Tuesday, August 10, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Midwest
Showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue across the northern and central Plains, upper Midwest valley, and Great Lakes. Some of these storms will have the potential to become severe with damaging winds and hail. Temperatures and humidity are expected to increase across the region.
South
High temperatures and humidity are expected to continue and thunderstorms are possible for portions of the lower Mississippi Valley, Tennessee Valley, and North Carolina.
Northeast
Across the Northeast, scattered thunderstorms are expected throughout the day with strong wind gusts and heavy downpours possible.
WestÂ*
Widely scattered thunderstorms are forecast from the Pacific Northwest to the northern Plains. A few scattered thunderstorms could occur across the mountains of the Four Corners states with a few becoming severe across the Northern Rockies.
(NOAA and media sources)

Latest Seasonal Drought Assessment

The latest seasonal drought assessment was just released from the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center. Drought is forecast to continue across western Wyoming, Arizona, northeast California, Nevada, and the leeward sides of the Hawaiian Islands (moderate to exceptional drought levels). An ongoing heat wave, along with below normal rainfall, has created drought conditions in the lower Mississippi and lower Ohio Valleys and is expected to persist and expand into parts of Missouri and Arkansas. Drought also expanded from moderate to severe levels in portions of the eastern U.S. with the Mid-Atlantic seeing the largest increases. On the other extreme, unseasonable wetness and a very active monsoon resulted in the removal of drought across the Rockies and in New Mexico. In the upper Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes region major drought relief occurred during the past two months (from extreme drought to moderate drought levels), and is forecast to continue. La Nina conditions may bring improvement for some areas during the 2010-2011 winter season.
(NOAA)

Mississippi Canyon 252 Update

Situational Update:
Well pressure remains stable, which indicates a successful cement plug. Future plans include the removal of the capping stack and blow out preventer to permanently seal the site. Approximately 669 miles of coastline have been impacted and shoreline cleanup efforts continue. Approximately 76% of the Gulf of Mexico federal waters remain open to commercial fishing.
(NIC Daily SitRep Update)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No Activity(HQ FEMA)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico:
A well-defined low pressure area is located about 825 miles east-northeast of the Leeward Islands moving west-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph. There is a high chance, near 70 percent, of this system developing into a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Another weak low pressure system is located over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico about 75 miles southwest of Naples, Florida. This system is becoming better organized and there is a medium chance, near 50 percent, that this system will develop into a tropical or subtropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Eastern Pacific
Tropical Depression Estelle is located approximately 420 miles south of Baja California, Mexico moving west near 5 mph. Additional weakening is forecast and it is forecast to be a remnant low by late Tuesday. Another low pressure area about 200 miles west-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico has a low chance, near 20 percent, of development into a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Central and Western Pacific:
No tropical cyclones are expected during the next 48 hours.
(NOAA, JTWC)
Earthquake Activity

On August 10, 2010 at 1:23 a.m. EDT offshore near Vanuatu, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake occurred at a reported depth of 41 miles. No damages or injuries were reported but a tsunami was created. The West Coast/Alaskan Tsunami Warning Center issued a report stating no tsunami was expected along the California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, or Alaska coasts.
(USGS)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 2
National Fire Activity as of Monday, August 9, 2010:Â*
Initial attack activity: light (152 new fires), new large fires: 1, large fires contained: 6
Uncontained large fires: 10, U.S. States affected:Â* CA, ID, LA, MT, NV, OR, WA, WY, & NJ.
(NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)


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