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National Situation Update: Saturday, May 10, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

South
Severe weather conditions are forecast over the weekend with strong to severe thunderstorms from Kansas southward to northeast Texas.  Tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds are possible.  Thunderstorms will continue through the lower Mississippi Valley into Mississippi and Alabama on Saturday night.  The severe weather may lose some intensity as the storms move through northern Georgia and the western Carolinas Sunday morning.  Temperature highs will range from the 80s and the 90s throughout the region.

Midwest
Moderate rain is expected for the Midwest this weekend.  South Dakota to Ohio may see up to an inch of rain by Sunday evening.  Some localized flooding is possible due to the saturated ground; however, widespread flooding is not expected.  Temperatures will remain cool with highs in the 40s and 50s over the Plains and Minnesota; highs are expected in the 60s for the rest of the region.

Northeast
Light rain may continue across coastal New England on Saturday; however, drier conditions are forecast for the Northeast by Saturday afternoon.  Rain showers are possible Sunday afternoon for Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, western Pennsylvania and extreme southwest New York.  Temperature highs will be mostly in the 50s and 60s for the weekend.

West
Upper disturbances will produce morning rain and light mountain snow for southeast Montana to central Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest.  Red Flag Warnings will be in effect from Saturday afternoon until Saturday evening for southern Colorado, and northern and central New Mexico due to strong winds and low relative humidity.

Mississippi Valley Flooding

Currently, no river gauges along the Mississippi River are reporting Major Flood Levels; however, Moderate Flood Level continues at many gauges.  (Region  IV, Region V, Region VI RRCC, National Weather Service, FEMA HQ)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

Three earthquakes ranging from 3.1 to 3.4 magnitude occurred 18 to 19 miles SSE of Telescope, CA or 102 miles west of Las Vegas, NV between 7:17 p.m. to 10:22 p.m. EDT May 9, at a depth of .2 to 1.4 miles.  No injuries or damage have been reported.

A 6.7 magnitude earthquake occurred offshore near Guam at 5:51 p.m. EDT on May 9.  The quake was located 125 miles WSW from Hagatna, Guam at a depth of 54.4 miles.  A tsunami is not expected along the California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, or Alaska coasts.  No tsunami advisory, watch or warning is in effect for these areas.  (USGS, FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 2
National Fire Activity as of Friday, May 9:
Initial attack activity: Light (152 new fires)
New large fires: 5
Large fires contained: 3
Uncontained large fires: 11
Weather Discussion:  Dry conditions and strong winds will develop over the Sierras, southern Great Basin, Southwest and extreme southern California today as a storm system approaches.  (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center,  NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center, NGB)

New Mexico
Trigo Fire (Torrance County) has burned 13,709 (+29) acres and is 95% contained.
Containment lines have been tested over the past couple of days and continue to hold.
Firefighters focus their efforts on improving the lines, patrolling, mopping up and continuing to conduct rehabilitation work on dozer lines along the eastern edge of the fire boundary.  (National Interagency Fire Center, and Inciweb)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On May 9, 2008, the President signed Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1755-DR for the State of Maine due to severe storms and flooding that occurred on April 28 and continuing.  The declaration designates Individual Assistance (IA) for Aroostook County and Hazard Mitigation statewide.  The Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) is Phillip E. Carr.

On May 9, 2008, the President signed a Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1754-DR for the State of Oklahoma due to severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred on April 9-28.  The declaration designates Public Assistance (PA) for 23 counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide.  The FCO is Justin A. Dombrowski. (FEMA HQ)