National Situation Update: Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED). Significant National Weather

West: Northwest winds will move cooler air into the Northwest, much of California and the western Great Basin today. Over the Desert Southwest, however, extreme heat will persist. Showers and thunderstorms will affect the Pacific Northwest, California and Montana. Snow levels in the Cascades will be dropping sharply, down to around 4000 feet by late in the day. After record-breaking warmth Friday and Saturday, Washington and Oregon will experience highs only in the 50s today.

South: East of the Mississippi river, a cold front will cause showers and thunderstorms in the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.

The Florida Peninsula will see showers and storms near a decaying frontal boundary.
High temperatures will be near to above late May norms with readings ranging from the upper 60s in the Appalachians to over 100 in southwest Texas.

Northeast: A low pressure center will be dropping rain on the Mid-Atlantic States today, but the precipitation will end from west to east during the course of the day. The rain may reach as far north as extreme southern New England but most will be across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, the Delmarva Peninsula and Virginia. A severe storm may develop during the afternoon in Tidewater Virginia.

Midwest: Sowers and thunderstorms will develop in Midwest and Kentucky today, but nothing severe is expected. High temperatures are forecast to range from the 50s in much of far northern Minnesota and northern Michigan to the 80s in extreme southern Missouri, Kansas and western Nebraska. (NWS, Media Sources)

Northwest Snowmelt

Current Situation:
Washington and Idaho rivers are behaving as predicted. No new significant developments.

Numerous rivers throughout the Pacific Northwest are forecast to reach "Above Bankfull" in next 72 hours, but only sixteen are forecast to reach flood stage. The cooling weather pattern in the region should help slow the snow pack rapid melt off and consequently slow the potential for flooding.

In southeast Idaho a Flood Warning has been issued for the Henrys River and Fork River near Rexburg from Wednesday afternoon to late Saturday night. Flood Warnings have been issued throughout much of the panhandle of Idaho as well as portions of northeast Oregon and the eastern slopes and foothills of the Washington Cascades.

Spokane River: Spokane Weather Service is predicting to change from a Flood Watch to a Flood Warning sometime on Tuesday, May 20th due to rising water and run-off from Lake Coeur d'Alene in Idaho.

When this lake rises, the subsequent run-off is very slow traveling down the Spokane River, which will keep this river at or near flood stage for an extended period of time.
Lake Coeur d'Alene is forecast to reach flood level Tuesday may 20th and remain above flood stage through May 28th. (NOAA/NWS)

Washington: State EOC activated to Phase 2, Enhanced Operations - 24/7 Duty Officer

Flooding Potential: Naches River is at Moderate Flood Stage, 18.11 ft and is forecast to reach Flood Stage by May 21.
Moderate flooding St Joe and Yakima and Naches River Basins is expected over 48 hours.
USACE Washington, Yakima County engaged in flood fighting along the Yakima and Naches rivers.(USACE)
State is continuing to monitor the Yakima River; in particular, the potential erosion of a levee continues to threaten a water treatment plant and major power transmission lines in the Nile area.

Montana: A Flood Warning is in effect through today for northwest and central Montana. Unseasonably warm temperatures from 80 to 90 degree will result in rapid snow melt and localized flooding. (FEMA Region VIII, FEMA Region X,)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 2
National Fire Activity as of Monday, May 19:
Initial attack activity: Light (178 new fires)
New large fires: 1
Large fires contained: 3
Uncontained large fires: 6

Weather Discussion: There will be a chance of showers over central and southern portions of Florida with mostly dry weather in the north. Hot and dry weather will continue over southern California and the Southwest with increasing winds over southern California and mountains and desert, as well as portions of Arizona. (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center, NGB)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Kentucky
The President has signed FEMA-1757-DR for the commonwealth of Kentucky.
The incident is for severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, mudslides, and landslides.
The FCO will be Michael Moore.

The designations are as follows:

13 counties designated for Public Assistance.
All counties are eligible for the Hazard Mitigation Grant program.

Georgia
The Governor is requesting a major disaster declaration as a result of tornadoes and severe weather for May 11-12, 2008.

The Governor is specifically requesting Individual Assistance for ten (10) Counties, Public Assistance for 13 Counties; and Hazard Mitigation statewide.

Mississippi
The Governor is appealing the denial for a major disaster declaration as a result of severe weather and tornadoes on April 4, 2008.

The Governor initially requested Individual Assistance and Public Assistance (Categories A, B, C, E, and G) for Hinds County and Hazard Mitigation statewide.

The Lieutenant Governor has submitted the appeal on be half of the Governor and has requested Individual Assistance and Public Assistance (Categories A, B, E, F, and G) for Hinds County and Hazard Mitigation statewide.

Missouri-1
The Governor is requesting a major disaster declaration as a result of severe storm systems that generated tornadoes, high winds, hail, and flooding during the period of May 10-11, 2008.

The Governor is specifically requesting Individual Assistance and Public Assistance for the three (3) counties. The Governor is also requesting direct Federal assistance and Hazard Mitigation for the entire State.

Missouri-2
The Governor is requesting a major disaster declaration as a result of severe storm systems that generated tornadoes, high winds, hail, and flooding during the period of May 1-3, 2008.

The Governor is specifically requesting Individual Assistance and Public Assistance for the three (3) counties

The Governor is also requesting direct Federal assistance and Hazard Mitigation for the entire State. (FEMA HQ)

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Edited for space - Source: FEMA National Situation Update: Link