Sunday, August 28, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Hurricane Irene

At 5:00 am EDT this morning the center of Hurricane Irene was about 15 mi south-southeast of Atlantic City New Jersey. Irene is moving toward the north-northeast near 18 mph and this motion accompanied by a gradual increase in forward speed is expected during the next day or so.Â* On the forecast track the center of Irene will move near or over the coast of New Jersey and over western Long Island this morning and move inland over southern New England by this afternoon.Â* Irene is forecast to move into eastern Canada tonight.
Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 75 mph with higher gusts.Â* Irene is a category one hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.Â* Little change in strength is expected before Irene moves inland later today.Â* After landfall in New England Irene is forecast to weaken and become a post-tropical cyclone by tonight or early Monday. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 125 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 320 miles.Â*
Water levels have been rising rapidly in advance of the center of Irene with recently observed storm surge of 3.9 feet at Sandy Hook, New Jersey, 3.8 feet at New York Harbor and 3.1 feet at Cape May, New Jersey.
A tropical storm warning is in effect from Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina northward to Chincoteague Virginia (including Pamlico, Albemarle and Currituck sounds and Chesapeake Bay south of Drum Point).
A hurricane warning is in effect for Chincoteague Virginia northward to Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts (including Delaware Bay, New York City, Long Island, Long Island Sound, coastal Connecticut and Rhode Island, Block Island, Marthaâs Vineyard and Nantucket
A tropical storm warning is in effect for Ocracoke Inlet, North Carolina northward to Chincoteague Virginia (including the Pamlico, Albemarle and Currituck sounds, Chesapeake Bay and the tidal Potomac north of Sagamore beach to Eastport Maine).
An extremely dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 4 to 8 feet above ground level within the hurricane warning area.Â* Near the coast the surge will be accompanied by large, destructive and life-threatening waves. Higher than normal astronomical tides are occurring this weekend. Coastal and river flooding will be highest in areas where the peak surge occurs around the time of high tide.Â* Along the coast of Virginia and North Carolina (including the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds, and the Chesapeake Bay water levels will gradually subside this morning).
Irene is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 5 to 10 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 15 inches from eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey into eastern New York and interior New England.Â* These rains combined with heavy rains over the past few weeks could cause widespread flooding life-threatening flash floods and significant uprooting of trees due to rain-softened grounds.
Tropical storm force winds and hurricane force winds, especially in gusts will continue to spread northward along the mid-Atlantic coast, Long Island, and southern New England this morning.Â* Winds affecting the upper floors of high-rise buildings will be significantly stronger than those near ground level.
Isolated tornadoes are possible over northern New Jersey, southeastern New York, and extreme southern New England through this morning.
Large swells generated by Irene are affecting much of the east coast of the United States.Â* These swells will cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
For the latest information see www.nhc.noaa.govÂ*
New Jersey
Mandatory evacuations for Cape May, Ocean, Orange, and Atlantic Counties; approximately 1 million people (per Governorâs Office report) evacuated. There are 54 shelters open with 5,300 occupants. There are 5,900 customers without power.
New York
There are mandatory evacuations in New York City for people in low lying coastal areas (includes parts of Battery Park City, Coney Island, and the Rockaways). All PATH and MTA services have been suspended. Port Authority Airports are closed to arriving flights. Some AMTRAK service has been suspended. There are 168 shelters open with 6,976 occupants.
Puerto Rico
There are 8 shelters open with 314 occupants. 35,106 customers are without power. 18,899 customers are without water.
U.S. Virgin Islands
The USVI Water and Power Authority continue to experience water shortages affecting its St. Thomas customers; water is being rationed; service should be fully restored by August 30, 2011.
Virginia
There are 3 confirmed fatalities. Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for Virginia Beach, Norfolk (low lying areas), North Hampton County Camp Grounds, Town of Chincoteauge. Voluntary evacuations remain in effect for the Cities of Poquoson, Hampton, and the counties of Richmond, Middlesex, Lancaster, Glouster, and Accomack.
There are 63 shelters open with 2,909 occupants.
District of Columbia
There are 4 shelters open with 0 occupants.
Maryland
There are mandatory evacuations for Ocean City. EMAC A-Team support scheduled to arrive today at 8:00 a.m. EDT. There are 14 shelters open with 4,000 occupants.
Pennsylvania
There are 20 shelters open with 7 occupants.
Delaware
There are mandatory evacuations for coastal region. There are 7 shelters open with 704 occupants.
North Carolina
There have been mandatory evacuations for Counties of Beaufort, Camden/Pasquotank, Currituck, Dare, Hertford, Hyde, Onslow, Tyrell, and Town of Emerald Isle. There were voluntary evacuations for Topsail Beach, and Surf City in Pender County, Beaufort, Brunswick, and Washington Counties. There are 55 shelters open with 3,995 occupants.
Joint PDAs scheduled to start today.

Tropical Activity

Atlantic / Caribbean / Gulf of Mexico
Hurricane Irene
Area 1
A tropical wave centered a few hundred miles southeast of the Cape Verde Islands is producing a large area of showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions appear conducive for development during the next couple of days as it moves westward at near 10 mph. This system has a medium chance (30 percent) of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Area 2
A small area of low pressure located about 200 miles south of Bermuda continues to produce bursts of showers, thunderstorms, and near gale force winds on itsâ southeast side. Upper level winds are extremely unfavorable for further development. This system has a low chance (near 0 percent) of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours, as it moves generally northward at 15-20 mph.
Elsewhere, tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Significant National Weather

East:
Hurricane Irene continues to track across the East coast bringing large amounts of rain to the Mid-Atlantic region. Strong winds and storm surge are expected to impact the East coast into Monday. Rain totals will range from 6 to 10 inches, with isolated 14-15 inch amounts. Storm surge will range in the 4 to 8 foot range across the New England area.
South:
Triple digit temperatures will continue to impact the southern United States as high pressure persists. The best chances for rainfall will be across the four corners and desert Southwest mountain ranges, as subtropical moisture steam northward from northern Mexico.
Midwest:
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible across parts of the Central Plains.
West:
Warm and dry conditions will persist across the western U.S.
Eastern PacificÂ*
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.
Central Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected through Monday evening.
Western Pacific
There are no tropical cyclones threatening U.S. Territories.
Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Disaster Declaration Activity

New Jersey
On August 27, 2011, the President signed Emergency Declaration FEMA-3332-EM-NJ for Hurricane Irene. The declaration authorizes FEMA to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct Federal Assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding for all counties in the State of New Jersey.
New Hampshire
On August 27, 2011, the President signed Emergency Declaration FEMA-3333-EM-NH for Hurricane Irene. The declaration authorizes FEMA to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct Federal Assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding for all counties in the State of New Hampshire.
Rhode Island
On August 27, 2011, the President signed Emergency Declaration FEMA-3334-EM-RI for Hurricane Irene. The declaration authorizes FEMA to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct Federal Assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding for all counties in the State of Rhode Island.
Maryland
On August 27, 2011, the President signed Emergency Declaration FEMA-3335-EM-MD for Hurricane Irene. The declaration authorizes FEMA to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct Federal Assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding for 8 counties and Baltimore County.
Delaware
On August 28, 2011, the President signed Emergency Declaration FEMA-3336-EM-DE for Hurricane Irene. The declaration authorizes FEMA to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct Federal Assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding for the entire State of Delaware.
District of Columbia
On August 28, 2011, the President signed Emergency Declaration FEMA-3337-EM-DC for Hurricane Irene. The declaration authorizes FEMA to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct Federal Assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding for the District of Columbia.
Puerto Rico
On August 27, 2011, the President signed Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4017-DR for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for Hurricane Irene that occurred August 21, 2011, and continuing. The declaration designates Individual Assistance for 7 municipalities and Public Assistance for 14 municipalities and Hazard Mitigation for the entire Commonwealth. Additional designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation.


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