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National Situation Update: Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
A Snow Advisory above 3000 feet in Western Montana and Central Idaho remains in effect until 12:00 p.m. MDT today; snow accumulations of five to eight inches are expected in the mountains as a disturbance moves over the northern Rockies in a strong moist westerly flow.  High temperatures will range from the lower 30s in the Rockies to the lower 80s over the deserts of western Arizona / eastern California.

Midwest:
Heavy rain is forecast for the region today.  Rainfall totals may exceed three inches along the Ohio River through Wednesday morning.  Flood Watch remains in effect through Wednesday morning for portions of rivers throughout Illinois, Indiana and northwest Ohio.  Small amounts of snow will accumulate in northern Minnesota to northern Michigan.  A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 11:00 a.m. EDT, for Michigan; a wintry mix of precipitation is expected.

South:
Heavy rain is forecast for eastern Texas today, with some areas receiving three to five inches of rain.  Hail and thunderstorms accompanied by dangerous lightning are possible in central and southern Oklahoma and western north Texas.  Red Flag Warnings are in effect for southern Texas until 7:00 p.m. CDT today.  A strong surface low pressure system will move across the state today into Tuesday producing strong southeast winds.  These strong winds, combined with abundant cured fuels and low relative humidity, will result in an enhanced risk of dangerous wildfire.  High temperatures will range from the 50s over western Texas to the high 70s in Georgia.

Northeast:
New England will remain dry today but rain and snow will cover parts of Upstate New York and Pennsylvania.  High temperatures will range from the 30s over northern New England to the 60s in Pennsylvania and New York. (NOAA)

Georgia and South Carolina Tornadoes Touchdown Update:

Georgia
An EF-2 tornado touched down in Atlanta Friday, March 14, 2008, and an EF-3 tornado touched down in Polk and Floyd Counties, Saturday, March 15, 2008.  The Governor of Georgia has declared a State of Emergency for Atlanta and Fulton County.  The Georgia EOC is at normal operations; hours 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT (M-F).  The FEMA State Liaison has been released and joint PDAs continue, which could be completed as early as tonight. 

• Fatalities: 2 (Polk and Floyd Counties)
• Injuries:  28
• Outages:  less than 3,000 customers as of 5:00 p.m. EDT Sunday (GEMA and NICC)
• Shelters:  1 with 45 occupants (GEMA)

South Carolina
Five confirmed tornadoes touched down throughout South Carolina late Saturday.  Two Tornadoes were confirmed at EF-0 and three tornadoes confirmed at EF-1.  No request for federal assistance.  State EOC is activated at Level IV (Partial Activation); hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT (M-F). 

• Fatalities:  None reported
• Injuries:  21
• Outages:  2,000 as of 5:00 p.m. EDT Monday
• Shelters:  There are no shelters open. (Region IV)

Crane Collapse in Manhattan, NY Update:

All known remaining victims have been removed from the area.  Total number of fatalities is now 7; patient count is 28.  Plans are currently being developed to begin restoration of water, electric and gas services to buildings and apartments.  DOB Vacate Orders will not be lifted until sidewalk sheds are in place and the area has been made safe from falling debris.  Crane dismantling and clean-up activities continue. (NYC OEM)

PENNSYLVANIA:

I-95 in Philadelphia is currently closed in both directions.  Inspections discovered a shear fracture in one of the support columns.  Pennsylvania DOT contractors are on scene.  The closure is between the Betsy Ross Bridge and the Girard Avenue Exit.  There is NO estimate of when the highway will reopen.  This has the potential to have significant impact on traffic entering and exiting the City.  Detours are in place. (Region III)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity to report .(FEMAHQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

Texas:
The Texas EOC is activated at a Level I, 24/7 (emergency operations).  The TX National Guard has provided 22 personnel & 5 aircraft (5 UH60s) to support wildfire operations from Austin and San Antonio.  Five-hundred and sixteen people from 32 states outside Texas are participating in the response, along with 340 interagency personnel within Texas.  Joint PDAs are being conducted in the affected counties. Cumulative fire information (Monday 2:00 p.m. CDT):

• Total Acres Burned:  842,835
• Total Homes Threatened:  6,993
• Total Homes Saved: 6,862
• Total Homes Lost:  131
• Total Homes Damaged:  36 (Texas SOC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Illinois: Disaster Declaration FEMA-1747-DR-IL, dated March 7, 2008 has been amended to close the incident period for this disaster effective March 14, 2008.
Indiana: Disaster Declaration FEMA-1740-DR-IN, dated January 30, 2008 has been amended to close the incident period for this disaster effective March 14, 2008. (FEMA HQ)