National Situation Update: Monday, November 14, 2005

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Tropical Activity In The Caribbean

At 4:00 a.m. EST the center of tropical depression twenty-seven was located near Latitude 13.8 north, Longitude 63.2 west or about 150 miles west of St.Lucia (1,400 miles southeast of Miami FL.

The depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 10 mph and this motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours. On the forecast track TD 27 is expected to continue to move away from the Windward Islands

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts. Some slow strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours.

Rain accumulations of 3 to 5 inches are forecast for Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Isolated maximum amounts of 10 to 12 inches will be possible over higher terrain.

The next advisory will be issued by the National Hurricane Center at 11:00 a.m. EST.

National Weather Forecast

West: Washington and Oregon will get a break from precipitation but a storm system in the High Plains is forecast to produce snow over much of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and northern Utah. A blizzard warning is posted for much of central and northeast Montana while winter storm warnings and blowing snow advisories are in effect for the Rockies of southern Wyoming and northern and central Colorado. The snow will be accompanied by strong, gusty winds in much of the West. High wind warnings and watches are widespread from eastern Montana southward to portions of eastern Colorado. Winds in some spots may reach 70 to 75 mph.

Midwest: A large and complex storm system is moving into the Plains from the west. A frontal system from Oklahoma to the Tennessee Valley will result in scattered showers and thunderstorms from the great lakes to the Gulf Coast. Scattered showers and thunderstorms, some severe are forecast for Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. On the Plains, wind-driven snow with accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are expected in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. South of the snow, scattered rain showers may spread eastward across South Dakota and Nebraska. A high wind watch has been posted for northwest South Dakota, parts of western and central Nebraska, the western half of Kansas and the eastern half of Colorado.

South: The frontal system extending from the storm system in the Midwest will produce scattered showers and thunderstorms in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Northeast: A cold front will produce showers in West Virginia, Virginia and the Delaware, Maryland Virginia (Delmarva) Peninsula. High pressure over Pennsylvania, New York and New England will produce dry seasonable conditions. (NWS and Various Media Sources)

Tornadoes in Iowa

On Saturday several tornadoes touched down in North Central Iowa. The State is reporting 9-16 tornado sightings.

The communities of Woodward (Dallas County) and Stratford (Hamilton County) received the most damage.

In Woodward, Local officials are reporting 0 fatalities, 0 injuries, 24 homes destroyed, 12 homes damaged and 1 business damaged.
In Stratford, Local emergency management staff are reporting 1 fatality, 3 injuries and 30 homes destroyed
There have also been reports of damages in the rural areas of these counties.

Utility crews are working to restore gas and power to homes.

The State has reported that many homes have open roofs. Tarps and plywood are in short supply in these areas. They are attempting to call area home improvement stores for assistance.

The American Red Cross is on site providing assistance and several sheltering operations have been opened in churches and schools.

State/Local Response: The Governor and state emergency management staff toured the affected areas Sunday.

Potential for Federal Involvement: The State is still collecting damage information and may submit a request for joint PDAs to begin on Tuesday. (FEMA Region VII)

Other Tropical Activity

There are no tropical cyclones in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico or Eastern Pacific Ocean.

In the Western Pacific Ocean, TD 24W is southeast of the Philippines and is forecast to move to the north-northwest over the next several days. Based on the current forecast the system poses no threat to U. S. assets. (National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

Typical activity in Alaska and California - nothing significant to report. ( USDOI/USGS, National Earthquake Information Center)