Thursday, July 28, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Tropical Storm Don

At 5:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Don is located 635 miles east-southeast of Corpus Christi, TX. Don is moving toward the west-northwest near 10 mph. This general motion with an increase in forward speed is expected through Friday. On this track, the center of Don should move through the Southern and Central Gulf of Mexico today and approach the Texas Coast on Friday.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 40 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours. Don is a small tropical cyclone. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center.
Hazards affecting land - A tropical storm watch is in effect for the Texas Coast from the mouth of the Rio Grande northward to west of San Luis Pass. Wind and tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area by late Friday.

Severe Weather Reported Over Portions of New England - Final

On July 26, severe storms were reported over western Massachusetts.Â* The National Weather Service reported funnel clouds, but no touch downs were reported.Â* Tree and power line damages were reported.Â* Approximately 300 customers in Massachusetts and approximately 1,000 customers in Connecticut are still without power.Â* Restoration continues.
Significant National Weather

Major Heat Wave Continues
Hot temperatures in the Central and Southern Plains will continue this weekend, but temperatures will not be as prolonged or intense/widespread as the recent heat wave. (NOAA)

West:
Monsoonal moisture and afternoon heating will produce showers and thunderstorms from the Southwest to the Central Rockies today and Friday. A few of these storms could produce severe weather with gusty winds and large hail being the primary threats.
Midwest:
A frontal system extending from the Great Lakes to the Inter-Mountain West, combined with significant amounts of moisture, will produce showers and thunderstorms across much of the region. Severe thunderstorms are possible along the front with gusty winds and hail as the primary threats. The heaviest rainfall (1 to 2 inches) producing localized flooding, is expected in and around the Great Lakes. High temperatures could reach 105 in southern Kansas.

South:
Moisture from the Gulf of Mexico will produce showers and thunderstorms across the Gulf Coast from eastern Texas to Florida with locally heavy downpours possible. Hot and dry weather will continue across the western portion of the region. Highs will reach the 100s over much of Texas and Oklahoma.
Tropical Storm Don has formed over the Gulf of Mexico see discussion below and www.nhc.noaa.gov/ for the latest information
Northeast:
The system moving in from the west will bring scattered showers and thunderstorms to the Mid-Atlantic.
Seasonable temperatures are expected today but tomorrow higher temperatures andÂ* humidity will bring temperatures near 100 degrees across the much of the Mid-Atlantic.
Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic / Caribbean /Gulf of Mexico
Tropical Storm Don is discussed above.
Elsewhere, tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Eastern PacificÂ*

Area 1 - An area of disturbed weather has formed several hundred miles south of the coast of El Salvador and Guatemala. Strong upper-level winds currently over the area are forecast to decrease during the next day or so and slow development of this system is possible. This disturbance has a low chance, 20%, of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours as it moves slowly westward.
Elsewhere, tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Central Pacific

No tropical cyclones are expected through Friday evening.

Western Pacific

Tropical Depression 11W â At 11:00 p.m. EDT July 27, Tropical Storm 11W is moving northwest at 17 mph. Tropical Storm 11W is expected to continue heading northwest with a decrease in forward speed over the next 24 hours. Based on the current warning TS 11W poses no threat to Guam.

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

Wednesday, July 27, 2011:
National Preparedness Level: 2
Initial attack activity: LIGHT (204 new fires)
New Large Fires: 1
Large Fires Contained: 3
Uncontained Large Fires: 13
Type 1 IMT Committed: 1
Type 2 IMT Committed: 5
States affected: GA, NC, TX, OK, NM, CA, WY, CO, ID, & WA.

Disaster Declaration Activity

Iowa
On July 26, 2011, the Governor of the State of Iowa requested a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of severe weather producing hail, heavy rains, high winds, and thunderstorms beginning July 9, and continuing.Â* Specifically, the Governor requested Public Assistance for Benton, Marshall, Story, and Tama counties, and Hazard Mitigation statewide.
Montana
On July 26, 2011, Amendment No. 3 to Major Disaster Declaration, FEMA-1996-DR, for the State of Montana adds Missoula County for Individual Assistance and counties of Big Horn, Carbon, Cascade, Custer, Fergus, Garfield, Hill, Jefferson, Judith Basin, Lewis and Clark, Musselshell, Petroleum, Sweet Grass, Valley, Yellowstone and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Crow Indian Reservation, and the Fort Belknap Reservation Individual Assistance (already designated for Public Assistance).

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