Monday, October 25, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

West:
A low pressure system off of the coast of Washington will continue to bring heavy rain, mountain snows, and strong winds to much of the region. A cold front extending over the Dakotas will produce snow in the Central Rockies and rain in the lower elevations of the Southwest. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for areas above 8000 feet where one to two feet of snow is expected.
Midwest:
There will be rain in the Northern Plains, Upper Mississippi Valley, and Great Lakes while severe thunderstorms are possible for the Central and Upper Mississippi Valley. Over northeast Montana and North Dakota, the precipitation will change from rain to snow by Tuesday morning.
South:
Scattered rain and thunderstorms, some of them severe, are forecast across the Southeast due to an upper level disturbance moving out of the Central U.S. Locally heavy rain is possible, especially along the Central Gulf Coast.
Northeast:
Moisture from the Gulf of Mexico will produce precipitation from the South to the Mid-Atlantic. Rain is forecast over New England from a warm front.
(NOAA and media sources)

Severe Weather Outbreak

There are reports of a tornado outbreak across Texas, Tennessee, and Alabama overnight. In Navarro County, Texas, 14 train cars were reported de-railed and the Rice Middle School and High School Football Stadium sustained damage. Marble sized hail was also reported. In Hunt County, Texas, some homes were also damaged by severe weather, possibly a tornado. There are no reports of injuries. There have been no requests for FEMA assistance.
(Region VI)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico
Tropical Storm Richard is located about 150 miles south-southeast of Campeche, Mexico with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and moving west-northwest at nine mph. Tropical storm winds extend out 80 miles from the center of the storm. Richard continues to weaken and is expected to become a tropical depression later today. Three to six inches of rain is forecast for northern Guatemala and areas of southern Mexico. The few additional inches of rain that may fall today over Belize could result in life-threatening flash floods and mud slides in the mountainous areas.
A different area of disturbed weather is resulting from an upper-level low located about 1000 miles west-northwest of the Cape Verde Islands. The area has to potential to become more conducive for development over time but there is a low chance, near 10 percent, of this system becoming a tropical or subtropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Central, Eastern, and Western Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected during the next 48 hours.
(NOAA, JTWC)

Earthquake Activity

On October 24, at 1:43 p.m. EDT, a 4.4 magnitude earthquake occurred at a depth of 6.2 miles about 20 miles east-northeast of Jackson, WY in an area that is not considered part of the Yellowstone caldera. There were no reports of damage or injuries.(USGS)

Wildfire Update

Wildfire National Preparedness: Level 1
National Fire Activity as of Sunday, October 24, 2010:
Initial attack activity: light (94 new fires), new large fires: 3, large fires contained: 3
Uncontained large fires: 3, U.S. States affected: LA, FL, KY & MO
(NIFC)
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
No activity.
(HQ FEMA)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
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