Thursday, May 12, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Mississippi Valley Flooding

Â*Major to record flooding is expected along the Mississippi River over the course of the next two to three weeks.
Kentucky
Â*One fatality has been reported as a result of flooding.Â* As of May 11, the American Red Cross ARC reports 4 shelters open with 33 occupants.
Tennessee
(Major Disaster) for severe weather and flooding response.Â*Â* As of May 11, the ARC reports 8 shelters open with 509 occupants.Â*

Illinois
Â*Voluntary evacuation orders are still in effect for several southern municipalities. Evacuations have been lifted for the city of Cairo, IL. As of May 11, the American Red CrossÂ* (ARC) reports 10 shelters open with 232 occupants.
Arkansas
Â*Flooding continues along White, Black, and Mississippi Rivers. The westbound lanes of I-40 have re-opened between Memphis, TN and Little Rock, AR. As of May 11, there are 10 shelters open with 86 occupants.
Louisiana
Â*Six parishes have instituted voluntary evacuations.
The Morganza Spillway will be opened, if the threshold reaches a flow rate of 1.5 million cubic feet per second.Â* The current flow rate is 1.36 million cubic feet per second; threshold could be reached as early as May 14.Â* There are about 2,500 people located inside the Morganza Spillway and 2,000 structures. In the backwater area, there are about 22,500 people and 11,000 structures that would be impacted by the spillway opening. Roughly, three days after opening the Morganza Spillway, the water will reach the Morgan City area and about five days after reaching Morgan City, the water will begin causing backwater flooding.
Significant National Weather

West:
Under high pressure, most of the region will remain dry with the exception Washington, northern Idaho and Oregon, where periods of scattered rain is forecast. Flood Watches and Warnings will remain in effect for portions of the Northern Rockies for the remainder of the week.
Midwest:
Isolated thunderstorms are forecast across portions of the Northern Plains to the Upper Mississippi Valley. Moderate to severe thunderstorms capable of producing large hail and damaging winds will move across eastern Kansas and western Missouri this evening. Near Record River flooding will persist along the Mississippi river as the crest moves downstream.
South:
Severe thunderstorms are forecast across the Southern Plains and into the Middle Mississippi Valley. Red Flag Warnings will continue for portions of the Florida Panhandle and south-central Florida, due to low relative humidity and gusty winds.
Northeast:
Isolated thunderstorms are forecast across portions of the Mid-Atlantic and into the Ohio Valley throughout the day. Flood Warnings remain in effect for portions of New England.Â*
Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAGs)

Horseshoe Two Fire, AZ (Cochise County)
On May 9, a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG-2907) was approved for the Horseshoe Fire in Portal, AZ (Cochise County).Â* Approximately 10,000 acres have been burned and its 10 percent contained.

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

Â*

• Wednesday, May 11, 2011:
• National Preparedness Level: 2
• Initial attack activity: LIGHT (67 new fires)
• New Large Fires: 6
• Large Fires Contained: 7
• Uncontained Large Fires: 27
• Type 1 IMT Committed: 3
• Type 2 IMT Committed: 7
• States affected: FL, NC, GA, TX, AZ, NM, CA, KS & NE

Disaster Declaration Activity

Mississippi
On May 11, the President declared Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1983-DR for the State of Mississippi for Flooding during the period of May 3, 2011 and continuing.Â* Individual Assistance has been approved for 14 counties.Â* All counties are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The FCO is Terry L. Quarles with the National FCO Program.
Idaho
On May 6, the Governor requested a Major Disaster Declaration for Idaho as a result of flooding, debris flow, landslides, and embankment failures during the period of March 31 to April 11, 2011.Â* The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance for six counties and the Nez Perce Tribe, Hazard Mitigation statewide.(FEMA HQ)Â*


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