National Situation Update: Saturday, September 27, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

Midwest
A cold front may produce showers and thunderstorms in the western Great  Lakes and northern Mississippi River Valley.  Some of these storms could produce hail and strong wind in Wisconsin.  Flood Warnings continue for numerous rivers in Illinois and Indiana.  Highs will range from the upper 50s in northeast Minnesota to the low 80s in the Ohio Valley.
Northeast
Heavy rain is forecast for coastal areas of New England and Middle Atlantic states.  Some parts of New England may see two to four inches of rain.  High temperatures will range from the 50s in Maine to the upper 60s in lower Chesapeake Bay.
South  
Showers are forecast for eastern Tennessee, the Carolinas and parts of northern Georgia.  Scattered thunderstorms are possible in southern Florida.  Numerous Flood Warnings remain in effect for portions of Texas, Florida, Arkansas and Louisiana.  High temperatures will range from the 60s in the mountains to near 90 in the southern Plains.
West  
Most of the region will be dry except for a few showers over northwest Washington.  Temperatures will range from the 70s in the Northwest to the 100s in the Desert Southwest.(NOAA, National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Puerto Rico Heavy Rainfall

  • PREMA EOC remains activated
  • 5 fatalities; no injuries reported
  • 15 shelters; population 394(Region II Sitrep)
  • The National Guard remains activated.
  • The Governor of Puerto Rico submitted a Disaster Declaration request for Individual Assistance for 8 municipalities and Hazard Mitigation statewide.
  • Joint FEMA/State PDAs were completed in 22 municipalities for IA and 18 municipalities for PA. PDAs will continue through the weekend.
  • PDAs as of September 21: 8 dwellings are reported destroyed and 1854 with major damage.
  • 19,258 customers without sewer services (1.54% of population).  Restoration time unknown due to existing weather conditions.
  • 98% of power has been restored  (Region II Sitrep Sep 26, FEMA HQ)

Federal / State Response for Hurricane Ike and Midwest Storms

Region V
Ohio

  • EOC not activated
  • 8 fatalities; 10 injuries
  • Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments scheduled to begin on Oct 6.
  • 2,000 customers without power; complete power restoration expected by Sep 28. (Region V)

Illinois

  • EOC not activated.
  • 1 fatality; no injuries
  • PA PDAs are scheduled to begin Sep 29 (Region V)

Indiana

  • EOC not activated.
  • 8 fatalities; 19 injuries
  • 2 shelters;  population 100
  • Joint PDAs are ongoing in southern counties.
  • The State of Indiana has requested the counties of Jefferson, Jennings and Harrison be added to FEMA-1795-DR-IN for Individual Assistance.(Region V)

FEMA Region VI
Louisiana

  • GOSHEP activated at Level III (Emergency Operations).
  • 5 fatalities; no injuries
  • 7 shelters; population 378 (ESF-6 as of 9:00a.m. EDT Sep 26)
  • 19 of 21 PDAs are completed.
  • No critical issues or shortfalls at this time.
  • There are 9 Disaster Recovery Center (DRCs) and 11 Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (MDRCs) located in Louisiana. (FEMA-DAD)

Texas

  • SEOC activated at Level I, 24/7.
  • The Governor requested an extension of 60 days to the 14-day cost share adjustment.
  • 53 Shelters; population of 3,851. (NSS as of midnight Sep 26, 2008)
  • 416,486 customers remain without power. (DOE  as of 6:00 p.m. EDT Sep 26)
  • 19 fatalities; no injuries
  • FEMA continues to supply commodities to Texas State managed Resource Staging Areas.
  • 30 PODS remaining
  • There are 11 Disaster Recovery Center (DRCs) and 28 Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (MDRCs) located in Texas.(FEMA-DAD)

Presidio, TX Levee Issue Update: IBWC completed its inspection and determined that all emergency mitigation measures/goals have been achieved and, based on current projections, the levee system is sound. (Region VI)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean:
Tropical Storm Kyle
At 5:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Kyle was located about 300 miles west-southwest of Bermuda.  Kyle is moving toward the north-northwest near 15 mph and this general motion with an additional increase in forward speed is expected to continue through today. On this track, the core of Kyle and the strongest winds are forecast to remain west of Bermuda.  Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph, with higher gusts; Kyle will likely become a hurricane later today. 
Area 1 - Low Potential for Tropical Cyclone Development
Shower and thunderstorm activity continues near a broad area of low pressure located over the Yucatan Peninsula and the Bay of Campeche.  A large portion of the system is expected to remain over land for the next couple of days and significant development is not anticipated;  however, heavy rains and localized flooding are likely to occur over portions of southern Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula during the next day or two.
Area 2 - Low Potential for Tropical Cyclone Development
A tropical wave located about 1100 miles east of the Leeward Islands is producing a disorganized area of showers and thunderstorms.  Upper level winds are expected to remain unfavorable for development as the system moves west at 10 mph.
Eastern Pacific:
No tropical cyclone activity affecting United States Territories.
Western Pacific:
No tropical cyclone activity affecting 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 Fire Activity as of Friday, September 26, 2008:
National Wildfire Preparedness Level: 2
Initial attack activity: Light (80)
New large fires: 3
Uncontained large fires: 6
Large fires contained: 0
States with large fires: CA, OR  (NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On September 26, 2008, the President signed FEMA-1797-DR-Alabama as a result of severe storms and flooding associated with Hurricane Ike, September 12-24, 2008.
On September 26, 2008, the President signed FEMA-1796-DR-Alaska as a result of severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides July 27 to August 6, 2008.
On September 26, 2008, Amendment #4 was received for FEMA-1791-DR-TX, dated September 13, 2008.  The Amendment adds Galveston County for Public Assistance.
On September 26, 2008, Amendment #1 was received for FEMA-1794-DR-MS, dated September 22, 2008.  The Amendment adds Hancock and Harrison counties for Individual Assistance and Washington County for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance.
On September 26, 2008, Amendment #1 was received for FEMA-1795-DR-IN, dated September 13, 2008.  The Amendment adds Jefferson, Jennings and Harrison counties for Individual Assistance.
On September 26, 2008, Amendment #3 was received for FEMA-3294-EM-TX, dated September 10, 2008.  The Amendment closes the incident period effective September 26, 2008.(FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Monday, 29-Sep-2008 08:09:22 EDT