Saturday, August 27, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Hurricane Irene

Â*At 5:00 am EDT, the center of Hurricane Irene was located about 35 mi south of Cape Lookout, North Carolina.Â* Irene is moving toward the north-northeast near 14 mph and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours.Â* On the forecast track, the center of Irene will make landfall in eastern North Carolina during the next few hours and then move across eastern North Carolina.Â* The hurricane is forecast to move near or over the Mid-Atlantic coast tonight and move over southern New England on Sunday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 90 mph with higher gusts.Â* Irene is a category one hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale.Â* Little change in strength is expected before Irene reaches the coast of North Carolina and Irene is expected to remain near the threshold of category one and category two strength.Â* Some weakening is expected after Irene reaches the coast of North Carolina but Irene is forecast to remain a hurricane as it moves near or over the Mid-Atlantic States and New England.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 90 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 260 miles.Â*
A hurricane warning is in effect for Little River Inlet North Carolina northward to Sagamore Beach Massachusetts including the Pamlico, Albemarle and Currituck sounds, Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Bay south of Drum Point, New York City, Long Island, Long Island Sound, coastal Connecticut and Rhode Island, Block Island, Marthaâs Vineyard and Nantucket.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for south Santee River South Carolina to Little River Inlet Chesapeake Bay from Drum Point northward and the tidal Potomac north of Sagamore Beach to Merrimack River.
A tropical storm watch is in effect for Merrimack River to Eastport Maine.
Tropical-storm-force winds will continue to spread inland over the warning area today. Hurricane-force winds are spreading onto the North Carolina coast and should spread northward through the hurricane warning area during the day.Â* Tropical-storm-force winds are expected to begin along the Mid-Atlantic coast later this morning with hurricane conditions expected by this afternoon. Tropical storm conditions are expected to reach southern New England tonight with hurricane conditions expected on Sunday.
An extremely dangerous storm tide will raise water levels by as much as 5 to 9 feet above ground level in the hurricane warning area in North Carolina including the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds.Â* Storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 4 to 8 feet above ground level within the hurricane warning area from the north Carolina/Virginia border northward to Cape Cod including southern portions of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.Â* Near the coast the surge will be accompanied by large, destructive and life-threatening waves.Â*
Irene is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 6 to 10 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 15 inches from eastern North Carolina northward through the Mid-Atlantic states into eastern New York and western new England.Â* These rains could cause widespread flooding and life-threatening flash floods.
Large swells generated by Irene are affecting portions of the coast of the southeastern United States.Â* These swells will cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Isolated tornadoes are possible over extreme eastern North Carolina today.
For the latest information see www.nhc.noaa.govÂ*
Mandatory evacuations currently underway in New York City for people in low lying coastal areas (includes parts of Battery Park City, Coney Island, and the Rockaways).Â* Mandatory evacuations in Nassau County could affect as many as 300,000 residents.Â* Bridges and Tunnels in NY City will be closed as needed due to wind speed and flooding as it occurs. There are currently no bridge closures.Â* Amtrak Northeast Corridor Service between Washington, D.C. and New York will be suspended (in both directions) beginning 5 PM on Saturday, August 27, 2011. Service is not expected to resume until Monday, August 29, 2011.
Amtrak Empire Service, between New York and Albany (in both directions) will be suspended prior to 12 Noon on Saturday, August 27, 2011, due to Metro North Railroads service suspension.Â* Empire Service will resume once Metro North Railroad restores service on the Hudson Line.
All PATH and MTA services will be suspended beginning at noon today.Â* The Port Authority airports will close to arriving domestic and international flights at noon today and 4 shelters are open with 20 occupants.
The Puerto RicoÂ*11 shelters are open with 487 occupants.
Approximately 60,127 customers are without power as of 1:00 a.m. EDT, Aug 26, approximately 27,512 customers are without water, and 7 medical facilities (1 hospital and 6 diagnostic treatment centers) remain on generator power.
The U.S.Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority continue to experience water shortages affecting its St. Thomas customers; water is being rationed; service should be fully restored by August 30, 2011.
Mandatory evacuations are in effect for Virginia Beach, Norfolk (low lying areas), North Hampton County Camp Grounds, Town of Chincoteauge.
Voluntary evacuations in Cities of Poquoson, Hampton, and the counties of Richmond, Middlesex, Lancaster, Glouster, and Accomack.Â* 4 shelters are open, with 0 occupants.
In the District of Columbia, HSEMA is activating as of 6:00 a.m. today..Â* Mandatory evacuations for Ocean City, with 10 shelters open, with 2595 occupants.
Mandatory evacuations are in effect for the coastal regions and 9 shelters open with 353 occupants.
The North CarolinaÂ* 70 Shelters open, with 6213 occupants.
Mandatory evacuations for Ocrakoke Island, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Tyrell, Pender, Perquimans, Beaufort, and Carteret Counties and Voluntary evacuations are in effect for Topsail Beach, and Surf City in Pender County, Beaufort, Brunswick, and Washington Counties.
The South Carolina State EOC is partially activated at OPCON Level IV.
The Florida and Georgia State EOCs are at Normal Operations.
Tropical Activity

Atlantic / Caribbean / Gulf of Mexico
Tropical Depression 10
As of 5:00 a.m. EDT, Tropical Depression 10 has dissipated.
Area 1
Shower activity has diminished in association with a low pressure area located about 1050 miles east-southeast of Bermuda.Â* In addition, satellite images indicate that the circulation of this Low has become more elongated.Â* Development of this system is not expected due to strong upper-level winds, and it has a low chance, near 0 percent, of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours as it moves toward the west-northwest at about 15 mph.
Eastern Pacific
Tropical cyclone activity not expected during next 48 hours.
Central Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected through Saturday evening.Â*
Western Pacific
No systems threatening U.S. Territories.

Significant National Weather

Midwest
From the Central Plains to the Mississippi Valley, rain showers and thunderstorms are expected ahead of a cold front.
East
A near stationary front across the east coast will bring chances for showers and thunderstorms to the region. Hurricane Irene is expected to make landfall in North Carolina this morning and bring Tropical Storm force winds and Hurricane force winds along the eastern seaboard today. Heavy rains are expected as Hurricane Irene tracks northward along the east coast.
South
Hot and dry conditions will persist across the Southern states. High temperatures will be in the triple digits once again today.
West
The Western U.S. can expect near seasonal temperatures and dry conditions this weekend.
Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Earthquake Activity

A magnitude 4.6 earthquake occurred approximately 4 miles North-northwest of Pinnacles, California at about 3:18 a.m. EDT on August 27, 2011 at a depth of 4.7 miles.Â* There were no reports of damages or injuries.
Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

Â*
Thursday, August 26, 2011:
National Preparedness Level:Â* 2
Initial attack activity: Heavy (411 new fires)
New Large Fires: 20
Large Fires Contained:5
Uncontained Large Fires: 25
Type 1 IMT Committed: 0
Type 2 IMT Committed: 9
States affected: ID, WY, VA, SD, TX, AR, OR, NV, CA, MT, NM, FL, AZ, and CO.
Disaster Declaration Activity

Virginia
On August 26, 2011, the President signed Emergency Declaration FEMA-3329-EM-VA for Hurricane Irene. The declaration authorizes FEMA to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), including Direct Federal Assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding for the counties of Accomack, Northampton, Isle of Wight, James City, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, Northumberland, Richmond, Westmoreland, and New Kent and the independent cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg.Â*Â*
New Jersey
On August 26, 2011, the President signed Emergency Declaration FEMA-3332-EM-NJ for Hurricane Irene. The declaration authorizes FEMA to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), including Direct Federal Assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding for all counties in New Jersey.Â*
Massachusetts
On August 26, 2011, the President signed Emergency Declaration FEMA-3330-EM-MA for Hurricane Irene. The declaration authorizes FEMA to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), including Direct Federal Assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding for Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester Counties.
Connecticut
On August 26, 2011, the President has declared FEMA-3331-EM for the State of Connecticut due to Hurricane Irene on August 26, 2011, and continuing. This assistance is for all eight counties in the State of Connecticut. Additional designations may be made at a later date after if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further evaluation.

REQUESTS IN PROCESS:
New Hampshire
The Governor of New Hampshire requested an Emergency Declaration as a result of Hurricane Irene for the period of August 26, 2011, and continuing.Â* The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance category B, including Direct Federal Assistance for Coos, Carroll, Grafton, Sullivan, Belknap, Strafford, Rockingham, Hillsborough, Merrimack and Cheshire Counties.
New Jersey
The Governor of New Jersey requested an Emergency Declaration as a result of Hurricane Irene for the period of August 26, 2011, and continuing.Â* The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance category B, including Direct Federal Assistance for Cape May, Atlantic, and Ocean Counties.
Illinois
The Governor of Maryland requested a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of Severe Storms that occurred on July 27 & 28, 2011, and the flooding and flash flooding that resulted from those severe storms.Â* The Governor is requesting Public Assistance, categories A and B for Carroll, Jo Daviess, and Stephenson Counties, as well as Hazard Mitigation Assistance for all counties Statewide.
Rhode Island
The Governor of Rhode Island requested an Emergency Declaration as a result of Hurricane Irene for the period of August 26, 2011, and continuing.Â* The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance category B, including Direct Federal Assistance for Providence, Kent, Washington, Newport, and Bristol Counties.
Maryland
The Governor of Maryland requested an Emergency Declaration as a result of Hurricane Irene for the period of August 24, 2011, and continuing.Â* The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance category B, including Direct Federal Assistance for the entire State.


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