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National Situation Update: Friday, July 31, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Forecast

West:
The strong ridge aloft will result in continued high temperatures in Washington and Oregon. High temperatures this weekend include 80s in Seattle and low 90s in Portland. The only significant precipitation in the region will be scattered afternoon thunderstorms in higher elevations.
Midwest:
Much of the region will be under a cool high pressure area. High temperatures will be five to ten degrees cooler than normal for mid-summer averages.
A developing frontal system dropping out of the Rockies will produce severe thunderstorms from New Mexico to Nebraska.
South:
A frontal system combined with copious moisture off the Gulf of Mexico will produce significant precipitation across the region. Some areas will see locally heavy rain and possible flash flooding. Up to four inches of rain are possible from northern Louisiana through Tennessee. Afternoon thunderstorms are forecast for the Florida Peninsula.
Northeast:
A frontal system will produce showers and thunderstorms across the region. A few thunderstorms may reach severe limits over the Mid-Atlantic. Threats include large hail and strong winds and possible tornadoes. More widely scattered thunderstorms are expected across Pennsylvania, New England and western sections of New York. The heavy rain will bring a potential for flash flooding to the Appalachians. (NOAA, National Weather Service, various media sources)

Preliminary Tornado Reports in Memphis, TN

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Memphis reports a possible tornado touch down on the East Side of Memphis, TN. There were reports of trees and power lines down. The NWS inspectors are on scene to determine if this was in fact a tornado.  There are no requests for Federal assistance at this time. (Region IV, NWS)

Chemical Plant Fire in Bryan, TX

At 1:23 p.m. on July 30, 2009, the Texas State Operations Center (SOC) received a report of a large chemical fire at the El Dorado Chemical plant in Bryan, Brazos County. The fire is being allowed to burn itself out. The fire department will continue to monitor the fire throughout the night. Evacuations have been lifted for this area. The American Red Cross shelter has been closed and the remaining 20 personnel will be placed in a hotel.  The EPA has scheduled another detection flight over the fire for 0600 am CDT. (Region VI)

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
At 5:00 am EDT, on July 31, 2009 the center of Tropical Storm Lana is located 825 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. The storm is moving west-northwest at 20 mph; this general motion is expected to continue over the next couple of days. Based on the current warning, Tropical Storm Lana will pass about 250 miles south of the Big Island of Hawaii early Sunday morning.
Western Pacific 
No activity.(NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, NWS Guam)

Earthquake Activity

At 8:27 a.m. EDT, July 30, 2009, a magnitude 4.5 earthquake occurred 20 miles northeast of Kiska Volcano, Alaska (1,880 miles west of Juneau, Alaska) at a depth of 97.5 miles. 
At 6:39 p.m. EDT, July 30, 2009, a magnitude 4.6 earthquake occurred nine miles northeast of Fox River, Alaska (98 miles west of Anchorage, Alaska) at a depth of 26.7 miles. 
There were no reports of damage, injuries or tsunamis for either event. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level 3
National Fire Activity as of Thursday, July 30, 2009:
Initial attack activity: Moderate (257 new fires)
New large fires:  9
Large fires contained:  3
Uncontained large fires:  21
States affected:  OR, WA, CA, UT, ID, MT, AK, TX, NC, AZ, NV & CO (NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On July 30, 2009, the President declared a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Maine (FEMA-1852-DR) as a result of severe storms, flooding and landslides occurring June 18 to July 8, 2009. The declaration provides Public Assistance for eight counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide. The FCO will be James N. Russo.

The Governor of Iowa has requested a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of a severe thunderstorm that occurred on July 10, 2009. The Governor has requested Public Assistance (including Direct Federal Assistance) for Black Hawk County, Hazard Mitigation statewide and implementation of the State-Managed Small Disaster Operation. (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Friday, 31-Jul-2009 07:54:24 EDT