Thursday, July 21, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Missouri River Basin Flooding Summary

The flood waters have reached a steady state throughout most of the Missouri River Basin and the focus is on monitoring and reinforcing existing levees. Fort Peck, Garrison, Oahe, and Big Bend Dams reductions in releases have led to declining water levels and less water moving downstream. There have been 4 federal levee breaches or over-toppings and 13 non- federal levee breaches or overtoppings. There have been no new levee breaches or overtoppings in Region VII since July 11, 2011. The U.S. Coast Guard continues closure of the Missouri River for both commercial and recreational use. The river remains closed from mile 226.3, near Glasgow, MO, to mile 550 near Gavins Point Dam.
Missouri River Basin Reservoir Releases
Dam Releases projected for Thursday, July 21:

• Fort Peck: 35,000 cfs
• Garrison: 120,000 cfs
• Oahe: 140,000 cfs
• Big Bend: 140,000 cfs
• Fort Randall: 156,000 cfs
• Gavins Point: 160,000 cfs

Souris (Mouse) River Flooding â Minot, ND

Current Situation
As of 3:00 a.m. EDT on July 21, the Souris River at Minot was below flood stage at 1,548.63 feet and is forecast to remain below flood stage for the forecast period. USACE contractors have removed 220 tons of debris. Evacuation zones have reopened and residents have begun returning home. The Broadway Bridge in Minot remains open from 7:00 a.m. â 8:00 p.m. CDT.
North Dakota
Three shelters were open with 370 (+2) occupants.

Significant National Weather

The heat wave continues to produce dangerous levels of heat and humidity. There are excessive heat warnings, heat watches and heat advisories in effect for much of the eastern half of the country.
See www.weather.gov/largemap.phpÂ*
West:
A front will produce precipitation including a few thunderstorms across the Pacific Northwest. The Southwest Monsoon will bring scattered afternoon thunderstorms to the Four Corners states - expect gusty winds, locally heavy rainfall and localized flash flooding. The Southwest will see temperatures as high as 110 this afternoon.
Midwest:
The cold front dropping southward across the region will bring some relief from the heat for the northern half of the region but will produce a line of severe thunderstorms in the Central Plains. Damaging wind gusts and hail are the primary threats. South of the front, high temperatures will be in the 90s.
South:
High heat and humidity continue across the entire region. High temperatures will be in the 90s across the Southeast and in the upper 90s to near 105 in Oklahoma and Texas. Scattered thunderstorms are possible from eastern Texas to the Southeast.
Northeast:
High heat and humidity will expand eastward into the Ohio Valley and East Coast states for the remainder of the week. High temperatures today should reach the 80s and 90s over much of the region with 100-degree plus readings in the Mid Atlantic states. Many areas will see rain and thunderstorms and severe thunderstorms are forecast for northern New England.
Tomorrow, temperatures in many areas will be in the upper 90s to near 105 with heat indices in the 100 to 115 degree range.

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic / Caribbean / Gulf of MexicoÂ*Â*

Tropical Storm Bret â At 5:00 a.m. EDT July 21, Tropical Storm Bret was located about 260 miles east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, NC, moving toward the northeast near 8 mph. Bret is likely to remain well offshore of the southeastern coast of the United States. This general motion with an increase in forward speed is expected until the cyclone dissipates in a couple of days. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Bret could weaken to a Tropical Depression or Remnant Low later today. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center.
Tropical Storm Cindy - At 5:00 a.m. EDT July 21, Tropical Storm Cindy was located about 975 miles east-northeast of Bermuda, moving toward the northeast near 28 mph. This general motion with some increase in forward speed is expected over the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds near 60 mph with higher gusts. Slight strengthening is possible during the next 12-24 hours, and Cindy should weaken after it moves over increasingly colder water. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 85 miles from the center.
Eastern PacificÂ*
Hurricane Dora - At 2:00 a.m. EDT July 21, Hurricane Dora was located about 210 miles south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico and moving west-northwest near 15 mph. A turn toward the northwest and a decrease in forward speed are expected during the next 12 to 24 hours. Maximum sustained winds are near 135 mph with higher gusts. Dora is a Category Four hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Some additional strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours; weakening is expected to begin by Friday. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center and Tropical Storm force winds extend outward up to 150 miles.
Central PacificÂ*Â*

No tropical cyclones are expected through Friday afternoon.

Western Pacific

Tropical Depression 08W (MA-ON) poses no threat to U.S. territories.

Earthquake Activity

At 2:20 a.m. EDT on Thursday, July 21, 2011, a magnitude 4.1 earthquake occurred in southern Alaska, 40 miles west of Happy Valley, Alaska, at a reported depth of 58.5 miles.Â* There have been no reports of injury or damage and no tsunami was generated.
Wildfire Update

Wednesday, July 20, 2011:
National Preparedness Level: 2
Initial attack activity: LIGHT (198 new fires)
New Large Fires: 7
Large Fires Contained: 3
Uncontained Large Fires: 21
Type 1 IMT Committed: 1
Type 2 IMT Committed: 6
States affected: NC, GA, TX, OK, UT, NM, WY, and ID.
Wildfires
No significant activity.

Disaster Declaration Activity

Tennessee
On July 20, 2011, the President signed Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4005-DR for the State of Tennessee for Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding that occurred June 18-24, 2011. The declaration approves Public Assistance for six counties, and Hazard Mitigation statewide.
Minnesota
On July 20, 2011, the Governor requested a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Minnesota as a result of severe storms, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding during the period of July 1-11, 2011. The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance for fourteen counties and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, and Hazard Mitigation statewide.
North Dakota
Amendment #7 to FEMA-1981-DR-North Dakota amends the Major Disaster Declaration to close the incident period for this disaster effective July 20.

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