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National Situation Update: Saturday, June 20, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Midwest
A cold front along the Ohio River, west to eastern Colorado could cause scattered strong thunderstorms this afternoon over Kansas and eastern Colorado. Tonight and Sunday, thunderstorms could possibly move northeastward through Nebraska, the Dakotas, Iowa and Minnesota.

Northeast
Rain and Flood Watches are in effect over New England with rain showers possible in western and central New York and Pennsylvania. As low pressure develops off the Eastern Seaboard, another one to three inches of rain are possible across the Northeast by Sunday.

South
Temperatures over the weekend should be mostly in the 90s with a few lower 100s possible in central sections of South Carolina and Georgia and across northern Florida. High humidity levels combined with the heat could produce heat indices of 100 to 110 degrees across the region. A few isolated thunderstorms are possible in the Southeast.

West
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected on Saturday in the Northern Rockies. A few of the stronger storms could produce strong winds and hail. The Southwest will experience high temperatures in the 100s over the deserts and in the 70s and 80s over the mountains. (National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Tropical Weather

Atlantic:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.

Western Pacific: 
No activity expected through Sunday afternoon.
Eastern Pacific:
At 8:00 p.m. EDT on June 19 the Government of Mexico discontinued all remaining Tropical Storm Warnings/Watches as Tropical Depression One-E dissipated near the coast of northwestern Mexico.

A large area of disturbed weather that extends from the southern coast of Mexico southward for several hundred miles is producing disorganized shower and thunderstorm activity. Some slow development of this system is possible over the next day or two. There is a low chance, less than 30 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. Heavy rains associated with this system could affect portions of the southern coast of Mexico.

Elsewhere tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours. (NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Train Derailment, Rockford, IL

At 8:30 p.m. EDT last night multiple freight cars derailed approximately 80 miles northwest of Chicago, causing two tank cars carrying ethanol to catch fire and explode. Twelve cars continue to burn, and responding fire departments are allowing the fires to burn out. The U.S. Department of Transportation reported one confirmed fatality and six injured. Homes within one-half mile of the blaze have been voluntarily evacuated, affecting 400 residences. Washed-out tracks due to recent heavy rains may have caused the derailment; official cause is still under investigation.  (Region V, DOT)

Tropical Weather Outlook

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

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 Friday, June 19, 2009:

  • Initial attack activity:  Light (101 new fires)
  • New large fires:  4
  • Large fires contained:  1
  • Uncontained large fires:  8
  • States affected:  AK, AZ FL, & NM.  (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center, NGB)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On June 19, 2009, the President signed a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Missouri (FEMA-1847-DR) as a result of Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding occurring May 8-16, 2009. The Declaration provides Individual Assistance for twenty eight counties, Public Assistance for forty six counties, and Hazard Mitigation statewide. The FCO is Thomas A. Hall of the National FCO Program.

On June 19, 2009, the President signed a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Oklahoma (FEMA-1846-DR) as a result of Wildfires occurring April 9-12, 2009. The Declaration provides Individual Assistance for nine counties, and Hazard Mitigation statewide. The FCO is Kenneth R. Tingman of the National FCO Program.

FEMA-1842-DR-Alabama, Amendment #1: Effective June 19, 2009, this declaration was amended to include Autauga, Elmore, and Montgomery Counties for Individual Assistance (already designated for Public Assistance).  (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Monday, 22-Jun-2009 08:50:05 EDT