Wednesday, October 5, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

WestÂ*
Rain and scattered thunderstorms will produce heavy rainfall and localized flash flooding in portions of northern California, Washington and Oregon. Higher elevation snow is expected in the Cascade Mountains of Southern Oregon and the Sierra-Nevada Mountains in California. Accumulations of a foot or more are possible above 7,000 feet. Heavy rainfall moves into central California today with an inch or more of rain possible. This system will move into the Los Angeles and San Diego areas tonight.
SouthÂ*
Isolated rain showers are possible in southern Florida and the Florida Keys today. Scattered thunderstorms are forecast for the Oklahoma Panhandle and western Texas this evening.
MidwestÂ*
Much of the Region is forecast to remain dry with the exception of scattered thunderstorms in western Kansas late today. Strong winds of 15 to 30 mph with gusts over 40 mph are possible from Kansas to northern Minnesota. Temperatures in the Northern Plains and the Upper Mississippi Valley will be well above average today and tomorrow.
Northeast
A wintry mix of rain and wet snow is possible today in Maine and the northern parts of New Hampshire and Vermont.(NOAA, National Weather Service, and various media sources)Â*
Tropical Weather Outlook

Eastern Pacific
Area 1
As of 2:00 a.m. EDT, Oct. 5, showers and thunderstorms have become a little better organized in association with a broad area of low pressure centered about 800 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, as it moves west at 10 mph. Conditions appear favorable for gradual development of this system during the next couple of days. This system has a medium (30 percent) chance of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Area 2
As of 2:00 a.m. EDT, Oct. 5, an area of disturbed weather has formed several hundred miles south-southwest of Acapulco Mexico. Conditions appear conducive for some development of this system during the next couple of days. This system has a low (20 percent) chance of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Atlantic / Caribbean / Gulf
Tropical Storm Philippe
As of 5:00 a.m. EDT, Oct. 5, Tropical Storm Philippe was located about 580 miles south-southeast of Bermuda and moving west-northwest at 6 mph. A turn toward the north is forecast by this evening followed by a turn toward the northeast and an increase in forward speed by late Thursday. Maximum sustained winds are 65 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is possible and Philippe could become a hurricane during the next 48 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward 90 miles from the center. There are no coastal watches or advisories in effect.
Central Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected through Thursday evening.
Western Pacific
There are no tropical cyclones threatening U.S. territories.Â*(NOAA, NHC, CPHC, and JTWC)Â*

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Preliminary Damage Assessments

Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments are underway in the following states: New York and Texas
Wildfire Update

Tuesday, October 4, 2011:Â*
National Preparedness Level: 2
Initial attack activity: Light (143 new fires)
New Large Fires: 6
Large Fires Contained: 8
Uncontained Large Fires: 15
States Affected: Nevada, California, Texas, Florida., Idaho, Utah, Minnesota., Oregon, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado (NIFC)

Fire Activity
Dunphy Complex Fire located in north of Carlin, Nev.
The Dunphy Complex Fire consists of three wildfires (Indian Creek, Chukar, and Izzenhood Fires) caused by a dry lightning storm that moved through the area on Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. The Dunphy Complex has burned over 204,400 acres with Indian Creek Fire displaying the most activity.
Indian Creek Fire located in Elko County, Nev.
On Oct. 3, 2011, the FEMA Regional IX Administrator approved a Fire Management Assistant Grant, FMAG-2972-FM-NV, for the Indian Creek Fire. The mandatory evacuation for Tuscarora, Nev., was lifted Tuesday for residents only. The area remains closed to hunting and recreational traffic. The fire has burned in excess of 110,900 acres of State and private land, and is twenty percent contained. Two shelters are open with an unknown number of occupants.

Disaster Declaration Activity

Amendments:
New York
Effective Oct. 4, 2011 â Amendment No. 6 to FEMA-4031-DR-NY, adds 3 counties for Individual Assistance, one of which was also added for Public Assistance.
Puerto Rico
Effective Oct. 4, 2011 â Amendment No. 5 to FEMA-4017-DR-PR, adds the Municipality of Patillas for Public Assistance.
Pennsylvania
Effective Oct. 4, 2011 â Amendment No. 3 to FEMA-4025-DR-PA, adds 4 counties for Public Assistance to include direct Federal assistance.
Texas
Effective Oct. 4, 2011 â Amendment No. 7 for FEMA-4029-DR-TX, adds 5 counties for Public Assistance, including direct Federal assistance.
South Dakota
Effective Oct. 3, 2011 â Amendment No. 9 to FEMA-1984-DR-SD, appoints Gary R. Stanley as the Federal Coordinating Officer for this disaster.Â*(FEMA HQ)Â*

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