Thursday, March 17, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Japan Earthquake and Tsunami - FEMA Response

Urban Search and Rescue (US&R)
Two U.S. Urban Search and Rescue Teams (VA-TF1 from Fairfax County, VA and CA-TF2 from Los Angeles County, CA) are participating with other international teams conducting Urban Search & Rescue operations in areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. On March 16 the two teams, working with teams from the UK and China, completed a survey of an area in the south of Ofunato City, but did not detect any survivors. The teams are now conducting operations in Kamaishi City in Iwate Prefecture, utilizing canines and listening devices to detect survivors.
National IMAT- East
FEMA has activated the National IMAT-East (N-IMAT-E) to provide logistical, technical and contingency planning support of US EPAâs air monitoring mission and to establish future operational planning capability to support domestic preparedness requirements. N-IMAT-E coordinated transportation support in the deployment of radiation monitors to Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam. Five monitors are in Alaska; two monitors are expected to arrive in Guam today; and two monitors are scheduled to arrive in Hawaii Saturday, March 19. In addition, four monitors remain on standby in Portland, OR and two monitors are on standby in Seattle, WA.
Impact of Tsunami on West Coast
On March 11, 2011, Oregon, California and Hawaii were impacted by a tsunami that was generated by the magnitude 9.0 earthquake near the east coast of Honshu, Japan. In Hawaii the tsunami caused damage to small boat harbor facilities, roads and some homes throughout the State. The Governor of Hawaii signed a disaster proclamation on March 12, 2011. Many harbor bottoms are littered with sunken debris composed of dock components and sunken vessels. HI State Civil Defense deployed teams to assess damage to harbors, roads homes and resorts on the islands of Oahu, Maui and Hawaii. Hawaii County Civil Defense reported damage to pump stations, water lines, beach parks, and coastal highways.
Californiaâs Governor today issued an emergency proclamation for Mendocino and San Luis Obispo Counties following the earthquake-triggered tsunami. This follows the emergency proclamation issued by the Governor for Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz Counties on March 11, 2011. The tsunami water surge inundated California beaches, ports and harbors; destroyed infrastructure and public and private property, and necessitated the evacuation of residents in the affected areas. Water surge continues to threaten the coastal counties of the State.
The Governor of Oregon declared a state of emergency Tuesday, March 15 for Curry County. Damage was reported in the port of Brookings, where much of the infrastructure was destroyed, including 80 percent of the docks, a public hoist for unloading fishing boats, and a seawall. FEMA Region X PDA teams are conducting Joint IA and PA PDAs for Curry County in OR as a result of the tsunami that occurred March 11, 2011. PDAs began Tuesday and are scheduled to be completed today, March 17. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is providing damage assessment support in Curry County and the Port of Brookings at the request of Region X. The port will remain closed until USACE can conduct surveys for obstacles.
Significant National Weather

Northeast
Mainly dry Thursday across the region. Rain with a possibility of snow mixing in by Friday morning across areas of northern Maine.
South
Warm and dry conditions will continue in the Southern Plains, The Lower Mississippi Valley over to the Southeastern coast through the weekend. Day time temperatures will remain well above normal with mild overnight low temperatures expected. Winds will become increasingly breezy in the afternoon the next couple of days.
Midwest
Across the Northern and Central Plains chances for some light showers should continue into Friday along with a good deal of clouds, but both will decrease by afternoon. Temperatures in the region have reached well into the 60s and even low to mid 70s in the Central Plains.Â* The Mississippi River Valley will support high temperatures in the 70s as far north as the Upper Great Lakes.
West
A wintry mix of precipitation to persist across the Pacific Northwest, Intermountain West and Rocky Mountain Chain bringing a round of light to moderate snowfall to the region until Friday morning. The heavier activity should commence by Friday evening with much of northern California expecting moderate to heavy rain/snow.Â*(National Weather Service, Hydrometeorological Prediction Center, and various media sources)Â*
Spring Thaw - River Ice Flooding Update

For the third consecutive year, forecasters predict major flooding along the Red River of the North, which forms the state line between eastern North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. Warm temperatures will continue to cause snowmelt and ice jams in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. Warmer temperatures are expected to initiate snowmelt on the White River in Nebraska andÂ* South Dakota. Combined with forecast rain events, this melt could cause significant rises in rivers and streams.
A large swath of the North Central United States is at risk of moderate to major flooding this spring. This area extends from northeastern Montana through western Wisconsin and along the Mississippi River south to St. Louis. There is an above average risk of flooding across portions of the Northeast, including Southern New England and parts of eastern NY State. Other areas of the Midwest primed for major flooding include Devils Lake in North Dakota, the Milk River in Northeastern Montana, the James and Big Sioux Rivers in South Dakota, the Minnesota River, and the Mississippi River from its headwaters near St. Paul, Minnesota, downstream to St. Louis. For more information see the Ice Jam Database:Â* https://rsgis.crrel.usace.army.mil/icejam/Â*Â*(USACE)
Illinois
The Ohio River at Cairo, (Alexander County) is at major flood stage and is expected to crest next week.Â* No significant impacts have been reported. The Ohio River at Grand Chain (Pulaski County) is at major flood stage and is expected to crest this weekend. The Illinois River is at moderate flood stage at Havana, (Mason County), and at Beardstown (Cass County) and is expected to recede to minor flood stage by the end of next week. No significant impacts have been reported.
Indiana
The White River is at moderate flood stage at Petersburg (Pike County). Areas along the river are expected to recede to minor flood stage early next week. No significant impacts have been reported.
Idaho
The Weiser River Snowmelt Flooding â Flood Warning remains in effect until Friday morning for the near Weiser in Washington County, west-central Idaho. Snowmelt and intense periods of rainfall have sent the Weiser River to 12 feet; flood stage is 9.5 feet and the river is expected to recede today through Friday morning when it is expected to drop below flood stage. Lowland flooding is occurring today for riverside residential and commercial streets and county roads in and near Weiser No evacuations have been ordered and light sandbagging by residents is reported.
Washington
Flood Warning â Flood Warning will remain in effect through Thursday for the Skokomish River near Potlatch in Mason County. The river crested at 17.2 feet overnight; flood stage is 16.5 feet. Flooding of pasturelands and nearby roads occurs at flood stage.
South Dakota
Multiple jams have formed and released along the White River including a jam near White River that led to moderate flooding.Â* The river is expected to remain above flood stage through Friday.
Montana
Multiple ice jams on the Musselshell River combined with snow melt runoff has caused minor flooding. As the Yellowstone River has begun to run, numerous ice jams, some over 10 miles long, are impacting low lying areas. Jams have formed West of Terry, at Glendive where extensive lowland flooding occurred and near Hathaway, which led to extensive lowland flooding and high water surrounding several structures.
State Activations
The Tennessee State EOC remains activated to Level IV (Localized Emergency/Active Missions and Monitoring) due to previous/potential severe weather.(National Weather Service and FEMA Regions)
Earthquake Activity

VanuatuÂ*Â*
The USGS reports that a Magnitude 6.5 earthquake occurred at 8:48 p.m. EDT Wednesday night off the coast of Vanuatu, approximately 48 miles northwest of Port-Vila, Vanuatu, and 1,169 miles northeast of Brisbane, Australia. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 16 miles. Media reports indicate that several hundred people may have felt strong shaking which could potentially result in light to moderate damage. There were no reports of damage or injury.Â*(PTWC, WCATC, USGS)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments are underway in the following states: New Jersey, Tennessee, Oklahoma, California, Washington and Oregon.


More...