Tuesday, May 10, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Midwest:
Rain and high elevation snow showers are forecast over much of the Intermountain West through Wednesday morning. Heavy snow is expected across portions of the Northern Rockies. Severe thunderstorms are forecast from eastern North Dakota to central Wisconsin. Red Flag Warnings and Critical Fire Weather conditions will continue across the Central Plains due to low relative humidity and gusty winds.
South:
Under high pressure, most of the region will remain dry with record high temperatures expected from Florida to eastern Texas. Severe thunderstorms are forecast from eastern Tennessee to the Coastal Carolinas. Major flooding continues on the Mississippi and White Rivers, with a near-record crest expected in Memphis today.
Northeast:
Severe thunderstorms are possible over portions of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia throughout the day.Â* A low pressure system off the coast of New England will continue to produce scattered rain showers and gusty winds from Massachusetts to northern Maine.
West:
Rain and locally heavy mountain snow above 6,000 feet is forecast from Wyoming into the western Dakotas. Critical Fire Weather warnings are expected to continue from the Four Corners Region into west Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Gusty winds will be dry through the afternoon.Â*
Mississippi Valley Flooding

The Mississippi River flood crest is now approaching Memphis, Tennessee where it is expected to be within inches of record flood stage. Â*The crest will proceed downstream through the Lower Mississippi Basin towards New Orleans, Louisiana during the next two weeks, with major to record flooding expected.

Kentucky
Approximately 3,000 individuals have been evacuated from the cities of Hickman, Ledbetter and Smithland; the KY National Guard is assisting with sandbagging operations. One fatality has been reported as a result of flooding. As of May 9, the American Red Cross (ARC) reports 7 shelters open with 35 occupants.

Tennessee
One fatality has been reported as a result of flooding. More than 150 people are on the ground, patrolling the local levees to ensure their continued integrity, identifying potential problem areas early and dealing with them quickly. The Mississippi River levees in the Memphis area are performing as designed.Â* The crest is projected to pass Memphis on today. Some areas of Memphis are experiencing backwater flooding; that is the water that would normally drain into the river but cannot because of the riverâs high water levels.Â* These affected parts are in low-lying areas prone to flooding, not protected by the federal levee system. As of May 9, the ARC reports 10 shelters open with 395 occupants.
Illinois
The IL SEOC is activated at Level III. Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for portions of Alexander County. Voluntary evacuation orders are still in effect for 20 southern municipalities. As of May 9, the ARC reports 5 shelters open with 213 occupants.
Indiana
As of May 9, the ARC reports 2 shelters open with 5 occupants.

Arkansas
Flooding continues along White, Black, and Mississippi Rivers. Multiple roads are flooded at White River crossings including I-40 east of Little Rock, AR. The districtâs reservoir operations and assistance to local levee boards have dramatically reduced flood damages in a number of towns in the region. As of May 9, there are 11 shelters open with 160 occupants.

LouisianaÂ*
To date, 24 Parishes have declared a State of Emergency. On May 9, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) opened the Bonnet Carre Spillway and no issues have been reported.Â*The spillway takes pressure off New Orleans area levees by diverting the water toward the Lake Pontchartrain Basin.
USACE may need to operate the Morganza Floodway, which will require the evacuation of people and livestock for communities within the Atchafalaya River Basin. No decision has been made at this time with respect to the Morganza Spillway.Â*The State is concerned about the potential opening of the Morganza Spillway (Pointe Coupe Parish) in east central Louisiana and the impacts that will have on the communities of Morgan City (St. Mary Parish) and Houma (Terrebonne Parish).

Missouri
As of May 9, there are 5 shelters are open with 83 occupants.
Severe Weather Outbreak â April 25-28

Â*On April 25 -28, severe weather moved across the Southeast, producing over 300 reports of tornadoes and significant damage in numerous states across the South.Â*
Alabama
Â*As of May 9, the ARC reports 4 shelters open with 217 occupants.
Mississippi
Â*As of May 9, the ARC reports 1 shelter open with 21 occupants.
Georgia
No shelters are open.
Tennessee
As of May 9, the ARC reports 10 shelters open with 395 occupants.
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

Gage Holland Fire in Alpine, TX (Brewster County)
On May 8, 2011, a FMAG was approved for the Gage Holland Fire in Alpine, TX (Brewster County).Â* The fire began May 8.Â* The fire has burned 4,500 acres and 40 percent contained.Â*
Matt Loop Fire in Big Spring, TX (Howard County)
On May 9, 2011, a FMAG was approved for the Matt Loop Fire in Big Spring, TX (Howard County).Â* The fire began May 9.Â* The fire has burned 700 acres and zero percent contained.Â* Approximately 200 individuals have been evacuated with 260 homes threatened. To date, four homes have been destroyed.
Horseshoe Fire in Portal, AZ (Cochise County)
On May 9, 2011, a FMAG was approved for the Horseshoe Fire in Portal, AZ (Cochise County).Â* The fire began on May 9.Â* Approximately 2,000 acres have been burned and its zero percent contained. More than 200 people being evacuated.
Earthquake Activity

Alaska
On May 9, at 3:05 p.m. EDT, a magnitude 4.9 earthquake occurred 548 miles southwest of Anchorage, AK at a depth of 15.1 miles.Â* No damage or injuries were reported, and no tsunami was generated for this event.Â*Â*
Internationally
On May 10, at 4:55 a.m. EDT, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurred 84 miles southwest of Isangel, Vanuatu at a depth of 16.5 miles.Â* No damage or injuries were reported, and no Pacific wide tsunami was generated for this event.

Wildfire Update

Monday, May 9, 2011:
National Preparedness Level: 1
Initial attack activity: LIGHT (31 new fires)
New Large Fires: 9
Large Fires Contained: 1
Uncontained Large Fires: 22
Type 1 IMT Committed: 3
Type 2 IMT Committed: 5
States affected: TX, FL, GA,Â* NC, KS, NM, AZ, CA
Disaster Declaration Activity

Tennessee
On May 9, the President approved Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1979-DR for Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding on April 19, 2011 and continuing.Â* The declaration provides Individual Assistance for Dyer, Lake, Obion, Shelby, and Stewart Counties. Also, provides Public Assistance for The counties of Benton, Carroll, Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Henderson, Henry, Houston, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, Montgomery, Obion, Shelby, and Stewart to include Direct Federal assistance is authorized. All counties in the State of Tennessee are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The Federal Coordinating Officer is W. Montague Winfield.
On May 9, 2011, the President approved Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1978-DR was declared for severe storms, flooding, tornadoes, and straight-line winds that occurred April 4, 2011. The declaration provides Public Assistance for Chester, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Henderson, Humphreys, Lake, Shelby, and Sumner Counties. All counties in the State of Tennessee are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
Missouri
On May 9, the President approved Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1980 for Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding on April 19, 2011 and continuing.Â* The declaration provides Individual Assistance for Butler, Mississippi, New Madrid, St. Louis, and Taney Counties. Also, provides Public Assistance for St. Louis County and include Direct Federal assistance is authorized. All counties and the Independent City of St. Louis in the State of Missouri are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
Arkansas
Amendment No. 2 - Effective May 9, Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1975-DR-AR, dated May 2, 2011, is amended to add Boone, Jefferson, and White Counties for Individual Assistance. Also, adds Carroll, Conway, Crawford, Hot Spring, Montgomery, Stone, and Washington Counties for Public Assistance (Categories A-G), including direct Federal Assistance. Adds Benton, Faulkner, and Garland Counties for Public Assistance [Categories A-G], including direct Federal Assistance, (already designated for Individual Assistance and assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures [Category B], limited to direct Federal assistance).
Mississippi
Amendment No. 2 - Effective May 9, Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1972-DR-MS, dated April 29, 2011, is amended to add Alcorn, Attala, Clay, Coahoma, Desoto, Grenada, Holmes, Leflore, Marshall Montgomery, Newton, Panola, Quitman, Smith, Sunflower, Tishomingo, Tunica, and Winston Counties for IndividualÂ* Assistance.


More...