Wednesday, August 11, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Midwest
Showers and thunderstorms are forecast across the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Ohio Valley with a few isolated severe storms possible. High temperatures are expected across the Northern and Central Plains into Thursday.
South
Intense heat continues, but isolated thunderstorms could bring brief relief to portions of Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina. Heavy rains are forecast across portions of the Florida Peninsula.
NortheastÂ*
Scattered showers and thunderstorms could bring strong winds and hail to portions of New England today. Showers and thunderstorms will develop southward into the Mid-Atlantic region as cooler air enters into the region but severe weather is not likely. Slightly cooler, drier air will bring welcome relief to northern New York and northern New England, but high temperatures and humidity are expected to continue throughout the rest of the region.
WestÂ*
Isolated, scattered storms are expected from eastern Washington and Oregon to western Montana. Widespread severe weather is not expected with these storms, although a few could produce locally strong winds. Fire danger will remain high through portions of the Great Basin and a few isolated thunderstorms are possible across the higher terrain of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado through Thursday.
(NOAA and media sources)

Excessive Heat â Forecast and Hazards

NOAAâs National Weather Service Forecast Hazards Assessment indicates that excessive heat conditions will continue in the southern United States during the next three to five days. Heat indices of 105-110 degrees will persist in more than 10 states. The heat index is a measure of how hot it feels when the relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature. According to the NWS, heat is actually the number one weather related killer in the United States; ranking higher than floods, lightning, tornadoes, and hurricanes combined. The hazards from excessive heat may include sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke or hyperthermia. Hyperthermia is a condition in which the body absorbs more heat than it can dissipate and is a major threat for children, adults, and pets in enclosed vehicles. With an outside temperature of 80 degrees, temperatures inside a car can rise to 123 degrees in sixty minutes and leaving the windows slightly open does not significantly decrease the heating rate.Â* For more information regarding the products that the NWS Weather Forecast Offices produce to help prepare and plan for excessive heat, as well as details regarding the hazards and effects, please see the National Weather Service article, âHeat: a Major Killerâ on their website:Â* http://www.weather.gov/om/heat/index.shtml.Â*Â*
(NOAA)

Mississippi Canyon 252 Update

Well pressure remains stable. Drilling operations are on hold until the passage of Tropical Depression 5.Â*
On August 10, NOAA reopened 5,144 square miles to finfish harvest only. The area closed to all fishing covers 52,395 square miles or approximately 22% of the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone.
(NIC Daily SitRep Update)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity. (HQ FEMA)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico:Â*
Tropical Depression #5 is located approximately 290 miles east-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River moving toward the northwest at 10 mph. On the forecast track, the center of the system will approach the north central Gulf of Mexico by Thursday morning. Slow strengthening is expected and the depression is forecast to become a Tropical Storm later today. Total rainfall accumulations of 3 to 5 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 8 inches are possible from southeastern Louisiana to the western Florida Panhandle through Friday morning. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Destin, Florida to Intracoastal City, Louisiana, including Lake Pontchartrain and New Orleans.
Another well-defined low pressure area is located about 750 miles northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands and is marginally conducive for development. There is a high chance, near 70 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. Finally, there is also a tropical wave located about 625 miles east of the Southern Windward Islands but any development with this system should be slow to occur. There is a low chance, near 10 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Eastern Pacific
The remnant low Estelle is located approximately 450 miles south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, Mexico moving slowly east-southeastward. Redevelopment of this low is not expected due to strong upper-level winds. Another low pressure area is located about 330 miles west-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico but as with the other system, development is not likely due to unfavorable upper-level winds. There is a low chance, near 10 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. A third area of disturbed weather is located several hundred miles south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec moving slowly westward to west-northwest. Some slow development is possible and there is a low chance, near 20 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Central and Western Pacific:Â*
No tropical cyclones are expected during the next 48 hours.Â*
Â*(NOAA, JTWC)Â*

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

On August 10, 2010, the President signed major disaster declaration FEMA-1932-DR to provide assistance to Kansas for damages resulting from severe storms, flooding and tornadoes from June 7 to July 21, 2010. The declaration approves Public Assistance for 34 counties will all counties eligible to apply for the Hazard Mitigation Grants Program. The Federal Coordinating Officer for this disaster is Michael R. Scott.
(HQ FEMA)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On August 10, 2010, the President signed major disaster declaration FEMA-1932-DR to provide assistance to Kansas for damages resulting from severe storms, flooding and tornadoes from June 7 to July 21, 2010. The declaration approves Public Assistance for 34 counties will all counties eligible to apply for the Hazard Mitigation Grants Program. The Federal Coordinating Officer for this disaster is Michael R. Scott.
(HQ FEMA)



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