Tuesday, September 27, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

West:
A strong Pacific cold front is moving inland producing rain over much of the Pacific Northwest through tonight. Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Utah.
Midwest:
An upper level low which has been in place near the Great Lakes for several days will produce rain over the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee valleys. The associated frontal boundary will stretch from the Great Lakes to the Mid-Atlantic, southward into the Carolinas and back along the Gulf Coast.
South:
The Gulf Coast and much of the Southeast will have rain showers and thunderstorms today associated with the front discussed above. The Deep South, especially south Texas, will continue to see highs well into the 90s.Â*
Northeast:
Rain and thunderstorms are forecast from the Mid-Atlantic to southern New England. Along the front severe thunderstorms are possible and flash flooding is expected with the heaviest downpours.

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic / Caribbean / Gulf
Tropical Storm Philippe
At 5:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Philippe was located about 735 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands, moving toward the northwest near 7 mph and this general motion is expected to continue through Wednesday. Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph, with higher gusts. No significant change in strength is expected during the next 48 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 85 miles from the center.
Remnants of Ophelia -Area 2
At 2:00 a.m. EDT, a low pressure system (remnants of Ophelia) is centered a couple of hundred miles northeast of the northern Leeward Islands. Satellite data indicate that the surface circulation is gradually becoming better defined and upper-level winds appear somewhat conducive for additional development of this low as it moves slowly Northwestward during the next day or two. This system has a high chance (70 percent) of regenerating into a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. Locally heavy rains are possible over portions of the northern Leeward Islands through Wednesday.
Eastern Pacific
Hurricane Hilary
At 5:00 a.m. EDT September 27, the center of Hurricane Hilary was located about 575 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja, California, Mexico. Hilary is moving toward the west near 10 mph. A gradual turn toward the west-northwest and then northwest with a decrease in forward speed is expected during the next 12-24 hours followed by a turn toward the north by late Wednesday. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 115 mph with higher gusts. Hilary is a category three hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane wind scale. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 120 miles. Gradual weakening is expected during the next couple of days.

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

Monday, September 26, 2011:
National Preparedness Level: 2
Initial attack activity: Light (107 new fires)
New Large Fires: 2
Large Fires Contained: 2
Uncontained Large Fires: 13
Type 1 IMT Committed: 3
Type 2 IMT Committed: 2
States affected: TX, OK, MN, CA, OR, NV, ID, and WY. (NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Delaware
On September 23, 2011, the Governor requested a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Delaware for Hurricane Irene which occurred August 25-28, 2011. The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance for 2 counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide.



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