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National Situation Update: Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
High pressure is ridging in over the Pacific Northwest. West of the Cascades, a few rain showers are forecast for western Washington and northwest Oregon. The frontal system extending from the low in Montana southwest over northern California and a trough extending south over the Rockies will produce rain and snow showers in Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Nevada and northern Arizona. Temperatures will range from the 20s in northern Montana and Rockies to the 80s in California and Arizona.

Midwest:
An upper level disturbance will produce several inches of snow in the northern Plains spreading into the Upper Midwest tonight. High temperatures will range from the single digits along the Canadian border to the low 60s in southwest Kansas.

South:
High pressure is ridging into Texas but a cold front moving through the southeast will produce showers and thunderstorms. Most of the activity will move offshore by this evening, except in Florida where the threat of severe thunderstorms will remain over the southern peninsula. Behind the front, gusty northerly winds will lower temperatures. Overall, high temperatures will range from the 30s in northeast Arkansas, Tennessee and northeast Alabama to the low 80s in extreme southern Florida.

Northeast:
Low pressure over the Mid Atlantic will produce a wintery mix of rain, snow, sleet and ice over the Region. South of the Mason-Dixon Line and along the southern New England coastline, most of the precipitation should be in the form of rain. To the north, heavy snow is forecast for northern Maine with icing over Vermont, New Hampshire and southern Maine. This evening precipitation should be limited to coastal areas of the Mid Atlantic up to New York City. High temperatures will range from near 20 in northern Maine to the low 60s in Virginia. (National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Potential Major Oil Spill

Lake Raccourci, Louisiana
A HilCorp Energy Corporation owned oil well-head cracked leaking sweet crude since 11:00 CST Tuesday, Feb 12. The rate of leak is approximately 630 gallons per hour. Response operations have been suspended due to adverse weather resulting in the possible release of more than 12,600 gallons of oil once operations are resumed at 6:44 CST Wed, Feb 13.(National Infrastructure Coordination Center, US Coast Guard)

Severe Winter Weather

Colorado:
100 citizens of Park County have been trapped in their homes for over one week following the February 5 severe winter storm. Search and Rescue and fire personnel are working to get food to residents; however, the delivery of propane has been hindered due to continual road closures. A High Wind Warning is in effect through 2:00 p.m. MST Feb 13 further hampering efforts. No requests received for Federal Assistance at this time.

STATE and LOCAL RESPONSE
County is requesting Emergency Management Assistance Compact assistance with manpower and equipment to plow and open roads. Colorado EOC is not activated.  (FEMA Region VIII, Colorado Dept of Emergency Management)

East Coast Wind Damage and Fires

Virginia:
All fires are contained or under control with seven homes destroyed and no fatalities or injuries reported. American Red Cross reports one shelter opened with nine residents.  (Region III, VDEM)

Mississippi Valley Severe Weather

CURRENT SITUATION:
Recovery efforts continue in southeastern U.S. following severe weather that occurred on February 5, 2008. 
STATE and LOCAL RESPONSE
Homes Destroyed or Damaged-

• Alabama - 88 destroyed, 62 damaged (42 major, 20 minor)
  
• Kentucky - 106 destroyed, 239 damaged (all major). (Note: these numbers are from State of Kentucky, not FEMA PDA team.)
  
• Mississippi - 25 destroyed, 330 damaged (16 major, 314 minor); Business - 12 destroyed, 11 major and 25 minor. (Note: these numbers are from State of Mississippi, not FEMA PDA team.)
  
• Region IV and VI RRCCs have returned to Level III - normal operations.
  
• Tennessee JFO is located in Brentwood, TN.
  
• Arkansas JFO is located at Lucent Technology Center, in Little Rock, AR.
  
• There are no Emergency Response Teams (ERT) are in Alabama, Kentucky or Mississippi.
  
• Region VIII ERT has been alerted and is on standby for deployment to Region IV to support response/recovery. (FEMA Region IV, Feb 12 - 12:16 pm EST, FEMA Region VIII).

Midwest Flooding

Illinois: 
Flooding no longer remains a factor for Illinois; however, the State EOC is activated due to the severe weather in the southern tip of the state. Widespread power outages (19,000); power restoration not expected until Wed. Feb 13. One shelter open with five occupants.

Indiana:
Minor to Moderate Flooding is occurring along the Wabash River.  The water levels in the north are subsiding while the levels in the south will start to crest today, Wednesday, Feb 13 through Friday, Feb 15. Lake effect snow conditions will move into the northwestern Indiana causing .5 to 2 inches of snow later tonight, Feb 12. State EOC is partially activated. One shelter with a population of one. Individual Assistance PDAs will begin Wed. Feb 13, for three counties; Noble, Benton and Kosciuko.

Ohio:
Ohio Emergency Management operations for flooding have transitioned from response to recovery.

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No significant activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

A series of minor earthquakes continue in the Guadalupe Victoria area of Mexico approximately 100 miles east southeast of San Diego CA.  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

No new activity (FEMA HQ)