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National Situation Update: Thursday, March 22, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Severe Storms with Possible Flooding in Midwest - Ice in New England

Midwest:
Severe storms have dumped large hail in Iowa, Illinois, and southern Wisconsin.

Heavy rainfall and storms are forecast for the lower Midwest on Thursday. Localized flooding may occur in areas of Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.
 
Highs will range from the 30s near the Canadian border to the 70s in Ohio, Kentucky, and Missouri.

Northeast:
Northern New England and upstate New York are expected to have freezing rain and sleet during the morning hours Thursday, which will turn to rain as the day warms up. Travel in the areas may be extremely dangerous.

Highs will range from 40s in New England to the 70s in Virginia and Maryland.

South:
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast for west Texas, most of Oklahoma, and south Florida.

Rip currents are expected along the beaches in the southeast coastal areas.

Highs in the South will range from the 60s-80s.

West:
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected in parts of Arizona, New Mexico, western Washington, and northwest Oregon.

Highs will range from the 30s in higher elevations to the 80s in the Southwest Desert areas. (NWS, media sources)

Drought in the Marshall Islands

Many islands in the western Pacific Island Nation have had little rain since January and earlier this week the Government of Marshall Islands had declared a state of emergency amid a prolonged drought.  A government patrol vessel left the capital Majuro Monday to provide water tanks and a reverse osmosis water purifier to provide clean drinking water for three outlying atolls.  Another ship left Majuro for three other remote outer atolls on Wednesday, carrying water and tanks.

Fresh water supplies have dwindled since January with the El Nino weather phenomenon causing an extended drought for a country that depends on rain for about 95% of its fresh water.  The director of the Majuro Weather Station stated the Islands were going through a transition from the El Nino weather pattern to La Nina, which could mean little rain until May.

The population of Majuro is approximately 25,000. FEMA Region IX is monitoring the situation. No Federal involvement has been requested.  (FEMA Region IX)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)