Wednesday, August 24, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Hurricane Irene

As of 5:00 a.m. EDT, Hurricane Irene was located about 370 miles southeast of Nassau, Bahamas, moving to the west-northwest at 9 mph. A gradual turn to the Northwest is expected later today. On the forecast track, the core of Irene will move across the Southeastern and Central Bahamas today and over the Northwestern Bahamas on Thursday.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 110 mph with higher gusts. Hurricane force winds extend outward 40 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 205 miles. Irene is now a Category 2 Hurricane, and Irene will likely become a major hurricane later today.
Irene is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 6 to 12 inches across the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides in areas of steep terrain.
Storm surge in areas of onshore flow near the center of Irene; a dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 7 to 11 feet above normal tide levels over the central and Northwestern Bahamas and as much as 5 to 8 feet above normal tide levels over the Southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves.
Puerto Rico
Eight shelters open with 389 occupants.
Approximately 191,000 customers are without power on PR and approximately 88,000 customers are without water on PR.
All ports and airports are open.
Evacuations: 500-800 individuals are being evacuated by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico around the Guayanilla Municipality due to flooding from approximately 16 inches of rain in the last 48 hours. Estimates of up to 4000 citizens may be affected as flooding area grows over next couple of days.
The FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) and the U. S. Coast Guard (USCG) Captain of the Port are monitoring the situation.
U.S. Virgin Islands
Approximately 96,000 customers without power in USVI and approximately 25% of customers without water in USVI.
All ports and airports are open. (NOAA, NWS, National Hurricane Center, FEMA Region II, FEMA HQ, USCG)

Significant National Weather

Midwest:
A cold front will move through the Northern Plains bringing cooler temperatures and lower humidity from the Northern Plains into the Upper Mississippi Valley today. Showers and thunderstorms are expected from the Upper Mississippi Valley into the Great Lakes with a slight risk of severe thunderstorms for parts of the Great Lakes, Ohio and Middle Mississippi Valleys. Temperatures will range 10-15 degrees above average from the Southern Plains to the Northern Rockies. Cooler temperatures can be expected across the North Central U.S. today.
East:
An easterly flow off the Atlantic will trigger scattered showers and thunderstorms over parts of the southeast coast through Thursday. Rain and thunderstorms forecast for portions of the East Coast today. Temperatures should remain seasonable across most of the Northeast.
South:
Rain and thunderstorms are forecast for portions of the Southern Plains Wednesday. Rain and thunderstorms will extend from southeast North Carolina to Florida. Temperatures will remain hot across the Southern Plains.
West:
Unsettled weather in the form of steady rain will remain across Oregon and Northern California.
Another cold front is expected to reach the Pacific Northwest coast tonight bringing some scattered areas of rain. A monsoonal flow from the Gulf of California is expected to produce rain and thunderstorms in the 4 corner States today. Temperatures in the Desert Southwest could reach 120 degrees in some areas as extreme heat continues.

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic / Caribbean / Gulf of Mexico
Area 1 (Invest 98L)
As of 2:00 a.m. EDT, showers and thunderstorms have diminished in association with a low pressure system located about 1100 miles west-northwest of the Northern Cape Verde Islands. Although the low is moving west-northwestward at about 15 mph toward warmer waters, upper-level winds are unfavorable for any significant development. This system has a low chance, near 0 percent, of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Area 2 (90L)
As of 2:00 a.m. EDT, showers and thunderstorms have increased and become a little better organized in association with a broad low pressure area located about 125 miles south-southeast of the Southern Cape Verde Islands. Environmental conditions appear generally favorable for slow development of this low during the next several days. This system has a medium chance, 40 percent, of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours as it moves westward at 10 to 15 mph.
Eastern Pacific
Area 1 (Invest 92E)
As of 2:00 a.m. EDT, shower and thunderstorm activity is minimal in association with a weak low pressure area located about 250 miles south of the Southern tip of Baja California, Mexico. Since the low is expected to reach cooler waters within 24 hours, significant development of this disturbance seems unlikely. This system has a low chance, 10 percent, of becoming a tropical cyclone over the next 48 hours.
Central Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected through Wednesday evening.

Earthquake Activity

Virginia Earthquake
On August 23, 2011, at approximately 1:51 p.m. EDT, the USGS reported a 5.8 magnitude earthquake occurred, 5 miles south-southwest of Mineral, Virginia, approximately 84 miles south of Washington, D.C., at a depth of approximately 3.7 miles. The initial earthquake was felt from New York to Ohio to North Carolina. There were no immediate reports of serious damage or injuries. Verizon and AT&T wireless reporting cell outages across the area due to high cell phone usage. Many buildings in and around the National Capitol Region were evacuated as a precaution. After buildings were checked, most occupants were allowed to reoccupy.
Several aftershocks occurred with the largest occurring on August 23, 2011 at approximately 8:04 p.m. EDT, with a magnitude of 4.2. Two nuclear reactors closest to the epicenter were automatically shut down as a precaution due to the earthquake.
The District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania State EOCs were activated to Enhanced Readiness, with the exception of the Commonwealth of Virginia have returned to normal operating levels.
There has been no request for FEMA assistance and none is anticipated.

Wildfire Update

Tuesday, August 23, 2011:
National Preparedness Level: 2
Initial attack activity: Moderate (294 new fires)
New Large Fires: 16
Large Fires Contained: 10
Uncontained Large Fires: 21
Type 1 IMT Committed: 0
Type 2 IMT Committed: 3
States affected: ID, WY, UT, VA, TX, OK, AR, WA, OR, NV, CA, MT, NM, AZ, and CO.

Disaster Declaration Activity

South Dakota
Amendment No. 7 to FEMA-1984-DR-SD adds 4 counties for Individual Assistance, effective August 23, 2011.



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