National Situation Update: Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
Midwest Weather Summary
Midwest:
Strong to severe thunderstorms erupted across parts of the Midwest late on Tuesday, August 28, 2007.
The hardest hit areas were eastern Nebraska, western Iowa, northern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
There may be locally heavy rain into early Wednesday, August 29, 2007, from eastern Nebraska, through Iowa, to Wisconsin.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007, will feature scattered thunderstorms from the Great Lakes to the southern Plains as the cold front continues to slide to the south and east. (NWS, Media Sources)
Ohio Flooding
FEMA-1720-DR-OH was signed August 27, 2007, for Individual Assistance in six counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide.
ARC shelter count as of midnight, August 28, 2007, is 46.
The US EPA continues to assist Ohio EPA with several large releases in Findlay, OH (Hancock County) and in Putnam County.
As of August 28, 2007, FEMA Region V initial IA PDA results remained at: 265 structures destroyed, 448 with major damage, 1,071 with minor damage and 243 affected. (FEMA Regions)
North Dakota Tornado
At approximately 8:50 PM CDT on August 26, 2007, a tornado struck the Town of Northwood in Grand Forks County, ND.
National Weather Service estimated that the tornado's wind hit 170 mph and was nearly a mile wide when it hit the town of Northwood.
Two mobile home parks were reported destroyed. The power in Northwood has been turned off as a safety precaution, and it is estimated that it will be two to three days before it is restored. Leaks in water lines have been repaired and the water system is restored.
The State estimates nearly 90 percent of the 450 homes in Northwood sustained damages with estimates by city officials that approximately 100 are uninhabitable.
There has been one confirmed fatality and 17 injuries.
On August 27, 2007, the Governor of North Dakota issued an Emergency Declaration for Northwood.
Generators have been provided by the town of Petersburg and Grand Forks AFB.
The Red Cross and the Salvation Army have set up temporary shelters with 100 to 150 residents seeking shelter at these facilities. A shelter has been established for displaced residents at Turtle River Park.
The Region VIII Support Team is being deployed to the incident area. However, there have been no requests for Federal Assistance.(FEMA Regions, Media Sources)
Illinois Flooding
Significant flooding affected northern Illinois after sever weather on August 23, 2007.
The Governor declared a State of Emergency in five counties.
South Branch Kishwaukee River is at Major Flood Stage and receding, the Illinois River is at Major Flood Stage and receding and the Des Plaines River is in Moderate Flood Stage and receding.
ARC shelter count as of midnight, August 28, 2007 is at 41.
There has been one confirmed fatality.
Six Federal IA and PA PDA Teams have been requested for six counties. The FEMA Region V LNO was demobilized, and no further requests for Federal Assistance have been made. (FEMA Regions)
Indiana Flooding
Two storm-related fatalities reported as of August 28, 2007.
The Kankakee River is at Moderate Flood Stage and forecast to recede to Minor Flood Stage.
Sandbagging and pumping operations are continuing as of August 28, 2007. (FEMA Regions)
Minnesota Flooding
Presidential Declaration was signed August 23, 2007, designating three counties for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance Category B. The State is also eligible for Hazard Mitigation Programs.
FEMA-1717-DR amended, dated August 23, 2007, amended (effective August 28, 2007), to add one county for Public Assistance, six counties for Public Assistance (already designated for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance Category B [emergency protective measures], including Direct Federal Assistance). Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers are open in three counties. (FEMA Regions)
Michigan Flooding
Severe storms affected portions of central and eastern Michigan on August 24, 2007.
Damages reported in seven counties.
Local damage estimates are 20 structures destroyed, 33 major, 141 minor and 148 affected.
The State does not think that the damage will warrant Federal Assistance. (FEMA Regions)
Wisconsin Flooding
Presidential Declaration was signed on August 26, 2007. The declaration was for IA in five counties.
Three fatalities were reported due to a power line falling on August 22, 2007.
The Kickapoo River in southwest Wisconsin is at Major Flooding Stage and receding and Fox River at Burlington and New Munster is at Major Flooding Stage and receding.
IA and PA PDA Teams are continuing assessments as of August 28, 2007.
Vernon, Crawford, Richland and Grant Counties experienced additional rainfall on August 26, 2007, and minor flooding of basements and minor damage to roadways was reported.
Precautionary evacuations took place in Vernon County due to concern of dam failure at Runge Hollow, Hidden Valley, Primmer and Seas Branch dams. The evacuations are expected to remain in effect until at least late August 29, 2007. (FEMA Regions)
Iowa Flooding
Governor Chet Culver issued a Disaster Declaration for seven counties on August 22, 2007. Four counties were added to the Disaster Proclamation. On August 27, 2007, three additional jurisdictions were added to the Disaster Proclamation.
Flood waters are receding in Cherokee County. The county is utilizing a USACE pump for water removal.
Iowa EOC is back to a normal operating status.
Joint Federal/State PDAs for PA and IA started August 28, 2007.
Oklahoma Flooding
Presidential Declaration was signed August 24, 2007, for three counties. As of August 28, 2007, Joint Federal/State PDA's are underway for an additional 20 counties.
Flood waters are continuing to recede.
All power restored to homes and businesses that can safely take power as of August 28, 2007. All shelters closed as of August 28, 2007.
EOC at normal operations as of August 28, 2007.
Texas Flooding
As of August 28, 2007, Joint Federal/State PDAs are ongoing for Public Assistance in South Texas, to be completed on August 30, 2007.
All shelters closed as of August 28, 2007.
SOC at normal operations as of August 28, 2007.
All flash flooding caused by TS Erin has receded as of August 28, 2007.
Training Tool for Emergency Managers
A new video game designed at Sandia National Laboratories, called "Ground Truth," provides training for emergency managers. As part of the real-time strategy genre, Ground Truth allows players to manage a stable of resources and units in a variety of situations. The Sandia game is through its first year of development and was recently tested by a group of emergency workers in California. It will not be complete for two years. The next phase of the game will be able to analyze a player's actions and develop targeted scenarios to help improve their performance. The game keeps track of civilian casualties during a 20-minute scenario. (DHS/NICC)
Winds Fan Wildfire Near Idaho Ski Lodge
Gusty winds pushed a wildfire closer to Sun Valley Resort's on Tuesday, while hundreds more homes were ordered evacuated in the valley below.
The fire has burned more than 64 square miles of spruce, fir and pine trees, keeping crews busy near a summit lodge adorned with fading pictures of Ernest Hemingway.
As the fire burned up the west side of 9,150-foot Bald Mountain, Blaine County officials expanded a mandatory evacuation order to the northern part of Ketchum.
Residents in about 2,000 homes now have been asked to leave since lightning started the blaze Aug 17, 2007.
"This latest evacuation order was due to the fire conditions, the burnout operations and the increased possibility for fire spotting, said a fire information officer.
Sixty Idaho Army and Air National Guard soldiers were assisting residents, going door to door to make sure they followed the mandatory order.
More than 1,650 fire personnel from across the nation are fighting the blaze, considered the region's top priority, according to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise.
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 new activity (FEMA HQ)
Preliminary Damage Assessments
Individual Assistance PDAs for six counties in Illinois are scheduled to begin on September 4, 2007. Public Assistance PDAs for six Illinois counties are scheduled to begin on September 10, 2007.
Individual assistance PDAs to be completed for Texas by August 31, 2007.
Individual Assistance and Public Assistance PDAs for Grand Forks County, North Dakota, are scheduled to begin on August 29, 2007.
Individual Assistance PDAs are continuing for 3 counties in Oklahoma. Public Assistance PDAs are scheduled to begin August 29, 2007. (FEMA Regions, FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update
National Preparedness Level: 4
States Most Affected: Montana, Idaho
National Fire Activity as of Tuesday, August 28, 2007
New large fires: 1
Large fires contained: 4
Uncontained large fires: 31
2007 acres burned to date: 6,890,431
Weather Discussion: Warming and drying across the West this week with thunderstorms moving up form the south. Mostly wet thunderstorms are expected along and to the east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and across the southern Great Basin. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected along the Gulf Coast states. (National Interagency Fire Center, Media Sources)
Disaster Declaration Activity
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Wednesday, 29-Aug-2007 07:44:49 EDT