Tuesday, July 19, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Missouri River Basin Flooding Summary

The River remains at Moderate to Major Flood Stage at many locations and is forecast to remain high in much of Nebraska and Iowa until fall. No levee breaches or overtopping have occurred since July 11. The U.S. Coast Guard has extended the Missouri River closure for both commercial and recreational use. At this time, the river is closed from mile 226.3, near Glasgow, MO, to mile 550 near Gavins Point Dam.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) continues to provide extensive amounts of flood fight supplies (sandbags, automatic sandbag machines, pumps, porta-dam,) along with technical assistance to levee districts and communities in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.
Missouri River Basin Flooding
Dam Releases as of Monday, July 18 are as follows:
Fort Peck: 40,000 cfs
Garrison: 120,000 cfs
Oahe: 140,000 cfs
Big Bend: 140,000 cfs
Fort Randall: 156,000 cfs.
Gavins Point: 160,000 cfs
MissouriÂ*
On July 14, 2011, the State of Missouri requested Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments for severe storms and flooding. FEMA Region VII is coordinating the dates and times of these assessments with the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency Disaster Recovery staff.

Souris (Mouse) River Flooding â Minot, ND

Current Situation
As of 1:00 a.m. EDT on July 19, the Souris River at Minot was below flood stage at 1,548.79 feet and is forecast to remain below flood stage for the forecast period.
Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) remain open in Minot, ND (2) and Bismarck, ND (1). Two DRCs will open this week; one today in Berthold, ND and one in Sherwood, ND on Wednesday, July 20

North Dakota
Three shelters were open with 361 occupants as of midnight, July 18.

Major Heat Wave Continues, Expands Eastward By Midweek

The dangerous heat wave continues over the central United States and is expected to expand eastward during the week. Heat indexes in the triple digits were forecast across a large portion of the Midwest on Monday. The large area of high pressure responsible for the heat will expand eastward by midweek, with temperatures reaching the mid-90s in the Mid-Atlantic States as early as Wednesday. This dome of high pressure is forecast to dominate most of the eastern and central U.S. through the end of next week bringing excessive heat to much of the eastern half of the country except for the Northeast and southern Florida.
Midwest
The heat wave continues for much of the region, with hotter than average temperatures and humidity expected for most of the region with some relief starting Wednesday. Excessive heat warnings are in effect from the eastern Northern and Central Plains to the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. Highs will continue to range from the 90s near the Great Lakes to around 108 in southwestern Kansas and central South Dakota. Severe thunderstorms are possible from the Upper Mississippi Valley to Mid-Atlantic today. Hail and wind will be the main severe threats.
Northeast
Heat and humidity from the Midwest will expand eastward into the Mid-Atlantic and the Southeast. Most areas will be in the 80s & 90s, with 70s in northern New York and Northern New England. Slight risk of severe thunderstorms into the Mid-Atlantic today.
South
Southeast will be hot and humid. Temperatures ranging in the 90s. The heat continues across the Southern Plains while the Southeast should be near average temperature-wise. Highs will range from around 70 from Tennessee to the 100s in much of Texas and Oklahoma. Rain and thunderstorms are forecast from central Texas to the Louisiana Gulf Coast and southern Florida.
West
Severe thunderstorms are possible over the Intermountain West to the western Northern Plains. Additional moisture drawn into the Southwest is forecast to increase monsoonal thunderstorms activity next few days. Rain and thunderstorms are forecast from the Rockies to the High Plains. Rain continues over the Pacific Northwest. Hotter than average temperatures continue for most areas east of the Continental Divide. Highs will range from around 60 along the Northern California Coast to the 110s in the deserts of southeastern California and southern Arizona. High fire danger is expected in parts of Nevada and Utah. Red Flag conditions are forecast from central California to Utah. Strong southerly winds up to 25 mph with gust possible.
Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic / Caribbean / Gulf of MexicoÂ*Â*
AtlanticÂ*Â*

Tropical Storm Bret â At 5:00 a.m. EDT on July 19, Tropical Storm Bret was located about 205 miles north-northeast of Great Abaco Island and 410 miles south of Cape Hatteras, NC, moving toward the north-northeast near 7 mph. A turn toward the northeast and an increase in forward speed is expected in the next day or two. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 50 mph with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 50 miles from the center.
Eastern Pacific
Tropical Storm Dora - At 5:00 a.m. EDT on July 19, Tropical Storm Dora was located about 300 miles south of Puerto Angel, Mexico and moving west at 16 mph. A west to west northwest motion is expected during the next 48 hours. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 mph with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is expected during the next 48 hours and Tropical Storm Dora is forecast to become a hurricane later today. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 125 miles from the center.
Central Pacific

No tropical cyclones are expected through Wednesday evening.

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

Monday, July 18, 2011:
National Preparedness Level: 2
Initial attack activity: LIGHT (151 new fires)
New Large Fires: 4
Large Fires Contained: 3
Uncontained Large Fires: 20
Type 1 IMT Committed: 1
Type 2 IMT Committed: 3
States affected: NC, GA, TX, FL, OK, NM, CO, OR, NV, UT, WY and CA.

Wildfires
No significant activity

Disaster Declaration Activity

Amendment #1 to Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1999-DR-TX
On July 18, 2011, Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1999-DR-TX, dated July 1, 2011, was amended adding Hazard Mitigation statewide.


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