Thursday, August 18, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

NOAA's National Weather Service Taking Action to Build a 'Weather-ready' Nation

2011 ties record for billion-dollar disasters
August 17, 2011
NOAA is launching a comprehensive initiative to build a âWeather-readyâ nation to make America safer by saving more lives andprotecting livelihoods as communities across the country become increasingly vulnerable to severe weather events, such as tornado outbreaks, intense heat waves, flooding, active hurricane seasons, and solar storms that threaten electrical and communication systems.
NOAA is also announcing that the United States has so far this year experienced nine separate disasters, each with an economic loss of $1 billion or more â tying the record set in 2008. The latest event to surpass the $1 billion price tag is this summerâs flooding along the Missouri and Souris rivers in the upper Midwest. This yearâs losses have so far amounted to $35 billion.
In partnership with other government agencies, researchers, and the private sector, the National Weather Service is charting a path to a weather-ready nation through:

• Improved precision of weather and water forecasts and effective communication of risk to local authorities;
• Improved weather decision support services with new initiatives such as the development of mobile-ready emergency response specialist teams;
• Innovative science and technological solutions such as the nationwide implementation of Dual Pol radar technology, Integrated Water Resources Science and Services, and the Joint Polar Satellite System;
• Strengthening joint partnerships to enhance community preparedness;
• Working with weather enterprise partners and the emergency management community to enhance safety and economic output and effectively manage environmental resources.

The National Weather Service is also planning innovative, community-based test projects across the country to enhance the agencyâs preparedness efforts to better address the impacts of extreme weather. Test projects will initially be launched at strategic locations in the Gulf Coast, South and mid-Atlantic. Ultimately, these projects will provide the specific action plans necessary to adapt to extreme weather events.
âThe partnership between the government, private, and academic sectors, is extremely strong and is essential in achieving this vision,â said Jonathan Malay, president ofÂ* the AMS. âGiven the resources to grow our scientific understanding of our complex environment through observations and research and to apply this knowledge in serving society, we can do amazing things together.â
To read the original article or learn more about the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA), visit: www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2011/20110817_weatherready.html

Disaster Aid to North Dakotans Reaches $250 Million

August 17, 2011

BISMARCK, N.D. â By close of business on Aug. 16, 9,577 individuals had registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for disaster assistance. A total of 8,475 grants for more than $87.3 million have been approved for temporary housing and essential home repairs. The Other Needs Assistance program has approved more than $1.6 million for serious disaster-related needs such as personal property losses, and medical and dental expenses not covered by insurance or other sources. Additionally, 123 Temporary Housing Units have been placed on private sites for the homeowners to live in while repairing their homes.
FEMA's Public Assistance program provides funding reimbursement for eligible costs incurred for emergency response or damage to public infrastructure. Public Assistance has been approved for 44 counties and four reservations in North Dakota. Obligated funding as of Aug. 17 totals $11.6 million for 250 approved projects.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $150.7 million to date in low-interest disaster loans to residents and businesses.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), funded by FEMA and administered by Job Service North Dakota, has provided more than $320,753 to residents who are unemployed because of the flood disaster. DUA is a form of individual federal disaster assistance that provides temporary income assistance to workersâincluding farmers and ranchersâand self-employed individuals who would not otherwise be eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits.
Additionally, $730,894 in federal funds has been obligated for a state-managed crisis counseling program to help individuals and communities cope with after-effects of the disaster.Â*
As of Aug. 15 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has collected more than 42,000 tons of debris in Minot and Ward County.
To access the original article and learn more about federal disaster aid to North Dakota, visit: www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=57249

Significant National Weather

Midwest
A large area of moderate rain and thunderstorms is possible today across the upper Midwest. There is a slight risk for severe storms from the Dakotas across Iowa into Minnesota with large hail and strong gusty winds likely.
West
Precipitation totals over the continental U.S. will be relatively low over the next couple of days. Monsoonal flow will continue to bring light showers to the Desert Southwest. Temperatures will remain high with afternoon temperatures ranging to 106 degrees. Even hotter temperatures are expected on Friday with afternoon highs from 105 to 109 and heat indices topping 110 degrees.

Northeast
An upper level trough of low pressure over the Great Lakes will move slowly eastward today toward the East Coast. A gradually increasing chance of showers and thunderstorms can be expected. Rain will be isolated today into this evening, then a better chance of showers and thunderstorms will occur on Friday. Temperatures will remain near normal for mid August.
South
A heat advisory is in effect today for a large portion of the Midsouth. Heat indices will range from 103-107 degrees. Isolated to scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms likely over portions of Florida. Isolated strong storms are possible with gusty winds, heavy rainfall, and frequent lightning.

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic / Caribbean / Gulf of Mexico
Area 1 (Invest 93L)

As of 2:00 a.m. EDT, a concentrated area of cloudiness and showers associated with a tropical wave centered about 130 miles south of Jamaica continues to show signs of organization. Surface pressures are beginning to fall near the disturbance and there is a potential for this system to become a tropical depression before it moves over Central America in the next day or two. This system has a high (70%) chance of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours as it moves generally westward at 15 to 20 mph.

Area 2

As of 2:00 a.m. EDT, a large tropical wave located about 850 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands is producing limited shower and thunderstorm activity. Significant development is not likely during the next couple of days however conditions could later become more conducive for development. This system has a low (10%) chance of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours as it moves westward at 15 to 20 mph.
Eastern Pacific
Hurricane Greg
As of 5:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Hurricane Greg was located about 340 miles south of the southern tip of Baja California, Mexico moving toward the west-northwest at 21 mph. A turn to the west with a decrease in forward speed is forecast during the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 80 mph with higher gusts which makes Greg a Category 1 Hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Additional strengthening is expected during the next 24 hours, however weakening is expected to begin by Friday.

Tropical Storm Fernanda
As of 5:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Fernanda was located about 1,115 miles east-southeast of the south point of Hawaii. Fernanda is moving toward the northwest at 15 mph and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 24 to 48 hours. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 mph with higher gusts. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible during the next 12 hours or so, followed by a gradual weakening.
Central Pacific
Tropical Storm Fernanda is expected to cross 140 degrees west into the Central Pacific Hurricane Center area of responsibility early this morning.
Elsewhere, no tropical cyclones are expected through Friday evening.

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

Wednesday, August 17, 2011:
National Preparedness Level: 2
Initial attack activity: Light (150 new fires)
New Large Fires: 7
Large Fires Contained: 9
Uncontained Large Fires: 14
Type 1 IMT Committed: 1
Type 2 IMT Committed: 1
States affected: VA, TX, TN, ID, UT, NV, SD, and MT.

Disaster Declaration Activity

Kentucky
Amendments No. 1 to FEMA-4008-DR and No. 13 to FEMA-1976-DR were approved August 17, 2011, appointing W. Michael Moore as the Federal Coordinating Officer for these disasters.

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