Wednesday, April 20, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Midwest
Severe weather is moving across the Midwest overnight from the Middle Mississippi Valley through the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes. Tornado Watches/Warnings are in effect for portions of Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Ohio.Â* Flash Flood Watches/Warnings are also in effect for portions of Illinois, Missouri and Indiana.Â* An estimated 1.5â to 2â of rain fell across portions of Missouri.Â* Smaller isolated areas received about 3â in eastern Missouri, near St. Louis.Â* Strong west to northwest winds is expected across portions of Michigan and Ohio; gusts in excess of 40 mph are possible.Â* Snow is forecast over parts of the northern Rockies, and will move into the northern Plains this morning. Rain and higher elevation snow is expected over portions of the Northern and Central Plains this evening and into Thursday.
West
A storm over the eastern Pacific will move onshore over northern California and move inland to the northern Rockies by Thursday.Â* This system will produce rain and higher elevation snow over potions of northern California and southern Oregon into parts of the Intermountain region and Great Basin.Â*
Marginal fire weather conditions appear probable this afternoon as moderate to strong winds persist across the Southwest.
South
A cold front will produce showers and thunderstorms across interior portions of the Gulf Coast and Southeast today.Â* Some of these storms may become severe.Â* Portions of the Tennessee Valley could receive over an inch of rain.Â* Tornado Watches are expected to remain in effect for portions of Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and Kentucky.Â* Flash Flood Warnings are in effect for portions of Arkansas.
Northeast
Snow will move into northern New England this morning; through Thursday morning snow accumulations could exceed 6 inches in some areas.Â* Showers and thunderstorms will develop over portions of southern New England this evening; the heaviest rain is forecast across Upstate New York.
Strong wind gusts could reach 40 mph in portions of Upstate New York and Vermont.
Thunderstorms are possible across portions of the Mid-Atlantic today and may produce damaging wind and hail in some areas.Â* Tornado watches are expected to remain in effect for portions of Virginia and West Virginia.
Midwest Severe Weather â April 19-20

Â*A line of severe thunderstorms swept through central and southern Illinois, central and southern Indiana and eastern Missouri spawning damaging winds, hail, flooding and reports of several possible tornadoes. Flooding and flash flooding have become the main concern as many rivers and streams experience sharp rises.
Missouri
There have been unconfirmed reports of tornado touchdowns in St. Louis County, the Independent City of St. Louis and areas of extreme southeastern Missouri (mainly the âBoot Heelâ area).Â* There are approximately 5,576 customers without power after a peak of 7,300 and power restoration efforts continue.Â* Minimal damages were reported to the roof tops of about six residential properties.Â* Downed trees and power lines were also reported.Â* No critical infrastructures have been reported to be impacted.Â* No road closures have been reported by this storm system, and no shelters have been opened. At this time, no FEMA assistance is anticipated for this event.Â* Most of the severe storms have moved out of the area, though some smaller isolated thunderstorm cells are lingering.
Illinois
Unconfirmed reports of tornado touch downs, damaging winds, and flash flooding were reported across seven counties.Â* Preliminary reports indicate homes and buildings damaged and 60,000+ without power.Â* Numerous state and county roads are under water. There have been no requests for FEMA assistance.
Indiana
Strong winds, heavy rain, hail and possible tornadoes reported overnight across 13 counties.Â* Flooding and Flash Flooding is main concern.Â* Preliminary reports of homes damaged, trees and power lines down, and some road closures have been received.Â* There are 69,000+ customers without power. There have been no requests for FEMA assistance.Â*
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Ohio
Strong winds and widespread power outagesÂ* have been reported across 2 counties.Â* There was an unconfirmed report of a tornado in Mercer County.Â* Approximately 77,523 customers are without power statewide. There are currently no reports of injuries or established shelters, and no requests for state or FEMA assistance.Â*Â*Â*
Southeast Severe Weather - April 15-17

Severe thunderstorms developed on April 14, from central Kansas south into northern Texas, and continued to move east, bringing severe thunderstorms into Mississippi and Alabama on April 15th.Â* On April 16, a line of strong to severe thunderstorms moved across the Mid-Atlantic and through the Carolinas.
Mississippi - Final
Â*The Governor declared a State of Emergency for 14 counties on April 15.
North Carolina - FinalÂ*Â*
Â*The Governor requested, and the President signed, a Disaster Declaration for 18 counties to include IA, PA and Hazard Mitigation statewide.Â* Four shelters remain open with 91 occupants as of April 20 @ 1:30am EDT.
Alabama â Final
Â* The Governor has requested a Disaster Declaration for 2 counties to include IA and Hazard Mitigation statewide.Â*
Midwest Spring Flooding

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Flooding continues on many rivers in the area. Rises will occur on the upper reaches of the Sheyenne River the Pembina River and the Red River from Drayton to Pembina over the next few days.Â* The Red River will hold nearly steady during the next few days and is expected to crest at Drayton this week. The Red River will crest at Pembina by the end of April.Â* Impacts of the snowmelt on releases from Baldhill dam and on local runoff to the Sheyenne River will be closely monitored the next few days.Â* On the Sheyenne River record flooding is forecast at Valley City. The river at Valley City is currently expected to rise this week. Downstream at Lisbon the river will rise later this week.Â* The North Dakota State Water Commission continues to monitor the Burlington Dam, the Clausen Springs Dam, the White Earthen Dam, and the McGregor Dam.
Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

Tuesday, April 19, 2011
National Preparedness Level: 1
Initial attack activity: Light (91 new fires)
New Large Fires: 4
Large Fires Contained: 7
Uncontained Large Fires: 28
Type 1 IMTs Committed: 2
States affected: TX, OK, FL, AR, MS, & NM(NIFC)
Wildfire Activity
Texas
Bryson Complex Fire (Jack County, TX) - Final
A FMAG was approved on April 17, 2011.Â* The fire has burned 7,500 acres burned and is 50% contained.Â* There are 14 businesses and 140 homes and outbuildings threatened.Â* There have been 70 people evacuated.
PK West Complex Fire (Palo Pinto, Young and Stephens counties, TX)
A FMAG approved on April 15, 2011.Â* The fire has burned 147,065+ acres burned and containment is unknown.Â* Over 600 homes are threatened and 149 have been destroyed.Â* The community of Graford and the town of Palo Pinto, including the Palo Pinto jail, are being evacuated. There have been reports of ash falling from the sky. Roads into Graford are closed and Highway 16 from Highway 337 to Highway 180 is closed.
Wildcat Fire (Coke and Tom Green Counties, TX)
A FMAG approved on April 15, 2011.Â* The fire has burned 150,000 acres burned and is 10% contained.Â* Approximately 1,000 homes are threatened.Â* Mandatory evacuations are in effect for the community of Bronte and the communities of Grape Creek, Quail Valley and Robert Lee.Â* Two structures have been destroyed.
New Mexico
Tire Fire (Curry and Roosevelt County) - Final
Â*A FMAG was approved on April 17, 2011.Â* The fire has burned 17,000 acres burned and is 70% contained.Â* (Region VI)Â*
Disaster Declaration Activity

North Carolina
On April 19, 2011, the President signed Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1969-DR for the State of North Carolina as result of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding that occurred on April 16, 2011.Â* Specifically, the declaration provides Individual Assistance for 10 counties, and Public Assistance for 18 counties for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct Federal assistance.Â* All counties in the State of North Carolina are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
Alabama
The Governor has requested a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Alabama as a result of severe storms, flooding, flash flooding, hail, straight-line winds, and tornadoes during the period of April 15-16, 2011.Â* The Governor is specifically requesting Individual Assistance for Marengo and Sumter Counties and Hazard Mitigation for the entire State.
Virginia
The Governor has requested a Major Disaster Declaration for the Commonwealth of Virginia as a result of severe storms and tornadoes on April 8, 2011.Â* The Governor is specifically requesting Individual Assistance for Pulaski County and Hazard Mitigation for the entire Commonwealth.Â*Â* (FEMA HQ)Â*


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