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Seismic Activity Update and FEMA Fraud Alerts
Episode 806th January 2026 • EM Morning Brief • Brian Colburn
00:00:00 00:04:06

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This podcast episode elucidates the significant meteorological events currently affecting various regions of the United States, with particular emphasis on the hazardous winter conditions prevailing in the Pacific Northwest and the upper Midwest. The discussion highlights the imminent heavy snowfall, with accumulations reaching up to several feet in the Cascades and northern Blues, thereby necessitating caution for travel through these regions. Additionally, the episode addresses the presence of dense fog along the Texas coast, which is impairing visibility and posing risks for commuters. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of vigilance against fraudulent activities targeting storm survivors, as advised by FEMA. In summation, the episode serves as a critical resource for understanding current weather patterns and ensuring safety amidst these challenging conditions.

Takeaways:

  1. Weather conditions across the United States today are characterized by significant winter storm warnings.
  2. The Cascades and northern Blue Mountains are expected to receive substantial snowfall, impacting travel significantly.
  3. Residents in Alaska are cautioned against scams following recent storm events and should verify assistance offers.
  4. Dense fog is affecting visibility along the Texas coast, which poses risks for motorists and marine activities.
  5. Winter weather advisories are in effect for regions in Idaho, indicating up to six inches of snow expected.
  6. Hazardous surf conditions continue along the North Coast of California, urging caution for beachgoers.

Sources

[USGS M4.5 AK | https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/ak2026ajuvvj]

[Tsunami.gov status | https://tsunami.gov/]

[ USGS M4.8 Aleutians | https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us7000rmut]

[ FEMA Fraud Advisory (DR-4893) | https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4893/news-media]

[NWS SF Bay Area Flood Advisory — Monterey | https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=lox&wwa=all#KMTR_FA_Monterey]

[NWS Eureka Coastal Hazard Message | https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=sto&wwa=all]

[NWS San Diego outlook | https://www.weather.gov/sgx/]

[NWS Pocatello WWA | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=boi&wwa=winter+weather+advisory]

[Idaho City advisory window | https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=43.74565&lon=-115.493]

[NWS Twin Cities — Dense Fog Advisory | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=dense+fog+advisory]

[NWS Billings — Wind Advisory | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=wind+advisory]

[NWS Buffalo — Winter Weather Advisory | https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=buf&wwa=all]

[NWS Pendleton — Blue Mountains WSW | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=winter+storm+warning]

[NWS Marine — Galveston Bay Dense Fog Advisory | https://forecast.weather.gov/shmrn.php?mz=gmz335&syn=gmz300]

[NWS Fort Worth — advisories/outlook | https://www.weather.gov/fwd/]

[NWS Spokane/Pendleton — WSW (Stevens Pass & E slopes) | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=winter+storm+warning]

[NWS Twin Cities — Dense Fog Advisory (WI counties included) | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=dense+fog+advisory]

[NWS Cheyenne — High Wind Warnings | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=high+wind+warning]

[NWS Cheyenne homepage (active hazards) | https://www.weather.gov/cys/]

Transcripts

Speaker A:

,:

Speaker A:

A cold season split sets the tone today.

Speaker A:

Heavy mountain snow targets the Cascades and northern blues with feet of accumulation and hazardous pass travel from Washington into Oregon through mid week.

Speaker A:

Farther east, a quick shot of mixed precipitation brings slick commutes from the upper Midwest into northern New York this evening into Wednesday along the Gulf.

Speaker A:

Dense fog trims visibilities this morning on parts of the Texas coast and bays.

Speaker A:

Seismically, Alaska records multiple moderate quakes overnight, including a magnitude 4.5 near Port Alsworth and a magnitude 4.8 in the rat Islands.

Speaker A:

The National Tsunami Warning center reports no tsunami warning, advisory, watch or threat.

Speaker A:

One additional note for Alaska storm survivors, FEMA flags active scam attempts and shares how to report fraud.

Speaker A:

Let's run through the states.

Speaker A:

Alaska Two quakes registered this morning, magnitude 4.5 about 34 kilometers east northeast of Port Alsworth and a magnitude 4.8 in the Rat Islands.

Speaker A:

10:57 UTC the National Tsunami Warning center issues an information no tsunami threat.

Speaker A:

Separately for October west coast storm survivors, FEMA urges vigilance against fraud, verify IDs, never pay for help and use official hotlines to report scams.

Speaker A:

California Showers continue today with localized ponding.

Speaker A:

An overnight flood advisory in southwestern Monterey county ran until 6am highlighting vulnerable low spots and small streams.

Speaker A:

Hazardous surf and sneaker wave messaging remains in effect for the North Coast.

Speaker A:

San Diego's forecast favors another round of showers tonight into Wednesday.

Speaker A:

Idaho Winter weather advisories continue today for the Sawtooth, Stanley Basin, Sun Valley region and adjacent high terrain with 2 to 6 inches of snow in gusts to 35 mph later.

Speaker A:

Advisories expand east of Boise into the Idaho City area this afternoon through Wednesday evening.

Speaker A:

Minnesota Dense fog blankets central and west central counties this morning with frequent 1/4 mile visibilities or less through noon.

Speaker A:

Montana Gap Wind corridors along the Beartooth foothills in the Livingston area see strong southwest winds today into Wednesday.

Speaker A:

Gusts of 65-70 mph may affect high profile vehicles.

Speaker A:

NEW York North Country A winter weather advisory runs 4pm today to 11am Wednesday for Jefferson and Lewis counties with mixed precipitation creating slick roads this evening and overnight.

Speaker A:

Oregon Winter storm warnings for the northern Blue Mountains call for 12 to 30 inches through Thursday with gusts to 45 mph.

Speaker A:

Travel over Meacham Tollgate will be difficult during heavier bands.

Speaker A:

Texas Dense fog reduces visibilities along portions of the upper Texas coast and Galveston Bay through mid morning Marine dense fog advisories are in effect and some inland spots around DFW also report low ceilings and patchy fog.

Speaker A:

Early Washington Winter storm warnings span the eastern slopes and high passes of the Cascades, including Stevens Pass, with 2 to 4ft of snow by Thursday and gusts to 30 to 45 mph.

Speaker A:

Wisconsin northwest counties share the morning dense fog advisory with adjacent Minnesota.

Speaker A:

1/4 mile visibility or less through noon.

Speaker A:

Wyoming High winds continue in the I80 Arlington Elk Mountain corridor and parts of Laramie Platt counties.

Speaker A:

Warnings note 60 to 65 mph gusts through Wednesday afternoon with hazardous crosswinds for light and high profile vehicles.

Speaker A:

All other states have no significant updates in the last 24 hours.

Speaker A:

That's your morning brief Source links are in the notes below.

Speaker A:

Stay safe.

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