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National Situation Update: Thursday, July 9, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant Weather

West:
The region will be generally dry. In the Pacific Northwest, an upper trough will continue to produce isolated showers over the Cascades and the Northern Rockies. A few thunderstorms may develop in the higher elevations of the Four Corners States.  Typical triple-digit high temperatures are expected in the Desert Southwest.

Midwest:
A frontal system will continue moving across the Upper Midwest. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast from the Dakotas to the Great Lakes and southwest to Colorado. Afternoon high temperatures will exceed 100F in central and southern Kansas.

South:
The stationary front will continue to produce scattered thunderstorms from the Central Gulf Coast to the Carolinas and Florida. Localized flooding is expected.  A building ridge aloft will produce high temperatures into the triple-digits across much of Texas and Oklahoma with heat index values in the 105 to 115 degree range.

Northeast:
High pressure will dominate the region producing generally dry conditions. There may be a few showers in New York and southern New England. (NOAA, National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Severe Weather, North Dakota

Severe thunderstorms moved through the state last night and six preliminary tornados have been reported.  The NWS has received one report from the town of Burke, ND of a damaged oil storage tank and a visible debris field. Further damage assessments will be conducted this morning and damage reports may escalate.  There have been no requests for Federal or state assistance at this time.(NOAA, NWS, Severe Storm Center)

Bel-Air Brush Fire

On July 8, 2009, FEMA Region IX reported an 80 acre Brush Fire in Bel Air, CA.  There are at least 250 firefighters and 4 helicopters on-scene, but no structures are immediately threatened.  There was a precautionary evacuation of visitors and staff from the Getty Center & St. Mary's College. No shelters have been opened; no injuries have been reported.  There are no requests for Federal Assistance. (Region IX, Spot Report)

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
Tropical Depression Blanca has become a remnant low.  No further Advisories will be issued.
An area of disturbed weather is located about 900 miles south of the southern tip of Baja California.  Development of this system, if any, is expected to be slow to occur as it moves westward near 10 mph over the next couple of days.  There is a less than 30 percent chance of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours
Central Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected through Friday afternoon
Western Pacific:
No activity. (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, July 08, 2009:
Initial attack activity: Light (172 new fires)
New large fires:  2
Large fires contained:  0
Uncontained large fires:  13
States affected:  AK, AZ, CA, CO, OR & TX (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On June 22, 2009, FEMA-1838-DR for the state of West Virginia, was amended (Amendment #7) to appoint Gregory W. Eaton as the Federal Coordinating Officer.

On of July 6, 2009, FEMA-1844-DR for the state of South Dakota, was amended (Amendment #1) to close the incident period. (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Thursday, 09-Jul-2009 08:13:17 EDT