National Situation Update: Sunday, February 15, 2009
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
Significant National Weather
West: California will receive more rain over the next few days from a slow-moving Pacific low headed inland. The brunt of this approaching storm through today will be the Siskiyou Mountains and Coastal Ranges.
Winter storm warnings are in effect for these areas through this afternoon above 2500 feet, including Mt. Shasta, where a couple of feet of snow may accumulate by this evening. In this area, below 2500 feet, heavy rain may trigger local flash flooding and mudslides through tonight, particularly north of the Bay Area where some locations could receive up to 6 inches of rain.
The front may stall over Northern California during the day, bringing periods of heavy precipitation from the central coast northward into the Sierra and Siskiyou.
Burn areas of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Big Sur may see some mudslides or debris flows, as the heaviest rainfall near the Bay Area targets southwest facing mountain slopes. From 1-3" of rain is expected in San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.
The heavy snow that starts in the northern Sierra this morning will spread southward into the southern Sierra by tonight and continue through tomorrow.
The storm's heaviest rain and mountain snow will impact Southern California and the southern Sierra. From 1-3" of rain can be expected in coastal and valley locations of Southern California with locally 5 inches or more in the mountains.
Flash flooding, is a very real threat, particularly in burn areas. Mudslides and debris flows may occur.
Heavy snow on the order of 1-3 feet may make travel difficult by tomorrow afternoon and evening in the Southland mountains as snow levels drop to 4000 feet.
Elsewhere, lighter snow and rain will dampen parts of the Pacific Northwest. Snow levels may be as low as 1000-1500 feet in the Columbia River Basin of eastern Washington and northeast Oregon.
South: Moderate drought has spread from Texas along the I-10 corridor as far east as Pensacola, Fla. and also covers parts of central and south Florida, including Tampa/St. Petersburg and Miami. The first round of rain dumped almost 4" in New Orleans, which was their heaviest rain event in almost 6 weeks. Street flooding was reported in Waveland, Miss.
Now, a second disturbance riding the subtropical jet stream is reactivating this rainy zone through today from the Upper Texas Coast to Florida. Rainfall amounts from 1 to 2 inches, with locally higher amounts, can be expected from southern Louisiana to northern Florida.
Unfortunately, little rain can be expected in the most dire drought areas both in Texas and in Upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina.
Some light snow may fall this evening into tomorrow morning in parts of the Carolinas and southern Virginia. Any accumulations at this time, on the order of a dusting to an inch, look most likely in the Smoky Mountains.
Midwest:
Cold high pressure will predominate over much of the nation's mid-section rounding out the Valentine's Day/Presidents' Day weekend.
Highs today will remain in the teens in North Dakota and northern Minnesota. Twenty degrees will be the high in the Twin Cities. Thirties will chill those in Indianapolis and St. Louis.
An area of light snow will slowly spread across North Dakota and northern Minnesota today, eventually blanketing parts of northern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula tomorrow.
A more significant snowstorm may impact the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes Tuesday night into Wednesday. (NOAA, National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)
Winter Ice Storms - Update
Recovery efforts continue for impacted areas. Federal, State and Local governments are coordinating these response and recovery operations.
Region IV
Kentucky
State EOC returned to normal operations at 1900 EST Feb 13. (JFO Field Rpt Feb 13)
Fatalities: 36 confirmed fatalities for FEMA 1818-DR-KY and FEMA 3302-EM-KY (JFO Sitrep #7)
Power Outages:
There are approximately 8,000 customers without power due to the February 11 high wind event. (ESF-12 Report, Feb 14)
There are approximately 12,000 customers without power due to the ice storm.(ESF-12 Report, Feb 14)
All primary power line repairs have been completed. Work will continue on secondary power lines. Power restoration should be completed by Feb 20.
Region VI
Region VIII to assume operational control of OK response. (FEMA Region VI)
Joint PDAs continue in AR and OK. (Region VI DSAR Feb 13)
Arkansas
Power Outages: 13,494 customers from a peak outage of 315,324 (corrected number). (AR JFO Feb 14)
Shelters: 4 / Occupants: 28; All ARC shelters closed. (AR JFO Feb 14)
No unmet needs or limiting factors.
Region VII
Missouri
The MO EOC is activated at Level II, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. CST.
Fatalities: 8.
Power Outages: 6,800 customers; the majority of power outages remain isolated to the extreme southwest portion of the state. (Region VII DSAR Feb 13)
Shelters: 2 / Occupants: 21. (Region VII DSAR Feb 13)
Severe Weather / Tornadoes in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas
A strong storm system moved through southwest and central Oklahoma and Texas Tuesday evening February 10, and overnight, resulting in severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and high winds impacting counties in Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas
Oklahoma
Fatalities: 8 (confirmed) in Lone Grove (Charter County).
Injuries: 17.
Destroyed: 110 residences / Damaged: 123 residences.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and members of the Oklahoma National Guard remain in Lone Grove assisting local law enforcement with perimeter control and security. (Region VI DSAR Feb 13)
Volcanic Activity – Redoubt Volcano, Alaska
As of 14 February, unrest at Mount Redoubt continues. Elevated seismicity is continuing, dominated by ongoing volcanic tremor and occasional small earthquakes.
FAA continues to restrict air travel in a 10 mile radius around Redoubt to 60,000 MSL
The Aviation Color Code remains at ORANGE and the Volcano Alert Level remains at WATCH (Region X, AVO, USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program)
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
There were eight (8) earthquakes approximately 60 miles off the northern coast of Puerto Rico. The earthquakes ranged between magnitude 2.9 and 3.2. There were no tsunami warnings or watches generated and no reports of damage or injuries. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program)
Preliminary Damage Assessments
Illinois: Joint PDAs for Public Assistance in nine (9) Illinois counties are complete.
Ohio: Joint PDAs for Public Assistance in 19 Ohio counties are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, February 17, 2009.
Indiana: Joint PDAs for Public Assistance in 15 Indiana counties are scheduled to begin on Monday, February 16, 2009. (FEMA HQ)
Disaster Declaration Activity
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Tuesday, 17-Feb-2009 11:38:50 EST