National Situation Update: Friday, October 23, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

Northeast
Steady rain for parts of New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Virginia today through this evening. Heavy rain predicted for parts of Pennsylvania, New York, and southern New England from tonight through much of Saturday. A front will move out into the Atlantic Saturday night allowing drier conditions to prevail on Sunday.
Midwest
Heavy rain will move northeastward into the Great Lakes today. Rain will move from the Mississippi Valley through the Ohio Valley and into the Great Lakes during the day. Rain may mix with or change to wet snow from Minnesota through Wisconsin to Michigan with possible accumulations of 1 to 3 inches and a few areas receiving 5 or 6 inches. Possibilities of showers Saturday are predicted for the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley areas. Rain will move into the northern Plains on Saturday and back into the Midwest on Sunday night.
West
Today another Pacific cold front is moving into the Northwest bringing light rain and showers in the lower elevations and some snow in the higher elevations. A few locations in parts of Washington and Oregon pick up an inch or two. Snow levels range around 8,000 feet ahead of the cold front and lower to near 5,500 feet behind it. Elevations over 8,000 feet could pick up a foot or more of snow with only a few inches expected down around 5,500 feet. The Great Basin and Southwest will see mostly sunny and relatively warm conditions.
South
Showers and thunderstorms are expected along and ahead of a low pressure system moving through the Midwest today and tomorrow. Some thunderstorms in parts of Alabama, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle may become strong to severe producing damaging wind gusts and brief tornadoes during the day. Isolated severe thunderstorms predicted for parts of North Carolina and South Carolina on Saturday. Rainfalls of an inch or less with some local areas receiving over two inches predicted through Saturday. Low pressure forming in the Bahamas may move to the coast of South Carolina Saturday. While this low is not expected to develop into a tropical system it could enhance the rain in the eastern Carolinas Saturday. (NOAA’s National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Puerto Rico Refinery Fire

An explosion and fire has occurred at an oil refinery near San Juan, Puerto Rico. The explosion was between Catano and Bayamon at the Gulf Caribbean Petroleum Corporation facility on Highway 28 in Guaynabo at the Goya/Ft. Buchanan sector in the municipality of Catano. It occurred at 12:25 a.m. EDT on October 23, 2009. The facility is approximately 10 minutes away from San Juan. The cause of explosion is unknown at this time. The total storage capacity is about 1.5 million barrels. There are 7-8 oil tanks on fire at the site. The fire extends to a one mile area with flames rising up to 40 feet. First responders have indicated that due to the intensity of the fire they are unable to approach the area. Evacuations are occurring around the affected area with an unknown number evacuated at this time. Residents are reporting broken windows and other damage to their homes, due to the magnitude of the explosions. Road 22 has been closed as a precautionary measure doe to underground transmission pipes located under the road. Mayor of Bayamon reports that there are no casualties or injuries reported. Puerto Rico has activated their EOC.

Coast Guard Evacuates Employees on Hawaiian Islands

Government agencies worked to evacuate employees from the Northwest Hawaiian Islands as Hurricane Neki approaches the area. Five US Fish and Wildlife and five private contractors have been evacuated from Tern Island near the French Frigate Shoals. Evacuation is in progress for four US Fish and Wildlife and three NOAA Fishery personnel from Layas.

Tsunami Recovery - American Samoa

FEMA 1859-DR-AS was approved September 29, 2009.
Federal Response
FEMA Logistics continues to coordinate the movement of commodities and generators related to power restoration. Region IX RRCC has de-activated but the JFO Support Cell consisting of only Logistics remains at the RRCC. The Pago Pago Joint Field Office (JFO) for FEMA-1859-DR-AS is fully operational.
Current Situation / Status of Response:
Installation of up to 56 generators are part of Tier 1 in the Power Restoration Plan; to date, 33 generators have been installed and are operational. Three 500 kw generators have been placed on the Tafuna Power Grid at Leone, reducing the stress on the Tafuna Plant. Two 500 kw generators were placed in service at Fangaitua (east side of island) to relieve power outages. ASPA continues to work with Prime Power Battalion on the placement of additional 500 kw generators to be used in the Pago Pago area by October 23. Some areas on the island are still experiencing outages during peak hours, but significant improvements have occurred. (Region IX, JFO)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity.(FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic
Area 1
At 2:00 a.m. EDT, Shower activity associated with an area of low pressure near the coast of Nicaragua has diminished and development is unlikely in this area. There is a less than 30 percent of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.

Area 2
At 2:00 a.m. EDT, Cloudiness and a few showers over portions of the Bahamas and the adjacent southwestern Atlantic are associated with a weak surface low pressure trough. This system is expected to move slowly west-northwestward with no significant development. There is a less than 30 percent of this system becoming a tropical or subtropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.

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

Central Pacific
Hurricane Neki
At 2:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Hurricane Neki was located about 435 miles south-west of Lihue, Hawaii and about 360 miles south of French Frigate Shoals. Neki is moving toward the north-northeast near 9 mph. A gradual turn to the northeast is expected. Maximum sustained winds are near 100 mph with higher gusts. Neki is now a Category 2 Hurricane. Gradual weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours.

Western Pacific
There are no threats to U.S. interests. (NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center)

Earthquake Activity

On Friday, October 23, 2009, at 2:22 a.m. EDT, an earthquake measuring 4.8 magnitude occurred 114 miles west-southwest of Adak, AK at a depth of 33.6 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 is at Level 1.
National fire activity as of Thursday, October 22:
Initial attack activity: Light (12 new fires)
New large fires: 0
Large fires contained: 0
Uncontained large fires: 1
States Affected: AZ(NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity