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National Situation Update: Monday, January 23, 2012

Significant National Weather:

West:
A break in precipitation can be expected in the Pacific Northwest today before the next Pacific system arrives tomorrow bringing strong winds, coastal rain and mountain snow that could become locally heavy by Tuesday evening. Light snowfall is expected today and tonight across portions of Idaho, southwest Montana and northwest Wyoming. A developing low pressure system off the coast of California will bring precipitation to the Southwestern U.S. into the Central Rockies.

Midwest:
Snow in the upper Midwest should gradually taper off today while freezing rain should change over to rain Monday night followed by a period of moderate rainfall ahead of a warm front early on Tuesday. The rain is expected to taper off and end by Tuesday afternoon while some snow may linger a bit longer near the Great Lakes. The western Upper Peninsula and north central Wisconsin can expect up to eight inches of new snow.

South:
The strong to severe thunderstorms that have crossed the South overnight should continue to move to the east and generally become less intense as the day progresses. Conditions should improve later today behind the departing system with clearing skies and temperatures warming into the 60s before the next system arrive midweek

Northeast:
Light icing conditions with light freezing rain and freezing drizzle expected across interior New England this morning. Temperatures will climb to above freezing in most areas later today bringing a period of rain later on today. Dryer and cooler conditions will return on Tuesday with lake effect snow downwind of Lake Ontario.

Severe Weather – Southeast U.S.

Beginning Sunday evening, January 22 into early this morning, there were widespread reports of severe weather across Middle Mississippi, Ohio & Tennessee valleys. Tornadoes, large hail and high winds were reported causing downed trees and power lines. The National Weather Service Storm recorded10 tornado reports in Arkansas, 2 tornado reports in Mississippi, and 1 tornado report in Tennessee. As of 4:30 a.m. EST, three power companies reported power outages for the impacted area. Entergy Arkansas Incorporated reported up to 6,201 customers without power in Arkansas (down from approximately 14,000 at peak of storm). Memphis Light, Gas and Water reported about 10,172 customers without power in Memphis, TN; and the Kentucky Utilities Company reported up to 2,395 customers without power in western Kentucky. One shelter was opened in Arkansas, but there are no reports of open shelters in other states. Some minor damages reported. Damage assessments are scheduled to begin after daylight in affected areas. The Tennessee Emergency Operation Center (EOC) increased its activation level to Level IV (Local Emergency) due to the severe weather. All other state EOCs maintained normal activation levels. The FEMA National Watch Center, Region IV, Region V and Region VII Regional Watch Centers (RWCs) and the Region VI – Denton MERS Operation Center (MOC) are operating at Watch/Steady State. No request has been made for FEMA assistance and none is anticipated.

Major Western Storm Continues

A series of severe western storms that began January 17 continues to impact the region. Conditions are improving as a general warming trend is melting snow and ice.  Heavy rainfall is expected to return to western Washington and Oregon by Tuesday, January 24. FEMA Regional Response Coordination Center is at Watch/Steady State and the Bothell Mobile Operations Center is maintains 24/7 operations.  FEMA Liaisons Officers (LNOs) are deployed to the Oregon and Washington SEOCs. The National Response Coordination Center is not activated and the National Watch Center maintains 24/7 operations.  There are no shortfalls or additional requests for FEMA assistance. (FEMA Region X, FEMA HQ)

Washington
The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) will remain activated at Phase III (Full Activation) until at least this afternoon, January 23. Pierce and Thurston counties will re-open their EOCs Monday morning, January 23.  All local EOCs are closed or on call. The Governor declared a statewide State of Emergency on January 19. As of 4:45 a.m. EST, Puget Sound Energy reports 58,718 customers without power.  Over 282,000 customers reported outages at the peak of storm.  The hardest hit counties were Thurston, Pierce and King.  Power restoration could last well into the week. Most shelters are closed; however, warming & overnight shelters remain open in King, Pierce and Thurston counties. The number of shelter occupants continues to decrease; however, the total occupant numbers are not available.  Portions of several state roads remain closed due to downed trees and power lines. A mudslide in Bellevue, WA closed the Westlake-Sammamish Parkway and damaged 3 houses. No injuries were reported as a result of the mudslide.

Oregon
The SEOC continues to be activated and will maintain virtual operations. Six counties have declared a local State of Emergencies. On January 19, 2012, the Governor declared a State of Emergency for four counties (Marion, Coos, Benton and Lincoln) with other counties to be added at a later time. Power restoration continues in impacted areas. As of 4:45 a.m. EST, Pacific Power reports approximately 423 customers are without power in the Hood River & Mosier areas. Statewide, most shelter were closed or placed on standby. No major road closures reported. Most inland river levels continue to improve and localized urban flooding is possible.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) continues to manage reservoir flows under their jurisdiction. The USACE will be available to provide on-call technical assistance. Damage assessments are scheduled to begin this week.

Space Weather:

Space weather for the past 24 hours has been moderate. The Space Weather Prediction Center reported that geomagnetic storms reaching the G1 (minor) level and solar radiation storms reaching the S3 (strong) level occurred.  Radio blackouts reaching the R2 (moderate) level has also occurred. (Potential Impacts from R2 radio blackout: Area of impact centered primarily on sub-solar point on the sunlit side of Earth; limited blackout of HF radio communication; loss of radio contact for tens of minutes). Space weather for the next 24 hours is predicted to be minor.  Geomagnetic storms reaching the G1 (minor) level and solar radiation storms reaching the S3 (strong) level are expected.  Radio blackouts reaching the R1 (minor) level are likely.

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

Hawaii
On January 22, 2012  at 9:36 p.m. EST, a magnitude 4.7 earthquake occurred near Kae’na Point in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Island of Hawaii approximately 11 miles southeast of Volcano, HI and 26 miles south of Hilo, HI at a depth of 5.0 miles. This earthquake was followed by several aftershocks, the largest being a magnitude 3.1 earthquake that occurred at 9:45 p.m. EST in the same location at a depth of 4.3 miles. There were no reports of shaking, damage, or injury and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an information statement stating that there was no tsunami threat to Hawaii.

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Monday, 23-Jan-2012 12:49:34 EST