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National Situation Update: Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Storm Moves Up The East Coast While The Northwest Gets More Rain

South: 
A coastal storm left its mark on the Southeast coast yesterday with rain, wind and even some snow. Heavy rain and relentless wind are predicted for coastal sections of North Carolina and Virginia. Rainfall could exceed eight inches across parts of eastern North Carolina. Wind gusts have already exceeded 60 mph around the North Carolina Outer Banks. The rest of the South will be dry and temperatures moderate.  High temperatures are forecast to range from the 50s to the 70s, east to west. Florida's highs will be in the 50s and 60s.

Northeast:  
Expect wind gusts from 40 to 50 mph along the East Coast from Virginia to New Jersey.
Delaware, Maryland and Virginia will see rain from the coastal storm, but the heaviest amounts (one to three inches) are expected across southeast Virginia. Rain may reach extreme southern New Jersey by this evening.  

West:   
Rain and snow continue across the Northwest. The National Weather Service reports that this month is the second wettest on record in Seattle. Wet weather will also prevail over southwest Oregon and northwest California.

The Southwest will remain warm and dry.   High temperatures should range from the 30s in the Cascades and northern Rockies to the 80s in southwest Arizona and far southeast California.

Midwest:  
The Midwest will see relatively mild temperatures and dry conditions. High temperatures will range from the 40s in the northern and eastern Great Lakes to the 70s over western Kansas and south-central Nebraska. (National Weather Service, various Media Reports) 

State & Federal Actions in Response to East Coast Storm

At this time, the North Carolina EOC (Emergency Operations Center) is activated at a Level 3, and monitoring the storm.  State Law Enforcement agencies and SERTs (State Emergency Response Teams) are on standby.  FEMA Region IV's Duty Officer is also monitoring the situation.  No Federal Assistance has been requested at this time.

Tropical Weather Outlook

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

Central and Eastern Pacific:
An area of disturbed weather is currently located 1050 miles south of Honolulu and is moving slowly to the southwest. No tropical cyclones are expected through Thursday morning.

Western Pacific:
No new activity to report. (NOAA, National Hurricane Center)

Earthquake Activity

On November 21, 2006 at 12:30 pm EST, a 3.3 magnitude earthquake was reported 14 miles from Ridgeway, Colorado, at a depth of 3.1 miles. No reports of damages or injuries. 

On November 21, 2006 at 6:50am EST, a 3.2 magnitude earthquake was reported one mile from Mt. St. Helen. USGS did not report the depth.  No reports of damages or injuries. 

No other significant activity during the previous 24 hours or threats to U.S. interests. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Oregon:  Public Assistance PDAs are scheduled to begin the week of November 27, 2006.   (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)