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National Situation Update: Sunday, December 21, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Northeast:
Low pressure will develop off the Mid-Atlantic Coast this afternoon and then deepen into a strong nor'easter tonight.  The storm will track toward southeast Maine and then exit into the Canadian Maritimes late Monday afternoon.  Another low pressure system will move into the region today from the west, bringing mostly rain and ice to areas south of Pennsylvania-Maryland line and heavy snow, sleet and strong winds to northern New York and New England.  Winter Storm Warnings and advisories have been issued for most of the Northeast for heavy snow and severe winter weather conditions.
West:
A winter weather storm system will bring strong winds and snow to the Pacific Northwest today.   Significant snowfall is expected across eastern Washington and western Oregon.  Blizzard conditions are expected in the Cascades and Olympics.  Winter Storm and Blizzard Warnings are in effect for portions of Washington, north central California, Oregon and Idaho for heavy snow with possible accumulations of 12 to 18 inches.  High Wind Warnings are in effect for portions of northern California and southwest Oregon due to developing south winds gusting to 60 mph.  Wind Chill Warnings are in effect for northeastern Montana and eastern Wyoming due to wind chill values of 40 to 50 degrees below zero.
Midwest:
Another low storm system will bring snow and strong winds to portions of Michigan, the Dakotas, Minnesota and Wisconsin today.  Lake effect snow developing behind this system will bring additional snow to northern and western Michigan.  Winter Storm and Blizzard Warnings are in effect for portions of the Upper Midwest for significant snow accumulations accompanied by winds gusting to 25 mph.  A Wind Chill Warning is in effect for much of the region for wind chill values of 20 to 45 degrees below zero.
South:
A cold front will move across the Southeast Coast today pushing showers out to sea and bringing cooler weather to the region.  Flood Warnings remain in effect for several rivers in the South.  A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for southeast Alabama, southwest and south central Georgia, and the eastern Florida Panhandle and Big Bend for expected long durations of low relative humidity. (NOAA, National Weather Service and Various Media Sources)

Northwest Winter Storm

(Beginning December 21 and continuing)

• Major Winter Storm impacting Pacific Northwest; Blizzard Warnings in WA and Winter Storm Warnings across WA, OR and ID

Washington

• State EOC activated at Phase II; all ESFs activated

Oregon

• State EOC is not activated

Midwest Winter Storm Update

(Beginning December 18 and continuing)
Illinois

• The IL SEOC is not activated, however, the Dupage County EOC is activated
  
• Customers without power: 23,581 (-21,517) (Ameren & ComED as of Dec. 21 at 1:30 a.m.)
  
• There are no unmet needs and no requests for Federal assistance

Wisconsin:

• The WI SEOC is not activated, however, the City of Milwaukee EOC is activated
  
• There are no significant reports of power outages (Region V)
  
• There are no unmet needs. There have been no requests for Federal assistance

Indiana:

• The IN SEOC is partially activated at Level III
  
• Customers without power: 60,320 (-66,032) (AEP, NIPSCO, Duke-Energy as of Dec. 21 at 1:30 a.m.)
  
• Warming Centers: 2 / Occupants: 101 (IN SEOC)
  
• There are no unmet needs. There have been no requests for Federal assistance
  

Northeast Winter Storm Update

• The President signed Emergency Declaration FEMA-3297-EM for the State of New Hampshire for a Severe Winter Storm beginning December 13, 2008 and continuing
  
• State EOC activated at Level IV (High Intensity Event); Senior State Advisor (SSA) at SEOC
  
• Fatalities: 1
  
• Customers without power: 25,411 (-4,488) (NH SitRep #10.)
  
  • The towns of Fitzwilliam, Jaffrey, Peterborough, Rindge, Troy and Wilton suffered heavy damage and are expected to have a lengthy restoration process
    
• A follow-on snow storm is expected to impact the State today, but no response requests are expected; the major hindrance would be the diversion of plows and trucks from debris clearance and removal to snow removal, delaying power restoration efforts
  
• Shelters: 22 / Occupants: 106 (NH SitRep #10) 
  
• PA PDAs have been completed
  
• ERT-A continues to support State EOC in Concord
  
• A decision of whether to establish a formal JFO has not been made

Massachusetts

• The President signed Emergency Declaration FEMA-3296-EM for the State of Massachusetts for a Severe Winter Storm beginning December 13, 2008 and continuing
  
• State EOC activated at Level II (Additional Staff Agencies); Senior State Advisor (SSA) at SEOC
  
• Customers without power: 5,318 (-1,553); An additional 4,500 customers lost power due to Friday's storm, but none of the outages were in the area impacted by the ice storm (MA SitRep #8)
  
• Debris clearance continues, but in most locations debris removal and disposal has been deferred until clearance and snow removal operations are complete
  
• Shelters: 5 / Occupants: 186 (MA SitRep #8)
  
• PA PDAs have been completed
  
• There are no unmet needs and no requirements for Federal assistance

New York

• The President signed Emergency Declaration FEMA-3299-EM for the State of New York for a Severe Winter Storm beginning December 11, 2008 and continuing
  
• NY SEOC not activated
  
• Fatalities: 3
  
• Customers without  power: 1,784 (no new info reported) (Region II Duty Officer)

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

No new activity (FEMA HQ)