Tuesday, April 26, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

South:
A front remains draped across the country from New England through the Ohio Valley Middle and Lower Mississippi Valley and to the Southern Plains.Â* The front combined with moisture from the Gulf of Mexico will produce another day of severe thunderstorms (thunderstorm producing hail that is at least quarter size, 1 inch in diameter or larger, and/or wind gusts to 58 mph or greater, and/or a tornado) will continue much of the region.Â* See the Storm Prediction CenterÂ* (SPC) at http://www.spc.noaa.gov/ for the latest information.Â* The entire region with the exception of western Texas will see precipitation.Â* The heaviest amounts, up to 6 inches, are forecast for the lower Mississippi Valley. The additional rain will fall on saturated ground and add to the ongoing flooding.Â* Gusty westerly winds 40 to 55 mph with gusts near 75 mph are forecast for western Texas.Â* The gusty winds combined with drought conditions and low relative humidity will produce extremely critical fire conditions.Â*
Midwest:
A low pressure system associated with the front discussed above will produce extensive precipitation over the Northern Plains, Middle and Upper Mississippi Valleys, Great Lakes and Ohio Valley.
Thunderstorms are possible across the much of the Plains, Great Lakes and Ohio Valley.Â* The additional precipitation (up to 4 inches) will add to the ongoing flooding.Â* Tomorrow, showers and thunderstorms will continue over the Ohio Valley. Western Kentucky could receive as much as 5 inches of additional precipitation.
Northeast:
The front will produce showers and thunderstorms across the region. Severe thunderstorms are possible from the Mid Atlantic to southern New York state.Â* The thunderstorms will produce locally heavy rains and localized flooding.Â*Â* Gusty southerly winds of 25 to 30 mph are expected across the Mid-Atlantic.Â*
West:
The jet stream continues to push troughs of low pressure across the northern portions of the region. Expect showers and snow in the Pacific Northwest, northern Nevada, Utah, Colorado and northern New Mexico.Â* Higher elevations from the Cascades to the Colorado Rockies could pick up an additionalÂ* 5 to 10 inches of snow.Â* Gusty westerly winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph will produce blowing dust reducing visibility in desert areas of southern California and Arizona.Â* The wind combined with drought and low humidity will produce critical and extremely critical fire weather across southern Arizona and New Mexico.
Severe Weather Outbreak April 25 and 26

Arkansas
Severe weather and flooding throughout the state have been reported.Â* There is confirmed tornado activity, unknown number of destroyed homes, businesses and power outages.Â* Entergy Power Company is reporting approximately 66,000 customers without power.Â* The media is reporting damages, injuries and loss of life, but unable to confirm through State channels.Â*
Texas
The State of Texas Operations Center received several reports of Tornado damage.Â* Due to a tornado touching down in the community of Avalon (Ellis County) , there were damages to a mobile home, the Avalon ISD school and tree damage.Â* Hail hampered the assessment process as the storms continue.

Severe Weather â St Louis, Missouri, April 23 (Final)

Current Situation:
NWS have confirmed EF-4 tornado touchdown in Bridgeton (Greater St. Louis), EF-2 touchdown at the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and Pontoon Beach near Granite City, and EF-1 touchdown in New Melle, St. Charles County.Â* Approximately 2,100 customers are currently without power.

Midwest Spring Flooding

Widespread heavy rainfall and the possibility of severe weather will continue intermittently through early next week across portions of southern Illinois and Indiana, and until the end of the week in Ohio.
Flash flooding and significant tributary/river flooding is possible across rivers located in southern Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio through today and may continue for the next two weeks.Â* Flooding will continue to affect numerous local and state roads, agricultural land and some residential areas.Â*
Missouri
Â*A levee failure (overtopping) on the Black River near Poplar Bluff, MO was reported by Butler County Emergency management.Â*Â* Poplar Bluff is located 150 miles south of St. Louis, MO.Â* Levee on Black River near Butler County Road 607 is reportedly compromised and catastrophic failure is reportedly imminent.Â* One shelter is open at the Black River Coliseum with 60 occupants.Â* No evacuations are in effect at this time.Â* No requests for FEMA assistance.


NOAA Hurricane Team to embark on East Coast Awareness Tour

NOAA has conducted the hurricane awareness tour for almost 30 years, alternating between the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, and is followed by NOAAâs hurricane hazard education campaign during National Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 22 to 28. The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1.
Tour Schedule:
Mon., May 2: Mass. Military Reservation, Falmouth, Mass., 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Tue., May 3: Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wed., May 4: Cherry Point MCAS, N.C., 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thur., May 5: International Airport, Savannah, Ga., 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fri., May 6: Executive Airport, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

Monday, April 25, 2011

• National Preparedness Level: 1
• Initial attack activity: Light (42 new fires)
• New Large Fires: 1
• Large Fires Contained: 2
• Uncontained Large Fires: 12
• Type 1 IMTs Committed: 2
• Type 2 IMTs Committed: 0
  States affected: TX, FL, & NM (NIFC)Â*

Wildfire Activity
Texas
PK Complex Fire (4 combined fires) - Palo Pinto, Young and Stephens counties, TX

• FMAG-2888, FMAG-2893 and FMAG-2895 approved.
• 126,734 acres burned; 69% contained.
• Estimated containment is April 30. (Texas Forest Service)

Disaster Declaration Activity

California
The Governor requested a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of severe storms, flooding, and debris and mud flows during the period of March 15-27, 2011.Â* The Governor specifically request Public Assistance for 17 counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide.Â*Â*(FEMA HQ)



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