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National Situation Update: Friday, September 8, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Commercial Aviation ORANGE


National Weather Forecast

West: The Rockies, from Idaho to New Mexico, will see scattered thunderstorms and this general pattern will continue through the coming weekend

Midwest: A cold front associated with a low over the Great Lakes will bring rain from the Great Lakes to the Dakotas.

South: Under a ridge of high pressure most of South from the Gulf Coast to the Tennessee Valley will be dry today. A stationary front extending from a low in the Atlantic across central Florida will produce showers and thunderstorms from the Carolinas through the Florida peninsula. Thunderstorms over the Florida panhandle may be severe.

Northeast: Today will be mainly dry across the region but the frontal system moving in from the Great Lakes will produce showers and thunderstorms on Saturday. (NWS, Media Sources)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean Sea:
At 5:00 am EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Florence was located about 445 miles northeast of the northern Leeward Islands, 830 miles southeast of Bermuda. Florence is moving toward the west-northwest near 16 mph, and this motion is expected to continue during the next 24 hours. Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph, with higher gusts. Although Florence has not strengthened conditions appear favorable for intensification during the next day or two. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 405 miles, mainly north of the center. Based on the present warning Bermuda will likely issue watches or warnings within the next 24 hours.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a number of tropical waves but none are currently favorable for development.

Central and Eastern Pacific
Tropical Depression Kristy is about 1,850 miles east-southeast of Honolulu HI. Kristy is presently moving toward the west-southwest at 11 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 34 mph with gusts to 40 mph. Kristy expected to dissipate within 72 hours.

Western Pacific
Formation of a significant tropical cyclone is possible in an area approximately 400 miles northeast of Wake Island. The area is moving northward at 16 mph. Maximum sustained surface winds are estimated at 23 to 28 mph. The potential for the development within the next 24 hours remains good.(USDOC/NOAA/NWS, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center).

Earthquake Activity

The most significant earthquake during the last 24 hours was a minor (magnitude 3.3) earthquake in Tennessee 84 miles north-northeast of Memphis at 9:51am EDT.  There were no reports of damage or injuries. (United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

NORTH CAROLINA: Individual Assistance and Public Assistance PDAs for 12 counties began September 6, 2006, and are scheduled to be completed today.

ALASKA: Individual Assistance and Public Assistance PDAs for the Mat-Su Borough and the City of Cordova are scheduled to begin on September 11.

ILLINOIS: Individual Assistance and Public Assistance PDAs for the City of Rockford in Winnebago County are scheduled to begin on September 8.

MARYLAND: Public Assistance PDA for two counties is scheduled to begin on September 8. (FEMA HQ) 

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level – 5

Current Situation: Large wildland fires are classified as 100 acres or larger in timber fuel types, 300 acres or larger in grass fuel types, or when a type 1 or 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) is assigned.

National Fire Activity

  • Initial attack activity: Moderate (139 new fires)
  • New large fires: 14
  • Large fires contained: 4
  • Uncontained large fires: 61
  • Area Command Teams: 1
  • Type 1 IMTs: 10
  • Type 2 IMTs: 24
  • Fire Use Teams: 6
  • ** Uncontained large fires do not include Wildland Fire Use or limited suppression incidents. **
  • Two Modular Airborne Firefighting System ( MAFFS) C-130 aircraft deployed to Klamath Falls, OR .
  • Two MAFFS C-130 aircraft deployed to Boise, ID.
  • Australia and New Zealand assisting with 92 fire specialist and managers.
  • Canada assisting with four 20-person crews, and 20 fire specialist and managers.

2006 Season: 8,477,824 acres burned to date (Ten year average year to date: 4,872,954)

Structure Loss 2005 Season: Primary 258, Commercial 16, Outbuildings 517

Structure Loss 2006 Season year to date: Primary 654, Commercial 56, Outbuildings 1353

Critical resource needs:

  • Mid-level fireline and aviation management personnel
  • Type 1 Hotshot Crews
  • Type 2 Initial Attack Crews( National Interagency Fire Center )

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA-1660-DR-AZ was declared on September 7, 2006 for Severe Storms and Flooding during the period July 25 to August 4, 2006. There is no Individual Assistance authorized. The declaration provides for Public Assistance to Pima and Pinal Counties the Gila River Indian Community within Pinal County, and the Tohono O'Odham Nation within Pima and Pinal Counties. All counties in the State of Arizona are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Additional designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation.(FEMA HQ) 

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:18:57 EDT