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National Situation Update: Monday, May 7, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Region VII Response to Kansas Tornadoes

The ERT-A Team and the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) are in Greensburg, Kansas.

FEMA/State Operations are set up in two mini Emergency Operations Vehicles (EOV), and two mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) at Greensburg, with satellite communications. The ERT-A and State officials are working out of these offices.

Two State Liaisons are in the State EOC in Topeka, Kansas supporting 24/7 operations.

Two FEMA/State joint teams began Individual Assistance PDAs on May 6.

RRCC External Affairs is answering inquires from the media and congressional staff.

The RRCC has staged trailers containing commodities of water, MREs, and tarps in Pratt, Kansas in anticipation of state requests.

Staging areas are being identified for travel trailers and mobile homes.

The State reports two ARC shelters are open in Haviland, with 365 Friday night 240 sheltered last night.  More are expected for tonight.  A non Red Cross shelter is open in Mullinville at the high school gym. 

Southern Baptists are providing hot meals in Havilland and the Salvation Army have three (3) canteens in Greensburg and one (1) in Stafford.

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management has not requested any potable water supplies. 

Exact of number of businesses damaged in the City of Greensburg is not known at this time.  SBA is participating on the PDAs that began on May 6.  Anticipate that all businesses received damages or destroyed due to the severity of the tornado.

Staff is participating in the FEMA/State Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs), which began May 6, identifying staffing resources to provide technical assistance to locals on debris removal and building inspections.

The National Guard Bureau reported that the Kansas National Guard is currently providing 65 in support of the tornado response mission.

Severe storm warnings have been lifted in the Greensburg area. Weather should begin to improve this week. (Region VII)

Weather Hazards for the Week

• Heavy rain and flooding ahead of the slow-moving cold front is possible for much of the plains from the Dakotas to central Texas for May 7-8.
• Heavy rain and flooding is likely over central OK and west central TX on May 8-9.
• Severe drought persists for the southwest US and Florida.
• Severe drought persists, but some improvement may occur for parts of the Southeast, WY and MN.   (NWS Climate Prediction Services)

National Weather Forecast

South
Strong, gusty winds are forecast for the Carolina coasts, and high surf warnings for the beaches from the Outer Banks to the east coast of Florida. Scattered showers predicted for eastern and southern Florida.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are predicted for the South, west of the Mississippi River.  Areas from West Texas into Oklahoma may receive very heavy rain with flooding. Severe storms are also possible over much of Texas and Oklahoma.

Midwest
Showers and thunderstorms widespread from eastern Kansas and Missouri northward into the Upper Midwest Monday, however not expected to be as severe as recent storms.

Northeast
Gusty northeasterly winds over southeastern Virginia as an offshore storm drifts southward off the Carolinas. 

West
Isolated thunderstorms forecast over the Colorado Rockies and a shower or two in northwest Washington. The rest of the West will be dry.  (NWS, Media Sources)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Joint Individual Assistance and Public Assistance PDA for Kiowa County Kansas commenced on May 6, 2007.

The State of Louisiana requested a Joint Individual Assistance (IA) PDA for Monday, May 7, 2007, for Moreland Parish due to tornado activity. FEMA Region VI Human Services Branch is coordinating with the Small Business Administration to staff one IA team.

A Public Assistance PDA will be conducted on Monday, May 7, 2007, for Denton County, Texas for damage consideration under DR-1697, severe storms and tornadoes.  (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

Initial attack activity: 53 fires (Light); New large fires: 2; Large fires contained: 1; Uncontained large fires: 13.  Area Command Teams committed: National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) committed: 1: Type 1 Incident Management Team (IMT) committed 1(Big Turnaround Complex Fire); Type 2 IMT committed: 4. (NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)