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National Situation Update: Saturday, February 2, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Midwest:
Snow showers are forecast across the upper Great Lakes through Sunday morning, with possible light rain or snow in the lower Missouri River Valley.  Temperatures will range from the teens in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota to the 40s and low 50s across Kansas, Missouri, and Kentucky.

Northeast:
The winter storm system that is currently bringing significant snow, sleet and freezing rain to Maine will exit into the Canadian Maritimes later this morning.  High temperatures will be up to 13 degrees above season average this weekend, ranging from the 20s in northern Maine to the 50s and a few low 60s in Virginia.

South:
Light showers are forecast Sunday from eastern Texas to northern Alabama.

West:
Another storm will drop south from the Gulf of Alaska to the Pacific Northwest coast today and then move across northern California and Nevada on Sunday.  This new system will bring up to three feet of new snow to the southern Oregon and northern California.  Snow will move inland across the Great Basin and into the northern and central Rockies where the higher elevations could see an additional 10 to 20 inches. (NWS, FEMA Region X, Media Sources)

Northwest Winter Storm

Washington:
Washington (WA) Governor declared a State of Emergency in 15 counties of Eastern Washington as a result of recent significant snowfall.  WA State EOC remains activated at Phase II, with ESF-1 (Transportation) activated to support interstate highway closures.  Emergency declarations enable emergency funding and activation of the National Guard to assist in snow removal.  One shelter opened in Cheney, WA (Spokane County) with no occupants; served 100+ hot meals.  Federal assistance has not been requested.

Idaho:
Idaho Governor declared a statewide State of Emergency as a result of recent significant snowfall.
State EOC is activated at Phase III Emergency Operations.  No reports of open shelters.  Power County opened one shelter on January 31, 2008 with 50 occupants, but closed the shelter on February 1, 2008.
Federal assistance has not been requested. (NWS, FEMA Region X, Media Sources)

Texas Fires

Texas:
Texas Governor initiated a request to the state of Louisiana for helicopter support through EMAC.
Texas Governor certified that 184 counties are currently threatened by extreme fire hazard.  Critical fire weather is forecast for the southern Panhandle, the South Plains and West Texas.  Wind gusts of 20-40 mph and low relative humidity are the primary threat conditions.  Texas Forestry Service (TFS) reported 69 fires covering 48,449 acres and Volunteer Fire Departments reported 174 fires covering 35,834 acres for the past week.  Texas State Operations Center (Emergency Operations) remains activated to Level I in support of the wildfires, and fire containment is improving in 17 counties. 
Texas Department of Transportation is providing fuel for fire fighting apparatus, a maintainer, a bulldozer, 21 other vehicles, 29 personnel and two portable dynamic message signs.  TFS deployed ground assets and have mutual aid agreements in place.  There has been no request for Federal Assistance. (FEMA Region VI, TX EOC)

Midwest Flooding Update

Michigan:
A Flood Warning is in effect for the Grand River near Comstock Park (Kent County) due to ice jamming.  At 9:00 p.m. CST on February 1, 2008, the level was at 13.9 feet (flood stage 12 feet).
Warning will remain in effect until the river falls below flood stage.
Indiana:
A Flood Warning continues for the Kankakee River at Davis Route 30 affecting La Porte, Starke, and St. Joseph Counties and at Shelby affecting Lake and Newton Counties.
Illinois:
A Flood Warning continues for the Rock River near Moline, Joslin, Rockton and Latham Park affecting Henry, Rock Island, Whiteside and Winnebago Counties.  A Flood Warning continues for the Illinois River at Havana and Beardstown affecting Fulton, Mason, Brown, Cass, Morgan and Schuyler Counties until tomorrow morning.  Ice jams continue to cause fluctuations in water levels and flooding along portions of the Rock River in Winnebago County. (NWS)

Mill Valley Sewage Release

Marin County, California (CA) partially activated its Emergency Operations Center in response to the accidental release of 2.7 million gallons of partially treated sewage and storm water into the Corte Madera Creek and Richardson Bay on January 31, 2008.  The release was caused by start-up failure of the facility treatment pumps coupled with an alarm system failure.  The 28-square mile Corte Madera Creek watershed drains southeasterly into the shallow waters of the San Francisco Bay.  The sewage release was composed of primary and secondary treated sewage.  Secondary treated sewage is normally suitable for release to waterways, but in this case, due to the combination of primary and secondary treated material, it is not environmentally suitable for release to San Francisco Bay.  Clean up of the waste water treatment plant and the adjacent City of Mill Valley Corporate Yard has been completed.  There will be no cleanup efforts of Richardson Bay or the impacted creek.  Natural flushing through tidal circulation and bio-degradation will eliminate the sewage, and wind driven circulation will restore oxygen.  The Department of Fish and Game is assisting Marin County with water sampling efforts in the impacted area.  Preliminary analysis of water samples indicate there will be little or no impact to fish and wildlife in and around the Bay. (FEMA Region IX FEMA MOC BOTHELL, Media Sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report.  (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

On February 1, 2008, the President signed a Declaration, FEMA-1741-DR, for severe winter storms in Kansas, December 6-19, 2007.  Sixty counties are eligible for Public Assistance.  All counties are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The FCO is Thomas A. Hall. (FEMA HQ)