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National Situation Update: Friday, November 9, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

California Wildfires Support Update

The United States Forest Service (USFS) reports the two remaining active fires (Poomacha and Santiago) reached 100% containment on November 8, 2007.  The San Diego County Medical Examiner has confirmed two additional fatalities as a direct result of the Harris Fire bringing to 9 the total number of deaths attributed to the southern California fires.  The reported injuries were 139 as of 10:00 a.m., November 8, 2007.  Yesterday, there were 1,221 personnel assigned to the active fires.  The American Red Cross (ARC) reports that one ARC managed shelter with a total population of 68 individuals remains open.  Community outreach, hazard mitigation / removal and debris management efforts continue.  The Multi-Agency Support Groups (MASG) actively planning and ensuring coordinated efforts among all Federal, State and local agencies involved in the California Fires Burn Area response and recovery operations and determining any unmet needs. (JFO Situation Status Summary, Pasadena, CA and the USFS)

National Weather

South
The drought stricken Southeast will go several more days without significant rain due to an area of high pressure.   Temperatures will be slightly below average over the Southeast but moderating over the next three days.  The next chance for rain across the South will be on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.

Northeast
A weak area of low pressure will cause light rain across the Middle Atlantic region on Friday.  Over the weekend, the rain may change to snow showers across higher elevations of southern New York and Pennsylvania. The weak storm system will grow considerably stronger as it moves well offshore on Saturday.  Rain showers and gusty winds will occur in parts of southeastern New England.  High temperatures will range from the 30s to the 50s over northern Maine into the weekend.

West
Numerous Pacific storms will hit the northwest Coast over the next few days.  These storms will produce rain and in higher elevations, snow is forecast.  Snow levels will range from 4,000 feet in the Washington Cascades to 6,500 feet in the Siskiyou Mountains of northern California.  Highs will range from the 40s and 50s in the Pacific Northwest to the 70s and 80s in the Desert Southwest.

Midwest
Much of the Midwest will be dry and mild on Friday.  The only exceptions will be across northern Michigan, northeastern Minnesota and eastern Ohio where some rain and snow showers are expected.  The Plains should experience warm temperatures ranging 10 to 20 degrees above average by Saturday.  Otherwise, highs will be in the 40s and 50s in North Dakota to the 70s in Kansas. (NOAA, media sources)

National Drought Summary

The Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Ohio and lower Missouri valleys: A cold front brought moderate to heavy showers to the Tennessee Valley on November 5-6, 2007 but this was otherwise a fairly dry week for the region.  Exceptional drought areas continued from Alabama and northern Georgia into eastern Tennessee and the western Carolinas.  Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina recorded little rain this period.  Adjustments to the drought areas based on the latest streamflow and other data led to a slight progression eastward of the exceptional, extreme and severe drought areas in North Carolina, southwestern Virginia, and western Alabama.

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic - Caribbean Sea - Gulf of Mexico
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Eastern and Central Pacific:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Western Pacific:
No current tropical cyclone activity affecting U.S. interests.(NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

A 4.1 magnitude earthquake occurred at 10:37 p.m. PST, November 8, 2007, offshore of Northern California, 8 miles west-southwest of Ferndale, California at a depth of 14.7 miles.  No reports of damage and no tsunami bulletin issued.
Otherwise, no significant earthquake activity to report. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)