Wednesday, September 22, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

West
Flash Flood Watches are in effect across portions of the Four Corners states as tropical moisture interacts with an approaching low pressure system from the West. Across parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado, some flash flooding is likely, especially in the mountains as some areas will see more than an inch of rain. Occasional showers will extend northward across southern Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Red Flag Warnings remain in effect across most of western Utah as a result of gusty winds and low relative humidity below 15 percent.
Midwest
Severe thunderstorms with heavy rain, hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes are a threat across South Dakota, southern Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa today. Flood Warnings remain in effect for northern Missouri and northeast Kansas. Highs will range from the 50s and low 60s north to between 85 and 95 degrees across the lower Midwest.
Northeast
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast across the region and a few thunderstorms over southern Upstate New York and Pennsylvania may become severe, producing gusty winds and small hail. Temperatures will vary from near average to 15 degrees above average with highs from the low 70s north to the 80s and low 90s in the Mid-Atlantic states.
South
The heat will continue across the Southeast today, with temperatures ranging from average to 15 degrees above average and scattered thunderstorms are possible over south Texas. High temperatures will range from the 80s to near 90 degrees across the southern Plains. Flood Warnings and Flash Flood Watches remain in effect across coastal regions of Deep South Texas.
(NOAA and media sources)

Utah Wildfire

The Machine Gun Fire about two miles south of Herriman, UT, began at the Camp Williams Weapons Firing Range on Sep 19. The fire has burned 4,346 acres and is 50 percent contained.Â* Three homes were destroyed, one damaged and three remain threatened. Some evacuations were lifted and no fatalities are reported.Â* A FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grant (2859-FM) was approved for this fire on Sep 19, 2010.
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity.Â*(HQ FEMA)Â*
Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of MexicoÂ*
Tropical Storm Lisa was located about 450 miles west-northwest of the Cape Verde Islands with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph. Some slow strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.
Another area of low pressure currently located over the south-central Caribbean Sea has the potential to become a tropical depression later today or tomorrow. There is a high chance, near 60 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Eastern PacificÂ*
Tropical Depression Georgette is located 35 miles east of Loreto, Mexico, moving north-northwest at 12 mph. The storm is forecast to gradually turn north during the next few days with the center moving through northwestern Mexico and into the Southwest United States before completely dissipating within 48 hours.

Central Pacific
The area of showers and thunderstorms centered about 440 miles south southeast of Hilo, Hawaii, is gradually moving west northwest at about 10 mph. Gradual development of this system is possible and it has a high chance, near 60 percent, of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Western Pacific
No tropical activity affecting U.S. interests
(NOAA, JTWC)Â*
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 Tuesday, September 21, 2010:Â*
Initial attack activity: light (176 new fires), new large fires: 0, large fires contained: 2
Uncontained large fires:Â* 5, U.S. States affected:Â* CA, AZ, UT, ID, OR, WY, FL and ARÂ*(NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)


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