Friday, August 26, 2011

[FEMA]

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Hurricane Irene

As of 5:00 a.m. EDT, August 26, Hurricane Irene was located about 420 miles South-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, moving to the North at 14 mph.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 110 mph with higher gusts. Hurricane force winds extend outward 90 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 290 miles. Irene is now a category 2 hurricane. Some additional strengthening is forecast during the next day or so.
Irene is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 6 to 120 inches over the East Coast of the U.S.
A Hurricane Warning has been issued for North Carolina-Virginia border to Sandy Hook, NJ, including Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay South of Smith Point as well as for the Little River Inlet, NC, northward to Sandy Hook, NJ, including the Pamlico, Albemarle, and Currituck Sounds, Delaware Bay, Chesapeake Bay, South of Smith Point.
A Hurricane Watch has been issued from North of Sandy Hook, NJ, to the mouth of the Merrimack River, including Long Island, Long Island Sound, Block Island, Marthaâs Vineyard, and Nantucket.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Chesapeake Bay from Smith Point northward and the Tidal Potomac.
Tropical storm force winds are expected within the Southern portion of the warning area along the U.S. East Coast by late today. Hurricane force winds are expected to reach the Hurricane Warning area tonight or Saturday morning.
Surf and swells generated by Irene are affecting portions of the Southeastern Coast of the U.S. These swells are expected to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Storm surge in areas of onshore flow near the center of Irene expected. A extremely dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 6 to 11 feet above ground level in the Hurricane Warning area in North Carolina near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves.
New York
The decision for mandatory evacuations will be made August 27 at 8:00 a.m. EDT. Senior centers, hospitals, and nursing homes in low-lying areas in NY must evacuate. NJ is recommending voluntary evacuations for coastal areas.

Puerto Rico
Currently 12 shelters open with 549 occupants on the island. Evacuations for 400-800 citizens in Guayanilla Municipality are ongoing due to flooding. However, approximately 73,000 customers are without power and 36,250 customers are without water as of 1:00 a.m. EDT, Aug 26. Seven medical facilities (1 hospital and 6 diagnostic treatment centers) remain on generator power. All ports and airports are open.
U.S. Virgin Islands
The USVI Water and Power Authority continue to experience water shortages affecting its St. Thomas customers; water is being rationed; service should be fully restored by August 30, 2011.

Virginia, Maryland and Delaware
Mandatory evacuations have been issued for Virginia Beach, VA and Ocean City, MD. Evacuations for visitors in coastal regions of Delaware has also been issued .
North Carolina
Mandatory evacuations for Ocracoke Island and Currituck (tourists), as well as Dare and Hyde Counties in North Carolina and a mandatory evacuation order for Tyrell County will be issued later today, as well as Beaufort County will evacuate high-risk areas today.

Significant National Weather

Midwest
Across the Midwest, cooler temperatures are expected behind the cold front. Along and ahead of the front, showers and thunderstorms are possible. Â*
EastÂ*
The northern portion of a strong frontal system over the mid-Atlantic and northeast will move off the Atlantic coast tonight. Moderate to heavy rain will accompany this front, giving the ground a good soaking before Hurricane Irene. The southern portion of the front will deteriorate as Irene approaches the Southeastern U.S. coast early Friday. Heavy rain is expected to start along the Carolina coast at this time and will spread northward into the mid-Atlantic by early Saturday.Â*

SouthÂ*
Temperatures will remain hot across the southern U.S. A near stationary boundary across the southern plains and lower Mississippi Valley will continue hot and humid conditions, with the potential to create heat index values near 112 degrees.Â*
WestÂ*Â*
A disturbance over the Pacific Northwest will increase the potential for thunderstorms in this area of the country, however, with sufficient dray air in the region, dry lightning may be possible across the northwest with wind gusts near 20 mph. Thus, creating a threat for the spread of wildfires.
Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic / Caribbean / Gulf of Mexico
Tropical Depression 10
At 5:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Depression 10 was located approximately 620 miles west of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands. The depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 9 mph. A turn toward the northwest and a decrease in forward speed is expected today. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph, with higher gusts. Little change in strength is expected over the next couple of days.
Eastern PacificÂ*Â*
Tropical cyclone activity not expected during next 48 hours.
Central Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected through Saturday evening.

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update

Thursday, August 25, 2011:
National Preparedness Level: 2
Initial attack activity: Moderate (228 new fires)
New Large Fires: 8
Large Fires Contained:13
Uncontained Large Fires: 14
Type 1 IMT Committed: 0
Type 2 IMT Committed: 7
States affected: ID, WY, UT, VA, SD, TX, OK, AR, OR, NV, CA, MT, NM, FL, and CO.

Disaster Declaration Activity

North CarolinaÂ*
On August 25, the President signed Emergency Declaration FEMA-3327-EM-NC for Hurricane Irene. The declaration authorizes FEMA to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), including Direct Federal Assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent Federal funding for the counties of Carteret, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Halifax, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Nash, Northampton, Onslow, Pamlico, Perquimans, Pitt, Tyrell, and Wilson.
New York
The Governor of New York requested an Emergency Declaration as a result of Hurricane Irene for the period of August 25, 2011, and continuing. The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance categories A and B, including Direct Federal Assistance and Individual Assistance for Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties.
Alabama
Amendment No. 18 to Notice of Major Disaster Declaration (FEMA-1971-DR-AL), dated April 28, 2011, was approved, appointing Joe M. Girot as the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO).
Nebraska
Amendment No. 1 to Notice of Major Disaster Declaration (FEMA-4014-DR-NE), dated August 12, 2011, was approved adding Dundy and Logan Counties for Public Assistance.

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