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National Situation Update: Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
With another frontal system moving ashore, precipitation will extend from Washington and Oregon into the Rocky Mountains and as far south as Colorado. High temperatures are forecast to range from the 20s in the Rockies to the 80s along the border with Mexico.

Midwest:
A frontal system extending from the Ohio River Valley to eastern Texas will produce precipitation over much of the Great Lakes and south to the Gulf Coast. Moderate to heavy snow will extend from Iowa and Minnesota to northern Ohio. Elsewhere, only areas of light snow or flurries are likely in the Upper Midwest and northern Plains. To the south, a wintry mix of sleet, freezing rain and rain will extend from southern Missouri to southern Ohio. Highs will range from the teens in the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes to the low 50s in Kansas and southeast Kentucky.

South:
The southern end of the frontal system will produce rain over much of the Region
The heaviest downpours, triggered by the eastward-moving cold front, will extend from Louisiana northeastward into Tennessee. Severe storms, including the risk of isolated tornadoes are possible in southeast Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and southwest Alabama and the far western portion of the Florida Panhandle. High temperatures are expected to range from the 30s in far northern Arkansas to the low 80s in southern Texas.

Northeast:
A frontal system moving out of the Ohio River Valley will produce frozen precipitation over Pennsylvania and New York State and then move into New England late in the day. As the system continues to move off to the Northeast, the precipitation in New York City and Coastal New England will turn to rain during the evening. To the south, freezing rain and sleet are forecast for northeast West Virginia, northwest Virginia and western Maryland. Rain showers can be expected over the remainder of Virginia and the Delmarva Peninsula. High temperatures will range from the teens in New England to the 50s in eastern Virginia. (National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

East Coast Wind Damage and Fires

Virginia:
The Governor of Virginia declared a State of Emergency on February 10, 2008 due to major wildfires in over 18 counties and localities which were spread by the high wind gusts of over 50 mph in some areas.
Virginia EOC is at Response Operations with limited staffing and is on backup power. VA Department of Forestry Command Center is operational and is coordinating response to widespread wildfires; more than 740 firefighters battled fires from Virginia Beach to Roanoke and into Fairfax County. 112 National Guardsmen are supporting wildfire suppression.  Approximately 200 fires reported statewide with over 6,000 acres burned; a large percentage are now contained. Three shelters are open with 60 occupants. 68,000 customers are without power; full restoration is not expected until Tuesday, February 14, 2008. Virginia Department of Forestry Regional Type III Incident Management Teams are in place at the regional offices. No request received for Federal Assistance.  (Region III, VDEM

Maryland:
Less than 1,500 customers are without power. No request received for Federal Assistance.

District of Columbia:
100 customers are without power.

West Virginia:
1,000 customers are without power.

Mississippi Valley Severe Weather

CURRENT SITUATION:
Recovery efforts continue in southeastern U.S. following severe weather that occurred on February 5, 2008.  Weather outlook continues to be favorable for ongoing recovery and damage assessments in affected states.

STATE and LOCAL RESPONSE
Tennessee:
Major Disaster Declaration was approved by the President on February 8, 2008. Public and Individual Assistance were approved for five counties; Hardin, Macon, Madison, Shelby and Sumner Counties. 32 confirmed fatalities, 192 injuries, 1 missing. One shelter is open with 15 occupants. 402 homes damaged/destroyed. 137 TN National Guardsmen supporting recovery operations. Individual Assistance (IA) Joint PDA's for Shelby, Fayette, Tipton and Madison Counties began February 8, 2008.

Arkansas:
Major Disaster Declaration was approved by the President on February 8, 2008. Public Assistance (Categories A and B), approved for 10 counties and Individual Assistance for 5 counties. 14 confirmed fatalities, 139+ injuries. 114 businesses damaged; 402 homes damaged/destroyed. Region VI RRCC activated at Level II - ESFs 3, 7 and 15. 57 AR National Guardsmen supporting recovery operations.
State EOC at Level III. Initial Operating Facility (IOF) operating out of North Little Rock. (FEMA HQ, Region VII, NORAD/NORTHCOM Command Center)

Alabama:
A Major Disaster Declaration has been requested. State has requested Individual Assistance and Public Assistance for four counties; Jackson, Lawrence, Fayette and Walker Counties. 6 confirmed fatalities, 6 injuries. Approximately 179 homes damaged/destroyed. Joint IA PDA's have been conducted in Jackson, Lawrence, Fayette and Walker counties. State EOC is at full activation, supported by ESFs 5, 6, 10 and 13.  (FEMA HQ, Region IV and Alabama EMA).

Kentucky:
Disaster declaration has been requested. State has requested Individual Assistance for nine counties; Allan, Christian, Fayette, Hardin, Hart, Meade, Mercer, Monroe and Muhlenberg. 7 confirmed fatalities; numerous injuries State of Emergency declared by Governor for six counties; however, 37 counties affected. 20 homes destroyed. 54 KY National Guardsmen supporting recovery operations. State EOC at Level IV; normal operations. PDA's completed for nine counties on February 11, 2008. 

FEDERAL RESPONSE
FEMA Region IV
Region IV RRCC activated at Level III. Region IV ERT-A in TN. MERS communications operational at TN EOC. 5 Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (MDRCs) deployed to TN. Facility for JFO location being sought at this time for TN. Action Request Form (ARF) sent to GSA.

FEMA Region VI
Region VI RRCC activated Level II w/ ESFs 3, 7 and 8. Two FEMA state liaisons remain at Arkansas State EOC. Region VI ERT-A deployed to Little Rock, AR.  Initial Operating Facility (IOF) operational 02/07/08 in North Little Rock, AR. JFO is at the Lucent Technologies plant in Little Rock, AR.  Chicago FIRST Team will redeploy to home station February 12, 2008. Six (MDRCs) and 13 Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) deployed to Arkansas. (FEMA HQ, Regions 4, 5, 6,, AR EOC)

FEMA Region VIII
Region VIII ERT has been alerted and is on standby for deployment to Region IV to assist in response/recovery operations following the tornado outbreak February 5, 2008. (FEMA Region VIII).

Midwest Flooding Update

The Region V RRCC is activated to Level III (8:00 am - 5:00 pm CST)

Current Situation: 
Illinois: 
One shelter open with six occupants. State EOC not activated.

Indiana:
River levels increasing as water moves south on the Kankakee, Maumee, St. Joseph, St. Mary, Wabash, White and Yellow Rivers.  These rivers are expected to crest between Tuesday, February 12, 2008 and Wednesday, February 14, 2008. The Wabash River at Terre Haute crested at 25 ft and continues to fall. National Guard Members at the Armories in Lafayette County (10) and Elkhart County (9). Two shelters open overnight with two occupants. State EOC is partially activated and operating 24 hours. FEMA State Liaison at EOC. No requests received for Federal Assistance. (Region V)

Ohio:
The Maumee River at Defiance and Napoleon and the Scioto river near Prospect, Ohio have fallen below flood stage. Damage assessments for 9 declared counties: 8 destroyed; 55 major damage; 666 affected. State EOC is partially activated. FEMA State Liaison at EOC. No requests received for Federal Assistance.(FEMA HQ. Region V, Ohio EMA, NOAA NWS North Central River Forecast Center and Ohio River Forecast Center)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No significant activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

There has been a swarm of earthquakes in Northern Mexico107 miles east southeast of San Diego CA.  The latest significant quake measuring 5.0 occurred at 11:32 pm EST February 11, 2008 at a depth of 1.1 miles.  There were reports of localized damage but no injuries or deaths. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Various Media Sources )

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

• The Governor of Kentucky is requesting a major disaster declaration as a result of intense thunderstorms, straight-line winds, flash flooding, and tornadoes during the period of February 5-6, 2008. The Governor is specifically requesting Individual Assistance for ten counties and Hazard Mitigation for the entire Commonwealth. (FEMA HQ)
  
• Arkansas - Amendment # 2:  FEMA-1744-DR-AR. Three counties were included for Individual Assistance (already designated for debris removal and emergency protective measures [Categories A and B], including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program).  (FEMA HQ)