Friday, July 2, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant Weather

West:
A series of low-pressure troughs will produce rain and rain showers over Washington and Oregon. A developing frontal system moving out of the Rockies will produce precipitation in the High Plains. Severe thunderstorms are forecast for eastern Montana and scattered afternoon thunderstorms are expected from New Mexico to southern Wyoming. Critical fire weather is expected in Nevada, Arizona and Utah.
South:
Alex has dissipated over the mountains of Mexico, however, circulation off the Gulf of Mexico will bring moisture inland over most parts of Texas. Showers and thunderstorms will continue until tomorrow with localized flooding possible. The rest of the Gulf Coast, including Florida, will see showers and thunderstorms from a stalled frontal system through the weekend
Midwest:
Much of the region will be dry, except for afternoon thunderstorms from the Dakotas to Nebraska. Gusty southwesterly winds are forecast from the Central Plains to Minnesota.
Northeast:
Under a large high-pressure area, the region will be precipitation free with seasonable temperatures.(NOAAâs National Weather Service, the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center and media sources)Â*
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).
A notable increase in movement of the TOP HAT of 6-12 inches has been reported due to the increased sea state. The sub-sea dispersant authority has been granted through July 7 at a rate of 6,000 gallons daily. Surface injection dispersant vessels remain in Port Fourchon due to high seas. The estimated oil spill rate is between 35,000 and 60,000 barrels per day with 428.8 miles of coastline impacted thus far. The beach cleanup in the Gulf States was temporarily as a result of weather caused by Hurricane Alex.
Â*(NIC Daily Situation Update)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

FMAG-2847-FM-NV was approved on July 1, 2010 for the Cathedral Fire, near Cathedral and Rainbow in Mount Charleston, Nevada. The fire is very active with dry vegetation with strong winds, forecast between 21 to 35 mph.
(FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico
Hurricane AlexÂ*
Alex dissipated over the mountains of central Mexico and all coastal watches and warnings are discontinued. The remnants of Alex are expected to produce additional rainfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches over portions of southern Texas, with isolated maximum storm-total amounts of 12 inches. The National Hurricane Center produced the last public advisory on Alex at 11:00 p.m. EDT July 1, 2010.Â*
Federal Response:
FEMA â RWC and NRCCÂ*
The National Response Coordination Center transitioned operations to day shift only, 8a.m-5p.m EDT. FEMA Logistics and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers liaison officers will remain on call as needed. All MERS assets (Denton, Denver, and Frederick) were released. The Region VI Regional Response Coordination Center remains operational 24/7 with most Emergency Support Functions activated. The Region VI IMAT team remains deployed to the Texas State Operations Center in Austin. An Initial Operating Facility was established in Austin (FEMA-3313-EM-TX) and the incident staging area is at Randolph AFB in San Antonio.
(FEMA HQ, Region VI)Â*
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)
Wildfire Update

Â*
National Preparedness Level 2
National Fire Activity as of Thursday, July 1, 2010:Â*
Initial attack activity: light (142 new fires), new large fires: 3, large fires contained: 3
Uncontained large fires: states affected:Â* AZ, NM, CO, AK, ID, FL & OR
Moapa FireÂ*
The Moapa Fire is located 42 miles north of Las Vegas in Clark County, Nevada. Approximately 150 acres are burned with zero percent contained. A nearby community of 100 structures and 3,000 residents is threatened and sixty residents have evacuated voluntarily. No injuries or fatalities are reported.
Cathedral Fire
The Cathedral Fire is located 28 miles northwest of Las Vegas in Clark County, Nevada. Approximately 20 acres are burned with zero percent contained. Nearby, 325 structures are threatened with 50 structures in immediate danger. In addition, a critical watershed for Las Vegas is threatened as well as schools, campgrounds, and a lodge. Approximately 1,500 residents have evacuated voluntarily and n injuries or fatalities are reported.
(NIFC)Â*
Disaster Declaration Activity

Maine
On July 1, the President declared a Major Disaster Declaration (FEMA-1920-DR) as a result of severe storms and flooding beginning March 12 to April 1, 2010. Federal funding under the Public Assistance program is available for Hancock and York counties. All counties are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
South Dakota
Amendment No. 3 for FEMA-1915-DR-SD was approved on July 1, 2010, to make federal funding available under the Public Assistance program for the counties of Deuel, Douglas, Gregory, Hand Lake and Tripp.
(FEMA HQ)


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