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National Situation Update: Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Pacific Northwest Winter Storm

There is a reduced overall flood threat, though Flood Warnings persist for several rivers in western Washington through December 6th.  Seven counties are under a disaster proclamation: King, Thurston, Whatcom, Lewis, Mason, Grays Harbor, and Kitsap. The Chehalis River is projected to crest at about 3' over flood stage at Porter (Grays Harbor Co.) this afternoon. 

More than 150 people rescued yesterday in Mason and Lewis counties by U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and King County helicopters.  There are three reported dead; two in Grays Harbor, and one in Mason County.

Reported Road closures:  I-5 remains closed, US 101 is closed and both WA State highways leading into Pacific County are closed. WA DOT has started assessing damage.
Oregon has established 11 shelters with a population of 976 and Washington has established 12 shelters with a population of 362.  The American Red Cross is at Level IV Relief Operations and is establishing disaster relief operations headquarters in Thurston Co.  The ARC damage assessment teams are going into the field today.
Washington power outages remain with the state reporting approximately 50,000 customers still without power, utilities estimate 2 - 7 days before repairs. 

The Oregon state EOC remains at Full Activation with state agencies ramping up for 24/7 operations. 

Initial Damage Assessment began December 4th.  The City of Vernonia (Columbia Co) was badly damaged by flood waters.  Oregon is reporting two confirmed deaths in Tillamook Co. Coastal counties suffered heavy wind damage to roofs, trees, and power lines.  Oregon Electric Utilities are reporting 56,000 customers out of power.  PGE power line crews teaming with OR DOT to clear Highway 26. (FEMA MOC-Bothell, Region X).

Significant National Weather

West
Snow will spread eastward into the Bitterroots, central Idaho, Tetons Mountains, and parts of the Colorado Rockies, especially the San Juans. Snow showers are expected in northeast Montana.
High temperatures should range from the 20s in northeast Montana and portions of the northern Rockies to the 70s in Southern California, southern Arizona and southern New Mexico.  More rain is expected across parts of Southern California and Arizona.

Midwest
Steady snow across much of Ohio will be tapering off today. A band of snow from Lake Michigan may hang around Chicago for the morning hours. A weaker storm system will produce light snow across the northern Plains and Upper Midwest on Thursday with some freezing precipitation over parts of Nebraska, northeast Kansas and Missouri.

Northeast
Lake-effect snow will be winding down by morning southeast of Lakes Erie and Ontario. Additional accumulations will be light.  A narrow band of snow, associated with a fast-moving storm system will spread across West Virginia to Maryland, extreme northern Virginia and extreme southern Pennsylvania. The Baltimore-Washington area could see 1-2 inches with accumulations mainly on grassy surfaces outside the Beltways.  To the north, Philadelphia is looking for under an inch while New York City will only see a few snow showers.

South
The Southeast can use some rain but no significant rain is in the cards for quite some time. By the upcoming weekend, much of the South will be experiencing well above average temperatures as a ridge of high pressure aloft builds northward from the Gulf of Mexico.  Expect highs from the 50s to the 70s, north to south, with the 80s across southern sections of Texas and Florida. Most of the Deep South will top out in the 60s. (NWS, Media Sources)

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

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

A weak to moderate offshore flow will develop today through December 5, 2007.  This offshore flow along with warmer daytime temperatures (70s and 80s) combined with lower humidity will once again bring a fire weather threat to some of those areas that did not receive recent rains. Onshore flow will return December 6, 2007 as a strong low pressure system approaches the west coast.  This next system looks to be very robust with rain now expected over the burn areas beginning December 7, 2007, continuing through at least December 8, 2007.  Rainfall amounts may exceed an inch in most areas with the mountains potentially reaching three inches.  A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the Los Angeles County area from 6:00 a.m. PST Tuesday to 10:00 a.m. PST Wednesday due to north to northeast winds 18 to 30 mph with local gusts to 45 mph, mainly below passes and canyons from highway 14 westward.  Humidities ranging from eight to 15% are expected.  The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.  (NWS, Pasadena JFO)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)