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National Situation Update: Friday, December 21, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West
As an upper-level low moves into the Four Corners Friday 12/21/08, snow will fall from Wyoming to Arizona and New Mexico. The San Juan Mountains could see over a foot of additional snow.  The next Pacific cold front will move into the Northwest Saturday 12/22/08. Rain will be on the increase from western Washington to northwest California with snow levels ranging from 2000 feet in the Washington Cascades to 4500 feet in the Siskiyou and northern Sierra. 

Midwest
A strong cold front will add eastward from the Mississippi Valley Saturday, 12/22/08 to the Appalachians by midday Sunday.  Ahead of the cold front, rain will dominate as milder air continues to surge northward.  Behind the front, colder air will turn to freezing rain, sleet and then snow.  On Saturday 12/22/08, a 2-to-4-inch band of snow will extend from Kansas to Minnesota.  Saturday 12/22/08 into Sunday 12/23/08 heavier snow may develop from the Missouri-Illinois line to Wisconsin and Michigan where accumulations could reach 6 inches.  Lake-effect snow will further increase accumulations across northern Wisconsin, northern and western Michigan, northern Indiana and northeast Ohio.

South
Friday 12/21/08 and Saturday 12/22/08, a cold front will advance from the Southwest into the southern Plains as low pressure takes shape in the Red River Valley.  Showers and thunderstorms will increase Friday 12/21/08 and Saturday 12/22/08 from Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Mississippi as the cold front moves eastward.  A few of the thunderstorms could turn severe in the Ark-La-Tex and in the vicinity of the northwest Gulf Coast.

Northeast
On Sunday 12/23/08 a cold front will move west to east across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
Behind the cold front, strong colder northwest winds will linger Monday with snow showers from northern West Virginia to Maine and lake-effect snow over western Pennsylvania and Upstate New York. (National Weather Service, Media Sources)

Mississippi Tornado Causes Injuries and Destroys Property

By David Kenney
A tornado caused damage and destruction as it ripped across the southern half of the state Thursday morning.  Two families in Lincoln County have been left homeless as a result, with one homeowner injured.

Late Thursday afternoon the national weather service determined the tornado was either an F-1 or F-2. Residents in the area say they had little warning before the twister hit.

Three trailers, two of which were occupied, were damaged.  Two were completely destroyed and a third got the roof blown off.

There were downed power lines and trees where the tornado touched down.

The winds from the tornado were so strong they blew lumber and metal roofing hundreds of yards and threw them into trees.  Throughout the day members of the community pulled together to help clean up the mess.

Director of the Lincoln County Emergency Operations Center, says, "The power company is trying to get the power restored.  We have volunteer firefighters, law enforcement people from the community, here to help them pick up their stuff, get it out of the weather, see what we can do for them."

There were reports of roof damage and broken windows at several other homes in the area.  Most people were at work when the tornado came through, which limited injuries.  The American Red Cross and area churches have already begun to provide aid for the families that had their homes destroyed.

Florida Chemical Plant Explosion

An explosion and fire occurred at the T2 Labs chemical plant in Jacksonville, FL.  A transformer exploded at the Jacksonville chemical plant due to unknown causes.  They were four fatalities and 15 injuries.  The EPA has declared the air quality safe and the shelter at Oceanside Elementary has been closed.  The evacuation has been lifted and residents have returned home. (Region IV, Thomasville MOC, Florida EOC)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico/Eastern Pacific/Central Pacific:
No activity.

Western Pacific:
Tropical Cyclone (TC) 07S is located approximately 915 nautical miles south-east of Diego Garcia.  The TC has tracked southeastward at 17 mph over the past six hours.  Maximum significant wave height is at 17 feet.  The storm is anticipated to weaken and is not considered a threat to US interests. (NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

Multiple earthquakes ranging in magnitude from 3.0 to 5.9 have occurred in the Aleutian Islands Region, in the area of Adak, AK within the last 24 hours.  No reports of damage or injury and no tsunami were generated.

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Kansas PA PDAs are scheduled to begin after December 25, 2007.
Nebraska PA PDAs are scheduled to begin after December 25, 2007. (FEMA Declaration Unit)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The Governor of Missouri has requested Public Assistance for 42 counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide.  The major disaster declaration request is due to severe winter storms beginning on December 6, 2007.  (FEMA Declaration Unit)