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National Situation Update: Saturday, March 6, 2010

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
A low pressure system will bring rain and mountain snow to much of California.  The heaviest accumulation is forecast over Southern California where up to an inch of rain is expected. Elevations above 5,500 feet will receive up to a foot of snow.  Tomorrow, the system will move east, rain and mountain snow will spread into the Four Corners area. The next system will move ashore over the Pacific Northwest tomorrow.
Midwest:
A low pressure system over the Upper Midwest will produce a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain over parts of the Dakotas, western Minnesota and northwest Iowa. Rain will spread south as far a Kansas.  Tomorrow, the precipitation will spread into parts of the Ohio Valley and the western Great Lakes.
South:
A large high pressure system centered over the Great Lakes will produce generally dry but unseasonably cool conditions over the Southeast. Low relative humidity may produce critical fire weather during the afternoon and evening hours in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina.
A frontal system associated with the low in the Upper Midwest will produce rain over central Texas and Oklahoma. Rain will spread across the Southern Plains and the Lower Mississippi Valley by tomorrow.
Northeast:
The high pressure area over the Great Lakes will produce dry but unseasonably cool conditions across the region. (NOAA’s National Weather Service, Hydro Meteorological Prediction Center, and various media sources) 

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

Today, at 3:46 a.m. EST, a magnitude 4.6 earthquake occurred offshore of northern California, approximately 22 miles west of Petrolia, CA. The quake was recorded at a depth of 7.8 miles. No injuries or damages were reported as a result of this event and no tsunami was generated. (USGS; WCATWC; PTWC) 

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

North Dakota
The Governor of North Dakota has submitted a request for an expedited major disaster declaration   due to a potential for severe spring flooding beginning on February 26, 2010, and continuing. The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance Category B (emergency protective measures) including direct Federal assistance for 18 counties and one tribal nation plus Hazard Mitigation statewide.  
Oklahoma
The President has signed a major disaster declaration FEMA-1883-DR-OK for the State of Oklahoma for Severe Winter Storms that occurred January 28-30, 2010. The declaration provides for Public Assistance for 25 counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide.   (FEMA HQ) 

Last Modified: Monday, 08-Mar-2010 07:45:19 EST