Thursday, August 12, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

MidwestÂ*Â*Â*Â*Â*Â*
Scattered thunderstorms, some severe, are forecast for the Dakotas, Nebraska, Minnesota and Iowa today. Flash flooding is possible in Minnesota and Iowa. Some rivers in Iowa have seen all-time record flood levels. The Great Lakes region will be mainly dry while the Ohio Valley will see isolated thunderstorm activity. The central and southern Plains will be dry, but the oppressive heat is forecast to continue for another couple of days. Parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri may see high temperatures of over 100 degrees. High temperatures along with high humidity will raise the heat index to over 115 degrees in many locations.
South
Portions of the South will see pockets of heavy rain or scattered thunderstorms. Scattered thunderstorms are forecast across parts of eastern Kentucky, eastern Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina. Portions of the Gulf Coast will see locally heavy rain due to the remnants of Tropical Depression Five. Localized flooding is possible over parts of southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi.
Northeast
Â*Scattered thunderstorms are forecast from Upstate New York to the Chesapeake Bay, but the thunderstorms are not expected to become severe. There is only a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms over most of New England but severe thunderstorms are possible over the mid-Atlantic.
West
Â*Showers and thunderstorms are forecast from eastern Idaho to Montana and down to northern Wyoming. The higher elevations of Arizona and New Mexico will see less thunderstorm activity than last week. The Desert Southwest will see high temperatures from 105 to 110 degrees.
(NOAA and media sources)

Iowa Flooding

Three to eight inches of rain fell in central Iowa over the past few days and caused flooding in several locations. A nearly stationary frontal system over Iowa brought thunderstorm activity to an area from near Oskaloosa, Iowa in Mahaska County to Sac City, Iowa in Sac County. Several river gauges are at major flood stage with a few gauges forecast to crest at or near record flood stage. Major impacts from these thunderstorms are power outages, emergency crews performing rescues, and numerous road closures. Forty-nine counties issued local emergency declarations. A boil water order was issued for the city of Ames (population 56,000), Story County, due to a water main break. The Region VII Regional Watch remains at Steady State, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CDT but a FEMA liaison is deployed to the state Emergency Operations Center.
Mississippi Canyon 252 Update

The well pressure remains stable and is declining at a rate of 5 lbs per square inch per hour. Drilling operations are on hold until the passage of the remnants of Tropical Depression Five. Approximately 665 miles of coastline are impacted. NOAA reopened 5,144 square miles to finfish harvest but the area closed to all fishing covers 52,395 square miles or approximately 22% of the Gulf of Mexicoâs exclusive economic zone.
(NIC Daily SitRep)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

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

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico:Â*
The remnants of Tropical Depression Five are now a broad area of low pressure over the northern Gulf of Mexico located just east of southeastern Louisiana. The low is expected to move inland along the north-central Gulf coast by early this morning and there is a low chance, near zero percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. This low could still produce locally heavy rains and strong gusty winds in squalls to portions of the north-central Gulf coast through this morning. Another low pressure system located 850 miles northeast of the northern Leeward Islands is producing minimal shower activity. Upper level winds are not conducive for development and there is a low chance, near 10 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. There is also a tropical wave located 200 miles east of the Lesser Antilles but there is a low chance, near 10 percent, of that system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Eastern Pacific
An area of low pressure is located 375 miles south of Acapulco, Mexico. Environmental conditions appear conducive for further slow development and this low could become a tropical depression during the next 48 hours. There is a high chance, near 60 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Central Pacific:Â*
Thunderstorm activity located 800 miles south of Honolulu, Hawaii has a low chance, near 10 percent, of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Western Pacific:
No tropical cyclone activity expected during the next 48 hours.
(NOAA, JTWC)Â*

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 2
National Fire Activity as of Wednesday, August 11, 2010:Â*
Initial attack activity: Light (190 new fires), new large fires: 7, large fires contained: 4
Uncontained large fires: 10, U.S. States affected:Â* ID, UT, CA, MT, WY, OK, TX, VA, LA, SD & NV.
(NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Wisconsin received a Presidential disaster declaration (FEMA-1933-DR-WI) on August 11, 2010, for severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding from July 20-24, 2010. Public Assistance was approved for Grant and Milwaukee Counties and all counties are eligible for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The Federal Coordinating Officer for the disaster is Paul J. Ricciuti.
Amendment No. 4 to FEMA-3311-EM-RI amends the cost-sharing arrangement effective July 29, 2010, to provide Federal funds for emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct Federal assistance, at 90 percent of total eligible costs.
Amendment No. 3 to FEMA-1916-DR-MS amends the cost-sharing arrangement effective July 29, 2010, to provide Federal funds for all categories of Public Assistance (Categories A-G) at 90 percent of total eligible costs.
Amendment No. 7 to FEMA-1912-DR-KY amends the cost-sharing arrangement effective July 29, 2010, to provide Federal funds for all categories of Public Assistance (Categories A-G) at 90 percent of total eligible costs.
Amendment No. 11 to FEMA-1909-DR-TN amends the cost-sharing arrangement effective July 29, 2010, to provide Federal funds for all categories of Public Assistance (Categories A-G), including direct Federal assistance, at 90 percent of total eligible costs.
Amendment No. 5 to FEMA-1906-DR-MS amends the cost-sharing arrangement effective July 29, 2010, to provide Federal funds for all categories of Public Assistance (Categories A-G), including direct Federal assistance, at 90 percent of total eligible costs.
Amendment No. 6 to FEMA-1894-DR-RI amends the cost-sharing arrangement effective July 29, 2010, to provide Federal funds for all categories of Public Assistance (Categories A-G) at 90 percent of total eligible costs.
(HQ FEMA)



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