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National Situation Update: Saturday, September 26, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

South
A cold front slowly moving across the Southeast may produce heavy rain in eastern Tennessee, northern Alabama, northern and central Georgia and the western Carolinas.  Rain accumulations of 5 to 6 inches are possible in the southern Appalachians.  Flash Flood Watches have been issued in portions of Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee through Saturday afternoon.
Midwest
Heavy rain is forecast for portions of southern Ohio.  Rain accumulations could reach 4 inches in some areas. 
Northeast
A high pressure system over the region will allow freezing temperatures and frost in parts of eastern New York and northern New England.  A Freeze Warning has been issued for portions of Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont until 8:00 a.m. Saturday.
West
Dry weather is forecast for much of the region.  (NOAA's National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Southeast Flooding

Georgia:
The State Emergency Operations Center is activated to Level II.  Amendments 1, 2 and 3 to FEMA-1858-DR-GA were approved on September 25, 2009, bringing to 14 the total number of counties approved for IA.  There have been 9 state confirmed fatalities.  Currently 2 shelters are open with a population of 283.   Power has been restored throughout Douglas and Cobb counties to the majority of customers.  Nine roads remain closed until September 28, 2009.  Joint IA and PA PDAs are continuing for 17 counties in Georgia.
Tennessee:
The State EOC is activated at Level III.  One (1) shelter is open with a population of 109.   Joint IA PDAs for two counties are scheduled to begin September 28, 2009.
Federal Response:
A FEMA LNO is deployed to the Georgia EOC.  The NRCC remains at a Watch/Steady State 24/7 status.  The Watch Region IV RRCC is activated at Level III from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. EDT, 24/7.

California Wildfires

Station Fire
As of Friday 12:00 a.m. EDT 160,577 acres has burned with 98% containment.  The estimated 100% containment date is unknown.

Guiberson Fire
As of Friday 6:00 p.m. EDT, a total of 17,500 acres have burned in the Guiberson Canyon between Fillmore and Moorpark (Ventura County).  The fire is currently 85% contained and the estimated containment date is September 27, 2009.  There have been 9 injuries (first responders) with no fatalities.  All evacuation orders and road closures have been lifted.  Currently 25 homes and 2 commercial properties remain threatened.  One (1) outbuilding has been destroyed.  FEMA FMAG-2839-FM-CA was approved on September 22, 2009. (Region IX, NIFC)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic
Tropical Depression Eight
At 5:00 am EDT, the center of Tropical Depression Eight was located 660 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands.  Tropical Depression Eight is moving toward the WNW near 14 mph and a slight decrease in forward speed is expected during the next day or two.  Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph, with higher gusts.  Little change is strength is forecast during the next 24 hours.  Gradual weakening is expected on Sunday.

Eastern Pacific
Area 1
The remnants of Tropical Depression Nora are located about 1025 miles WSW of the southern tip of Baja, California, Mexico.  Although this system is producing intermittent thunderstorm activity, upper-level winds are not favorable for regeneration.  There is a low chance, less than 30 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.

Area 2
A broad area of low pressure located about 900 miles WSW of Manzanillo, Mexico is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms.  Some slow development of this system is possible over the next couple of days as it moves west-northwestward at 10 mph.  There is a low chance, less than 30 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours

Area 3
An area of disturbed weather has formed about 350 miles SW of the Gulf of Tehuantepec
This system has the potential for slow development as it moves westward during the next day or two
There is a low chance, less than 30 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours

Central Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected through Tuesday morning

Western Pacific
No systems affecting U.S. Territories(NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Region IX)

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 Friday, September 25, 2009: Initial attack activity remains light (72 new fires), with 4 new large fires, 4 large fires contained and 0 uncontained large fires.  Five states are affected - CA, ID, MT, OR and WY.  Red Flag Warnings have been issued for all of Montana, portions of Idaho, Wyoming, and Washington for gusty winds and low relative humidity until late Saturday night.  (NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Amendments 1, 2 and 3 to FEMA-1858-DR-GA were approved on September 25, 2009, adding a total of 10 counties for IA.  (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Monday, 28-Sep-2009 07:50:14 EDT