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National Situation Update: Saturday, November 1, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
A low pressure system moving into the region will produce rain and snow from the Pacific Northwest to northern California and eastward into the Great Basin. Northern California will receive three to four inches of rain. Winter storm warnings are posted for the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where over a foot of snow is possible above 8000 feet. Flash flood watches are posted for northern portions of the Sacramento Valley.  Windy conditions have been forecast for California and Oregon, with sustained winds of 20-30 mph.  Expect dry conditions across the Southwest and southern Rocky Mountain states.
Midwest:
A high pressure system moving across the Midwest will keep conditions sunny and dry.
South:
Most of the South will be sunny and mild today.  Isolated thunderstorms and showers are also possible in Arkansas, Louisiana and northeast Texas.
Northeast:
A high pressure system moving through the region will be mainly dry, but it will bring colder temperatures to the region.  High temperatures will be five to ten degrees below average across most of Upstate New York and northern New England. (NOAA; National Weather Service; Various Media Sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Eastern Pacific:
Area 1: An area of disturbed weather has formed about 700 miles south of Acapulco Mexico.  Slow development of this system is possible over the next couple of days as it moves westward at about 15 mph.  Tropical cyclone formation is not expected here or elsewhere during the next 48 hours.

Western Pacific:
No current tropical cyclone warnings. (NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

On Friday, October 31, 2008 at 6:10 pm EDT an earthquake measuring 5.1 struck about 96 miles east of Adak, Alaska at a depth of 26.4 miles.  There were no reports of damage or injuries and there was no tsunami generated.

On Friday, October 31, 2008 at 9:13 pm EDT an earthquake measuring 6.0 struck about 425 miles north northeast of Port Moresby, Papa New Guinea at a depth of 6.2 miles.  There were no reports of damage or injuries and there was no tsunami generated.(USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Fire Activity as of Friday, October 31, 2008:
National Wildfire Preparedness Level: 1
Initial attack activity: Light (74 new fires)
New large fires: 2 (OK, UT)
Uncontained large fires: 2 (AZ, CA)
Large fires contained: 1

Disaster Declaration Activity

On October 31, 2008 the President signed FEMA-1808-DR for the state of Kansas as a result of a severe storms, flooding and tornadoes that occurred on September 11-17, 2008.  The Governor specifically requested Public Assistance for Anderson, Butler, Chase, Cowley, Greenwood, Harper, Harvey, Russell and Sumner counties .(FEMA HQ)

Amendment #3 for FEMA-1800-DR for Illinois adds Woodford County counties for Individual Assistance.(FEMA HQ)