Friday, April 1, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Midwest
Rain/snow showers are forecast across the Upper Midwest. Rain showers possible from Missouri to Ohio. Warm and dry conditions are forecast for the Southern Plains.
South
Scattered rain showers are possible from Kentucky to northern sections of Alabama and Georgia. Windy conditions are forecast from Virginia through the coastal Carolinas. Portions of Texas may receive showers and possible thunderstorms.
Northeast
Rain will change to snow overnight through central and northern Pennsylvania, Upstate New York, and portions of New England. Heavy wet snow is forecast for the interior section of New England with mostly rain along the coastal plain. By tonight, snow accumulations could range between 12 to 18 inches from the mountains in western Massachusetts through Maine; significant accumulations also possible in the Catskill and Pocono mountains.
West
Rain/snow showers forecast for portions of Idaho and western Wyoming; evening wind gusts more than 40 mph possible in Wyoming. Light snow or rain is expected in the Northern Plains. The desert southwest will continue to experience hot and dry temperatures; possibly reaching 100 degrees in the Phoenix, Arizona area.Â*(National Weather Service, Hydrometeorological Prediction Center, and various media sources)Â*
Severe Weather

Florida
A severe storm system moved through several counties in central Florida. The system produced damaging winds and unconfirmed reports of several tornados. Damage was reported at the âSun and Funâ event that was being held at the Lakeland/Linder Airport. Six people were transported for injuries and others were treated at the scene. Lakeland Airport has confirmed that a total of 70 aircraft were overturned by the high winds.
Louisiana
Severe storms, heavy rain, damaging winds, and hail impacted five parishes in Louisiana on Wednesday, March 30. Scattered power outages were reported across the area due to snapped or downed utility poles and damage to electrical infrastructure. Localized street flooding and some water intrusion was reported. Boats and a coastal complex were damaged in St. Bernard Parish. No FEMA assistance has been requested.

Japan Recovery â 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, National Preparedness/Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program, and Mission Support Divisions are supporting the National IMAT and EPA in air monitoring in response to the Japanese emergency.Â*Â*(FEMA HQ)

Spring Flood Preparation

Current Situation
Runoff from the snowmelt continues to cause river flooding in Minnesota. No significant impacts are being reported. Flooding remains possible along the Mississippi River in Iowa and Missouri, the North Platte River in Nebraska, and additional rivers in northern Iowa due to forecast showers across Nebraska, west Kansas, and northern and west central Missouri into tomorrow.Â* In Iowa, The Big Sioux River at Akron, West Fork Des Moines River at Estherville, Wapsipinicon River near Dewitt, and the Iowa, West Fork Des Moines River in Emmetsburg continue at Moderate Flood Stage but have crested and are receding. The recent cold air intrusion in Wyoming, Colorado and Montana has resulted in an increased risk of ice jams the next week or two as the upcoming melt begins or continues to break up the ice. Flooding Warnings continue over much of the Big Sioux, James, Des Moines, and Redwood Rivers in South Dakota and the James, Souris and Red Rivers in North Dakota.Â*
In Washington, increased overnight rainfall in the central Cascades, snowmelt, ground saturation and elevated river levels are expected to propagate downstream today on both sides of the Cascades, resulting in Flood Warnings through Friday evening on rivers in King and Snohomish counties. Thirteen river forecast points are expected to exceed flood stage either today or tomorrow, including two on the Yakima River east of the Cascades. Major Flood Stage is forecast for the Snoqualmie River in King County, affecting extensive lowland areas.(FEMA Region V, VII, VIII, USACE, NOAA)
Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Preliminary Damage Assessments

The State of Oregon requested Public Assistance PDAs for two additional counties due to damage from the Tsunami wave surge March 11, 2011. PDAs began today and are scheduled to be completed April 1.Â*Â*(FEMA HQ)Â*
Wildfire Update

Thursday March 31, 2011

• National Preparedness Level: 1
• Initial attack activity: Light (24 new fires)
• New Large Fires: 1
• Large Fires Contained: 0
• Uncontained Large Fires: 12
• Type 2 IMTs Committed: 1
• States affected: Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Arizona (NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On March 31, 2011, the President declared a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Tennessee (FEMA-1965-DR) as a result of severe storms, tornados, and flooding occurring February 28 to March 1, 2011. The Declaration provides Public Assistance for 13 counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide. W. Montague Winfield from the FCO Program has been appointed Federal Coordinating Officer.Â*(FEMA HQ)
On March 31, 2011, the Governor of Mississippi requested a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of severe weather and flooding occurring March 8 - 9, 2011. The Governor is specifically requesting Individual Assistance for Jones County.Â*(FEMA HQ)


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