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National Situation Update: Monday, November 12, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

West
Low pressure across the northern Pacific Ocean will produce gusty winds, rain and mountain snow. Wind gusts may approach 70 to 85 mph at the headlands and beaches, 50 to 65 mph for coastal communities and across the coastal mountain range and 40 to 60 mph inland to cities like Seattle and Portland.  Rainfall amounts of 1 to locally 3 inches along the western slopes of the Olympic and Cascade Mountains are expected.  Snow levels should rise to around 4,500 feet Monday afternoon before falling below 3,000 Monday night.

Midwest
A frontal system over the Ohio Valley keeps conditions cloudy with occasional showers and thunderstorms.  Temperatures over the Ohio Valley should moderate with highs into the 60s.  The remainder of the area should see a mix of clouds and sun and moderating temperatures.

Northeast
A weak cold front pushes into the Northeast with some showers.  The best chance of having some rain is around the eastern Great Lakes and Appalachians during the day and in New England Monday night.

South
The Southeast will be cool with very low humidity levels, while the southern Plains and Texas will have highs in the 70s and 80s and high humidity levels.  A weak boundary separating the two air masses has been triggering a few showers and thundershowers over the lower Mississippi Valley.  (NWS, Media Sources)

Cosco Busan Oil Spill Update

The Governor of California declared a State of Emergency on November 9, 2007.
Unified Command consisting of the U.S. Coast Guard (lead agency), California Department of Fish and Game (Oil Spill Prevention and Response) and a representative of the responsible party have relocated to Treasure Island.

Estimated oil spilled remains at 53,570 - 58,000 gallons.

Approximately 20,000 gallons of oil and water was recovered. Approximate 20,500 gallons to date (8,000 gallons of oil and 1,500 gallons of water was recovered as of Thursday).

20 skimmers have been deployed on the water. More than 450 people from 40 states, federal and local agencies are involved with the response efforts. (California OES SITREP)

Southern California Wildfire Update

Federal assistance efforts continue throughout southern California, with concentration on debris removal and fire mitigation opportunities for declared counties.

Firefighting resources continue demobilization, with 585 firefighting personnel currently assigned.

The American Red Cross (ARC) reports one ARC managed shelter remains open with a total population of 73 individuals. (JFO Situation Status Summary, Pasadena, CA; NIFC)

Disaster Activity

No new disaster activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic - Caribbean Sea - Gulf of Mexico
Showers and thunderstorms over the southwestern Caribbean Sea and eastern Nicaragua are associated with a broad area of low pressure just off the east coast of southern Nicaragua.  Significant development of this system is not expected before it moves inland over Central America by Monday morning.  Locally heavy rainfall is possible over portions of Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras during the next couple of days.
Otherwise, 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 magnitude of 5.9 occurred at 12:25 a.m., November 12, 2007, 215 miles SSE of Guam, depth was 6.2 miles. No reports of damage and no tsunami bulletin issued.

Otherwise, no significant earthquake activity to report. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program)