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National Situation Update: Thursday, November 22, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

Northeast
A storm center moving through the northeastern U.S. on Thursday, November 22, 2007 will produce precipitation to parts of the region.
Upstate New York and Vermont will see a changeover to snow during the day. A mix of snow and sleet, up to 12 inches, is likely to bring winter storm conditions to northern Maine.

Midwest
Northerly winds will move cold air over the Midwest on Thursday, November 22, 2007 causing lake-effect snows off of Lake Michigan into northern Indiana.
Scattered light snow showers or flurries may dust southeastern Michigan and northeastern Ohio, and a few light rain showers could skitter over southeastern Ohio and eastern Kentucky, mostly early in the day.

South
A cold front will move through the Southeast on Thursday, November 22, 2007. Showers and thunderstorms accompanying the front should clear the region except for far South Georgia and the Florida Peninsula.
To the rear of this system, northerly winds and chilly air will prevail.
In portions of West Texas meanwhile, some light snow or cold rain may develop throughout the day on November 22, 2007.  (NOAA, National Weather Service, Media Sources)

Possible Return of Santa Ana Winds to Southern California

Los Angeles & Ventura Counties:
Fire weather watch in effect from Friday afternoon, Nov. 23, through Sunday afternoon, Nov. 25, for gusty offshore winds and low relative humidity.

San Diego & San Bernardino:
Nov. 23 - 24, Strongest winds below Cajon Pass, the Santa Ana Mountains and foothills.
Gusts 50 to 60 mph localized. Relative humidity and temperatures will be low. (NWS)

All Areas of Concern:
Nov. 25 - 26, low pressure system Pacific Northwest will end significant winds.
Higher humidity expected on Monday. (FEMA Pasadena JFO)

Train Derailment in Northern California

A thirty car Union Pacific train derailment occurred at 2:10 a.m. PDT on November 22, 2007 in Lassen County. 34 cars have derailed, of which 25 are on their side.  The incident is just to the East of the Army Depot and not on their property, although the depot is taking the lead with the Hazmat and Fire response activity.

Adequate fire and hazmat resources are on scene and no further orders are anticipated. Union Pacific Railroad equipment is also responding to clean up and restore service. There is one drum of Hydriodic acid on the ground, with no release.

Three totes of 250 gallons each, of non-regulated glycerin is released on the ground. There is also 25 gallons of transmission fluid that is spread over a large area. The OES Fire Duty Officer along with the OES Inland Duty will continue to monitor the situation. Rail traffic has not been affected locally or nationally. (FEMA Region IX )

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

FEMA-2741-FM-NM was approved on November 21, 2007 for the Ojo Peak Fire in Torrance, NM. There are three communities currently threatens as of this report. 75 residences are threatened and seven (7) structures have been lost. 10-15 residences are within one half mile of the fire and the rest are within one mile. Of the 300 families in these towns, 200 have voluntarily evacuated. There is presently zero percent containment and the rate of burning is estimated at 500 acres an hour.  Multiple local resources are on scene. (FEMA Region VI)

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 warnings affecting U.S. interests.
(NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Media Sources)

Earthquake Activity

On Thursday, November 22, 2007 at 2:01 am EST, a 4.4 earthquake struck 197 miles east of San Juan, PR in the Virgin Islands.  There was no Tsunami generated.

On November 22, 2007, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake occurred at a depth of 48 mile, 90 miles east southeast of Madang, New Guinea.  A tsunami is not expected along the California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska coasts.(USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)