Friday, September 24, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

West:
The region will be generally warm and dry and the fire danger will increase in the Los Angeles basin. A strong Pacific storm approaching the West Coast will arrive Saturday and produce gusty winds and heavy precipitation across the Pacific Northwest.
Midwest:Â*
Broad swaths of rain and thunderstorms are forecast from the Great Lakes southwestward as far as Texas. Flood watches, warnings, and advisories are in effect across much of the Middle and Upper Mississippi Valleys. More rain is forecast across the Upper Mississippi Valley and is likely to exacerbate ongoing flooding in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
South:
An approaching frontal system will produce scattered thunderstorms in Texas and Arkansas while scattered thunderstorms are likely in the Gulf Coast from tropical moisture. The region will remain warm, with high temperatures in the 90s from the Mississippi Valley east to the Carolinas.
Northeast:
Rain will fall across New England while gusty southwesterly winds and thunderstorms are forecast across western New York and Pennsylvania this evening. Temperatures in the Mid-Atlantic will be in the 90s.Â*
(NOAA and media sources)
Flooding in Minnesota and Wisconsin

Wisconsin and Minnesota are experiencing severe flooding from a line of severe weather that passed through the region yesterday and produced 3-8 inches of rain. Arcadia, WI reported up to 3 feet of water and southern Minnesota saw rainfall totals of more than 8 inches. The Black River at Black River Falls, WI, is at major flood stage and expected to crest at 61.5ft, approximately 6.5 ft above major flood stage (55ft) later today. The Middle Fork Zumbro River at Pine Island, MN, is at major flood stage and reached a crest of 24.26 ft overnight.
The FEMA Region V Regional Response Coordination Center is activated at Level III with the Watch conducting 24/7 operations until further notice. The FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer in charge of the pre-existing Minnesota disaster response (FEMA-1921-DR-MN) as well as the FEMA Region V State Liaison Officer will go to the Minnesota State Emergency Operations Center today.

Utah Wildfire

The Machine Gun Fire, located 2 miles south of Herriman, UT, began at the Camp Williams Weapons Firing Range on Sep 19. The fire has consumed 4,326 acres and 90 percent contained. All evacuations were lifted and no homes are threatened. FEMA Fire Management Assistance Grant (2859-FM) was approved for this fire.
(Inciweb)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

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

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of MexicoÂ*
Tropical Storm Matthew is located 170 miles east-southeast of the Honduras/Nicaragua border with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. Tropical storm warnings, hurricane warnings, and a hurricane watch in effect for areas of Central America. Matthew is expected to continue moving slowly west-northwest over the Yucatan Peninsula during the next 48 hours but after that time, its track and intensity are still uncertain.
Â*
Tropical Storm Lisa is located 295 miles northwest of the Cape Verde Islands with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph. Lisa could strengthen slightly today but is expected to weaken to a tropical depression over the weekend. Based on the current track, Lisa poses no threat to the United States or its territories.
Eastern PacificÂ*
A low pressure area is located 200 miles south-southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico but development of this system should be slow, if any. There is a low chance, near 10 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.Â*Â*Â*Â*
Central Pacific
Disorganized showers and isolated thunderstorms associated with a north to south oriented surface trough are centered about 570 miles south-southwest of Honolulu, HI. Strong upper level winds will likely continue to hinder any significant development of this system and there is a low chance, near 10 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Western Pacific
No tropical activity affecting U.S. interests
(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 Thursday, September 23, 2010:Â*
Initial attack activity: Moderate (172 new fires), new large fires: 1, large fires contained:Â* 2
Uncontained large fires: 3, U.S. States affected:Â* UT, WY, AR, FL and AKÂ*(NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On September 23, 2010, the President approved major disaster declaration for South Dakota (FEMA-1938-DR-SD) as a result of severe storms and flooding that occurred on July 21-30, 2010.Â*Â*
Â*(HQ FEMA)



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