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National Situation Update: Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Midwest:                                                                  
Widespread showers and thunderstorms are forecast in the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley with a few strong to severe thunderstorms possibly extending back to Kansas. Lower Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and western Ohio southwestward to Missouri will see the greatest chance for severe storms with damaging wind and hail.

South:
Highs over 100 will continue over much of Oklahoma and Texas with Arkansas, Louisiana, western Tennessee and Mississippi seeing temperatures from the mid to upper 90s. Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be possible over the Southeast.

West:
Highs in the 100s and 110s will continue throughout the desert Southwest including Phoenix, Arisona, Las Vegas, Nevada, and El Paso, Texas. Boise, Idaho, Grand Junction, Colorado, Reno, Nevada and Salt Lake City, Utah will see afternoon highs in the upper 90s to low 100s. The fire danger will increase from Arizona to Idaho and Montana.

Railbelt Complex Wildfire, AK

The Railbelt Complex Wildfire in Alaska includes Minto Flats South, June Creek and Lunch Lake fires. The area is west of the Tanana and Nenana Rivers and east of the Kantishna River. Subdivisions and improvements are primarily along the river corridors on the east side in the direction of fire spread. The fires were caused by lightning and have burned about 160,000 acres. 153 homes and outbuildings are threatened and 15 recreation sites and one oil drilling rig and camp are at risk. Preparations have been made for evacuation in the threatened areas. The State of Alaska Division of Forestry responded with 322 personnel, five type-one crews, seven type-two crews, seven helicopters, five engines, two dozers and 106 overhead.

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

A FMAG request for the Railbelt Complex Wildfire in Alaska was requested and denied.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

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

Eastern Pacific
Hurricane Carlos                                                       
On Wednesday July 15, 2009 at 2:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Hurricane Carlos was located about 1,535 miles WSW of the southern tip of Baja California.  Carlos is moving toward the west near 6 mph. A west to west-northwest motion with some increase in forward speed is expected during the next 24-48 hours.  Maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph, with higher gusts. Some weakening is forecast during the next 24-48 hours.  Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 10 miles from the center.


Tropical Depression Five-E                                      
On Wednesday, July 15 at 2:00 a.m. EDT the center of Tropical Depression Five-E was located 675 miles SSW of the southern tip of Baja California. The depression is moving toward the northwest near 10 mph. A general motion toward the northwest or west-northwest with a slight increase in forward speed is possible over the next 24-48 hours. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours and the depression could become a tropical storm later today.

Central Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected through Wednesday evening.

Western Pacific 
No activity affecting U.S. 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:  2
National Fire Activity as of Tuesday, July 14, 2009:
Initial attack activity: Moderate (225 new fires)
New large fires:  3
Large fires contained:  2
Uncontained large fires:  20
States affected:  AK, CA, WA, OR, AZ, UT, OK & TX (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The Governor of the Maine requested a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of Heavy Rain, Hail, Damaging Winds, Flooding, Erosion and Landslides that occurred June 18 - July 8, 2009.  The Governor is specifically requested Public Assistance for eight (8) counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide. (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Wednesday, 15-Jul-2009 08:14:01 EDT