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National Situation Update: Saturday, May 24, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Midwest      
Severe thunderstorms are forecast today for the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa and western Missouri.  This strong weather system, fueled by moisture from the Gulf, and will continue to bring the potential for large hail, tornadoes and damaging wind gusts to the Central U.S through early next week.  The Great Lakes region will experience warm dry weather today, to be followed by the potential for thunderstorms tomorrow as the system affecting the Plains moves east.  The central Plains to the western Great Lakes will experience severe thunderstorms Sunday. 

West
Thunderstorms are expected over the weekend in central and northeast Oregon and south central and southeast Washington.  Much of the West will see showers, thunderstorms and mountain snow today.  The rest of the Region will continue to see showers, thunderstorms and high mountain snow into Sunday.  A Flood Watch continues for a portion of northern Alaska, including the Yukon Delta through Sunday afternoon.  Ice jams upstream of Emmonak, AK have resulted in a considerable amount of water built up upstream of the jams and many low areas are seeing overbank flow.

South
Showers and thunderstorms are forecast today from the Carolinas to Florida.  Isolated thunderstorms will extend westward from the Southeast into the lower Mississippi Valley.  A Red Flag Warning is in effect until 9:00 p.m. EDT for west Texas and Southeast New Mexico for high winds and very low humidity.

Northeast 
A Red Tide is occurring from NH to Cape Cod.  A large Red Tide bloom that has been spreading south from New Hampshire for a week, reached the Cape yesterday.  (NWS, Media Sources)

Tornado Activity

Colorado
One (1) confirmed fatality.  All gas leaks have been repaired.  Approximately 6,000 customers remain without power in Weld County; expect complete power restoration with in five to seven days. 119 National Guard personnel are providing communications, security, and traffic control point support. The State will establish a State operated DRC in Weld County at 2:00 p.m. EDT, May 24.  Joint FEMA/State PDAs began May 23.  The CO EOC will be operating from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EDT through the weekend.  (FEMA Region VIII, National Weather Service, and Weld County OEM)

Kansas 
No fatalities have been reported.  One (1) injury reported in Gove County.  Multiple counties in Kansas are currently under severe thunderstorm and tornado watches and warning.  Unconfirmed tornado touchdowns reported in 12 counties in central and south central KS.  Twelve rural homes destroyed/major damage in Gove County Gove County declared a local disaster.  Gove County activated their EOC.  Ellis County activated their EOC.  Partial activation of the State EOC.  No request for Federal Assistance. (FEMA Region VII)

Wyoming
No fatalities have been reported.  Approximately 3,000 customers remain without power in the Laramie area.  Region VIII State Support Team arrived at State EOC in WY on May 23.  No request for Federal Assistance.  (FEMA Region VIII)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No request has been made.  (FEMA HQ)   

Joint PDA Requests

Colorado
An over flight of the incident sight in Larimer County revealed new damaged areas.  Joint FEMA/State PDAs of the areas will be conducted on May 24. (FEMA Region VIII)

Delaware
Public Assistance PDAs are scheduled to begin in Kent County on May 29, 2008. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean: No significant Activity to report.
Eastern Pacific: No significant Activity to report.
Western Pacific: No activity affecting U.S. Territories. (NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No significant activity to report. (USGS, PTWC)

Wildfire Update

Florida
Tracy Fire Ocala National Forest- Lake County Fire
1,081 acres at 50 percent contained.  The fire is burning three miles northeast of Paisley FL.   (FEMA Region IV & NIFC)

Mustang Wildfire
39,465 acres at 80 percent contained.  The fire is located 10 miles northwest of Homestead, FL (InciWeb)

California
Summit Fire; Santa Cruz County
3,100 acres at 25 percent contained.  The fire is seven miles south of Los Gatos, CA.  The communities of Croy, Uvas, Summit, and Coralitos are threatened.  A Wildfire burning mountain range dry timber and brush has destroyed at least 12 homes and forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents.  (US Forest Service, CA OES and CA Dept of Forestry and Fire Protection)

Disaster Declaration Activity

FEMA-1760-DR
Major Disaster Declaration for Missouri was signed May 23 for severe storms and tornadoes that occurred May 10-11, 2008.  Individual Assistance approved for three counties (Barry, Jasper, and Newton Counties).  Zero counties for Public Assistance.  All counties in the State of Missouri 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-1761-DR
Major Disaster Declaration for Georgia was signed May 23 for severe storms and flooding that occurred May 11-12, 2008.  Individual Assistance approved for 10 counties.  Public Assistance approved for 13 counties.  All counties in the State of Georgia 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-1758-DR
Amendment # 1 to major disaster declaration for the State of Arkansas (FEMA-1758-DR), dated May 20, 2008, adds Phillips County for Individual Assistance and Arkansas County for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance. 

FEMA-1756-DR
Amendment # 2 to major disaster declaration for the State of Oklahoma (FEMA-1756-DR), dated May 14, 2008, adds Craig, Latimer, and Pittsburg Counties for Individual Assistance. (FEMA HQ)

FEMA-1755-DR
Amendment # 4 to FEMA-1755-DR for the State of Maine, dated May 9, 2008, adds one county, Penobscot County, for Public Assistance. (already designated for Individual Assistance) (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:36:00 EDT