National Situation Update: Saturday, May 3, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

West:
Rain and snow showers are forecast for parts of the northwest and northern Rockies, the rest of the Region will be dry.
Midwest:
Much of the Region will be under high pressure. However, a low and associated trough over the Great Lakes will produce showers as far south as Missouri.  Eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin will get wet snow or rain mixed with snow but no significant accumulations are expected.  The front that produced yesterday's thunderstorms will continue to slide eastward. A threat of severe weather will remain from southeast Ohio through eastern Kentucky.   The one to two inches of precipitation expected from this system will exacerbate flooding in the Mississippi Valley.  The tight pressure gradient will produce gusty winds a across the Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes.
South:
The region will have significant precipitation along the cold front.   The primary threat for thunderstorms will extend from coastal Louisiana to Georgia producing gusty winds, hail and even isolated tornadoes.
Northeast:
Showers and thunderstorms will move across the region as the cold front pushes east. (NWS, Media Sources)

Maine Flooding

Historically high flooding occurred on the St. John and Fish Rivers in Fort Kent, Maine with localized flooding in other regions of the state.  Rivers are currently receding, but still at or above flood stage.  Maine Emergency Operations Center is activated and is monitoring all rivers.  There was no overtopping of levees.  The Governor of Maine declared a State of Emergency for Aroostook County.

There are currently four wastewater treatment plants that are not treating waste: Presque Isle; Caribou; Limestone; St Agatha.  Maine Emergency Management Agency reported that two bridges are closed due to flood damage and are awaiting inspection by the Maine Department of Transportation.  Currently, one shelter with 10 occupants.  There are reports of damage to multiple state and local roads, public buildings, private homes and property, and possible damage to selected bridges and the lower dam in Washburn.  No injuries or deaths have been reported. (Region I, NWS)

Severe Storm and Tornado Activity in Southeast Virginia

NWS will be assessing potential tornado activity in southeast Sussex County and James City, Virginia.

  • Injuries: 216 treated and released; 4 currently hospitalized.
  • No shelters reported open.
  • Homes damaged: 49 (-7) destroyed ; 65 (-12) with major damage; 156 (-84) with minor damage
  • Power outages: No power outages reported (as of 7:30 a.m. May 1)
Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) began on May 1.  It is anticipated the Joint PDAs will conclude today, May 2.  The Governor of Virginia declared a State of Emergency on April 28, and four local declarations: City of Colonial Heights, City of Suffolk; Brunswick and Isle of Wight Counties.Virginia State EOC is now transitioning to a recovery operation. (Region III)

Storms Kill 7 in Arkansas, Damage Homes around Kansas City

A powerful storm system packing tornadoes and heavy winds roared across the nation's midsection early Friday, killing at least seven people in Arkansas.  At least 13 people were injured throughout the state, emergency officials said.  Storms late Thursday and early Friday also seriously damaged homes and businesses in the Kansas City, Mo., area, and twisters were reported in Oklahoma and Texas. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries in the other states.

Extensive property damage was reported in Damascus, north of Little Rock, where a spotter reported a tornado down just after 8:30 a.m.  In the Kansas City area, officials said several people were injured, none seriously. About 40,000 lost power at the peak of the storm, which brought wind of up to 80 mph and two small tornadoes that raked northern parts of the city and the suburbs of Liberty and Gladstone early Friday morning, the weather service said.

Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser said 100 homes suffered significant damage in the city alone. In the northeast part of the city, dozens of homes had chunks of their roofs missing, and trees were lying along the roads and in ditches.

The mayor in the Kansas City suburb of Gladstone said some 20 homes were destroyed and as many as 200 were damaged. Officials said warning sirens were never set off in Gladstone because they didn't receive any reports of tornado sightings.  Damage was also reported in Lawrence, to the west of the metropolitan area.

In Canton, Texas, local officials said an apparent tornado Friday ripped down power lines and injured two people in overturned vehicles.  The storm hit as visitors were beginning to show up for a popular open-air market that draws thousands to the county seat each month.

At least two tornadoes were reported in Oklahoma late Thursday. No serious injuries were reported. High winds destroyed a hotel under construction in Owasso, north of Tulsa.  As the system churned eastward, thunderstorms moved through Kentucky and a tornado warning was posted for Friday afternoon in the far western part of the state.   (Media Sources)

Midwest Severe Storms and Tornadoes

Region IV
Mississippi
State EOC activated Level II (24/7).  12 tornados were reported in four counties.
Tennessee
4 tornados were reported, one in each of four counties.

Region V
RRCC activated at Level III and monitoring weather in the Region. 
FEMA LNOs pre-identified and prepared to respond.
Illinois
Law enforcement reported a tornado 1 mile north of Farmersville, IL.  Farmersville, IL is located in Christian County Illinois in the central portion of the state.  Incident receiving local and national media attention but no reports of damage.  Illinois EOC not activated.

Region VI
RRCC activated to Level III until 5:00 pm CDT today and will be open from 7:00 am CDT - TBD tomorrow, May 3, 2008.  Liaison provided to the Arkansas EOC.
Oklahoma
There have been unconfirmed reports of several tornadoes. There have been no fatalities reported and a few minor injuries.  The state reported minor roof damages, trees, limbs, few power lines.   No local requests to state at this time and none to FEMA.   An estimated 450 customers throughout the state have lost power.
Arkansas
State EOC was activated at Level III until early afternoon (time expected for all severe weather to be out of state).   There are seven (7) confirmed fatalities and thirteen (13) injuries for the state.    No shelters are reported to be open at this time, but there is a feeding station open in van Buren County.   Eight (8) counties reported; 87 homes destroyed; 109 damaged
Texas
The State of Texas State Operations Center (SOC) received an initial and final report of a possible tornado touched down in Canton, Van Zandt County.  Four tornados were reported in three counties.
Two people were transported to a local hospital.   The Local EMC, Texas Department of Transportation, Canton FD, American Red Cross and Emergency Management Division Regional Liaison Officer responded.

Region VII
RRCC is activated at Level III (0600 - 1800 CDT).  RRCC will participate in a 3:00 pm CDT Conference Call with the Missouri Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for updates and will provide further information after the call. The RRCC will maintain contact with MEMA to coordinate and assist as requested.  State Liaison Officer has been pre-identified and is staged in Jefferson City.  No Federal assistance has been requested and the potential for Federal involvement is unknown at this time.
Missouri
There have been reports of tornado touchdowns in several counties. Kansas City Fire Department mobile command post in the area hit by the storm.  Clay County has declared State of Emergency in its unincorporated areas.
Reports indicated approximately:
 22 homes destroyed
 290 moderately damaged homes
 Three businesses destroyed; six businesses damaged
 Approximately 26,000 homes without power (per KCPL)
Kansas
Two rounds of severe weather and hurricane-force winds battered portions of Kansas from Lawrence to Kansas City. The Kansas Emergency Management Division is not activated.  County Emergency Managers are currently completing rapid assessments and will be providing damage reports.
There are reports of 115 homes with minor damage. 
There are currently 2200 people without power. 
There are no reports of fatalities or injuries.

FEDERAL RESPONSE: Region VII RRCC made contact with Iowa, Kansas and Missouri and no Federal assistance is required at this time. (All reports of tornadoes are preliminary, pending verification by NWS)

Mississippi Valley Flooding

FEMA Regional Offices, State EOCs, and the NRCC continue to monitor Flood Warnings and Watches in the Mississippi River Valley for Wisconsin and Illinois.  The Mississippi River remains at or above Flood Stage at locations in Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana.  Most Major Flood Stage gauges on the Mississippi River are beginning to recede.
Louisiana:
The Bonnet Carre Spillway remains open.  The USACE announced the immediate closure of 10 of the 160 spillways on April 30; the remainder will be closed by mid-May. (Region IV RRCC, Region VI RRCC, National Weather Service)

FEMA Regional Offices, State EOCs, and the NRCC continue to monitor Flood Warnings and Watches in the Mississippi River Valley.
The Mississippi River remains at or above Flood Stage at locations in Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana.  Major flood stage gauges on the Mississippi River are beginning to recede. (Region IV RRCC, Region VI RRCC, National Weather Service)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

Nothing significant report.

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No significant activity to report.
Earthquake Fact: Alaska is the most earthquake-prone state and one of the most seismically active regions in the world. Alaska experiences a magnitude 7 earthquake almost every year, and a magnitude 8 or greater earthquake on an average of every 14 years (on average). (USGS, FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 1
National Fire Activity as of Thursday, May 2, 2008:
Initial attack activity: Heavy (330 new fires)
New large fires: 3
Large fires contained: 4
Uncontained large fires: 11
Weather Discussion: Cooler and continuing windy conditions with low humidity today from central
New Mexico into west Texas
Warmer and drier today in southern California with gusty winds at times over the mountains and deserts
Low humidity will continue today over Florida and Georgia.
The Southeast will be dry except for showers over the Mississippi River Valley. (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, InciWeb, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Governor Baldacci is requesting a major disaster declaration for the State of Maine. This is a result of severe rain storms, snow melt, and flooding beginning on April 28, 2008, and continuing.
The Governor is requesting Individual Assistance for Aroostook County and Hazard Mitigation statewide. (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Monday, 05-May-2008 08:11:13 EDT