• Emergency Managers and Personnel
• Situation Reports
• National Incident Management System
• Grants & Assistance Programs
• Training
• Contacts
• Planning
• Best Practices

National Situation Update: Saturday, September 30, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Summary

Midwest

Showers and thunderstorms are expected for large sections of the Midwest from the Great Lakes to the Ohio Valley on Saturday. Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky are most likely to be affected by severe weather.

South

The region will see sunny and warm temperatures on Saturday. Texas and the southern Plains area will see very hot temperatures.

West

A cold front is expected to move into the Northwest during the weekend.

Northeast
Cool and mainly dry weather is forecasted Saturday for most of the region. Frost is expected in northern New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the New England states. Highs in the region during the weekend will range from the 50s to the 70s. (NWS, Media Sources)

Fourpeaked Volcano Activity in Alaska

Current Level of Concern Color Code: YELLOW.  Volcanic unrest continues at Fourpeaked volcano. Scientists from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County indicate that sulfur dioxide emission is continuing. Early in the week, vents from the volcano were emitting steam and other volcanic gasses. Thermal measurements of up to 167 degrees (Fahrenheit) were recorded at the vents, although steam was likely obscuring hotter areas. Airborne gas measurements documented high emission rates of sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon dioxide, and a distinct sulfur smell was evident up to 30 miles from Fourpeaked's summit. Deep scouring of a glacier flowing west from the summit indicated flooding, probably from the September 17th event. Observations strongly suggest the presence of new magma at shallow levels beneath the volcano. It remains possible that a significant eruption could occur in the coming days or weeks. (Alaska Volcano Observatory)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean Sea:

At 5:00 am EDT the center of Tropical Storm Isaac was located near latitude 30.3 north longitude 58.0 west or about 425 miles east-southeast of Bermuda. Isaac is moving toward the west-northwest near 7 mph.   A turn toward the northwest and an increase in forward speed are expected during the next 24 hours.  Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph with higher gusts.  Some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours even though Isaac may become a hurricane today it does not pose a threat to U.S. interests.

Central and Eastern Pacific:

Tropical Storm formation is not expected through Saturday.

Western Pacific:

Tropical Storm formation is not expected through Saturday. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

Earthquake Activity

No new activity to report.  http://earthquake.usgs.gov/index.php

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity to report.

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level 3
National Fire Activity
Initial attack activity: Light (30 new fires)
New large fires: 0
Large fires contained: 0
Uncontained large fires: 10
Area Command Teams: 1
Type 1 IMTs committed: 4
Type 2 IMTs committed: 3

Wildfire Statistics

• 10-year average (1996-2006):64,076 fires 6,862,561 acres burned
• 2006 season to-date:83,752 fires 9,074,358 acres burned

Day Fire (Los Padres National Forest): 160,570 acres at 63 percent contained. This fire is 22 miles northwest of Santa Clarita, California. Structures, power and gas lines, and communication and archeological sites are threatened.  Evacuations and road closures are in effect. Firefighters expect to have it fully contained by Monday.  http://www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/nfn.html

Disaster Declaration Activity

The Governor of Missouri is requesting a major disaster declaration as a result of high winds, hail, tornadoes, and flooding beginning September 22, 2006. The request is for Individual Assistance for 12 counties and Hazard Mitigation Statewide.

Amendment # 1 FEMA-1660-DR-Arizona. Four counties and three Tribal areas have been added for Public Assistance.

Amendment to Notices of Emergency Declarations for Katrina evacuations. The incident period for 44 states and the District of Columbia will close effective October 1, 2006.  (FEMA HQ)