Skip to content

National Situation Update: Thursday, May 21, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

South
Showers and thunderstorms will be possible today from the lower-Mississippi Valley to Georgia and southern South Carolina.  Rain and thunderstorms are likely to continue today over much of Florida, as a low pressure system continues to produce significant precipitation.   Accumulations associated with this system are likely to exceed 10 inches across much of northeast Florida.  Flood Warnings remain in effect for rivers in the mid and lower Mississippi Valley.  A Wind Advisory is in effect until 7:00 p.m. EDT for central and parts of north Georgia due to northeast winds of 15 to 25 mph with higher gusts.  A ridge of high pressure over the Tennessee Valley into the mid Atlantic states, and low pressure over the eastern Gulf of Mexico, will continue to create a tight wind gradient across Georgia.
West
Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible over higher terrain this afternoon from the Sierra Nevada to the Four Corners' States.  Storms could produce gusty winds and blowing dust in the deserts.  A Freeze Warning is in effect until 9:00 a.m. PDT today for the valleys of northeast Washington and the northern Idaho Panhandle where overnight temperatures are expected to drop below freezing with areas of frost by dawn.
Midwest
Though no significant weather is forecast for the region, Flood Warnings continue for rivers in Illinois, Missouri, and Indiana.
Northeast
A Red Flag Warning has been issued for most of Massachusetts with the exception of the Berkshires, Cape Cod, the islands and south coastal sections. The warning also includes Providence County of Rhode Island and the Connecticut counties of Hartford, Tolland and Windham for temperatures approaching 90, west to southwest wind gusts of 25 to 30 mph combined with relative humidity dropping to around 20 percent and dry conditions will promote the rapid spread of any wildfires this afternoon. (National Weather Service, various media sources)

H1N1 Influenza Outbreak Update

H1N1 Flu Outbreak - USA
The H1N1 Influenza Outbreak continues to grow in the United States. As of 11:00 am EDT on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 5,710 confirmed and probable cases in 47 states and the District of Columbia. The CDC reports 8 confirmed fatalities in the United States.

H1N1 Influenza Outbreak - International
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2:00 am EDT on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, there were 10,243 confirmed cases in 41 countries, including the United States. Mexico has 3,648 confirmed cases and 72 fatalities.

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Eastern Pacific:
No significant activity.
Western Pacific:
No activity affecting US territories. (NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level:  1
National Fire Activity as of Wednesday, May 20, 2009:
Initial attack activity:  Light (128 new fires)
New large fires:  0
Large fires contained:  1
Uncontained large fires:  4
Fire Weather: Southern California will be warm and dry with diminishing winds. The southwestern states will be very warm with low humidity except for scattered thunderstorms over eastern New Mexico and west Texas. Alaska's Kenai Peninsula will be partly cloudy with light winds.  (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center, NGB)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On May 20, 2009, the Governor of Missouri requested a major disaster declaration for a severe storm system that generated high winds, hail, tornadoes, heavy rain, flooding, and flash flooding during the period of May 8-16, 2009.  Specifically requested is Individual Assistance for 38 counties, and Hazard Mitigation statewide (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:28:25 EDT