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National Situation Update: Friday, March 7, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:  A high pressure system will dominate most of the region for the next two days bringing dry weather and mild temperatures.  A weak front will come ashore tomorrow bringing rain showers in the lower elevations of Washington and Oregon and snow in the higher elevations.

Midwest:  With the low pressure system moving up the East Coast, a band of snow will stretch from Arkansas to the Great Lakes. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until midday Saturday from Missouri to the Ohio River Valley with significant snow accumulations of 5 to 12 inches.  Southern Ohio and northern Kentucky may see winds gusting between 40 and 50 mph on Saturday.  High temperatures will range from the single digits in northwest Minnesota to the 20s in the northern Ohio Valley tomorrow while Kansas will reach the 60s.

South: The low pressure system moving ashore from the Gulf of Mexico will produce widespread precipitation from Oklahoma to the East Coast.  Most of the region will have rain but Arkansas will start off with rain then change over to snow with accumulations between 5 to 10 inches.  Thunderstorms are forecast for Georgia and Florida as the system moves northward from the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
Much colder air will follow the storm bringing winds gusting to 50 mph. 

Northeast: Heavy precipitation will move up the Eastern Seaboard today as the low pressure system tracks northeastward.  The Mid-Atlantic may see up to 5 inches of rain from the Delaware Valley through New Jersey.  Heavy snow and freezing rain will impact northern New York and northern New England today with accumulations reaching 12 inches.  Winds will be strong on Saturday both ahead of and behind the storm system.  (NWS, Media Sources)

Preparations for Winter Storm

• The RRCC is prepared to maintain a 24 hour Watch and a full Level III activation should it be required.
  
• RST and ERT-A rosters have been established and Response Liaison Officers have been identified for each Region IV State.
  State Activity
  
• Kentucky State EOC will activate to Level Two partial activation, Friday March 7, 2008.
  
• Other Region IV states are in normal monitoring status.
  Region VI:
  
• A duty staff has been rostered for monitoring the system as it passes through the Region.
  
• State Liaisons have been alerted.
  State Activity:
  
• Texas: Parts of northern Texas received 6 to 9 inches of snow yesterday as the Gulf Coast storm moved through the region to the northeast. A state liaison is already on continued deployment to the Texas State EOC for enhanced wildfire risk.
  
• Other Region VI states are in normal monitoring status. (Region IV, Region VI, FEMA HQ)

East Coast Severe Weather Outbreak

Recovery from the thunderstorm activity on March 4-5, 2008 continues:

Pennsylvania:

• A landslide is blocking Girtys Run stream within Shaler Township, Allegheny County. Three to 4 homes are being flooded but they are in known low-lying areas.
  
• Minor to moderate flooding:  Bucks County, Monroe, Northhampton, Carbon, Columbia, Dauphin, Perry, Susquehanna, York, Allegheny, Westmoreland

Maryland:

• MEMA reports that 17 flood gates at the Conowingo Dam, on the Susquehanna River, are open and from 1 to 14 more may be opened to reduce flooding.  The opening of these flood gates will impact the town of Port Deposit, MD resulting in one road closure due to flooding downstream. (Region III)

Ohio Snow and Ice Storm, Flooding

Recovery from the Midwest snow and ice storm of 4 March, 2008 continues:

• The Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA) reported that there were as many as 50,000 residences and businesses without power yesterday afternoon. Latest reports from Ohio power companies indicate approximately 20,000 customers are still without power. Full restoration expected later today.
  Flooding:
  
• The Scioto River is flooding at moderate levels in many areas and is forecast to fall to minor flood stage by Sunday, March 9, 2008. Three shelters have been established with a population of 18.
  
• No requests for Federal assistance.  (Region V,  NWS,First Energy Website,  Media Sources)

California Landslide

At 10:56 a.m. EST, March 6, 2008, Los Angeles County officials responded to a landslide at Montana Avenue/South Church Lane/Sepulveda Boulevard.  Open source reports approximately 50 firefighters responded to reports of flooding in the area, possibly due to a water main break.  No injuries reported.  CA OES monitoring situation and providing updates, as information is available. (Region IX)

Mid-West Flooding

The Rock River at Moline and Joslin in Illinois are at major flood stage and are forecast to remain at this level through March 12, 2008; officials are monitoring the continuing floods.  The Illinois River in Illinois is at moderate flood stage, and officials are monitoring.  The Kankakee and East Fork White Rivers in Indiana are at Moderate Flood stage.  The river levels are falling but are not expected to be below Flood Stage until Sunday, March 9, 2008. (NWS, Region V,  Media Sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)