Saturday, February 6, 2010


Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED) Significant National Weather Northeast: The surface low will move northeast and continue to rapidly intensify as it passes off shore of Cape Hatteras this afternoon. For the latest watches and warnings see www.weather.gov. Expect heavy snowfall with near-blizzard or blizzard conditions from eastern West Virginia, through D.C., Delaware, southern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Within this band, snowfall amounts of 18 to 24 inches are possible by tonight. Across Virginia a mix of rain and sleet is expected to change to snow by late morning with accumulations of two to four inches. New York City and Long Island, especially the south shore, could still see four to seven inches and the southern New England Coast may receive an inch on the northern edge of the storm. Wind gusts along the coast could reach 50 mph and some coastal flooding is forecast. The storm should slowly move away from the Delmarva Peninsula later today. The snow will end from west to east across the region this afternoon and evening. Rainfall over the Carolinas and southeast Virginia will come to an end early Sunday morning. The next system will reach the region on Tuesday and Wednesday producing additional wintry weather from the Mid-Atlantic to New England.South:Much of the Southeast will be cold and windy as the storm system moves up the coast. Periods of snow, mixed with rain are forecast for eastern Tennessee, northern Georgia, North Carolina and the southern Appalachians. Rain will return Sunday night and Monday from the southern Plains to the lower Mississippi Valley with snow from the Texas Panhandle to Tennessee. Rainfall could exceed an inch across northeast Texas and Arkansas.Midwest: A strong mid to upper-level low is moving eastward through the Ohio Valley producing light to moderate snow. Snowfall totals in central and east-central Ohio could approach 12 inches before ending from west to east across the Ohio Valley. a wide area of light snow or flurries is falling across the southwest quarter of Minnesota and western Iowa and the eastern Dakotas. The next storm will hit the region with snow from the Dakotas to Minnesota and south to Kansas with sleet and rain in northern Oklahoma.West: A frontal system will produce precipitation along the entire West Coast. The system will move eastward from Southern California through the Southwest over the weekend. Rainfall in California will average one inch and flash flooding is possible in the recent burn areas of southern California. Snowfall accumulations in the southern Sierra and Southern California mountains will top a foot with snow levels ranging from 3,000 near the Oregon border to 5,000 feet in the south. Snow will spread into Nevada, Utah and northern Arizona today and into Colorado and New Mexico by Sunday. (NOAA s National Weather Service, The Hydrometeorological Prediction Center and Various media sources) Mid-Atlantic Winter Storm February 5 and continuing: fema Region II RRCC is at Watch/Steady State; Watch 24/7. RRCC is monitoring the current weather conditions. No request for Federal assistance.New York State & NY City EOCs are at Normal Operations.New Jersey NJROIC is at Level III; NJOEM is providing support personnel. 8 county EOCs are activated; 13 local States of Emergency have been declared.fema Region III RRCC is at Level III; Watch 24/7. RRCC is monitoring the current weather conditions. IMAT is on call. State Liaison Officer (SLO) deployed the State EOCs of VA, WV, DE & MD.Virginia SEOC is activated at Response Operations ; fully staffed. Governor declared a State of Emergency for the entire state on February 3, 2010. 26,750 customers are without power statewide; restoration date is unknown. 12 county EOCs are activated. 2 shelters open/number of occupants are unknown. 500 National Guard Troops have been authorized; 100 have been pre-positioned across the Commonwealth.West Virginia SEOC is fully activated. Governor has declared a State of Emergency for the entire state on February 5, 2010. 3,659 customers are reported without power statewide; total restoration date is unknown.Pennsylvania SEOC is activated at Level II.Maryland SEOC is at Level III; ESFs 6, 8 & 13 are activated, with 1 & 9 alerted. Governor issued a Declaration of Emergency for the entire state on February 5, 2010. 19,782 customers are reported without power statewide; total restoration date is unknown. 3 county EOCs are activated; 8 local States of Emergency have been declaredDelaware SEOC is fully activated. Governor has declared a State of Emergency for the entire state on February 5, 2010. 2 shelters open/number of occupants unknown.District of Columbia DC HSEMA is activated with additional staff and select ELO s. Mayor declared a Snow Emergency across the district on February 5, 2010. Severe Winter Weather Recovery January 28 and continuing Region VI: RRCC is at Watch/Steady State; 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CST (M-F) Region VI IMAT has demobilized. fema is providing generator support to OK.Oklahoma Emergency Declaration fema-3308-EM OK was signed Jan 30 State EOC has returned to normal operations 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. 7 confirmed fatalities. 18,552 customers remain without power; full restoration date is unknown. 4 shelters/173 occupants. 2 MDRCs are located at the Fort Sill stage base. fema has provided 75 generators; 1 pending assessment/installation. fema Recovery Operations in Haiti (7.0 Earthquake) The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Office of U.S. Foreign disaster Assistance (OFDA) is the lead U.S. government (USG) office responsible for providing humanitarian assistance in response to international emergencies and disasters.In support of the U.S. Department of State/Agency for International Development (USAID), the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been partnering with US DOD/USTRANSCOM to transport commodities to support Haiti, including more than 1.42 million meals. Commodities that have been delivered to Rio Haina, Dominican Republic, and Port Au Prince, Haiti, to date, includes roughly: 1.42 million meals 24,365 blankets 767,164 liters of water 94,709 comfort kits 7,645 cots 52,606 tarps 463 rolls of plastic sheeting Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) No activity (fema HQ) Tropical Weather Outlook No new activity (fema HQ) Earthquake Activity No new activity (fema HQ) Preliminary Damage Assessments No new activity (fema HQ) disaster Declaration Activity New Jersey: On February 5, 2010, the President declared a Major disaster Declaration for the State of New Jersey (fema-1873-DR) as a result of a snowstorm occurring Dec 19-20, 2009. The Declaration provides Public Assistance (Cat B, including snow assistance) for 7 counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide. Stephen M. DeBlasio Sr from the National FCO Program has been appointed as the Federal Coordinating Officer.

fema Highlights Holiday Gifts That Increase Preparedness
PAGO PAGO, AS — This year Federal Emergency Management Agency (fema) has assembled a list of gift ideas for the holidays to help keep your family and friends prepared. Emergencies can happen at any moment; these gifts can serve as a great starting point to ensure that your friends and family have an emergency communications plan, a disaster supply kit, and stay informed about emergencies in their area.

fema Update: American Samoa Earthquake, Tsunami And Flooding
Pago Pago, AS — fema and its federal partners continue to work closely with the American Samoa government to assist in the recovery efforts in the aftermath of the Sept. 29, earthquake, tsunami and flooding. Below are a few progress updates from fema and its partners:

Sunday, February 7, 2010
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED) Significant National Weather Midwest:A new storm system developing in the region will bring snow from the Dakotas to Minnesota and south to Kansas before moving into the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley on Tuesday. 6 to 9 inches of snow and sleet is forecast to impact the area by Monday evening. In central Iowa, up to 8 inches of snow and wind gusts near 15 to 30 mph are expected. On Monday evening central Indiana will see up to 6 inches of new snow and gusty winds.West: Heavy rain and accumulating snow will continue this morning in the southern Sierra and Southern California mountains. Portions of Utah, northern Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico are under Winter Storm Warning through Monday. Higher elevations of southern Utah and southwestern areas of Colorado may receive 1 to 2 feet of snow. In the Mohave, above 5,500 feet, 8 to 16 inches of snow are expected today. Flash flood warnings have been extended in the recent burn areas of southern California through evening.Northeast: Much of the region will remain dry with light snow, less than an inch, possible in northern New England. Coastal areas of New York and New England may experience light snow and strong wind gusts.South: Periods of snow, mixed with rain are forecast for Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle. Rain will continue from the southern Plains to the lower Mississippi Valley and could exceed an inch across northeast Texas and Arkansas. (NOAA s National Weather Service, the Hydro meteorological Prediction Center and Various media sources) Mid-Atlantic Winter Storm February 5 – 7, 2010 fema Region IIRRCC Level IV-Watch/Steady State; Watch 24/7. Returning to 12/7 on Monday Feb 8RRCC is monitoring the current weather conditions.1 liaison is deployed to the New Jersey State EOCNo request for Federal assistanceNew JerseyNJROIC is at Level III; NJOEM is providing support personnel.3 county EOCs are activated; 22 local States of Emergency have been declared.72,500 customers without power (Atlantic Electric)9 shelters are open; 863 occupants as of 6:00 p.m.fema Region IIIRRCC is at Level III (24/7 Operations, Plans, Logistics and Watch); Watch 24/7.State Liaison Officer (SLO) deployed the State EOCs of VA, WV, DE & MD.No requests for Federal assistanceVirginiaGovernor declared a State of Emergency for the Commonwealth on February 3, 2010.EOC is activated at Response Operations and is fully staffed.21 county EOCs are activated.Airport terminals at Dulles International and Reagan National are open; airfields closed overnight for snow removal100,000 customers are without power as of midnight; restoration date is unknown.26 shelters open; 112 occupantsDamages:Buildings collapsed in Tazewell and Pulaski Counties. No injuries reportedManassas Regional Airport reports a total collapse of an aircraft hangar.No major hospitals affected; Two nursing homes (Alexandria), two 911 centers and two jails (Pittsylvania and Covington Counties) are on backup generators. (VEOC SITREP #4)No request for Federal assistanceWest VirginiaSEOC is fully activated.Governor has declared a State of Emergency for the entire state on February 5, 2010.50,000 customers are reported without power statewide as of 0045; total restoration date is unknown.12 shelters are open with 59 occupantsPennsylvaniaEOC is activated at Level IIAll airports are operational; airfields closed overnight for snow removalGovernor declared a State of Emergency for the entire Commonwealth on Feb 6, 2010114,000 customers without power as of midnight;3 shelters open; 9 occupants. 5 warming centers are open; 55 occupantsNo hospitals under emergency power; 2 senior care facilities on backup power (Region III SITREP p.m. Edition)MarylandSEOC is at Level III; ESFs 6, 8 & 13 are activated, with 1 & 9 alerted.Governor issued a Declaration of Emergency for the entire state on February 5, 2010.124,000 customers are reported without power as of midnight; total restoration date is unknown.3 county EOCs are activated; 8 local States of Emergency have been declared3 Shelters open in Montgomery, Charles and Kent Counties; 13 occupants. 1 warming center is open in Cecil CountyAirport terminals at BWI are open; airfields closed overnight for snow removalDamages: Roof collapse of a church in Baltimore occurred with no injuriesNo hospitals under emergency power (MEMA SITREP #8)DelawareSEOC is fully activated 24/7 through Monday, Feb 8Governor has declared a State of Emergency for the entire state on February 5, 2010.5 shelters open: 80 occupants. 4 additional shelters will open in Kent and Sussex Counties38,200 customers without power; restoration expected to take several daysNo hospitals under emergency powerDistrict of ColumbiaDC HSEMA is partially activated with additional staff and select ELO s. (Region III SITREP p.m. Edition)Mayor declared a Snow Emergency across the District on February 5, 2010.195,000 customers without power (open source) California Mudslides – Feb 5-7, 2010 Region IXAs a result of heavy rains causing debris flow and mudslides, several communities along the southern boundary of last summer s Station Fire burn area in Los Angeles County were ordered to evacuate their home early Friday.Rainfall totals from stations in the vicinity of the Station Fire burn area (Los Angeles County Mountains and Foothills) ranged from 1 to nearly 4 inches with many locations reporting more that 2 inches. Rains fell at a rate of up to inch per hour during storm passage.The rainfall triggered mudslides and debris flows damaging more than 40 homes and 25 vehicles. Damage was reported to range from light to moderate to major. The communities affected included Antelope Valley and Acton, La Canada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Sierra Madre and Altadena. In La Canada Flintridge, in the foothills near the burn area of Station wildfire, a hillside reportedly gave way causing mud to flow into homes.Mandatory evacuations were ordered for many residents of La Crescenta, La Canada Flintridge, and Acton. Affected residents were notified through Alert LA County and by door-to-door notification by LA County Sheriff s Deputies.The evacuations were ordered as a safety precaution following predictions of heavy rain fall later in the day Friday and Saturday.After evaluating the weather, the flood control systems and roadway access of the foothill communities, the incident commanders lifted the mandatory evacuations Saturday night for La Crescenta, Acton and La Canada Flintridge. Evacuations remained in place for some communities still at risk of mud slides.No deaths or major injuries have been reported. However, media reported that 6,600 residents were without power.The American Red Cross established shelters in La Canada, Acton and Sierra Madre.There has been no request for Federal assistance Severe Winter Weather Recovery – January 28 and continuing Region VI: RRCC is at Watch/Steady State; 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CST (M-F)Region VI IMAT has demobilized.fema is providing generator support to OK.OklahomaEmergency Declaration fema-3308-EM OK was signed Jan 30State EOC has returned to normal operations 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 7 confirmed fatalities.12,108 customers remain without power; full restoration date is unknown. 5 shelters/173 occupants.2 MDRCs are located at the Fort Sill staging base.fema has provided 75 generators; 1 pending assessment/installation. fema Recovery Operations in Haiti (7.0 Earthquake) The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Office of U.S. Foreign disaster Assistance (OFDA) is the lead U.S. government (USG) office responsible for providing humanitarian assistance in response to international emergencies and disasters. In support of the U.S. Department of State/Agency for International Development (USAID), the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been partnering with US DOD/USTRANSCOM to transport commodities to support Haiti, including more than 1.42 million meals. Commodities that have been delivered to Rio Haina, Dominican Republic, and Port Au Prince, Haiti, to date, includes roughly:1.42 million meals24,365 blankets767,164 liters of water94,709 comfort kits7,645 cots52,606 tarps463 rolls of plastic sheeting Tropical Weather Outlook No new activity (fema HQ) Earthquake Activity A 5.6 magnitude earthquake followed by a 5.1 magnitude aftershock occurred at 3:32 a.m. and 3:52 a.m. EST approximately 175 miles SW of American Samoa at a depth of 19.6 and 18.8 miles respectively. No damage or injuries reported and no Tsunami was generated (fema HQ) Preliminary Damage Assessments No new activity (fema HQ) disaster Declaration Activity No new activity (fema HQ)

fema Mitigaton Specialists Offer Repair And Rebuilding Advice
Pago Pago, AS — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (fema) will provide one-on-one guidance for American Samoans interested in repairing and rebuilding their disaster-damaged homes or businesses. Mitigation specialists from fema s Community Education Outreach program are providing free advice and answering questions, this week in Tafuna, Nu uuli and Maleimi.

disaster Service Center To Close American Samoa Helpline To Remain Open
Pago Pago, AS With the concurrence of the American Samoa government, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (fema) and the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will close the disaster Service Center at the Convention Center in Utulei on Saturday, Jan. 16th at Noon.

fema Documents American Samoa Response And Recovery Online
Pago Pago, AS — fema has been in the forefront of government agencies in adapting its communication efforts to include social media and the next generation of online tools.