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National Situation Update: Friday, January 11, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
A surface trough and onshore flow will produce precipitation from Northern California to Washington.

Snow levels will range from 3,000 feet in the Washington Cascades to 4,000 feet in the Siskiyou and Mount Shasta area of northern California.  Tomorrow, a cold front will move ashore producing additional rain and mountain snow.

Midwest:
A frontal system dropping into the Dakotas, combined with a northerly flow on the backside of the low over the Great Lakes, will produce rain and snow across the upper Midwest.  Most rivers in northern Illinois, northern Indiana, northwest Ohio and contiguous counties of Wisconsin and Michigan have crested and will begin to recede to near normal levels.  Some flooding in low lying areas may extend into next week across parts of northwest Indiana.

South:
The cold front extending from the low over the Great Lakes will push across the region today.

This cold front will produce showers over much of the region with severe thunderstorms forecast to develop along the eastern Carolinas; much more isolated than yesterday's outbreak.  The front will move offshore tonight except the most southern portion which will stall across the northern Gulf and northern Florida. A new low will develop along the front producing additional rain along the Gulf Coast tomorrow.

Northeast:
A deep low pressure system over the Great Lakes with a frontal system extending south along the East Coast will produce precipitation over much of the Region today.  Most areas will have rain (occasionally heavy) except northern New England and northern New York where sleet and freezing rain are forecast.

There is a slight chance of severe thunderstorms extending from the Carolinas up into the Delmarva Peninsula this afternoon.  By tomorrow the front and most of the weather will have moved offshore. Temperatures will be above average, ranging from the 30s in northern New England to the 50s in Virginia. (NWS, Media Sources)

Midwest Severe Weather

The strong low pressure system and cold front causing tornadoes and severe weather across the Midwest and in the south on Monday and Tuesday, January 7-8, 2008 will move eastward today January 11, 2008 as discussed above.

Wisconsin
The Governor declared a State of Emergency for Kenosha County on Tuesday, January 8, 2008.
Preliminary Storm Survey Team from the National Weather Service has given the Kenosha County tornado a preliminary rating of EF-3 with estimated winds between 150-160 mph.  As of January 10, 2008, damage totals in western Kenosha County (cities of Randall, Salem, and Brighton) stood at 20 homes destroyed and 26 homes with minor to moderate damage.  Eastern Kenosha County (cities of Somers and north side of Kenosha) emergency management crews counted 6 destroyed buildings, 7 with moderate to major damage and 21 with minor to moderate damage.  No requests for Federal assistance from the State of Wisconsin.

Indiana
Jasper and Pulaski counties remain under County Disaster Declarations.  Indiana EOC is partially activated and conducting 24 hour operations.  FEMA Region V has State Liaison Officer deployed to Indiana EOC.  Seven shelters have been established with a current population of 71.  Two members of the Chicago FIRST Team has deployed to Pulaski, IN.  Northern Indiana Rivers have crested at or above flood stage are now steady or are slowly dropping; however, flood warnings for west Central Indiana remain in effect until further notice; levels beginning to rise as flood crest moves south.  The Oakdale and Norway Dams passed inspection by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commissions however; both dams remain above flood stage.

Illinois
The Governor declared Livingston and Iroquois Counties as State Disaster areas.  Approximately 555 people and 75 pets have been evacuated from 225 homes in Watseka in Iroquois County.  Thirty residents remain evacuated from Livingston County.  Two shelters have been established with a current population of 93.  Initial State damage assessment will begin on January 14, 2008, by IEMA for Pontiac and Watseka counties.  Flood warnings remain in effect for rivers in east Central Illinois from Friday afternoon, January 11, 2008 through Saturday, January 12, 2008.  No requests for Federal assistance from the State of Illinois.

Reports of Tornado Activity

Yesterday (1/10//2008) the National Weather Service, Storm Prediction Center in Norman Oklahoma issued a number or Tornado Watches and Warnings associated with the frontal system moving across the southeast. There were 21 preliminary tornado reports.

Region IV:
Mississippi
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency has deployed a SERT Team consisting of MEMA personnel, Mobility Operations and generators to Lowndes County.  Total power outages unknown at this time. 

Damage Report as follows:

• Homes: 30 destroyed; 24 major damage; 76 minor damage.
• Mobile Homes: 5 destroyed; 0 major damage; 6 minor damage.
• Businesses: 2 destroyed; 2 major damage; 2 minor damage.
• Agricultural Buildings: 3 destroyed; 1 major damage; 4 minor damage.
• 17 people injured; 0 fatalities.
  No Federal assistance requested at this time.

Alabama
Alabama EMA reports three possible tornado touchdowns.  Power lines down throughout state as a result of falling trees/limbs.  Several homes were destroyed and others with major/minor damage.
Two injuries/0 fatalities.  No Federal assistance requested at this time.

Region X:
In Region X, there was a report in Clark County Washington of a "cold funnel" (tornado), estimated intensity F-0, occurred near Vancouver, Washington at 3:27 p.m. EST.  The funnel cloud reportedly touched down near 78th Ave and Hwy 99 in Vancouver, WA. Some damage reported: blown transformers,  downed power lines, trees, and overturned vehicles.  Currently, no injuries reported.  Washington State and Clark County Emergency Management investigating an unverified report (received late in the day) of a second tornado touching down (around 3:30 p.m. EST) in the Battleground area, 10 miles north of Vancouver, WA.  Local response efforts are being coordinated by the State and Clark County conducting damage assessment. There has been no request for Federal assistance. (NOAA NWS Storm prediction Center, Region IV, Region X)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

On Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. EST a magnitude 6.3 earthquake occurred off the coast of Oregon, about 154 miles west northwest of Barview, Oregon and 256 miles west southwest of Portland, Oregon. There have been no reports of damage or injury and a tsunami is not expected. 

On Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. EST a magnitude 3.5 earthquake occurred about 28 miles west northwest of Beckley, West Virginia. There have been no reports of damage or injury.   (USGS/NEIC, West Coast & Alaska Tsunami Warning Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Missouri - Three Public Assistance teams began conducting joint PDAs in six counties January 9, 2008 for damages received from tornadoes, flash flooding, hail and high winds on January 7, 2008 and continuing. Individual Assistance PDAs are scheduled to begin later in the week.

Kansas - Public Assistance PDAs in 37 counties began on December 28, 2007 for damage resulting from severe storms on December 6, 2007 and continuing. Assessments are expected to be completed this week.(FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Washington - FEMA-1734-DR was amended January 9, 2008 to include Wahkiakum County for Individual Assistance. The county was previously designated for Public Assistance December 8, 2007, when the Major Disaster Declaration was approved for severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides. (FEMA HQ)