• Emergency Managers and Personnel
• Situation Reports
• National Incident Management System
• Grants & Assistance Programs
• Training
• Contacts
• Planning
• Best Practices

National Situation Update: Sunday, January 8, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

South
Sunday will continue the extremely high fire danger for the south-central states. In Oklahoma and north Texas, winds should shift to the northwest Sunday, slowly winding down by evening. High temperatures in towns around the Ozarks, Ark-La-Tex and lower Mississippi Valley could approach record levels.

Some relief may arrive in the form of a second weather system sliding southward into the region Monday into Tuesday, however, it appears most of Oklahoma, central and northwest Texas will miss out on significant rainfall.

Florida lows Sunday morning should be close to the freezing mark in Orlando, where a freeze hasn't been recorded in almost 3 years. Lows in the 30s are expected in the inland suburbs of Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Fort Myers, as well. By Monday, this mini cold snap will be gone.

West
The Seattle-Tacoma metro area has experienced twenty straight days and counting of measurable rain, and there's seemingly no end in sight. A new system that moved ashore Saturday afternoon brought snow levels in the Cascades, with up to a foot of snow possible by Sunday morning.

Active weather systems coming ashore every 1 to 2 days will maintain a threat of rain and mountain snow in the region through much of next week. Washington State's longest streak of measurable rain on record is 55 days at Centralia from November 1996 to February 1997.

On the drier and warmer side it has not rained in Phoenix since October 18, a streak of 81 dry days in a row. Flagstaff, Arizona has only managed a trace of snow this season, almost 3 feet below the average-to-date figure, and over 6 feet below last year's total-to-date of almost 80 inches! Dry high pressure will remain in control of the Desert Southwest through next week.

Midwest
Sunday will offer a west-to-east streak of light snow, sleet or freezing rain from the Dakotas into Michigan, but temperatures will remain above seasonal averages. Twenties will stretch from N. Dakota to Upper Michigan. Thirties will be the rule from South Dakota to Lower Michigan.
Ohio Valley, temperatures will continue in the fifties and even sixties from Kansas to southern Ohio and Kentucky. Winds will be rather brisk by Sunday afternoon, potentially in the 10-20 mph range for the AFC Wild Card Playoff between the Steelers and Bengals in Cincinnati.

Northeast
Calm weather should round out the weekend in the Northeast, except for some light snow from the eastern Great Lakes into northern New England early Sunday. This should pose no concern for Sunday's NFC Wild Card playoff at the Meadowlands between the Panthers and Giants. Game temperatures should rise into the low 40s, with a westerly breeze up to 10 mph. (National Weather Service, various media sources)

Oklahoma Wildfire Update

A fast-moving wildfire burned about 100 acres east of Oklahoma City, near Meeker, Oklahoma yesterday.  The blaze was among more than 20 wildfires that burned across Oklahoma on Saturday, fueled by drought-like conditions and gusty winds.

One of the largest fires was a blaze near Sayre in western Oklahoma that had destroyed 1,000 acres by Saturday afternoon. The state command center also reported two separate 300-acre fires near Tulsa.
The National Weather Service reported that the high winds and unseasonably warm temperatures created prime grassfire conditions. Light rains are expected on Monday but won't be enough to stop the fires.

Firefighters with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), normally protecting only Indian trust land are now helping to protect the entire Sooner State. BIA fire managers said about 206 firefighters have been battling fires in the state. From Dec. 31 to Jan. 5, BIA firefighters have fought 76 fires, helping volunteer fire departments.

The BIA has been working with federal and state agencies to bring in more resources anticipating more wildfires through the weekend. (FEMA Region VI, Various media sources)

Texas Wildfire Update

A Red Flag Fire Warning remains in effect from noon Saturday through 6 p.m. Sunday for Texas,  and area firefighters are apprehensive about the threat of another outbreak of destructive wildfires. The hot spot was in Central Texas, where flames threatened homes in Bastrop County.

The warning was issued in anticipation of gusty southwest winds over 30 mph, which, in combination with low humidity and warmer than usual temperatures, heighten the risk of wildfires.

According to the Texas Forest Service and National Weather Service, extreme drought conditions are likely to persist in Texas through March, unless extraordinary winter moisture occurs soon. Only the coming of spring and new growth to replace dried grass is likely to reduce the wildfire danger in Texas, a local fire chief said.

The State of Texas, in the last 24-hour period ending midday Saturday, responded to 24 fires in eight counties statewide.  No homes were lost and 26 homes were saved.  There were no citizens evacuated.  Texas aircraft flew 58 missions and dropped 18,784 gallons of fire retardant on Friday.  Since December 26th, there have been 293 fires burning approximately 249,278 acres. In the same period, there have been 244 homes lost and 528 homes saved.

The entire situation report can be found on the DEM Homepage at www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem (FEMA Region VI, Various media sources)

Augustine Volcano Alaska

Unrest continues at Augustine Volcano. Seismicity rates increased slightly this week compared to last week. The last few days of this week offered clear views of the volcano and summit area in field observers photos, and in web cam and satellite images. The volcano continues to steam vigorously from several summit fumaroles. Steam and gas emissions are expected to continue and small steam explosions could occur at any time. There are no indications at this time that a large eruption is imminent. Augustine remains in color code YELLOW and Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) continues to monitor the situation closely.  Augustine is 75 miles southwest of Homer, AK. (AVO)

Tropical Activity

There is no tropical activity in the Eastern, Central, or Western Pacific Ocean. (Source: USDOC/NOAA/NWS, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

A moderate earthquake occurred at 1:55pm EST on Saturday, January 7, 2006. The magnitude 5.2 event was located in the Alaska Peninsula, 430 miles southwest of Anchorage. The depth was 39.1 miles with no reports of damage/injuries. No Tsunami warning.  (Source: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

In Alaska, Individual and Public Assistance PDAs in three boroughs and three cities are scheduled to begin January 9, 2006.

In California, Individual and Public Assistance PDAs in four counties began January 6, 2006.

In Nevada, Individual and Public Assistance PDAs in five counties began January 6, 2006.

Oklahoma wildfires PDA status:

• Completed in Seminole, Hughes, and Mayes Counties.
• Begun January 7 in Bryan, Canadian, Choctaw, Garvin, Logan, Pontotoc, and Oklahoma Counties.
• Scheduled to begin January 9 in Comanche, Cotton, Jackson, Lincoln, and Stevens Counties.
• Unless there are additional fires, the State believes this is a total list of the counties that will be assessed. (FEMA Region VI)

Wildfire Update

The Cedar Creek fire in Bastrop Count, TX received an FMAG at 1534 EST on January 7. The Fire threatens the town of Bastrop (population 5,300).  (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)