Wednesday, July 7, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant Weather

West:
High pressure over the eastern slopes of the Rockies and High Plains will keep temperatures 10-20 degrees above average. In Washington and Oregon, temperatures will be in the 80s to 90s. Some portions of western Oregon will see very hot temperatures, up to 100 degrees today. In the Desert Southwest, temperatures could reach 110-115 degrees. Near average temperatures will continue in Southern California throughout the day.
Midwest:Â*
Showers and thunderstorms will continue across the Plains eastward into the Upper Midwest. Strong winds and hail are also possible as an isolated severe threat moves from southern Colorado into Kansas, Nebraska, and Minnesota by this afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms with locally heavy rain will continue across portions of South Dakota, continuing the risk of flooding and flash flooding in previously saturated areas. Above average temperatures will continue across southern portions of Michigan and the Ohio Valley where temperatures are expected to reach the high 90s.
South:
Temperatures in the Southeast are expected to be 10-15 degrees above average today. The temperatures will stay in the 90s with increasing humidity throughout the day. In central portions of the Carolinas, temperatures could reach 100 degrees. Moderate rain is expected along the Gulf Coast, especially in Louisiana. The rain and will spread across the Mississippi Valley by Thursday.
Northeast:
Record-breaking heat will continue across the Mid-Atlantic. Triple-digit temperatures, increased humidity and poor air quality are expected to continue into the afternoon. The high-pressure system is expected to weaken by Thursday, bringing cooler temperatures through the weekend. In New England, temperatures will be cooler, in the 80s, with a possibility of isolated thunderstorms throughout the day today.
(NOAA and media sources)

Flooding on the Rio Grande River, Texas

Rain from the remnants of Hurricane Alex has resulted in major flooding on the middle and lower Rio Grande River along the Texas-Mexico border. The rainfall caused excessive runoff/inflows into several interior Mexican and International Boundary Water Commission (IBWC) United States and Mexico reservoirs, including the Amistad and Falcon Reservoirs. To reduce reservoir levels, the IBWC will continue flood releases this week, which is affecting levels of the Rio Grande River in the Middle and Lower Rio Grande Valley. Based on current conditions, flood operations are expected to continue at the Amistad and Falcon Dams for approximately 10 days.
Along the Rio Grande River at Del Rio, Texas, major flooding is occurring. The river is forecast to continue to rise 6.3 feet above flood stage to near 10.5 feet by this morning and remain at that level for the rest of the week. Mandatory evacuations began on Tuesday, June 6 for approximately 250 residents in the Vega Verde neighborhood of Del Rio, Texas. Three to four feet of floodwater is expected to inundate or cut off large areas of that part of the city.
In Eagle Pass, Texas, major flooding is occurring and forecast to crest tonight at 18 feet above flood stage at a level of 35 feet. At its projected height, homes and businesses adjacent to the river may flood and as secondary creeks fill up, additional streets and homes may be impacted. The river level is expected to fall slowly and remain at 4 feet above flood stage on Thursday through the weekend.
Further downstream along the lower Rio Grande River at Columbia Bridge and Laredo, Texas, forecast water levels are expected to impact businesses and residences in the lower level of the downtown district.
FEMA Region VI is participating in regular conference calls with the relevant National Weather Service offices and is working with the Texas Division of Emergency Management to monitor impacts associated with this flood event. There have been no requests for Federal assistance and no prepositioning of commodities due to this event.
(FEMA Region VI)

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). Booming, skimming and in situ burning continues as weather permits. The Flow Rate Technical Group estimates the total oil released as of 5 July is between 2.7 to 4.6 million barrels. The estimated oil spill rate is between 35,000 and 60,000 barrels per day with approximately 504 miles of coastline impacted thus far. The Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone closure to commercial and recreational fishing remains at 81,181 square miles or approximately 34% of the Gulf of Mexico.
(NIC Daily Situation Update)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico:Â*
Cloudiness, showers, and thunderstorms continue in association with a broad low-pressure system centered near the northwestern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Although this system has changed little in organization over the past several hours, environmental conditions appear to be conducive for some development of this disturbance during the next day or two as it moves west northwestward at 10 to 15 mph. The National Hurricane Center suggests there is a 40 percent chance this system will become a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. Heavy rainfall and gusty winds are possible over portions of the Yucatan Peninsula today. Elsewhere, tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.
Eastern Pacific and Western Pacific:Â*
No tropical cyclone activity expected in the next 48 hours.
Central Pacific:
An area of disorganized showers and isolated thunderstorms associated with a weak surface low is located about 700 miles southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. This low is moving to the west-northwest at around 10 mph. The National Hurricane Center predicts a low chance, 10 percent for this system to become a tropical cyclone during the next two days. Elsewhere, no tropical cyclones are expected through Thursday afternoon.
(NOAA, JTWC)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 2
National Fire Activity as of Tuesday, July 6, 2010:Â*
Initial Attack activity nationwide yesterday was light with 151 new fires reported. One new large fire was reported in Alaska, and two large fires were contained. There are five uncontained large fires remaining in Alaska, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Washington.
Moapa FireÂ*
The Moapa Fire is located near Moapa, Clark County, Nevada, approximately 42 miles north of Las Vegas in an area managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The fire burned 601 acres and is now 75 percent contained. It destroyed six homes and 14 outbuildings but no additional structures are threatened.
(NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)


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