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National Situation Update: Monday, October 13, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

West:
Upper level low pressure over the west and surface high pressure over the Great Basin will combine to bring periods of moderate to strong Santa Ana winds across southern California through Tuesday.  Freeze Warnings are in effect for several areas across Colorado and California.  Numerous Red Flag and High Wind Warnings are in effect across California.
Midwest:
A front moving through the region may bring rain and thunderstorms from Minnesota and western Wisconsin to Kansas.  Some areas may receive heavy rain.  Flood Warnings and Watches are in effect for rivers in Minnesota and North Dakota.  Numerous Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for areas in western North Dakota.  Freeze Warnings are in effect for several areas across Kansas and Nebraska.
South:
Most of the region can expect dry sunny weather with the exception of scattered activity over parts of South Florida.  Deep tropical moisture from the remnants of Hurricane Norbert continues to move northeast and will increase the threat of heavy rainfall across West Texas and western Oklahoma.
Flood and Flash Flood Warnings are in effect for rivers in Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Northeast:
The region will be generally dry except for a few showers over parts of northern New England. (NOAA; National Weather Service; Various Media Sources)

Marek Fire

• At 4:58 a.m. EDT on October 12, 2008, a fire was reported in the Angeles National Forest at Little Tujunga Canyon Road and Upper Marek Motorway - Sylmar, Los Angeles County.
• As of 11:00 p.m. EDT on October 12, 2008, the fire is 25% contained and has burned 2,212 acres. 
• 1 injury; no fatalities reported
• 2 residences and 5 outbuildings have been destroyed; 450 residences and 200 outbuildings are threatened.
• Mandatory Evacuations are in place for Kagel, Little Tujunga and Lopez Canyons.
• There are approximately 640 evacuees at this time.
• The American Red Cross (ARC) set up an evacuation shelter at San Fernando High School with the capacity to house 200 evacuees.
• Federal firefighters were involved in the initial response and FMAG 2788 was approved at 2:20 p.m. EDT on October 12. 
• Additional Federal involvement is not anticipated at this time.

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

FEMA-2788-FM-CA was approved for the Marek Fire in Los Angeles County, CA.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean:
Tropical Storm Nana
At 5:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Nana was about 1,015 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands.  Nana is moving toward the west-northwest near 7 mph and this motion is expected to continue for the next day or two.  Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph, with higher gusts.  Upper-level winds are not conducive for intensification and Nana is expected to weaken to a tropical depression later today.

98L
The area of low pressure centered a couple hundred miles southwest of Puerto Rico has changed little in organization over the past several hours.  Upper-level southwesterly winds, which have been hindering development, are forecast to temporarily diminish within the next 12 to 24 hours and this system has the potential to become a tropical depression today or tonight as it moves slowly west-northwestward.

Eastern Pacific:
Remnant Low of Hurricane Marie
The remnant low of Hurricane Marie, located about 1150 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja, California, continues to generate a few thunderstorms.  No significant redevelopment of this system is expected.

Norbert
The National Hurricane Center has issued the last advisory on Norbert, which has dissipated over the mountains of northern Mexico.

Odile
The National Hurricane Center has issued the last advisory on Odile, which has degenerated into a remnant low a short distance south of Manzanillo, Mexico.

Western Pacific:
No current tropical cyclone warnings. (NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

Numerous minor earthquakes continue NE of Puerto Rico following the Mw 6.1 earthquake Saturday morning.  (FEMA HQ, USGS, National Weather Service West Coast /Alaska Tsunami Warning Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Fire Activity as of Sunday, October 12, 2008:
National Wildfire Preparedness Level: 1
Initial attack activity: Light (37 new fires)
New large fires: 1
Uncontained large fires: 2
Large fires contained: 0
States with large fires: CA, OR, UT
Fire Weather: Weather conditions around the Great Basin and northern California will include cooler temperatures and gusty winds. Southern California coasts will have moisture.

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)