Friday, April 23, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

MidwestÂ*
Showers and thunderstorms (some severe), accompanied by tornadoes, large hail (two inches or greater) and damaging winds, are forecast to continue through late this morning across the Central and Southern Plains.Â* Rain and thunderstorms over eastern Kansas and Missouri will produce heavy rain and localized flooding is possible in some areas.
Flood Warnings and Watches are in effect for portions of northwestern Kansas through this morning
South
The system currently impacting the central and southern Plains will continue to track eastward, gathering moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.Â* Showers and thunderstorms (some severe) are expected from northwest Texas to Kentucky, Tennessee, and across the Southeast.Â* Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and northern Louisiana could experience severe storms capable of producing large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes.Â* Tornado Watches are in effect for portions of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas through this morning.Â* Red Flag Warnings are in effect through this evening for the inland portions of the Florida Big Bend and Panhandle and portions of south-central Georgia.
WestÂ*
A major storm system moving through the region today will produce thunderstorms along the Rockies from eastern Colorado through Montana.Â* Strong winds gusting up to 50 mph are possible for portions of eastern New Mexico and the Southern High Plains.Â* Tornado Watches are in effect for portions of eastern Colorado through this morning.Â* A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for portions of western Colorado and southern Wyoming through Saturday morning.
Northeast
No significant weather activity.(NOAA, National Weather Service, various media sources)
Volcanic Activity

Eyjafjallajoekull, Iceland Volcano Update
As of April 22, EUROCONTROL expects that traffic will be at normal levels (between 28,000 and 29,000 flights).Â* A small number of cancellations can be expected due to some limited restrictions and the logistical problems of airlines resuming their regular schedules.Â* On April 21, there were 22,189 flights in European airspace âalmost 80% of normal traffic levels.Â* Currently, almost all European airspace is available, with a few exceptions in parts of southern Finland, southern Norway, northern Scotland and western Sweden.Â* The ash represents a threat to jetliners, due to the possibility that the ash could melt, congeal in the turbines, and thus stop their engines.(Volcanic Ash Advisory; EUROCONTROL-April 22)Â*
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity.Â*(FEMA HQ) Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Disaster Declaration Activity

Amendment number 1 to FEMA-1895-DR-MA was approved on April 22, 2010.Â*Â* The amendment adds seven counties for Public Assistance, including direct Federal assistance (already designated for Individual Assistance).Â*Â*(FEMA HQ)Â*


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