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National Situation Update: Friday, April 4, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
The latest in a series of Pacific storms will hit the Pacific Northwest today.  This system will bring rain to coastal areas and snow to elevations above 3,000 feet spreading inland later in the day.  Red flag warnings are in effect this afternoon and evening for all of west Texas and southern New Mexico as strong winds, very low humidity and very high to extreme fire danger spread across the region.
The Southwest will remain dry with gradually increasing temperatures this weekend.

Midwest:
A frontal system stretching from the Mid- Atlantic to Texas will produce moderate to heavy rain in southern Missouri and the Ohio River Valley adding to flooding problems. See www.nws.noaa.gov for current Flood Watches and Warnings.   A frontal system dropping down from Canada will bring heavy wet snow to the North Dakota/South Dakota border and then move eastward across north-central Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and western Upper Michigan. Light rain will fall south of this area to northern Missouri.  Temperatures will be relatively mild across most of the region, except for the Great Lakes where high temperatures will only reach the 40's.

South:
The frontal system discussed above will produce precipitation over much of the Region today.   The heaviest band of precipitation will extend from eastern Texas to western Kentucky.  Unfortunately the maximum precipitation of almost four inches will fall near the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers an area already experiencing flooding.  The main threat for severe thunderstorms will stretch from southeast Texas to northern Alabama.  High temperatures will range from the 60's to the 70's.

Northeast:
The front moving out of the Midwest will result in a wet weekend for the Region. The heaviest rain is slated to fall across the Mid Atlantic where come locations may see 3 or 4 inches.  A wintry mix of rain and sleet and snow will spread into Upstate New York and northern New England early today. The precipitation will taper off on Saturday night leading to a partly cloudy and dry Sunday across most of the region.  High temperatures will range from the 30s in northern New England to near 70 degrees around the Chesapeake Bay. (NWS, Various Media Sources)

Severe Weather and Tornados

A severe weather system is currently moving through Arkansas. The National Weather Service reported a tornado touchdown in Northern Little Rock, AR (Pulaski County). The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management is reporting six jurisdictions with storm damage. There is a severe thunderstorm watch and a tornado watch in affect for the majority of Arkansas through 0400 CDT
The Arkansas State EOC is activated at Level III (ADEM staff, no ESFs) at this time. The six affected jurisdictions are assessing damages.

Mississippi Valley Flooding Update

CURRENT SITUATION
As discussed above numerous flood warnings and watches remain in effect for the Arkansas/Red, Missouri, Mississippi and Ohio River basins.  Renewed flooding is expected with the additional precipitation expected today.  River gauges monitored by the NWS indicate two river locations experiencing Major Flooding and 119 gauges overall in some degree of flood.

STATE AND LOCAL RESPONSE
Arkansas
Major Disaster FEMA-1751-DR, declared March 26, 2008, was amended to include Individual Assistance and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
State EOC a Level III, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. CDT (normal operations).
The White River at Des Arc, AR is at Moderate Flood Stage and is forecasted to rise to Major Flood Stage by Tuesday, April 8, 2008.
The White River at Newport, AR is at Moderate Flood Stage and is forecasted to rise to Major Flood Stage by Sunday, April 6, 2008.
The White River at Clarendon, AR will remain at major flood stage through Sunday, April 6, 2008.
One section of levee at Pocahontas, AR remains under water and the locals may attempt to conduct temporary repairs when drainage permits
Counties: 35 affected
Fatalities: 2; Injuries/Missing: pending
Several areas are experiencing water supply problems due to flooding/inoperable treatment systems; boil water orders are in effect.

Indiana
State EOC has returned to normal operations (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EDT).
Fatalities: 1; Injuries: 8
White River at Petersburg, IN is at Moderate Flood Stage and will continue to recede.
Pakota River at Princeton is rising and will remain at Moderate Flood Stage through Thursday, April 10, 2008.
The White River at Hazelton is at Moderate Flood Stage and is forecasted to continue to recede through next week.
Wabash River in Mount Carmel is at Moderate Flood Stage and is forecasted to fall below Moderate Flood Stage Thursday, April 10, 2008
Local and State PDAs ongoing.  No request for Joint PDAs.
No request for Federal assistance.

Illinois
State EOC 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CDT (normal operations)
Fatalities: 2
Des Plaines River at Gurnee, IL is at Major Flood Stage, and is forecasted to reach Moderate Flood Stage on Sunday, April 6, 2008.
Ohio River at Grand Chain Dam, IL is at Moderate Flood Stage and is forecast to rise again, and then crest on Sunday, April 6, 2008.
Ohio River at Cairo, IL is at Moderate Flood Stage and is forecast to rise again, and then crest on Sunday, April 6, 2008.
Mississippi River at Thebes, IL has risen to Moderate Flood Stage and is forecast to crest on Sunday, April 6, 2008.
Big Muddy River at Plumfield and Murphysboro, IL is at Moderate Flood Stage and is forecast to begin receding Monday, April 7, 2008.
Little Wabash River at Carmi, IL is expected to enter Major Flood Stage and to begin to crest by Monday, April 7, 2008.
Illinois requested Joint IA PDAs for 12 counties.  Four PDA teams will begin Joint IA PDAs on Wednesday, April 2, 2008.

Louisiana
State EOC at normal operations 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. CDT
Governor of Louisiana issued a State of Emergency, March 27, 2008 for the period March 24-April 22, 2008).
Flood risk continues along the Mississippi throughout the week.
St Martin Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP) has submitted a Declaration of a State of Emergency
Mississippi River at Red River Landing is nearly 6 feet above flood stage and continues to rise.  The river is forecast to continue to rise to near 7 feet above flood stage through Sunday, April 6, 2008
Mississippi River at Baton Rouge will continue to rise to Moderate Flood Stage Sunday, April 6, 2008
No problems have been identified so far, and there has been no request for State assistance.

Mississippi
SEOC at normal operations 24/7
Risk of flooding increases along the Mississippi through the week.
Flood warnings continue for the Mississippi River at Greenville, Vicksburg and Natchez until further notice.
Mississippi River near Greenville, MS is at moderate flood stage.
The Mississippi River near Vicksburg, MS is experiencing moderate flooding and is expected to maintain moderate flood stage.
Mississippi River near Natchez, MS is at moderate flood stage and continues to rise above moderate flood stage.

Missouri
SEOC not activated.
Fatalities: 5
Homes damaged, destroyed or affected: 1,243
Businesses damaged or destroyed: 50 estimated; 6 State roads remain closed
The Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau, MO is experiencing minor flooding and is expected to continue rising and crest at moderate flood stage on Friday, April 4, 2008. 
The Mississippi River at New Madrid, MO has fallen to minor flood stage and is forecast to continue to fall.
IA PDAs for MO DR-1749 have been completed.  PA PDAs are ongoing. (Region V, Region VII, Region VI, NWS, NSS, NGB,NICC, ADEM, TX SOC, IL EOC, ARC, MEMA, NOAA)F

EDERAL RESPONSE
FEMA Region VI
Region VI RRCC: Level III, 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CDT (M- F)
FEMA liaison officers deployed to Texas EOCs
FIRST Atlanta arrived in Little Rock, Arkansas JFO for FEMA-DR-1751-AR.
Four PA PDA teams performing PDAs in Oklahoma for eleven counties for flooding that occurred March 17, 2008 and ongoing.

FEMA Region VII
Region VII RRCC: Level III, 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. CDT (M-F)
IA PDAs in Missouri have been completed; PA PDAs began March 31, 2008.  (Denton MOC, Region V, Region VI, Region VII, USACE, USCG, FEMA HQ)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

Nothing significant to report.   (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

A minor earthquake occurred at 3:59 AM EDT on Friday, April 4, 2007. The magnitude 3.2 event occurred 12 miles north of Tokop, Nevada, at a depth of 0.0 miles. No reports of any injuries or damages.  (USGS/NEIC/WDC)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA-DR-1746-KY JFO will close April 9, 2008.
FEMA-DR-1734-WA JFO will close April 7, 2008.
FEMA-DR-1751-AR; at the request of FCO and State, FIRST Atlanta is currently conducting situational awareness operations in the vicinity of Batesville, AR. (FEMA HQ)