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National Situation Update: Sunday, February 24, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

West
A severe winter storm is forecast for California today.  The storm will produce several inches of snow across northern and central California, along with rain and thunderstorms.  The Los Angeles and San Diego areas could receive between a half and one inch of rain across the coast and valleys and between one and three inches of rain in the mountains.  Flash flooding, mudslides and debris flows could develop in the highly susceptible burn areas.  Winter Storm Warnings and High Wind Warnings are in effect for northern, central and southwestern California until 10:00 p.m. PST tonight.  Strong winds will shift from northern and central California into southern California and southern Nevada today with some gusts to between 60 and 70 mph.  Heavy snow will fall across the Sierra Mountains with higher elevations receiving two to five feet total accumulations to already hefty snow packs.  Tonight heavy snow will fall on the Rockies from central Idaho to Utah and Colorado, adding another foot to already above average snow levels.

South
A high pressure system will hover over the lower Mississippi Valley and southeast for the remainder of this weekend and an upper-level disturbance will move eastward generating showers and flurries across Tennessee and the southern Appalachians today.  Today's high temperatures will range from the 50s in Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina to the 70s along the northern Gulf Coast and the 80s in southern Texas and south Florida.  On Monday, a strong windy cold front, sweeping eastward across the southern Plains, will produce thunderstorms across eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas and northeast Texas.

Midwest
Monday through Tuesday morning, a strong wind storm will travel from Nebraska to Ohio and then into the Northeast.  A mix of sleet and rain, changing to a heavy band of snow, six inches or more, will develop from southeast South Dakota to central and southern Lower Michigan.  High temperatures Sunday will range from the 30s in the Great Lakes to the 50s and 60s in Nebraska and Kansas.

Northeast 
Today's high temperatures will be moderate, ranging from the 30s in Maine to the 50s and low 60s in Virginia by Monday.  Rainfall across the Mid-Atlantic and southern New England areas could be in the half to one inch range.  Much colder air will sweep in behind the storm Tuesday night and Wednesday with snow showers from northern New England to West Virginia.  Heavy lake effect snow is possible southeast of Lake Ontario. (NWS, Media Sources)

Midwest Flooding

Indiana
Moderate flooding is occurring and is expected to continue for the Tippecanoe River in Oswego County.

Illinois
Moderate flooding is occurring and is expected to continue for the Illinois River in Henry, La Grange, Meredosia and Valley City Counties. (NWS)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

Fire Management Assistance Grant FEMA-2744-FM-TX was issued on February 23, 2008 for the Scurry Complex Fire in Snyder, Texas that began on February 23, 2008, and continues. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

Nevada
Twenty-nine aftershocks ranging from 2.3M to 4.6M have occurred since the 6.0M earthquake near Wells, Nevada.  Three injuries and zero fatalities have been reported.  The State is reporting 50-60 homes with major damage and 300 with minor damage.  One ARC shelter is open housing 7 individuals; it is scheduled to close today.  The local medical clinic re-opened and water service restored.  The Governor of Nevada declared a State of Emergency for the city of Wells and for Elko County.  No Federal assistance has been requested.  State/Federal PDA teams completed field assessment in Elko County.  State EOC is back to normal operations.  Region IX RRCC stood down at 6:00 p.m. PST on February 22, 2008; NV Earthquake operations and responsibility transitioned to the ERT-A. (USGS, FEMA Region IX)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Kentucky
ERT-A members deployed for DR-1746 in Kentucky in response to the February 5 and 6 tornados.  The JFO will be operational in Lexington, KY by Monday, February 25, 2008.  Thomasville MERS Unit is on-scene in Lexington, KY; four MDRCs will arrive Monday, February 25, 2008. (FEMA HQ)