National Situation Update: Sunday, June 24, 2007
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).
National Weather Forecast
Midwest: Scattered thunderstorms will persist over eastern Kansas, Missouri and the Ohio Valley today, June 24, Monday, June 25, and Tuesday, June 26, 2007. Localized downpours will be the main threat.
A Northwest front will move Monday, and severe thunderstorms and downpours will cross North Dakota by Monday night, June 25, 2007.
South: A broad weak upper-level disturbance will remain entrenched over the southern Plains as thunderstorms and localized downpours occur.
The southern Plains storms may expand slightly eastward to include Louisiana and western Mississippi early in the week.
Northeast: Scattered thunderstorms in New York and New England will occur as an upper-level disturbance and weak front move through the region through Monday, June 25, 2007.
West: The Desert Southwest will see temperatures above average this weekend and through the upcoming week. Highs will range from 100 to 115.
Isolated thunderstorms will move across eastern Washington, northern Idaho and Montana.
A few thunderstorms will move across the eastern Rockies and high Plains from Wyoming to New Mexico through Monday, June 25, 2007. (NWS, Media Sources)
Explosion At A Hazardous Waste Reclamation And Recycling Site WI
At 6:00 am EDT, June 22, 2007, an explosion and fire occurred at the Waste Research and Reclamation facility in Eau Claire, WI. The fire was controlled and the fire crews are removing debris. The remnants of the fire will be analyzed to help determine the cause of the fire.
The plume cloud dissipated over ninety miles away and the EPA reports no impact to air quality. All roadways are open and the evacuation was lifted at 9:00 pm EDT, June 22, 2007. On Monday, June 25, 2007 the company is expected to reopen in the unaffected portion of the facility.
Waste Research & Reclamation Company (WRR) site is primarily a reclamation and recycling business for hazardous liquid wastes, fuel blending, and transportation of hazardous waste for incineration or disposal. Waste materials handled include chlorinated and fluorinated solvents and flammables. (NICC)
Alaska Wildfire Update
Despite moderating weather, extreme fire behavior was exhibited. Heavy loading of beetle killed
spruce, a heavy build-up of light flashy fuels, and limited accessibility to the fire area continue to
hamper firefighting efforts. Site assessment and structure preparations in the Moosehorn and
Caribou Lake subdivisions continue. Multiple air tanker drops, crews, and bucket work were instrumental in saving structures in the Ninilchik 40 subdivision. To date, the fire has burned 38,694 acres and is 0% contained. (Alaska Interagency Coordination Center, NIFC)
Tropical Weather Outlook
Atlantic/Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.
Eastern Pacific:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours.
Western Pacific:
No significant activity. (NOAA, 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: 2
States Most Affected: Alaska, Idaho
National Fire Activity as of Saturday, June 23, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. EDT:
Initial attack activity: Light (180 new fires)
New large fires: 2
Large fires contained: 2
Uncontained large fires: 11
Weather Discussion: Dry and windy weather is expected from the Sierras and across the Great Basin today and will expand into Wyoming and western Colorado on Sunday. Dry thunderstorms are expected to diminish over Western Colorado. Rain is expected over south central Alaska today with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms in the central and eastern interior. Much of the Southeast will be dry this weekend with low humidity over northern Florida, Georgia and Alabama. (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center)
Disaster Declaration Activity
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Monday, 25-Jun-2007 08:05:09 EDT