontained large fires: 6
States affected: CA, AZ, OR, ID, TX, WY(NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity