Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)
Significant National Weather
West
A potential winter storm may bring blizzard conditions to portions of the Northern and Central Rockies beginning today and continuing through the weekend. Some high elevation locations may see 10 to 20 inches of new snow. Winds with gusts up to 35 mph are forecast to begin Saturday morning, reducing visibility to less than ¼ mile in some areas. Snow drifts of 3 to 4 feet are also possible. Scattered rain and higher elevation snow is expected for parts of the Pacific Northwest and portions of central and southwestern California today through Saturday morning.
Northeast
A wintry mix of rain and snow are forecast over parts of Northern New England this morning and lake effect rain/snow is forecast for the lower Great Lakes area through Saturday. Strong winds are possible across portions of New England and the Mid-Atlantic region.
South
Freeze Warnings/Watches and Frost Advisories are in effect for much of the Region through Friday afternoon as temperatures will be 10 to 15 degrees below average.
Midwest
Temperatures will be 10 to 15 degrees above average for the Northern Plains. The remainder of the region is forecast to be dry and pleasant.
Severe Storms in Western Alaska
Â*The major storm system that brought storm surge and blizzard conditions to western Alaska Wednesday and Thursday impacted forty-three communities with an approximate population of 43,000. Scattered power outages, telephone service interruption, coastal property loss, flooding and wind damage has been reported. Local damage assessments and clean-up could continue for weeks. Some residents in low lying areas or areas without power have been moved to shelters.
The storm system moved east across the Seward Peninsula, and continued inland. Storm surges of over 10 feet peaked Wednesday evening in Nome, and have slowly diminished over the last 24 hours. A secondary storm is moving through the Norton and Kotzebue Sounds, causing a rise in sea levels, though these levels are lower than those associated with the stronger winds over the past few days. Heavy snow and high winds are expected along the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.Â*
State/Local Response:
The AK SEOC is activated at Level 3 (24/7). Nome, AK has closed its EOC. AK National Guard assets are available to assist with evacuation and transportation of response personnel. The EOC has teams ready for deployment and continues to collect storm damage information. There were 7 (-1) shelters open today with 781 (+105) occupants.Â* Approximately 450 residents of Point Hope remain sheltered due to power outages in the community. Civil Air Patrol is assisting the AK EOC to identify communities that may need assistance, and in the transportation of personnel. There have been no requests for joint damage assessments or FEMA assistance.
Federal Response:
The NRCC transitioned operations to the National Watch Center (Enhanced Watch Operations), and is no longer activated. Region X RRCC was activated at Level II, but will be going to Level III (minimal staffing/day shift only) Friday morning with a 24/7 Watch over the holiday weekend. Region X IMAT as well as two LNOs are deployed to AK, and the Region is planning to deploy five Community Relations personnel to Alaska. A Regional Staging Area (RSA) was established at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage; commodities are moving from Travis AFB to Elmendorf. The US Coast Guard completed aerial reconnaissance on Thursday; one helicopter remains on standby for search and rescue operations, if required.
Tropical Activity
Atlantic / Caribbean / Gulf of Mexico
Tropical Storm Sean
At 4:00 a.m. EST, the center of Tropical Storm Sean was located about 95 miles west-northwest of Bermuda, moving northeast at 22 mph. This motion is expected to continue with an increase in forward speed today. On the forecast track, Sean is expected to pass north of Bermuda this morning. Maximum sustained winds are 60 mph; little change in strength is expected before Sean is absorbed by a frontal system tonight or Saturday. Winds extend outward up to 175 miles from the center. Surf and swells generated by Sean are affecting portions of the Southeastern coast of the United States and Bermuda.
Eastern, Central and Western Pacific
No tropical cyclone activity is occurring or forecast.Â*Â*
Fire Activity
Thursday, November 10, 2011:
National Preparedness Level: 1
Initial Attack Activity: Light (73 new fires)
New Large Fires: 0
Large Fires Contained: 0
Uncontained Large Fires: 0
State Affected: None
Space Weather
No space weather storms were observed during the past 24 hours and no space weather storms are predicted for the next 24 hours.
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
Virginia
Effective November 10, Amendment No. 1 to Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4042-DR for the state of Virginia adds Public Assistance for Louisa County (already designated for Individual Assistance).
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