Thursday, September 30, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Northeast:Â*
The entire eastern seaboard will receive significant rainfall and gusty winds from a surface front associated with a vigorous upper- level trough and the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole. Moist air from the tropics is being drawn into the system, including moisture from the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole, which dissipated near the Florida Keys. Widespread rainfall totals of three to six inches are possible across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast through Friday evening with six to ten inches possible from southeast Pennsylvania south to the Chesapeake Bay. Isolated severe thunderstorms (hail gusty winds, tornadoes) are forecast for the Mid-Atlantic today. Flood and Flash Flood Watches and Warnings are in effect from the Carolinas to New England. For the latest information, see www.nws.noaa.gov/.
Midwest:
A dry cold front extending from the Great Lakes to Texas will result in temperatures some 5-15 degrees cooler (50s in the north to 80 in the south) than Wednesday. Rain is possible over the Great Lakes.
South:
The remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole will clear the region this morning except for northern Georgia and the Carolinas. Precipitation totals for Wednesday (8am to 8 pm EDT) range from less than 1 inch to as much as 5.61 inches at Wilmington/New Hanover Co. Airport, North Carolina. Todayâs rainfall will be light over North Carolina but there will be significant flooding over eastern and southeastern portions of the state due to the recent heavy rain. The rest of the region will be dry, with seasonable temperatures.
West:
Most of the region will be dry with seasonable temperatures except for Southern California which will see scattered thunderstorms in the Los Angeles basin.
(NOAA and media sources)

East Coast Flooding

The area of low pressure over the Carolinas will track northward over the Mid-Atlantic States on Thursday. Widespread rainfall totals of three to six inches are expected across the Mid-Atlantic region and northeast through Friday evening with amounts up to nine inches possible in localized areas. Wind gusts as high as 45 to 55 mph will also be possible late Thursday into Friday across southeastern New England as the main surface low moves closer to the Northeast.
FEMA Preparedness/Response
The National Watch Center at FEMA HQ continues to monitor the situation. FEMA Regional Offices I, II, III, and IV have identified Liaison Officers for each State and are standing by, if needed. The FEMA Regions are in contact with both the National Weather Service and State officials.
(FEMA HQ, FEMA Regions I, II, III, IV)Â*

Flooding in Minnesota and Wisconsin

The Regional Response Coordination Center for Region V remains at Watch/Steady State.Â*
In Wisconsin, conditions have stabilized along the Caledonia Levee system and water levels on the Wisconsin River are forecast to drop rapidly. There are no reported shortfalls or unmet needs.
In Minnesota, the most heavily impacted areas are reported to be in Hammond and Zumbro Falls, MN. Some residents in these towns cannot to return to their homes untilÂ*basement fuel oil tanks are inspected. Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments continue.
(Region V)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity. (HQ FEMA)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of MexicoÂ*
A large area of disturbed weather associated with two tropical waves is 800 miles east of the Windward Islands. Upper-level winds are forecast to be marginally favorable for development as the system moves west-northwest around 15 mph. There is a medium chance, near 30 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Central, Eastern, and Western Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected during the next 48 hours.
(NOAA, JTWC) Â*

Earthquake Activity

No significant activity affecting the U.S.Â*
(USGS)Â*
Internationally, two earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 6.2 occurred 65 miles NNW of Dobo, Kepulauan Aru, Indonesia on Sep 29 at depths of 7.6 and 13.2 miles.Â* No immediate reports of damages or injuries and no Pacific-wide tsunami was generated.Â*(USGS)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 2
National Fire Activity as of Wednesday, September 29, 2010:Â*
Initial attack activity: light (83 new fires), new large fires: 0, large fires contained: 0
Uncontained large fires: 0, U.S. States affected:Â* UT& CA
(NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)


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