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National Situation Update: Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

South
Scattered showers and thunderstorms (some severe) with heavy rain, are forecast across the region today.  Highs will range from the 80s and 90s across the southeastern U.S. to over 100 in south Texas.  A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for northern Oklahoma until 6:15 a.m. CDT today.
Midwest
Showers and thunderstorms, with localized flooding, are possible from the Ohio Valley to the mid-Mississippi Valley and the Central Plains.  Highs in the 70s and 80s are forecast for much of the region.
Northeast
Showers and thunderstorms are possible from western New York to West Virginia as a cold front moves into the region.  Temperatures will remain in the upper 80s to near 90, except for interior areas, which will drop to the 70s and 80s.
West
Dry conditions are forecast for much of the West today.  High-pressure building in the Northwest will produce above-average temperatures; highs in the 80s and 90s will be common throughout the West.  (NOAA, National Weather Service, media sources)

La Brea Fire, Los Padres National Forest

21 miles east of Santa Maria, CA
CalEMA Regional Operational Center (Southern) and Santa Barbara County EOC are not activated
87,490 acres; 75% containment
2 injuries(first responders); no fatalities
23 residences threatened - 1 destroyed; 1 commercial property destroyed
1 shelter open; no overnight population
Evacuation orders are still in place for 23 residents

Lockheed Fire, Santa Cruz County, California

4 miles NE of Ben Lomond, CA
Santa Cruz EOC and REOC are monitoring this incident
7,017 acres; 80% containment (full containment expected Aug 20)
5 injuries (first responders); no fatalities
50 residences threatened; 2 outbuildings damaged - one destroyed
Mandatory evacuation has been lifted
1 shelter open; population unknown
State of Emergency Proclamation for Santa Cruz County
FMAG-2824-CA granted Aug 13 (FEMA Region IX)

Yuba Fire, California

3 miles northeast of Dobbins, CA
Yuba County EOC is activated at Duty Officer Status, a County OES Liaison has been sent to the command post; the Inland REOC will support Yuba County at Duty Officer Status
3,582 acres; 30% contained
15 injuries (first responders); no fatalities
400 residences threatened - 2 destroyed
All mandatory evacuations in the Dobbins area have been lifted with the exception of the following areas in Yuba County: Lake Francis Road and Marysville Road from Merriam Road to Oregon Hill Road
The ARC Shelter is closed
FMAG FEMA-2825-FM-CA granted August 15(FEMA Region IX)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No significant activity.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic
Hurricane Bill
As of 5:00 a.m. EDT, August 18, 2009, the center of Hurricane Bill was approximately 810 miles east of the Leeward Islands.  Bill has strengthened to a Category Two Hurricane and continues moving west-northwest near 17 mph.  This general motion is expected to continue for the next day or two with a gradual turn to the northwest on Wednesday.  Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 100 mph, with higher gusts.  Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and Bill could become a major hurricane within the next day or so.
Remnant Low Ana
The National Hurricane Center has issued the last advisory on Ana.  Disorganized showers and thunderstorms associated with the remnants of Ana extend from Hispaniola through the southeastern Bahamas.  This activity is moving toward the west at 20 to 25 mph and shows no signs of regeneration; there is a low chance, less than 30 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Remnant Low Claudette
As of 11:00 p.m. EDT, there is no longer a detectable surface circulation associated with Claudette
Much of the shower and thunderstorm activity has subsided during the past several hours and only isolated to scattered thunderstorms remain across Georgia.  The National Hurricane Center is no longer issuing advisories on this system.

Eastern Pacific
No activity affecting US territories.

Central Pacific
Tropical Storm Guillermo
As of 11:00 p.m. EDT, August 17, 2009, the center of Tropical Storm Guillermo was located approximately 525 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii and about 660 miles east-northeast of Honolulu, HI.  Guillermo is moving toward the west-northwest near 20 mph and this motion is expected to continue for the next 48 hours.  Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph, with higher gusts.  The system is forecast to weaken through dissipation in 48 hours.

Western Pacific  
No activity affecting US 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 3
National Fire Activity as of Monday, August 17, 2009:
Initial attack activity: Light (83 new fires)
New large fires:  1
Large fires contained:  2
Uncontained large fires:  17
States affected:  AK, AZ, CA, CO, OR, & WA (NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On August 17, 2009 the Governor of New York requested a major disaster declaration as a result of severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes during the period of July 25 to August 16, 2009.  The Governor specifically requested Individual Assistance for three counties, Public Assistance for ten counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide. (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Tuesday, 18-Aug-2009 08:11:05 EDT