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National Situation Update: Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Midwest:
A storm system will move up through the Great Lakes. As it does, a mix of precipitation will continue to impact the area into Wednesday, December 24, 2008.  It appears that an area of significant snow will fall from Iowa through Wisconsin into Michigan. Most locations in the affected states will see at least 6 inches of snow, while parts of northern Michigan could see up to a foot of snow. A combination of snow, sleet and rain will continue through Wednesday morning, December 24, 2008, across Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. As cooler air moves in behind the storm, mixed precipitation will likely change to snow, possibly accumulating 1-3 inches before ending on Wednesday. Rain and thunderstorms from the Ohio Valley to the lower Mississippi Valley with 1-2 inches of rain possible through Wednesday. Thursday, December 25 and Friday, December 26, 2008, will feature another storm system with rain and mixed precipitation.
Northeast:
Snow will move across interior sections of the Northeast from Tuesday night, December 23, 2008, into Wednesday.  By Wednesday morning, snow will mix with or change to sleet and freezing rain over many locations. The ice may linger into the late morning hours, but should change to all rain by early afternoon. Portions of  New York and New England will see snow mixing with sleet or freezing rain. Most other areas will see rain from Wednesday into Wednesday night. The mountains and Maine may receive 4-8 inches of snow.
West:
A couple of weather systems will produce additional winter weather conditions across the Northwest on Wednesday. The more significant system will impact northern California. This system will produce heavy rain and mountain snow. The rain in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas could produce some mudslides especially in the burn zones. Moisture from this storm will move inland impacting Nevada, Utah, Colorado and Arizona. A low pressure system, associated with a front, will move from the Gulf of Alaska to the Pacific Northwest, where more snow is expected. In Portland and the Willamette Valeey the snow may mix with or briefly change to rain during the mid to late afternoon, but should return to all snow by night.
South:
A line of showers and thunderstorms will move eastward across Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and southeast Texas. A few of these storms may turn severe with small hail and gusty winds. This activity will move into the western Carolinas, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle Wednesday night  and early Thursday. (NOAA, National Weather Service and Various Media Sources)

Northeast Winter Storm Update (Final)

Freezing rain, rain, and thawing temperatures starting Tuesday night, December 23, present the potential for roof collapse, tree and power line damage, and rising river levels. Strong winds are also forecast for the region following the precipitation event. Region I will continue to monitor developments and will provide additional reports as conditions warrant. (Region I)

Midwest Winter Storm Update

(Beginning December 18 and continuing)
Illinois

• State EOC is not activated.
• Customers without power: 1,046 (-6,242) Power restoration anticipated by December 24.
• There are no unmet needs and no requests for Federal assistance.

Indiana:

• State EOC is not activated.
• Customers without power: 23,072 (-22,857); of those, 21,983 customers will not have power restored until December 26. 
• Shelters: 2 / Occupants: 52
• There are no unmet needs and no requests for Federal assistance.

Ohio

• State EOC is not activated.
• Customers without power: 2,618 (-15,572). Power restoration was anticipated by December 23.
• There are no unmet needs and no requests for Federal assistance. (Region V, December 23)

Pacific Northwest Winter Storm Update

Oregon

• State EOC is monitoring the situation.
• Pacific Gas & Electric reporting 54,000 customers without power. State EOC is monitoring. NWS Portland continues Winter Storm Watch with a system bringing a chance of low elevation snow and freezing rain through December 24.  (DOE and Region X Report December 23,)

California

Warming Centers
The State EOC has implemented the Cold Weather Emergency Plan and the California National Guard has opened area warming shelters in eleven armories in the cities of Burbank, Culver City, Fullerton, Gilroy, Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz, Sunnyvale, Sylmar, Ventura,  and San Rafael. As of December 22, there were a total of 1,329 civilians housed.  (Region IX, NGBJOC December 23)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity.(FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Western Pacific:
No activity affecting United States territories.  (NOAA, HPC,  National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

On Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 11:11 p.m. EST  an earthquake measuring 4.4 occurred about 135 miles WNW of Brandon, OR at a depth of 6.2 miles. There were no reports of damage or injury and no tsunami was generated.  (USGS, 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

No new activity (FEMA HQ)