Monday, April 18, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Midwest
Light showers and thunderstorms are forecast from Nebraska to Ohio today.Â* Some thunderstorms will be severe across the lower Missouri and Ohio Valleys.Â* Snow is possible across the southern Great Lakes, the Dakotas and Minnesota throughout the day. Some areas may receive up to 3 inches of snow.
West
Showers and mountain snow will extend from northern and central California to southern Wyoming and Colorado today.Â* The highest elevations could pick up a foot of snow.Â* Critical fire weather conditions continue in portions of Colorado and Arizona.Â* Red Flag Warnings remain in effect across Colorado and Arizona.
South
Weather will be mainly dry and breezy across the South today.Â* A few thunderstorms are possible in south Florida and could also develop across portions of Arkansas.Â* Critical fire weather conditions continue across portions of New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma.Â* Red Flag Warnings remain in effect across New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and the Florida Panhandle.
Northeast
Showers are forecast from the Pennsylvania-Maryland line northward, with accumulations of a half inch or less expected in most areas.Â* Snow and rain is possible from Upstate New York into portions of northern New England.Â* Minor snow accumulations are possible in some areas.Â*Â*(National Weather Service, Hydrometeorological Prediction Center, and various media sources).Â*
Severe Weather

Mississippi
The Governor declared a State of Emergency for 14 counties on April 15. There were 20 injuries and 1 fatality reported. The state has requested Joint IA PDAs for Greene, Hinds and Kemper counties. There were 91 homes destroyed; 172 received major damage; 520 received minor damage. Two shelters are open with 68 occupants (as of April 17 @ 11:30am EDT). Less than 200 customers remain without power; restoration continues. Local damage assessments are ongoing.Â*
North Carolina
The Governor declared a State of Emergency on April 17, 2011. There have been 16 injuries and 22 confirmed fatalities reported. There were 59 homes destroyed, and 348 homes received minor to major damage. Approximately 50,944 customers remain without power, and restoration efforts continue. (Progress Electric, Duke Electric & Electric Cooperatives). Five shelters are open with 176 current occupants (as of April 18 @ 11:30pm EDT). The state has requested Joint PA PDAs for 5 counties and Joint IA PDAs for 13 counties.
South Carolina
No fatalities were reported as a result of the storms, though there were six injuries reported. There have been no requests for FEMA assistance.
Virginia
The Governor declared a State of Emergency on April 17, 2011. There have been six confirmed (5 unconfirmed) fatalities and 36 injuries reported. Eight homes were damaged or destroyed, and local assessments are ongoing. Approximately 4,300 remain without power, and restoration is ongoing. The Surry Nuclear Power Station is operating on diesel generators due to an extended loss of offsite power, though there is no public threat associated with this occurrence. There have been no requests for FEMA assistance.
Alabama
The Governor declared a statewide State of Emergency on April 17, 2011. Damages have been reported across 28 counties, and local assessments continue. Seven confirmed fatalities and numerous injuries have been reported statewide. Approximately 4,300 customers remain without power (from a peak of 39,000), and restoration efforts continue. One IA PDA was requested for Sumter County and it is scheduled to begin today, April 18, 2011. (Storm Prediction Center SPC Regions III, IV VI, NWS).Â*Â*
Midwest Spring Flooding

Flooding continues on many rivers in the area. Rises will occur on the upper reaches of the Sheyenne River the Pembina River and the Red River from Drayton to Pembina over the next few days.Â* The Red River will hold nearly steady during the next few days and is expected to crest at Drayton this week. The Red River will crest at Pembina by the end of April.Â* Impacts of the snowmelt on releases from Baldhill dam and on local runoff to the Sheyenne River will be closely monitored the next few days.Â* On the Sheyenne River record flooding is forecast at Valley City. The river at Valley City is currently expected to rise this week. Downstream at Lisbon, the river will rise later this week.Â* The rises are the result of snowmelt and releases from Baldhill Dam which are currently expected to increase today. Any change to the releases from Baldhill Dam could result in a change to the forecast river levels.Â* The Pembina River will be rising quickly the next few days now that tremendous amounts of runoff from snowmelt is finally making its way into the area from southern Manitoba.
The North Dakota State Water Commission continues to monitor the Burlington Dam, the Clausen Springs Dam, the White Earthen Dam, and the McGregor Dam.
MERS
MERS personnel, vehicles and equipment are deployed to North Dakota and Minnesota supporting flood fight activities.

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

Sunday, April 17, 2011
National Preparedness Level: 1
Initial attack activity: Light (110 new fires)
New Large Fires: 7
Large Fires Contained: 5
Uncontained Large Fires: 33
Type 1 IMTs Committed: 1
Type 2 IMTs Committed: 1
States affected: TX, GA, FL, MS, OK, NM, CO and AR(NIFC)
Wildfire Activity
Texas
Pinnacle Fire (Travis County, TX)
A FMAG was approved on April 17, 2011. The fire has burned 100+ acres and is 50% contained.
There are 100 homes and 10 businesses threatened in and around the city of Austin. There are 300 residents being evacuated and 5 homes have been destroyed.
Bryson Complex Fire (Jack County, TX)
A FMAG was approved on April 17, 2011. The fire has burned 9,200 acres and is 40% contained.
There are 250 homes and 14 businesses threatened in and around the City of Bryson. There have been 70 residents evacuated and one shelter is open with 50 occupants.
PK West and Hohertz Fire (Palo Pinto County, TX)
A FMAG was approved on April 15, 2011. The fire has burned 45,000 acres and is 40% contained.
There have been 31 homes destroyed and 200 homes remain threatened. There have been 250 residents evacuated.
Wildcat Fire (Coke and Tom Green Counties, TX)
A FMAG was approved on April 15, 2011. The fire has burned 125,000 acres and is 10% contained.
The City of Grape Creek and 1,000 homes are threatened. There have been 360 people evacuated and two structures have been destroyed.
New Mexico
Tire Fire (Curry and Roosevelt County)Â*
A FMAG was approved on April 17, 2011. Acreage and containment are unknown at this time. There are 275 homes threatened along with businesses and phone, gas and power lines in and around the Cities of Clovis and Portales. Three homes have been destroyed.
Oklahoma
Goodyear Plant Fire (Comanche County, OK)
A FMAG was approved on April 15, 2011. The fire has burned 3,900 acres and is 65% contained.
A $5 million Goodyear Plant is threatened. The City of Lawton and 865 homes are also threatened and 2 homes have been destroyed. (Region VI)
Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)


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