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National Situation Update: Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

South
A strong cold front pushing across the southern Plains overnight has produced heavy rain, strong winds and hail in northern Texas.  This system will continue toward the northeast today, resulting in the possibility of thunderstorms across Louisiana and Arkansas. 
Across the remainder of the southeast, numerous thunderstorms with locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds are expected today.  Rapid rainfall accumulations could reach over an inch and result in localized flooding in some areas. 
An area of low pressure off the Georgia/Florida Coast will continue to be monitored for possible development, but is expected to stay offshore and should have minimal impacts on the Southeast Coast over the next couple of days. 
Flood Warnings continue for the St. Mary's river at MacClenny, affecting Baker, Nassau, Camden and Charlton counties in Florida and Georgia.  Moderate flooding is occurring, but is forecast to decrease to minor flooding later today.  Moderate Flooding continues along the Mississippi River from Arkansas City to the Red River Landing.
Midwest
Scattered thunderstorms are likely today over much of the region.  Major to Moderate Flooding continues at river gauges along the James River in South Dakota, though levels are slowly falling.
Major Flooding continues along the Illinois River from Havana to Valley City, though levels are continuing to fall.
Northeast
Showers and thunderstorms that developed in the Maryland/northern Virginia area on Monday have become more numerous overnight and will slowly move northward today. Rain will continue moving northward today into New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.(National Weather Service, various media sources)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic:
No activity.
Eastern Pacific:
No 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 Tuesday, May 26, 2009:
Initial attack activity:  Light (121 new fires)
New large fires:  2
Large fires contained:  1
Uncontained large fires:  0
Fire Weather: Cooler weather is expected near the Great Lakes with low relative humidity over Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected over the Southwest and Florida. Mild onshore flow persists over southern California with a few thunderstorms over the southern states. (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center, NGB)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On May 26, 2009 the Governor of Florida requested a major disaster declaration as a result of severe storms, flooding, flash flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes beginning on May 17, 2009, and continuing. Specifically requested is Individual Assistance for Volusia County.

On May 26, 2009 the Governor of Alaska requested a major declaration as a result of widespread flooding due to snow melt and destructive river ice jams beginning on April 28, 2009, and continuing. Specifically requested is Individual Assistance and Public Assistance for 13 jurisdictions and Hazard Mitigation statewide. (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:24:52 EDT