Wednesday, October 19, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Northeast
The heavy storm moving slowly up the East Coast from Florida is expected to be just off of the New Jersey coast this evening which will orient strong easterly rain flow into New England later tonight in to tomorrow. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are possible with the greatest precipitation potential occurring closest to the coastline; up to 2.5 inches in some areas.
South
The heavy rain and thunderstorms affecting much of Florida through the Carolinas for the past several days are expected to slowly spread up the East Coast, tracking north-northeastward and bringing continued moisture with a slight risk of severe thunderstorms over the southern Mid-Atlantic. Temperatures will be 10 to 15 degrees below average for the Southeast to the lower/middle Mississippi Valley.
Midwest
Temperatures will be 10 to 15 degrees below average behind a strong cold front from the Central Plains to the central Gulf Coast, and are expected to stay in place across this area through tomorrow. Meanwhile, the heavy rain and thunderstorms making their way up the East Coast will produce secondary rainfall over portions of the Midwest into the Central Great Lakes region, with up to 2 inches of rain possible.
West
A Pacific front will move into Western Canada, straddling the Northwest U.S./Canadian border late today into tomorrow. A few small areas of light rain will develop from the Northwest coast to parts of the Northern Rockies tomorrow. Meanwhile, temperatures are expected to be close to average west of the Rockies through tomorrow.

Severe Weather â Southern Florida

On the evening of October 18, the National Weather Service reported unconfirmed tornados in Glades, Indian River & Broward counties, and high winds in Martin and Glades counties. Early reports from Region IV via the Florida State Warning Point reported damages in Glades County to a firehouse and approximately forty homes. Power was also out to approx. 15,000 â 20,000 residents in Indiantown, FL. One meeting hall and one residence were destroyed in Martin County. Media sources report unconfirmed injuries and no fatalities. The Florida State EOC is at Action Level 3 (Monitoring). No FEMA assistance is requested at this time. FEMA Region IV is coordinated with the Florida State EOC on this event.(Region IV and local media)Â*
The Great California ShakeOut

The Great California ShakeOut is an annual "Drop, Cover, & Hold" drill organized and carried out by the Earthquake Country Alliance to prepare and educate citizens on what to do in the event of an earthquake. This year’s event is scheduled for October 20, 2011 at 10:20 a.m. PST, meaning that wherever individuals are at that moment they are encouraged to drop, cover, and hold on as if there were a major earthquake occurring, and stay in that position for at least 60 seconds (typically the length of strong ground motions from a major earthquake).
The Great California ShakeOut is now in its 4th year and continues to grow as the largest earthquake drill in U.S. history. While the event is primarily organized and held in California, this year Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, British Columbia and Guam will also hold ShakeOut drills on the same day and time, with some 10 million people expected to participate.
A key aspect of the ShakeOut is the integration of comprehensive science-based earthquake research and the lessons learned from decades of social science research about why people get prepared. The organizers of this event, the Earthquake Country Alliance, are earthquake professionals, emergency responders, business leaders, and community activists across the state of California, focused on preparing for and educating people on earthquake hazards.
The expected result is a “teachable moment” on par with having an actual earthquake (often followed by increased interest in getting ready for earthquakes). ShakeOut creates the sense of urgency that is needed for people, organizations, and communities to get prepared, to practice what to do to be safe, and to learn what plans need to be improved.
There are no scheduled freeway closures, power outages, or other simulated effects of the hypothetical earthquake, unless local municipalities or utility companies specifically notify citizens about something of this nature. More information on this event can be found at www.shakeout.org.

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic / Caribbean / Gulf
No tropical cyclone activity is expected during the next 48 hours.
Eastern Pacific
No tropical cyclone activity is expected during the next 48 hours.
Central Pacific
No tropical cyclone activity is expected through Thursday evening.
Western Pacific
There are no tropical cyclones threatening U.S. territories.

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

Tuesday, Oct. 18: National Preparedness Level 1. Initial wildland fire attack activity was LIGHT with 105 new fires. There were two new large fires and one large fire contained. Two large uncontained fires are active in Georgia, Arkansas, Minnesota and Idaho.
Disaster Declaration Activity

Puerto RicoÂ*
On Oct. 18, the President signed Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4040-DR for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as a result of Tropical Storm Maria for the incident period September 8-14, 2011. Specifically, the declaration provides Individual Assistance for the municipalities of Juana Diaz, Naguabo, and Yabucao. All municipalities in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The Federal Coordinating Officer for this disaster is Justo Hernandez.
Iowa
Effective Oct. 18, Amendment #3 to Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1998-DR for the State of Iowa, dated June 27, is amended to include Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, and Pottawattamie Counties for Individual Assistance (already designated for Public Assistance, including direct Federal assistance).

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