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National Situation Update: Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Summary

Weather Hazards:  Locally heavy Lake Effect snows are likely to continue from Monday Dec 19 through Wednesday Dec 21.  Several strong storms will bring gales and heavy precipitation to southern parts of Alaska, extending southward along the Pacific Northwest Coast. Cold air will continue to stream across the Great Lakes, bringing locally heavy Lake Effect snows to the usual favored areas in the lee of the Lakes. A storm moving across the northern Gulf of Mexico may bring some frozen or freezing precipitation to interior areas of the Gulf and South Atlantic States.

A storm moving rapidly across the northern Gulf of Mexico may bring a mix of hazardous frozen and freezing precipitation across the interior South Dec 20-22.

Several episodes of heavy precipitation with gales in coastal areas are expected from the eastern Aleutians along the South Coast and Panhandle of Alaska, with some also affecting the Pacific Northwest coast.

These storms could eventually bring relief to the small area of severe drought in the Pacific Northwest interior, but other areas of severe drought centered over northern Illinois, eastern Kentucky, and much of eastern Texas will have little if any relief. (Source: NOAA/NWS)

Power Restoration goes around-the-clock in Carolinas

Duke Power reports 75 percent of the 700,000 customers affected by the recent ice storms, have power restored.  The effort to restore power to those remaining will consume more time as repairs are more individualized in neighborhoods, streets, and individual homes and businesses. (Source: Duke Power and Various Media Sources)

Hurricane Katrina and Rita Evacuees

FEMA has extended the Hotel Lodging Program. FEMA is asking if evacuees have not already done so, to please contact FEMA immediately at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or, for the TTY caller 1-800-462-7585 to discuss their continued disaster recovery.  The hours are seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (midnight) EST.

Tropical Activity

There is no tropical activity in the Atlantic, Caribbean or Pacific.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center is tracking two systems, Tropical Cyclone 07B and Tropical Depression 25W; however, neither system threatens US interests. (Source: NOAA/NWS, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

A strong earthquake occurred at 12:51 AM EST, on Tuesday, December 20, 2005.  The magnitude 6.2 event has been located in State of Yap, Federated States of Micronesia with a depth of 6.4 km (4.0 miles). There are no reports of damage, injuries, or Tsunami warnings at this time. 

During the last 24 hours, two 3.3 and a 3.7 magnitude earthquake occurred in different areas of Alaska. A 3.9 magnitude earthquake also occurred near Carlsbad, New Mexico.  There are no reports of casualties or damages at this time. (Source: FEMA Operation Center and United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Public Assistance Preliminary Damage Assessments were scheduled to begin on December 19 in the State of Kansas for 18 counties.

Public Assistance Preliminary Damage Assessments were scheduled to begin in the State of Minnesota for 8 counties. (Source: FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)