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National Situation Update: Saturday, December 13, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West
An arctic front will move across the Northwest changing rain to snow in the lower elevations of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.  The Olympic and Cascade Mountains could get up to two feet of snow today.  Winter Storm and Blizzard Warnings are in effect for much of the Northwest for strong winds and heavy, blowing snow.  A High Wind Warning is in effect for south central California and western Nevada.  A Red Flag Warning will be in effect this afternoon for portions of southeast New Mexico for dry and windy conditions along with high fire danger.
Midwest
An arctic front moving across the Northwest will continue to push down through North Dakota, northern South Dakota and northern Minnesota bringing snow and strong winds to the region.  Winter Storm and Blizzard Warnings are in effect for portions of North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota for heavy snow and winds up to 35 mph.  A Red Flag Warning has been issued for portions of south-central Kansas.  The combination of very strong southerly winds, fully cured grasses and warm temperatures will cause extreme grassland fire danger this afternoon.  A Flood Warning is in effect for the Rock River near Joslin, IL for flooding caused by ice jams.
South
Much of the Southeast will be sunny and chilly.  Across Texas and the southern Plains, winds up to 40 mph are expected with mild temperatures.  Flood Warnings are in effect for numerous rivers throughout the region.  A Red Flag Warning will be in effect this afternoon for portions of northwest Texas for dry and windy conditions along with high fire danger.  Winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph, are expected to develop today with minimum humidity of 12 to 15 percent.
Northeast
Cold and dry weather is forecasted for most of the Northeast today.  Flood Warnings are in effect for rivers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. (NOAA, National Weather Service and Various Media Sources)

Winter Storm Update

The Governors of Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts have declared States of Emergency due to a major ice storm.  Central and Western Massachusettes, New Hampshire and Maine are the most seriously impacted areas.  Priorities for impacted areas are sheltering, communication and power restoration.

Maine

• State EOC activated at Level II (Local Response Overwhelmed)
• Power Outages: 450,000 (SEOC as of Dec 13 at 3:06 a.m.)
• Shelters: 17 / Occupants: Unknown
• No request for Federal assistance at this time. (Region I Incident Report as of Dec 13 at 3:06 a.m.)

Massachusetts

• State EOC activated at Level II (Additional Staff and Agencies)
• Power Outages: 241,002 (SEOC as of Dec 13 at 3:06 a.m.)
• Shelters: 61 / Occupants: 898
• 75% of secondary roads closed due to downed trees and power lines
• No request for Federal assistance at this time. (Region I Incident Report as of Dec 13 at 3:06 a.m.)

 New Hampshire

• State EOC activated at Level III (High Intensity Event)
• 1 reported death
• Power Outages: 400,000; 50% of the state (SEOC as of Dec 13 at 3:06 a.m.)
• Shelters: 25 / Occupants: Unknown
• 81 local EOCs throughout the state are open and operational
• No request for Federal assistance at this time. (Region I Incident Report as of Dec 13 at 3:06 a.m.)

Vermont

• State EOC activated at Level III (Major Incident)
• Power Outages: 23,000(SEOC as of Dec 13 at 3:06 a.m.)
• Shelters: 4 / Occupants: 12
• Several local and state roads around southern Vermont are closed due to ice and debris.
• No request for Federal assistance at this time. (Region I Incident Report as of Dec 13 at 3:06 a.m.)

Connecticut

• State EOC activated at Level I (Routine Operations)
• Power Outages: 7,000 (SEOC as of Dec 13 at 3:06 a.m.)
• Monitoring several rivers for possible flooding
• No request for Federal assistance at this time. (Region I Incident Report as of Dec 13 at 3:06 a.m.)

Rhode Island

• State EOC activated at Level II
• Primarily a rain event, however 5,000 residents are without power (SEOC as of Dec 13 at 3:06 a.m.)
• Monitoring several rivers for possible flooding
• No request for Federal assistance at this time.

New York

• NY SEMO activated at Level II
• The Governor has declared a State of Emergency for 16 counties.
• Power Outages: 296,000(SEOC as of Dec 12 at 10:0 p.m.)
• Shelters: Unknown / Occupants: 63
• No request for Federal assistance at this time. (Region II Update as of Dec 12 at 10:00 p.m.)

New Jersey

• NJ ROIC activated at Level II
• West Milford has activated its EOC; reporting at least 1,256 without power
• No request for Federal assistance at this time. (Region II Update as of Dec 12 at 10:00 p.m.)

White Powder Update

• The NRCC contacted the NGB for an update on the pending states in the white power incidents. 
• They indicated that as of December 12, 2008 at 10:00 p.m. EST, all states have reported negative findings except for the states of Vermont, Nevada and Oregon which are still being tested for harmful agents. 
• As of December 12, 2008, the NGB JOCC has received incident reports from 30 states.

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On December 12, 2008, the President signed Major Disaster Declaration (FEMA-1811-DR) for the State of South Dakota in response to Severe Winter Storm with Record and Near Record Snow that occurred November 5-7, 2008.  The declaration designates Public Assistance for thirteen counties and four reservations, or parts thereof, and protective measures (Category B), and Hazard Mitigation statewide. (FEMA HQ)