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

National Situation Update: Monday, May 4, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

South
A few scattered storms are possible Monday afternoon in Oklahoma. In the Southeast, showers and thunderstorms will persist over the Carolinas, Georgia, northern Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and southeast Louisiana. This past Saturday and Sunday, severe thunderstorms moved through central Texas into Louisiana causing widespread power outages and loss of water services. Three counties in Texas reported damage to 25 homes. In Dallas County, strong winds caused the collapse of a commercial facility resulting in injuries to 12 people. Four parishes in Louisiana reported damages to as many as 25 residences. State PDA teams will assist Louisiana parishes in assessing damage. No Federal assistance has been requested.

Northeast
Rain will continue from the Mid-Atlantic to Southern New England. This rain system will move farther north into much of New England and portions of Upstate New York Monday night into Tuesday.

West
Rain and high terrain snow are expected from Northern California to western Washington and western Oregon. The heaviest rainfall totals of 2 inches or more are expected in northwestern California and southwestern Oregon. Strong winds are expected along the coast, and a high wind watch with gusts over 60 mph possible for southwest Oregon. Farther east, high terrain snow showers are expected in the Rockies with scattered showers and storms in the adjacent High Plains.

Midwest
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast from the Dakotas to Kansas. Showers will be possible in eastern sections of the Ohio Valley. (National Weather Service, various media sources)

H1N1 Flu Outbreak Update

H1N1 Flu Outbreak - USA
The H1N1 Flu outbreak continues to increase in the United States as well as internationally. On May 3, 2009, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 226 laboratory-confirmed cases in 30 states. There are 748 additional probable cases in the United States in 42 states and Washington, D.C.  There have been 30 hospitalizations among confirmed cases and one fatality (child in Texas).

As of May 2, 2009, 434 schools in 18 states were closed due to confirmed or probable cases that have impacted a cumulative of 245,000 students and 15,544 teachers. California and Texas have issued States of Emergency. Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Maryland have declared Public Health Emergencies.

H1N1 Flu Outbreak - International
As of 4:00 p.m. EDT, May 3, 2009, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 18 countries have officially reported 898 confirmed cases of infection. Mexico has reported 506 confirmed cases of infection, including 19 deaths. The higher number of cases from Mexico in the past 48 hours reflects ongoing testing of previously collected specimens.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (85), China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1), Costa Rica (1), Denmark (1), France (2), Germany (8), Ireland (1), Israel (3), Italy (1), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (4), Republic of Korea (1), Spain (40), Switzerland (1), and the United Kingdom (15).

The Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) pandemic alert level remains at Phase 5.

H1N1 Flu Outbreak - FEMA Response
FEMA Leadership is monitoring the current situation, participating in conferences and planning sessions to respond to the needs of state and local agencies. FEMA NRCC is maintaining contact with FEMA Regions, DHS, HHS/CDC, and other Federal and state partners.

Travel Considerations related to H1N1 Flu Outbreak
The United States Embassy will reopen on Wednesday, May 6, 2009. As a precautionary measure only, the Embassy in Mexico City decided to suspend processing of non-immigrant visa appointments scheduled for May 6 through May 8, 2009.(DOS, HHS SOC, CDC, PAHO/WHO)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No significant activity. (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

No new activity (FEMA HQ)