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National Situation Update: Thursday, January 24, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

South
Rain showers will affect the Gulf Coast, southern Georgia, the Florida Peninsula, and portions of the Carolinas.  A mix of rain and snow may develop during the course of the day in portions of West Texas.  Blustery northerly winds will bring cold air into much of the Deep South.  Temperatures are predicted to range from the 20s in Arkansas and northern Tennessee to the 80s at the southern tip of Florida.

Northeast
Light snow and snow showers are forecast for the northeastern U.S. as a storm system moves up over the Atlantic Ocean.  Gusty winds will develop along the southern New England and Mid-Atlantic coasts.  High temperatures are expected with readings ranging from the single digits in northern Maine to the 40s in southeast Virginia.

Midwest
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for parts of Michigan and northern Indiana until early this afternoon.  Accumulations of up to 10 inches of snow are expected near the Great Lakes.  High temperatures should range from the single digits in Wisconsin, eastern Iowa and northern Illinois to the 30s in South Dakota, western Nebraska, and western and southern Kansas.

West
Rain and snow showers are expected for much of the West from southern Oregon and southern Idaho south through the Southwestern states.  Snow is forecast for the Sierras, the mountains of Nevada and Utah, northern Arizona and the western Colorado Rockies.  A Wind Chill Warning is in effect for portions of Idaho.  Temperatures will range from the teens in northwest Wyoming to the 60s in far southeast California and southwest Arizona.  (NWS)

Midwest Flooding Update

Ice jam flooding continues to affect rivers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.  Most ice jam flooding is minor and affecting few homes.  As of midnight EST on January 22, 2008, one shelter remains open in Indiana with a population of eight.  The shelter was opened in response to flooding along the Tippecanoe and Iroquois Rivers.  Another surge of arctic air is forecast to move across the Great Lakes producing bands of lake effect snow from southeast Lower Michigan into north central Indiana.

Illinois
Warm water from the Dresden Nuclear Power Plant is being used to relieve flooding in the Wilmington area, which was caused by ice jams on the Kankakee River.  If the ice jam breaks below Wilmington, river levels are expected to drop below flood stage.  Flood Warnings remain in effect until Thursday afternoon along the Kankakee River near Wilmington affecting Grundy and Will Counties as new ice moves from upstream resulting in new river rises.

Wisconsin
A Flood Warning remains in effect until Thursday morning for the Rock River near Beloit Township in Rock County.  The Rock River is expected to crest at 12.5 feet Friday afternoon (major flood stage is 12.2 feet).  Flood gates have been opened to stabilize flooding in the affected area.

Indiana
Wabash River levels continue to fall and flooding is expected to end today.  (FEMA Region V, NWS)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Public Assistance (PA) Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) are ongoing in Benton and Conway Counties, Arkansas as a result of severe weather and tornados which occurred on January 7 and 8, 2008.  PDAs are expected to be completed today.  (FEMA Region V)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)