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National Situation Update: Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather



Midwest
A cold front moves into the Mississippi Valley today and remains nearly stationary through Wednesday. Numerous showers and thunderstorms develop along and east of the front in a warm and humid air mass with the heaviest rainfall near the frontal boundary. Some isolated heavy cells are possible in the Ohio Valley. The heaviest rainfall will be from Missouri east to the Ohio Valley.
South
A cold front approaches the Mississippi River while the remnants of Fred move near the South Carolina coast today. Shower and thunderstorm activity should be concentrated around both those areas.  The Carolina coast may receive one to two inches of rain. In the Mississippi Valley and southern Plains the rainfall amounts will vary, but could be heavier near stronger storms. On Wednesday the front stalls along the Mississippi River keeping the Mississippi Valley and eastern Texas rainy. The moisture associated with the remnants of Fred spread inland in the Carolinas, possibly as far west as Georgia.
West
Over the next few days, an upper low will move over the Colorado Rockies and a large ridge of high pressure will move along the Northwest coast. The upper low brings chilly temperatures and rain and snow to portions of Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas and a small part of New Mexico today and Wednesday. Snow levels should be around 7,000 feet with some accumulations over 3 to 6 inches possible above 8,000 feet. The upper ridge off the Northwest coast brings summertime heat to the Northwest, West coast and northern Rockies today and Wednesday. Afternoon highs should run 5 to 25 degrees above average both days.(NOAA's National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Southeast Flooding

  A tropical air mass that has been draped across the Southeast U.S. coupled with a nearly stationary upper-level weather system has caused widespread precipitation throughout several Southeastern states causing flooding and flash flooding. Rainfall amounts of 9 to 15 inches have fallen over many areas of north Georgia during the last 24 hours with lesser amounts over central Georgia. This has saturated the soils in many locations. Additional heavy showers and thunderstorms could produce additional local rainfall amounts of 1 to 5 inches through tonight. This will cause or worsen flooding or flash flooding problems on creeks and rivers that are already near or exceeding flood levels.

G20 Summit

  The G-20's economic weight and broad membership gives it a high degree of legitimacy and influence over the management of the global economy and financial systems. The G-20 Summit scheduled for September 24-25, 2009 in Pittsburg, PA, has been declared a National Special Security Event (NSSE) by the Secretary of Homeland Security.  President Obama will chair this event being attended by leaders representing 85 percent of the world's economy and 90 percent of the global gross national product. Region III remains at Level III, 24/7 at this time for the event.  The Region III IMAT BRAVO deployed to USSS MAC located in Pittsburgh. The Region III IMAT DELTA is supporting RRCC functions at Region III. The Region III DCE deployed to USSS MAC and the MERS unit is on site in Pittsburgh.

California Wildfire

Station Fire
Located in the Angeles National Forest, investigation reveals that arson caused the fire. Fire crews continue to mop up, patrol areas, and continue fire suppression repair. 160,557 acres burned; 94% contained. Estimated containment date has been moved forward to Tuesday, September 22, 2009. FMAG-2830-FM-CA approved August 28, 2009.(Region IX, NIFC)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

 FEMA-2838-FM-OR was approved September 22, 2009 for the South County Complex Fire in Jackson County, OR. The fire has burned 700 acres with 0% containment. Approximately 200 residences have burned and 220 residences and 750 individuals have voluntarily evacuated. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

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

Eastern Pacific
Area 1
A broad area of low pressure located about 600 miles south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California continues to show some signs of organization. This system is moving west-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph. There is a high chance (greater than 50 %) of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.

Central
No tropical cyclones are expected through Wednesday afternoon.

Western Pacific
No activity.(NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, NWS Tiyan, GU, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Region IX)

Earthquake Activity



On Monday, September 21, 2009, at 6:41 a.m. EDT, an earthquake measuring 4.5 magnitude occurred 90 miles east of Anchorage, AK at a depth of 11.9 miles. There were no reports of damage or injury and no tsunami was generated.(USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update



National Preparedness Level:  2
National Fire Activity as of Monday, September 21, 2009:
Initial attack activity:  Light (81 new fires)
New large fires:  0
Large fires contained:  2
Uncontained large fires:  4
States affected:  OR and CA(NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Tuesday, 22-Sep-2009 08:02:38 EDT