Thursday, March 3, 2011

Thursday, March 3, 2011: "

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

West:

The Pacific Northwest will receive moderate rainfall and heavy mountain snow in the Rockies to the Central Plains. Light rain is forecast to fall along the Pacific coast to Southern California until Friday. An additional 12 inches of snow is forecast this morning at elevations above 6,000 feet with gusts up to 40 mph in the Sierras. Rain is forecast in elevations below 7,000 feet in the Southwest region.

Midwest:

Rain turning to snow is forecast from the Northern and Central Plains to the Northern Great Lakes regions as it flows along the U.S. and Canadian border. Precipitation is expected to increase in intensity across the Midwest and Mississippi River Valley with scattered showers and thunderstorms expected tonight. Temperatures in this region will continue to range from the single digits above and below zero over North Dakota and Minnesota to the 20s and 30s from Nebraska to Illinois and Indiana.

South:

A low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico will produce light rain across Alabama and Louisiana this evening. High pressure continues to bring sunshine and above average temperatures to much of the region. An additional two inches of precipitation is forecast in the Ohio and Tennessee valleys. A slight risk of severe thunderstorms is forecast for the Southern Plains Saturday.

Northeast:

A strong area of high pressure will bring clear and cool conditions to the region. The system mentioned above will bring precipitation to Northeast by Friday.
(National Weather Service, Hydrometeorological Prediction Center, and various media sources)

Midwest Flooding

Another storm system is forecast to bring heavy rain, freezing rain, and possible snow to portions of Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Ohio this weekend. Additional, river flooding is possible as the system moves through the region.

International – Update on New Zealand Earthquake

Background

A magnitude 6.3 earthquake occurred on February 21, 2011, near Christchurch New Zealand. The cities of Christchurch central business district and Lyttelton suffered considerable damage with a number of collapsed and seriously damaged buildings.

Current Situation

• The multinational response effort is ongoing.
• USAID/DART USAR continued search operations in an 18-story building in Christchurch.
• The U.S. Urban Search and Rescue team searched the remaining priority sites and only unstable buildings remain unsearched.
• Structural engineers continue to work to prioritize structures that will require controlled demolition.
• There are 160 (+5) confirmed fatalities, 70 people rescued and over 200 people are still missing.
• Of the 200 homes evacuated in Sumner, all but 20 have been able to be reoccupied.
• Three welfare centers are open with between 150 and 200 occupants.
• Lyttelton Port is operating at reduced capacity but main supply routes to the city sustained no damage.
• The main sewage plant is operational, but at a reduced capacity.
• Roads are open and undergoing repair and trash collection and postal services have resumed.
• New Zealand has not requested further international assistance.

(USGS,USAID, NZ Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Management)

Earthquake Activity

No significant activity. (USGS)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments are underway in the following states: Illinois, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Washington.

Wildfire Update

Florida Wildfire Activity - Update
Iron Horse Fire (Volusia and Brevard counties)

The fire has burned since Feb. 28, 2011. Sixteen thousand acres have burned, and the fire is 25 percent contained. Interstate 95 is currently open but will close and re-open as needed.

Texas Wildfire Activity- Update

Gusty winds and low relative humidity across much of western Texas have caused wind driven wildfires. Five Fire Management Assistance Grants were requested. Four FMAGs were approved and the FMAG request for Quinn Ranch Fire (Howard County) was denied. The Texas Forest Service reports 137,904 acres have burned in 89 separate fires during the past seven days. All evacuation orders have been lifted.

Disaster Declaration Activity

On March 2, 2011, the State of Missouri requested a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of severe winter storm during the period of Jan. 31, 2011, to Feb. 5, 2011. The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance, including snow assistance for 62 counties; Public Assistance for two counties; and Hazard mitigation for the entire state. The Governor is also requesting an additional 24 hours of snow assistance for seven counties. (FEMA HQ)

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