Wednesday, February 23, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

West:
A low pressure system continues moving across the Pacific Northwest producing snow from near sea level along the coast through the Rockies to the Northern Plains.Â* This system has created numerous watches and warning extending from the Northern Rockies to the Northern Plains.Â* New snow accumulations will reach three inches near the coast with an additional 10 inches in the higher elevations of the Rockies and Northern Plains.Â*Â* Northern California will receive rain with snow in the northern Sierras while the remainder of the region remains dry.
Midwest:
A complex frontal system will produce a band of precipitation across the Northern Plains and the Great Lakes southward into the Southern Plains.Â* This system will generate snow in the Upper Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes.Â* This system will also produce scattered showers and thunderstorms from the Central Gulf region up into the Ohio Valley late in the evening.
The potential exists Thursday for severe thunderstorm activity extending from the Southern Plains to the Ohio Valley
South:
The frontal system discussed above will produce rain and thunderstorms across Texas, Oklahoma and the Central Gulf Coast.
Northeast:
Under a high pressure ridge New England and much of the Mid-Atlantic will be dry and cold.
Precipitation will be limited to the Central Appalachians early morning.(National Weather Service, Hydrometeorological Prediction Center, and various media sources)
Midwest Winter Storms

A winter storm moved through the Upper Midwest and Northern portions of the Ohio Valley Feb. 21, 2011, causing widespread power outages in Michigan and Ohio.Â* Records snowfalls were recorded in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Earthquake Activity

No significant earthquake activity reported in the United States and territories during the last 24 hours.(USGS )
International â Update on New Zealand EarthquakeÂ*

• A 6.3 magnitude earthquake occurred on Feb. 21, 2011, near Christchurch New Zealand.
• Significant structural damage
• Some water, sewer, and gas lines are ruptured
• Power is out for much of the city.
• No widespread damage to key water, phone, or electrical infrastructure.
• At least 80 fatalities and hundreds of injuries.
• As many as 100 people may be trapped in the rubble.
• USAR Teams from Australia, Japan, Taiwan and the United Kingdom are assisting in Search and Rescue.
• USAID is deploying a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) which includes one USAR Team from Los Angeles County to assist in Search and Rescue. (USGS,USAID )

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments are underway in the following states:Â* Illinois, Indiana, New Mexico and Missouri.
Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)


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