FEMA: National Situation Updates

Friday, November 20, 2009

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

West
A strong cold front will move into the coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest today. The Oregon headlands will see wind gusts up to 80 mph while the ridge tops of the Sierras will see gusts up to 125 mph. Rain is expected from Washington to the northern San Joaquin Valley of Central California. An additional 6 to 8 inches of rain is forecast in the Olympic Peninsula while the rest of western Washington through the San Francisco Bay area may see rain totals of an inch or more. The Cascades and the northern half of the Sierra Nevada will see heavy snow and gusty winds; the strong winds will reach as far east as Idaho, Nevada and Utah. The storm will weaken on Saturday as it moves eastward through the Great Basin to the northern and central Rockies and mountain snow and gusty winds are expected. A second cold front will arrive Saturday night into Sunday, bringing more rain and snow from Washington, Oregon, and northern California to western sections of Montana and Wyoming.
A third cold front will move into Washington and Oregon early next week.

South
Thunderstorms with some very heavy rain is expected later today or tonight for parts of southeast Texas; rainfall totals may reach 5 to 8 inches with some locally heavier amounts which may cause some flooding. Lighter rain is expected northward into eastern Oklahoma, western Arkansas and Louisiana.
On Saturday the rain will move northwards into the lower Mississippi Valley and the Southeast as it tapers off in Texas and the Gulf region may see rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches. On Sunday the rain will move into the western portions of Virginia and North Carolina as the rain tapers off in the Southeast, leaving only occasional showers in the region. Northern Florida may see a few thunderstorms on Sunday.

Northeast
As a storm system moves up through the Great Lakes into Canada, the Northeast will see some scattered rain today. The rain will be mostly in New York and New England, with a few showers possible into northern Pennsylvania and New Jersey; areas closer to Canada will see the most rain with rainfall totals from one half to one inch. By Sunday night into Monday the rain will move northwards with the heaviest rain expected from the mid-Atlantic coast to southern New England.
Midwest
The Midwest will be dry today except for a few showers around the Great Lakes. The region will remain dry through Sunday when light showers are possible from western Lake Superior to Kansas as well as a few showers moving southward toward the Ohio River. (NOAA’s National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity.(FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected 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 Saturday afternoon.
Western Pacific
No activity threatening United States Territories. (NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Severe Weather PDAs
Nor’easter created by Tropical Storm Ida November 13-14:
New Jersey:
• IA and PA PDAs continue in Atlantic and Cape May and Ocean counties. PDAs in Monmouth, Cumberland, Middlesex and Burlington have yet to be scheduled.
Virginia:
• IA PDAs that began November 16 in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Newport News, Chesapeake, Poquoson, and Hampton have been completed.
• PA PDAs continue in Norfolk, Hampton, Virginia Beach, and Newport News.
Delaware:
• PA PDAs continue in Kent and Sussex counties.
Alabama:
• PA PDAs continue in Mobile and Baldwin Counties.
North Carolina:
• PA PDAs for Dare, Hyde and Currituck Counties are scheduled to begin November 23.
Storms created by Tropical Storm Ida on October 29, 2009:
Louisiana
• IA and PA PDAs continue in Bossier, Caddo and Webster Parishes.

Wildfire Update

Note: Fire season is coming to an end - the National Interagency Coordination Center will issue reports only on Fridays unless there is significant activity.
• National Preparedness Level: 1
• National Fire Activity as of Friday, November 13, 2009
• Initial attack activity: Light (108 new fires)
• New large fires: 1
• Large fires contained: 1
• Uncontained large fires: 0
• States affected: AZ and MO (NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On November 19, 2009 the Governor of Arkansas requested a Major Disaster Declaration due to severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding beginning October 29, 2009 and continuing. The Governor is requesting Public Assistance, including direct Federal assistance, for 37 Counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide. (FEMA HQ)

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

West
Additional low-pressure systems will continue to impact the Northwest for the remainder of the week.
The first system will swing up near Vancouver Island today, with strong winds impacting the Oregon and Washington coasts; sustained winds may be as high as 40 mph, with gusts to 60 mph. A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through late this afternoon for the west slopes of the north and central Cascades. Snow levels in the Washington Cascades will climb to between 3,500 and 4,500 feet, and the Olympic Mountains will see snow levels rise to near 5,500 feet. Total snow accumulation in the Washington Cascades from this multi-day event will be between 1 and 3 feet. Through Friday, rain amounts of 7 inches or more will impact the Olympic Mountains, resulting in possible river flooding.
Coastal areas of northwest Oregon and western Washington may see between 3 and 6 inches of rain; farther inland, 1 to 3 inches are possible in Seattle and Portland. The cold front will begin to swing inland with the next area of low pressure on Friday. This will spread rain, gusty winds, and mountain snow farther south into northern California and Nevada impacting San Francisco, Sacramento, Redding, and the Reno/Tahoe area.
Scattered showers and cloud cover will impact areas from the Mississippi River eastward and from the Ohio River northward. Rainfall amounts will generally be light, though portions of eastern Ohio may see an inch of rain through today.
South
Showers will push through the Carolinas today, as a departing front moves east. High pressure will bring sunny skies to the Tennessee and lower-Mississippi Valleys, and also help to pull moisture back into Texas. This moisture will interact with an approaching upper level disturbance and develop into rain and thunderstorms over central and east Texas Thursday night through Friday. Locally heavy amounts of several inches are possible, especially near the southeast Texas Coast
Northeast
Light rain is forecast over much of West Virginia and western Virginia this afternoon. Showers will impact much of the Mid-Atlantic and southern New York today, then spread northward overnight through northern Upstate New York and New England. Dry conditions will return to the central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic as high pressure builds eastward. (NOAA’s National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected 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 Monday afternoon.
Western Pacific
No activity threatening United States Territories. (NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Severe Weather PDAs
Alabama began PA PDAs for two counties on November 17.
Louisiana began IA and PA PDAs on November 17 for two parishes.
New Jersey Joint IA PDAs for 7 counties have been completed; PA PDAs are ongoing for 4 counties and have been completed for 7.
Virginia Joint IA PDAs have been completed for seven counties; Joint PA PDAs have been requested for 11 locations, with 7 now completed and 4 remaining.
Delaware PA PDAs are scheduled to begin on November 19.

Wildfire Update

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

West
Another strong Pacific storm will impact the Northwest today, producing strong winds, heavy rain and snow through Thursday. Wind gusts up to 70 mph are possible along the coasts of Washington and Oregon beginning late this afternoon; inland, wind gusts are expected to be 30 to 50 mph in Seattle and Portland. Heavy rain is forecast along the west facing slopes of the mountains and coastal hills; accumulations of 1 to 4 inches are possible. Snow accumulations of 1 to 3 feet are possible across the Cascades and Olympics. An Avalanche Watch has been issued for the Olympics and west slopes of the North Cascades and Passes.
Midwest
A stalled low pressure system will produce rain and wet snow across the Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley and lower Great Lakes today. Portions of southern Michigan and the upper Ohio Valley could receive accumulations up to one inch.
South
A cold front will produce light rain along the Appalachians eastward to the Carolinas today. Rain accumulations will generally be light, but portions of the Carolinas may receive up to an inch. A Freeze Warning has been issued for portions of central Texas and central Oklahoma until later this morning.
Northeast
Light rain is forecast over much of West Virginia and western Virginia this afternoon. (NOAA’s National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected 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 Monday afternoon.
Western Pacific
No activity threatening United States Territories.(NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

On Tuesday, November 17 at 10:31 a.m. EST, a 6.6 magnitude earthquake occurred offshore 211 miles south of Metlakatla, AK, and approximately 510 miles northwest of Seattle, WA. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 6.2 miles. No injuries or damages were reported and no tsunami warnings were generated. (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

West
A strong Pacific storm continues to impact the Northwest, with sustained winds of 20 to 40 mph and gusts over 60 mph possible through late this morning. Heavy morning rain will taper off to showers in western Washington and Oregon by this afternoon. The band of rain and snow will move into western Montana and Idaho overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday morning. Another round of strong winds and heavy valley rain and mountain snow are likely Wednesday afternoon through Thursday. Overall, parts of the Washington Cascades may see three to four feet of snow over the next few days. The avalanche danger is also high over the mountains of the Pacific Northwest.
Midwest
Low pressure over southeastern Missouri will move northward today and Wednesday, resulting in light rain and some light wet snow across southwestern Missouri, southeast Kansas, and extreme northwest Arkansas; accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are possible. Light to moderate rain (an inch or more accumulation) is likely today from Des Moines through Chicago to Indianapolis and Cincinnati.
South
A cold front will produce scattered showers today from the middle Mississippi Valley to the southern Appalachians. Snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches are possible across the Ozark Mountains in northwest Arkansas.
Northeast
An area of moisture from the Southeast and Midwest will move toward the Mid-Atlantic on Wednesday, producing light showers over the Virginias. (NOAA’s National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected 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 Monday afternoon.
Western Pacific
No activity threatening United States Territories. (NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Monday, November 16, 2009

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Northeast
Temperatures will cool across the northeast and Mid-Atlantic as a cold front moves in, producing highs from the 40s in northern New England and upstate New York to the 60s in the Mid-Atlantic.

South
A cold front will bring scattered showers and thunderstorms to Arkansas, Louisiana, eastern Texas, Mississippi and western Tennessee. Behind the front, gusty northwest winds will develop over much of Texas and Oklahoma. The front will slowly move east tomorrow and Wednesday, spreading scattered showers through Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.

Midwest
A low pressure system will move slowly across the Midwest today and Tuesday, with rainy and breezy conditions expected over the mid-Mississippi Valley, lower Ohio Valley and southern Great Lakes.
Areas from Missouri to central Illinois and southern Iowa may see an additional 1 to 4 inches of rain. Snow or a rain/snow mixture is expected over parts of Kansas, southern Nebraska and southwest Iowa.

West
A cold front will move into the Northwest today and Tuesday, bringing significant moisture to Washington and Oregon. Heavy rain will target northwest Washington, causing possible river flooding in the Olympics and northern Cascades; snow in the higher elevations could cause avalanches. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 2 feet will be possible by Tuesday along the Cascade crest. Wind gusts between 60 and 80 mph can be expected along the immediate coast of Oregon and Washington (NOAA’s National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

NOAA Reports October Third Coolest on Record with Highest Precipitation

According to NOAA’s State of the Climate report, October was the third coolest month on record for average temperatures across the contiguous United States. Below average temperatures were recorded in all regions except the Southeast. The October average temperature of 50.8 degrees F was 4.0 degrees below the 20th Century average.

Preliminary data also indicates that October was the wettest month on record, reaching 4.15 inches, or 2.04 inches above the average between 1901 and 2001. This was the first month since December 2007 that no region in the United States recorded below normal precipitation.

East Coast Nor'Easter

New Jersey EOC has returned to normal operations
Governor has declared a State of Emergency for six coastal counties (Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Monmouth and Ocean Counties)
Several hundred homes and about 50 to 100 businesses were affected by the storm, which also caused significant beach erosion and flooding along the Jersey Shore
Joint IA and PA PDAs for seven counties are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, November 17; additional counties may be added later
Virginia’s Governor declared a State of Emergency
Virginia EOC remains partially activated for possible hazmat issues (barrel recovery in some of the affected areas)
LNO remains at the Virginia EOC
Chief Medical Examiner has declared four fatalities due to the storm
Power has been restored to the majority of the affected areas, with only about 300 outages remaining
One shelter open in Norfolk City; population 50
Alabama will begin PA PDAs for two counties on November 17
Louisiana will begin IA and PA PDAs on November 17 for two parishes

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected 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 Monday afternoon.
Western Pacific
No activity threatening United States Territories. (NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Northeast
Except for some residual morning rain in Maine, the Northeast will be dry today. A few light showers are possible in western Pennsylvania, western New York and northern New England tonight as a cold front moves eastward across the region.
South
Oklahoma, eastern Texas and Arkansas will see showers and thunderstorms today and tonight as a storm system develops over the southern Plains. The heaviest rain, possibly up to one half to one inch, will fall tonight in northern and western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. By Monday morning cold air developing behind the low may change the rain to snow as it moves over the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma. As the system moves eastward it will bring showers and thunderstorms to the lower Mississippi.
West
Moderate snowfall is forecast across the central Rockies to the western Plains. Two to six inches of snow accumulation is possible in most of the lower elevations in the plains of western Kansas and eastern Colorado and the lower elevations of northern New Mexico. Six to ten inches of snow is possible in Denver and Colorado Springs, while the mountains west of both cities may see up to a foot of snow. The Northwest will see lower elevation rain and mountain snow today and Monday as a series of cold fronts move through the area; a few inches of snow accumulation is possible around the mountain passes today before the snow changes to rain. Most of the precipitation will fall from the Cascade Mountains to the coast from Eugene, Oregon northward.
Midwest
A few showers are expected from the Great Lakes into the Ohio Valley as a cold front moves through the area. The middle Mississippi Valley through central Oklahoma will see heavier showers where the front remains stationary. Rain, showers and a few thunderstorms will linger across Illinois, Missouri and Kansas today through Monday. Kansas, Missouri and a small portion of west-central Illinois could see over an inch of rain. (NOAA’s National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

East Coast Nor'Easter

Region II

New Jersey EOC remains activated at Level III
PDAs for seven counties to begin on November 17; additional counties may be added later

Region III

Maryland's Governor declared a State of Emergency
Maryland EOC remains at Level II activation
LNO has demobilized from the Maryland EOC
Delaware’s Governor declared a State of Emergency
Delaware EOC has de-activated
Virginia's Governor declared a State of Emergency
Virginia EOC remains partially activated for possible hazmat issues (barrel recovery in some of the affected areas)
LNO remains at the Virginia EOC
Chief Medical Examiner has declared four fatalities due to the storm
13,995 customers remain without power
One shelter open in Norfolk City; population 50
Swift Water Rescue Teams have returned to normal duties

Region IV

Alabama will begin PA PDAs for two counties on November 17

Region VI

Louisiana will begin IA and PA PDAs on November 17 for two parishes
The Coast Guard has set port conditions
Port of Baltimore – port status remains restricted
Port of Hampton Roads – main channel is open with some restrictions

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected 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 Monday afternoon.
Western Pacific
No activity threatening United States Territories.(NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

Note: Fire season is coming to an end - the National Interagency Coordination Center will issue reports only on Fridays unless there is significant activity.

National Preparedness Level: 1
National Fire Activity as of Friday, November 13, 2009
Initial attack activity: Light (108 new fires)
New large fires: 1
Large fires contained: 1
Uncontained large fires: 0
States affected: AZ and MO (NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Northeast
Rain and gusty winds will continue through today in areas of New Jersey to New England. The strongest winds will be on Cape Cod and the Islands - wind gusts to 50 mph are possible this morning around Nantucket. Areas from Maine to New York and West Virginia will be dry today. By Sunday the storm will move far enough out to sea to only produce some lingering rain in Maine.
South
The South will remain dry over the weekend but by Sunday and Monday a cold front moving out of the southern Plains will bring showers and a few thunderstorms over the south-central states.
West
A significant snow event will begin today affecting the Rockies from Idaho to Utah. Later today the snow will start to fall in Denver and the Front Range. The storm will continue on Sunday, bringing snow to eastern Utah, northeast Arizona, northern New Mexico, Colorado, and southern Wyoming. By Sunday afternoon the snowfall from eastern Denver to the foothills could reach 5 to 8 inches. Temperatures could reach 10 to 20 degrees below average on Sunday.
Midwest
An approaching cold front will bring scattered showers to areas from the western Great Lakes to the south-central Plains. Temperatures will be 5 to 15 degrees above average ahead of the cold front. By Sunday the cold front will reach from the eastern Great Lakes into the southern Plains. (NOAA’s National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

East Coast Nor'Easter

Region II
• New Jersey EOC activated at Level III
• Cape May County, New Jersey has declared a local emergency for coastal flooding
• State has requested one IA and three PA PDAs – PDAs to begin November 16
• Approximately 3,100 customers are without power in Atlantic City
• Ocean Drive Beach Bridge closed due to a barge breaking loose in Townsend inlet that struck the Bridge (which connects Sea Isle City with Avalon)

Region III
• Maryland’s Governor declared a State of Emergency
• Maryland EOC has de-activated
• LNO has demobilized from the Maryland EOC
• No reports of significant damage from local jurisdictions
• Delaware’s Governor declared a State of Emergency
• Delaware EOC has de-activated
• Virginia’s Governor declared a State of Emergency
• Eleven counties declared local emergencies
• Virginia EOC remains partially activated
• LNO deployed to Virginia EOC
• Chief Medical Examiner has declared four fatalities due to the storm
• 51,507 customers remain without power
• Seven shelters open in Hampton Roads – population 170
• 19 primary roads with partial or total lane closures and 251 secondary roads are closed
• Midtown Tunnel (US 58) between Norfolk and Portsmouth, VA will remain closed until the next tidal cycle
• The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnels and the High Rise Bridge are open in both directions
• The Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel is open in both directions
• Jamestown-Scotland Ferry (VA 31) re-opened on November 13
• Swift Water Rescue Teams remain on stand-by

Region IV
• Alabama will begin PA PDAs on November 17

Region VI
• Louisiana will begin IA and PA PDAs on November 17 for Caddo and Bossier parishes
• The Coast Guard has set port conditions
• Port of Baltimore – port status is restricted
• Port of Hampton Roads – port status is closed

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity(FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected 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 Sunday afternoon.
Western Pacific
No activity threatening United States Territories.(NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)