Friday, July 16, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Midwest
Scattered thunderstorms are possible from the Southern Plains up to the Ohio Valley, and there is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms across parts of the Central High Plains. Severe thunderstorms in Nebraska could cause continued flooding along portions of the Missouri River. A pacific disturbance will bring another round of precipitation to the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest toward the end of the weekend.Â*
Temperatures in the 90s will be widespread from the Plains through the Middle Mississippi Valley to the Lower Great Lakes.
Northeast
Strong to severe thunderstorm activity is possible from Northern New England down through Upstate New York and into West Virginia.
High temperatures in the Middle Atlantic region will be in the low to middle 90s; however, elevated humidity levels could bring heat indices to near 100 degrees. A Heat Advisory is in effect for Washington DC and surrounding communities in Maryland and Virginia through tonight.
West
Sweltering conditions are forecast from the Desert Southwest eastward. Highs will range from 115 to 120 degrees across the deserts of California and Arizona. Excessive Heat Warnings are in effect for most of the Mohave Desert through Saturday.
Temperatures along the front range of the Rockies will reach the upper 90s, and highs of 100 degrees are expected in cities like Reno, Boise and Salt Lake City. Along the immediate West Coast and western Washington, temperatures will stay in the seasonally normal range. Some monsoonal moisture will rise northward from the Gulf of California, bringing slightly more humidity than normal to the region. Scattered shower and thunderstorm activity is possible from Arizona into the four corners region of Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico through Saturday.
South
There is an increased chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms across much of the South, particularly from Arkansas to the Carolinas and down to the Gulf Coast. Temperatures will be in the 90s across the region with the exception of the southern Appalachians and coastal areas.

U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook July-Oct 2010

The recent heat wave, coupled with below normal rainfall, has resulted in drought development across the Mid Atlantic, southern Appalachians, lower Mississippi Valley and portions of northern Texas. Rainfall on July 9, brought some improvement to the Mid Atlantic, and additional improvement is forecast.Â* Development of drought conditions is likely in Arizona and New Mexico during this period.Â* A dry climate is expected to persist across western Wyoming, northeast California, Nevada and the leeward side of the Hawaiian Islands. While no relief is expected in the Mississippi Valley and Texas during the latter half of July, improvement is expected in October. The upper Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes has seen major drought improvement since the beginning of July, which is expected to continue.Â* (NOAA, NWS, SPC)Â*
California Wildfires - July 15, 2010

Numerous wildfires were sparked by lightning strikes across San Diego and Riverside Counties during the late afternoon on Thursday, July 15. All fires in San Diego County have been contained. Local resources are working to contain fire activity in Riverside County.
The Cactus Fire, near Sage, CA, has burned 375 acres of heavy brush and is 10% contained. Mandatory evacuations are in effect in the area of Cactus Valley until further notice.
The Saddle Fire, also near Sage, has burned 70 acres of heavy brush and is 80% contained. Full containment is expected by 2:00 p.m. PDT July 16. Mandatory evacuations occurred at the onset of the fire, and were lifted at 8:30 p.m. last night. One outbuilding was damaged.
The Skinner Fire, located near Temecula, has burned 711 acres of vegetation and is 15% contained. Full containment is expected this morning. Some road closures are in effect.
A shelter for residents of the Sage, Anza, Pinion, Temecula and Hemet areas of Riverside County is located at Hemet High School. Media reports three fire fighters slightly injured. No requests for Federal Assistance anticipated at this time.
Flooding on the Rio Grande River, Texas â Update

Situational Update:
The Rio Grande River remains at major flood stage at Rio Grande City, Texas but is now at moderate flood levels and continues to recede in Laredo, Texas and near the International Columbia Bridge. Flood operations are expected to continue at the Amistad and Falcon reservoirs.Â*Â*(FEMA Region VI)

Midwest Flooding - Update

The Wapsipinicon River near Dewitt, IA remains slightly above Major Flood Stage. The river is forecast to drop below flood stage by midday Saturday. The Des Moines River at Ottumwa, Iowa has fallen to Moderate Flood Stage and continues to recede. The river was at higher levels due to releases from the Saylorville and Red Rock Reservoirs. Agricultural areas both upstream and downstream of Ottumwa near the river may continue to experience flooding.Â* (NOAA/North Central River Forecast Center)Â*
Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico:Â*
A tropical wave is producing a large area of disorganized area of clouds and showers over the central and southwestern Caribbean Sea. Development of this system will be slow to occur as it moves westward. Heavy rains associated with this system will spread over portions of Central America during the next day or two. There is a low chance (10%) of this system becoming a tropical cyclone in the next 48 hours.
Eastern Pacific:Â*
Tropical Depression Six-E is located approximately 430 miles south of the southern tip of Baja California, Mexico moving west northwestward at about 8 mph. A gradual turn toward the west is expected over the next couple of days. No change in strength is expected over the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds are 30 mph with higher gusts.
An area of disturbed weather has formed a few hundred miles west-southwest of Costa Rica.Â* Upper-level winds are expected to increase and development of this system, if any should be slow to occur as it moves little during the next couple of days.Â* There is a low chance (10) of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Central and Western Pacific:
No tropical cyclone activity expected in the next 48 hours.Â*(NOAA, NWS, NHC, CPHC JTWC)

Earthquake Activity

The USGS reports that a magnitude 3.6 earthquake occurred at 5:04 AM EDT in the Washington, DC area approximately 10 miles northwest of Rockville, MD and 20 miles northwest of Washington, DC at a depth of 3.1 miles. The earthquake was felt over a large area along the I-270 corridor and west of I-95. Shaking was generally reported as light to weak.
No damage or injuries were reported.(USGS)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 2
National Fire Activity as of Thursday, July 15, 2010:Â*
Initial attack activity was light with 115 new fires. There is one new Large Fire and one large fire was contained. Currently, there are eight Uncontained Large Fires affecting the states of WA, AK, NM, CA, CO, and NC.Â*(NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The President signed Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1924-DR-NE for the State of Nebraska for severe storms, flooding and tornadoes that occurred June 1, 2010 and continuing. The declaration provides for Public Assistance for 54 counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide.


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