Wednesday, March 23, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Japan Recovery â Support Operations

National IMAT Activations
The National IMAT Support Cell IMAT-East and Central remains activated supporting the EPAâs air monitoring mission. Two FEMA Liaisons are supporting the EPA and USAID.Â*(FEMA HQ)

Significant National Weather

West:
A Pacific storm will bring precipitation from Washington to California. Up to an inch and a half of rain is forecast along the California Coast and in the Central Valley with a probability of additional rain through Friday. Several feet of new snow is forecast for the higher elevations in California, with lighter snow at lower elevations. Montana may receive up to a 6 inches of new snow with wind gusting up to 35 mph. Under an area of high pressure the Great Basin, Southwest and the Southern Rockies will be dry.
Midwest:
The interaction between the frontal system stretching across the region and a strong high pressure system over Canada will continue to produce heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain, rain and gusty winds from the Dakotas to New York.Â* Up to 8 inches of snow is expected in parts of North Dakota and northern Michigan. Up to an inch and a half of precipitation forecast in the Middle Mississippi and Ohio valleys will exacerbate ongoing flooding.Â* Severe thunderstorms are possible across the Ohio Valley, with large hail, damaging wind gusts and tornadoes.
South:
Showers are forecast for the Tennessee valleys and the Southern Appalachians with possibility of severe thunderstorms across the Mid-Atlantic by afternoon. Critical Fire Weather is forecast for Southern Missouri to Northern Arkansas due to warm temperatures, relatively low humidity and sustained surface winds. Red Flag Warnings are in effect for parts of the Carolinas, southern Georgia and northern Florida by late afternoon due to low relative humidity and sustained surface winds in addition to ongoing drought conditions.
Northeast:
The system moving out of the Midwest will produce heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain across Pennsylvania, New York and southern New England, .Â* Light snow is forecast for New England across eastern Maine and northern New Hampshire.Â* Rain and showers are forecast from the Appalachians to the Mid-Atlantic.Â* Severe thunderstorms are possible from West Virginia into Virginia by afternoon.Â* (National Weather Service, Hydrometeorological Prediction Center, and various media sources)Â*
Spring Flood Preparation

Rivers in the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin continue to rise due to recent snowmelt and ongoing precipitation. The Mississippi River at St Paul is expected to exceed major flood stage (17 ft) levels this weekend.
Federal Activity
FEMA NRCC

• The NRCC is not activated

FEMA Logistics

• The Logistics Management Directorate (LMD), in concert with ORR Planning Division, continues joint planning with Regions V, VII, and VIII, in preparation for the 2011 Upper Midwest Flood Season.
• An Incident Staging Base (ISB) has been established in Arden Hills, Minnesota with commodities on-hand; ISB located to support Regional Staging Areas with a maximum drive time of 8.5 hrs.
• FEMA Region VIII has requested 2 trailers of water, 1 trailer of Shelf Stable Meals and 2 Infant and Toddler Kits. Shipment arrived at the Region VIII Staging Area (ARNG Mitchell, SD) yesterday.

FEMA Region V

• The region remains at Watch/Steady State.

State/Local Activity

• 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. (NOAA, NWS, FEMA HQ, FEMA Regions V, VII and VIII)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

March 22, 2011:

• National Preparedness Level: 1
• Initial attack activity: Light (286 new fires)
• New Large Fires: 7
• Large Fires Contained: 2
• Uncontained Large Fires: 13
• Type 1/2 IMT Committed: 1(Type 1)
• States affected: AR, MO, OK & TX (NIFC)

Colorado - Indian Gulch Fire (Jefferson County)
A Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved on March 21, 2011. The fire began on March 20, 2011, west of Denver in the city of Golden. The fire has consumed 1,162 acres and is 25% contained. Evacuated residents were allowed to return home but, should stay on standby in case an evacuation order is given. A Federal Type I IMT will take control of firefighting efforts today. (Region VIII)
Disaster Declaration Activity

Oregon
On March 21, 2011, the Governor of Oregon requested a major disaster declaration as a result of tsunami wave damage on March 11, 2011. The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance for Curry County and Hazard Mitigation statewide.Â*(FEMA HQ)



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