National Situation Update: Sunday, April 22, 2007
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
National Weather
South: High pressure will remain in control of the Southeast on April 22, 2007, providing sunshine and generally pleasant temperatures with low humidity.
In central and south Florida, a few showers may briefly strike the Atlantic-side beaches of South Florida, especially early in the day. Of more concern will be persistent northeast winds from 10-20 mph, with occasional higher gusts. Rip currents will again be a threat on the Atlantic-side April 22, 2007. More fatalities occur annually from rip currents than from tornadoes, lightning, or flash floods.
In parts of the Southern Plains, severe thunderstorms will be a threat into early Sunday, April 22, 2007, reaching as far east as Oklahoma City and Wichita Falls. While scattered afternoon thunderstorms are expected again later Sunday, April 22, 2007 in north Texas, southeast Oklahoma, and western Arkansas, most of the upper-level energy responsible for severe weather on April 21, 2007 will push well into the Upper Midwest.
Midwest: Severe thunderstorms are forecast for the northern and central Plains from Minnesota to Kansas into early Sunday, April 22, 2007 with hail, high winds, and a few tornadoes. Upper-level low pressure will swing through the Missouri Valley, triggering severe thunderstorms from far northern Kansas to western Lake Superior.
The strongest storms appear positioned for Iowa, southern Minnesota, and northern Missouri Sunday afternoon and evening, April 22, 2007. The three severe threats (a few tornadoes, large hail, damaging winds) all appear again Sunday, April 22, 2007. Overnight Sunday, April 22, 2007, some of these storms may make their way into the western Great Lakes.
Along with the severe storm threat, flood watches are posted from the Red River Valley into central South Dakota. 1-3" total rainfall is possible from northern Minnesota to western Nebraska. While the rain is needed to quench a long-term drought in Minnesota's north woods, excessive rain will swell rivers already running high in the eastern Dakotas.
West: The second in a series of Pacific storm systems will penetrate into the Great Basin, and move southward down the West Coast on April 22, 2007. Rain will fall at most locations generally below 4,000 feet from the Pacific Northwest and northern Great Basin into central and parts of southern California, Nevada, and Utah. Some locations in southwest Oregon, northern and central California could pick up 1-2" of total rainfall, significant given the moderate to severe drought particularly in California, Nevada and Utah.
Winter storm warnings continue through Sunday, April 22, 2007, where from 6-12" of snow is likely at Lake Tahoe, while 1-2' may accumulate over the higher peaks by the time the storm moves away Sunday night. There could be some thunder in the afternoon particularly in the southern Sierra, Yosemite or Kings Canyon National Park. High mountain snow will also spread into the northern Rockies and Wasatch, continuing into Monday, April 23, 2007.
Northeast: Surface high pressure will shift offshore on Sunday, April 22, 2007. Temperatures in the 70s will dominate as far north as Burlington, Vt. Upper 70s to low 80s will be the rule in the Middle-Atlantic States. (NWS, Media Sources)
Report of Severe Weather Damage in Texas
The State of Texas State Operations Center reported severe weather damages in Swisher and Moore Counties.
In Tulia, Swisher County an automobile dealership was destroyed and a company was damaged. There are reports of up to 20 mobile homes being destroyed. The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) and the Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol (TXDPS) responded.
In Cactus, Moore County there is no power. The Moore County Emergency Operations Center is without power, phones or radios. TXDPS has closed all roads into Cactus. There have been seven people identified in the area who require oxygen and they are being located and assisted.
Excel Energy reports that there are approximately 14,000 customers without power in a seven to 10 county area. Power line are down throughout the Panhandle and it is unknown how long it will be until power will be restored due to more storms in the area. (FEMA MERS/Denton, TX Emergency Operations Center)
Tropical Weather Outlook
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Earthquake Activity
On Saturday, April 21, 2007 at 5:24 pm EDT, a 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck at a depth of 42 miles about 64 miles west-southwest from Nikolski in the Fox Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. No Tsunami was generated from this event, and there were no reports of damage or injuries. (NOAA, USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)
Preliminary Damage Assessments
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update
Sweat Farm Road Fire at Waycross, Ware County, Georgia: 45,000 acres have burned; fire is 35% contained. GFC firefighters are plowing 60 - 100 foot wide firebreaks around areas where fire is threatening homes. Four additional family dwellings, one being the Dorminay Children's Home, have been evacuated in that area. (Source: Georgia Forestry Commission Wildfire Situation Report #8).
The Kneeknocker Fire, in Brantley County, Georgia: 2,300 acres have burned; 90% contained. GFC tractor strike teams are completing plowing of lines around the fire. Firefighters are working within containment lines to extinguish areas still on fire and monitor smoldering areas which could produce sparks that could cross firebreak lines. Wildland fire engines are carrying water to hose hot spots near the fire lines. (Source: Georgia Forestry Commission Wildfire Situation Report #8).
Disaster Declaration Activity
The New Jersey State Office of Emergency Management, on April 21, 2007, requested an additional Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (MDRC) through FEMA Region II. The request is being staffed by the FEMA Logistics Commodity Manager. (FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Monday, 23-Apr-2007 07:57:17 EDT