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National Situation Update: Monday, March 5, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Weather Hazards for the Week

From March 5 through 13, much below normal temperatures and bitter cold wind chills are expected across Alaska.

From March 5 through 10, strong winds and blowing snow are expected across Alaska.

During March 5 and 6, locally heavy lake effect snow is expected in upstate New York.

From March 6 through 8, much below normal temperatures and bitter cold wind chills are expected across the Northeast.

During March 6 and 7, strong winds are expected across New England.

There will be a continued risk of wildfires in Florida and across south-central Texas.

Severe drought will continue across much of the north-central United States, and parts of the Southwest, Texas and Oklahoma.

National Weather

Northeast
Areas of light snow and snow showers will speckle the Northeast again Monday, generally north of the Mason-Dixon Line and in West Virginia. Accumulations, however, will be relatively light for the most part.
The day will be very windy and cold as an arctic front blasts through the region.
New York state and the northern portions of Vermont and New Hampshire could pick up one to three inches.
Some locations in the Adirondack and Green Mountains could see accumulations of 6 inches or more.

Midwest
Light, scattered snow showers and flurries will dot Michigan, Ohio, parts of northern Indiana, and parts of the Dakotas.
A fresh batch of arctic air bearing gusty winds and below-average temperatures will surge into much of the region.

West
Precipitation in the West will be light and limited.
Scattered showers (snow in the higher mountains) will dot the Northwest as far east as northwest Montana.
The only really significant precipitation, around a tenth-of-an-inch, is likely in western Washington and from parts of northeast Washington into northwest Montana.
Farther south, a few rain or snow showers may dot the mountains along the California-Nevada border.

South
Sunshine will dominate the South with temperatures ranging from a little below early March averages in Florida to well above in Oklahoma. (NOAA, media sources)

Alabama and Georgia Focus on Recovery from Tornado Destruction

Alabama
Alabama Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) opened a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the Enterprise Civic Center Saturday afternoon, March 04.

On March 3, 2007, the State of Alabama received a Presidential Disaster Declaration, FEMA-1687-DR, only for Individual Assistance for Coffee County. 

RRCC remains at Level II activation on a 24 hour basis.

Montgomery County Individual Assistance (IA) PDA is expected to be complete on March 05. Nine inspectors are in the field and a total of 23 inspections have been completed from 57 issued.

Three Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (MDRCs) were operational as of March 04.
Joint Field Office (JFO) personnel total 95. 1687-DR-AL JFO will be fully operational by 8:00 AM EST today, March 05.

As of 9:00 AM Sunday, March 4, FEMA had moved 2 truckloads (1-water and 1-tarp) from Montgomery to Monroeville (Monroe).  Six trucks with 51 generators located at the Montgomery LTRO are no longer needed, and will be returning to their original locations.

The ARC had 1 shelter open with 4 people overnight March 03. There were over 2,000 meals and over 1,200 snacks served. (Region IV)

Georgia
The National Weather Service (NWS) released a statement summarizing the 8 confirmed tornados that struck central Georgia on March 1/2, 2007. Two of the tornados were rated at EF-3 intensity (winds 155-160 mph). The EF-3 tornado that struck Webster, Sumter, and Macon Counties was one mile wide and tracked for 38 miles. The damage path began in Chambliss (Terrell County) and ended roughly 17 miles northeast of Americus (Sumter).

The Georgia State Operations Center (SOC) reports recovery and restoration efforts in the aftermath of Thursday's severe weather continue. Members of the GA Forestry Commission (GFC) Type-2 Incident Management Team (IMT) Command Staff are staffing the SOC.

The GA Department of Transportation has established a Preliminary Damage Assessment Team to survey affected areas. The GFC continues road clearing operations in Sumter and Baker counties. The GFC deployed two chainsaw strike teams to Americus, GA to clear debris.

Georgia Power reports a 1,500-person task force arrived in the affected area to assist power restoration activities.

One hundred and forty-four National Guard personnel assigned to Americus-area duty are returning to their home stations. As of mid-Sunday, March 04 there is 1 UH-1 Medivac helicopter (with crew) and a 3 person NG liaison team assigned to the area.

Preparations are being made to open an Americus DRC Monday, March 05.

As of 9:00 AM Sunday, March 4, FEMA had moved 400 tarps and 2 Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (MDRCs) to Americus (Sumter).

The ARC served 1,860 meals and over 3,900 snacks.  As of the latest report, the ARC has 137 workers and 11 vehicles in affected areas. (Region IV)

River Conditions Worsen in Ohio

River conditions in Ohio are rising from minor to moderate flood conditions in some areas.
The Huron River at Milan was at 20.29 feet at 7:00 AM Sunday. At 20.0 feet floodwaters may affect businesses along the river near the village of Milan. Water will be nearly one foot deep in portions of Franklin Flats.
The Cuyahoga River at Independence Ohio was at 16.64 feet at 7:00 AM Sunday. The forecast calls for the river to reach 18 feet by later today. Roads near the river will be impacted by floodwaters. (Region IV)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean/Eastern Pacific: No significant activity to report.
Western Pacific: No activity threatening U.S. Territories. (NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No significant activity reported.  (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Alabama: Joint PDAs started on March 2, 2007.
Iowa: Joint PDAs started on February 27, 2007 but were suspended March 1, 2007 due to hazardous weather conditions.  (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)