Friday, October 15, 2010

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Northeast
A strong storm off the New England coast, also known as a Norâeaster, will slowly move away from the coast by late Saturday evening. The system will produce light to moderate rain over the Northeast waning on Saturday.
South
Abundant afternoon sunshine will occur today through Saturday morning across the south, with low temperatures ranging from the lower/mid 50s to the lower 60s along the Gulf coast and mid/upper 60s along the Atlantic coast. Tropical Depression Paula is expected to produce showers over the Florida Keys and the tip of the Florida Peninsula.
Midwest
Seasonable fall weather will persist through the weekend as a couple of cold fronts move through the region. Slightly warmer temperatures are expected on Saturday before the next cold front moves through on Saturday night. A low-pressure system moving southeast through the Great Lakes is producing showers and a few thunderstorms across the Lakes. Quiet weather will return to the Great Lakes today and Saturday.
West
A cold front crossing the Pacific Northwest will produce rain mainly along and west of the Washington Cascades with much lighter showers over the Northern Intermountain region. An upper trough moving across the region this morning will bring scattered showers to the Lower Colorado Valley of Arizona and California. A little moisture will seep into the far southwest this weekend with a chance of showers over the Central Rockies and the Southwest.(NOAAâs National Weather Service, the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center and media sources)Â*
Early Season Nor'easter - Update

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico
Tropical Depression PaulaÂ*
At 5:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Depression Paula was located along the north-central coast of Cuba, about 65 miles east of Veradero, Cuba. Paula is moving toward the east near 14 mph, and this motion is expected to continue with a decrease in forward speed for the next 24 hours. A gradual turn toward the southeast and south is forecast on Saturday. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 35 mph with higher gusts. Additional weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Paula is expected to degenerate to a remnant low-pressure area by Saturday. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Area OneÂ*
An area of thunderstorms has developed over the extreme southwestern Caribbean Sea. Environmental conditions are only marginally favorable for development during the next couple of days but conditions may become more conducive afterwards, there is a LOW chance (10%) percent of this system becoming a Tropical Cyclone during the next 48 hours as the disturbance moves little.
Eastern PacificÂ*
Tropical Cyclone activity is not expected during the next 48 hrs.
Central PacificÂ*
No Tropical cyclones are expected through Saturday evening.
Western Pacific
No Activity projected to affect U.S. interests. (NOAA, NWS, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)
Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

National Preparedness reduced to Level 1 on October 14, 2010.
National Fire Activity as of Thursday, October 14, 2010:Â*
Initial attack activity: Light (126 new fires)
New large fires: 3
Large fires contained: 1
Uncontained large fires: 0
States Affected: New Mexico, Arizona, Arkansas and Mississippi.(NIFC)
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
No activity. (HQ FEMA)

Disaster Declaration Activity

New YorkÂ*
On October 14, 2010, the President signed Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1943-DR for the state of New York as a result of Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Straight-line Winds that occurred September 16, 2010. The declaration provides for Public Assistance for three counties. All counties in the state of New York are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.Â* The Federal Coordinating Officer is Philip E. Parr of the National FCO Program.
North CarolinaÂ*
On October 14, 2010, the President signed Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1942-DR for the state of North Carolina for Severe Storms, Flooding and Straight-line Winds associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole. The declaration provides for Individual Assistance for six counties. All counties in the state of North Carolina are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The Federal Coordinating Officer is W. Montague Winfield of the National FCO Program.



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