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National Situation Update: Thursday, February 14, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Midwest:
Several inches of snow is forecast for parts of the Upper Midwest, from northern Iowa through Wisconsin and into northern Michigan.  Lighter snow and flurries are expected for the central Plains.  Following the snow, bitter cold air will affect the north-central states with highs holding below zero in much of North Dakota and northwest Minnesota.  Temperatures will range from 10 to 15 below zero in North Dakota to the 50s in southern Missouri.

West:
Heavy snowfall is forecast across the Four Corners region with up to two feet likely in the mountains.  Light snow is forecast for the higher elevations of northern Arizona, Utah, and Wyoming, as well as parts of Montana and Idaho.  Strong, gusty Santa Ana winds will affect southern California, especially during the morning hours.  Gusty winds will also affect southern Nevada, southeastern California and northwest Arizona.  High temperatures are expected to range from the teens in the Rockies and northeast Montana to the low 70s in Arizona. 

South:
Dry weather is forecast for much of South.  Temperatures will be close to seasonal averages across the Deep South, but above average in Texas.  A cold front moving into Oklahoma will keep temperatures below seasonal.  Highs are expected to range from the 30s in the Oklahoma to the 80s in south Texas.

Northeast:
Other than the possibility of lingering light snow in southeastern New England tomorrow, the Northeast should be dry.  Temperatures will be seasonable with highs ranging from the 20s in most of New York and northern New England to the 50s across southern Virginia. (National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Mississippi Valley Severe Weather Update

Recovery efforts continue in the southeastern U.S. following severe weather that occurred on February 5, 2008. 

State and Local
Alabama - six fatalities, six injured; 150 homes damaged or destroyed.
Arkansas - 14 fatalities, 139 injured; 200,000 cubic yards of debris estimated.
Kentucky - seven fatalities, numerous injuries; 345 homes damaged or destroyed.
Mississippi - zero fatalities, 355 homes damaged or destroyed.
Tennessee - 32 fatalities, 192 injured; 402 homes damaged or destroyed; one shelter with six occupants (as per NSS as of 4:30 p.m. EST, February 13, 2008). (State EOCs)

Federal Response
(FEMA Region IV):
JFO is operational in Brentwood, TN.
MERS detachment is supporting TN EOC and JFO operations.
Five MDRCs are deployed to TN.
Region VIII ERT-A is on standby for deployment.

(FEMA Region VI):
JFO is operational in Little Rock, AR.
Six MDRCs are deployed to Arkansas. (FEMA Regions IV and VI)

Midwest Flooding Update

Illinois: 
Moderate flooding continues along Illinois River from La Salle to La Grange (Current levels from .5 to 5.0 ft above flood stage).  11 shelters are open with 60 occupants.  2,996 customers are without power.
Indiana:
Moderate flooding continues along Tippecanoe, Kankakee, Iroquois, White and Wabash Rivers.  The worst flooding is along the Wabash River at Riverton and Vincennes.  Rivers are cresting north to south through Saturday, Feb 16, 2008.  State EOC is partially activated until Friday due to Wabash River flooding.  One shelter is open with one occupant.  Individual Assistance PDAs begin today for three counties (Noble, Benton and Kosciuko).

Fire Weather Watch for Texas and Oklahoma:

Low relative humidities, warmer temperatures, and breezy southwest winds will occur ahead of a cold front Thursday in parts of southwest Oklahoma and western North Texas.  These conditions elevate the fire potential in this area this afternoon.  The Fire Weather Watch remains in effect through this evening. 

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

Fire Management Assistance Grant FEMA-2743-FM-TX was issued on February 13, 2008 for the Broadway Fire in Amarillo that began on February 13, 2008, and continues. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

A series of minor earthquakes continue in the Guadalupe Victoria area of Mexico approximately 100 miles east southeast of San Diego CA.  There were reports of localized damage but no injuries or deaths. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Various Media Sources )

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)