Tuesday, July 27, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

West:Â*
A cold front dropping out of Canada will produce thunderstorms in eastern Idaho, southern Montana and northern Wyoming with gusty winds and hail. Isolated thunderstorms are forecast for higher elevations across the West. Red Flag warnings are in effect for much of Oregon and Idaho due to dry lightning, when lightning is observed but little if any precipitation reaches the ground. These lightning strikes could touch off wildfires.
Midwest:
A cold front dropping out of Canada into the northern Midwest will produce severe thunderstorms from the Dakotas to the Great Lakes. The primary threat is gusty winds, but hail and tornadoes are possible. Heavy precipitation is forecast and northern Minnesota could receive as much as 2 inches. The remainder of the region will be dry except for isolated thunderstorms from Missouri to Ohio.
South:
A frontal system draped across the region and moist flow off the Gulf of Mexico will produce widespread precipitation across the region. Showers and scattered thunderstorms will produce gusty winds and localized flash flooding. Severe thunderstorms are expected in Georgia and the Carolinas. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast for the Texas and Louisiana coastlines. South of the front, high temperatures will be in the 90s with high humidity.
Northeast:
Under high pressure, the region will be dry except for possible thunderstorms in parts of the Virginias.Â* Â*
(NOAA and media sources)

Mid-Atlantic â Severe Thunderstorms

Severe thunderstorms passed through the region Sunday, July 25. Numerous trees were blown down knocking out power to thousands of customers. In Washington, D.C., approximately 7,500 customers are without power. In Maryland, approximately 140,000 customers are without power in Montgomery and Prince Georges counties. There are no requests for federal assistance. (FEMA Region III)
Flooding on the Rio Grande River

The controlled release of water from the Falcon and Amistad reservoirs will keep the Rio Grande River at Rio Grande City, Texas at five feet above flood stage through the week. Voluntary evacuations have been lifted for Hidalgo and Starr counties. All joint Preliminary Damage Assessments are complete. (FEMA Region VI)Â*
Kentucky Flooding

The President approved a major disaster declaration for Pike County on July 23. Two Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers are staged at the Joint Field Office in Lexington, Ky. The water sewage treatment plant in Pike County remains inoperable and a Boil Water Advisory remains in effect for 25,000 customers. Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments are ongoing.Â*(FEMA Region IV)Â*
Iowa Flooding

Severe storms moved across south - central Iowa July 23-24. Record flooding on the Maquoketa River caused a 100% failure of the Hartwick Dam on Lake Delhi. The Hopkinton city sewer plant flooded but city drinking water was not contaminated. There are no requests for federal assistance.Â*(FEMA Region V, FEMA Region VII)
Mississippi Canyon 252 Update

FEMA is providing personnel to the National Integration Center and additional Logistics and External Affairs support to the Federal On-Scene Coordinator. FEMA leads the Social Services and Small Business Interagency Working Group (Claims and Benefits). Vessels and drill rigs have returned to the scene. The Ram Capping Stack continues to leak minor amounts and is being monitored. Booming, skimming and in situ burning continues as weather permits. The spill has impacted approximately 638 miles of coastline. (NIC Daily Situation Update)
Wildfire Activity

National Preparedness Level: 2
National Fire Activity as of Monday, July 26, 2010:
Initial attack activity: light (201 new fires), new large fires: 8, large fires contained: 0
Uncontained large fires: 10, U.S. States affected: NV, WY, MT, CA, ID, UT, WY, CO, WA, AK & AZ
(NIFC)
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

California
FMAG-2849-CA was issued for the Bull Fire in Kern County, Calif. The fire is zero percent contained and has burned more than 4,500 acres. There have been 500 mandatory evacuations and 1,500 voluntary evacuations. The fire has destroyed 35 structures thus far and 150 residences and 5 businesses are at risk.
(FEMA HQ)
Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico:
No tropical cyclone activity expected in the next 48 hours
Eastern, Central and Western Pacific:
No tropical cyclone activity expected in the next 48 hours
(NOAA, JTWC) Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Disaster Declaration Activity

Oklahoma:
The President approved a major disaster declaration for seven counties in Oklahoma (FEMA-1926-DR-OK) on July 26, 2010 for severe storms, tornadoes, straight line winds and flooding that occurred from June 13-15, 2010. The Public Assistance Program is available to the identified seven counties and all counties in the state are now eligible to apply for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds.
Minnesota
Amendment 1 to FEMA-1921-DR-MN adds seven counties for Public Assistance.
(FEMA HQ)


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