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National Situation Update: Friday, August 24, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Regional Storm and Flooding Activity

Midwest Weather Overview

Consecutive stalled fronts have caused repeated days of thunderstorms over northern Iowa, southern Minnesota, southern Wisconsin, northern Indiana, northwest Ohio and adjacent areas. A number of locations are dealing with 6-day rainfall totals near 12 inches and rivers near record crests.

The last of these stalled systems will affect an area from Kansas to Lower Michigan on August 24, 2007 with heavy rain and severe thunderstorms.  By August 25, 2007, the Plains and Midwest will be almost entirely rain free, finally allowing the flood waters to recede.(NWS)

State Flooding & Severe Weather Reports

Region V
Illinois
Severe storms moved through northeast Illinois (Chicago area) in the afternoon on August 23, 2007, causing power outages, downed trees, and roof damage to several buildings. 

One fatality has been confirmed in Knox County due to a falling tree.  No other injuries have been reported to the State. 

Power outages have been reported in Cook County, Knox, LaSalle and Warren Counties. 

At 3:30 pm CDT, August 23, 2007 the Exelon Nuclear Power Plant at Braidwood had one unit manually shut down by the operators due to loss of vacuum.  The loss of vacuum was caused by the automatic shut down of 2 circulating water pumps when the pumps experienced fluctuations.  This is standard protocol with this type of mechanical failure and the reactor was shut down without incident. 
Braidwood Unit 1 is still at power and both reactors at the Braidwood site are stable.  This is not a classifiable incident under NRC regulations and poses no danger to the public or the workers at the station.  The US NRC has been notified.  The IEMA resident inspector is on-site.

The majority of damages reported have been minor.

The State EOC is being staffed, but has not been activated.  The State has requested Illinois State Patrol, Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, External Affairs and a Legislative Liaison to report to the EOC.  There have been no requests for State Assistance.

FEMA Region V is monitoring the situation.  No Federal assistance has been requested.  (FEMA Region V)

Indiana
Severe thunderstorms moved through Lake County in northwest Indiana on the evening of Wednesday, August 15, 2007.

The storms included hail and winds in excess of 70 MPH producing significant damage and power outages across a wide area of Lake County.

Northern Indiana Public Service Company initially reported over 100,000 customers experienced power outages.

Flash flooding is a concern and is sporadic in low-laying areas throughout Lake County.

There are no injuries or fatalities to report.

Lake County declared a State of Emergency on August 15, 2007.

The State EOC was activated August 15 - 20, 2007.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Department of Transportation, Department of Corrections, Department of Natural Resources and the Military Department of Indiana are providing assistance.

State agencies are assisting Lake County EMA and local jurisdictions with damage assessment and debris removal.

Debris has been removed from major roadways which are now passable. Removal operations continuing on minor roadways that are partially blocked with downed trees. The State is monitoring recovery operations.

The FEMA Region V office continues to monitor the situation and is maintaining close contact with the State.  There have been no requests for Federal assistance.   (FEMA Region V)

Minnesota
Severe flooding impacted areas of southeastern Minnesota on August 19, 2007. Between eight and eleven inches of rain was reported and additional rainfall is expected through the week. 

The State reports six fatalities; four in Winona County and two in Houston County.  

The president signed a Major Disaster Declaration, FEMA-1717-DR-MN August 23, 2007 for six counties.   (FEMA Region V)

Ohio
Record flood levels are expected in the north central part of the state and in the towns of Findley and Bucyrus over the next 48-72 hours.

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
Thunderstorms produced 10-12 inches of rain across the southwestern corner of Wisconsin producing widespread flooding in the early morning hours of August 19, 2007.

There are no reports of injuries or fatalities. 

Numerous roads and bridges are washed out and/or closed. 16 Counties are affected.

Compiled County damage assessment figures have yielded over 1000 homes and 60 businesses with varying degrees of damage ranging from destroyed to inaccessible.
Agricultural damages have exceeded 8,500 acres. 

The American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and state organizations are providing assistance. 

IA and PA assessments will begin Monday August 27, 2007.  A FEMA Region V Liaison is in the State EOC.  (FEMA Region V)

Region VII
Iowa
Beginning Wednesday, August 22, 2007 and continuing, severe storms producing strong winds, hail and heavy rainfall moved into the Midwest causing flooding and flash flooding across central and northern Iowa. 

There has been one death and 11 injuries attributed to this event.

Widespread to scattered thunderstorms are likely to continue through Friday evening August 24, 2007.  Some storms may be severe with heavy rain possible leading to another round of flash flooding, mostly along the I-80 corridor and northern portions of the state.

The Army Corps of Engineers has provided pumping capability to several counties to support pumping operations and other infrastructure.

Numerous roads and bridges have been damaged and/or are currently underwater and inaccessible for damage surveys. Damage assessment will be accomplished when water recedes

There are reports that at least 200 homes and an apartment complex have been flooded and several residents were evacuated in the affected counties.  The counties have not requested state assistance at this time.

The ARC and Salvation Army will open a shelter in the city of Ft. Dodge on Thursday afternoon, August 23, 2007. No state assistance is requested at this time.

The levee in Ft. Dodge (Webster County) did not breech. The levee became saturated and was repaired with rock and is presently holding. USACE is on site and monitoring the situation.

The governor issued a disaster proclamation for seven Iowa counties on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 and the state will request a joint federal/state PDA thereafter if damages warrant, possibly as soon as next week.

The Civil Air Patrol is providing aerial assessments to counties declared emergencies by the governor.

FEMA deployed a Liaison Team Wednesday, August 23, 2007.

This team consists of the Regional Administrator, a Public Assistance officer, and a liaison/planning specialist to assist with reporting requirements. The FEMA Region VII RRCC is activated at a Level III and is mirroring the state's hours of operation.

Iowa's EOC ceased operations August 23, 2007at 6:00 pm CDT. The EOC will resume operations August 24, 2007 at 7:00 am CDT and the planned operating hours will be 7:00 am - 6:00 pm CDT.  This may be modified dependent on the effects of forecasted storms overnight.   (FEMA Region VII)

Missouri
The remnants of Tropical Storm Erin moved from Oklahoma into Missouri along the I-44 corridors from August 19 - 21, 2007. This storm produced 8-11 inches of rain in a short time in southwest Missouri. 

One fatality was reported by officials in Laclede County. 

Several counties report numerous bridges and road have been damaged and/or under water.

The counties report damages in excess of $3.8 million to infrastructure

Counties have reported 5 homes destroyed, 33 have major damage and at least 32 with minor damage.  There have also been several businesses affected.

SEMA personnel are on-site assisting local jurisdictions with Preliminary Damage Assessments.

Region VII received a request from SEMA for joint Federal/state PDA's in seven southwestern counties for Public Assistance only. Three teams will begin field surveys on Monday, August 27, 2007.

FEMA Region VII is in contact with SEMA for incident updates, briefings, and coordination of the PDAs.  (FEMA Region VII)

Nebraska
Rainfall from the last several days has added up to more than 5 inches in some northeast locations.  Heavy rain continued to fall in northeast Nebraska Thursday morning, August 23, 2007 where up to 3 inches of rain fell in places. 

The National Weather Service conducted a storm survey in southern Colfax county.  From video,    photographs and survey information, NWS determined that an EF-0 tornado touched down about 3 1/2 miles south of Richland.  This is along the northern banks of the Platte River.  Sporadic tree and corn damage extended from 3 1/2 miles south of Richland to 4 miles east of Richland.  

Wind debris issues in the Lincoln and Omaha areas from the August 20, 2007 storm are still being assessed by local government.  Fillmore and Clay counties received storms August 22, 2007 that included high winds. 

Local government started assessing those areas for damage August 23, 2007. 

State EOC is continuing coordination with counties affected to assess damage.  No State assistance has been requested at this time.  No State or local declarations have been made.   
FEMA State Liaison is in constant contact with State. No Federal assistance requested at this time.  (FEMA Region VII)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

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: 4
• Large fires contained: 2
• Uncontained large fires: 56
• 2007 acres burned to date: 6,556,419

Weather Discussion:  Above-normal temperatures will continue in California in combination with dry northerly winds for the north half of the state and gusty winds over the south.  Increased wind will also affect portions of the southern Great Basin and western Rocky Mountain areas.  Mostly wet thunderstorms will be possible from eastern Nevada to Wyoming.  Very hot and dry conditions will continue over the Southeast through Friday.  (National Interagency Fire Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA-1717-DR-MN was declared on august 23, 2007 for Individual Assistance due to severe storms and flooding from August 18, 2007 and continuing. (FEMA HQ)