Monday, August 2, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

West:
Thunderstorms forecast for the Four Corners area today are the type resulting from the meteorological phenomenon known as the North American Monsoon, sometimes called the Arizona Monsoon or the Southwest United States Monsoon. This is when high pressure built up over the dry land is intermittently impacted by moisture, often drawn up from the Gulf of Mexico. The result is sudden bursts of heavy precipitation, often an inch or more. This pattern is known to produce flash flooding when the sudden influx of water hits the compacted desert soil, rolls off and collects in low-lying areas. Elsewhere, this region will be dry except for a few thunderstorms along the Canadian border.
Midwest:
A complex frontal system will produce severe thunderstorms across the Central Plains and Middle Mississippi Valley. Threats include gusty winds, hail and even tornadoes. Heavy precipitation may cause flash flooding. Temperatures will be above average with highs from the 80s in the Dakotas, the 90s in the Ohio Valley, and near 100 degrees in the Central Plains.
South:
Much of the southern region continues to be under the influence of a ridge of high pressure at the surface and a ridge aloft. This will allow the dangerous heat wave to continue for at least the next couple of days and suppress precipitation except for isolated thunderstorms. Temperatures in the upper 90s to lower 100s combined with high humidity levels will result in dangerous heat indices of 105 to 115 degrees during the hottest times of the day for many areas. Heat advisories and excessive heat warnings are in effect.
Northeast:
Southerly winds and an upper level disturbance will produce showers and a few thunderstorms across the regionÂ*Â*
(NOAA and media sources)
Oil Spill - Marshall, Michigan

On Jul 26, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that a 30-inch oil pipeline ruptured in Marshall, MI.Â* The Governor declared a State of Disaster for Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties.Â* The State EOC is activated for day shift operations only (8:00 a.m. â 5:00 a.m. CDT).Â* The pipeline has been secured and clean up and recovery operations are ongoing.Â* Voluntary evacuations remain in effect for approximately 60 residents along the Kalamazoo River.Â* There is no request for FEMA assistance.Â* (FEMA Region V)Â*
Mississippi Canyon 252 Update

FEMA is providing personnel to the National Integration Center and additional Logistics and External Affairs support to the Federal On-Scene Coordinator. FEMA leads the Social Services and Small Business Interagency Working Group (Claims and Benefits). The static kill operation including cementing the oil well is scheduled to begin on Aug. 3, 2010. The second drill rig is holding operations at 10,743 feet below the sea floor awaiting results of the primary relief well effort. Approximately 620 miles of coastline are impacted by the oil spill. The closed fishing area is 57,539 square miles or 24 percent of the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone.
Â*(NIC Daily Situation Update)

California Wildfires

The Crown Fire in northern Los Angeles County, Calif. is now 87 percent contained with 13,918 acres burned. The Bull Fire in Kernville, Calif. is now 85 percent with 16,460 acres burned. FEMA approved Fire Management Assistance Grants for both fires in late July.
(FEMA HQ)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity.Â*(FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico:
A large area of low pressure about 950 miles west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands remains fairly well organized. Conditions appear favorable for tropical development but thus far there is no well-defined surface center of circulation. There is a high, around 90 percent chance, of this system becoming a tropical depression during the next 48 hours.Â*
There is also a tropical wave approaching the coast of Nicaragua, producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the southwestern Caribbean Sea and adjacent land areas.Â* Significant development of this disturbance is unlikely and there is a low, near zero percent chance, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Central Pacific:
A weak, disorganized low-level circulation is located about 975 miles southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. Upper level winds will hinder development of this system as it moves further westward over the next several days. There is a low, near 20 percent chance, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone within the next 48 hours.Â*
Eastern and Western Pacific:
No tropical cyclone activity expected in the next 48 hours.
Â*(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 Sunday, August 1, 2010:
Initial attack activity: light (171 new fires), new large fires: 6, large fires contained: 2
Uncontained large fires: 11, U.S. States affected: CA, ID, MT, NV, WA, & WY
(NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)


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