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National Situation Update: Saturday, April 21, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

Midwest
Severe thunderstorms are forecast from the high Plains of western Kansas and easternmost Colorado to southeast North Dakota and western Minnesota. Large hail, damaging wind gusts and tornadoes are possible.

South
A few showers are expected over east-central and southern Florida; otherwise the Southeast will be dry and warm.

The combination of dry conditions, wind and low humidity has resulted in an elevated danger of wildfires across much of the Southeast.  The Southeast is experiencing an extensive drought with many places receiving a percentage of the normal rainfall since the beginning of the year.  Red Flag Warnings are in effect across Florida. 

A strong Southwest storm is forecast to cause an outbreak of severe thunderstorms over western Texas and western Oklahoma, producing large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes.

West
A storm and cold front will hit the West Coast resulting in rain and mountain snow in Washington, Oregon, northern and central California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, western Wyoming and western Montana this weekend.  The Sierra could be hit with over a foot of new snow.

Northeast
High temperatures are expected to be 5 to 15 degrees above average, ranging from the 50s and 60s in Maine to the 70s and 80s in Virginia. (NOAA, National Weather Service, Media Sources)

FDA Approves First U.S. Vaccine for Humans Against the Avian Influenza Virus H5N1

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced the first approval in the United States of a vaccine for humans against the H5N1 influenza virus, commonly known as avian or bird flu.

The vaccine could be used in the event the current H5N1 avian virus were to develop the capability to  efficiently spread from human to human, resulting in the rapid spread of the disease across the globe.  (For affected areas with confirmed human cases of H5N1 avian influenza since 2003 see map below.)  Should such an influenza pandemic emerge, the vaccine may provide early limited protection in the months before a vaccine tailored to the pandemic strain of the virus could be developed and produced.

"The threat of an influenza pandemic is, at present, one of the most significant public health issues our nation and world faces," said Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D., Commissioner of Food and Drugs. "The approval of this vaccine is an important step forward in our protection against a pandemic."

The H5N1 virus is one version of the influenza A virus commonly found in birds. Unlike seasonal influenza, where infection ranges from mild to serious symptoms in most people, the disease caused by H5N1 is far more severe and happens quickly, with pneumonia and multi-organ failure commonly seen.

While there have been no reported human cases of H5N1 infection in the United States, almost 300 people worldwide have been infected with this virus since 2003 and more than half of them have died. To date, H5N1 influenza has remained primarily an animal disease but should the virus acquire the ability for sustained transmission among humans, people will have little immunity to this virus and the potential for an influenza pandemic would have grave consequences for global public health.  (FDA)
(Full Story: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01611.html)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

Friday, April 20, 2007, five earthquakes ranging in magnitude from 3.0 to 5.2 occurred across Alaska.  The most significant (magnitude 5.2) occurred at 1:20 pm EDT, 53 miles NNE of Adak, AK at a depth of 109.9 miles.  No reports of injuries or damage.  No tsunamis were generated.  
 (NOAA, USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Region I
Vermont: Public Assistance (PA) PDAs in four counties began on April 19, 2007; three additional counties are in process.

Massachusetts: Individual Assistance (IA) PDAs for eight counties and PA PDAs for five counties are scheduled to begin on April 23, 2007.

New Hampshire: IA and PA PDAs in 10 counties began on April 19, 2007.

Rhode Island: PA PDAs for five counties are scheduled to begin on April 23, 2007.

Connecticut: There are currently five PDA teams on scene.  Limited PA PDAs began on April 19, 2007, due to continued flooding of rivers.

Region II
New York: IA and PA PDAs in an undetermined number of counties began on April 18, 2007.

New Jersey: IA and PA PDAs in an undetermined number of counties began on April 18, 2007. (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

Current Situation: Wildland fire activity was light throughout the states with 186 new fires reported. One new large fire was reported in Georgia.

Sweat Farm Road Fire at Waycross, Ware County, Georgia: The Sweat Farm Road fire is now estimated at 34,000 acres and is 35% contained. A total of 22 structures are destroyed, with 2000 homes threatened. Highways 84, 122 and numerous county roads closed. Ware County schools remained closed. Additional resources from AL, SC and FL are on the scene. Full containment is expected next Friday (04/27/07).  (Source: Georgia Forestry Commission Wildfire Situation Report #5).  

The Kneeknocker Fire, in Brantley County, Georgia, remains at 2200 acres. Crews are conducting extensive mop-up operations with the wildland engines and tractor strike teams. There were some fuel re-burns that threatened some of the completed line. Containment is estimated at 90%.(NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The Governor of New Hampshire has requested an expedited major disaster as a result of severe storms and flooding during the period of April 15-19, 2007. The Governor is specifically requesting Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation for the entire State (ten counties).

The Governor of New Jersey has requested an expedited major disaster declaration as a result of severe storms and flooding during the period of April 14-20, 2007. The Governor is specifically requesting Individual Assistance and Public Assistance, including direct Federal assistance, for nine counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide.

The Governor of Texas has requested a major disaster declaration as a result of severe storms and flooding during the period of March 29-31, 2007. The Governor is requesting Public Assistance for nine counties and Hazard Mitigation.  The Region has requested that the State clarify whether the request is for Hazard Mitigation for nine counties only or statewide.  The Region has also requested information regarding the State's Hazard Mitigation Plan.

FEMA-1689-DR-California; Amendment No. 1:  Kings, Madera, and Merced Counties are added for Disaster Unemployment Assistance and Food Commodities. Stanislaus County is added for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.  All counties within the State of California are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.  This declaration is for severe freeze January 11-17, 2007.  (FEMA HQ)