Thursday, August 19, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Midwest
Thunderstorms are forecast from the Northern Plains to the upper Mississippi Valley. A few of these storms will be severe and may include hail, high winds, and lightning. A few storms are also possible in central and southern Michigan.
South
The remnants of Tropical Depression 5 are interacting with a weak frontal boundary and southeast Texas to the Carolinas can expect isolated to scattered thunderstorms. The heaviest rain will be in the southern Louisiana and Mississippi area and flash flooding is possible. Areas of heavy rain can also be expected in eastern Tennessee, southeastern Kentucky and in the Appalachians.Â*Areas in north Texas and Arkansas will see high temperatures approach 100 with very high humidity.
Northeast
Showers and/or thunderstorms are possible over much of New York State later in the day. The rest of the region will experience a dry and sunny day.
West
Scattered thunderstorm activity will continue around the Four Corners area. Stronger storms could contain flooding downpours and strong wind gusts as well as dangerous lightning. The strong wind gusts ahead of these storms may produce local dust storms. A few thunderstorms could also move over eastern Montana into much of central and southern Wyoming. The remainder of the region should be dry. In the Southwest, high temperatures will range from the 100 to 115 degrees. (NOAA and media sources)
Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season Peak

The official hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin (Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico) runs from June 1 to November 30. Major hurricanes can occur at any time during this season.Â* According to historical data, most tropical cyclone activity occurs between mid to late August and mid to late October, with the peak of the hurricane season occurring around mid September. As we enter into the peak of the 2010 hurricane season, it is important to review their emergency plans for hurricane associated hazards such as; storm surge, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding. The best way to survive a hurricane and minimize its impact is to be prepared before it strikes. For more information, see the National Hurricane Centerâs Hurricane Preparedness website: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml. (NOAA)
Mississippi Canyon 252 Update

The well pressure remains stable and well integrity monitoring is ongoing with sonar surveys and visual inspections. Drill Rig III is conducting inâplace Blowout Preventer (BOP) testing. Drill Rig II continues rig maintenance and is preparing to temporarily abandon the well. Approximately 680 miles of coastline is impacted by the spill and shoreline cleanup efforts continue. (NIC Daily SitRep Update)
Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico:
A tropical wave over the west-central and southwestern Caribbean Sea has a low chance, near 20 percent, of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Central, Eastern and Western Pacific:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours. (NOAA, JTWC)
Earthquake Activity

No significant activity. (USGS)
Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 2
National Fire Activity as of Wednesday, August 18, 2010:
Initial attack activity: light (188 new fires), new large fires: 3, large fires contained: 2 Uncontained large fires: 4, U.S. States affected: OR, WA, ID, UT, AR, OK, MT, and CA. (NIFC)
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
FEMA-1931-DR-TX, Amendment #2 closes the incident period for this disaster effective August 14, 2010.
FEMA-1931-DR-TX, Amendment #3 adds 1 county for Public Assistance effective August 19, 2010.
FEMA-3313-EM-TX, Amendment #1 closes the incident period for this disaster effective August 14, 2010. (FEMA HQ)Â*
Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)


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