National Situation Update: Thursday, May 28, 2009
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
National Weather Forecast
South
A cold front will begin moving slowly across the south tonight, producing showers and thunderstorms along the leading edge. Severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening across eastern Tennessee, northeast Alabama and northwest Georgia, and could bring strong wind gusts and some hail.
Drier air will move in behind the cold front and result in partly cloudy to sunny weather from the Mississippi River west to central Texas.
Some lingering moisture could spark a few isolated thunderstorms Thursday afternoon across central and western Texas.
Moderate Flooding continues along the Mississippi River from Arkansas City to the Red River Landing.
Midwest
An area of rain and thunderstorms will linger over Missouri, southern Illinois and western Kentucky this morning, as a cold front pushes into the area.
The next cold front is expected to impact northern portions of the region on Friday, producing a possibility of showers and thunderstorms.
Major to Moderate Flooding continues at river gauges along the James River in South Dakota, though levels are slowly falling.
Major to Moderate Flooding continues along the Illinois River from Henry to Valley City, though levels at all gauges are continuing to fall.
Northeast
A low pressure system moving toward the east coast from the Midwest will result in moderate to heavy rainfall across New York and New England today, with one to three inches of rain possible. Some areas could receive over three inches of rain and prompt flood watches in the area.
Rainfall across the Mid-Atlantic could also be locally heavy, especially from southern New York south to Virginia. Scattered thunderstorms are also possible.
West
Most of the West will be dry and very warm today and Friday as high pressure dominates the region.(National Weather Service, various media sources)
H1N1 Influenza Outbreak Update – May 27, 2009
H1N1 Flu Outbreak - USA
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will now publish updated information Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week, except holidays. The H1N1 Influenza Outbreak continues to grow in the United States. As of 11:00 am EDT on Wednesday, May 27, 2009, the CDC reported 7,927 confirmed and probable cases in 48 states including the District of Columbia. The CDC reports 11 confirmed fatalities in the United States.
The Wyoming Department of Health is reporting the first confirmed infection of a Wyoming resident with the HINI flu virus. Only the States of Alaska and West Virginia continue to report no confirmed cases of the virus.
H1N1 Influenza Outbreak - International
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2:00 am EDT on Wednesday, May 27, 2009, there were 13,398 confirmed cases in 48 countries including 95 fatalities. Mexico has 4,541 confirmed cases and 83 fatalities.
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
No activity. (FEMA HQ)
Tropical Weather Outlook
Atlantic:
Shower activity associated with an area of low pressure centered about 90 miles east-southeast of Cape Hatteras North Carolina is decreasing. The low is expected to move generally northeastward away from the coast at around 15 mph over the next day or so. Conditions are not favorable for significant development and the opportunity for the system to become a tropical cyclone before reaching cooler ocean waters continues to diminish. There is a low chance (<30%) of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
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
The USGS reported that, at 4:24 a.m. EDT, Thursday, May 28, 2009, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake occurred offshore from Honduras, 39 miles NE of Roatan, Islas de la Bahia, Honduras at a depth of 6.2 miles. There have been no preliminary reports of damage or injury.
The West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center has determined that, based on the earthqake location, magnitude, and historic tsunami records, a damaging tsunami is not expected along the Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, U.S. Atlantic, Eastern Canada and Gulf of Mexico Coast. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, and West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Centers)
Preliminary Damage Assessments
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update
National Preparedness Level: 1
National Fire Activity as of Wednesday, May 27, 2009:
Initial attack activity: Light (171 new fires)
New large fires: 3
Large fires contained: 2
Uncontained large fires: 2
Snowshoe Fire at McGrath, AK:
12,000 acres; 10% contained
Fire moving south, away from McGrath (pop. 400)
Some smoke concern for town
No evacuations
No structures lost
No request for federal assistance
Fire Weather:
A large low pressure trough will move across the central U.S. today. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are expected across portions of the intermountain West, Four Corners, Great Basin, and Sierra Nevada. Widespread showers and thunderstorms will cover the East. Scattered thunderstorms, some of them dry, will continue for one more day across the southern interior of Alaska. (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center, NGB)
Disaster Declaration Activity
On May 27, 2009 the President approved Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1840-DR for the State of Florida as a result of severe storms, flooding, flash flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes beginning on May 17, 2009, and continuing. This declaration provides Individual Assistance for Volusia County.
On May 27, 2009 the Governor of South Dakota requested a major disaster declaration as a result of severe storms, ground saturation, and flooding beginning on March 11, 2009, and continuing. The Governor is requesting Public Assistance for 14 counties and portions of the Cheyenne River Reservation and the Standing Rock Reservation. The Governor further requests Hazard Mitigation statewide.
Amendment #1 to FEMA-1838-DR-WV adds McDowell and Raleigh counties for Individual and Public Assistance.
Amendment #1 to FEMA-1836-DR-AL adds Lamar County for Public Assistance.
Amendment #6 to FEMA-1830-DR-MN closes the incident period effected May 22, 2009.
Amendment #1 to FEMA-3304-EM-MN closes the incident period effective May 22, 2009. (FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 16:24:50 EDT