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National Situation Update: Friday, February 15, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Northeast:
A cold front moving through the Northeast today will bring light snow across northwest Pennsylvania, upstate New York and northern New England.  The front will pass through the northeast corridor late in the day but will bring no significant precipitation.  Temperatures will range from the low 30s in upstate New York to the low 50s in Virginia.

Midwest:
Another flow of arctic air is moving across the Midwest.  The leading cold front will exit the region today while snow showers remain around the Great Lakes.  Wind Chill Advisories are in effect this morning for portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
Temperatures today will be five to 25 degrees below average, ranging from the 30s in the Ohio Valley to below zero in Minnesota.

West:
A southwestern storm will bring heavy snow, up to a foot or more, to southern Colorado and the mountains of Arizona and New Mexico through the day.  The lowest elevations near the Mexican border should expect rain showers.  Santa Ana winds could gust as high as 70 mph in the mountains around Los Angeles today.  Highs will range from the 20s across the intermountain West to the low 70s in the southern Colorado River Valley. 

South:
Rain showers are forecast from Texas to western Tennessee and northwest Mississippi.  Scattered thunderstorms across southeast Texas could produce hail late in the day.  Strong thunderstorms along the Texas Gulf Coast could produce several tornadoes.  Temperatures will range from the high 30s in Texas to the low 80s in Florida. (National Weather Service, Media Sources)

Mississippi Valley Severe Weather Update

Recovery efforts continue in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee following severe weather that occurred on February 5, 2008. 
State and Local
Alabama - six fatalities, six injured; 150 homes damaged or destroyed.
Arkansas - 13 fatalities (14 previously reported), 139 injured; 582 homes damaged or destroyed.
Kentucky - seven fatalities, numerous injuries; 345 homes damaged or destroyed.
Mississippi - zero fatalities, 355 homes damaged or destroyed.
Tennessee - 31 fatalities (32 previously reported), 192 injured; 830 homes damaged or destroyed. (State EOCs)

Midwest Flooding Update

Illinois: 
Moderate flooding continues along the Illinois River from La Salle to La Grange; the river is expected to fall below flood stage on Sunday.  There are approximately 888 customers without power.  Illinois has eight shelters open with a population of 38, a decrease of 22 occupants from yesterday.  

Indiana:
Moderate flooding continues along the Tippecanoe, Kankakee, White and Wabash rivers.  All four rivers expected to crest north to south through Saturday, February 16, 2008.  Along the Wabash River at Hutsonville Power Plant, flooding is expected to be at critical levels for most levees.  Water could surround residential areas of Riverton, Riverview, Hutsonville, and eastern York.  Indiana still has one shelter open with one shelteree. (FEMA Region V)

Descending NRO Satellite

A U.S. satellite has malfunctioned and is expected to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere some time between the last week of February and the first week of March.  The satellite is carrying Hydrazine and the potential release of this load is a concern.  The chance of the satellite falling into a populated area is deemed to be small but, if it did, there would be a risk of death or injury to the population.  The US Navy plans to use an interceptor missile to hit the satellite in an effort to ensure that it falls safely to earth.  FEMA will manage the consequence management portion of this event, involving a significant amount of coordination and communication with national and international partners.  DoD will perform  post-impact clean-up and recovery.(FEMA HQ and DOD)

California Mudslides

Mudslides forced the shut down of an eight-mile stretch of State Route 78 on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. EST, following a day of rain.  The California State Transportation Department reported about two feet of mud and rocks sliding onto the highway in an area burned by last fall's wildfires.  Crews expect to have the roadway cleared and opened by the Friday morning commute.  No injuries were reported. (NICC)

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

No new activity (FEMA HQ)