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National Situation Update: Sunday, November 25, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

West:
The upper level low which has brought significant precipitation to the region the past few days will move east and could produce from three to six inches of additional snow in southeast New Mexico and west Texas.  A cold front extending from a low along the Canadian border will produce snow over much of Montana.  Highs will range from the 20s in the Northern Rockies to the 70s in the Desert Southwest.

Midwest:
A cold front extending from a low along the Canadian border will produce snow over North Dakota and Minnesota.  The low pressure system along the Gulf Coast will produce rain in the lower and mid Mississippi River Valleys.  Tonight into Monday, the storm system and its wintery mix of precipitation will move northeast into the Ohio Valley and central Great Lakes.  Highs Sunday will range from the 30s in North Dakota and northern Michigan to the 40s and 50s elsewhere.

South:
The low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico will produce rain across Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi.  Accumulations of three to six inches are possible with the potential for localized flooding.
Severe thunderstorms are forecast in coastal Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.  High temperatures will range from the 40s in the Appalachians to the 80s in South Florida.  A frontal passage on Monday will bring one to two inches of rain to the Tennessee Valley, north Georgia, and the Carolinas.

Northeast:
High pressure just off the Mid-Atlantic will keep most of the region dry with only West Virginia, Virginia and southern DelMarVa Peninsula getting rain.  High temperatures will range from the 30s in northern New England to the low 50s in the Mid-Atlantic area. (NOAA, National Weather Service, Media Sources)

Corral Fire Incident, Malibu, CA

As of 6:00 p.m. EST, November 24, 2007, the Corral Fire had burned over 4650 acres and there is 25 percent containment.  52 structures have been destroyed, including 50 residences and 2 outbuildings.  An additional 24 residences and 3 outbuildings have been damaged.  There are 800 residences threatened with an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 evacuations.  Mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for the following areas: Corral Canyon on the East, and Kanan to the West.  Evacuation orders were lifted for: Mulholland to the North, and Pacific Coast Highway to the South.  American Red Cross evacuation centers have been set up in Agoura Hills and Oxnard, CA.  The Agoura Hills shelter has approximately 25 evacuees and the Oxnard shelter has zero evacuees.  Six firefighters have been injured; 5 minor injuries and one moderate injury.  There have been no civilian injuries reported.  Approximately 2400 customers are without power.  There are 1,773 personnel fighting the fire.  290 fire engines (CAL FIRE, LA County, OES, Local Government and Federal agencies), 13 bulldozers, 33 hand-crews, and 5 water tenders are deployed for the firefighting effort. 

Critical fire weather conditions exist across much of Ventura and Los Angles counties through Sunday.  A Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 6:00 p.m. PST Sunday due to a prolonged period of very dry humidity.  A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are occurring now.  A combination of dry fuels and a prolonged period of low relative humidity will create explosive fire growth potential.  Santa Ana winds have diminished and what remains is a very dry air mass with relative humidity in the teens and single digits.  These humidity readings will have very little recovery overnight and are expected to continue through the day Sunday.  This will result in a prolonged period of very dry relative humidity, in some cases in excess of 24 hours.  Little recovery is expected before Sunday afternoon.(CA OES, LA OEM,DHS NOC, FEMA, National Weather Service)

Marine Vessel Collision Incident on Lower Mississippi River

The US Coast Guard (USCG) reported that the Greek-flagged bulk carrier AGIOS MINAS, loaded with grain, collided with a Kirby barge on the lower Mississippi River.  The Kirby barge was loaded with 2,600 tons of Ethylene Dichloride.  The AGIOS MINAS is safely moored at a grain facility close to the incident location.  Initial assessment reports indicated that damage is above the waterline, estimated at less than $15K with no reported release and no pollution at this time.  The Kirby barge remains at berth.  The Mississippi River remains open to maritime traffic. (USCG, TSOC)

Update on OJO Peak Fire, Mountainair, NM

The Ojo Peak Fire is 50 percent contained with 6,969 acres burned.  The evacuation ban, affecting about 100 homes, has been lifted.  Currently 145 personnel are assigned.  Snow began falling on Friday and has blanketed the area, assisting in the firefighting effort.  Firefighting actions are currently suspended due to icy conditions.(USFS Mountainair Ranger District, Media sources)

Update on Cosco Busan Fuel Spill Recovery

Eighteen beaches are now closed as a result of the cargo ship Cosco Busan spilling 58,000 gallons of bunker fuel into San Francisco Bay after hitting the Bay Bridge on November 7, 2007.  Cleanup efforts continue.  Gross cleanups are being completed in Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Contra Costa, and Alameda Counties in California.

Baltimore, MD Freight Train Derailment

A freight train derailed 11 cars near the Baltimore Ravens' football stadium in Baltimore.  Three of the cars were hazmat cars (two empty and one partially full).  No leaks or releases were reported.  The football stadium and a few nearby businesses and homes were evacuated as a precaution.  Train crews have cleared the tracks, and the evacuation order has been lifted.  No injuries or deaths reported. (DOT, FEMA)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report.(FEMA Region VI)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic - Caribbean Sea - Gulf of Mexico
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Eastern and Central Pacific:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Western Pacific:
No current tropical cyclone warnings affecting U.S. interests.

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)