National Situation Update: Friday, November 24, 2006
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
National Weather Forecast
Northeast: The chilly wind and rain over parts of New England, New York and the Mid-Atlantic will be replaced with sunshine and warming temperatures today.
West: Foul November weather conditions will continue across the Pacific Northwest over the next few days as temperatures become even colder. Snow levels will dip to between 1000 and 2000 feet along the Canadian border to 4000 feet in northern California on Friday.
Parts of the washington Cascades could pick up another 12 to 18 inches of snow by tonight. Rain may mix with or change to snow around the Seattle area by tomorrow.
Rain showers continue to hit western portions of Washington (adding to a record setting month) and Oregon plus northwest California.
Midwest: A warm/cold contrast will increasingly set up over the Midwest as the leading edge of arctic air makes movement into the northern Plains over the next four days.
South: Except for a few weekend showers over the Florida Peninsula and possibly both eastern Texas and adjacent western Louisiana, the South will be quiet over the next 3 days. (NWS, Media Sources)
12 Injured In Mass. Blast Leave Hospital
A dozen people hospitalized from injuries they got when a chemical plant exploded were released Thursday, while investigators kept residents away from the neighborhood riddled with homes and businesses blasted off their foundations.
It could take weeks to determine the cause of the explosions early Wednesday at a building housing CAI Inc., an ink-making firm, and Arnel Co., a paint manufacturer. The building, which was empty at the time, was leveled.
Danvers Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Farrell said state fire investigators and federal officials, including members of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, would begin today to investigate the massive pile of rubble.
The blast damaged nearly 90 homes - about 25 beyond repair. Officials were concerned about the structural integrity of about six or seven businesses and homes closest to the plant and the electrical and natural gas connections in structurally sound homes. Authorities had utilities in the area shut down, until electrical and natural gas experts could be certain all connections in the affected houses are safe.
The neighborhood along the river is among the oldest in the town, dating to the 1700s. Officials said it always has had a mixture of business and homes because it was developed before there were zoning laws.
Federal officials were concerned about possible chemical runoff into a nearby marina. Mike Nalipinski, on-scene coordinator for the federal Environmental Protection Agency, said booms have been placed just off the land's edge to try to contain any solvents that may have leached into the water. (Media Sources)
Earthquake Hits Hawaii's Big Island
An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 struck off the northwest coast of the Big Island on Thursday in the same area where two stronger temblors struck last month.
The quake, centered about 11 miles northwest of Puuanahulu, shook homes on the Big Island, Maui and Oahu, but it did not produce a tsunami threat, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
The U.S. Geological Survey estimated its magnitude at 5.0.
Boulders and other debris forced the temporary closure of Highway 19 near Laupahoehoe on the Big Island, said a state Department of Transportation spokesman. There were isolated power outages in Kona on the Big Island, but no other damages were immediately reported.
Magnitude 6.7 and 6.0 earthquakes shook the islands Oct. 15, causing power outages, bridge collapses and road closures. Those quakes caused an estimated $200 million in damages. (Media Sources)
Tropical Weather Outlook
Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean Sea:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected through today.
Central and Eastern Pacific:
No tropical cyclones are expected through today.
Western Pacific:
No new activity to report. (NOAA, National Hurricane Center)
Earthquake Activity
On November 23, 2006 at 5:42 am EST, a 3.8 magnitude earthquake struck 6 miles north-northwest from Richlands, VA at a depth of 3.1 miles. No damage or injuries were reported.
On November 23, 2006 at 2:20 pm EST, a 5.0 magnitude earthquake was reported 59 miles west-northwest from Hilo, HI at a depth of 23 miles. The earthquake was felt throughout the Islands, but no damage or injuries were reported. There was no Tsunami threat reported from this quake.
On November 23, 2006 at 8:58pm EST, a 3.3 magnitude earthquake struck 4 miles south from Kenai, AK at a depth of about a half mile. No damage or injuries were reported. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)
Preliminary Damage Assessments
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Disaster Declaration Activity
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Friday, 24-Nov-2006 07:58:54 EST