National Situation Update: Sunday, August 26, 2007
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
National Weather Summary
South:
From parts of southern and eastern Texas to the southern Appalachians and Southeast coast there is the potential for isolated to scattered thunderstorms. Some of these thunderstorms could produce hail or strong winds gusts, with downpours of 1 to 3 inches of rain in a matter of an hour or two.
Highs are expected to be in the 90's.
Northeast:
The same system that brought heavy, flooding rain to much of the Plains and Midwest is expected to move toward the east overnight.
An area of dry, cool air from the north may interact with some very humid and warm air to the south and bring storms that could produce damaging winds and possibly even isolated tornados.
West:
A disturbance from off of Baja and tropical moisture may come into the Southwest this weekend, lowering temperatures to the upper 90s and low 100s and causing scattered thunderstorms from interior Southern California and Arizona into southern Nevada, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.
Midwest:
Storms and heavy downpours may cease ahead of a cold front headed toward the Northeast coast. This will leave the Midwest almost entirely rain free after more than a week and could help flood waters recede.
High temperatures are expected to range from the 70s in the northern Mississippi River Valley and Great Lakes to the 80s and low 90s in Missouri and Kentucky. (NWS, Media Sources)
Midwest Flooding Update
Minnesota
A Major Disaster Declaration was signed on August 23, 2007.
Three counties have been designated for Individual Assistance (IA) and Public Assistance (PA) Category B (Emergency Protective Measures), including Direct Federal Assistance.
Three counties added for IA and Category B and DFA on August 24: Olmsted, Steele, and Wabasha. PDAs completed for all 6 counties.
A Joint JFO will be set up in Rochester, Minnesota for the flooding declarations and bridge collapse.
Oklahoma
A Major Disaster Declaration was signed by the President on August 24.
Blaine, Caddo, and Kingfisher Counties have been designated for IA and Direct Federal Assistance.
IA PDAs are continuing. PA PDAs will begin on Tuesday, August 28.
Seven deaths have been attributed to flooding.
Wisconsin
The State submitted a request on August 23 for an expedited major disaster declaration for Individual Assistance for five counties.
The Governor has extended the State Emergency Declaration to seven more counties. This brings the total number of counties to 12.
IA PDAs were conducted Saturday, August 25, in Crawford, LaCrosse, Richland, Sauk, and Vernon Counties. PDAs will continue on Sunday, August 26, if necessary. PA PDAs are scheduled to begin Tuesday, August 28.
Current statewide damage estimates include 1,176 homes with minor damage, 287 with major damage, and 44 homes destroyed.
Ohio
The State has not requested a major disaster declaration at this time.
FEMA Region V, in coordination with FEMA Region II, is preparing to deploy a 200-250 person JFO kit, MERS Emergency Operations Vehicle, and personnel to Ohio in anticipation of a Federal disaster declaration.
Joint Federal/State IA PDAs were conducted on Saturday, August 25, in five counties that had the majority of damage.
The State will likely request PDAs later in seven additional counties.
Iowa
The State has not requested a major disaster declaration at this time.
The Governor proclaimed a State of Emergency for 13 north central counties.
IA and PA PDAs are scheduled to begin on August 28 for these 13 counties.
Missouri
The State has not requested a major disaster declaration at this time.
The Governor proclaimed a State of Emergency for affected counties in southwest Missouri along the I-44 corridor on August 24.
PA PDAs for seven southwestern counties will be conducted on Monday, August 27.
Local damage assessments for bridges and roads in Laclede County currently stand at $5.5 million.
Illinois
The State has not requested a major disaster declaration at this time.
The American Red Cross continues to provide feeding to residents in Lake, Kane, McHenry, and Cook Counties. A total of 475 meals have been provided so far.
Indiana
The State has not requested Federal assistance at this time.
A State of Emergency was declared for Lake County August 15, 2007.
State resources have been deployed to assist local disaster response operations. The Department of Energy reports that 2,554 customers were without power as of August 25, 2007.
Nebraska
No Federal assistance has been requested at this time.
No state or local declarations have been made.
The State EOC is not planning to be activated Sunday and is maintaining regular business hours.
Texas
The Texas State EOC and FEMA continue to work recovery issues on Declaration 1709-DR-TX, severe storms and flooding June 16-18, 2007, which was approved on June 29, 2007.
Demobilization from the Hurricane Dean response continues.
The State EOC continues to work with agency teams in planned demobilization efforts.
Michigan Tornado
The Michigan EOC is partially activated on an as needed basis.
The National Weather Service reported that at least one tornado touched down in the vicinity of Fenton, Michigan on Friday.
The Department of Energy reported that 105,355 customers were without power across the state as of August 25, 2007.
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
No new activity to report. (FEMA HQ)
Tropical Weather Outlook
Atlantic/Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico:
There are no significant weather systems identified at this time and tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.
Eastern Pacific:
Tropical cyclone activity is not expected during the next 48 hours.
Central Pacific:
Tropical cyclone activity is not expected during the next 48 hours.
Western Pacific:
Tropical cyclone activity is not expected during the next 48 hours. ( NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, FEMA Regions II, IV, VI, FEMA HQ)
Earthquake Activity
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Preliminary Damage Assessments
Individual Assistance PDAs for five counties in Ohio began August 26.
Individual Assistance and Public Assistance PDAs for 13 counties in Iowa are scheduled to begin on August 28, 2007. (FEMA Regions, FEMA HQ)
Wildfire Update
National Preparedness Level: 5
States Most Affected: Montana, Idaho
National Fire Activity as of Saturday, August 25, 2007
New large fires: 4
Large fires contained: 10
Uncontained large fires: 45
2007 acres burned to date: 6,865,382
Weather Discussion: A dry cold front may bring gusty winds and low humidity to Idaho and Montana today. Wyoming could also see dry, windy weather today. Moisture surging up from the south can expect to bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms to southern California and parts of the southern Great Basin. Scattered thundershowers are expected over the Southeast. (National Interagency Fire Center)
Disaster Declaration Activity
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Monday, 27-Aug-2007 08:16:34 EDT