National Situation Update: Thursday, January 29, 2009
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
National Weather Forecast
Northeast
The wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain continues to move north over the Canadian Maritimes today, leaving scattered light snow showers and flurries over western Pennsylvania, upstate New York and northern New England. Additional snowfall is possible across portions of northern Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Along the New England coast sleet and freezing rain will continue to change over to rain as temperatures rise above freezing. A weak clipper-like system will travel through the Great Lakes Region, bringing scattered snow showers.
Midwest
Scattered areas of light snow are forecast for the northern Plains and much of the Midwest.
South
Showers are forecast from the coastal Carolinas into southeast Georgia and northern Florida.
West
Rain is expected in western Washington, while locations from far eastern Washington, northern Idaho and western Montana southward into the Colorado Rockies will see scattered snow showers. Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect through this evening in northwest Colorado, where total snowfall accumulations will range from 10 to 20 inches, with gusty northwest winds. A moderate Santa Ana wind will continue in Southern California, with gusts of 40-60 mph in select canyons and hills from Malibu to Ontario Thursday night. (National Weather Service and Media Sources)
Winter Ice Storm – Region I
Snow continues to diminish across the Northeast as the complex winter storm exits the Region and moves into the Canadian Maritimes; A Winter Storm Warning for parts of Maine remains in effect until early morning for snow accumulation. The RRCC and State EOCs remain at a Watch/Steady State status. The Region has not reported any limiting factors or unmet needs. (NWS, Region I)
Winter Ice Storm – Region II
Scattered light snow showers and flurries are expected in the region. Power restoration efforts continue in New York and New Jersey; NYC OEM reported 1,000 customers remain without power in the St. Albans area and Region II reported the State of New Jersey had approximately 1,160 customers statewide without power. The RRCC and NY SEMO are at a Watch/Steady State status, and NJ EOC has returned to normal operations. (NWS, Region II, NYC OEM, NJ EOC)
Winter Ice Storm – Region III
The Winter and Ice Storm Warnings have been discontinued for Region III. The RRCC and State EOCs are at normal operations and report no activities or events of significance other than power outages.
Power restoration efforts continue for impacted areas. The Department of Energy (DOE) reported 53,623 customers without power in West Virginia; approximately 8,830 without power in Virginia, and 6,310 customers without power in Pennsylvania.(NWS, Region III, DOE a/o 6:00 p.m. EST, Jan 28)
Winter Ice Storm – Region IV
The RRCC in Atlanta will activate to Level III Thursday morning at 7:00 a.m. EST as a result of severe winter weather in Kentucky. All winter storm warnings have expired; snow totals ranged from 4 to 9 inches in areas of Kentucky. Flood warnings remain in effect for several rivers in central and eastern Kentucky and central Tennessee until Thursday night; the rivers are reported at minor flood stage.
Kentucky
The Kentucky EOC is partially activated at Level 2. An Emergency Declaration (FEMA-3302-EM) was declared January 28; the Governor declared a State of Emergency for the entire Commonwealth. Thirty-four shelters were open with 485 occupants as of 4:36 p.m. EST Wednesday. The Department of Energy (DOE) reported approximately 330,128 customers without power. The Kentucky ANG activated 21 armories, with approximately 307 guardsman supporting operations.
Tennessee
The Tennessee State EOC is at Level III (Partial Activation). No shelters are open, and only minor power outages remain. All Interstate and major roadways are open. (NWS, Region IV, ESF 6 a/o 6:00 p.m. EST, Jan 28, DOE a/o 6:00 p.m. EST, Jan 28)
Winter Ice Storm – Region V
Region V RRCC remains at a Watch/Steady State status; Region V Liaison Officer (LNO) is deployed to the Indiana State EOC. There have been no requests for Federal assistance.
Indiana
The Indiana EOC is activated at Level III (Partial Activation). The Governor declared a local State of Emergency for 17 counties. Two fatalities are attributed to the storm. Four shelters were open with 14 occupants as of 6:00 p.m. EST Wednesday. DOE reported 48,298 customers without power. The IN National Guard has been partially activated and will support relocation and transportation operations to transport people to appropriate shelter locations.
Ohio
The Ohio State EOC is partially activated to monitor ongoing winter storm response. DOE reported 183,745 customers without power.
Illinois
The Illinois State EOC remains at normal operations. Six shelters were open with 36 occupants as of 6:00 p.m. EST Wednesday. DOE reported 6,994 customers without power.(NWS, Region V, ESF 6 a/o 6:00 p.m. EST, Jan 28, DOE a/o 6:00 p.m. EST, Jan 28)
Winter Ice Storm – Region VI
The area forecast is for clear skies for the next several days and temperatures are expected to warm up across Arkansas and Louisiana. Region VI Liaison Officers (LNO) are deployed to the Arkansas and Oklahoma State EOCs. Region VI IMAT has arrived in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the Region prepositioned MREs and water to fulfill possible requests.
Arkansas:
The Arkansas EOC is activated at Level 3 (Limited Activation). An Emergency Declaration (FEMA-3301-EM) was signed January 28 for the State of Arkansas, and the Governor signed a State Disaster Proclamation for 18 counties. Three fatalities are attributed to the storm. Eighteen shelters were open with 3,300 occupants as of 6:00 p.m. EST Wednesday. Region VI reported over 300,000 customers without power (Spot Report #7). One 50 pack of generators is enroute to Jonesboro NLSA and will be available for issue by this afternoon; One 50 pack of generators is located in Fayetteville. Two MDRCs will leave Forth Worth at 10:00 a.m. CST today and one will go to the Little Rock and the other to Jonesboro NLSA; a second NLSA is located in Fayetteville.
Oklahoma:
The Oklahoma EOC is activated at Level 2 (Minimum Activation). The Governor of Oklahoma declared a State of Emergency for all 77 counties. Two fatalities and 200 injuries are attributed to the storm, all from traffic accidents. Five shelters were open with 3,300 occupants as of 6:00 p.m. EST Wednesday. Region VI reported 27,017 customers without power (Spot Report #7). McAlester NLSA has begun the demobilization process. (NWS, RVI Spot Report #7, ESF 6 a/o 6:00 p.m. EST, Jan 28, DOE a/o 6:00 p.m. EST, Jan 28, AR EOC, OK EOC)
Winter Ice Storm – Region VII
Region VII RRCC is activate at Level 3 (Minimal Staffing) ESFs 3, 6, 8, and 12 activated
Missouri
The Missouri SEMA EOC is activated at Level 2 with all State Agencies in the EOC. Six fatalities are attributed to the storm. Twelve shelters were open with 377 occupants as of 6:00 p.m. Wednesday. DOE reported 98,692 customers without power. Local officials requested generators from the State and assistance from the National Guard for debris removal. Utility officials estimate one week for full power restoration. (NWS, Region VII Incident Report, ESF 6 a/o 6:00 p.m. EST, Jan 28, DOE a/o 6:00 p.m. EST, Jan 28)
Mount Redoubt Volcanic Activity Update
On Wednesday, January 28, 2009, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), a joint program of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAFGI), and the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (ADGGS) issued an information statement on the Redoubt Volcano, located near the Cook Inlet approximately 103 miles from Anchorage, AK.
Since last fall, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) has detected increasing volcanic unrest at Redoubt Volcano. Beginning on the evening of Friday, January 23, 2009, seismic activity increased at stations closest to Redoubt's summit. This activity intensified early Sunday morning, January 25, at which time AVO raised the Aviation Color Code to ORANGE and the Volcano Alert Level to WATCH.
Since Sunday, seismicity has remained well above background levels. The seismic unrest observed over the past few days is unusual for Redoubt and has not been seen since just prior to the 1989-90 eruption An eruption such as this would likely spread volcanic ash throughout Cook Inlet and other parts of south-central Alaska depending upon the prevailing winds. Communities around the volcano, especially to the east, northeast, and southeast, would likely experience trace to several millimeters (less than 0.4 inches) of ash fall as a result of discrete explosive events.
Comparing the time frame of pre-eruptive activity in 1989-90 with the current unrest, an eruption could begin within the next few days or weeks. It is likely that the onset of an explosive eruption would be preceded by a further increase in seismicity. An explosive eruption would be accompanied by a sharp increase in seismicity. (AVO)
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
Arkansas
On January 28. 2009, the President signed Emergency Declaration FEMA-3301-EM for the State of Arkansas for Severe Winter Storm that occurred January 26 and continuing. The declaration authorizes FEMA to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding for 48 counties. The FCO is W. Michael Moore of the National FCO Program.
Kentucky
On January 28. 2009, the President signed Emergency Declaration FEMA-3302-EM for the Commonwealth of Kentucky for Severe Winter Storm that occurred January 27 and continuing. The declaration authorizes FEMA to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding for 61 counties. The FCO is Kim R. Kadesch of the National FCO Program. (FEMA HQ) |
