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

National Situation Update: Thursday, November 16, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

West: A weakening cold front associated with a low in Canada and the next low pressure system  moving ashore in Washington will produce rain (and snow in higher elevations) across the Pacific Northwest.  Flood Watches and Warnings remain in effect for parts of western Washington. Mountain snow will extend from northern California through the northern Great Basin into the Bitterroots and Tetons. 

Midwest: The backside of the low pressure system moving up the East Coast will produce gusty winds and a mixture of rain and wet snow from Michigan southward through eastern Illinois and western Indiana. 

South: As the low moves up the East Coast gusty northwesterly winds will bring dry and cooler air to the Deep South. The cold front will produce severe thunderstorms over the Carolinas and across the Florida peninsula. Tornado Watches are in effect for parts of the Carolinas to Virginia. Behind the front, only scattered showers are forecast for Tennessee, northern Mississippi, northern Alabama and northern Georgia. High pressure will produce dry weather west of the Mississippi.

Northeast: The low pressure system that caused  severe weather in the South yesterday will track up the East Coast today and produce widespread precipitation and gusty winds.  The heaviest rain (one to two inches) will extend from eastern Virginia northward into southeastern New York. Severe thunderstorms are forecast for eastern Virginia, southeast Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Flood Watches and Flash Flood Watches are in effect for much of the Northeast. Given the dynamic weather situation check http://www.nws.noaa.gov/  for the most current information. (National Weather Service, various Media Reports)

Severe Weather Outbreak in the Southeast

On 15 November a severe storm system moved through the southeastern United States producing heavy rain, flash floods, wind gusts and tornados.  Tornado touchdowns were reported in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia.  Preliminary reports indicate at least  one confirmed fatality, numerous buildings and homes destroyed and scattered power outages.

Federal Response:

• FEMA region III RRCC has been activated with hours of operation from 7:00 am until 11:00 pm EST.
• The FEMA Region IV RRCC has been activated at level III from 7:00 am until 11:00 pm EST. 
• FEMA Region VI is monitoring the situation and maintaining contact with the states.

State and Local Response:

• Alabama: The state Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is monitoring the storm. Many counties have reported flooding and minor damages. The state will begin preliminary damage assessments Today, November 16, 2006. Montgomery county EOC activated at 10:45 a.m.  November 15, 2006. The Monroe county EOC partially activated.
• Florida: the Florida EOC was activated to level 2 (partial) at 6:00 am EST November 15, 2006. 
• Georgia: The state EOC is monitoring the storm.   
• Kentucky: The state EOC is monitoring the storm.  
• Mississippi: The state EOC is partially activated at a level 3. the state is preparing to conduct local damage assessments November 16, 2006. Five area coordinators deployed to Lamar, Jones, Greene, Walthall, and coastal communities to assist with the assessments. (FEMA HQ, Region III, Region IV)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean Sea:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected through Friday.

Central and Eastern Pacific:
Hurricane Sergio is quasi-stationary about 470 miles south of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Sergio is expected to gradually begin moving northward. Based on the current warning Sergio poses no threat to the United States

Western Pacific:
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) is monitoring an area of convection approximately 900 miles north-northeast of Fiji. The potential for the development of a significant tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours is poor. (USDOC/NOAA/NWS, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

In the United States there was no significant activity to report. 

Internationally, On November 15, 2006 a magnitude 8.3 (great) earthquake near Kuril Island, generated a tsunami warning for the western Pacific Ocean. Small tsunamis were noted in Japan (16 inches) Hilo HI (19 inches) Crescent City CA (35 inches) and even Santa Barbra CA (17 inches). Aftershocks ranging from Magnitude 5.0 (moderate) to magnitude 6.5 (strong) have continued in the Kuril Island area.

Yesterdays Pacific earthquake and resulting tsunami reminds us that all coastal areas are potentially threatened by tsunamis.  In the United States the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operates two Tsunami Warning Centers: The West Coast/ Alaska Tsunami Warning Center (ATWC) in Palmer Alaska covers North America's West and East Coasts, and US Gulf of Mexico Coasts.  The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) in Ewa Beach Hawaii covers all U.S. interests in the Pacific outside the ATWC area of responsibility including most countries in the Pacific, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. See http://www.tsunami.noaa.gov/ for additional information. (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)

Wildfire Update

FMAG # 2680 was approved November 15, 2006 at 5:07 PM EST for the Rim Rock Fire in Hayes County, Texas. (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA--1665-DR- NY is amended effective October 24, 2006 changing the incident closing date to October 25, 2006 (FEMA HQ )