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National Situation Update: Thursday, October 26, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Blizzards in West - Thunderstorms in Louisiana and Texas

West:  A blizzard warning is in effect along the I-25 corridor for areas south of Denver (including Colorado Springs and Pueblo), while Denver is under a winter storm warning.

Much of the central and eastern portion of the state can expect heavy snow (or rain changing to snow) and winds.
In some locations, massive snow drifts could make roads impassable. Travel, especially along I-25 south of Denver, could come to a stop. Travelers and residents alike are urged to stay on top of this developing storm.

Elsewhere in the West, a few showers are likely in western Washington; and Santa Ana winds are expected to whip over portions of Southern California.

South:  A strengthening storm over the southern Plains will unleash heavy downpours, severe thunderstorms and high winds on various areas of the south-central U.S. 
The cloudbursts will target locations like the already-flooded areas of southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana.  The heavy rain will spread northward during the day, reaching into northern Mississippi by sunset.  The rains will persist into the night while spreading out north-and-eastward. Some spots in Louisiana and Mississippi could end up with 4 or 5 inches of rain by tomorrow morning.

Severe storms, meanwhile, are likely to explode over eastern Oklahoma and eastern Texas by evening and move into western Arkansas and Louisiana. On the back side of the storm, high winds will develop over the Oklahoma Panhandle and West Texas during the afternoon and evening.

Midwest:  Rain will dampen much of the lower Midwest and central Plains as a potent storm center moves eastward across Oklahoma.

The heaviest precipitation is expected to strike parts of Kansas (where it will be driven by gusty northeast winds), Illinois and Indiana.  Farther north, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan should remain dry.

Northeast:  Unseasonably chilly air will continue to grip the Northeast with a few rain and snow showers dotting interior locations. Gusty winds will persist, although they should be less prominent especially from New York state south. (NWS, Media Sources)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean Sea:
No significant activity to report.

Central and Eastern Pacific:
At 5:00 am EDT the center of Tropical Depression Paul was located about 85 miles east-southeast of Los Mochis, Mexico. Paul is moving toward the north-northeast near 8 mph.  Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 30 mph with higher gusts.  Further weakening is likely. 

There is no threat to the U.S. or any U.S. territories.

Western Pacific:
No significant activity to report. (USDOC/NOAA/NWS, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

Nothing Significant to report. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, FEMA Region IX)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA-1660-DR-AZ is amended effective October 24, 2006 changing the FCO to Lee H. Rosenberg. (FEMA HQ)