Tuesday, March 22, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Japan Recovery Support Operations

A FEMA National IMAT Support Cell, composed of personnel from the National-IMAT-East and Central remain activated in support of the EPA air monitoring mission. FEMA Liaisons are supporting EPA and USAID.
Significant National Weather

West: A Pacific storm will bring precipitation to the entire West Coast north of Point Conception, California. Snow is forecast across much of the Region, with northeast Montana receiving up to a foot of new snow. Lower elevations will receive light rain. High fire danger persists from Colorado to New Mexico. Red Flag Warnings are in effect due to gusty westerly winds as high as 60 mph, low humidity and dry fuels.
Midwest: The interaction between the frontal system stretching across the region and a strong high pressure system over Canada will produce heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain from the Dakotas to Michigan. Up to a foot of snow is expected in parts of North Dakota and northern Minnesota. The heaviest precipitation is forecast in the Upper Mississippi Valley, where more than an inch and a half of rain will produce Flash Flooding and exacerbate ongoing flooding. Severe thunderstorms are possible across the Eastern Great Plains to the Ohio Valley, with large hail, damaging wind gusts and tornadoes.
South: A cold front will move across the Southern Plains today producing showers and severe thunderstorms with large hail, gusty winds and possible tornados. Under a ridge of high pressure, the Southeast will be dry and warm.Â*Â* High fire danger persists across Oklahoma/west Texas Red Flag Warnings are in effect due to gusty westerly winds from 45 to 60 mph, low humidity and dry fuels.
Northeast: A low pressure system off New England will produce heavy snow across eastern Maine, where up to 6 inches of snow could fall this morning. A frontal system across the Mid-Atlantic will produce scattered showers and thunderstorms from western New York to the Virginias.Â*(National Weather Service, Hydrometeorological Prediction Center, and various media sources)

Spring Flood Preparation

As warm temperatures and snow melt continue, ice breakup and ice jam flooding risk is elevated in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Weather forecasts for the upcoming week show a step back into winter weather with rain, freezing rain or significant snow additions to the remaining snow pack.Â* Continuation of mild temperatures and snow melt in Maine may allow further ice breakup and jamming. For more information visit: http://www.crrel.usace.army.mil/icejams/index.htm
The Minnesota State EOC is at Level III (Partial Activation).
FEMA Region VII: The region remains at Watch/Steady State.
FEMA Region VIII: The region transitioned to Level II on March 21, 2011 for Spring Flood preparations and has deployed IMAT teams to both North and South Dakota. One team is on standby for deployment to Montana. On March 21st, at Sen. Johnsonâs request, Region VIII subject matter experts supported a community meeting in Sioux Falls, S.D.Â* Participants included: Sen. Johnson, Sioux Falls Mayor, City EM, SD OEM, NWS, USACE and FEMA.
Local/State Activity

• The Minnesota State EOC is activated to Level III (Partial Activation) (NOAA, NWS, FEMA HQ, FEMA Regions V, VII and VIII)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Earthquake Activity

Internationally, strong aftershocks continue near Honshu, Japan.Â* The latest aftershock of M 6.6 occurred at 3:18 a.m. EDT this morning at a depth of 8.6 miles. A Pacific wide tsunami was not generated; however local tsunamis are possible within 60 miles of the epicenter.Â* (USGS)Â*
Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

Indian Gulch Fire: Jefferson County, Colo., A Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved on March 21, 2011 for the Indian Gulch Fire which began on March 20 west of Denver in the city of Golden. Approximately 1,000 acres have been consumed, and the fire is 15% contained. There are approximately 350 homes threatened in Golden. Reverse 911 Pre-evacuation orders were issued on March 21 for approximately 700 homes in the Mountain Ridge subdivision located 1.5 miles from the fire. Mandatory evacuations are in effect for 100+ homes (250 people) due to response operations and traffic control.Â* Voluntary evacuations are ongoing for 165 homes (400 people) in the Golden Gate Canyon subdivision near the City of Golden.Â* The Red Cross has established a shelter for evacuees.
Limited road access and rocky, steep terrain continue to impede the response efforts. The Colorado State EOC is activated. A Federal Type I IMT will take control of firefighting efforts today.Â* Gusty winds and low relative humidity will continue to increase the risk of fire danger across eastern portions of Colorado. Red Flag Warnings remain in effect through 7:00 p.m. (Region VIII)
Disaster Declaration Activity

Louisiana:
The Governor has requested a major disaster declaration for the State of Louisiana as a result of a tornado on March 5, 2011. The Governor is specifically requesting Individual Assistance and Public Assistance for Acadia Parish and Hazard Mitigation statewide.
Tennessee:
The Governor requested for a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of tornadoes, severe storms, heavy rains, flooding, and flash flooding during the period of February 28 to March 1, 2011. The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance for 13 counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide.Â*(FEMA HQ)



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