Tuesday, June 29, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Tropical Storm Alex

As of 5:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Alex was located 460 miles southeast of Brownsville, Texas with tropical storm winds extending outward 105 miles. The storm is strengthening and is expected to strengthen to a hurricane today. Alex is moving north-northwest near 8 mph and is expected to turn northwest later today then toward the west-northwest on Wednesday.Â* Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph with occasional higher gusts.
(NOAA)
Federal and State Actions:
FEMA NRCCÂ*
The National Response Coordination Center will activate to Level II today. The majority of the Emergency Support Functions will also be activated today.Â* FEMA Logistics is prepositioning assets at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
Region VI â RRCC
The Region VI Regional Response Coordination Center is activated to Level II (Mid â Level Staffing) with most Emergency Support Functions activated. The region is maintaining contact with the National Weather Service, the NRCC and the Texas Department of Emergency Management State Operations Center. The Region VI IMAT is deployed to the Texas State Operations Center.Â*
Â*(FEMA HQ, Region VI)

Significant National Weather

West:Â*
The Desert Southwest will remain dry today, with temperatures rising into the 100s from central California to the Northern Rockies. A low pressure system will produce scattered precipitation and cooler temperatures over the next couple of days from Oregon to the Northern Rockies. Isolated thunderstorms are forecast from the Central Great Basin to the Rockies this evening.Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*
Midwest:
A low pressure system over the region will bring an end to the heat wave and precipitation for most of the region. The Northern and Central Plains will continue to experience temperatures in the 90âs stretching from North Dakota to Kansas.
South:
Temperatures will remain hot and humid in the Gulf Coast region.Â* Unsettled weather, with ample moisture and hot temperatures will fuel scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the week.
Northeast:
The low pressure system moving out of the Midwest will bring an end to the heat wave on the East Coast. The low will gradually move into the New England region; the resulting cloud cover will cool temperatures down into the 60âs and 70âs. Today, scattered thunderstorms are still possible from New England to southern Virginia.
(NOAA and media sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity(FEMA HQ) Mississippi Canyon 252 Update

Â*FEMA is providing personnel to the National Integration Center and additional Logistics and External Affairs support to the Federal On-Scene Coordinator. FEMA leads the Social Services and Small Business Interagency Working Group (Claims and Benefits).
An estimated 2.3 â 4.1 million barrels of oil has been released as of 28 June. Booming, skimming and in situ burn operations continue as weather permits, and relief well drilling continues. The estimated oil spill rate has been revised to between 35,000 to 60,000 barrels per day. Approximately 78,597 sq miles, or 33 percent, of the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone is closed to commercial and recreational fishing.
(NIC Daily Situation Update)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of MexicoÂ*
Tropical Storm Alex as discussed above.
Eastern PacificÂ*
As of 5:00 am EDT, a large area of showers and thunderstorms located over portions of southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador is associated with the southern circulation of Atlantic Tropical Storm Alex. Locally heavy rains are possible during the next several days as Alex moves over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico. These rains could cause life-threatening flash flood and mud slides, especially over higher terrain. There is a minimal chance of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. Elsewhere, tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.
Remnant Low Celia
As of 5:00 am EDT, remnant low Celia was located approximately 1,035 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, Mexico. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph, with higher gusts.Â* Additional weakening is expected and the remnant low is forecast to dissipate in the next day or two. This storm is not a threat to U.S. interests.
Remnant Low DarbyÂ*
As of 5:00 am EDT, Remnant Low Darby is located approximately 315 miles south southwest of Zihuatanejo, Mexico.Â* Maximum sustained winds are near 30 mph, with higher gusts. Additional weakening is expected and the remnant low is forecast to dissipate overnight. This storm is not a threat to U.S. interests.
Central and Western Pacific:
No tropical cyclones are expected through Wednesday evening.Â*Â*
(NOAA, JTWC)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

Wildfire Activity
National Preparedness Level 2
National Fire Activity as of Monday, June 28, 2010:Â*
There were 121 new fires, 1 new large fire, 1 large fire contained and 1 uncontained large fire and
six states are affected:Â* AZ, NM, CO, AK, TX & NJ.
Shultz Fire
The Shultz Fire, near Flagstaff (Coconino County), Arizona was approved for an FMAG on Jun 20, 2010. Thus far, 15,075 acres have burned and the fire is 75% contained. All evacuation orders have been lifted and no injuries or fatalities were reported.
(NIFC)
Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)


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