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National Situation Update: Thursday, December 6, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Pacific Northwest Winter Storms and Flooding

Earthen dams and levees overtopped, with extensive, rapid flooding of commercial tracts and individual communities.  I-5 south of Chehalis is closed for about 20 miles due to flooding.  State is currently conducting serviceability inspection.  There are five (5) confirmed fatalities; two (2) in Oregon and three (3) in Washington although the media is reporting 7 total.  There are several hospitals are on generator power.

Initial Damage Assessments (IDA) started with impacted counties, Tuesday afternoon, December 4, 2007.  Counties are familiar with the process, and the purpose of the IDA is to give a snapshot picture of impacts and estimated damages. The IDA is the first step in trying to ascertain the needs for federal assistance. 

Oregon and Washington state emergency operations centers are activated at the highest levels. 

Emergency Declaration activity has begun with FEMA Region X conducting joint FEMA/State PDAs in Washington State on Wednesday, December 05, 2007 for Lewis, Pacific, and Grays Harbor Counties. 

On December 1, 2007 the Washington State governor declared a statewide Proclamation of Emergency.  In Oregon on December 3, 2007 the governor has declared a Statewide Emergency that has tasked state agencies to respond to county/local requests for assistance. At this time only Clatsop, Yamhill, Tillamook and Columbia Counties have announced a Declarations of Emergency.

Federal assets:
Bothell MERS: provide communications connectivity from Astoria, Oregon to Seattle, Washington via satellite with priority on the following VHF channels: 16 - International distress, safety and calling.  MERS will also provide Internet and phone connectivity, via satellite, to the Seattle Coast Guard Station.  The USCG has asked that these assets be provided until their communication equipment can be operationally restored.

The Astoria, Oregon MERS Multi-Purpose van and MEOV providing full VHF, UHF, and HF radio communications to include Channel 16.  The MEOV is giving Coast Guard reach-back capability to Seattle for data, VTC, and phone. The Chehalis, Washington  MERS IRV arrived at county airport at 2330 PST, December 3, 2007.  USCG is in support of the State for an air rescue operation.  There are reports of up to 70 people stranded (reports of four deaths). 

Navy and USCG aircraft are assisting in search and rescue operations.  Search and rescue helicopters from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island are involved in immediate response.  Coast Guard District Eleven is providing an HC-130 Long Range Surveillance Aircraft, Air Station San Francisco providing two HH-65 Short Range Recovery Helicopters from CA to assist Washington National Guard helicopters. 

Joint Force Headquarters-WA (JFHQ-WA) reports a 300 man Task Force to provide security and occupy 12 traffic control points.  Additionally, the 66th Aviation Brigade established refuelers in vicinity of Centralia airport (airport is under water) to provide refuel for SAR aircraft.  An additional 300 man Task Force has been placed on stand-by.

Shelters:  
There are 6 open shelters in Oregon with a population of 370; Washington has ten open shelters with a population of 213.

Current utility outages:  
Widespread power outages are still being reported in coastal areas.  Oregon is reporting an estimated 56000 without power and 2-7 days before repairs are completed.  Washington is reporting an estimated 45,700 customers still without power.  (FEMA MOC-Bothell, Region X).

Significant National Weather

West
An upper-level Pacific storm will bring rain back into western Oregon today, as well as into northern and central California.  Snow will develop over Oregon's Cascades and California's Sierra Nevada. Snow levels in the Sierras will start high, but drop to below 5000 feet tonight. Heavy snow over the Rockies in western Colorado.  Heavy snow is likely over many of the mountain ranges in the West from the Sierra to the Rockies right through Friday as large upper-air low swirls into the Southwest. The same low will bring more rain to Southern California and Arizona.

Midwest
A weak storm developing over southeastern Colorado tomorrow will spread a few inches of snow over far eastern Nebraska, Iowa, southern Minnesota and extreme northern Missouri. Freezing rain or sleet may ice roads in Nebraska and in northeastern Kansas. Mix of rain, snow, and ice for areas of Missouri south of the far northern portion of the state. Snow showers through the Upper Midwest to the Canadian border.  High temperatures will rang from the teens in areas near the Canadian border to the 50s across far southern Kansas.

Northeast
Dry but chilly conditions will embrace most of the northeastern U.S. with some limited lake-effect snow showers southeast of Lake Erie and east of Lake Ontario.

South
High temperatures are expected to range from the 40s in northern Arkansas, Tennessee and northern North Carolina to the 80s in far south Texas and the southern tip of Florida. Most of the Deep South will top out in the 50s and 60s.  (NWS, Media Sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

A magnitude 3.3 earthquake struck 9 mi NNE of Cayucos, CA on Wednesday, 6 December 2007 at 10:54 p.m. (EST). (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)