National Situation Update: Monday, December 15, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
A low pressure system moves through northern California and northern Nevada while a cold front moves through southern California and southern Nevada today bringing heavy rain to lower elevations and heavy snow to higher elevations.  Some burn areas in southern California may see mud slides and debris flows due to heavy rain.  Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for several western states for heavy snow; up to a foot at elevations above 4000 ft.  Wind Chill Warnings are in effect for portions of Wyoming, Montana, Washington and Oregon. A bitterly cold arctic front is moving into these areas and combined with 10 to 20 mph northwest winds will cause dangerous wind chills.  High Wind Warnings are in effect for portions of Washington and southern California.
Flash Flood Watches are in effect for burn areas and steep terrains in southwest California.
Midwest:
An arctic cold front will move eastward through the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and mid-Mississippi Valley today bringing freezing rain, sleet and snow to these areas.  North Dakota, South Dakota and most of Minnesota will see highs below zero today and some areas will see temperatures as low as 50 below zero.  Winter Storm and Blizzard Warnings are in effect for portions of the Upper Midwest for heavy snow and winds gusting to 45 mph.  Wind Chill Warnings in effect for portions of North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska. An arctic air mass centered over the region will keep temperatures in the 20 to 30 below zero range this morning. Winds of 10 to 15 mph combined with bitter cold temperatures will create very dangerous winds chills of 30 to 50 below zero at times.  A Flood Warning continues for the Rock River near Joslin, IL.  Rainfall combined with the snowmelt from yesterdays warm temperatures and ice action forecasted to occur with the bitterly cold temperatures is expected to cause additional rises on the river over the next couple days.
South:
A cold front will move into the region bringing possible showers and thundershowers to the Tennessee Valley and Mid-Atlantic states today.  Flood Warnings remain in effect for numerous rivers throughout the region.
Northeast:
A cold front is forecast to move into the Northeast bringing mostly rain to central and southern areas of the region.  Freezing rain, sleet and snow are possible north of the front from central Pennsylvania through central New York and northern New England.  A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for portions of eastern Vermont and western Maine for periods of freezing rain and sleet.  Flood Warnings continue for rivers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York. (NOAA, National Weather Service and Various Media Sources)

Winter Storm Update

The President signed Emergency Declarations for Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  A request for Maine was received today. Power restoration efforts continue throughout the impacted areas, anticipate Tuesday or Wednesday for full power restoration. Priorities continue for sheltering operations, communications restoration, debris removal program, and damage assessments.

New Hampshire

  • State EOC activated at Level III (Normal); SSA at SEOC
  • Fatalities: 1
  • Power Outages: 191,478 (-41,522);Most restoration done by Tuesday (DOE as of Dec. 14 at 8:00 p.m. Region I)
  • Shelters: 56 / Occupants: 1,580 (Region I)
  • 9,000 cots, 18,000 blankets and 12 trucks of water were delivered to Manchester and to the NLSA in support of NH needs.
  • 37 segments of State Roads and 209 segments of local roads are still closed.

Massachusetts

  • State EOC activated at Level II; SSA at SEOC
  • Power Outages: 126,409 (-36,984); Restoration hampered by access issues (debris, downed lines) and estimated to last several days (Region 1)
  • Shelters: 63 / Occupants: 1,890 (Region I)
  • Generators, cots, and blankets are staged at the NLSA at Pease but no requests have been received from the State
  • 6 State Highways closed
  • The RRCC is acting as IOF (Interim JFO) and is at Level II 24/7 operations

Maine

  • The Governor has requested an emergency declaration due to a severe storm with widespread icing beginning on December 11, 2008, and continuing.
  • State EOC activated at Level II, SSA at SEOC
  • Injuries: 2
  • Power Outages: 47,455 (-37,545); Restoration may last through end of week (DOE as of Dec. 14 at 8:00 p.m., Region I)
  • Shelters: 15 / Occupants: 194 (Region I)
  • 86 Roads and State Highways closed
  • Numerous cellular towers are operating on battery power

Vermont

  • State EOC returned to Level 1 (normal operations)
  • Power Outages: 6,836 (-1,164); Most restoration expected by Tuesday (DOE as of Dec. 14 at 8:00 p.m., Region I)
  • Shelters: 3 / Occupants: 10 (Region I)
  • Most roads have re-opened; however, a few roads remain closed in southern Vermont
  • No Federal assistance anticipated

New York

  • NY SEMO activated at Level III, 24/7; SSA at  SEMO
  • Fatalities: 2
  • The Governor has declared a State of Emergency for 16 counties 
  • Power Outages: 151,259 (-66,741); 1,293 crews involved in restoration efforts; complete restoration expected by Wednesday (Region II)
  • Shelters: 20 / Occupants: 273 (ESF-06)
  • Ten critical care / adult care facilities remain on generator power in 5 counties
  • Amtrak still experiencing disruptions to service on CSX Hudson Subdivision
  • No unmet needs and no anticipated Federal assistance

New Jersey

  • NJ EOC has returned to normal operations
  • Power Outages: All power restored (Region II)
  • Roadways and highways are operational
  • No Federal assistance anticipated

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 14, 2008, a request was received from Governor Baldacci for an emergency declaration for the State of Maine due to a severe storm with widespread icing beginning on December 11, 2008, and continuing.  The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance (Categories A and B), including direct Federal assistance, for the counties of York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox, and Waldo.  (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Monday, 15-Dec-2008 08:23:46 EST