Monday, December 13, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Midwest
The region will be cold with highs only in the single digits and teens. Temperatures will be nearly 30 degrees below average from the Upper Mississippi Valley to the Tennessee Valley and parts of the Southeast through Tuesday. Some areas will see blizzard or near blizzard conditions with dangerous 40 below zero wind-chill temperatures this morning. Lake effect snow will bring two to four inches downwind of the Great Lakes across the Ohio Valley and into the Northern and Central Appalachians.
Northeast
Moderate to heavy rain over Maine will slowly wind down today to light rain over the northern most portion of the state. Flood advisories were extended to areas of eastern New England. Colder air will return tonight with lows in the teens and 20s.
South
A winter storm system affecting much of the eastern half of the United States will bring strong gusty winds, extremely cold temperatures, and some snow showers to much of the Deep South. In the extreme southern Texas Panhandle and South Plains, the combination of gusty winds, warmer temperatures, dry vegetation, and dry air will result in an elevated wildfire danger, especially for western portions of South Texas.
West
Heavy rain is expected to end over the coastal Pacific Northwest today as rains move inland into the Northern Rockies. As the system moves inland, rain and higher elevation snow will develop from central California to the Pacific Northwest and eastward to parts of the Northern and Central Rockies and the Northern High Plains. A new front will move onshore by Tuesday evening.
(NOAA and various media sources)
Winter Storm Response-Pacific Northwest

Heavy rains across western Washington and northwestern Oregon over the last two days have begun to move off to the southeast. Many rivers in the region crested Sunday night with the remaining longer stem rivers cresting on Tuesday or Wednesday. As of mid-afternoon Sunday, only minor flooding had been reported in rural areas of Washington. The amount of rain falling in the Green River Basin is not expected to be of concern for Howard Hanson Dam operations or for flooding on the lower Green River Basin.
Federal Response
Region X Regional Response Coordination Center is at Level 4, Watch/Steady State. Regional leadership is in contact with state emergency management directors. The American Red Cross opened three shelters in Washington State but reported no occupants. FEMA State Liaison Officers for Washington and Oregon are identified and are prepared to deploy as needed. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Seattle District activated its Emergency Operations Center and has six flood fighting teams deployed or on standby in western Washington. There is no request for Federal assistance.
State Impacts
Flooding caused mandatory and voluntary evacuations in scattered areas of Bellevue, Wash. Flooding in Granite Falls, Wash., on the Stillaguamish River has resulted in a voluntary evacuation of about 230 homes and businesses. In Pierce County, the City of Sumner declared an emergency for a weakened levee on the White River where the Army Corps of Engineers has deployed a team. The levee is now reported stabilized.
Regional Transportation Issues
A number of state highways and U.S. Highway 2 in northwest Washington were closed late Saturday and Sunday for high water and avalanches. Numerous landslides caused the cancellation of Amtrak services between Portland, Ore., and Vancouver, British Columbia, for the next 48 hours. Commuter rail service between Everett and Seattle, Wash., was also cancelled.
Winter Storm Response- Upper Midwest

A strong winter storm brought heavy snow, high winds, and blizzard conditions to much of the Upper Midwest over the weekend. Lake enhanced snow showers and bitterly cold winds are expected to continue through Tuesday along the southeastern shores of the Great Lakes and along the western slopes of the Appalachians. FEMA Region V Regional Response Coordination Center remains at a Watch/Steady State.
Wisconsin
In the La Crosse, Wis., area, northwest winds of 10 to 20 mph combined with below zero temperatures have produced dangerously cold wind chills of 20 to 35 degrees below zero. On December 11, 2010, the Governor of Wisconsin declared a State of Emergency for all 72 counties. Across the state, approximately 9,900 customers remain without power as of Sunday evening. Sections of U.S. Highway 10 and U.S. Highway 14 remain closed. I-94 and US Highway 2 have reopened. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation along with the State Patrol is advising motorists not to travel on any Wisconsin highway unless absolutely necessary. There are no requests for Federal assistance.
Minnesota
There are no state-level emergency declarations but Steele County, Minn., issued a county emergency declaration. Scattered road closures continue due to weather conditions; however, the Minnesota Department of Transportation and Minn. State Patrol have reopened I-90. There are no requests for Federal assistance.
(FEMA RV, FEMA RX, NOAA)
Earthquake Activity

No significant activity.
(USGS)
Wildfire Update

Fire Activity
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
No activity.
(FEMA HQ)
Disaster Declaration Activity

No activity.
(FEMA HQ)Â*
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