The USA Disaster Situation Report
The Daily USA Disaster Situation Report
For December 29, 2000
Christopher Effgen, Editor, host{at}disastercenter.com
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IN THIS ISSUE
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=> USA Daily Temperature Extremes
=> Special Notes
=> Current Active National Weather Service Warnings:
=> Severe Weather Probability Forecast
=> Precipitation Forecast, Excessive Rainfall, Heavy Snow And/Or Significant
Icing Forecast
=> USA Flood Report
=> USA Fire Report and Forecast
=> USA Earthquake Report
=> Yesterday's USA Severe Weather Reports
=> Guest Column-
=> Sponsored by The Rothstein Catalog On Disaster Recovery
**** ARTICLES ****
=> Article National Drought Summary -- December 26, 2000
=> Article Federal Emergency Funds Authorized For Oklahoma
=> Article Federal Emergency Funds Authorized For Arkansas
=> Article Church World Service Situation Report: Winter Ice Storm
=> Article U.S. Weather Threats Assessment
=> Classified Ads
=> Links Area
=> How to Be Featured as our Guest Columnist
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Sponsored by the The Rothstein Catalog On Disaster Recovery
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=> Subscribe/Unsubscribe information
The Daily USA Disaster Situation Report
For December 29, 2000
Christopher Effgen, Editor, host{at}disastercenter.com
------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
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=> USA Daily Temperature Extremes
National Temperature Extremes
High Thu...85 At Riverside CA
Low Fri...13 Below Zero At Gunnison CO
=> Special Notes
An even bigger storm may take aim at the central eastern and north eastern
States around the 9th aof
January.
=> Current Active National Weather Service Warnings:
Active Warnings:
Updated Fri Dec 29 11:58:15 2000
Flood
Delaware
New Jersey
A COASTAL FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SATURDAY...
TIDES MAY RUN AS HIGH AS 3 TO 4 FEET ABOVE NORMAL
Louisiana
FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FOR THE RED RIVER FROM COUSHATTA THROUGH
GRAND ECORE AND COLFAX LOUISIANA...
SIGNIFICANT BACKWATER FLOODING WILL DEVELOP ON LOGGY
BAYOU AS WELL AS THE LOWER FLAT RIVER AND LOWER RED CHUTE BAYOU IN
EXTREME SOUTHERN BOSSIER PARISH OF NORTHWEST LOUISIANA.
EXPECT SEVERE BACKWATER FLOODING OF TRIBUTARY BAYOUS THAT
INCLUDE BAYOU PIERRE ALONG WITH SALINE AND BLACK BAYOUS.
BACKWATER FLOODING WILL ALSO AFFECT IATT AND NANTACHES BAYOUS AS
WELL AS SIGNIFICANT
Puerto Rico
LA ADVERTENCIA DE FUERTES RESACAS PARA LAS COSTAS NORTE DE PUERTO
RICO INCLUYENDO A CULEBRA Y VIEQUES...Y PARA TODAS LAS COSTAS QUE
DAN HACIA EL NORTE DE LAS ISLAS VIRGENES AMERICANAS HA SIDO
CANCELADA...
...CONTINUA EN EFECTO UNA ADVERTENCIA PARA LOS OPERADORES DE
EMBARCACIONES PEQUENAS PARA TODAS LAS AGUAS DEL ATLANTICO Y
PARA TODOS LOS PASAJES...
Non Precipitation
Alabama
A HARD FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR FRIDAY NIGHT
Arkansas
WIND CHILL ADVISORY TODAY......LAKE WIND ADVISORY TODAY...
Florida
Georgia
WIND CHILL ADVISORY FOR LATE TONIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING FOR
PORTIONS OF NORTHERN FLORIDA AND COASTAL GEORGIA...
WIND CHILL ADVISORY FOR NORTH GEORGIA TONIGHT AND SATURDAY...
EXPECT WIND CHILLS OF ZERO TO 10 BELOW AFTER MIDNIGHT THROUGH MUCH
OF SATURDAY.
Mississippi
A HARD FREEZE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR FRIDAY NIGHT...
Winter Storm
Connecticut
WINTRY WEATHER HEADED FOR THE TRI-STATE REGION...
SNOW WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION BY SUNRISE SATURDAY. SNOW WILL
CONTINUE THROUGH SATURDAY AND MAY BE HEAVY AT TIMES DURING THE
AFTERNOON. THE SNOW MAY ACCUMULATE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 8 TO 12
INCHES
Delaware
...MAJOR WINTER STORM FOR LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING...
A STORM TRACK LIKE THIS MEANS THAT HEAVY SNOW WILL OCCUR ACROSS
MUCH OF THE AREA...WITH AMOUNTS OF 8 INCHES OR MORE ACROSS
PENNSYLVANIA AND MUCH OF NEW JERSEY.
10 TO 16 INCHES IN MIDDLESEX...OCEAN AND MONMOUTH NEW JERSEY.
Illinois
SNOW ADVISORY THIS AFTERNOON...
LIGHT SNOW CONTINUING WITH ANOTHER 1 TO 3 INCHES ACCUMULATION
EXPECTED. THE HIGHER AMOUNTS MAY OCCUR NEAR THE LAKE.
Indiana
AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE OVER CENTRAL ILLINOIS WILL TRACK SLOWLY
EASTWARD ACROSS THE OHIO RIVER VALLEY THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.
THIS WILL CONTINUE TO PRODUCE A PERSISTANT AREA OF MAINLY LIGHT
SNOW OVER NORTHERN INDIANA...SOUTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN AND
NORTHWEST OHIO WITH A FEW PERIODS OF MODERATE SNOW ALSO POSSIBLE.
Kentucky
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY TODAY FOR MUCH OF SOUTHEAST
ILLINOIS...ALL OF SOUTHWEST INDIANA AND A SMALL PART OF ADJACENT
WESTERN KENTUCKY...
Massachusetts
WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FOR SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND
SATURDAY NIGHT...
A MAJOR WINTER STORM IS EXPECTED TO STRIKE SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND
THIS WEEKEND WITH HEAVY SNOW AND STRONG WINDS.
THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR 7 OR MORE INCHES OF SNOW TO FALL
ACROSS A GOOD PORTION OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND BEFORE THE STORM
TAPERS OFF MID DAY SUNDAY. SOME AREAS MAY RECEIVE A FOOT OR MORE
OF SNOW BY SUNDAY MORNING...ALTHOUGH WHERE THE HEAVIEST SNOW
FALLS IS STILL UNCERTAIN.
MINOR COASTAL FLOODING MAY OCCUR AROUND THE TIME OF HIGH TIDE
LATE SATURDAY NIGHT DUE TO A STORM SURGE OF 2 TO 3 FEET AND LARGE
WAVES.
Maryland
...MAJOR WINTER STORM FOR LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING...
SNOW IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ACROSS THE DELMARVA PENINSULA LATE
FRIDAY NIGHT AND SPREAD ACROSS THE ENTIRE AREA SATURDAY.
6 TO 12 INCHES IN KENT...QUEEN ANNES...TALBOT AND CAROLINE COUNTIES
IN MARYLAND AND COASTAL SUSSEX COUNTY DELAWARE.
Michigan
SOUTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN AND NORTHWEST OHIO WITH A FEW PERIODS
OF MODERATE SNOW ALSO POSSIBLE.
SNOW ADVISORY IN EFFECT THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT...
SNOW WILL CONTINUE THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. EXPECT
ACCUMULATIONS BETWEEN 2 AND 3 INCHES BY EVENING THEN AN
ADDITIONAL 1 TO 2 INCHES OVERNIGHT...GIVING TOTALS BETWEEN 3 AND 5
INCHES BY DAYBREAK SATURDAY.
New Hampshire
WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FOR SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND
SATURDAY NIGHT...
THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR 7 OR MORE INCHES OF SNOW TO FALL
ACROSS A GOOD PORTION OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND BEFORE THE STORM
TAPERS OFF MID DAY SUNDAY.
New Jersey
...WINTER STORM WATCH FROM 700 AM UNTIL 700 PM EST SATURDAY...
SNOW MAY ACCUMULATE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 8 TO 12
INCHES ACROSS THE TRI-STATE AREA BEFORE ENDING SUNDAY MORNING.
THESE NUMBERS COULD CHANGE DEPENDING ON THE EXACT TRACK OF THE
LOW.
STRONG NORTHEASTERLY WINDS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SYSTEM MAY LEAD
TO SOME MINOR COASTAL FLOODING WITH SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT
HIGH TIDE CYCLES.
New York
WINTRY WEATHER HEADED FOR THE TRI-STATE REGION...
SNOW MAY ACCUMULATE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 8 TO 12
INCHES ACROSS THE TRI-STATE AREA BEFORE ENDING SUNDAY MORNING.
THESE NUMBERS COULD CHANGE DEPENDING ON THE EXACT TRACK OF THE
LOW.
SNOW WILL BEGIN ACROSS THE NORTHERN TIER OF PENNSYLVANIA BY MID
MORNING SATURDAY AND SPREAD ACROSS CENTRAL NEW YORK SATURDAY
AFTERNOON. 3 TO 6 INCHES OF ACCUMULATION IS LIKELY BY SATURDAY
EVENING WITH LOCAL AMOUNTS UP TO 7 INCHES POSSIBLE. STORM TOTAL
ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN THE 4 TO 8 INCH RANGE...WITH THE
HIGHER AMOUNTS GENERALLY FROM THE INTERSTATE 81 CORRIDOR
EASTWARD AND SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 88. THE STEADY SNOW WILL TAPER TO
SNOW SHOWERS BY SUNDAY MORNING.
Ohio
AN UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE OVER CENTRAL ILLINOIS WILL TRACK SLOWLY
EASTWARD ACROSS THE OHIO RIVER VALLEY THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.
THIS WILL CONTINUE TO PRODUCE A PERSISTANT AREA OF MAINLY LIGHT
SNOW OVER NORTHERN INDIANA...SOUTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN AND
NORTHWEST OHIO WITH A FEW PERIODS OF MODERATE SNOW ALSO POSSIBLE.
Pennsylvania
A WINTER STORM WATCH CONTINUES FOR SATURDAY FOR MUCH OF THE
MIDDLE AND LOWER SUSQUEHANNA RIVER VALLEY.
A STORM TRACK LIKE THIS MEANS THAT HEAVY SNOW WILL OCCUR ACROSS
MUCH OF THE AREA...WITH AMOUNTS OF 8 INCHES OR MORE ACROSS
PENNSYLVANIA AND MUCH OF NEW JERSEY.
Rhode Island
WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FOR SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND
SATURDAY NIGHT...
THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR 7 OR MORE INCHES OF SNOW TO FALL
ACROSS A GOOD PORTION OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND BEFORE THE STORM
TAPERS OFF MID DAY SUNDAY.
Virginia
A STORM WILL DEVELOP OFF THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST FRIDAY EVENING
AND INTENSIFY AS IT MOVES TO JUST OFF THE DELMARVA COAST SATURDAY.
THE STORM WILL SPREAD SNOW OVER THE REGION.
POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY SNOW AND GUSTY WINDS TONIGHT AND SATURDAY
ASSOCIATED WITH COASTAL STORM...
Vermont
WINTER STORM WATCH MIDDAY SATURDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT...
THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR 6 TO 12 INCHES OF SNOW TO
FALL...WITH THE HIGHEST ACCUMULATIONS EXPECTED TO BE ACROSS
ADJACENT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.
Wisconsin
STEADY LIGHT SNOW TO CONTINUE FOR SOUTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN THIS
MORNING AND SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN INTO THE AFTERNOON...
=> Severe Weather Probability Forecast
The forecast probability of an event is by the stated percentage or greater
for the event, within 25 miles of any point for the area described.
Tornado Risk - Slight
There is less than a 2% probability of a tornado.
Hail Risk - Slight
There is less than a 5% probability of hail 3/4 inch or larger.
Wind Risk - Slight
There is less than a 5% probability of winds in excess of 50 knots.
Tomorrow's Risk -
There is less than a 5% probability of any severe weather tomorrow.
=> Precipitation Forecast, Excessive Rainfall, Heavy Snow And/Or
Significant
Icing Forecast
Precipitation Forecast
The 24 hour precipitation forecast is calling for less than 1 inch of
precipitation.
The 24 - 48 hour precipitation forecast is calling for over 1 inch of
precipitation over extreme
northeast Maryland, extreme northern Delaware, far southeast Pennsylvania, t
he northwest 2/3 of
New Jersey, far southeast New York except Long Island, Connecticut, far
central south
Massachusetts, and the northeast coastal area of Maine.
Excessive Rainfall Forecast
Rainfall is not expected to exceed flash flood values.
USA heavy snow and/or significant icing
>From noon to midnight today EST the probability of 4 inches or greater of
snow is low over far
central east to far southeast Wisconsin, far northeast Illinois, the
southwest 1/2 of Michigan, the
northwest 1/4 of Ohio and the northwest 1/3 of Indiana.
The probability of 1/4 inch or greater of ice accumulation is less than 20%
>From midnight to noon tomorrow EST the probability of 4 inches or greater of
snow is low over far
northeast Virginia, central and eastern Maryland, Delaware, south
southeastern Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, and far southeastern New York
The moderate probability area is over eastern Maryland, Delaware, far
southeastern Pennsylvania,
the western 1/32 of New York's Long Island, and New Jersey except the
northern area.
The high probability area is over extreme east northeast Maryland, Delaware
and central and
southern New Jersey.
The probability of 1/4 inch or greater of ice accumulation is less than 20%
Current USA Snow and Ice Cover
http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/surface/us_NESDISsnow.gif
=> USA Flood Report
NATIONAL HYDROLOGIC SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HEADQUARTERS
0800 AM EST FRIU DEC 29 2000
FLOOD SUMMARY
FLOODING ABATES
A NUMBER OF RIVERS IN OKLAHOMA, TEXAS, ARKANSAS, LOUISIANA AND
MISSISSIPPI ARE FALLING, SOME DROPPING BELOW FLOOD STAGE.
HOWEVER, CONTINUED RUNOFF WILL CAUSE ADDITIONAL RISES ON THE
LOWER REACHES OF SEVERAL RIVERS IN TEXAS, ARKANSAS, LOUISIANA AND
MISSISSIPPI.
FLASH FLOODING:
NO FLOOD/FLASH FLOOD AND/OR URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD
ADVISORIES WERE ISSUED OVER THE LAST DAY.
RIVER FLOODING:
RIVERS AND STREAMS WITH LOCATIONS EITHER ABOVE FLOOD STAGE OR
EXPECTED TO RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE INCLUDE:
ARKANSAS: THE CACHE AND OUACHITA RIVERS
LOUISIANA: THE RED RIVER; BAYOU DORCHEAT, RED CHUTE BAYOU;
CADDO LAKE, LAKE CLAIBORNE AND LAKE D'ARBONNE
MISSISSIPPI: THE BIG BLACK, PEARL AND YOCKANOOKANY RIVERS
TEXAS: THE GUADALUPE, NAVASOTA, NECHES, SABINE, TRINITY,
SULPHUR AND SOUTH SULPHUR RIVERS; ATTOYAC, BLACK CYPRESS AND
LITTLE CYPRESS BAYOUS; WHITE OAK CREEK
=> USA Fire Report and Forecast
The USA Fire Report and Forecast has not been updated.
=> USA Earthquake Report
Magnitude : 3.91 ML
Event Date & Time : 12/28/2000 06:45:11 PM PST
Location : 37.5302 N, 118.4237 W
Depth : 6.2 km. deep ( 3.8 miles)
19 km ( 12 miles) N (352 degrees) of Bishop, CA
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
NATIONAL EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION CENTER
GOLDEN, COLORADO
LISTS OF U.S. EARTHQUAKES IN THE LAST 30 HOURS
NO EVENTS
Prepared by USGS/NEIC 2000 DEC 29 at 00:15 UTC
=> Yesterday's USA Severe Weather Reports
Note: All data is considered preliminary
Tornado Reports
No reports received
Hail Reports
No reports received
Wind Reports
No reports received
Fields marked UNK are unknown
All Times UTC
Wind Gusts in MPH
Hail Sizes in 1/100 of an Inch (75 = 0.75")
=> Guest Column
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**** ARTICLES ****
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=> National Drought Summary -- December 26, 2000
The South: With the exception of a minor mid-week Gulf Coast system and a
developing storm in
the southern Great Plains by week's end, dry and cold weather (temperatures
averaging 10 to 18°F
below normal, freezing as far south as Lake Okeechobee) prevailed across the
Southeast. With yet
another dry week across most of Florida (0 to 0.1 inches), continued record
or near-record low
streamflows, reports of dropping lake and well levels, and even a 2600 acre
wildfire near Haines
City, severe to exceptional drought (D2-D4) slightly increased across
north-central portions of the
state. In contrast, additional rainfall (0.5 to 0.8 inches) on top of
moderate totals the previous week
alleviated dryness or eased drought in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and
Alabama, while changes in
southeastern Georgia were made to better represent long-term drought
indicators. Farther west, a
winter storm dumped moderate precipitation (between 0.3 and 0.8 inches) on
central New Mexico
and western Texas, providing some relief from drought or abnormal dryness,
but southern Texas
remained mostly dry.
The Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic, and Appalachians: After light snow (liquid
equivalent 0.2-0.5
inches) fell on eastern areas Tuesday, Arctic air enveloped the entire
region, producing fair and very
cold conditions (single-digit lows and double-digit negative departures). In
the southern
Appalachians, streamflows dropped from above-normal levels after mid-month
storminess back to
near-record low levels on Tuesday after just one relatively dry week,
highlighting the endurance of
the long-term drought. With tranquil weather following a wet week, drought
remained unchanged.
The Plains, Midwest, and Great Lakes Region: Arctic air (sub-zero lows and
temperatures averaging
10 to 20°F below normal) and storm systems continued to frequent the Midwest
and Great Lakes
region, dropping light to moderate snows on parts of the western and central
Corn Belts (liquid
equivalent 0.2-0.7 inches), while moderate to heavy lake-enhanced snows
(liquid equivalent 0.5-1.8
inches) whitened the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. With 1-2 feet of snow
covering much of Iowa
(an average of 19.8 inches has fallen statewide through the 21st, already
making this the snowiest
December ever), and 2-3 feet blanketing northwestern Michigan, enough
moisture is "in the bank" to
provide future drought relief in central Iowa and around the Keweenaw
Peninsula region of Michigan
once thawing occurs.
The West: A ridge of high pressure persisted over the Southwest, veering
most Pacific storm
systems northeastward into British Columbia and then southeastward into the
Rockies. More snows
blanketed the northern and central Rockies (liquid equivalent 1-2 inches),
further decreasing dryness
in western and southern Wyoming and southwestern Montana as both 3-month
SNOTEL basin
precipitation and December 25 basin snow water content approached normal. In
the Oregon
Cascades, enough snow fell to boost December 25 basin snow water content to
85-95% of normal,
but mild and mostly dry weather in the Sierra Nevada dropped snow water
contents to or below half
of normal. After an unseasonably wet October, November and December have
been quite dry, but
the majority of the Far West wet season still remains.
Hawaii and Puerto Rico: High pressure and trade winds prevailed during most
of the week, except
during December 20-21 when light showers (generally 0.25 to 1 inches) broke
a several week dry
spell across abnormally dry areas of Molokai, Lanai, western Maui, and the
northwestern part of the
Big Island. The showers stabilized the dryness, but were not enough to
provide any significant relief.
In Puerto Rico, high pressure north of the island produced easterly trades
and widely-scattered light
showers that kept abnormal dryness intact across southwestern and
north-central areas.
Looking Ahead: The strong negative North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) weather
pattern should
continue into early January as the blocking regime over the North Atlantic
holds. Consequently,
temperatures are forecast to remain below-normal across the eastern
two-thirds of the Nation while
above-normal temperatures persist in the West. Systems predicted to affect
the Nation's drought
areas include: 1) During Tuesday-Thursday, low pressure may bring
significant precipitation to the
southern Plains and Southeast, including rain in central and northern
Florida. 2) A second storm
system may develop in the Southwest and reorganize over the western Gulf of
Mexico early next
week, bringing more precipitation to the southern Plains and Gulf Coast
states. 3) In the interim, a
strong disturbance is predicted to affect the central Plains, bringing more
snow to parts of the Corn
Belt Thursday and Friday, and weekend lake-effect snows in favored Great
Lakes locations. 4) The
thermal boundary set-up in the north-central Rockies may produce light snow
in the central Rockies
and High Plains over the weekend. 5) With high pressure persisting, no
immediate relief is expected
in Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Author: David Miskus
=> Federal Emergency Funds Authorized For Oklahoma
Washington, December 28, 2000 -- The head of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency
(FEMA) today designated 27 counties in Oklahoma eligible for federal
disaster funds to supplement
state and local response efforts to the severe ice, sleet and winter storms
that hit the state beginning
December 25, 2000.
FEMA Director James Lee Witt took the action after President Clinton
authorized the assistance
under an emergency declaration issued this afternoon. Under the declaration,
federal funds will be
available to the state and affected local governments in the 27 counties to
pay 75 percent of the
eligible cost for debris removal and emergency services related to the
storm.
The counties designated for assistance include Atoka, Bryan, Carter,
Choctaw, Cleveland, Coal,
Garvin, Haskell, Hughes, Johnston, LeFlore, Latimer, Love, Marshall,
McClain, McCurtain,
McIntosh, Murray, Muskogee, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Pittsburg, Pontotoc,
Pottawatomie,
Pushmataha, Seminole and Sequoyah. Witt indicated that additional
designations may be made later
if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage
assessments.
C. Michael Butler of FEMA was named by Witt to coordinate the federal relief
effort. Butler said
that procedures for requesting assistance will be explained at a series of
applicant briefings at
locations to be announced shortly in the affected areas.
=> Federal Emergency Funds Authorized For Arkansas
Washington, December 28, 2000 -- The head of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency
(FEMA) today designated 52 counties in Arkansas eligible for federal
disaster funds to supplement
state and local response efforts to the severe winter storms that hit the
state beginning December 12,
2000.
FEMA Director James Lee Witt took the action after President Clinton
authorized the assistance
under an emergency declaration issued this afternoon. Under the declaration,
federal funds will be
available to the state and affected local governments in the 52 counties to
pay 75 percent of the
eligible cost for debris removal and emergency services related to the
storm.
The counties designated for assistance include Arkansas, Benton, Bradley,
Calhoun, Clark,
Cleveland, Columbia, Crawford, Crittenden, Cross, Dallas, Desha, Drew,
Faulkner, Franklin,
Garland, Grant, Hot Springs, Howard, Hempstead, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson,
Lafayette, Lee,
Lincoln, Little River, Logan, Lonoke, Madison, Miller, Mississippi, Monroe,
Montgomery, Nevada,
Ouachita, Perry, Pike, Polk, Poinsett, Prairie, Pualski, St. Francis,
Saline, Scott, Sebastian, Sevier,
Washington, White, Woodruff, Union and Yell. Witt indicated that additional
designations may be
made later if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further
damage assessments.
Joe Bray of FEMA was named by Witt to coordinate the federal relief effort.
Bray said that
procedures for requesting assistance will be explained at a series of
applicant briefings at locations to
be announced shortly in the affected areas.
=> Church World Service Situation Report: Winter Ice Storm
Dec. 28, 2000
SITUATION: Large portions of the southern Plains and the south remained
without power today in an aftermath of a major ice storm. At least 550,000
homes and businesses in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana were
affected, and some 19 people had died as a result of the storm.
Arkansas was the most seriously affected. The latest storm was the second
time in a month Arkansas had been affected by an ice storm. Some residents
had been without electricity for more than a week following an earlier Dec.
12-13 storm.
On a scale from one to 10, this is a 12,'' said Gov. Mike Huckabee, quoted
by the Associated Press (AP). ``This storm has not been kind to us.''
RESPONSE: CWS is monitoring the situation; it is not yet clear if there will
be need for a faith-based response to the aftermath of the storm. CWS may
issue an appeal in the wake of an earlier tornado in Alabama (see Dec. 22
CWS Situation Report) and such an appeal may become a winter storms appeal
that could incorporate needs in the wake of the latest emergency.
Visit the Disaster Response Web Site -- http://www.disasternews.net
=> U.S. Weather Threats Assessment
Valid Friday, December 29, 2000 - Tuesday, January 9, 2001.
Summary of Forecasts & Threats
SYNOPSIS: Cold, stormy conditions are likely in the East with a major snow
storm a possibility for
the Northeast Dec 29-31 and. Lake effect snows are likely to to lee of the
Great Lakes during much
of the period. Cold temperatures are likely to continue in the South, the
Southeast and the Northeast
throughout the period.
THREATS
Drought continues across the central Florida peninsula during this
assessment period.
A storm, with heavy snow, strong winds and bitter cold is possible for the
Northeast from late
Friday, Dec 29 - Tuesday, Jan 2.
DETAILED SUMMARY
For Friday December 29 through Sunday December 31: Heavy snow is possible in
the Northeast
Fri Dec 29 through Sunday Dec 31 with strong winds and cold temperatures
continuing through
Tuesday, Jan 2.
For Monday January 1 through January 9: Generally cold conditions are likely
to continue.
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=> Links Area
LOW PRESSURE SYSTEMS IN NORTHERN PLAINS AND SOUTHEAST US
Northern Plains and Southeast US
This GOES-8 image shows two low pressure systems one in the Upper Plains and
the other in the
Southeast. The winter storm system in the Northern Plains has dumped heavy
snow and ice resulting
in dangerous traveling conditions due to poor visibility and slick highways.
The storm system in the
Southeast which previously caused power outages and iced highways in North
Texas, Oklahoma,
and Arkansas has dumped heavy rain on Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia on
Thursday.
http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Storms/US_Midwest/STMusMW363_G8.jpg
FIRES IN ARGENTINA
Argentina
Heat signatures (red) and smoke (light blue) are visible from fires burning
in Argentina. A large burn
scar (indicated by the yellow arrows) is also visible.
http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Fires/Argentina/FSMHSarg363_N4.jpg
TROPICAL CYCLONE 04B
India
Tropical Cyclone 04B was located northeast of Cape Comorin, India near 8.4 N
and 77.8 E at
06:00 UTC. The cyclone has been moving west-northwestward at 2 knots with
maximum sustained
winds estimated at 35 knots, gusts to 45 knots.
http://www.osei.noaa.gov/Events/Tropical/Arabian_Sea/TRC04BA363_MT.jpg
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e-mail: conference{at}txdps.state.tx.us; WWW:
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem.
Biennial Arid West Floodplain Management Conference. Sponsors: New
Mexico Floodplain Management Association (NMFMA) and Association of
State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM). Albuquerque, New Mexico: February
21-23, 2001. See http://weather.nmsu.edu/nmfma/index.htm; or contact:
Les Bond, NMFMA, P.O. Box 531, High Rolls, NM 88325; (505) 682-1359;
fax: (505) 682-1369; e-mail: bond{at}wazoo.com.
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