Thursday, August 26, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

West:
A strong low pressure system will push into the Pacific Northwest. The tight pressure gradient will produce gusty winds in central Washington and Oregon. Winds will gust to 35 mph and Blowing Dust Advisories will be in effect during afternoon and evening hours. Precipitation will be limited to showers and thunderstorms across the higher elevations of the Pacific Northwest and the Southwest. Critical Fire Weather and associated Red Flag warnings are in effect from northern California to western Washington and east to the Dakotas during afternoon and evening hours, due to gusty winds and low humidity. High temperatures will exceed 100 degrees in the Central valley of California and the Desert Southwest.
Midwest:Â*
A large ridge of high pressure will keep the region dry today and tomorrow. The Central Plains will be hot with highs reaching the 90s in most locations.
South:Â*
A stationary front across the Gulf Coast will continue to produce showers and thunderstorms. Fortunately, the heaviest precipitation will remain offshore. The tail end of the cold front will produce rain and rain showers over the Carolinas. (NOAAâs National Weather Service, the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center and media sources)Â*Â*Â*Â*
Northeast:Â*
The region will be generally dry, but a cold front will produce a few showers across parts of northwest Pennsylvania, Upstate New York and New England.
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

California â Post Fire â near Lebec, Kern CountyÂ*
A FMAG was approved at 8:00 p.m. EDT, Aug 24, 2010 for the Post Fire located near Fraizer Park, Kern County, California.Â* Approximately, 1,500 acres consumed and 0% contained.Â* About 400 residents evacuated from Fraizer Park (Population: 2,800) and 25 structures are threatened.Â*(HQ FEMA)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico:
Hurricane DanielleÂ*
At 5:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Hurricane Danielle was located about 795 miles east of the At 5:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Hurricane Danielle was located 860 miles southeast of Bermuda (795 mi east-northeast of San Juan Puerto Rico). Danielle is moving toward the northwest near 16 mph and this general motion is expected to continue with a gradual decrease in forward speed over the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 105 mph, with higher gusts. Danielle is a Category Two Hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane wind scale. Some additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and Danielle could become a major hurricane by tonight or Friday. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175miles.
Tropical Storm EarlÂ*
At 5:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Earl was located approximately 695 miles west of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands. Earl is moving toward the west-northwest near 16 mph. This motion is expected to continue during the next 48 hours. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 45 mph, with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days and Earl is expected to become a hurricane by late Friday or early Saturday. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center.
Eastern Pacific:
Hurricane FrankÂ*
At 5:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Hurricane Frank was located about 380 miles south-southeast of the southern tip of Baja California, Mexico. Frank is moving toward the west-northwest near 14 mph and this general motion is expected to continue for the next day or so.Â* A reduction in forward speed is likely to occur on Friday. Maximum sustained winds are near 80 mph, with higher gusts.Â* Frank is a Category One Hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.Â* Some strengthening is forecast today, and a gradual weakening trend is expected to begin on Friday as Frank moves over cooler waters. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles.

Central Pacific:Â*
No tropical cyclone activity is expected through Thursday evening.

Western Pacific:
No activity.(NOAA, NWS, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 2
National Fire Activity as of Wednesday, August 25, 2010:Â*
Initial attack activity: light (158 new fires), new large fires: 4, large fires contained:Â* 1
Uncontained large fires: 20, U.S. States affected: CA, OR, WA, ID, MT, HI &WYÂ*(NIFC)

California â Post Fire â near Frazier Park, CA (Kern County)Â*
An FMAG was approved on Aug 24, 2010 for the Post Fire located near Frazier Park, CA in Kern County.Â* The Governor declared a State of Emergency for Kern County on Aug 25, 2010.Â* Approximately 1,000 acres were consumed and about 60% contained.Â* All mandatory evacuations have been lifted.Â* (HQ FEMA)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)


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