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National Situation Update: Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Severe Weather Incidents

On November 28, 2005, parts of Missouri suffered from Severe Storms producing heavy rains, straight-line winds, hail, and tornadoes throuout the afternoon and early evening.

Two possible tornadoes struck the northern part of the state causing some damage to several businesses, some minor residential damage, debris, and widespread power outages.

The State EOC is working with State Area Coordinators to produce local assesments.  FEMA Region VII RRCC is monitoring the situation, although there are no requests for Federal assistance at this time.Tornadoes were reported in seven Kansas counties during the afternoon of the 28th.  Most damage was minor structural damage with downed trees and power lines.

In central and western Kansas, winter weather caused widespread power outages and closure of Interstate 70 from central Kansas into Colorado.

There are about eight shelters open housing over 1,000 people. The Kansas State EOC is contacting local emergency management offices throughout the state; however the situation does not yet appear to be beyond the capabiities of local authorities.  The potential for Federal involvement is uknown at this time.

NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) reports a Winter Storm System across the Northern and Central Plains.  Areas from Colorado to Kansas and north into the Dakotas are experiencing severe winter weather.

Parts of the three main East-West Interstate Highways (I-70, I-80, and I-90) have been closed due to the weather.

Many areas of central and east-central South Dakota after experiencing a prolonged period of freezing rain have lost power due to downed power lines.

The Davison County, Kansas Emergency Manager requested the NWS to issue Civil Emergency Messages over the NOAA Weather Radio to announce shelter locations.

Across the entire area, wind gusts have reached 70 mph over sustained winds between 45 and 50 mph.  Snowfall totals have reached over a foot from north-central Nebraska to central South Dakota with drifts over 10 feet reported in north-central Nebraska.

The NWS is reporting heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions across the Northern and Central Plains with areas from Colorado to Kansas and north into the Dakotas experiencing winter weather.

A severe winter storm hit South Dakota and is impacting the state the hardest east of the Missouri River.  The storm has forced schools, businesses and state and local governments to shut down.  A 250-mile stretch of I-90 is closed between Kadoka, in western South Dakota, and Sioux Falls in the southeast.  Authorities also closed I-29 from Sioux Falls to the North Dakota border.  In addition, a No Travel Advisory was issued for the eastern part of the state.

Thousands of people - especially in rural areas of the east are without power - and could stay that way through today.  Some power lines have as much as five inches of ice on them causing them to sag and/or break.  Approximately 40 shelters have opened in areas without power and there is a need for more to open within these affected areas.

The south central portion of the state is under a blizzard warning.  The rest of central South Dakota is under a winter storm warning.  The Sioux Falls weather forecast calls for blowing snow with winds reaching 35 to 45 mph and lows near 15 degrees overnight. There is no request for Federal assistance. NOAAs Eastern Region Hydrologic Services Chief is expressing concern over the Gilboa Dam, on the Schoharie River in upstate New York and its' ability to handle the potential rainfall as a large weather system moves east over the next couple of days.

The potential exists for moderate to heavy rains which could raise  the reservoir to critical levels approaching 90 feet.

Officials are trying to drain the reservoir, but are only making slow progress.New York City Emergency Managers, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, and NOAA Representatives are meeting with law enforcement and emergency management officials from Schoharie, Montgomery, and Schenectady counties to firm up an action plan if an evacuation alert for downstream counties becomes necessary.

The forecast rainfall, combined with snowmelt from last weeks snows could cause moderate rises on the Schoharie Creek.

FEMA Region II has been notified and will monitor the situation as it develops.  (FEMA Region VII, Region VIII, NOAA NWS)

National Weather Forecast

South:  A cold front will move eastward across the Southeast triggering thunderstorms from coastal areas of Virginia to Florida today. A few of these storms in Virginia and the Carolinas may be strong to severe. High temperatures should range from the 40s behind the front in northern Arkansas and western Tennessee to the 70s ahead of the front in the eastern Carolinas, southeast Georgia and northern Florida. Highs will reach the 80s in extreme southern Florida.

West:  The stormy weather pattern across the West continues as another storm plows into the region. Significant snow will coat many mountain ranges: the Olympics, Cascades, Sierra Nevada, Bitterroots and Wasatch. Across the Pacific Northwest, rain should change to snow by early in the day around the Puget Sound and even metro Seattle. Snow may reach into the coastal ranges of Oregon, as well. Look for heavy amounts of snow across northern California from the Siskyou Range to the central Sierra Nevada. A winter storm warning is in effect for the Lake Tahoe area. High temperatures should range from the 20s in Montana and adjacent areas of Idaho and Wyoming to just over 70 in extreme southeast California and far southwest Arizona.

Northeast:  A cold front will trigger rain across the Northeast today. Thunderstorms are likely across the Middle Atlantic region and a few storms may become strong. Mild temperatures will hold on along the Eastern Seaboard in advance of the front but temperatures will tumble again across the Great Lakes, although not down to the levels of the past weekend. Look for snow showers across parts of Michigan, however. The second half of the week will feature more wintry conditions across the region again, especially near the Great Lakes.

Midwest:  The storm system that produced blizzard conditions yesterday across the Plains will move into Canada today. Snow showers will move eastward from the Upper Midwest to the Great Lakes. High temperatures should range from the teens in northern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota to the 50s in eastern Ohio and eastern Kentucky. Wintry conditions will hold on across much of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes for the rest of the week.  (NWS, Media Sources)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level remains at 1 - the lowest state of readiness.Strong wind patterns combined with low relative humidity levels and extremely low fuel moisture levels to produce conditions conducive to explosive fire growth Sunday afternoon in Texas.   Numerous wildfires were reported in Eastland, Johnson, Lee, Montague, Parker, Taylor, Wichita, Wilbarger, and Wise Counties.

State resources were requested to support fire suppression operations. The Texas Forest Service (TFS) deployed critical fire assessment personnel and fire suppression equipment. The Governor's Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) deployed Regional Liaison Officers (RLO) to some of the affected area.

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) provided aircraft for surveillance, observation, and fire retardant drops.The Governor's Division of Emergency Management and the Texas Forest Service are closely monitoring the situation. The SOC is presently at activation Level III (Increased Readiness Conditions).

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) has activated the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) due to wildfires and high wind conditions being experienced in many areas of the state.  OEM continues to receive reports of wildfires in 13 counties.

In addition to OEM, the Oklahoma Military Department and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry are represented at the EOC. Other agencies and organizations will be represented as the situation warrants.  (USFS, NICC, Texas State Operations Center, Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management)

Tropical Activity

There is no tropical storm formation expected in the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Atlantic, or the Caribbean. (National Hurricane Center, Joint Typhoon Warning Center, media sources)

Earthquake Activity

A light earthquake occurred at 2015 (UTC) on Monday November 28, 2005.  The Magnitude 4.2 event was located at 61.445N and 150.656W in Southern Alaska, 50 miles SW of Palmer AK and 25 miles NW of Anchorage AK.  There are currently no reports of damage or injuries. (USGS, NOAA West Coast Tsunami Warning Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity. (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Effective November 16, 2005, FEMA 1607-DR-LA is amended appointing Alexander S. Wells as the Federal Coordinating Officer. (FEMA HQ)