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National Situation Update: Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

South
The remnants of Ida (now a new area of low pressure) will combine with strong high pressure over the Northeast to produce strong winds, high tides, pounding surf, heavy rain, and coastal flooding across the Mid-Atlantic.  Additional rain accumulations of 4 to 8 inches (with isolated amounts up to 12 inches) are expected across the Southeast and into the Mid-Atlantic by Thursday evening.  Flash Flood Watches are in effect across central North Carolina, northwestern South Carolina and eastern Tennessee through Thursday.
Northeast 
Rain accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are possible across southern Virginia this evening as the remnants of Ida move into the region.  In addition to heavy rain, strong winds (15 to 35 mph) are possible from the southern Delmarva Peninsula south to the Virginia Coast through Thursday.
West 
Another cold front will move into the Pacific Northwest today producing rain and snow from western central California to North Dakota.  Most of the precipitation should be light with only the coastal areas of Washington and Oregon picking up an inch or more of rain.  Major coastal flooding is forecast for the west coast of Alaska in the Norton Sound today through Thursday; tides are expected to be 10 feet above normal.
Midwest
High pressure will result in mild, dry weather across the region through Thursday.  (NOAA’s National Weather Service, Various Media Sources) 

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic
Remnants of IDA
As of 400 a.m. Wednesday, the remnants of Ida were located 60 miles west-northwest of Tallahassee, FL & 110 miles south of Columbus, GA.  The system is continuing slow eastward movement along the FL Panhandle with maximum sustained winds near 20 mph.  Flood and Flash Flood Watches, Warnings, and Advisories remain in effect along large sections of the southeastern United States.  Rainfall totals from 2.0 to 6.5 inches have been reported from Mississippi, across Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.  Tropical rains continue to spread NE into the Mid-Atlantic.  By Wed evening, the low is expected to redevelop and strengthen off the Carolina coast. 

Non-tropical low
A non-tropical low pressure area centered about 500 miles south of Bermuda is producing gale force winds but minimal shower and thunderstorm activity.  The opportunity for significant development of this system is diminishing since upper level winds are expected to become less favorable in a day or two.  There is a low chance, less than 30 percent, of this system becoming a tropical or subtropical cyclone before it is absorbed by a front late Thursday.

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

Central Pacific
• No tropical cyclones are expected through Sunday afternoon.

Western Pacific 
• No activity threatening United States 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:  1
• National Fire Activity as of  Tuesday, November 10, 2009
• Initial attack activity:  Light (146 new fires)
• New large fires:  5
• Large fires contained:  4
• Uncontained large fires:  4
• States affected:  AZ, NM, KY, TN, FL  (NIFC) 

Disaster Declaration Activity

An appeal for a major disaster declaration for the Sovereign Tribal Nation of the Havasupai Tribe, State of Arizona, as a result of thunderstorms during the period of August 16-17, 2008 was received on November 10, 2009.  The Governor is specifically appealing the denial of Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation for the Havasupai Tribal areas located in Coconino County.  (FEMA HQ) 

Last Modified: Thursday, 12-Nov-2009 08:13:09 EST