• Emergency Managers and Personnel
• Situation Reports
• National Incident Management System
• Grants & Assistance Programs
• Training
• Contacts
• Planning
• Best Practices

National Situation Update: Saturday, April 5, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
The latest storm to hit the Region is producing heavy snows (12 plus inches) over the northern Rockies and the high Plains of Montana and showers over western sections of Washington and Oregon.  Another relatively weak system will move onshore tomorrow.  Red Flag warnings are in effect for northeast New Mexico, Southeast Colorado and northwest Kansas.

Midwest:
A cold front is producing winter weather along the Canadian Border. Winter storm watches have been posted from eastern North Dakota to northern Minnesota. Some areas may pick up six to 12 inches of snow.  Elsewhere, only a few showers and a few thunderstorms are forecast.

South:
The cold front continues to move across the Region. The forecast is for heavy rain across the central and eastern Carolinas, eastern and southern Georgia and northern Florida. Many areas will see from 1 to 2 inches of rain with locally heavier amounts.  Severe weather (thunderstorms, Hail gusty winds and even tornadoes) is possible in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and the Florida Panhandle.

Northeast:
The northern part of the front has moved off the coast and weather will be improving.  Western Pennsylvania and western New York will be dry but a few showers will fall from the Mid Atlantic to southern New England.  The heaviest rain will fall in southeast Virginia. Highs on Saturday will range from the 30s in northern Maine to the low 60s in the Chesapeake Bay area. (NWS, Various Media Sources)

Severe Weather and Tornados
A severe weather system is currently moving through Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.
The National Weather Service reported a tornado touchdown in Northern Little Rock, AR (Pulaski County) on April 3, 2008. The Arkansas Division of Emergency Management is reporting 13 jurisdictions in 12 counties with storm damage. 12 Counties declared local emergencies.  One fatality and 4 injuries have been reported in Arkansas.
The National Weather Service reported 10 tornados in Arkansas and Mississippi on April 3, 2008 and 6 tornados in Mississippi and Alabama on April 4, 2008.

Mississippi Valley Flooding Update

CURRENT SITUATION
As discussed above numerous flood warnings and watches remain in effect for the Arkansas/Red, Missouri, Mississippi and Ohio River basins.  Renewed flooding is expected with the additional precipitation received.
River gauges monitored by the NWS indicate three river locations experiencing Major Flooding and 140 gauges overall in some degree of flood.

STATE AND LOCAL RESPONSE
Arkansas
Major Disaster FEMA-1751-DR, Severe Storms, Tornadoes & Flooding, declared March 26, 2008, was amended to include Individual Assistance and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
State EOC a Level III, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. CDT (normal operations).
The White River at Des Arc, AR is at Moderate Flood Stage and is forecasted to rise to Major Flood Stage by Tuesday, April 8, 2008.
The White River at Newport, AR is at Moderate Flood Stage and is forecasted to rise to Major Flood Stage by Sunday, April 6, 2008.
The White River at Clarendon, AR will remain at major flood stage through Sunday, April 6, 2008.
One section of levee at Pocahontas, AR remains under water and the locals may attempt to conduct temporary repairs when drainage permits
Counties: 35 affected
Several areas are experiencing water supply problems due to flooding/inoperable treatment systems; boil water orders are in effect.

Indiana
State EOC has returned to normal operations (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EDT).
White River at Petersburg, IN is at Moderate Flood Stage and will continue to recede.
Pakota River at Princeton will remain at Moderate Flood Stage through Thursday, April 10, 2008.
The White River at Hazelton is at Moderate Flood Stage and is forecasted to continue to recede through next week.
Wabash River in Mount Carmel is at Moderate Flood Stage and is forecasted to fall below Moderate Flood Stage Thursday, April 10, 2008
Local and State PDAs ongoing.  No request for Joint PDAs.
No request for Federal assistance.

Illinois
State EOC 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CDT (normal operations)
Ohio River at Grand Chain Dam, IL is at Moderate Flood Stage and is forecast to rise again, and then crest on Sunday, April 6, 2008.
Ohio River at Cairo, IL is at Moderate Flood Stage and is forecast to rise again, and then crest on Sunday, April 6, 2008.
Mississippi River at Thebes, IL has risen to Moderate Flood Stage and is forecast to crest on Sunday, April 6, 2008.
Big Muddy River at Plumfield and Murphysboro, IL is at Moderate Flood Stage and is forecast to begin receding Monday, April 7, 2008.
Little Wabash River at Carmi, IL is at Major Flood Stage and forecasted to crest by Monday, April 7, 2008.
Illinois requested Joint IA PDAs for 12 counties. 

Louisiana
State EOC at normal operations 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. CDT
Governor of Louisiana issued a State of Emergency, March 27, 2008 for the period March 24-April 22, 2008).
Flood risk continues along the Mississippi throughout the week.
St Martin Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP) has submitted a Declaration of a State of Emergency
Mississippi River at Red River Landing is at Minor Flood Stage and will continue to rise to Moderate Flood Stage Sunday, April 6, 2008
Mississippi River at Baton Rouge is at Minor Flood Stage and will continue to rise to Moderate Flood Stage Sunday, April 6, 2008
No problems have been identified so far, and there has been no request for State assistance.

Mississippi
SEOC at normal operations 24/7
Flood warnings continue for the Mississippi River at Greenville, Vicksburg and Natchez until further notice.
Mississippi River near Greenville, MS is at moderate flood stage and rising.
The Mississippi River near Vicksburg, MS is experiencing moderate flooding.
Mississippi River near Natchez, MS is at moderate flood stage and continues to rise.

Missouri
SEOC not activated.
Homes damaged, destroyed or affected: 1,243
Businesses damaged or destroyed: 50 estimated; 6 State roads remain closed
The Mississippi River at New Madrid, MO is at minor flood stage and is forecast to crest at Moderate Flood Stage Sunday, April 6, 2008.
IA PDAs for MO DR-1749 have been completed.  PA PDAs are ongoing. (Region V, Region VII, Region VI, NWS, NSS, NGB,NICC, ADEM, TX SOC, IL EOC, ARC, MEMA, NOAA)

FEDERAL RESPONSE
FEMA Region VI
Region VI RRCC: Level III, 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CDT (M- F)
FEMA liaison officers deployed to Texas EOCs
FIRST Atlanta is in Little Rock, Arkansas JFO for FEMA-DR-1751-AR.
Four PA PDA teams performing PDAs in Oklahoma for eleven counties for flooding that occurred March 17, 2008 and ongoing.

FEMA Region VII
Region VII RRCC: Level III, 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. CDT (M-F)
IA PDAs in Missouri have been completed; PA PDAs began March 31, 2008.  (Denton MOC, Region V, Region VI, Region VII, USACE, USCG, FEMA HQ)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

Nothing significant to report.   (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

FEMA-DR-1746-KY JFO will close April 9, 2008.
FEMA-DR-1734-WA JFO will close April 7, 2008.
FEMA-DR-1751-AR; at the request of FCO and State, FIRST Atlanta is currently conducting situational awareness operations in the vicinity of Batesville, AR.(FEMA HQ)