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National Situation Update: Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
A Pacific storm system will bring high winds and heavy mountain snow into the Northwest and northern California today.  Strong winds in the early morning will diminish later in the day.  Snow mixed with rain will occur east of the Cascades and northern Sierras, and move eastward into the northern Rockies and Wasatch. The heaviest precipitation, both rain and snow, is expected in southwest Oregon and northwest California.

Midwest:
Thunderstorms and rain will move eastward into Missouri and eastern Iowa.  Colder air in Wisconsin and parts of Minnesota indicate possible snow, while rain changing to wet snow could occur in Iowa, northern Missouri and eastern Kansas.  Highs are expected to range from the 20s in northern and eastern North Dakota and much of Minnesota, to the unseasonably warm 70s in eastern Kentucky and the upper Ohio Valley.

South:
A cold front moving eastward through the southern U.S. today will bring showers and thunderstorms over eastern Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and western Tennessee.  Showers and storms could move into eastern Tennessee and northwest Alabama later tonight.  From the lower Mississippi Valley eastward into central Tennessee and northwest Alabama, a few of the storms could turn severe, unleashing strong winds and isolated tornadoes.

Northeast:
As unseasonably mild air moves over the northeastern U.S. today, scattered showers will occur in western Pennsylvania, Upstate New York and northern New England.  The primary forecast of the day will be the record or near-record warmth due to strong southwest winds. Highs will range from near 40 in extreme northern Maine to the 70s in eastern Virginia and western West Virginia. (NWS, Media Sources)

West Coast Storms Response

Region IX:
RRCC Status:  Stood down at 7:00 p.m., January 6, 2008. 
Nevada Current Situation:
Nevada State EOC Status:  Activated at Level I, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. PST (M-F).
On January 5, 2008, Nevada Governor Gibbons declared a State of Emergency for Lyon County, Nevada.  On January 7, 2008, the Governor requested a Major Disaster Declaration for Lyon County.  The Fernley, Nevada canal breech has been temporarily repaired, with extremely minimal seepage reported (two gallons/min).  Additional storm activity is expected in the area over this week, but the canal is not expected to be further impacted due to the closure of the diversion and check structures.  In many areas, flood waters have receded with standing water (up to two feet deep) remaining in approximately 10% of the affected areas.  The Truckee Carson Irrigation District temporarily repaired the Fernley, NV, levee breach in consultation with the Bureau of Reclamation.  Power has been restored to most homes and approximately 59 homes require inspection before restoration of natural gas service. Approximately 30-50 homes in Fernley, NV, are currently without power.  Nevada has provided two truckloads of water, 22,000 MREs, 500 blankets, and 500 cots.  Region IX ERT-A is coordinating efforts with the Nevada Department of Emergency Management staff at the state EOC.  ERT-A initial PDA estimates, which include major and minor damage, has a total of approximately 200 homes; no homes destroyed; shelter population remains at zero. 

California Current Situation:
California Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed State of Emergencies on January 5 and January 6, 2008.  California state coroner reported two vehicular fatalities.  Voluntary evacuations remain in place in Orange County for Modjeska, Williams, and Harding Canyons.  A hundred twenty additional crews have been brought to Northern California from Nevada, Oregon, and Southern California for power restoration.  PG&E is in the process of establishing power to both major Department of Water Resources reclamation pump stations in Sutter County, CA.Three potable water distribution centers are being arranged by Cal Fire due to widespread power outages in Yolo County, CA.  (Source: California OES and FEMA Region IX Flash Report 15)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Nevada has conducted a PDA of affected area and is currently finalizing the analysis and Regional Summary.

Kansas PDAs are on-going and will continue through January 11, 2008.
Oklahoma PDAs are on-going for severe winter storms which occurred December 13, 2007.  (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The Governor of Hawaii requested a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of tropical storm force winds, heavy rains, high surf, storm surge and flooding during the period of December 4-7, 2007.  Governor Lingle is requesting Public Assistance for Maui, Kauai and Hawaii, and Hazard Mitigation Statewide.

The Governor of Nevada requested a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of flooding due to severe winter storms that began on January 5, 2008.  Governor Gibbons requested Individual Assistance and Public Assistance, including direct Federal Assistance for Lyon county, and Hazard Mitigation statewide. (FEMA HQ)