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National Situation Update: Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
A potent weather system sweeping into the Pacific Northwest will bring significant rain and windy conditions over areas west of the Cascades and in far eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and extreme northwest Montana. Snow levels in the Washington Cascades may drop down to 6500 feet by the morning of August 21, 2008.(NWS)

Heavy Rain and Flooding in Texas and Oklahoma

Widespread flooding was reported August 18 in southern Texas with the heaviest rains in Roma and Rio Grande City. The flooding receded August 19 allowing the reopening of main highways after as much as 13 inches of rain. Evacuation of flooded residences took place in Wichita and Starr Counties and a shelter was established in Rio Grande City. The heavy rain in the Rio Grande Valley fell on ground still saturated from Hurricane Dolly in late July.

The rain continued from Texas to Oklahoma and flash flooding occurred in Yukon and El Reno, 30 miles west of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma causing evacuations and water rescues. The flood threat is expected to end today.  (FEMA Region VI, Media Sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

Nothing significant to report.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean:
Tropical Storm Fay
At 5:00 a.m. EDT the center of Tropical Storm Fay was located very near Melbourne, Florida and 15 miles south of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
TS Fay is moving toward the north near 5 mph. and this motion is expected to continue today.
A gradual turn toward the northwest is forecast during the next 12-24 hours and Fay is likely to remain near or over the northeast and east-central Florida coast through August 21, 2008.
Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts. Some gradual restrengthening is possible during the next 24 hours as Fay moves back inland over northeastern Florida on Thursday.
Tropical Storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center.  Estimated minimum central pressure is 993 mb (29.32 inches).
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the Florida east coast north of Flagler Beach to Altamaha Sound, Georgia. 

Invest 94
An area of low pressure located 1000 miles west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands has changed little in organization and remains marginally favorable for development over the next 48 hours as it moves slowly westward.

Eastern Pacific:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Western Pacific:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours. (NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

On Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 5:33 pm EDT, an earthquake measuring 4.7 struck about 94 miles west of Adak, AK at a depth of 63.9 miles. No injuries were reported and a tsunami was not generated.   (USGS, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Fire Activity as of  Tuesday, August 19, 2008:
National Wildfire Preparedness Level: 4
Initial attack activity: Moderate (223 new fires)
New large fires: 12
Uncontained large fires: 30
Large fires contained: 1
States with Large fires: CA, ID,  MT, NM, NV, OR, WA and WY
Thunderstorms over eastern portions of the Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah.  Gusty winds are expected from the Cascades and northern Sierras to Montana and Wyoming.  Dry weather will cont9nue over southern California.(NIFC, CAL Fire)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)