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National Situation Update: Saturday, May 5, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Tornadoes touch down in Kansas and Illinois

The National Weather Service is reporting that a large tornado struck the town of Greensburg, Kansas, Friday evening around 10 pm CDT. Significant damage is being reported from the tornado - which local police estimated to be at least a mile wide.

At least a-half dozens tornadoes have struck in southwestern Kansas, with another reported near the Nebraska border. The twisters have flattened homes, smashed barns and grain bins, ripped up trees and knocked down power lines.

Shelters have been set up at numerous locations in the Greensburg area. Media reports that the American Red Cross says it is setting up three shelters, two in Haviland for Greensburg and one in Macksville. The Red Cross expects as many as 350 people at the Haviland/Greensburg shelters.

Media is reporting one fatality and numerous injuries at various hospitals. One hospital in the Greensburg area was reported partially collapsed.  Thirty people have been removed and relocated to other facilities.  Emergency crews from other communities have raced to the scene to help in the search for victims who may be trapped in the rubble.

Tornado warnings remain posted for much of the area west of Wichita, with National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists reporting that they are "tracking a confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado...moving northeast at 30 mph."
 The NWS said areas in its path were parts of Edwards, Pawnee and Stafford counties, and that a direct hit from this "violent tornado" is very possible.

Kansas declared a State of Emergency at 1:32 a.m. ET Saturday for Kiowa County. Region 7 has been in touch with State authorities and will send a liaison to the State EOC this morning to monitor the situation. There have been no requests at this time for federal assistance.

National Weather Forecast

Midwest
A massive storm system will move slowly out of the Plains and result in widespread severe weather and winds through the weekend and beyond. Winds between 35 and 45 mph can be expected across the northern and central Plains and Upper Midwest today. Expect severe weather from South Dakota to Oklahoma today and from southern Minnesota to Kansas and Missouri on Sunday.

A major severe tornado outbreak is forecast for the central Plains (Nebraska and Kansas) this weekend. Tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds are likely. Along with the severe weather, heavy and potentially flooding rains are likely with some locations in eastern South Dakota, eastern Nebraska and northeast Kansas receiving up to 5 to 7 inches.
Meanwhile, another front moving in from the Great Lakes will spark more thunderstorms in southern Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. There is a possibility of showers in Louisville for the Kentucky Derby.

South
A dry, slow-moving cold front will emerge into the southern Plains this weekend and then weaken, but linger over the south-central states over several days. Oklahoma and Texas will see a weekend of severe weather, tornado outbreaks and local flooding.

East of the Mississippi, the front currently stalled over the Southeast will dissipate; however a stronger front will dive southward through the Southeast Saturday night and Sunday, reaching south Florida by Monday. The weekend showers and thunderstorms will do little to ease the overall drought or contain ongoing fires.

An area of low pressure may develop east of the Carolinas later in the weekend, and could create high surf from coastal North Carolina to Florida.

West
A western storm system will deposit one to two feet of snow across the mountains of Colorado and Wyoming and douse the high Plains of eastern Montana and eastern Wyoming with up to 2 inches of rain.

Strong westerly winds, gusting to between 30 and 50 mph at times, will continue over the Southwest, particularly on Saturday. Showers will linger in Colorado and New Mexico into early next week. Much of the region will see temperatures well below seasonal averages this weekend.

Northeast
Canadian high pressure will keep much of the Northeast on the cool side this weekend. A front will trigger showers and thunderstorms across southwest Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and the Virginias later Saturday into the predawn hours of Sunday.

On Sunday, an area of low pressure may develop off the coast of the Carolinas. If this occurs, showers and gusty northeast winds will linger over the Delmarva and Virginia Tidewater areas. During the early mornings upstate New York and interior New England could see scattered frost and freeze. (NWS, Media Sources)

Oklahoma - Illinois Tornado Activity

A tornado touched down in Ellis County Oklahoma approximately 6:45 pm CDT, May 4, 2007. Media is reporting minor damage to one home, three barns were destroyed and power lines and trees also were knocked down, but there was no other major damage. There were no reports of injuries and no requests for State or Federal Assistance.

At least three tornadoes touched down around 5:30 pm CDT Friday in Macoupin and Madison Counties in Illinois. The short-lived tornadoes touched down in open fields and did not produce any immediate damage.  (MOC-Denton, State of Oklahoma, media sources)

National Guard Helping Wildfire Fight in Florida

The Florida National Guard is preparing to move in to fight wildfires spreading across Florida. Both Florida and Georgia are under states of emergency because of the ongoing wildfire threats.
National Guardsmen will head into the worst areas over the weekend. They'll use a specially-designed Black Hawk helicopter with a water tank and sling bucket to help fight the flames.

One of the largest fires is growing in Flagler County, now up to 3,700 acres. No evacuations have been ordered and homes are not directly threatened; but smoke is becoming a serious problem.  123 wildfires are burning 12,000 acres across Florida.

The biggest fire is in Charlton County, Georgia. The wildfire has burned close to 100,000 acres.  Some neighborhoods in the county remain under a mandatory evacuation as of Friday night. (Media Sources)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Louisiana: The State of Louisiana requested a Joint Individual Assistance (IA) PDA for Monday, May 7, 2007, for Moreland Parish due to tornado activity. FEMA Region VI Human Services Branch is coordinating with the Small Business Administration to staff one IA team.

Texas: A Public Assistance PDA will be conducted on Monday, May 7, 2007, for Denton County, Texas for damage consideration under DR-1697, severe storms and tornadoes. (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

Wildland fire activity remained light on Friday with 136 new fires reported. One new large fire was reported in North Carolina. Three large fires were contained: one each in California, Kentucky, and Virginia.

Smith Fire (Eastern Cherokee Agency, BIA): 130 acres at zero percent contained. The fire is 12 miles northeast of Bryson City, North Carolina. Residences and Blue Ridge Parkway are threatened. Extreme fire activity was reported.

Airport Road Fire (Florida Division of Forestry): 1,700 acres at 50 percent contained. The fire is burning three miles southwest of Ormond Beach, Florida. Residences are threatened and evacuations are in effect. (NIFC, FEMA Region IV, FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA-1698-DR has been declared Friday for the state of Vermont, for severe storms and flooding. The declaration includes Public Assistance for seven counties and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program statewide. The FCO is Michael L. Parker.

FEMA-1695-DR-New Hampshire. Amendment #1 closes the incident period effective April 23, 2007. (FEMA HQ)