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National Situation Update: Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Midwest
The Ohio Valley is expected to dry out today, aiding recovery efforts from the flooding situation in Louisville, KY. There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms across the Plains and from near the Ohio River southward into Kentucky (south of Louisville). Severe storms with mainly wind and possibly hail may impact areas from South Dakota southeastward into Missouri.

South
Temperatures in the upper 90s and low 100s are expected across much of Texas and Oklahoma, with heat indices in the 105 to 110 degree range in some locations. Scattered showers and thunderstorms, accompanied by heavy downpours, are forecast across the Southeast. Some storms may become severe.

Northeast
Scattered showers and storms will be possible from New England southwestward to the Mid-Atlantic. Some storms may be locally strong to severe with heavy downpours.

West
Temperatures in the Great Basin, Intermountain West and Southwest will cool to near or below average levels through the week. Specifically, this includes Boise, Salt Lake City and Reno. Some locations may be up to 20 degrees below average. An increase in showers and storms is expected in the Northwest and parts of the Southwest over the next couple of days, especially the higher terrain. Strong, gusty winds and low humidity will keep the fire danger high the next couple of days. Fire weather watches are posted from parts of Nevada and northern Arizona to western Colorado. (NOAA, National Weather Service, media sources)

Kentucky Storms and Flooding

A slow moving storm brought heavy thunderstorms and flooding to parts of the Commonwealth of Kentucky Tuesday, August 4. Over four inches of rain fell in just a few hours, making it the wettest day on record. Significant flash flooding impacted the Louisville area. Flooding was widespread in parts of the city, resulting in numerous road closures. U.S. Coast Guard and KY National Guard water rescue crews were deployed to assist motorists who were trapped in their vehicles in the flooding.

Kentucky Emergency Management (EMA) reported 150 persons voluntarily evacuated in Louisville; 14 evacuees are still sheltered. No fatalities or injuries have been reported. St. Mary's Hospital has been closed and 76 patients transferred to other local hospitals; repairs are estimated to take 3 months. The Louisville Free Public Library's main branch and the University of Louisville library also sustained damage. Power outages reported by Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities totaled 10,400 as of 9:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday. Some flooding occurred in western Kentucky but no damage has been reported. 

Louisville EMA will begin damage assessments today. EMA reports that damage in other parts of Kentucky is not as severe as initially anticipated. The State EOC will resume Level III (Full Activation with limited ESF's) Wednesday morning for an ongoing pandemic exercise. FEMA Region IV Watch Office in Atlanta is currently at Level IV (Steady State) and monitoring the situation. No federal assistance has been requested by the state. (Region IV)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity.

Tropical Weather Outlook

Eastern Pacific
Hurricane Felicia: At 5:00 a.m. EDT, the the center of Hurricane Felicia was located about 1,365 miles  west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Felicia is moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph, and this general motion is expect to continue for the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 105 mph, with higher gusts. Felicia is a Category Two Hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Continued strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours, and Felicia will likely become a major hurricane later today. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center, and tropical force storm winds extend outward up to 85 miles.

Tropical Storm Enrique: At 5:00 a.m. EDT the center of Tropical Storm Enrique was located about 825 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Enrique is moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph. A gradual turn to the west is expected to continue over the next day or two. Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts, and is forecast to weaken and dissipate in about two days or less. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 100 miles from the center.

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

Central Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected through Thursday 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

4.5 Earthquake - Andreanof Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska:
A magnitude 4.5 earthquake, 32 miles deep, occurred at 7:53 p.m. EDT off the coast of the Andreanof Islands, 32 miles southwest of Adak, Alaska. The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center reports no tsunami warning will be generated. No injuries, deaths, or damage were reported. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level 3
National Fire Activity as of Tuesday, August 4, 2009:

  • Initial attack activity: Moderate (269 new fires)
  • New large fires:  19
  • Large fires contained:  4
  • Uncontained large fires:  29
  • States affected:  OR, WA, CA, ID, AK, NV, AZ, NM, TX, NC, & CO(NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Wednesday, 05-Aug-2009 07:57:54 EDT