Monday, January 9, 2012

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather:

West
A front moving onshore over the Northwest will move eastward to parts of the Upper Midwest and extend southeastward to the Great Basin by Tuesday. The system will produce light rain and higher elevation snow over parts of the Pacific Northwest through Tuesday morning. Snow will expand over the northern Rockies overnight tonight and move into parts of the Northern Plains and Central Rockies by Tuesday evening. Snow will linger in southern New Mexico today with additional accumulations of over 6 inches possible. Temperatures are expected to remain well below average in southern New Mexico, but will be average to 25 degrees above average over the remainder of the region.
South
The storm emerging from New Mexico will produce rain and thunderstorms over southern Oklahoma and central/eastern Texas. With much below average air over western Texas and the southern Rockies, snow will develop through Tuesday morning. Accumulations could top six inches in parts of west-central and southwest Texas. A few showers and thunderstorms will continue to track eastward from the lower Mississippi Valley to the Carolinas. A few storms would turn severe near the northwest Gulf Coast. Dense morning fog is again possible from east Texas to Georgia. By Tuesday, rain and thunderstorms will extend from Oklahoma and northern and eastern Texas to western Tennessee, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.
Midwest
Most of the region will be dry today except for snow showers in the northern Great Lakes and showers in central and eastern Kentucky. Near record highs are possible in the Northern Plains. Rain will extend northward into southeast Kansas, Missouri and possibly the lower Ohio Valley Tuesday.Â*Â*
Northeast
Light rain will develop over the Virginias Monday with wet snow across the Blue Ridge Mountains. Further north, snow showers will linger near the Canadian border. Between the light snow and rain, most of the region will enjoy partly cloudy to mostly sunny skies. Temperatures will be slightly above average from the Mid-Atlantic to southern Maine. Tuesday is forecast to be dry except for a few snow showers across Upstate New York and northern New England.
Space Weather:

No space weather storms were observed over the past 24 hours. No space weather storms are predicted for the next 24 hours.
Heavy Snow - Southern Alaska:

Prince William Sound, Alaska
Severe winter snow storm response activities continue in Prince William Sound (Cordova & Valdez). The next storm is expected late tonight, bringing warmer temperatures & heavy rain. The City of Cordova declared local emergency and has requested state assistance. Cordova continues assessing potential structure hazards and is currently reporting 8 structures damaged (5 commercial / 3 private). Extreme avalanche danger continues along roads between Cordova and the local airport. The road is partially open (using controlled access) during daylight hours. The airport is clear of snow and the ferry terminal is accessible if needed. There is currently one shelter open with no occupants. No injuries or fatalities have been reported.
The Alaska State Emergency Operation Center remains partially activated and has one team deployed to Cordova (other teams remain on standby). Over 100 state responders are en route or on-site to assist the local community. As a precaution, the State has provided avalanche kits, probing equipment, and added communications. A snow removal contractor has been acquired to provide heavy equipment for snow removal. There are currently 57 Alaska National Guardsmen assisting with snow removal. There Region X Regional Response Coordination Center remains at Watch/Steady state, and there have been no requests for FEMA assistance.

Nome, Alaska Energy Support

The Russian Tanker Renda, accompanied by USCGC HEALY, continues to transit through ice en-route to Nome, Alaska. The vessels are moving at 7 mph with 700 yards between ships to prevent ice closure around the Renda. The Ice breakers are approximately 150 miles south of Nome. Both ships expected to arrive in Nome later today. Ice conditions the past 24 hours have ranged from 0.5 to 2.5 feet. Ice ridging close to Nome measured at 15-16 feet. The tanker may be unable to reach fuel header, and contingency planning is underway for over-the-ice fuel transfer of Rendaâs 1.3 million gallon payload. There have been no requests for FEMA assistance.Â*(USCG)Â*
Potential Coastal Flooding - La Push, Wash.

Â*The US Army Corps of Engineers Seattle District declared an emergency and partially activated their EOC (daytime hours only) in response to a coastal storm event affecting the Quileute Tribe in La Push, Washington.
The combination of high tide and 9-15 foot swells forecast today, could cause a breach in the south jetty at the mouth of the Quillayute River, resulting in the potential for flooding in the town of La Push and in the Quileute Tribeâs lower village. Situated in Clallam County, the La Push community has an estimated population of 371 and encompasses nearly one square mile of land approximately 110 miles southeast of Seattle.Â*
The USACE Olympic Peninsula Flood Team has initiated jetty protection measures under their own authority to assist the Quileute Tribe and the community of La Push, Wash. The Tribe requested assistance with temporary measures to protect their village and is providing approximately 5,000 cubic yards of granular fill to be placed to reduce the risk of a breach. The project is expected to be completed today. The state EOC is not activated and FEMA Region X remains at Watch/Steady State. There have been no requests for FEMA assistance and none are anticipated.
Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Earthquake Activity

On Jan. 8 at 11:07 p.m. EST, a magnitude 6.6 earthquake occurred 46 miles west northwest of Lata, Santa Cruz, Solomon Islands at a depth of 24.2 miles.Â* No tsunami generated.
Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)


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