• Emergency Managers and Personnel
• Situation Reports
• National Incident Management System
• Grants & Assistance Programs
• Training
• Contacts
• Planning
• Best Practices

National Situation Update: Monday, January 5, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West
Heavy snow will increase the deep snow pack across the mountains of the Northwest, from the Olympics and Cascades eastward to the Bitterroots, Tetons and Wasatch. Snow levels will decrease, reaching 3,000 to 4,000 feet in the Cascades by late in the day. High Wind Warnings and Watches are in effect for a numerous areas east of the Continental Divide in Wyoming. A High Wind Warning has been issued for locations in and around Livingston, Montana. Light rain, especially in southwest Oregon and northwest California, will begin to diminish during the day. Precipitation will push southward, reaching central California by afternoon before diminishing.

South
Moderate rain with isolated thunderstorms are forecast for areas from northeastern Texas into northern Mississippi, and then spread east-northeastward into the southern Appalachians Monday night and Tuesday. Elsewhere, with the exception of Florida and the Texas Panhandle, isolated light showers are expected.

In north-central Texas, the surface air may be cold enough for some icing (freezing rain or drizzle) to occur. High temperatures are expected to range from the upper 30s in parts of Arkansas and north-central Texas to the low 80s on the Florida Peninsula. A few locations in southern Georgia and northern Florida will be close to record highs.

Northeast
Light snow showers, accompanied by gusty west to northwest winds, are forecast in northern New York State and northern New England. Light rain is expected in southern West Virginia and Virginia during the day. The Mid-Atlantic will experience colder air and precipitation on Tuesday; heavy rain will fall across southern Virginia, some of it freezing around Roanoke and Charlottesville. The central and northern parts of Virginia northward into southern Pennsylvania will experience sleet and freezing rain. Snow will develop northward into southern New York late Tuesday.

Midwest
Dry conditions and mostly seasonable temperatures are expected in the Great Plains and Midwest, with a slight chance of light snow in northwest North Dakota and extreme northern Michigan.(NOAA, NWS)

Flood Warning Updates for the Illinois River

The Illinois River at Meredosia, Illinois is cresting at Major Flood Stage this morning, but will fall below Major Flood Stage late tonight. The remaining gauges are reporting moderate to minor flooding for all other locations affecting the Illinois River. Although Flood Warnings continue, most levels are decreasing and should fall below moderate flood stage by Wednesday, January 7.

Some local roads may experience minor flooding. The Flood Warnings are a result of the recent heavy rain event and snow melt from last weekend. (NWS)

Earthquakes Updates – Yellowstone National Park and Indonesia

Seismic activity in Yellowstone National Park has ceased as of Friday, January 2. Over 300 earthquakes were reported by USGS since December 27, 2008.

Recent earthquake activities near the coast of West Papua, Indonesia this weekend measured from 4.7 to 7.6 magnitude. Eight deaths (none involving U.S. citizens) and dozens of injuries were attributed to the quakes; numerous buildings were reported damaged or destroyed. A weak tsunami wave produced swells on the coast of southern Japan. No major destructive wave activity was reported. Earthquake activity in Papua, Indonesia appears to have subsided.(USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Centr; US Dept of State; media sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No significant activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Western Pacific:
No activity is forecast that affects United States territories. (NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

On Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 3:34 p.m. EST, a 4.9 magnitude earthquake was reported in the Northern Mariana Island region, 365 miles north-northeast of Saipan. Depth was 6.2 miles. There were no reports of damage.(USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)