Monday, December 27, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Northeast:
A powerful winter storm moving across the eastern third of the U.S. will begin to taper off this morning. Total snow accumulations of over two feet are possible in portions of New York and New England. Strong northwest winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 50 mph are expected to diminish by this evening. Lingering upslope snow is expected in the Appalachians from Pennsylvania to West Virginia.
South:
Most of the region will be cold and dry under high pressure today. Temperatures are expected to be 10-20 degrees below average from the Lower Mississippi Valley eastward. Icy conditions are possible in portions of North Carolina through midday. Dry, cold air and low relative humidity will increase the risk of fire danger across west-central and southern Florida through this evening.
Midwest:
Most of the region will be dry under high pressure. Lingering snow is possible in portions of Ohio and eastern Kentucky today. Temperatures are expected to be in the teens across most of the region with a few areas starting the day in single digits.
West:
Down sloping winds east of the Sierra will inhibit any widespread rain and snow across the Interior West. Upslope snow is possible in portions of the Olympics and Cascades.
(NOAA and various media sources)

Northeast Winter Storm (December 24-27, 2010)

Heavy snow and strong winds began moving northward from the Carolinas on Friday and produced blizzard-like conditions across the Atlantic Coast through New England on Sunday. Snow will decrease as the center of low pressure moves into Canada. Central and northern coastal plains of North Carolina received up to a foot of snow with lesser amounts reported across southern Piedmont. Up to a foot of snow was reported in portions of Del., Mass. and Va. while in N.J., N.Y., and Conn., snowfall totals ranged from 1-3 feet. JFK International Airport, Newark International Airports and numerous regional airports were closed due to the storm. Flight cancellations were reported in Ky., Tenn., Ga. & Ill., Mass., Washington D.C., and Md. Amtrak train service was suspended south from Washington D.C. to Newport News, Va. and north from New York, N.Y. to Portland, Maine but has resumed limited service in some areas.
FEMA Region I is operating at a Watch/Steady State. The Governor of Massachusetts declared a State of Emergency. Massachusetts and Rhode Island National Guard personnel were activated for the storm response. 60,000 customers remain without power across Massachusetts.
FEMA Region II is operating at a Watch/Steady State and non-essential Regional employees will telework today. The American Red Cross is providing 400 cots and blankets to the Port Authority in N.Y. and N.J. The Long Island Rail Road suspended service until further notice due to weather conditions. One shelter is open in Suffolk County, N.Y. due to ongoing power outages. The Governor of New Jersey declared a State of Emergency on Dec 26. Two shelters opened in Essex County, N.J. to accommodate dozens of stranded motorists overnight Sunday. More shelters are on standby to open if requested. Portions of I-280 became impassable due to icy conditions of steep graded hills.
FEMA Region III is operating at a Watch/Steady State with Regional FEMA liaisons deployed to state EOCs in Md., and Mass. The Governors of Virginia and Maryland declared States of Emergency. Philadelphia, Pa., declared a snow emergency. Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware National Guard personnel were activated for the storm response.
FEMA Region IV is operating at a Watch/Steady State. There are no major road closures or power disruptions. The Governor of North Carolina declared a State of Emergency. In North Carolina, National Guard personnel were activated for the storm response and three shelters are open and 7,000 customers remain without power. In southern and central Florida, twelve warming shelters are open.
(FEMA Regions I, II, III, and IV, NICC/TSOC, FAA, NOAA)
Western Storms and Flooding

The Governor of California declared a State of Emergency in 11 counties. Road conditions are undergoing assessments in Orange County. Evacuated residents of Oceano, Calif., were relocated to permanent housing. Mandatory evacuation orders remain in effect for 30 homes in San Luis Obispo County due to flooding, and 11 homes in Highland, Calif., in San Bernardino County due to a levee break.
Local damage assessments continue and FEMA Region IX is operating at a Watch/Steady State. There are no requests for FEMA assistance.
(FEMA Region IX, American Red Cross)

Landslides Remain Possible After Heavy Rains End

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), landslides are possible even weeks to months after long periods of intense rainfall. Residents near mountain slopes, canyons, and landslide prone areas are encouraged to stay alert for hazardous conditions. It is estimated that between 25 and 50 people are killed by rock fall, debris-flows, or volcanic landslides each year in the United States.
Landslides can be initiated by rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic activity and changes in groundwater, disturbance/change of a slope by man-made construction activities, or any combination of these factors. Landslides can occur in every state and territory of the U.S. and can also take place underwater resulting in tsunamis and damage to coastal areas. This earth movement may be slow or very rapid, even travelling up to 200 miles per hour on steep downhill slopes. Water content in the soil as well as the type of earth and debris in the flow, can also direct the speed of a landslide. Burned areas charred by wildfires are particularly susceptible to debris flows, given certain soil characteristics and slope conditions.
When hazardous conditions exist, landslide Watches, Warnings, and Advisories are issued for potentially impacted areas. Advisories are statements about the potential of landslide activity and may include information about rainfall conditions that can lead to debris-flow activity and list possible precautions. A Watch means that landslide activity is likely, but not imminent and people in, or planning to travel through, a watch area should stay alert to developing weather patterns. Warnings indicate that landslide activity is presently occurring and extreme caution should be taken. For more information visit www.usgs.gov/faq/index.php?action=show&cat=17Â*
(USGS)

Earthquake Activity

At 10:58 p.m. EST Dec 26, a magnitude 5.0 earthquake occurred in the Aleutian Islands, 55 miles SSE of Adak, Alaska and was followed by a 4.9 aftershock. No damage or injuries were reported and a tsunami was not generated.
(USGS)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Stay informed of FEMA's activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema.


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