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National Situation Update: Thursday, April 24, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

Northeast                                                                       
Scattered showers are forecast for Virginia; the remainder of the region will be sunny and warm.  High temperatures will range from the 50s in northern Maine to the 80s in portions of southeast Virginia and western West Virginia.  Flood Warnings continue for numerous rivers in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.  Red Flag Warning are in effect for Vermont and eastern New York for increased winds and low humidity.

South
A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. EDT for inland portions of the eastern Florida panhandle due to relative humidity below 35 percent.  Flood Watches and Warnings remain in effect for Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Arkansas.

Midwest
Severe weather, including isolated Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, are possible in eastern South Dakota, eastern Nebraska, Kansas, southern Minnesota, western Iowa and western Missouri.
As a result of heavy rains, flash flooding may occur in portions of Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Minnesota.  A Red Flag Warning is in effect until 11:00 p.m. EDT today for most of Michigan as a result of increased winds, low humidity and higher temperatures that will increase the risk of fire.
Flood Watches remain in effect for Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois.

West
Showers are forecast for western Washington and western Oregon today; showers and mountain snow showers will extend to far eastern Washington, Idaho and Montana southward into the northern parts of Utah and Colorado.  Red Flag Warning is in effect for most of Colorado and south central Utah as a result of low humidity and increased wind which increases the chance of fire.  A Fire Weather Watch is in effect today for all of northern and central New Mexico for strong winds and low humidity. (NWS, Various Media Sources)

Tornadoes

Several tornadoes touched down in West and North Texas on Wednesday as part of a severe thunderstorm system that knocked down some power-lines, trees and sheds as it moved across the state.  The Cities of Lueders and Anson, TX sustained high wind damage.  Approximately 55 homes have roof damage, and six or seven outbuildings have been destroyed.  Reports of high winds and hail from TX, OK and AR, through eastern MO, KS, NE and SD.  There is no request for Federal Assistance at this time.  (TX SOC)

Mississippi Valley Flooding

CURRENT SITUATION
Severe thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon in northern and eastern Texas, northwestern Arkansas, central and western Arkansas, southern Oklahoma and south central Missouri.  There will be a slight risk for severe thunderstorms through the central and southern Plains.  Minor to moderate flooding continues at locations along the Mississippi River in Illinois and Missouri with levels slowly rising in response to recent rains; crests are expected this weekend and into next week.  Flood Watches, Warnings, and/or Statements are in effect for Mississippi, Louisiana, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas and Illinois.  A Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 11:00 a.m. EDT for southeast Kansas, southwest Missouri and north by northwest portions of Arkansas.  

FEDERAL RESPONSE
FEMA Region IV
Mississippi:  Joint IA PDAs are ongoing.
Kentucky:  Joint PA PDAs are ongoing.
FEMA Region VI
Oklahoma:  Joint PA PDAs ongoing.
Arkansas:  Joint PDAs are on going; IA PDAs have been completed in all 47 counties; and 55 of 57 county PA PDAs are complete. 

STATE and LOCAL RESPONSE
Arkansas
No change to damages since last report.  Major/Moderate Flooding Update: Mississippi River: Three flood gauges above major levels at Arkansas City.  The White River at Clarendon is at Major Flood Stage, and is gradually receding.  The river is forecast to fall below Major Flood Stage Thursday, April 24.  USACE flood fight activities continuing on the White River. (NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service)
Louisiana:
No change to damages since last report.  Major/Moderate River Flooding:  The Mississippi River at Baton Rouge is at Major Flood Stage and cresting.  The River is forecast to remain steady for the next five days.  (NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, GOHSEP Sit Rep)
Mississippi:
No change to damages since last report.  Major/Moderate Flooding:  Mississippi River: Three flood gauges above major levels at Greenville and Vicksburg.
Illinois
No change to damages since last report.  Major/Moderate Flooding:  Mississippi River: Two flood gauges that are above the major flood level at Keithsburg and at Burlington.  (Region IV, Region VI, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) Emergency Operations Center, Louisiana Governor's Office of State Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOSHEP), Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, Texas Division of Emergency Management State Operations Center, National Weather Service, National Guard Bureau, USACE.)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No FMAG requested or issued. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No earthquakes above a 4.5 was reported.   (USGS, NOAA, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Missouri: Amendment 4 approved for FEMA-1749-DR, adds Douglas and Ozark Counties for Public Assistance. 
Arkansas: Amendment 5 approved for FEMA-1751-DR, adds 11 counties for Individual Assistance and 9 counties for Public Assistance. (FEMA HQ)