Tuesday, January 11, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

South
A strong storm along the Southeast Coast will merge with a system moving over the Middle Mississippi Valley and head northeast along the Eastern Seaboard today. Winter storm warnings/watches and advisories are in effect across much of the eastern half of the U.S. from the Tennessee Valley and Central and Southern Appalachians. Freezing rain is expected over parts of southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina with snow from Northern Virginia northward. A freezing rain advisory remains in effect for central Georgia. For the latest watches and warnings, see the National Weather Service website at http://www.weather.gov/.
Northeast
A strong storm system will produce a large area of freezing rain and light snow from the upper Midwest over the middle Mississippi Valley into the Mid-Atlantic States. Snow will develop over portions of the Mid-Atlantic and expand into the northeast Tuesday night producing an area of moderate to heavy snow over portions of New England on Wednesday. The NWS is forecasting snowfall totals of 12-16 inches in the Boston area, 8-14 inches in the NYC Metropolitan area, and 5-8 inches in the Philadelphia area through Wednesday evening. For the latest watches and warnings, see the National Weather Service website at http://www.weather.gov/.
Midwest
The area of snow will move eastward into the Great Lakes and extend into the interior northeast and as far south as the Central Appalachians. Light to moderate snow is forecast for the Ohio Valley and Central Appalachians with the heaviest amounts falling Tuesday night. Light to moderate snow is forecast for northeast Oklahoma, eastern Kansas including the Kansas City metropolitan area, northern Missouri, and much of Iowa. Snowfall totals will be between 4-8 inches. For the latest watches and warnings, see the National Weather Service website at http://www.weather.gov/.
West
Another winter storm in the Pacific Northwest will produce light rain and higher elevation snow along the west coast as far south as central California with snow reaching the coast in northwestern Washington State by tonight. Snow levels are expected to rise on Wednesday as lower elevation rain and snow develop over portions of the northwest eastward into parts of the Northern Rockies. Runoff from melting snow and rainfall will raise river and stream levels in eastern Washington and Idaho. Localized flooding is likely in low-lying agricultural areas.
(NOAA and various media sources)
Southeast Winter Storm Response

The winter storm that began to impact the South on January 8, 2011, continues to move up the East Coast today and Wednesday. Snow, sleet, and freezing rain will continue over the southern Mid-Atlantic States today, rapidly intensify tonight, and move into the Northeast by Wednesday. The Governors of Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee declared states of emergency and their National Guard troops are providing local support. FEMA Regions I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and VI are keeping an active eye on the weather and remain at a Watch/Steady State. There have been no requests for FEMA assistance.
(FEMA HQ)
Earthquake Activity

No significant activity.
(USGS)
Preliminary Damage Assessments

Joint preliminary damage assessments continue in New Jersey. Joint PDAs are scheduled to begin in Utah on Jan. 12, 2011.
(FEMA HQ)
Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity.
(FEMA HQ)
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