Tuesday, September 14, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

South
Most of the Region will be dry today except for isolated afternoon thunderstorms over the coastal Plains east of the Rio Grande that could bring locally heavy rain and flooding. Inland and coastal portions of southwest Florida may see isolated to scattered thunderstorms in the late afternoon with occasional lightning strikes, brief gusty winds, and brief periods of heavy rainfall.
West
A Pacific storm will produce scattered showers and thunderstorms through the evening in western portions of Washington and Oregon. Some storms may become severe in eastern Wyoming and Colorado. Across the Southwest, isolated thunderstorms are possible in southeastern Arizona and central New Mexico.
Northeast
Cool and dry conditions are expected for most of the region with the exception of scattered showers along the Canadian Border. Below average temperatures are expected in northern New York, but above average temperatures are likely in southern Virginia.
Midwest
Showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue across the Central Plains and Middle Mississippi Valley through this evening. Heavy rain may produce flash flooding in previously saturated areas in northern Missouri and southern Iowa. A vigorous weather system is expected to bring significant rain and thunderstorms to the Plains and Midwest through Thursday; large hail and damaging winds are possible.
(NOAA and media sources)Â*
Colorado Wildfires

The Reservoir Road Fire in Larimer County, CO, is located two miles west of Loveland, CO, and has burned approximately 925 acres and is now 20 percent contained. Evacuations remain in effect for approximately 250 residents within four miles of Pinewood Reservoir. A FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grant (FEMA-2857-FM-CO) was approved on September 12, 2010. A Type 1 Incident Management Team that was managing the Fourmile Canyon Fire is now supporting the Reservoir Road Fire.
The Fourmile Canyon Fire in Boulder County, CO, that began Monday, September 6 is now fully contained and moving into mop-up operations after burning approximately 6,181 acres. Seven firefighters received minor injuries, 166 structures, primarily homes, were destroyed.Â*
A FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grant (FEMA-2855-FM-CO) was approved on September 6, 2010. The Type 1 Incident Management Team in command of the Fourmile Canyon Fire has now moved to the Reservoir Road Fire.
(FEMA Region VIII, Boulder County EOC, Inciweb and media)Â*
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

FEMA FMAG 2857-FM-CO was issued on September 12 for the Reservoir Road Fire in Larimer County.(HQ FEMA)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico
Hurricane Igor continues to spin as a Category 4 storm in the Atlantic, about 750 miles east of the Northern Leeward Islands moving west-northwest at 8 mph and is expected to move northwest on Wednesday. Maximum sustained winds are 135 mph with hurricane force winds extending 50 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extending out 195 miles from the center. Swells and dangerous surf generated by Igor will begin affecting the Leeward Islands today and will reach Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands tonight and Wednesday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Â*
Hurricane Julia is a Category 1 storm 330 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands moving west-northwest at 12 mph. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph with hurricane force winds extending out 25 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extending out 90 miles from the center.
An area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms in the northwest Caribbean Sea has a medium chance, near 40 percent, of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. Regardless of development, this system may produce locally heavy rainfall over portions of Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and the Yucatan Peninsula during the next day or two. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides especially in areas of mountainous terrain.
Central, Eastern, and Western Pacific
No tropical cyclone activity is expected in 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 Monday, September 13, 2010:Â*
Initial attack activity: light (67 new fires), New large fires: 3, Large contained fires: 0
Uncontained large fires: 7, Type 1 IMTs committed: 1
Type 2 IMTs committed: 2, U.S. States affected: CO, WY, UT, NV, WA, CA, and ALÂ*(NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On September 13, 2010, the President approved a disaster declaration (FEMA-1936-DR) for New Mexico for Severe Storms and Flooding that occurred July 25 to August 9, 2010. The declaration makes five counties eligible for the Public Assistance program and all counties statewide eligible for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The Federal Coordinating Officer for this disaster is Sandy Coachman.
FEMA-1935-DR-Illinois Amendment #1, effective September 13, 2010, amends the current declaration to make seven additional counties eligible for the Public Assistance program.
FEMA-1935-DR-Illinois Amendment #2, effective September 13, 2010, amends the current declaration to specify the incident period for this disaster as from July 19 to Aug. 7, 2010.(HQ FEMA)



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