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

National Situation Update: Tuesday, February 7, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Outlook

Northeast:  Lake-effect snow continues across Lakes Erie and Ontario through Tuesday. Look for snow southeast of Lake Ontario to accumulate a foot or more by late Tuesday. Cities like Syracuse will be in a band of snow. East of Lake Erie, the snow will wind down some during the day but up to a foot may accumulate well south of Buffalo by Tuesday afternoon.

Midwest:  Except for a few snow flurries near the Great Lakes and Plains, Tuesday will be mainly dry across the Midwest.

South:  After a day of rain, weather conditions will improve across the Southeast on Tuesday. Precipitation will be confined to a few morning showers from coastal North Carolina to northern Florida.

West:  After a long wet spell, the Pacific Northwest has dried out and that trend will continue this week. Weak Santa Ana winds will once again blow across Southern California leading to high wildfire danger in the mountains. (USDOC/NOAA/NWS and Various Commercial and Media Sources)

Wildfire Forces Evacuation of 1,500 Homes Near L.A.

A Southern California wildfire driven by Santa Ana winds burned through 1,200 acres of wilderness Monday near Orange County suburbs, forcing evacuation of 1,500 homes.

The dwellings, in Anaheim and the city of Orange bordering Cleveland National Forest, were protected by fire crews and there were no reports of damage by mid-afternoon, according to  Fire Authority spokesmen.

Red flag warnings for critical fire danger were posted for much of the region, from Santa Barbara County south to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Flames burned on rugged land east of the Orange County homes and State Route 241, which firefighters hoped would act as a firebreak.

Hundreds of firefighters were brought in, along with aircraft to make retardant and water drops.

Gusts of dry wind hit 60 mph in the morning, with sustained winds of about 30 mph, but they moderated in the afternoon. The cause of the fire had not been determined. (Media Sources)

Power Restored to Puget Sound Energy Customers

Most homes and businesses in Western Washington that lost power during a weekend windstorm regained electricity in time for the Super Bowl, Puget Sound Energy said.

The region's largest private utility reported that about 5,000 customers remained without power early Monday, mostly in Kitsap County, down from a peak of 140,000 customers late Saturday.

The Washington 520 floating bridge across Lake Washington reopened to traffic early Sunday. The bridge had been closed since  Saturday because of high winds and rough water.

High water, heavy winds and a mudslide resulted in a 48-hour shutdown of passenger rail service north and south of Seattle. Amtrak service between Seattle and Portland, Ore., was canceled through at least Monday evening. (Media Sources)

Tropical Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

There have been 11 earthquakes in Alaska reported in the last 24 hours, with magnitudes between 3.1 to 5.3, most in the vicinity of Chalkyitsik, AK, 178 miles NE of Fairbanks.  There have been no reports of injuries or damage.(United StatesGeological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

Approved February 6, 2005: #2630 Sierra Fire, California.  Orange and Anaheim Hills, 1500 homes threatened and evacuated.

Two elementary schools and two power transmission lines threatened; no natural barriers; primarily a brush fire on federal, state, and local land; winds 30-40 mph with gusts to 50; 456 personnel, 5 air tankers, 4 helos, and 110 engines involved.    (FEMA HQ, FEMA R-IX,)

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA-1610-DR-NH and  FEMA 3264-EM-MA closed February 6, 2006.  (FEMA HQ)