Friday, July 9, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant Weather

Northeast
Thunderstorms are possible across the region, primarily from central and northern New York into northern Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Some metropolitan areas may be impacted late in the afternoon and evening. Temperatures will still be warm with highs in the 70s in western New York to well into the 80s to the east. In the Mid Atlantic, a few isolated thunderstorms are possible, and temperatures will reach the low to mid 90s, especially in the interior areas.
SouthÂ*
Moisture from the remnants of Tropical Depression-Two will continue to move slowly through northern Mexico and southern Texas over the next two days. Locally heavy rain and thunderstorms are possible as a moist southeasterly flow off the warm Gulf of Mexico remains in place. More flooding can be expected over western and southern Texas. To the north, a nearly stationary front will linger across northern Texas and into Oklahoma and Arkansas, bringing the chance for showers and thunderstorms. Farther east thunderstorms will also affect much of Kentucky and western Tennessee, and heat-generated thunderstorms may pop up across the Deep South. Highs in Texas and Oklahoma will stay mainly in the 70s and 80s, while highs across Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi will again reach well in to the middle 90s.
MidwestÂ*
A cold front affecting the eastern portion of the region will continue to push south today, bringing slightly cooler temperatures to the Midwest and Great Lakes. Isolated thunderstorms may occur near the Ohio River and, late in the day, northern Minnesota and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Temperatures in the middle 80s will remain across the southern half of Wisconsin and Illinois.
WestÂ*
Afternoon high temperatures across the west are expected to be mainly in the upper 80s to lower 100s with the exception of coastal and mountain regions, which will be significantly cooler. In the deserts, temperatures could reach 105 to 120 degrees. A few isolated thunderstorms may bring some relief late in the afternoon or evening near the mountains of central and northern California, extreme southern Oregon and central Nevada. Showers and thunderstorms are possible this afternoon over the mountains of Colorado and northern New Mexico and in eastern New Mexico. Isolated storms may occur in eastern Colorado and throughout the mountains of southern Wyoming, Utah and northern and eastern Arizona.
(NOAA and media sources)

Flooding on the Rio Grande River, Texas â Update

Â*Rainfall from Tropical Depression-Two will continue to contribute to major flooding along the middle and lower Rio Grande River at the Texas-Mexico border for the next few days. Up to five inches of rain expected during the next two days makes flash flooding possible from Lake Amistad down to McAllen, Texas. At Rio Grande City, Texas the river is expected to rise from moderate to major flood stage.
The International Boundary Water Commission (IBWC) continues to release water from the Falcon Reservoir at Falcon Heights, Texas and Anzalduas Diversion Dam in Hidalgo County, Texas. IBWC crews are working to divert floodwaters into the system of levees, floodways, and dams to protect communities along the river and reports the volume of water is well within the capacity of the U.S. levee system. Evacuations are ongoing on both sides of the border due to expected flooding and flash flooding.
The Rio Grande River is forecast to crest in Laredo today at more than 34 feet above flood stage to a level in excess of 42 feet. As water continues to be released from the Amistad reservoir, the river will remain only slightly above moderate flood stage. Floodwaters are within three feet of the deck of the International Bridge in Laredo and flood operations and close monitoring will continue until the water level significantly declines. Hundreds of homes along the Zacate and Chacon creeks near Laredo remain at risk for flooding.
FEMA Region VI Regional Response Coordination Center is activated at Level III. FEMA staff including the Region VI IMAT team deployed to the Texas State Operations Center. The Region is coordinating with the National Weather Service and the Texas Division of Emergency Management. There have been no requests for Federal assistance.
(FEMA Region VI)
Midwest â Des Moines River Basin Flooding - Update

In the past 30 days, northeastern Iowa received 200-400 percent more than normal rainfall levels including more than 7 inches of rain in the past two days. Moderate to major flooding continues on portions of the Des Moines, Iowa, Wapsipinicon, and Skunk Rivers in Iowa, the Illinois River in Illinois, and the Mississippi River in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. Most of the rivers will continue to recede through the weekend.
At Ottumwa, the Des Moines River remains at major flood stage, and is expected to crest at 16.4 feet tonight. The Wapsipinicon River is also at major flood stage and will crest at 19 feet by Saturday. At other locations, the river will remain at moderate flood stage for the next few days. Flooding is affecting residences and streets in low-lying areas. The Mississippi River overwhelmed community storm sewers and some floodgates in Hannibal, Missouri. Flash flooding during the past week brought the river at Hannibal to the highest level recorded since 1993.
(NOAA)
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. Flow Rate Technical Group (FRTG) estimates the total oil released is between 2.7 to 4.7 million barrels. The estimated oil spill rate is between 35,000 and 60,000 barrels per day with approximately 520 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*
On July 8, around 11:00 a.m. EDT, Tropical Depression-Two made landfall in the western Gulf of Mexico along the Texas-Mexico border. All Tropical Storm Warnings were cancelled but the system continues to bring rain into southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. Flood, flash flood, and coastal advisories were issued for much of Texas and the western Gulf Coast. Rainfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are expected today over portions of far northeastern Mexico and coastal Texas and isolated areas may receive up to 10 inches. Elsewhere, no tropical activity is expected within the next 48 hours.
Eastern, Central, and Western Pacific:Â*
No tropical cyclone activity expected in the next 48 hours.
(NOAA, JTWC)
Earthquake Activity

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake occurred on July 8 at 11:16 p.m. EDT, in southern Alaska 50 miles NNW of Anchorage at a depth of 12.9 miles. No damage or injuries were reported. (USGS)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 2
National Fire Activity as of Thursday, July 8, 2010:Â*
Fire activity nationwide yesterday was light with 123 new fires reported. There are 48 large fires with one new large fire reported in New Mexico. Six large fires remain uncontained in Alaska, Colorado, and New Mexico.
(NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA-1918-DR-West Virginia; Amendment #1, effective July 8, amends the major disaster declaration to make Lewis County eligible for Individual Assistance from damage caused by severe storms, flooding, mudslides and landslides that occurred June 12 and continuing.
FEMA-1918-DR-West Virginia; Amendment #2, effective July 8, amends the major disaster declaration to close the incident period effective June 29, 2010. (FEMA HQ)



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