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National Situation Update: Friday, July 17, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Midwest:                                                                  
Showers and thunderstorms will precede a cold front moving into the Greak Lakes region. Showers will continue across Minnesota and the northern Great Lakes. Temperatures will be 5 to 20 degrees below average.

South:
Thunderstorms are expected today from the lower Mississippi Valley to the southeast as an unusually strong cold front moves in through the south. More isolated thunderstorms are forecast over parts of Oklahoma and Texas. A few of the storms will be severe from the Carolinas to the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles. Much of Texas will see highs over 100.

West:
Temperatures in the region will range from near average to 15 degrees above average. Highs in the 90s are forecast up to Montana with highs in the 100s possible from eastern Washington and Idaho to Utah and western Colorado. The Central Valley of California will see highs from 100-107 with Death Valley reaching the 120s.

Northeast:
Scattered thunderstorms are possible from southeast Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey southward as a cold front moves through the region. A few storms may be strong to severe with damaging winds and hail. An isolated tornado is also possible.

Railbelt Complex Wildfire, AK Update

The Railbelt Complex Wildfire in Alaska, 12 miles southwest of Nenana, has now burned about 178,129 acres and is 3% contained. 111 residences, 1 commercial property and 41 outbuildings are threatened. No structures have been damaged. The fires were caused by lightning. A 20,000 foot column of smoke has increased the amount of smoke and light ash fall in the Nenana area. Resources along the Tanana and Kantishna Rivers are preparing for the possibility of increased fire activity when the inversion layer lifts. (National Interagency Fire Center, Region X)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

FMAG-2822 was approved for the Red Rock Fire, Washoe County, Nevada. The fire began July 15, 2009, has burned 10,000 acres and is 10% contained. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The communities of Red Rock (550 homes) and Cold Springs (25 homes), north of Reno, are being threatened. The fire is within ½ mile of 190 homes and voluntary evacuations are in place. One shelter has been opened. The fire is exhibiting extreme behavior and is wind driven. Winds are 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Daytime temperatures are 99 degrees with 9% humidity. These conditions will continue through this afternoon.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

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

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

Central Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected through Saturday afternoon.

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 Thursday, July 16, 2009:
Initial attack activity: Light (144 new fires)
New large fires:  12
Large fires contained:  4
Uncontained large fires:  26
States affected:  AK, AZ, CA, CO, NC, NM, NV, OK, TX, & UT (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Friday, 17-Jul-2009 07:54:52 EDT