National Situation Update: Saturday, December 3, 2005
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
Cold, Windy, Rainy and Snowy Weather in the Forecast for Upcoming Week
Midwest: Cold winds out of Canada continue to make life difficult for residents in Michigan, northeast Ohio, northwest Pennsylvania, and Upstate New York, where lake effect snowfall may total up to 24 inches by Saturday morning. Lighter snowfall (1-5 inches) is forecast for other parts of the Midwest during the weekend, including southern Minnesota, southern Wisconsin, Iowa, and northern Illinois. Cold temperatures up to 30 degrees below average are forecast for the Midwest next week. Highs are forecast to range from the single digits and teens in the northern Plains to the 30s in the southern portions of the region.
Northeast: Two storm fronts will continue to pound the Northeast region during the upcoming weekend and next week. Light snowfall is forecast for parts of the Mid-Atlantic area and New England. Maryland, DC, and Delaware will see some rain in the early part of next week. During the next several days, most of the region will be cold with below average temperatures.
West: The Pacific Northwest will continue to see some snowfall during the weekend. On Monday a cold front from Canada will bring snowfall to Washington, Idaho, and Montana. Additional snowfall will hit Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado during the beginning of the week. Most of the West will experience lower than normal temperatures as a result of the cold front moving in from Canada. Montana, Colorado, and Wyoming will be very cold with highs in the single digits and teens.
South: Most of the South will receive some rainfall during the next three days as the cold front moves southward from Canada. By Monday night the rainfall will be gone, but most of the region will be experiencing cold temperatures. (NWS, Media Sources)
Midwest Continues Recovery Efforts from Last Week’s Storms
North Dakota continues to assess damages and restore electrical power to areas hit by winter storms on November 27-30. FEMA Region VIII indicates over 5,000 remain without power in North Dakota communities. Local and state officials continue to clear highways of downed trees and other debris from storms. The North Dakota National Guard has delivered generators to provide emergency power. The State Emergency Management Office is maintaining contact with citizens who are without power to provide any assistance needed.
South Dakota also continues recovery efforts from winter storms that hit last week. State officials have closed some highways so that utility crews can safely work on poles. FEMA Region VIII reports that as of 4:15 pm EST Friday approximately 21,000 customers remained without power. There are approximately 50 communities without power which included two hospitals, five nursing homes, and one assisted living center which are operating on emergency generators. All interstates and state highways are open. Almost all cellular phone service has been restored largely through the deployment of portable generators to the cell sites. Telephone service is available in rural areas served with fiber. Technicians are powering batteries using portable generators.
Local communities have established 68 different emergency shelters. Twenty-two of these are housing a total of 1,188 people.
Approximately 112 South Dakota National Guardsmen are serving on Active Duty status. They have undertaken 52 missions to assist South Dakota citizens, communities and power companies. Three National Guard armories are currently being utilized as shelters in Aberdeen, Webster and Watertown. The state Emergency Operations Center has operated around the clock since Monday morning. They have completed approximately 185 requests for assistance. Water should be restored to the remaining two rural areas without water by Saturday, December 3. (FEMA Region VII and VIII)
Tropical Weather Outlook
Hurricane Epsilon, the 26th named storm of the Atlantic season, is maintaining hurricane strength over the cool waters of the central Atlantic, however the storm is expected to weaken to a tropical storm during the next 24 hours. At 10:00 pm EST on Friday, the storm was located about 1,115 miles west of the Azores.
Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph with higher gusts. Epsilon is expected to gradually become extratropical by this weekend. The storm is not currently forecast to threaten any U.S. interests.
There are no tropical storm formations expected in the Pacific Ocean or the Indian Ocean. (National Hurricane Center, Joint Typhoon Warning Center, media sources)
NOAA Predicts More Hurricanes and Tropical Storm Activity in U.S.
While officials and residents of the Gulf Coast and East Coast areas in the U.S. begin to relax as the 2005 hurricane season comes to an end, the respite may not last long. Meteorologists at the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida in conjunction with weather experts from other research centers indicate the Atlantic Ocean area is going through an era of heightened hurricane activity. This era, that is expected to continue for the next decade or longer, has been unfolding in the Atlantic since 1995.
NOAA scientists predict many more landfalling tropical storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes will occur in the U.S. during the next several years. The strength of the Atlantic hurricane season is largely determined by the number of tropical storms and hurricanes forming between Africa and the Caribbean Sea during the peak months of the season (August through October).
NOAA scientists attribute the increased tropical activity to natural occurring cycles in tropical climate patterns near the equator which typically last several decades. They specifically do not relate the increased activity to greenhouse warming.
Coastal population growth and development have increased substantially during the period of 1970-1994 when fewer hurricanes struck. As a result of population growth in the areas of the U.S. that have the greatest hurricane threat, there is more damage and more people affected when hurricanes strike.
NOAA scientists emphasize that preparedness for hurricane and tropical storm threats are ultimately the responsibility of individuals. Dr. Max Mayfield at NOAA's National Hurricane Center indicates that hurricane preparedness is each individual's responsibility -- "Knowing the risks, knowing ahead of time where to go and what to bring if evacuating, and heeding orders from local officials, empowers individuals, businesses and communities". Dr. Mayfield points out that accurate storm forecasts are only beneficial when people react by taking the necessary steps to save their lives and property. (NOAA, National Hurricane Center)
Earthquake Activity
No significant earthquake activity was reported in the U.S. or U.S. possessions, although there were several minor earthquakes in different parts of Alaska. There were no reports of injuries or damages. (USGS, NOAA West Coast Tsunami Warning Center)
Preliminary Damage Assessments
Nebraska has scheduled Public Assistance PDAs for 29 counties that will begin on December 7, 2005. Assessments will review damages caused by severe winter storms on November 27-28, 2005.
South Dakota has scheduled Public Assistance PDAs on December 3-4, 2005. Assessments will review damages caused by severe winter storms on November 28 and continuing. Damaged areas will be determined at time of flyover by PDA teams. (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update
National Preparedness Level remains at 1 - the lowest state of readiness.
A Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG-2590) was approved on December 2, 2005 by FEMA HQ for the Texanna Road Fire in McIntosh County, Oklahoma. The fire involved 11,000 acres and threatened 100 homes. The fire has reached the outlying areas of the Town of Texanna. Strong gusty winds accompanied by low humidity conditions are expected to prevail for the near term. (USFS, NICC, FEMA HQ)
Disaster Declaration Activity
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Wednesday, 29-Mar-2006 13:59:42 EST