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National Situation Update: Thursday, March 23, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Cold in the Eastern U.S., Warm and Dry in the West

Northeast: A cold air system from Canada is expected to bring winter temperatures to much of the Eastern U.S. for the next several days. Scattered snowfall is forecast for Upstate New York and parts of New England on Thursday. Highs will continue to run below average in the Northeast with highs ranging from the 30s in New England to the 50s in the Mid-Atlantic area.

South: Temperatures in the southern U.S. will continue to be below seasonal averages with highs of 50s-60s in the Deep South. Cold temperatures are expected in the southeast for the remainder of the week.  Scattered rain and snow is forecast for parts of the South. The Panhandle areas of Texas and Arkansas have been hit with unusually cold weather that could result in 3 inches of snow by Thursday, making roads slippery. High temperatures in the 30s are forecast for Oklahoma on Thursday. 

Midwest: The Canadian Clipper will also impact the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes on Thursday where scattered snow showers are forecast. North Dakota and Minnesota will see highs in the 20s. Further south, in Missouri and Kentucky highs will be in the 30s and 40s.

West: Except for a few scattered showers, most of the West will be dry on Thursday. Highs in the region will range from the 30s-40s in the Rocky Mountain states to the 80s in the desert Southwest.  (National Weather Service (NWS) media sources)

Hawaii Flood Watch

A Flash Flood Watch for the State of Hawaii remains in effect through late Thursday night, March 23.  An upper level low pressure system will bring heavy showers and possible flooding.  The low will keep the atmosphere unstable and draw tropical moisture up from the south.  The threat of heavy showers will continue through at least Friday morning and probably longer.

A 24-hour warning system at the Ka Loko Reservoir and Puu Ka Ele Reservoir dams in the vicinity of Kilauea has been activated to monitor the reservoir water levels.  Kauai Civil Defense Agency reports there are still four persons missing as a result to the dam failure incident.  To date the remains of three persons have been recovered.

Team members of the Hawaii Urban Search and Rescue Team were redeployed to their home station on March 22.  The Hawaii National Guard and the Kauai Fire Department will continue search and recovery operations in Kauai. (Hawaii Department of Civil Defense)

Tropical Activity

There are no tropical disturbances in the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans that affect the U.S. or U.S. interests. (National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

There has been no significant earthquake activity in the previous 24 hours that affect U.S. interests. (Source: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)