West:
Rain and snow is forecast for Colorado and New Mexico, a foot of snow is possible in the Rocky Mountains. Denver could pick up 2-5 inches of snow before this storm departs Thursday. Thursday's temperatures are forecast below average in Colorado and New Mexico with highs in the 30s in the mountains and in the 40s to middle 50s in the lower elevations. Red Flag Warnings are in effect for eastern Arizona, and southeast New Mexico for dry air, decreased humidity and windy conditions creating an environment conducive for fire.
Midwest:
A storm system will move from the Texas Panhandle tonight to eastern Iowa Friday night with moderate rainfall from northern Missouri and southern Iowa northeastward into southern Wisconsin, western Michigan and northern Illinois. Numerous flood warnings remain in effect for rivers in Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee and Oklahoma.
South:
Severe thunderstorms are possible from southwest Missouri southwest to central Texas. Stronger storms may contain large hail, damaging wind gusts and isolated tornados. Red Flag Warning remain in effect for west central Georgia to eastern Georgia, south and west Texas and most of Florida. Dry air, increased winds and decreased humidity creating an environment conducive for fire.
Northeast:
High pressure dominates much of the Northeast Thursday and Friday. Temperatures should continue their warming trend with highs mostly in the 60s and 70s Thursday and in the mid 60s (New England) to lower 80s (eastern Virginia away from the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay) (NWS, Various Media Sources)
CURRENT SITUATION
A low pressure system coming from the Rockies will enter the mid-Mississippi Valley area today; bringing rain that could cause severe weather conditions for the areas currently involved in flooding. Rain will continue over the Mississippi Valley region on Friday before moving to the Ohio Valley region on Saturday.
Flood Warnings continue for the Mississippi River in Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana and Kentucky. Moderate Flood Levels will continue for the next 48 hours.
Flooding continues for the Ohio River in Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri; however, water levels continue to recede and portions of the river will fall below flood stage over the next 24 hours. Minor to moderate flooding will continue in areas closer to the Mississippi River.
FEDERAL RESPONSE
FEMA Region IV
Mississippi
Tennessee
FEMA Region V
Illinois
Wisconsin
FEMA Region VI
Arkansas
Louisiana
FEMA Region IX
FEMA 1743-DR-HI JFO closure effective the close of business (COB) on Friday, April 25, 2008.
(Region IV RRCC, Region V RRCC, Region VI RRCC, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) Emergency Operations Center, Louisiana Governor's Office of State Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOSHEP), Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, Texas Division of Emergency Management State Operations Center, National Weather Service, National Guard Bureau, USACE.)
Three fatalities, two fatalities attributed to the Ordway fire and one at the Fort Carson Fire. Ordway fire in Crowely County, Colorado, the town of Ordway 1200 - 1600 people were evacuated. Fifty structures have been lost, 90 percent contained and 8,900 acres have burned, it is 12 miles long and 10 miles wide. Four Ad Hoc shelters have been set up, unknown populous at this time. The Fort Carson fire involving 9,600+ acres, percentage contained is unknown at this time. Two shelters have been set up, unknown populous at this time on Fort Carson. (FEMA HQ)
FEMA-2761-FM was approved for the Hebbronville Fire in Texas on April 16, 2008, at 9:26 p.m. EDT. 500 acres were involved, the fire is within town limits of Hebbronville, Jim Hog County, TX and the south 1/3 of town is threatened. There is 0% containment. Sixty-seven people are under mandatory evacuation, with some voluntary evacuations. 350 homes are threatened. Fire is on State and Private land. The only fire barriers are small roads. There are five other uncontrolled fires in TX.(FEMA HQ)
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Thursday, 17-Apr-2008 08:18:34 EDT