National Situation Update: Sunday, October 29, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

More Windy Wintry Weather Forecast for the Northeast

Northeast:
In the Northeast wind gusts from 40 to 66 mph have downed trees in northern New Jersey and knocked out power in parts of eastern Massachusetts. Wind gusts up to 81 mph were recorded in northern Vermont.
 
High wind warnings continue from Maine to western New York, also for the central Appalachians, winds should increase Sunday in New England and western New York with gusts above 35 mph.
60 mph wind gusts are possible near the shorelines of Lakes Erie and Ontario, including the Buffalo area. These cold winds passing over Lakes Erie and Ontario, where water temperatures are in the low 50s, will generate bands of lake-effect snow Sunday.
 
Winter storm warnings have been posted for southwest New York, from Buffalo south to the Pennsylvania state line, and also for a portion of Upstate New York south of Lake Ontario.
While precipitation near the lakeshore may be mostly rain, wet snow is forecasted for the Buffalo region, the heaviest snow is expected in Upstate New York, northeast of Syracuse where up to a foot of snow is possible by Sunday evening. This wind-driven, heavy wet snow may down trees and power lines in this area.

Midwest:
In eastern Michigan, near Lake Huron and northeast Ohio, winds gusting above 40 mph are forecasted through much of the day Sunday. Highs on Sunday will be in the 40s in Cleveland, and in the 50s for Detroit.
 
Warm southerly winds will spread from the Plains Sunday into the Great Lakes on Monday.
Highs on Sunday from the Plains north to the Black Hills of South Dakota are expected to be in the 70s.

South:
Dryer weather is expected for the flooded areas of southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana. Rivers in Louisiana remain in flood conditions, and will be above flood levels through the first part of next week.
 
The Southeast and the Southern Plains are forecasted to have warmer temperatures on Sunday, highs in the 80s for Oklahoma and north Texas.
 
The Tennessee Valley and the southern Appalachians should see temperatures in the 60s to 70s. Florida should be dry with temperatures in the upper 70s for Orlando and low 80s for Miami.

West:
A cold front moving southward from western Canada into the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies is expected Sunday. Cool, wet weather is forecasted from Seattle to Portland.
 
A winter storm warning is in effect Sunday for the mountains of northwest Montana, and the Glacier National Park where up to a foot of new snow is possible in the higher elevations, with strong winds blowing well above 30 mph. Blowing snow will reduce visibility, making travel hazardous.
 
Highs will be in the 60s for the High Plains, and the Colorado Front Range. High for most of California and the Desert Southwest will be in the 70s and 80s. The fire danger in California is expected to be reduced due to changing winds.  (NOAA/National Weather Service, media sources)

Esperanza Fire (California) Update

  • Fire officials remain optimistic about the control/containment lines to the north and west of the Esperanza Fire along Interstate 10 near the committees of Banning and Beaumont.  During the current operational period, fire crews have been building fire lines along the southern and eastern perimeter.
  • There are approximately 2,868 firefighters on-scene utilizing a DC-10 jet, air tankers, helicopters, and bulldozers to fight the blaze.
  • The fire size remains the same at approximately 40,450 acres and the containment is reported to have increased to approximately 60 percent.   California OES reports that as of Saturday evening 34 homes and 20 outbuildings have been destroyed. Estimated shelter population for Saturday evening was 60-70 persons.
  • Some slow relative humidity recovery is forecast for Sunday.
  • The California State Operations Center, Southern Region Emergency Operations Center, Riverside Emergency Operations Center and the CDHS Joint Emergency Operations Center in Sacramento have been activated at levels necessary to support the fire response and to coordinate any local emergency medical and public health needs that may arise.
  • The Governor declared a State of Emergency for Riverside County on Thursday October 26.
  • FEMA has received, processed and approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant. Region IX will continue to monitor the system.  (FEMA Region IX, California Office of Emergency Services)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean Sea:
At 10:30 pm EDT Saturday, a Tropical Wave was producing showers and thunderstorms over the east-central Caribbean Sea. The wave, moving west-northwestward at 15-20 mph, may slowly develop during the next few days.
 
Tropical storm formation is not expected through Monday.
 
Central and Eastern Pacific:
Tropical storm formation is not expected through Monday.
 
Western Pacific:
No new activity to report. (USDOC/NOAA/NWS, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center) 

Earthquake Activity

Some minor earthquakes were reported during the past 24 hours: a 4.1 quake at a depth of 3 miles in Central Alaska, a 4.6 quake at a depth of 6 miles in the Mariana Islands region, and a 4.5 quake at a depth of 19 miles in the Rat Islands, Aleutian Islands, and Alaska. No damage or injuries reported.   (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, FEMA Region IX)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Louisiana - Three (3) Individual Assistance and Public Assistance Teams will conduct Joint local/state/federal Preliminary Damage Assessments beginning on October 31, 2006. IA and PA PDAs will be conducted in the following seven (7) parishes:  Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Evangeline, St. Helena, St. Landry, and Sabine. The PDAs will assess damages caused by severe storms and flooding that occurred beginning on October 26.  (FEMA Region VI)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Monday, 30-Oct-2006 08:18:40 EST