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National Situation Update: Monday, February 11, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
With high pressure building over Oregon, only scattered showers and mountain snow is forecast in Washington, northern Oregon and eastward into Montana, Wyoming and northern Colorado.  High temperatures will range from the 20s in the Rockies and eastern Montana to the 80s along the border with Mexico.

Midwest:
A developing frontal system in the West combined with moisture overrunning the stationary front in the South will produce a wintry mix of precipitation (snow, sleet, freezing rain) over much of the Plains and Midwest. Snow and snow showers are forecast from the Dakotas and northern Nebraska eastward through southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois into parts of Michigan. To the south, a band of sleet and freezing rain will fall in a broad swath from southern Missouri to the lower Ohio Valley. High temperatures will be below seasonal averages, ranging from near zero along the Canadian border to the 50s in Kansas.

South:
Most of the region will be dry under high pressure. However, a stationary front across central Texas and the Gulf Coast combined with moisture from the Gulf will produce scattered showers and a few thunderstorms over eastern Texas, eastern Oklahoma and Arkansas. Northern Oklahoma and Arkansas may see a brief period of light freezing rain or drizzle before turning to rain. High temperatures are forecast to range from the upper 30s in northern Arkansas to the low 80s in a few areas of southwest and southern Texas.

Northeast:
The circulation behind the low off the Canadian Maritimes will produce a cold, gusty northwest wind over much of the Region. The winds will decrease during the afternoon from New York State southward. Snow showers and flurries will persist over northern New England, Upstate New York and northwest Pennsylvania. Rain will spread from the Midwest into the Mid Atlantic late tonight.
High temperatures will be below average ranging from the teens to low 40s in Virginia to mid 20s in New England. (National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

East Coast Wind Damage and Fires

Virginia:
The Governor of Virginia declared a State of Emergency on February 10, 2008 due to major wildfires in over 18 counties and localities which were spread by the high wind gusts of over 50 mph in some areas.
Virginia EOC is at Response Operations with limited staffing and is on backup power. VA Department of Forestry Command Center is operational and is coordinating response to 69 wildfires. More than 350 customers have been impacted by fires resulting in the evacuation of over 50 people. Two shelters were open with 40 occupants. At peak 150,000 customers were without power.  At 5:00 am EST today companies reported 109,649 customers without power. Full restoration is not expected until Tuesday, February 12, 2008.

Maryland:
At peak 55,112 customers were without power. At 5:00 am EST today companies reported 2,730  customers without power. Restoration continues. MD Emergency Management Agency Regional Administrator reported approximately 1,000 people may need shelter. No Federal Assistance is anticipated.

District of Columbia:
At peak 900 customers were without power. At 5:00 am EST today companies reported 366  customers without power. Restoration continues.

West Virginia:
At peak 48,000 customers were without power. At 5:00 am EST today companies reported  5,770  customers without power. Restoration continues.

Pennsylvania:
At peak 20-30,000 customers were without power.  Storm center is open. At 5:00 am EST today companies reported 325 customers without power. Restoration continues.

Delaware:
At peak 2,800 customers were without power.  At 5:00 am EST today companies reported 30 customers without power. Restoration continues.

South Carolina: 
A wildfire broke out in the coastal county of Horry, South Carolina; 3 miles north of Conway, SC. Initial damage reports 5-7 houses burned with no other structures in danger. The fire is not totally contained; however, forecasted weather conditions appear favorable to achieve containment. No reports of injuries or deaths. One shelter is open with six occupants. SC EOC is not activated. No Federal support is anticipated. 

FEDERAL RESPONSE
FEMA Region III
Region III participated in a conference call with Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and various state agencies.  They do not anticipate any federal requirements overnight. VDEM declined the offer for a State Liaison Officer at this time. (Region III and IV, VDEM, DCEMA).

Mississippi Valley Severe Weather

CURRENT SITUATION:
Recovery efforts continue in southeastern U.S. following severe weather that occurred on February 5, 2008.  Weather outlook continues to be favorable for ongoing recovery and damage assessments in affected states.

STATE and LOCAL RESPONSE
Tennessee:
A Major Disaster Declaration was approved by the President on February 8, 2008. Public and Individual Assistance was approved for five counties; Hardin, Macon, Madison, Shelby and Sumner Counties.
32 confirmed fatalities, 192 injuries, 1 missing. One shelter is open with 11 occupants. 2,500 customers without power. Estimated damaged homes: 976; 598 destroyed / major damage. 154 TN National Guardsmen supporting recovery operations. Joint PDA's are ongoing for Shelby, Fayette, Tipton and Madison Counties which began on February 9, 2008. There are five Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (MDRCs) deployed. A facility for the JFO location being sought at this time. Action Request Form (ARF) sent to GSA.

Arkansas:
A Major Disaster Declaration was approved by the President on February 8, 2008. Public Assistance (Categories A and B), approved for 10 counties and Individual Assistance for 5 counties. Fourteen confirmed fatalities, 139+ injuries. 7,000 customers without power. 114 businesses damaged; 402 homes damaged or destroyed.  Individual Assistance Preliminary Damage Assessments were completed today. Region VI RRCC is activated at Level II - ESFs 3, 7 and 15.  DCE/DCO will be released as of 6:00 a.m. on February 11, 2008. Fifty-five AR National Guardsmen are supporting recovery operations. State EOC is at Level III. Four Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (MDRCs) and 13 Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) deployed to Arkansas. Initial Operating Facility (IOF) operating out of North Little Rock. (FEMA HQ, Region VII, NORAD/NORTHCOM Command Center).

Alabama:
A Major Disaster Declaration has been requested. State has requested Individual Assistance and Public Assistance for four counties; Jackson, Lawrence, Fayette and Walker Counties. 6 confirmed fatalities, 6 injuries. Approximately 100 homes damaged/destroyed. Preliminary Damage Assessment's are ongoing by the State for eight counties whic began on February 9, 2008. State EOC is at full activation, supported by ESFs 5, 6, 10 and 13.  (FEMA HQ, Region IV and Alabama EMA).

Kentucky:
Disaster declaration has not been requested. Seven confirmed fatalities; numerous injuries. State of Emergency was declared by Governor for six counties; however, 37 counties were affected. 1,000 customers are without power. Twenty homes destroyed. 86 KY National Guardsmen supporting recovery operations. State EOC is at Level IV; normal operations. Preliminary Damage Assessment's were completed by the State for eight counties on February 10, 2008.  A request to add an additional county, Fayette, has been made.

FEDERAL RESPONSE
FEMA Region IV
Region IV RRCC activated at Level III. Region IV ERT-A in TN. MERS communications operational at TN EOC. Five MDRCs deployed to TN.

FEMA Region VI
Region VI RRCC activated Level II w/ ESFs 3, 7, 8 and DCE. Two FEMA state liaisons remain at Arkansas State EOC. Region VI ERT-A deployed to Little Rock, AR.  Initial Operating Facility (IOF) operational 02/07/08 in North Little Rock, AR. JFO will be at the Lucent Technologies plant in Little Rock, AR and will be operational on Monday, February 11, 2008.  Chicago FIRST-Team released as of February 10, 2008 with an estimated departure on Monday morning, February 11, 2008. (FEMA HQ, Regions 4, 5, 6, AR EOC

)FEMA Region VIII
Region VIII ERT has been alerted and is on standby for deployment to Region IV to assist in response/recovery operations following the tornado outbreak February 5, 2008. (FEMA Region VIII).

Midwest Flooding Update

The Region V RRCC is activated to Level III (8:00 am - 5:00 pm CST).

Illinois: 
Rivers are receding. One shelter open with 11 occupants. State EOC not activated.

Indiana:
River levels are increasing as water moves south on the Maumee, St. Joseph, St. Mary, Wabash, White and Yellow Rivers.  These rivers are expected to crest between Monday, February 11, 2008 and Tuesday, February 12, 2008. Water topped the Greenfield Levee along the Wabash River in Vigo County causing the evacuation of 21 homes.  FEMA JFO FCO will conduct joint aerial reconnaissance tour with state and local officials Monday, February 11, 2008. Major flooding is forecast by weeks end on the Wabash River between Terre Haute and New Harmony and on the White River from Mt. Carmel east to Petersburg due to combination of simultaneous flood surge and additional rain.  National Guard Members at the Armories in Lafayette County (10) and Elkhart County (9).Two shelters open overnight with eight occupants. State EOC activated. FEMA State Liaison at EOC. No requests received for Federal Assistance. (Region V).

Ohio:
The Maumee River at Defiance and Napoleon is expected to fall below flood stage by Monday, February 11, 2008; river is currently at minor flood stage. Moderate flooding is occurring along the Scioto River near Prospect, Ohio; however, the river crested February 8, 2008 and is forecast to fall below flood stage late Tuesday, February 12, 2008. Damage assessments for three counties includes 8 destroyed and 151 with major damage. One shelter open with 0 occupants. State EOC deactivated as of 1200 CST February 10, 2008. FEMA State Liaison at EOC. No requests received for Federal Assistance. (FEMA HQ. Region V, Ohio EMA, NOAA NWS North Central River Forecast Center and Ohio River Forecast Center)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No significant activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

• There were no significant earthquakes in the United States or its territories during the last 24 hours.
  
• A magnitude 6.5 earthquake occurred in the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic only 2,030 miles north of the South Pole on Sunday, 10 February, 2008 at 7:22 am EST.  The quake was at a depth of 6.2 miles and did not produce a tsunami. (USGS, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center )

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)