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National Situation Update: Friday, March 14, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
A frontal system will produce rain and snow across much of the Northwest and the Rockies trough the weekend.  Snow levels will drop to 1500 feet in the Washington Cascades and 3500 feet in the northern Sierra. Strong gusty winds will continue across southern California; southwest to west winds will gust to 60 mph with winds strongest on ridge tops and desert slopes. The rain and mountain snow will move southward tomorrow reaching southern California and the Southwest by Sunday. Southeast Arizona and central New Mexico are under red flag warnings this afternoon.  Gusty winds and extremely low relative humidity will produce very high to extreme fire danger.

Midwest:
A low pressure system moving out of Colorado will produce weather for the central Plains and lower Midwest into Saturday. Rain is forecast from the central Plains to Missouri and the Ohio Valley.  Some areas could see accumulations of as much as 2 inches.

South:
Upper level disturbances will produce unsettled weather into the coming weekend. Expect widespread showers with the threat of thunderstorms especially in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.  Western and central Texas is under red flag warnings this afternoon.  Gusty winds and extremely low relative humidity will produce critical fire danger.  High temperatures in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas may reach 100 degrees.

Northeast:
A low along the New England coast will produce snow in Maine.  A low pressure system moving into the mid-Atlantic will bring rain to the mid-Atlantic this afternoon moving northeast to New York City and southern New England tonight.  High temperatures ranging from the 20s in Maine to the 70s in Virginia. (NWS, Media Sources)

Flooding Update

Midwest
Illinois:
Rock River is at moderate flood stage at Joslin and is forecast to remain at this stage through March 20, 2008.  A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for Rock River affecting the counties of Henry, Whiteside and Rock Island.

Ohio:
A Flood Warning continues for the Tuscarawas River at New Philadelphia and for the Muskingum River near Coshocton.  Both rivers are at minor flood stages and are forecast to crest Saturday, March 15, 2008.

Wisconsin:
A Flood Warning is in effect until further notice for the Fox River near New Munster.  The Fox River is forecast to reach moderate flood stage, 13 feet, by 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, 2008.  At 12.8 feet, widespread flooding of homes is expected in low lying areas adjacent to the river in Wheatland, Silver Lake and Salem.

Flood Safety Awareness
Flooding is a coast to coast threat to the United States and its territories in all months of the year. National Flood Safety Awareness Week (March 17-21, 2008) is intended to highlight some of the many ways floods can occur, the hazards associated with floods, and what you can do to save life and property. Flood Safety Awareness Week has a different focus for each day of the week as follows:

• Monday: Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS)
• Tuesday: Turn Around Don't Drown™ (TADD)
• Wednesday: Floods, Droughts and other Related Phenomena
• Thursday: Flood Insurance
• Friday: Flood Safety

See the complete article at www.weather.gov/floodsafety/ (NWS)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

Nothing significant to report.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

Nothing significant to report.  (USGS/NEIC/WDC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The President signed Emergency Declaration, FEMA-3283-EM, for snow in Illinois occurring February 5-6, 2008. FEMA intends to provide assistance for emergency protective measures (Category B), including snow removal assistance, under the Public Assistance program.  This emergency assistance will be provided for any continuous 48-hour period during or proximate to the incident period for seven counties. The FCO will be Lawrence Sommers. (FEMA HQ)