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National Situation Update: Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Midwest:
The merging storm systems advancing into the Middle Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley and Great Lakes are forecast to produce heavy snowfall over the next few days with anticipated accumulations of 6-12 inches through Wednesday.  Cold temperatures continue throughout the Region with highs in the teens in the northern areas and 30s in southern portions of the area.
Northeast:
Snow will arrive in the area by noon bringing another 10-20 inches of snow, sleet and rain from central and southern Virginia to Pennsylvania by evening. Heavy snowfall will continue overnight as the system moves north into New England. Temperatures will be near freezing today and in the upper 20s by Wednesday. Blizzard conditions are possible throughout the region with strong wind gusts of up to 35 mph expected in the evening.
West:
Rain will begin along the California coast where an inch is possible in the lower elevations. Up to 2 inches of rain could fall in the foothills, and 6-12 inches of snow is expected in the mountains by evening. Rain and mountain snow will continue on Wednesday as the system moves into the Southwest and southern Rockies. The National Weather Service reports that blizzard conditions are possible in portions of Alaska including Bristol Bay, Pribilof Island and the Kuskokwim Delta.
South:
Rain will continue across the South through tonight. Up to an inch of rain is expected in portions of northern Georgia and Mississippi. Rain may change to snow in western Tennessee, and northern portions of Mississippi and Alabama with accumulations of 2-4 inches possible.  (NOAA’s National Weather Service, The Hydro Meteorological Prediction Center and various media sources) 

Major Winter Storm - Feb 9-10 & Storm Recovery (Feb 5 – 7, 2010)

FEMA Region II
The region is at Watch/Steady State with Maynard MOC 24/7. No request for Federal assistance has been received. In New Jersey, the EOC remains at Level III; 43,754 customers remaining without power and seven shelters were open overnight with 285 occupants.

FEMA Region III
The RRCC is at Level III (12/7) with Operations, Plans, Logistics and Watch (24/7). Liaison officers remain deployed to the EOCs in VA and WV. There have been no requests for Federal assistance.

The VA EOC remains activated at “Response Operations”. Following the storm, 14 structural collapses occurred including two fire station roofs in which rescue vehicle damages occurred, and a roof buckled at a Post Office.  No injuries were reported from the collapses. 42,600 customers remain without power. 15 shelters are open with 125 occupants. 

West Virginia SEOC remains fully activated. There are 25,813 customers without power. 18 shelters are open with 91 occupants. 

The Pennsylvania EOC is partially activated and will return to Level II (normal operations) at 12:00 p.m. EST 9 Feb. 59,986 customers remain without power.

The Maryland SEOC is at Level III (partial activation). 21,961 customers are without power. Two shelters are open, population unknown.

The State of Emergency declared on February 5, 2010 in Delaware will be lifted at noon today.  Delaware SEOC is partially activated (24/7) with select ESFs. Two shelters are open with 42 occupants overnight. 12,300 customers are without power.

The Snow Emergency continues across the District of Columbia. DC HSEMA is partially activated. Power is restored to the majority of residents; minimal outages remain for 250 customers.

Transportation services: Flight operations at Thurgood Marshall (Baltimore/Washington International), Dulles International and Reagan National have resumed commercial operations and continue snow removal activities. Reagan is planning to cancel flights on Wednesday in anticipation of the incoming storm. Rail operations above ground on the Washington Metro Rail began at 5:00 a.m. today with expected delays due to trains moving at slower speeds. MARC commuter rail service is operating on Holiday schedule. Limitations continue in commuter bus services. The Virginia Rail Express (VRE) will not operate today.

FEMA Region IV
The Tennessee EOC was elevated to Level IV (Active Missions and Monitoring) as of midnight Feb 9, 2010; the Kentucky EOC has been elevated to Level II (24 hours) with select ESFs.

FEMA Recovery Operations in Haiti (7.0 Earthquake)

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) is the lead U.S. Government (USG) office responsible for providing humanitarian assistance in response to international emergencies and disasters.

In support of the U.S. Department of State/Agency for International Development (USAID), the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been partnering with US DOD/USTRANSCOM to transport commodities to support Haiti, including more than 1.42 million meals.

Commodities that have been delivered to Rio Haina, Dominican Republic, and Port Au Prince, Haiti, to date, includes roughly:

  • 1.42 million meals
  • 24,365 blankets
  • 767,164 liters of water
  • 94,709 comfort kits
  • 7,645 cots
  • 52,606 tarps
  • 463 rolls of plastic sheeting

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG):

No activity(FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake occurred offshore in the Tonga Region on February 8, 2010, at 8:03 p.m. EST. The quake was approximately 194 miles WSW of American Samoa at a depth of 6.2 miles. There are no reports of injuries or damage associated with the quake. A Tsunami statement was not generated. (USGS) 

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Tuesday, 09-Feb-2010 08:24:08 EST