Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)
Significant National Weather
Midwest:Â*
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The Central U.S. will be predominantly dry today into the weekend. Temperatures will be slightly cooler than average across much of the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley. Low pressure over the southern Great Lakes will bring periods of rain to much of the Great Lakes region.
Northeast:
A prolonged period of rain with embedded heavier showers and isolated thunderstorms is forecast for much of Northeast this weekend. Heavy rainfall with amounts of 1 to 3 inches is expected with locally heavier amounts likely. Flash flooding of streams and urban areas is possible.
South:
Rain and thunderstorms are likely from the Southeast into the mid-Atlantic this weekend. Rainfall amounts of two to three inches can be expected. Localized rainfall amounts over 4 inches are possible. Heaviest rain will be near and east of the I-95 corridor. The Southwest should be pleasant and dry with mostly sunny skies and highs in the mid-80s.
West:
The Northwest should be relatively clear and dry. The Desert Southwest will be sunny and hot with temperatures in the low 100s. The Rockies can also expect sunny skies and temperatures in the low 80s.
Northeast and Atlantic Storms Recovery
State and Territorial Response:
New York
4 (-1) shelters are open with 70 (-25) occupants.
Approximately 3,681 (-36) customers remain without power; primarily in Broome County.
19 (-1) boil water orders are in effect, impacting 168 systems and 2 counties.
New Jersey
21 Disaster Recovery Centers remain operational with a cumulative total of 6,783 individuals served.
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
In Puerto Rico, two additional Disaster Recovery Centers were opened for a total of 18 (+2) with 12,734 individuals served.
State and District Response:
Pennsylvania
14 (-1) water treatment facilities and 10 (-4) sewage treatment plants were affected or washed out.
6 (-6) boil water advisories remain in effect.
14 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are operational with 6 additional locations expected to open by September 24.
5 shelters are open with 96 (-35) occupants.
Virginia
1 shelter is open with 51 (-11) occupants.
Tropical Weather Outlook
Atlantic / Caribbean / Gulf
Tropical Storm Ophelia
At 5:00 a.m. EDT September 23, the center of Tropical Storm Ophelia was located about 740 miles east-southeast of the Leeward Islands. Ophelia is moving toward the west-northwest near 13 mph, and a motion between the west-northwest and northwest is expected for the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 45 mph with higher gusts. Some weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours and Ophelia could become a tropical depression over the weekend. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 260 miles.
Eastern Pacific
Hurricane Hilary (Category 4)
At 5:00 a.m. EDT September 23, the eye of Hurricane Hilary was located about 120 miles south of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Hilary is moving westward near 10 mph and a westward or west-northwestward motion is expected during the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the core of Hilary should continue moving farther offshore of the southwestern coast of Mexico today. Maximum sustained winds are estimated to be near 145 mph with higher gusts. Some fluctuations in strength are likely today, followed by a slow weakening by Saturday. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 25 miles and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 80 miles.
Central Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected through Saturday evening.
Western Pacific
There are no tropical cyclones threatening U.S. Territories.
Earthquake Activity
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update
Thursday, September 22, 2011:
National Preparedness Level: 2
Initial attack activity: Light (96 new fires)
New Large Fires: 7
Large Fires Contained: 2
Uncontained Large Fires: 10
Type 1 IMT Committed: 3
Type 2 IMT Committed: 3
States affected: TX, FL, MS, AR, OR, MN, and ID.
Disaster Declaration Activity
District of Columbia
The D.C. Mayor requested a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of Hurricane Irene during the period of August 26 to September 1, 2011. The Mayor is specifically requesting Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation for the District of Columbia.
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