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National Situation Update: Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Summary

Midwest
A major storm system above the Midwest Wednesday should produce showers and thunderstorms over central and eastern portions of Kansas and Nebraska, southeastern South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri and western Illinois.  Thunderstorms are forecast across the central and southern Plains into the mid-Mississippi Valley this afternoon and evening.  Severe thunderstorm activity will be centered across much of central and eastern Kansas and Oklahoma, western Missouri and Arkansas.  High temperatures are expected to range from the 50s in the Dakotas to the 80s in the lower Ohio Valley.

South
Showers and thunderstorms are predicted for much of the South, bringing heavy rainfall to interior areas of the Southeast.  Some storms in Oklahoma, northeastern Texas, and Arkansas could become dangerous, with tornadoes possible.  High temperatures throughout the region will be mostly in the 70s and 80s, with south Texas reaching into the 90s.

West
Showers and mountain snow will spread across much of the West tomorrow, generally north from San Francisco through southern Colorado.  Strong winds could cause problems, especially in mountain passes and in the desert, where blowing dust and sand could create areas of reduced visibility.  The strongest winds Wednesday could top 60 mph through the passes and canyons of Southern California.
High temperatures are forecast to range from the 30s in the mountain areas to the 80s in southeast California and southwest Arizona.

Northeast
There may be isolated rain showers across the Northeast Wednesday, but most of the area should remain dry.  Temperatures should be near to above average for mid-October, ranging from the 50s in the north to the 80s in Virginia. (National Weather Service, Media reports)

Hazmat Incident in Michigan

At approximately 8:00 a.m. (CDT), a 500 gallon hydrochloric acid release occurred at Reilly Plating Co. in Melvindale, Michigan.  The company is about 10 miles southwest of downtown Detroit.
Due to rain in the area, the hydrochloric acid & water mix created a small acid cloud.  Local responders ordered an evacuation of approximately 20 residents living in a nearby trailer park.  At approximately 11:25 a.m. (CDT), the evacuation was increased to 1/4 mile, which includes about 3,000 residents, 3 schools, a high-rise apartment building, and other commercial/industrial facilities.  A local senior citizen center was ordered to shelter in place.  The USEPA sent On Scene Coordinators to the scene.  The Michigan State Emergency Management Operations Center was contacted by the FEMA Region V Duty Officer.  The EOC was not activated, but was monitoring the situation. 

At 3:00 p.m. (CDT), the USEPA reported that the spill had been contained, monitoring of the air quality within the evacuation zone was conducted and was found to be within acceptable levels.  At approximately 8:30 p.m. (CDT), the cleanup of the hydrochloric acid leak was completed and the evacuation order was lifted.  No State or Federal assistance has been requested. (DHS  NICC, Media reports)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic - Caribbean Sea - Gulf of Mexico
Shower activity remains limited and disorganized with the broad area of low pressure in the western Gulf of Mexico.  Upper-level winds are expected to remain unfavorable for tropical cyclone formation and the low is expected to move generally northward over the next day or so without significant development.  Elsewhere, tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Eastern and Central Pacific:
Tropical Storm Kiko is located about 405 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Kiko is moving to the east-southeast at 3 mph.  Maximum sustained winds are 40 mph with gusts to 52 mph.  Based on the current warning the system poses no threat to the United States. 

Elsewhere, tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Western Pacific:
No current tropical cyclone warnings. (NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Individual Assistance and Public Assistance Preliminary Damage Assessments for Fairfield County, CT, for Severe Storms and Flooding that occurred on October 11, 2007, are scheduled to begin October 17, 2007.  (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)