Significant National Weather
South:
Light to moderate rain is expected over parts of the region on Friday, with a band of freezing rain and sleet over parts of the Central Gulf Coast during the morning. Snow is forecast to fall over interior parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley. Rain with embedded thunderstorms is expected over parts of the Southeast coast Friday night into Saturday morning
Midwest:
Light snow is forecast for parts of the Upper Great Lakes through Saturday. Some areas of rain/freezing rain will develop over parts of the Northern Plains, changing over to snow by Saturday evening.
Northeast:
Temperatures will drop into the single digits well inland with some isolated below zero readings. On Saturday another coastal storm may affect Southern New England down to New Jersey, with the potential of up to 6 inches of snow.
West:
Rain is expected along portions of the Pacific Northwest coast with snow developing over the Northern Rockies and into the Northern Plains and Central Rockies.
(National Weather Service, Hydrometeorological Prediction Center, and various media sources)
Major Winter Storm
Most major power outages and road closures in states affected by the storm are ending. As the impacts from the storm lessen, Federal and state response activities are being reduced.
Storm related fatalities were confirmed in Indiana (4), Illinois (4), Texas (1) and Oklahoma (1). Power restoration continues in several states. As of Thursday evening 2,800 customers were without power in Indiana, 7,000 customers were without power in Illinois, 8,600 customers were without power in Texas, 9,100 customers were without power in Pennsylvania, and 24,500 customers were without power in Ohio. Restoration is ongoing, and all outages are expected to be restored by Sunday. American Red Cross shelters remained open Wednesday night in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, with 170 or fewer occupants in each state. Roof and/or structural collapses were reported in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Freezing temperatures are affecting Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
The President signed Emergency Declarations for Oklahoma (FEMA-3316-EM) and Missouri (FEMA-3317-EM), authorizing FEMA to provide emergency protective measures (Category B) limited to direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding. This assistance is for all counties in Oklahoma and Missouri and the Independent City of St. Louis in the State of Missouri.
Natural Gas service interruption – Arizona, New Mexico and Texas
Natural gas service interruptions have been reported in Arizona, Texas and New Mexico due to the cold temperatures along with high demand and short supply of natural gas. ATMOS Energy in Dallas, Texas, the state’s largest supplier of Natural Gas, issued a curtailment order in on February 2, for commercial/industrial customers north of I-30 in the Dallas area for up to six days.
In New Mexico, the Governor declared a State of Emergency and ordered all non-critical services closed on February 4. Residents have been affected across seven counties in New Mexico, and Pima and Cochise Counties in Arizona. Pima County, AZ has partially activated their Emergency Operations Center. There have been no requests for FEMA assistance.
The American Red Cross has provided assistance for an estimated 4,000 displaced residents in New Mexico with warming shelters, cots, blankets and food. Kirtland Air Force Base, N. M., evacuated more than 1,028 families to local area hotels, with any anticipated overflow being sheltered at three local high schools.
Solar Activity Outlook for Feb. 4 – 6
Solar activity is expected to be very low with a slight chance for C-class flare the next three days. The geomagnetic field is expected to be mostly unsettled to active with a chance for a minor storm today, Feb. 4, mostly unsettled on Feb. 5, then returning to quiet on Feb 6.
Earthquake Activity
The USGS reports that a magnitude 4.6 earthquake occurred Feb. 4 at 12:33 a.m. EST, on the Kanai Peninsula of Alaska, approximately 36 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska at a depth of 22.9 miles. Light shaking was felt over a large area in the vicinity of Anchorage. There have been no preliminary reports of damage or injury. The West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center has determined a tsunami is not likely.
(USGS and West Coast & Alaska Tsunami Warning Center)
Disaster Declaration Activity
Missouri
On Feb. 3, 2011, the President signed Emergency Declaration FEMA- 3317-EM for the State of Missouri as a result of a severe winter storm beginning on Jan. 31, 2011, and continuing. Specifically, FEMA is authorized to provide emergency protective measures (Category B) limited to direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding. This assistance is for all 114 counties and the Independent City of St. Louis in the State of Missouri. (FEMA HQ)
Stay informed of FEMA's activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema.
Last Modified: Friday, 04-Feb-2011 10:42:00 EST
