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National Situation Update: Sunday, September 27, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

South
Heavy rain is forecast for portions of eastern North Carolina through this morning.  Scattered thunderstorms are possible over Florida and southern Texas.  Flash Flood Warnings remain in effect for several rivers in north central Georgia, the Florida Panhandle and southeastern Alabama.  A Flood Watch has been issued for eastern North Carolina through this afternoon.
Northeast
Heavy rain is forecast for portions of New York, New England and the Mid-Atlantic.  Some areas may receive accumulations over one inch.
Midwest
A cold front accompanied by a low pressure system will move through the Plains and Midwest today and Monday, producing showers in the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes and eastern Ohio Valley.
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.  Amendment 4 to FEMA-1858-DR-GA was approved on September 26, 2009 adding 9 counties for PA and 3 counties for IA.  There are 9 state confirmed fatalities.  Two (2) shelters are open with a population of 193.  Boil water advisories remain in effect for Douglas County and the Town of Trion in Chattooga County.  There are 7 roads and 2 bridges that remain closed until Monday (Sept 28) in Heard and Douglas counties.  Joint IA and PA PDAs are continuing for 17 counties in Georgia.  Nine (9) counties are scheduled to be complete today.  PDAs have been requested for 2 additional counties.

Tennessee:
The State EOC is activated at Level III.  One (1) shelter is open with no occupants. IA PDA's for two counties (Hamilton and Hardin) are scheduled to begin on September 28, 2009.

Federal Response:
There are 4 FEMA LNO's deployed to the Georgia EOC.  Three 3 MDRC's are deployed to Georgia and two additional MDRC's are scheduled to arrive today (Sept 27).  The FEMA NRCC remains at a Watch/Steady State Status, 24/7.  The Region IV RRCC is activated at Level III from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. EDT.

California Wildfires

Station Fire
A total of 160,577 acres have burned and the fire is currently 98% contained.  The Fire Commander will not declare containment until interior hotspots are extinguished.  FMAG-2830-FM-CA was approved on August 28, 2009

Guiberson Fire
The Guiberson Canyon fire between Fillmore and Moorpark in Ventura County has burned 17,500 acres and is currently 97% contained.  Full containment is expected today (Sept 27).  There have been 10 injuries (first responders) and no fatalities.  All evacuation orders and road closures have been lifted.  A total of 25 homes and 2 commercial properties remain threatened with 1 outbuilding destroyed.  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
Remnants of Tropical Depression EIGHT
The remnants of Tropical Depression EIGHT were located 650 miles WNW of the Cape Verde Islands.  Upper level winds are not conducive for regeneration.  There is a low chance, less than 30 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.

Eastern Pacific
Area 1
The remnants of Tropical Depression Nora are located about 1,200 miles WSW of the southern tip of Baja California.  Upper-level winds are not conducive 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
The shower activity associated with a broad area of low pressure located about 875 miles SSW of the southern tip of Baja California remains disorganized.  Some slow development of this system is possible over the next couple of days as it moves toward the WNW at around 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
A large area of disturbed weather located a few hundred miles WSW of the Gulf of Tehuantepec.  This system is disorganized and development will be slow to occur.  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 Saturday, September 26, 2009:
Initial attack activity is Light (75 new fires).  There are 2 new large fires.  There are eight uncontained large fires and no large fires have been contained.  Five states are affected:  CA, ID, MT, OR and WY.  Red Flag Warnings remain in effect for portions of North and South Dakota, Wyoming, and southern California.  Warnings have also been issued for Leeward portions of Hawaii until 5:00 p.m. HST today due to strong winds and low humidity.  (NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On 9/26/09, Amendment #4 to FEMA-1858-DR-GA was issued adding Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cobb, Douglas, Gwinnett, Paulding, Stephens and Walker counties for PA, including direct Federal assistance (previously designated for IA); and Bartow, Coweta, and Heard Counties for IA (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Monday, 28-Sep-2009 07:57:19 EDT