• Emergency Managers and Personnel
• Situation Reports
• National Incident Management System
• Grants & Assistance Programs
• Training
• Contacts
• Planning
• Best Practices

National Situation Update: Thursday, March 6, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
Due to a high pressure system, this region will be mostly dry throughout the day, except for a few lingering snow showers in northern New Mexico and flurries in the Rockies.  The next system approaching the West Coast tomorrow will produce rain in the Northwest and snow in the mountains. Temperatures will range from the 20s in the Rockies, eastern Montana and northeast Wyoming to the 70s in parts of California and southwest Arizona. 

Midwest:
Under high pressure, there will be snow showers in the Northern Plains, upper Midwest and Great Lakes without significant accumulation.
An Alberta Clipper will bring sub-zero temperatures and additional snowfall to the Great Lakes over the weekend.  High temperatures will range from below zero in North Dakota to the 50s in far southern Ohio and eastern Kentucky.

South:
As an area of low pressure is developing in the Gulf of Mexico and will produce  heavy rain showers and thunderstorms across southeastern Texas and Louisiana.  A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for central Oklahoma through Friday as the moist air from the low which developed in the Rockies moves southeast.  Starting as rain and sleet, then changing over to snow later in the afternoon, this storm has the potential to bring 3-10 inches of snow to central Oklahoma by evening. Temperatures will range from the 30s in Oklahoma, northern Texas and northern Arkansas to the 80s in southwest Florida. 

Northeast:
This region will be under a dome of high pressure resulting in generally dry conditions and light winds.
Friday and Saturday, an area of low pressure will bring a wintry mix with gusty winds to the region.
High temperatures will range from the upper 20s in far northern Maine to the 60s across southern Virginia. (NWS, Media Sources)

Impacts from East Coast Severe Weather Outbreak

The cold front moving through the region produced a significant amount of thunderstorm activity on March 4-5, 2008. While a total of six tornado watches were issued for the southeast and mid-Atlantic, actual tornado activity was minimal. There were, however, numerous reports of hail and gusty winds in an area extending from Georgia north to western Pennsylvania and west to central Kentucky.

Pennsylvania:

• The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) EOC has returned to normal operations.
• Minor flooding and localized road closures reported in eleven counties.

Maryland:

• Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) reported 17 flood gates at the Conowingo Dam, on the Susquehanna River, were to be opened for 12 hours to reduce flooding.
• The opening of these flood gates will impact the town of Port Deposit, MD resulting in one road closure due to flooding downstream.

Virginia:

• A State of Emergency was declared by Governor Kaine on March 5, 2008.
• Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) reported a possible tornado or weather burst in Wise County.
• Damage in Wise, Louisa, and Essex counties from this storm; nine buildings were destroyed, and over 50 homes suffered damage, and approximately 10,000 residents were without power.

West Virginia:

• The WV EOC reported weather related impacts and flooding of small streams causing isolated road closures.
• The State will continue to monitor the Ohio River forecasts for potential flooding impacts in the next 36 to 48 hours.

Ohio:

• The state Emergency Operations Center was not activated.
• The Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA) reported over 115,000 residences and businesses without power. Power has still not been fully restored. Warming shelters have been established in affected areas.
• Carroll County EMA reported 18 trailers in surrounded by high water, Brown Township Fire Department conducted boat rescue operations.
• Jefferson County EMA reported 45 homes evacuated in Hammondsville and Irondale due to flooding.  Shelters open at Irondale and Stanton Elementary Schools, population unknown. 

Mississippi:

• Amite County:  2 homes, major damage; 2 homes, minor damage; 4 mobile homes, major damage.
• Harrison County:  Safe haven shelter in West Harrison County Civic Center has 5 persons sheltered.
• Panola County:  1 home damaged; 2 businesses, major damage; 6 businesses, minor damage; Moderate damage to MS National Guard Armory in Batesville, including several damaged vehicles.
• Scott County:  Mayor of Lake signed Emergency Declaration; 1 home destroyed; 1 home, major damage; 14 homes, minor damage; 2 businesses, major damage.
• Walthall County:  2 homes destroyed; 5 residents homeless.

Alabama:

• Samantha Tornado (EF1), Tuscaloosa County:  6 homes damaged; one heavily.
• Eutaw Tornado (EF1), Greene County:  Impact assessments continuing.

In Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee there were reports of wind damage (primarily to trees and mobile homes), hail, power outages, heavy precipitation and flash flooding, but no major damage was reported. (Region III, Region IV, Region V,  NWS, MEMA, VDEM, Media Sources)

Mid-West Flooding

In Illinois, the Rock River at Moline and Joslin is at major flood stage and is forecast to remain at this level through March 12, 2008.  The Illinois River is at moderate flood stage; officials are monitoring both rivers for continued flooding. 

The Kankakee and East Fork White Rivers in Indiana are at moderate flood stage.  The river levels are falling and are expected to be below flood stage by Sunday, March 9, 2008.

In Ohio, the Scioto River is experiencing moderate flooding, but is expected to fall below flood stage by Saturday, March 8, 2008. (NWS, Region V,  Media Sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

A minor earthquake occurred at 7:14 pm EST on Thursday, March 6, 2008. The magnitude 3.7 event occurred three miles north northwest of Big Bear City, California, at a depth of 8.5 miles. No reports of any injuries or damages.  (US Geological Survey)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Kentucky: Disaster Declaration FEMA-1746-DR, dated February 21, 2008 has been amended to include the following areas among those areas determined to have been adversely affected by the catastrophe declared a Major Disaster by the President of the United States:

• Bath, Harrison, Hopkins, Nicholas, Shelby and Spencer Counties for Individual Assistance.  (FEMA HQ)