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National Situation Update: Thursday, August 7, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

South
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast for most of the region; storms over the Southeast could reach severe levels.
Northeast
Some rain and thunderstorms are expected over the northeast. Temperatures will be near to somewhat below average for early August with highs ranging from the mid-60s in northern Maine to the 80s from New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania southward.
Midwest
Kansas, Michigan and Ohio may experience some rain and possible thunderstorms, with a greater concentration expected across southern Missouri. Flood Warnings continue for parts of Missouri and Nebraska.
West
Wet weather will be concentrated in Colorado, especially from the Rockies eastward; California, Nevada and eastern Montana are unlikely to see any storms or lightning. Isolated afternoon and evening storms and dry lightning are expected over the Northwest and western Montana. High temperatures will cover a broad spectrum, from the upper 50s along the northern California coast to over 100 degrees in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. Some locations in Washington's Columbia Basin will top 100 degrees. (National Weather Service, Media Sources)

Vermont Flooding

Flooding has occurred in several Vermont communities as a result of recent heavy rainfall. Local rescue and fire departments were on the scene in the following affected areas: Hancock, Middlebury, Ripton, St. Johnsbury, Rochester, Danville, Leicester, Athens, Rockingham, and Goshen. There are several road closures, minimal power outages, and an unconfirmed report of no residential damage. The town of Hancock has limited evacuations due to water over the road on VT Route 100 and 125. Lower Plains Road in Middlebury has been evacuated because of a compromised bridge. Emerson Falls Road in St. Johnsbury is being evacuated because of flooding. Approximately 65 special needs children and 30 counselors were evacuated from the Silver Towers Camp in Ripton due to the washed out access road a couple of miles from the camp. The road was back-filled to allow vehicular access for the evacuation and the evacuees were transported to the Middlebury municipal building. The camp itself was not in danger of flooding.

State and Local Actions:
There has been no request for Federal assistance at this time; however, the State of Vermont will review the situation this morning. The Vermont EOC will re-open at 7:30 a.m. today, Thursday, activated at Level II.

FEMA Actions:  
FCO Phil Parr will tour some of the impacted areas Thursday morning with the Governor of Vermont. The FEMA Region I Regional Administrator will fly to Vermont Thursday morning in a USCG helicopter to conduct an aerial assessment with the Governor of Vermont. Region I RRCC will be activated today at Level III and staffed with planning, operations and logistics personnel.  The JFO in Williston, VT is providing IA and PA technical assistance and external affairs support.  The Maynard MERS detachment will deploy an IRV team to provide video teleconferencing and reporting capabilities between on-site personnel and the RRCC. (VT Emergency Management, VT State Police, FEMA Region I)

Louisiana Oil Spill Update

In New Orleans, the recovery and clean-up operations continue for the oil spill incident that occurred July 23. Salvage crews completed pumping oil Wednesday from the barge in the Mississippi River and salvage operations began a new phase as workers prepare to cut the wreckage into manageable pieces. Once cutting operations are complete, salvors can prepare additional gear for lifting the sections from the water. It is likely that more oil, which could not be removed by pumping, remains in the barge and may leak during salvage operations.  To date, 165,000 gallons have been recovered. Precautionary measures are pre-positioned for any potential leaks from the barge and U.S.C.G. can respond rapidly to contain and remove the oil from the river. Additionally, the safety zone in the area affected by the oil spill was modified Tuesday, to accommodate its safety measures for the salvage operation from MM 97 to MM 20, above Head of Passes. Progress continues as all air monitoring tests have yielded safe results and all water samples have tested negative for hydrocarbons or oil contamination. All water intakes are open. The Algiers Ferry (MM 88.6) will remain closed until the oil discharge threat is eliminated and the damaged barge is salvaged. All other ferries are operational. (USCG and Media)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

Nothing significant to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean:
At 11:00 p.m. EDT August 6, remnants of Tropical Depression Edouard continued to weaken as it moved across central Texas. Surface observations across central Texas indicated that Edouard no longer has a closed wind circulation and therefore is no longer considered a Tropical Depression. The Remnant Low associated with Edouard was located about 80 miles west-southwest of Wichita Falls, Texas. The disturbance is moving northwest at approximately 13 mph. This general motion is expected over the next 12 hours. Maximum sustained winds are near 15 mph, with higher gusts. The Hydrometeorological Prediction Center has issued its last Public Advisory for the remnants of Edouard.
Eastern Pacific:
At 5:00 a.m. EDT August 7, the center of Tropical Storm Hernan was located about 640 miles south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja, California and moving west-northwest near 14 mph. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 50 mph, with higher gusts; additional strengthening is forecast and Hernan could become a hurricane within the next 48 hours. Tropical Storm force winds extend outward up to 45 miles. 
Central Pacific:
At 11:00 p.m. HST August 6, Tropical Storm Kika has formed in the central Pacific. The center of Kika is located about 805 miles southeast of Hilo, Hawaii and moving toward the west near 14 mph. The tropical storm is expected to continue on this course during the next 48 hours. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph, with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours. Tropical Storm force winds extend outward up to 35 miles.
Western Pacific:
No tropical cyclone activity threatens U.S. territories.(NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

A 5.3 magnitude earthquake occurred at 3:27 a.m. EDT this morning approximately 40 miles WSW of Unalaska, AK. No damage or injuries have been reported. (USGS)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Fire Activity as of Wednesday, August 6, 2008:
National Wildfire Preparedness Level: 4
Initial attack activity: Light (182 new fires)
New large fires: 5
Uncontained large fires: 36
Large fires contained: 5
States with Large fires: AR, CA, CO, ID, MT, NC, NM, TX, UT, WA and WY
Weather Discussion: Scattered thunderstorms, some with dry lightning, are expected today over portions of northern California, the Pacific Northwest, the northern Great Basin, and western Wyoming. Wetter thunderstorms are forecast for southern California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado. Hot weather will continue over the West with dry weather persisting over northern Texas and Oklahoma. (National Interagency Fire Center, and National Incident Information Center)

Wildfire - Craig Fire, Butte County, CA: 2,500 acres burned; 50% contained. Four injuries reported. 1 residence and 1 outbuilding destroyed; 75 residences threatened. Full containment expected on August 10. There were immediate threat evacuations under way for roads north of Lumpkin Road. Precautionary Evacuations were in place for roads south of Lumpkin Road. The ARC opened a shelter at the Church of the Nazarene, Oroville, CA, and the shelter is currently in stand-by mode. The CA State EOC is not activated. There are concerns that thunderstorm activity today may affect the fire.(CAL Fire)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Missouri - On August 6, 2008, Governor Blunt requested, as a result of severe storms that occurred on July 19 and continuing, either a major disaster declaration or a re-opening of the June 1-July 18 incident period of FEMA-1773-DR (declared on June 25, 2008) for severe storms and flooding. The Governor is requesting Individual Assistance for 10 counties, Public Assistance for 22 counties, direct Federal assistance statewide, and Hazard Mitigation for the entire State. 
New Mexico - On August 4, 2008, Governor Richardson requested an amendment for a major disaster declaration request as a result of severe weather from the remnants of Hurricane Dolly beginning on July 26, 2008, and continuing. The Governor is requesting Individual Assistance for Lincoln County, Public Assistance for Lincoln and Otero Counties, and Hazard Mitigation for Lincoln County.  Direct Federal assistance is also requested.
FEMA-1763-DR-Iowa, Amendment # 15.  Effective August 6, 2008, the disaster declaration is amended to include Appanoose, Monroe, and Ringgold counties for IA (already designated for PA); Clarke County for IA and PA; and Wayne County for PA for severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.
FEMA-1766-DR-Indiana, Amendment #16.  Effective July 31, 2008, the disaster declaration is amended to appoint Stephen M. DeBlasio, Sr. as the Federal Coordination Officer (FCO) replacing Michael H. Smith as FCO.
FEMA-1766-DR-Indiana, Amendment # 17.  Effective August 6, 2008, the disaster declaration is amended to add Wabash County for PA.(FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:34:13 EDT