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National Situation Update: Friday, April 13, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

Over the next 24 hours one storm leaves the Northeast & Midwest while a powerful early-spring storm system moves into the central United States. A wide variety of weather, including severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, strong winds, and snow, are expected. 

Northeast
Most of the region will be dry, with some scattered rain and snow showers from western Pennsylvania to northern New England.

West
A storm system moved through the Rockies last night, producing 6 to 12 inches of snowfall in the mountains of Colorado and northern New Mexico. This system will spread into the western High Plains today, bringing snow and gusty winds, and making travel difficult.

South
A potent storm system is likely to produce severe weather across the South over the next couple of days; Numerous Winter Storm Warnings have been published for the region.

Look for severe thunderstorms and the threat of tornadoes across eastern Texas and southeastern Oklahoma, moving to southwestern Arkansas and western Louisiana by late in the day. Severe thunderstorms may produce large hail and damaging winds.

Midwest
The Midwest will see some improving weather from the northern Plains to the Great Lakes. The central Plains will experience rain and snow, along with gusty winds. The southern Plains are under a severe thunderstorm threat.  (NWS)

High winds in Southern California cause Brush Fires, Power Outages

Winds blasted Southern California today, knocking out power to more than 150,000 area residents, fanning a brush fire north of Beverly Hills, and blowing dust across the high desert.

In San Bernardino County, dust storms powered by wind gusts of 50 mph caused accidents involving dozens of cars on Interstate 40. One person was killed when a recreational vehicle hit a semi-truck.

The Los Angeles city fire department reported two homes heavily damaged and another pair scorched in a 35-acre blaze that broke out around 1:00 p.m. in the Beverly Glen area.  An estimated 200 firefighters and air support knocked down most of the blaze by 7:00 p.m. EDT. There were no reports of injuries.

Another brush fire was reported in Brea in Orange County.  The fire broke out as intense winds whipped across the region, with forecasters warning that gusts could reach more than 60 mph in Antelope Valley, where visibility was down to virtually zero, according to a forecaster for the National Weather Service.

The high winds were blamed for knocking out power to about 95,000 customers served by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power late this afternoon. 

Southern California Edison reported 3,000 customers still without power tonight, many in the San Gabriel and Antelope Valley. (Media sources)

Avalanche Watch Continues for Juneau, Alaska

The threat of avalanche activity above the City of Juneau remains Serious (Orange) - Natural avalanches are possible; potentially destructive avalanches may reach lower elevations from high starting zones.

Rapid warming has been the key factor in avalanche release over the last few days. Whenever the clouds break, the springtime sun is now intense enough to make chunks drop off cornices and to cause wet point releases that have been triggering medium sized slabs in the weak areas.

Slides have been stopping short of developed elevations but have come very close to the flume. (Southeast Alaska Avalanche Center)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level 1 (lowest on a scale from 1 to 5): On Thursday, light fire activity continued with 111 new fires. One large fire was contained in Nevada and both large fires in Florida are 90% contained. One new large fire of 100 acres was reported in Arkansas.

Due to expected long durations of low relative humidity a Red Flag Warning remains in effect through Friday evening for southeast Alabama, southwest and south central Georgia, and the Florida panhandle and big bend regions. (NIFC, media sources)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On April 12, 2007, the Governor of Maine requested a major disaster declaration for four counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide, as a result of severe storms and flooding March 16-18, 2007.

SBA has issued a declaration for the town of Holly in Prowers County, Colorado, as a result of the severe storms and tornadoes March 28, 2007. 

FEMA-3275-EM-IA.  Amendment # 1 approved four additional counties for emergency protective measures, Category B, under Public Assistance.

FEMA-1678-DR-OK. Amendment #4 approved four additional counties for Public Assistance.  (FEMA HQ)