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National Situation Update: Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Summary

West: A trough of low pressure will produce snow over the northern Rockies. Scattered rain and snow showers will fall over much of the Intermountain West with up to 16 inches in the higher elevations. Denver may see rain change to snow with several inches of snow accumulation tonight. High temperatures will be below mid-October averages in most of the region with readings ranging from the 20s in the higher Rockies to the 80s in southwest Arizona and far southeast California.

Midwest: A frontal system will produce scattered showers over the Midwest today with only Illinois and Missouri remaining dry. The Dakotas will have scattered rain and snow showers in the cold air behind the front. High temperatures are expected to range from the 30s in western and northern North Dakota to the 70s in much of Missouri and southern and eastern Kansas.

South: The frontal system and abundant tropical moisture that produced of 5 to 13 inches of precipitation from Texas to Louisiana yesterday will shift into the Southeast today. Heavy rain and thunderstorms may produce up to 2-inch rains on parts of Georgia and South Carolina. High temperatures are forecast to range from the 50s in the southern Appalachians to the 90s across southern and far eastern Texas.

Northeast:
The same system that drenched the South yesterday today will soak the Northeast today. New York State southward into Virginia could see an inch or two. High temperatures will range from 40s to 60's in Virginia. (National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Hawaii Earthquake Update

Preliminary damage assessments (PDA), Rapid Needs Assessments (RNA) and Response and Recovery are underway.  A flash flood warning remains in effect on the Big Island and flash flood watches on the other islands (except Oahu) through this afternoon.  No fatalities and no significant injuries reported at this time.  98% of the 300,000 customers who had lost electrical power have now been restored.  20 people are being housed in 2 shelters on the Big Island.  All airports are open and fully operational.  Some highways were damaged or closed, with some anticipated long-term closures.  A pier in Oahu was damaged and the Kawaihae Port (Big Island) suffered major damage.  1 hospital and 1 D.V.A. clinic were damaged in Kona on the Big Island and about 36 patients were moved.  2 hospitals received damages on Maui. Structural engineers from State agencies are deploying to help assess damages to critical infrastructure.

State Actions: 
Governor Lingle has requested a major disaster declaration from the President. The State Emergency Operations Center is activated for 24-hour duty.  The State Emergency Response Team has been activated.  Activating Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) 1 (Transportation), 3 (Public Works), 8 (Health and Medical Services), 10 (Oil and Hazardous materials, 11 (Agriculture and Natural Resources), and 12 (Energy).

Federal Actions:
The ERT-A has arrived in Honolulu and will fly to the Big Island today.  5 MERS personnel and equipment also deployed. Three FEMA Pacific Area Office staff have deployed to the Big Island.  Joint Field Office (JFO) established Ft Shafter.  NDMS has alerted 2 DMATs.  Region IX is activated to Level II (24/7) with ESF's 1, 3, 8, and 12. (FEMA HQ, Region IX, Hawaii State EOC)

Buffalo Snowstorm Update

All flood watches have been lifted and no additional precipitation is forecast for western New York State.  The power companies report 195,000 customers remain without power.  Representatives from the National Grid anticipate total restoration by October 23, 2006.   Two 50-pack generator have arrived at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY.  Total of 100 generators.  There are 23 shelters housing a total of 1,021.  Federal Emergency Declaration FEMA-3268-EM was declared on October 15, 2006.

Texas and Louisiana Severe Thunderstorms and Tornadoes

On Monday, October 16 Southeast Texas and Southern Louisiana received significant precipitation and severe weather.

Texas - A serious flood event is underway in Southeast Texas.  Elevated tides in combination with heavy rain are exacerbating the flooding situation.  Rainfall totals ranged up to ten inches.  Streams and creeks are at or above flood levels closing roadways and streets.  The Harris County Flood Control District reports all Bayous are cresting and there are reports of water in three homes. Ten bayou locations are near top of bank, while another 19 bayou locations are out of their banks.
Power outages are reported in multiple counties.  Center Point Energy reported 10,000 customers without power.  Galveston, Newton, Jefferson, Montgomery and Calhoun Counties reports tornado touchdowns and damage.  City of China requested 40-50 tarps to cover roofs of damaged homes.  Mass Care/Salvation Army is working this issue to assist the City of China.

Louisiana - A series of tornadoes have touched down in Southwest and Central Louisiana. Acadia, Calcasieu, Vermilion, Vernon, LaFourche, Iberville, and Nachitoches Parishes report tornadoes knocked down power lines, trees and caused minor damages to homes.  Nachitoches and LaSalle Parishes have submitted declarations of emergency to the State.  Roadways and streets are reported underwater.  There are no reported fatalities; however three people have been reported injured.  No major power outages reported in Louisiana.

FEMA Region VI continues to monitor National Weather Service (NWS) reports.  The State of Texas conducted a conference call at 10:00 p.m. EDT October 16 with NWS, FEMA RVI, Texas Emergency Management, American Red Cross, and Texas Army National Guard.   FEMA Region VI monitoring the situation and is in touch with the Texas and Louisiana State Emergency Management Offices. (FEMA Region VI)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean Sea:
Tropical storm formation is not expected through Wednesday.

Central and Eastern Pacific:
Tropical storm formation is not expected through Wednesday.

Western Pacific:
Tropical Storm 21W (Soulik) poses no threat to U.S. territories or possessions. (USDOC/NOAA/NWS, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

PDAs for IA and PA in five Virginia counties are scheduled to begin on Monday, October 16, 2006.   (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level 2
National Fire Activity

Initial attack activity: Light (24 new fires)
New large fires: 0
Large fires contained: 0
Uncontained large fires: 2
Area Command Teams: 0
Type 1 IMTs committed: 0
Type 2 IMTs committed: 0

Disaster Declaration Activity

Alaska Major Disaster Declared: President Bush signed a major disaster declaration, FEMA-1663-DR-AK, on October 16, 2006, for Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides and Mudslides.  The incident period is August 15-26, 2006. Public Assistance for the Chugach Regional Education Attendance Area, Denali Borough and Matanuska-Susitna Borough.  All boroughs and Regional Education Attendance Areas in the State of Alaska are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
Additional Designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation.
William J. Lokey has been designated as the Federal Coordinating Officer. (FEMA HQ )