Wednesday, September 1, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

West
A warm front will cause widespread precipitation through the Pacific Northwest extending into the northern Rocky Mountains. A Winter Weather Advisory was issued for the northern Rocky Mountains through today as up to 3 inches of snow is possible in elevations above 6,500 feet.
Midwest
A cold front will extend from the Great Lakes to the Texas Panhandle and will cause showers and thunderstorms with occasional large hail and gusty winds through the Great Lakes, Mississippi Valley, and the Plains. Severe thunderstorms are also possible in the Northern and Central Plains. Localized heavy rain expected in parts of Middle Mississippi Valley.
Northeast
Under a high pressure ridge, the region will be warm and dry except for a few isolated showers in northern Maine.
South
Under high pressure, most of the region will be partly cloudy except for showers along the Gulf Coast, Texas and Oklahoma. Coastal areas from Florida and to the Carolinas will begin to experience some effects from Hurricane Earl.
(NOAA and media sources)Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

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

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico:Â*
Hurricane Earl is a large, strong hurricane located 780 miles from Cape Hatteras, NC moving northwest at 16 mph. It has maximum sustained winds of 125 mph with hurricane force winds extending 90 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extending 200 miles from the center. Earl is a Category 3 storm but fluctuations in strength are likely to occur during the next 48 hours. The storm is expected to pass by the Bahamas today and approach the North Carolina coast by Friday morning.
Hurricane watches are in effect from Cape Fear, NC to Parramore Island, VA. These areas can expect the possibility of hurricane conditions in their area within 48 hours. Hurricane warnings are likely today for some areas of North Carolina, and dangerous surf conditions and rip currents are likely to begin today along the U.S. East Coast.
The storm is currently forecast to move up along the East Coast with the center just off the North Carolina coast. Local officials have ordered evacuations in Ocracoke Island, NC and Hatteras Island, NC. The track may fluctuate over time so areas from Virginia through New England should keep a close eye on the progress of the storm and heed the advice of their local officials and emergency managers.
(NOAA)Â*
FEMA Preparations and Response for Hurricane Earl
The National Response Coordination Center is activated to 24/7 operations and Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMATs) are moving to Region I and Region IV to prepare for possible impact by Hurricane Earl. FEMA Logistics is moving supplies including meals, water, generators and communications teams.
FEMA Region I Regional Response Coordination Center and the MERS Operations Center in Maynard, MA are operating from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Numerous Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMATs) from around the country are deployed throughout the region.
FEMA Region II Regional Response Coordination Center is operating from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Emergency Support Functions and the Defense Coordinating Element is activated until further notice. Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMATs) are deployed to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico and another IMAT is on alert in New York. Defense Coordinating Officers and two Federal Coordinating Officers were sent to the Caribbean Area Division in advance of the storm. FEMA liaisons are working with local officials out of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Emergency Operations Centers.
FEMA Region III Regional Response Coordination Center is operating from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Region has identified three IMAT teams to deploy as needed.
FEMA Region IV Regional Response Coordination Center is operating from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMATs) are deployed to North Carolina and an Incident Support Base is standing up in Ft. Bragg, NC.
(FEMA HQ, Regions I, II, III, IV)Â*
Additional Atlantic Basin Tropical Activity:
Hurricane Earl (discussed above)
Tropical Storm Fiona is located 200 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands moving west-northwest near 14 mph. Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with tropical storm force winds extending out 140 miles from the center. Fiona is expected to intensify slightly during the next 24 hours as it makes a gradual turn northwest later today. It is forecast to pass just north of the northernmost Leeward Islands but those islands can expect to see one to three inches of rain with up to five inches of rain possible in some areas.Â*
Another area of low pressure in the Atlantic is located about 800 miles west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands and appears favorable for development. This system could become a tropical depression at any time and there is now a high chance, near 80 percent, of it becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Eastern PacificÂ*
A well defined area of low pressure is located about 250 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico moving northwest at 10 mph. There is a high chance, near 60 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Central and Western Pacific:Â*
No tropical cyclones are expected during the next 48 hours.
(NOAA, JTWC)Â*
Earthquake Activity

On Aug 31, a magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck Guam at 5:16 p.m. EDT.Â* The earthquake was located 20 miles NNE of Hagatna, Guam. No tsunami was generated and no damages were reported.Â*(USGS)Â*
Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 2
National Fire Activity as of Monday, August 31, 2010:Â*
Initial attack activity: light (188 new fires), new large fires: 1, large fires contained: 7
Uncontained large fires:Â* 26, U.S. States affected: ID, OR, WA, MT, CA, HI, MO & OK
(NIFC)Â*
Washington State Wildfires
The Slide Creek Fire is located in Stevens County, six miles south of Colville, WA. The fire has burned 989 acres and is now 90 percent contained. There are no reported injuries or fatalities. A Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved on Aug 27.
The Highway 8 Complex Fire is located in Klickitat County just north of Lyle, WA. The fire has burned more than two thousand acres and is now 100 percent contained. There are no reported injuries or fatalities.Â*Â*
Idaho Wildfire
The Hurd Fire is located northwest of Cascade, Idaho and has burned 1,331 acres. It is 80% contained and there are no reported injuries or fatalities. FMAG-2853 was approved on Aug 26.Â*
(HQ FEMA)
Disaster Declaration Activity

New Mexico
The Governor has requested a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of severe monsoonal storms and flooding that began July 25, 2010 and continuing. Specifically requested is PA for McKinley, Cibola, Socorro, Mora, and San Juan Counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide. The Governor further requests direct Federal Assistance.Â*(HQ FEMA)



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