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National Situation Update: Thursday, January 15, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a High Wind Advisory for Hawaii for today and tomorrow, with damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph possible. A High Surf Warning was issued for Hawaii for the north- and west-facing shores of  Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii. A High Surf Advisory was issued for the west-facing shores of Lanai and the north-facing shores of the Big Island. Surf along the west-facing shores of Lanai and along the north-facing shores of the Big Island will be 10-15 feet.
Midwest:
The Midwest will be windy and cold with dangerously low wind chills in many areas. Lake-effect snow will affect Michigan, northern Indiana, and parts of Ohio. Temperatures will be well below expectations for this time of year. Highs are forecast to range from ten below zero (-10) along the Minnesota-North Dakota border to the 20s from Kansas to southern Kentucky.
South:
The southern U.S. will be largely dry, windy and very chilly with temperatures noticeably below average for mid-January. Any precipitation should be limited to scattered snow showers in Oklahoma and snow in the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. Highs temperatures are predicted to range from the 20s in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee to the 50s along the Gulf coast.
Northeast:
A snowstorm should drop several inches of snow on the New York area, Long Island, and southern New England.  Two to four inches of snow is forecast, but parts of Cape Cod and its neighboring Islands (Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket) could see 5-6 inches of snow. The storm will move eastward and the snow should end by tonight. Some of the snow off of Lake Erie will be persistent. Lake-effect snow warnings are in effect through Friday, January 16, 2009. Temperatures will be well below seasonal means, with highs ranging from below zero in northern Maine to the upper 30s in Tidewater, Virginia. (NOAA, NWS, Various Media Sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant

No activity. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Western Pacific:
There are no current tropical cyclone warnings. (NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

At 2:27 a.m. EST a magnitude 6.8 earthquake occurred southeast of the Loyalty Islands, 100 miles west of Ile Hunter, at a depth of 32 miles. There were no reports of  a tsunami being generated. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA-1816-DR was declared for Vermont for severe winter storms and flooding that occurred December 11-18, 2008. Two counties are eligible for Public Assistance, including Direct Federal Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation statewide.  (FEMA HQ)