Friday, November 18, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather:

West
Rain, mountain snow, and gusty winds will spread eastward from the Pacific Northwest into the Northern High Plains. Precipitation, including thunderstorms should be most organized along the Washington and Oregon coasts as the system moves eastward towards the Cascades.
Midwest
Winds will increase from Kansas to Michigan today, with sustained winds increasing to near 30 mph and gusts topping 45 mph. Look for some morning snow showers near Lake Superior, with a little more than an inch of accumulation before tapering off for the afternoon.
South
Under high pressure, the region should be cool and dry. Precipitation will be limited to an isolated shower for Florida's southeast coast.
Northeast
Colder, dryer air will move into the eastern U.S. today. Expect lake effect snow showers to continue in higher elevations of Pennsylvania, southwestern New York, and the Tug Hill Plateau east of Lake Ontario.
Continued Recovery Across Southeastern U.S.

Recovery efforts continue for severe weather that moved across the Southeastern U.S. on Wednesday, November 16th. Most power has been restored in affected areas, with less than 1,000 customers in Georgia without power. There are 6 confirmed fatalities in Georgia (1), South Carolina (3), and North Carolina (2). The American Red Cross has 1 shelter open with 10 occupants in North Carolina. Region IV remains at Watch/Steady State and there are no requests for federal assistance as damage assessments continue.
Repairs begin for Mississippi River Levee at Duncan Point

As a result of damages sustained during the 2011 Mississippi River high-water event, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its non-federal sponsor, the Pontchartrain Levee District, are repairing the levee at Duncan Point in East Baton Rouge Parish.
“This area has been identified as the New Orleans Districts’ most critical area in terms of potential loss of life and economic damage,” stated a senior Project Manager for the New Orleans Mississippi River and Tributaries System. “We have expedited repairs to this area so that we will be prepared for the next high-water season.”
The $8.85 million project requires the construction of a seepage berm and the relocation of River Road. As a result, Highway 327 between Ben Hur Road and Trinity Lane will remain closed for approximately four months.
Immediately following the historic flood of 2011, the United States Army Corps of Engineers began assessing the costs of restoring the system of levees and other MR&T system features that have been successful since 1927 in reducing flooding risks along the Mississippi River. In early August 2011, a Phase I prioritization was conducted to rank order the most critical “RESET” areas in the Mississippi River &Tributaries (MR&T) system. Under this prioritization, Duncan Point has been classified as the most critical area in the New Orleans District’s area of responsibility.
Space Weather:

No space weather storms were observed during the past 24 hours and none are predicted.Â*
Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic / Caribbean / Gulf
Area 1
An area of disorganized cloudiness and showers continues to move slowly westward over the Atlantic Ocean about 900 miles east-northeast of the Leeward Islands. Some slow development of this system is possible during the next couple of days and this system has a low (10%) chance of becoming a subtropical or tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Eastern Pacific
Area 1 (Invest 90E)
Showers and thunderstorms located about 450 miles south-southwest of the Guatemala-Mexico border have become more concentrated near a low pressure area moving westward at 10 to 15 mph. Environmental conditions are generally conducive for development, and a tropical depression could form over the weekend. This system has a medium (40%) chance of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Central Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected through Saturday evening.
Earthquake Activity

There has been no significant U.S. activity, however a magnitude 6.1 occurred at 2:51 a.m. EST off the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island. The earthquake struck at a depth of 16.2 miles; no tsunami was produced.
Disaster Declaration Activity

Virginia
On November 17, 2011, the President signed Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4045-DR for the Commonwealth of Virginia as a result of the Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee from September 8-9, 2011. Specifically, the declaration provides Public Assistance for Caroline, Essex, Fairfax, King and Queen, King George, Prince William, and Westmoreland Counties and the independent City of Alexandria.Â* All counties and independent cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.Â* The Federal Coordinating Officer is Donald L. Keldsen of the National FCO Program.
Connecticut
On November 17, 2011, the President signed Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4046-DR for the State of Connecticut for a Severe Storm occurring October 29-30, 2011. Public Assistance for Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, Tolland, and Windham Counties is approved and direct federal assistance is authorized.Â* All counties and Tribes in the State of Connecticut are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.Â* The Federal Coordinating Officer is Stephen M. DeBlasio Sr. of the National FCO Program.
Amendment No. 8 to Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4030-DR for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania adds Adams, Chester, and Northampton Counties for Public Assistance (already designated for Individual Assistance), and the Counties of Lackawanna and Mifflin for Public Assistance effective November 17, 2011.Â*


More...