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National Situation Update: Thursday, August 23, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Regional Storm and Flooding Activity

Midwest Weather Overview
A slow-moving front will bring repeated downpours and sever thunderstorms through Friday, August 24, 2007.

Over the next 24 hours, additional rain and flooding will prevail over eastern Nebraska, Iowa, southeastern Minnesota, Wisconsin, extereme southern Illinois, and Michigan. (NWS)

State Flooding Reports
Iowa
Beginning August 22, 2007, and continuing, severe storms producing strong winds, hail and heavy rainfall moved into the Midwest causing flooding and flash flooding across the northern part of the state.

Flash flooding is expected with flood/flash flood warnings remaining in effect for much of the state into August 23, 2007.  Areas from Fort Dodge farther north and west are at a higher risk for flooding.

A FEMA State Liaison is in contact with the state EOC and will arrive during the morning of August 23, 2007.

There have been no flood-related fatalities in Iowa.

The Ft. Dodge levee became saturated and was repaired with rock and is presently holding. The USACE is monitoring and coordinating with the local sponsor.

Strong storms caused widespread power outages across the affected area on August 22, 2007.

The state continues to collect information from affected counties and will begin local preliminary damage assessments next week, or when flood waters recede.

The state will requested a joint Federal/state PDA if damages assessments warrant.

The governor issued a disaster proclamation for five (5) counties on August 22, 2007.

The state will review the need to deploy state liaison teams (local incident management teams (IMTs) to coordinate and advise local authorities on damage assessments.  (FEMA Region VII)

Missouri
The remnants of Tropical Storm Erin moved into Missouri on August 19, 2007, producing 8-11 inches of rain in the southwest part of the state.

Region VII is in contact with SEMA for incident updates, briefings, and coordination of PDA's.

State Water Patrol has assisted communities in swift water rescues.

In Dade County, local damage assessments are estimated to exceed $1.3 million, primarily for road and bridge repair.Several roads and bridges were damaged in Dallas County, with preliminary estimates in the $2 million range. Damage estimates for Polk County exceed $3.2 million. Damage estimates for Webster County are $0.5 million.

The Greene County Highway Department is reporting that most roads that were submerged are now passable.

Damage assessments continue throughout Laclede County with MDOT inspecting bridges and roadways.

SEMA verbally requested a Joint Federal/State PDA's in seven (7) southwestern counties for Public Assistance. (FEMA Region VII)

Ohio
Record flood levels are expected in the north central part of the state and in the towns of Findley and Bucyrus.

The governor has declared state emergencies for nine (9) counties.

A FEMA Region V Liaison is in place at the state EOC.

Cresting is expected over the next 48 hours, but some delay may occur due to the threat of continued rain.

There are currently 24 State and US Highways blocked due to floodwaters and 11 restricted roadways.

Ohio DNR Water rescue and evacuation teams are going door-to-door in affected areas with U.S. Coast Guard resources set to arrive on August 23, 2007, to provide additional water rescue support to the Ohio DNR as needed.

ARC shelters are open in many areas. (FEMA Region V)

Wisconsin
Flash flood warnings and watches remain in effect for much of southern Wisconsin.

Following a state emergency declaration on August 20, 2007, county damage assessment figures have yielded close to 800 homes and 60 businesses with varying degrees of damage ranging from destroyed to inaccessible. Assessments will continue.

Joint Federal and State IA and PA assessments will begin Monday, August 27, 2007.

ARC and Salvation Army are providing assistance.

A FEMA Region V Liaison is in the state EOC. (FEMA Region V)

Minnesota
The state EOC is fully activated due to severe flooding in the southeastern portion of the State.

Rainfall of up to a foot was reported in some areas and additional amounts are forecast through most of the week.

PDAs for both Individual and Public Assistance for six (6) counties started on August 22, 2007.

No estimate of damages have been reported through official channels.

A FEMA Region V liaison is located at the State EOC.   (FEMA Region V)

Oklahoma
Widespread rainfall related to Tropical Depression Erin began on August 18, 2007. Severe weather, included torrential rainfall, tornadoes and flooding occurred throughout the State.

A state disaster declaration was issued on August 21, 2007, for 24 Counties.

On August 20, 2007, initial State PDAs were conducted in four (4) counties that showed a total of 498 residences affected; of these, 47 were destroyed and 192 sustained major damage.

The state EOC remains activated and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is in contact with emergency managers in the affected areas.

The governor on August 22, 2007, requested federal assistance for three (3) counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide.  (FEMA Region VI)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico:
There are no significant weather systems identified at this time, and tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Eastern Pacific:
Tropical cyclone activity is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Central Pacific:
Tropical cyclone activity is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Western Pacific:
Tropical cyclone activity is not expected during the next 48 hours.  (NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, FEMA Regions II, IV, VI, FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No significant activity to report.  (NOAA, USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Individual Assistance and Public Assistance PDA requested as a result of severe storms and flooding, received from the governor of Minnesota on August 22, 2007.

Individual Assistance and Public Assistance PDA requests, as a result of severe storms and flooding, received from the governor of Oklahoma on August 22, 2007. (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level:  5
States Most Affected:  Montana, Idaho
National Fire Activity as of Wednesday, August 22, 2007

• New large fires: 7
• Large fires contained: 1
• Uncontained large fires: 54
• 2007 acres burned to date: 6,509,401

Weather Discussion:  Winds will increase today over portions of southern California and the southern Great Basin.  Wet thunderstorms are possible from northeast Nevada to western Wyoming.  Warmer and drier conditions will begin to take place in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.  Hot and dry weather will continue over the southeastern states.  (National Interagency Fire Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The Governor of Oklahoma requested a major disaster declaration, as a result of flooding and tornadoes, on August 22, 2007.

The Governor of Minnesota requested a major disaster declaration, as a result of flooding, on August 22, 2007.(FEMA HQ)