Monday, September 27, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

West:Â*
A high pressure system over the West continues to produce temperatures in the 100s today, over portions of Southern California, Nevada, and Arizona. A Red Flag Warning is in effect through this evening for Ventura and Los Angeles Counties in California due to gusty northeast winds and low relative humidity.
Midwest:
A high pressure system will result in dry conditions over most of the region, especially in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Many rivers and streams have reached, or are forecast to exceed, flood stage though conditions are beginning to improve as drier weather prevails. Flood warnings remain in effect for much of southern Minnesota and parts of west-central Wisconsin.
South:
A large low pressure system stretching from the Florida Panhandle to the Mid-Atlantic will produce severe thunderstorms with the potential for damaging winds and flash flooding in some areas. The Southern Appalachians are forecast to receive the heaviest rain with accumulations of 3 to 4 inches.
Northeast:
The low pressure system impacting the Southeast will push moisture and cooler temperatures north, producing widespread heavy rain through Tuesday.
(NOAA and media sources)
Flooding in Minnesota and Wisconsin

On September 22-23, a line of severe thunderstorms passed through Wisconsin and Minnesota, producing between 4 to 8 inches of rain, causing localized flooding.Â*In Columbia County, WI, approximately 4 to 10 feet of the Caledonia levee eroded, putting homes in a local subdivision at risk for flood.Â*Emergency notifications warned residents to evacuate. Officials from the Wisconsin Departments of Transportation and of Natural Resources remain on scene to monitor the situation.Â*
According to the National Weather Service, the Wisconsin River is at major flood stage slightly below the record flood stage of 20.5 feet, set in 1938 in Portage, WI. Automated river gauges have recorded the flood stage as high as 20.4 feet today but may be affected by debris in the water.
River levels are expected to slowly recede throughout the day and be below flood stage Wednesday afternoon. There are no requests for FEMA assistance from Wisconsin.
The FEMA Region V Regional Response Coordination Center is currently at Watch/Steady State and the Regional Watch Center is open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CDT. One State Liaison Officer is at the Minnesota State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC). Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments will begin in Minnesota on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010.
Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico
A broad area of low pressure located over the northwestern Caribbean Seam may develop gradually during the next few days. There is a medium chance, near 30 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. (FEMA HQ)
Eastern Pacific
An area of low pressure located a few hundred miles south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico continues to produces disorganized showers and thunderstorms. There is a medium chance, near 30 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Central and Western PacificNo tropical cyclones are expected during the next 48 hours. (NOAA, JTWC)
Earthquake Activity

Alaska
On September 26, 2010 at 2:27 p.m. EDT, a 5.7 magnitude earthquake occurred in Rat Islands, Aleutian Islands, AK, at a depth of 140.4 miles. There were no injuries or damages reported, and no tsunami was generated.Â*(USGS)
Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 2
National Fire Activity as of Sunday, September 27, 2010:
Initial attack activity: moderate (108 new fires), new large fires: 2, large fires contained: 1
Uncontained large fires: 5, U.S. States affected: UT, ID, WY, VA, & AR (NIFC)
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
No activity. (HQ FEMA)
Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)


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