National Situation Update: Friday, February 1, 2008
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
Significant National Weather
Midwest:
The storm system originating in the southern Plains continues its track through the Great Lakes and into New England. Winter Storm Watches and Warnings remain in effect throughout the Midwest today; affected areas can expect accumulations of several inches to over a foot of snow and ice accumulations of a quarter to a third of an inch. The storm is moving northeastwardly, but parts of Michigan and northern Indiana will see snow in the morning, and portions of extreme northern Ohio will see a mixture of snow, sleet and rain. Today highs will range from the teens in North Dakota and northwest to the 30s across the Ohio Valley. Temperatures will be close to seasonal averages on Saturday.
Northeast:
Winter Storm Watches and Warnings remain in effect for much of the eastern U.S. today as a powerful weather system moves east from the Great Lakes. Morning freezing rain will affect eastern West Virginia and western Virginia and could result in a quarter to a half inch of ice accumulation in the Appalachians and the Potomac Highlands. An Ice Storm Warning will remain in effect until noon for these areas, but sleet and freezing rain should change to rain by late morning. Snow or sleet is expected across portions of Pennsylvania and New York, moving into northern New England, but should change to rain or freezing rain later today.
South:
Rain accompanied by strong thunderstorms moved though the Southeast Thursday night and across the eastern Gulf region toward the East Coast today. Most of the precipitation across the region today will be around the Coastal Plain. Isolated thunderstorms are possible from southeast Virginia and the eastern Carolinas to northern Florida. Most of southern Florida will see 70s and 80s today, while much of western Texas and coastal area of the Carolinas will reach the 60s. The Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachian forecast is 40s, with highs in the 50s elsewhere. A Red Flag Warning remains in effect for south Texas through 5:00 p.m. CST today.
West:
Scattered Winter Storm Warnings extend throughout the Pacific Northwest and will remain in effect in some areas until noon PST today. Moderate to heavy snow will continue across the southern and eastern highlands of Idaho through this morning. Accumulations through noon today should range from four to nine inches. A Pacific storm system moving through the Great Basin will bring heavy snow today to northern Nevada, most of northern Utah and far southwest Wyoming. Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect most of the day, with snow accumulations of four to sixteen inches possible. The weekend storm forecast for Oregon and northern California could bring up to three feet of new snow to the southern Cascades, northern California coastal range, Siskiyou, Mount Shasta and the Sierra. Strong winds will accompany this storm. Twelve northwest rivers are forecast to reach or exceed 80% bankfull over the next few days, but none are forecast to reach flood stage. (NWS, FEMA Region X, Media Sources)
Northwest Winter Storm
Washington:
The Washington (WA) Governor declared a State of Emergency in 15 counties of Eastern Washington as a result of recent significant snowfall. WA State EOC activated at Phase II, with ESF-1 Transportation activated to support Interstate Highway closures. The Emergency Declarations enable emergency funding and activation of the National Guard to assist in snow removal. One shelter opened in Cheney, WA (Spokane County) with no occupants. There has been no request for Federal Assistance.
Idaho:
Idaho Governor declared State of Emergency throughout the state as a result of recent significant snowfall. State EOC activated. There are no reports of open shelters. There has been no request for Federal Assets or Assistance. (NWS, FEMA Region X, Media Sources)
Texas Fires
Texas:
The Texas Governor's Proclamation for extreme fire danger for 152 counties remains in effect. The Texas State Operations Center (Emergency Operations) activated at Level I in support of the wildfires, and have activated eight aircraft from the Texas military forces. The Texas Department. of Transportation is providing fuel for fire fighting apparatus, a maintainer, a bulldozer, 21 other vehicles, 29 personnel, and two portable dynamic message signs. The Texas Forestry Service (TFS) has deployed ground assets and have mutual aid agreements in place. TFS reported 42 fires covering 31,378 acres and Volunteer Fire Departments reported 123 fires covering 17,668 acres. There has been no request for Federal Assistance. (FEMA Region VI, TX EOC)
Midwest Flooding Update
Indiana:
A flood warning continues for the Kankakee River at Davis Route 30 affecting La Porte, Starke, and St. Joseph Counties, and at Shelby affecting Lake and Newton Counties.
Illinois:
A flood warning continues for the Rock River near Moline, Joslin, Rockton and Latham Park affecting Henry, Rock Island, Whiteside, and Winnebago Counties.
A flood warning continues for the Illinois River at Havana and Beardstown affecting Fulton, Mason, Brown, Cass, Morgan and Schuyler Counties until tomorrow morning.
Ice jams continue to cause fluctuations in water levels and flooding along portions of the Rock River in Winnebago County.(FEMA Region V, NWS)
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
No new activity to report. (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
FEMA-1740-DR-IN was declared on January 30, 2008. As of 3:00 p.m. CST, January 31, 2008, the JFO has been established in Lafayette, IN. (FEMA HQ)
On Wednesday, January 30, 2008, Governor Rick Perry issued a State Disaster Proclamation for more than half the counties in Texas as a result of wildfires that began on January 29, 2008. The Governor's order makes 152 of the state's 254 counties eligible for state assistance. (FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Friday, 01-Feb-2008 08:05:18 EST