Thursday, July 22, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Midwest
Storms are expected through Friday from North and South Dakota into Minnesota, Iowa and Indiana.Â* Some thunderstorms in the region could be severe, with the main threats being large hail and strong gusty winds.Â* Excessive Heat Warnings are in effect for areas of southeastern Kansas, eastern Oklahoma, and northwestern Arkansas through Friday, July 23.Â* Flood Warnings are in effect for portions of the northern plains and the upper and middle Mississippi Valleys.
Northeast
Rain and thunderstorms will continue over much of Maine as the system that affected the area on Wednesday exits the region.Â* The Mid Atlantic region will be hot and humid, with temperatures reaching the mid-90s and a slight risk of afternoon thundershowers.
South
The region will remain very hot and humid with some relief associated with afternoon showers and thunderstorms.Â* High temperatures will be in the 90s with very high humidity.Â* Heat index values may reach near or above 105 degrees today and Friday.
West
The central and eastern Rocky Mountains will see a chance of afternoon thunderstorms.Â* Some thunderstorms could produce heavy rainfall and cause localized flooding.Â* Desert high temperatures may reach 100 â 110 degrees.Â*Â*(NOAAâs National Weather Service, the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center and media sources)

XXI Central American and Caribbean Games: July 17 â August 1, 2010

The games continue as scheduled. A Flash Flood Watch was in effect for portions of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands through this afternoon.Â* Many areas have already received in excess of 4 inches of rain this week
Flooding on the Rio Grande River, Texas â Update

Situational Update:
NWS reports that Flood Warnings continue for the Rio Grande River.Â* The Rio Grande River at Rio Grande City remains at Major Flood Stage, but appears to have crested and is slowly receding. The river will remain at 55.6 ft through midnight, July 22 and is expected to drop one-half a foot by this weekend.Â* Recent rain in the area will keep the Rio Grande at flood stage for the next few days, but should not exacerbate existing flood conditions. Flood operations continue at the Amistad and Falcon reservoirs.Â* Releases from the Falcon Reservoir were 60,000 cfs, and 13,000 cfs at Amistad.Â* Pool elevation for the Falcon Reservoir continues to fall.
Mandatory evacuations continue for the subdivisions of de la Garza, Campo Verde, and Garza in the City of Roma as well as areas in the City of La Grulla (Starr County) and the City of Los Ebanos. Voluntary evacuations continue in the cities of La Joya, and in Penitas and south of the city of Pharr (both in Hidalgo County) due to flooding.Â* Three American Red Cross shelters remain open with 65 occupants.

Kentucky Flooding

Flooding is ongoing as a result of severe weather July 17 â 21, 2010.Â* States of Emergency have been declared in 4 counties and 1 independent city.Â* Over 130 homes were flooded with 22 homes suffering major damage.Â* Numerous roads and 21 bridges are affected by flood waters.Â* Isolated power outages occurred in several counties.Â* Five sewage plants were damaged.Â* Approximately 2,400 people are without water.Â*Â* Boil Water Advisories have been issued impacting 25,000 people.Â* One shelter is known to be open in Carter County.Â* The number of occupants at that shelter is unknown
Mississippi Canyon 252 Update

Â*
Federal/State Response:
FEMA is providing personnel and equipment support. The oil flow remains secured.Â* The capping stack developed five minor gasket leaks and hydrate formation that will continue to be monitored and evaluated with no acoustic or visual anomalies noted.Â* Well integrity test remains satisfactory.Â* Pressure has been increased to 6,840 (+34) pounds per square inch.Â* No In Situ Burning (ISB) has been conducted or aerial dispersant flights flown on July 21, 2010.Â* More than 821,000 barrels of oil and 1.863 billion cubic feet of gas have been recovered to date.Â* Relief Well Drilling - Drill Rig DIII: Depth is 12,618 feet below sea floor. Drill Rig DII: Depth is 10,743 feet below sea floor.
Coastline impact has increased to approximately 626 miles, impacting AL, FL, LA, MS, and TX.Â* Clean up continues across impacted areas.Â* Due to current weather, small vessels, barges, and Vessels of Opportunity have been instructed to recover equipment, enter decontamination, and seek safe harbor in Alabama and Mississippi.Â*Â*(NIC Daily Situation Update, DHS NOC SLB, Deepwater Horizon Response and FL Situation Report)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico:Â*
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two disturbances, 97L and 98L.
97L is a tropical wave located near the southeastern Bahamas.Â* The system is moving westward or west northwestward at 10 to 15 mph.Â* Locally heavy showers and gusty winds associated with this disturbance will spread over the Bahamas and portions of Cuba and southern Florida.Â* There is a medium chance (40%) of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
The second system, 98L, has shower activity associated with a broad low pressure over the Bay of Campeche and is becoming better organized.Â* The system is expected to move westward or northwestward at 10 to 15 mph.Â* There is a medium chance (40%) of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Eastern and Central Pacific:Â*
No tropical cyclone activity expected in the next 48 hours.
Western Pacific:
No systems affecting U.S. interests.(NOAA, NWS, NHC, CPHC JTWC)
Earthquake Activity

A 4.5 magnitude earthquake occurred at 8:45 p.m. EDT near Charlotte Amale in the U.S. Virgin Islands (about 80 miles east of San Juan, Puerto Rico).Â* USGS recorded the tremor at a depth of 73 miles.Â* No injuries or damages were reported and no tsunami was generated.
Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 2
National Fire Activity as of Wednesday, July 21, 2010:
â¢Â*Initial attack activity:Â* Light (157 new fires)
â¢Â*New large fires:Â* 4
â¢Â*Large fires contained:Â* 2
â¢Â*Uncontained large fires:Â* 9
â¢Â*States Affected: AK, AZ, CA, CO, ID, WA, and, UT(NIFC)
Cowiche Mills Fire Update
Â*The Cowichie Mills Fire, located 10 miles northwest of Yakima, Washington State, started on Sunday, July 18, at approximately 3:30 p.m. PDT; cause unknown. High heat, low humidity, and high winds have driven the fire to spread quickly; currently approximately 6,200 acres have burned with 55% contained. Three residential structures have burned; approximately 150 residential structures remain threatened.
Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)


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