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National Situation Update: Friday, April 25, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

Northeast                                                                       
Showers and thunderstorms are forecast for the region on Saturday.  Today's temperatures will range from the 70s in Upstate New York to the 80s in Maryland and Virginia.  Flood Warnings continue for numerous rivers in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.

South
Showers and thunderstorms are forecast for western Kentucky down to Texas today.  These storms will range from strong to severe with large hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes.  Temperatures are expected to range from the 70s and 80s throughout the region.  Saturday will bring heavy rain across eastern Oklahoma and Texas.  Flood Watches and Warnings remain in effect for Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Arkansas.

Midwest
Thunderstorms are forecast for the region today.  These storms will range from strong to severe across parts of Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri.  Isolated tornadoes are possible.  Winter weather is forecast for portions of the Dakotas and Minnesota.  Over six inches of snow could accumulate, along with strong winds.  Temperatures are expected to range from the 30s and 40s in the eastern Dakotas and Minnesota to the 70s in the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley.  Flood Watches remain in effect for Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois.  A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for portions of northwest Kansas and southwest Nebraska.

West
Rain and snow are expected in portions of northwest and central Rockies through Saturday.  Heavy snow may fall in higher elevations.  Temperatures are expected to reach above average levels this weekend.  Highs will range from the 60s in Montana to the 90s and 100s in the Desert Southwest. (NWS, Various Media Sources)

Tornadoes

Several tornadoes touched down in west and north Texas on April 23.  Two Swift Water Rescues in Parker County.  ARC damage assessments in Tarrant County: two homes destroyed: two sustained major damage; one sustained minor damage; one affected.  Some power outages; however, residents with power loss, had power restored.  No request for Federal assistance. Four reports of Tornadoes in Kansas and Iowa on April 24. (TX SOC, NWS)

Mississippi Valley Flooding

CURRENT SITUATION
Showers and thunderstorms will continue in the lower Mississippi Valley today as a series of storm systems roll through the Plains and the Midwest.  These storms will range from strong to severe across portions of Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Missouri.  The strongest storms will produce flooding rain, hail, damaging winds and the potential for tornado development.  Minor to moderate flooding continues at locations along the Mississippi River in Illinois and Missouri with levels slowly rising in response to recent rains; crests are expected this weekend and into next week.  Five river gauges are reporting Major Flood Stages at locations in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Illinois.  Flood Watches, Warnings, and/or Statements are in effect for Mississippi, Louisiana, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas and Illinois.

FEDERAL RESPONSE
FEMA Region IV
Mississippi:  Joint Federal / State IA PDAs are complete.
Kentucky:  Joint PA PDAs are ongoing.
FEMA Region VI
Oklahoma:  Joint PA PDAs ongoing.
Arkansas:  Joint PDAs are on going; IA PDAs - 48 of 49; PA PDAs are complete. 

STATE and LOCAL RESPONSE
Arkansas
No change to damages since last report.  Major/Moderate Flooding Update: Mississippi River at Arkansas City is at Major Flood Stage, and is slowly receding.  The water is on the levees in the Arkansas City area.  The White River at Clarendon is at Major Flood Stage, and is gradually receding. The river is forecast to fall below Major Flood Stage Saturday, April 26.  (NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service)
Louisiana
No change to damages since last report.  Major/Moderate River Flooding: The Mississippi River at Baton Rouge is at Major Flood Stage and cresting.  The River is forecast to remain steady for several days.  The city of Baton Rouge is protected by levees at this level.  (NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, GOHSEP Sit Rep)

Mississippi
The Governor is requesting a major disaster declaration for Individual Assistance for 4 counties (Bolivar, Washington, Warren, and Wilkinson) and Hazard Mitigation statewide as a result of flooding beginning March 20, 2008 and continuing.  No change to damages since last report.  Major/Moderate Flooding:  Mississippi River at Vicksburg is at Major Flood Stage.  The River will remain steady for the next 5 days. (NWS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service)

Illinois
No change to damages since last report.  Major/Moderate Flooding: Mississippi River at Burlington is at Major Flood Stage.  The river is forecast to rise next week.  (Region IV, Region VI, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) Emergency Operations Center, Louisiana Governor's Office of State Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOSHEP), Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, Texas Division of Emergency Management State Operations Center, National Weather Service, National Guard Bureau, USACE.)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No FMAG requested or issued.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

There were no Earthquakes greater than a 4.5 in the United States.  (USGS, NOAA, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The President has signed Emergency Declaration FEMA-3286-EM for the State of Ohio to provide assistance for emergency protective measures (Category B), including snow removal assistance, for 17 counties under the Public Assistance program for the incident period March 7-9, 2008.  (FEMA HQ)