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National Situation Update: Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

South:
Rain and thunderstorms are forecast for the southern Plains and northeast Texas to western Arkansas and northwest Louisiana; however, high pressure will keep the Mississippi River Valley dry. 

The thunderstorms will contain strong winds, large hail, and could potentially turn into tornadoes.  A Red Flag Warning will be in effect from 12:00 noon until 6:00 p.m. EDT today in eastern and southern Florida due to warm temperatures and low relative humidity.

Midwest:
Heavy rain is expected eastward from the Plains to southern Missouri and southeast Kansas.  Some areas may see from three to five inches of rain. 

The Great Lakes region will see some rain and strong winds with more scattered activity down to the Ohio Valley.  High temperatures will range from the 40s near Lake Superior to the upper 70s and 80s in Kentucky.

West: 
The West Coast will be primarily dry; however, some scattered thunderstorms may occur around the Sierra Nevada region.  Much of the Southwest will be dry but windy as low pressure moves away. 

Red Flag Warnings exist for southeast New Mexico, far west Texas, and southern Utah until late tonight due to strong winds and low relative humidity that will create critical fire weather conditions. 

Northeast: 
Some rain is anticipated in the western sections of New York and Pennsylvania.  (NWS)

Toxic Spill

A toxic solvent was released from a manufacturing plant near San Francisco Bay on Monday, May 5.

According to the California Department of Fish and Game, approximately 3,300 gallons of the solvent toluene was released.  Contra Coast County had briefly issued a shelter in place order Monday for about 1,500 residences when the substance was discovered.  Federal (USCG), state, and local responders are on scene and cleanup is under way and should be complete on May 7.  (Region IX, media sources)

Mississippi Valley Flooding

FEMA Regional Offices, State EOCs, and the NRCC continue to monitor Flood Warnings and Watches in the Mississippi River Valley.  (Region IV, Region V, Region VI RRCC, National Weather Service, FEMA HQ)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

Nothing significant activity reported.  (FEMA HQ)

Virginia Earthquake

A small earthquake occurred in the Washington, DC area about 1:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday. The epicenter was about one mile from Springfield, VA or about 13 miles away from Washington, DC. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimated its magnitude at 2.0, at a depth of 3.7 miles.

Arlington and Fairfax counties officials reported receiving dozens of calls from residents concerned about what they were hearing or feeling.  There have been no reports of damage or injury.

According to USGS and emergency management officials, earthquakes of this magnitude are normally single events, and aftershocks do not normally occur; however the possibility cannot be eliminated.

Virginia contains two named seismic zones: the Giles County Seismic Zone centered along the New River, about 20 miles west-northwest of Blacksburg, and the Central Virginia Seismic Zone, extending west from Richmond toward Charlottesville and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The most recent earthquake recorded in northern Virginia was a 2.5-magnitude earthquake near Manassas on Sept. 29, 1997, according to USGS.

There was a 2.1 magnitude earthquake in the Baltimore area on Feb. 23, 2005, and there was a series of small seismic events in March and April 1993 in Columbia, MD, according to USGS.

The largest recorded earthquake with an epicenter in Virginia was on May 31, 1897, near Giles County. The magnitude 5.9 earthquake could be felt from Lynchburg, VA west to Bluefield, WV, and south to Bristol, TN. (USGS, media sources)

Earthquake Activity

A magnitude 4.5 earthquake occurred May 6 at 3:39 p.m. EDT, off the coast of Oregon.  The earthquake was 98 miles west of Bandon, OR, at a depth of 6.2 miles. There were no reports of damages or injuries and no tsunami advisory or warning was generated.

Earthquakes continue near the community of Verdi-Mogul, NV.

A magnitude 2.0 earthquake occurred in Northern Virginia, Tuesday, May 6 at 1:30 p.m. EDT, 13 miles west southwest from Washington, DC, near Springfield, VA, at a depth of 3.7 miles.  There were no reports of injuries or damage.  (USGS, FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 2
States reporting large fires: Florida (4), New Mexico (2), Texas (2).
National Fire Activity as of Tuesday, May 6:
Initial attack activity: Light (224 new fires)
New large fires: 1
Large fires contained: 1
Uncontained large fires: 7
Weather Discussion: A low pressure system moving over southern Arizona will bring strong winds to southern and eastern New Mexico and west Texas.  Thunderstorms will also develop with this system.  Low relative humidity will continue in the Southeast.  (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center,  NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center, NGB)

New Mexico
Trigo Fire (Torrance County) has burned 13,680 acres and is 60% contained.  (InciWeb)
A total of 80 structures have been reported destroyed.  (National Interagency Coordination Center)
Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) began on Tuesday, May 6.

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)