Thursday, September 15, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Midwest

Strong Canadian high pressure is settling over the area, bringing a combination of light wind, clear skies and well below normal temperatures. A widespread freeze appears likely across the Dakotas and Upper Mississippi Valley. Freezing temperatures can be expected across the Central Plains, Upper Mississippi Valley and into the Great Lakes region. Rain showers can be expected ahead of the cold front in portions of the Central Plains.
Northeast
A strong cold front will move out of the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes across the northeast today. The front will be accompanied by a period of scattered showers and thunderstorms. Dry and unseasonably cool weather will follow Friday and through the weekend as large Canadian high pressure builds over the region. A slight moderation in temperatures is expected early next week with a continuation of dry weather.

South
The cold front moving out of the Midwest will bring sharply cooler temperatures from the Southern Plains into the Tennessee Valley. Showers and thunderstorms are likely out in front of the cold front. Across the Deep South, temperatures should remain in the upper 80s and 90s. A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible as the cold front makes its way into the region.
West
A Pacific cold front will move across the Pacific Northwest over the next couple days, bringing afternoon and evening thunderstorms near and ahead of the front. Showers are expected across Washington State from Thursday afternoon into Friday night. A second round of rain showers are expected across the Olympic Peninsula of Washington Friday night associated with a second approaching cold front. Isolated thunderstorms are expected to redevelop this afternoon for Utah, Arizona, New Mexico & Colorado.
Northeast and Atlantic Storms Response/Recovery

New York
As of September 14 fewer than 2,000 customers were without power. Numerous road and bridge closures remain in effect. In New York 11 shelters are open with 494 occupants.
New Jersey
Three shelters are open with 168 occupants.
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
Puerto Rico requested Individual Assistance and Public Assistance Preliminary Damage Assessments for damage from Tropical Storm Maria in seven municipalities. Flooding and mudslides continue; 23 roads and 4 bridges have been affected. One shelter is open in Puerto Rico with 8 occupants.
Pennsylvania
Approximately 1,500 customers remain without power and 2,800 customers remain without gas. Boil water advisories remain in effect in 10 counties, impacting over 23,000 residents. Fourteen sewage treatment plants and eighteen water treatment plants have been affected. Six dams are under watch and need inspection or repair. Some voluntary evacuations remain in effect, and eight shelters are open with 258 occupants.
Virginia
Forty structures were destroyed and 27 structures have sustained damage. One primary and 41 secondary roads remain closed. One shelter is open with 60 occupants.

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic / Caribbean /Gulf
Tropical Storm Maria
At 5:00 a.m. EDT Tropical Storm Maria was located 250 miles west southwest of Bermuda, moving north northeast near 26 mph. This motion is expected to continue today with a turn toward the northeast and an additional increase in forward speed on Friday. On this forecast track Maria will quickly pass west of Bermuda later today. Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph, with higher gusts. Maria could become a hurricane today, but weakening is forecast to begin by Friday. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 205 miles. A Hurricane Watch and a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Bermuda.

Area 1
5:00 a.m. EDT: An area of cloudiness and showers located a couple of hundred miles south of the southern Cape Verde Islands is associated with a tropical wave. Development, if any, is expected to be slow to occur as it moves generally westward at 10 to 15 mph. This system has a low chance (10%) of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hoursÂ*

Eastern Pacific
Area 1
2:00 a.m. EDT: An area of disturbed weather has formed a few hundred miles south-southeast of Acapulco Mexico. Upper-level winds are not expected to be conducive for significant development. This system has a low chance (10%) of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours as it moves toward the west at about 10 mph.
Central Pacific
There are no tropical cyclones expected through Friday evening.
Western Pacific
There are no tropical cyclones threatening U.S. Territories.
Earthquake Activity

Alaska
A 6.1 Magnitude earthquake occurred offshore of the Near Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska at 2:10 p.m. EDT on September 14, 2011. The quake was located approximately 21 miles north northwest of Attu Station, AK, and was 21 miles deep. There were no reports of damage or injuries, and a tsunami was not produced.

Wildfire Update

National Fire Activity
Wednesday, September 14, 2011:

• National Preparedness Level: 4
• Initial attack activity: Moderate (272 new fires)
• New Large Fires: 10
• Large Fires Contained: 7
• Uncontained Large Fires: 28
• Type 1 IMT Committed: 8
• Type 2 IMT Committed: 15
• States affected: OK, TX, OR, WA, CA, NV, ID, WY, MT, and MN.

Wild Fire Activity
Minnesota
Pagami Creek Fire Update (Saint Louis County, MN)
The fire, started by a lightning strike on August 19, is located approximately 14 miles east of Ely, Minnesota. Over 101,000 acres have burned, primarily in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area wilderness. Acreage increased Wednesday due in large part to improved mapping as the smoke cleared. There was limited fire growth due to lower temperatures and higher humidity. Fire containment is unknown. One cabin used for storage by the Department of Natural Resources was burned, but no major buildings have burned and no injuries have been reported. Approximately 120 campers and residents from 36 homes in the nearby community of Isabella participated in a precautionary evacuation that is still in effect. The remaining 200 residents of Isabella are ready to evacuate if needed.

Minnesota
Pagami Creek Fire Update (Saint Louis County, MN)
The fire, started by a lightning strike on August 19, is located approximately 14 miles east of Ely, Minnesota. Over 101,000 acres have burned, primarily in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area wilderness. Acreage increased Wednesday due in large part to improved mapping as the smoke cleared. There was limited fire growth due to lower temperatures and higher humidity. Fire containment is unknown. One cabin used for storage by the Department of Natural Resources was burned, but no major buildings have burned and no injuries have been reported. Approximately 120 campers and residents from 36 homes in the nearby community of Isabella participated in a precautionary evacuation that is still in effect. The remaining 200 residents of Isabella are ready to evacuate if needed. The Minnesota EOC is at Level III (Partial Activation) in response to wildfire activity. No FEMA assistance has been requested.
Texas
Bastrop County Complex Fire Update (Bastrop County, TX)
FEMA-2958-FM-TX was approved Sep 4, 2011. As of September 14 the area burnt remained at 34,068 acres but the fire is now 75 (+5) percent contained. Approximately 1,554 (+4) homes have been destroyed. The second wave of re-entry for residents in burned neighborhoods has been completed, returning approximately two-thirds of the citizens to their communities. Power has been restored to about 50% of the subdivisions affected by the fire. Cable and telephone has been restored to a major section of the area. The Texas State EOC is at Level II (Escalated Response), and there are 2 shelters open in Texas with 34 occupants.

Disaster Declaration Activity

Amendments
New York
Amendment No. 1 to FEMA-4031-DR-NY, effective September 14, 2011, adds Schenectady County for Individual Assistance
Amendment No. 9 to FEMA-4020-DR-NY, effective September 14, 2011, adds Herkimer County for Individual Assistance and Franklin, Hamilton, and Herkimer Counties for Pubic Assistance, including direct Federal assistance.
Texas
Amendment No. 1 to FEMA-4029-DR-TX, effective September 14, 2011, adds Colorado, Leon, Travis, and Williamson Counties for Individual Assistance.
North Carolina
Amendment No. 2 to FEMA-3327-EM-NC closes the incident period for this emergency declaration effective September 1, 2011.
Nebraska
Amendment No. 1 to FEMA-3323-EM-NE closes the incident period for this emergency declaration effective August 1, 2011.

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