Saturday, January 9, 2010
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED) Significant National Weather Northeast: Subzero temperatures are expected to continue this morning and Sunday morning in northern areas of New York and New England. Near-freezing conditions will occur from southeastern Virginia northward. A weak low pressure system will continue to bring pockets of lake-effect snow into the Northern Mid-Atlantic States through Sunday.South: Increasing winds pushing south from the Great Lakes will deliver snow and showers from the southern Appalachians to central and south Florida. Very cold temperatures continue across the south from portions of the Southern Plains to the Tennessee Valley. Record low and hard freeze conditions will continue through the South and impact most of Florida through Sunday.Midwest: Continuing Arctic air, in the subzero teens to thirty below zero temperatures, will continue in the north central states. Winds will increase across the region, making it feel much colder before temperatures begin to rise on Sunday. By Monday, a new disturbance will bring more snow showers into the Great Lakes, Middle Mississippi and Ohio Valleys.West: Rain and mountain snow will begin to slow in the Pacific Northwest by this evening. The few remaining showers over the northern Rockies will decrease before a new system begins early next week. Warmer temperatures are expected across the Northern Plains today. (NOAA, National Weather Service and Various Media Sources) Update on Central and Eastern U.S. Winter Storm and Arctic Cold New records for low temperatures were created by the wave of Arctic Air that moved across the U. S this week, including areas in Hawaii and Alaska. Temperatures in the 20 s caused Florida Governor Charlie Crist to declare a State of Emergency for Florida. The Governors of Arkansas, Mississippi and Kentucky declared emergencies for select counties.Residents across the country are urged to protect pets, livestock and agricultural interests from the continuing hard freeze. Warming shelters have been opened in many areas across the country while weather related accidents and fatalities have increased. Impact to critical infrastructure includes damage and/or closure of roads, water pipes, schools, businesses and airports throughout the event.Although temperatures will begin to climb to a more moderate range this coming week, the plummeting temperatures across the country and record snowfalls on the East Coast have made this winter a historically significant season. (NWS, FEMA Regions) Tropical Weather Outlook No new activity (FEMA HQ) Earthquake Activity On Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 12:51 a.m. EDT a magnitude 6.3 earthquake occurred at sea near the Solomon Islands, approximately 90 miles SE of Gizo, Solomon Islands and 2,079 miles NW of American Samoa. The quake was recorded at a depth of 21.75 miles. A Tsunami Statement was issued and no tsunami is expected. No injuries or damages were reported as a result of this event and the earthquake was not reported as felt. (USGS) Preliminary Damage Assessments No new activity (FEMA HQ) Disaster Declaration Activity FEMA-1870-DR-Alabama; Amendment #1, effective January 8, 2010, amends the Major Disaster Declaration to include Chilton and Russell Counties for Public Assistance due to damage from severe storms and flooding that occurred December 12-18, 2009.FEMA-1867-DR-New Jersey; Amendment #1, effective January 8, 2010, amends the Major Disaster Declaration to appoint Stephen M. De Blasio Sr. of FEMA as the Federal Coordinating Officer for this disaster. (FEMA HQ)
