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National Situation Update: Friday, June 12, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Northeast 
Precipitation is forecast for much of the Region today with some locations expected to receive 1 to 2 inches of rain. The Mid-Atlantic will experience strong thunderstorms. Scattered showers will continue across New England and the eastern and southern Mid-Atlantic through the weekend.
South 
Severe Thunderstorm Watch in effect for parts of Oklahoma. Red Flag Warnings in effect for parts of south New Mexico and far west Texas.
Midwest
Locally heavy rain is expected from Missouri to the Ohio Valley. The Great Lakes will see a combination of showers, with periods of sunshine.
West
Scattered showers and thunderstorms will occur from Washington, Oregon and northern California to Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. (National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Severe Storms in Dallas / Forth Worth, Texas

A strong storm system impacted the Dallas/Forth Worth area on June 10 producing heavy rain, hail, and strong winds with gusts up to 80 mph. Flash-flooding was reported in low lying areas with accumulations up to 8 inches of rain in some areas. No fatalities or injuries were reported. Two shelters were opened with no occupants. 245,000 customers were without power. Continued rain, flooding and lightning have slowed power restoration efforts. (Region VI Incident Report)

(U) World Health Organization (WHO) Raises Pandemic Alert Level to Phase 6

On June 11, 2009, the WHO announced they have raised the Pandemic Alert Level from Phase 5 to Phase 6 (highest alert level). The WHO pandemic alert phases are based on the geographical spread of a pandemic virus, and it is intended as a global call to increase alertness/readiness. It does not serve to predict the severity of the virus.

Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries, in one WHO region. Phase 6 is characterized by community level outbreaks in at least one other country in a different WHO region.

The increase in the alert level will trigger drug-makers to speed up production of a H1N1 flu vaccine, and will also prompt governments to devote more money toward efforts to contain the virus. The U.S. Government has already begun increasing the availability of flu-fighting medicines and has authorized additional funding for vaccine development.(WHO)

NOAA: U.S. Temperatures and Precipitation above Average for May

According to an analysis by NOAA's National Climatic Data Center, the May 2009 average temperature of 62.5 F for the contiguous United States was 1.4 degrees F above the 20th Century average. California, New Mexico, and Utah, respectively, had their fourth, sixth, and ninth warmest May, while Nevada and Arizona registered their fifth warmest May on record.  Only North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Arkansas experienced cooler than normal average temperatures.  

Precipitation across the contiguous United States was also above normal for May, with an average of 3.22 inches (0.35 inch above the 1901-2000 average). Florida (9.86 inches) and Arkansas (10.91 inches) experienced their all-time wettest May. Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Nevada had much above normal precipitation amounts. (NOAA)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.
Eastern Pacific:
The area of disturbed weather located about 850 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California has changed little in organization over the past several hours. The system is moving north-northwestward near 10 mph into an environment less conducive for development. There is a medium chance (30 - 50%) of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. Elsewhere, tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.
Western Pacific:
No cyclone activity affecting U.S. interests.(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 Thursday, June 11, 2009:
Initial attack activity:  Light (93 new fires)
New large fires:  1
Large fires contained:  0
Uncontained large fires:  6
States affected:  AK, AZ, NM & TX (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center, NGB)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On June 11, 2009, the President signed a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Alaska (FEMA-1843-DR) as a result of flooding and ice jams occurring April 28, 2009 and continuing. The Declaration provides Individual Assistance to the Alaska Gateway Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA), the Kuspuk REAA, the Yukon Flats REAA, and the Yukon-Koyukuk REAA; Public Assistance to the Alaska Gateway REAA, the Kuspuk REAA, the Lower Kuskokwin REAA, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the Yukon Flats REAA, and the Yupiit REAA, and Hazard Mitigation statewide. The FCO is Douglas G. Mayne of the National FCO Program.

The Governor of Kansas requested a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Kansas as a result of severe storms accompanied by large hail, lightning, high winds, tornadoes, and torrential rains during the period of April 25 to May 16, 2009. The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance for 28 counties, and Hazard Mitigation statewide. (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Friday, 12-Jun-2009 08:57:16 EDT