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National Situation Update: Thursday, February 19, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
Sunny and warm weather is forecast for the Southwest today, with the exception of mountain snow across portions of the northern Rockies in Montana.
Midwest:
A low pressure system will continue to move eastward, producing wind-swept snow showers and flurries over northeast Wisconsin, Michigan, northern Indiana, much of Ohio and eastern Kentucky throughout the day.  Lake Effect snow, along with possible blizzard conditions, is likely across western and northern Michigan, and northeast Ohio.  A Winter Storm Warning is in effect throughout Michigan until late this evening.  Winds gusting to 30-40 mph are expected.  Flood Warnings remain in effect for several rivers in Illinois, Indiana and northwest Ohio until further notice.
Northeast
The low pressure system over the eastern Great Lakes will continue to move east, while a secondary low pressure system develops over southern New England this morning.  By this afternoon the secondary low will move slowly northeast along the Maine coast creating heavy snow for much of Maine.
The combination of these two low pressure systems will bring a significant winter storm to the region today.  Winter Storm Warnings will be in effect for much of New England from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST today; 4-8 inches of snow accumulation is anticipated.  A Blizzard Warning is in effect for a small portion of Michigan until 7:00 p.m. EST tonight. 
South:
Scattered showers and thunderstorms with the possibility of some isolated severe storms are forecast for the Florida Panhandle, while southeast Georgia is expected to receive light showers in the early morning.  A Thunderstorm Watch has been in effect for southern portions of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and the Florida Panhandle until 5:00 a.m. EST today.  Flood Warnings remain in effect for several rivers in eastern Arkansas, southeast Louisiana, and southwest Mississippi until further notice. (NOAA, National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Georgia Tornadoes

The Region IV Thomasville MOC reports that a tornado touched down about 2:00 a.m. this morning in the city of Thomasville, knocking out power to the city.  They report that the guard shack at the Thomasville compound was damaged, and power lines are down. The facility is on emergency power, but phones are still operational at this time.  NWS reports that four tornadoes touched down in that general vicinity -Thomas, Lowndes and Grady counties.  NWS further reports one semi tractor trailer overturned, trees and power lines down, and numerous wind and hail reports (up to baseball size hail), resulting in broken windshields.  Media reports one home destroyed and over 100 damaged in Wilkes and Jasper Counties. One unconfirmed fatality was reported by the media. (FEMA, NOAA, NWS, Federal, State and Local Authorities, Media sources)

Winter Ice Storms - Update

Recovery efforts continue for impacted areas.  Federal, State and Local governments are coordinating recovery operations.

Region VI

RRCC is at Watch/Steady State, 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST, M - F
Region VIII has assumed operational control for Oklahoma operations. (FEMA Region VI, Feb 18)
Oklahoma JFO is expected to be fully operational by 7:00 a.m. CST today, staffed by Region VIII ERT-A/ERT.  (FEMA Region VI, Feb 18)  The JFO address is 2401 NW 23 Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73107 (Denton MERS Ops Report, Feb 18)

Volcanic Activity – Redoubt Volcano, Alaska

Although no eruption has occurred, unrest at Redoubt Volcano continues with variable amplitudes of volcanic tremors.  The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) is staffed 24 hours a day and continues to closely monitor Redoubt.  The Aviation Color Code remains at ORANGE (second highest level) and the Volcano Alert Level remains at WATCH (second highest level).  Below is an oblique photo showing a close-up view of two fumarole vents on the north flank of Redoubt Volcano.  The picture shows fumarolic activity, exposed rock, holes in the ice and ice collapse features, all of which are signs of hot rock below. Photograph by Kristi Wallace, AVO/USGS, January 31, 2009. (USGS, Alaska Volcano Observatory Feb 17, geology.com)

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

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)