Wednesday, March 30, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Midwest
Light snow will continue to taper off in western Kansas. Areas of fog and patchy freezing drizzle possible in the central High Plains. Rain from the Central Plains will mix with wet snow and move into the Ohio Valley.
South
Rain and severe thunderstorms with the possibility of hail and damaging wind gusts are forecast across the Tennessee Valley and Gulf states. Tornadoes are possible in southwestern Mississippi, Louisiana and eastern Texas.
Northeast
Temperatures from five to 15 degrees below average are expected over the entire region with the exception of Maine, where the temperature will be close to average.Â* Rain and snow will move into the Virginias by morning with a couple of inches accumulation possible by the afternoon. Rain and snow showers are forecast for Maryland and Pennsylvania; possible rain/snow mix is forecast for the Baltimore/DC area.
West
Mountain snow and possible rain is forecast for Washington, Oregon, Idaho, northern California, northern Nevada, western Montana and western Wyoming.Â* A few areas along the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains may receive up 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. Snow accumulations in the remainder of the Cascades will range from three to eight inches with one to four inches expected in the other mountain ranges; winds gusts over 50 mph through some passes and ridge tops are possible.Â*(National Weather Service, Hydrometeorological Prediction Center, and various media sources)Â*
Japan Recovery - Support Operations

National IMAT Activations
The National Incident Management Assistance Team-East Support Cell remains activated supporting the EPAâs air monitoring mission.
Region X Response Division including IMAT staff, NP REP Program, and Mission Support Divisions are supporting the National IMAT and EPA in air monitoring in response to the Japanese emergency.Â* (FEMA HQ)Â*
Spring Flood Preparation

Current Situation:
The National Weather Service (NWS) probabilistic flood forecast for the Red River of the North have risen approximately one to two feet. All points along the Red River have a 98 percent or better chance of major flooding. Due to the slow snowmelt on the Mississippi River, the initial water levels will not be quite as high as previously forecasted. Areas along the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers are expected to crest and begin to recede later this week. However, based on current forecasts, second crests are probable and could possibly occur during the week of April 3rd along portions of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. Ice jam flooding continues to be a threat. No significant impacts have been reported.Â*(FEMA Region V, VII, VIII, USACE, NOAA)
Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

March 29, 2011

• National Preparedness Level: 1
• Initial attack activity: Light (17 new fires)
• New large fires: 8
• Large fires contained: 11
• Uncontained large fires: 14
• Type 2 IMTs committed: 3
• States Affected: Georgia, North Carolina, Mississippi Florida, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Arkansas, Arizona and Kansas (NIFC)

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