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National Situation Update: Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather Summary

Midwest      
Scattered showers and thunderstorms across the Midwest and Great Plains on Tuesday, June 26, 2007. A few severe storms possible over the far northern reaches of Wisconsin and Michigan.

South        
Scattered showers and storms will develop over the Southeast and a few storms may reach severe limits, producing strong wind gusts or small hail for Tuesday, June 26, 2007.

Over the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles a few severe storms could develop later in the day or evening and rainfall of over an inch seems likely for eastern and central Texas and much of Oklahoma.

A few scattered to isolated storms and showers over the rest of the South.

Northeast
A scattering of storms and showers mainly from Pennsylvania on south, with the rest of the region sunny and hot on Tuesday, June 26, 2007.

West
Thunderstorms over southeast Wyoming, eastern Colorado, and eastern New Mexico in the afternoon or evening on Tuesday, June 26, 2007, with strong, damaging winds and large hail possible in eastern Colorado and northeast New Mexico.

High temperatures of over 110 are forecast in the lower Colorado River Valley and southwest Arizona.   (NWS, Media Sources)

Angora Fire Update

The Angora Fire (El Dorado County, California) is now approximately 2,500 acres, and is 40 percent contained, with containment expected by June 28, 2007. Approximately 240 primary and secondary residences have been destroyed. Over 500 more residences, 100 commercial properties, 150 outbuildings and one high school are still threatened; however there are no reported injuries at this time. About 1,400 are without gas in the affected area with an additional 2000 on standby for disconnection. CAL ISO advised there are no transmission lines threatened that would affect the power grid. The American Red Cross has opened one shelter and reported an overnight population of 11 persons at the shelter.  Another 123 persons were accommodated by local hotels with free rooms. 

El Dorado County has ordered the evacuation of residences and businesses in the area of South Lake Tahoe. More than 1,000 people have been evacuated. The Governor has proclaimed a State of Emergency for El Dorado County. The County activated its Emergency Operations Center, located at the South Lake Tahoe Airport.  Staff from OES' Fire and Rescue Branch and the Inland Region office is in South Lake Tahoe supporting both fire fighting and emergency management operations.  Additional staff from OES' Law Enforcement Branch and Recovery Branch are en route to South Lake Tahoe. There are 560 personnel on site, under a Unified Command. All requirements are currently being met.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant at 1024 pm on June 24, 2007 to support the costs of fighting the fire. (Region IX)

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

An earthquake, magnitude 5.1 on the Richter Scale, occurred Monday, June 25, 2007, at 0918 hrs in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska.  The quake occurred 39 miles SE of Atka and 1,103 miles WSW of Anchorage, at a depth of 28 miles. No injuries, damage or tsunami reported.

An earthquake, magnitude 5.0 on the Richter Scale, occurred Monday, June 25, 2007, at 1310 hrs in the Santa Cruz Islands.  The quake occurred 1380 miles NE of Queensland, Australia and 45 miles SSW of Santa Cruz, Solomon Islands, at a depth of 22.8 miles. No injuries, damage or tsunami reported.
An earthquake, magnitude 5.2 on the Richter Scale, occurred Monday, June 25, 2007, at 0933 hrs in the Flores Sea.  The quake occurred 145 miles WNW of Ende, Flores, Indonesia, and 190 miles S of Ujung, Pandang, Sulawesi, Indonesia, and 80 miles ENE of Raba, Sumbawa, Indonesia at a depth of 124.5 miles. No injuries, damage or tsunami reported.

An earthquake, magnitude 5.1 on the Richter Scale, occurred Monday, June 25, 2007, at 0128 hrs in the Moro Gulf, Mindanao, Philippines.  The quake occurred 105 miles WNW of General Santos, Mindanao, Philippines, and 45 miles SW of Cotabato, Mindanao, Philippines, at a depth of 21.1 miles. No injuries, damage or tsunami reported.(NOAA, USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program, Alaska Earthquake Information Center, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Individual Assistance and Public Assistance PDAs for 12 counties in Texas are continuing and expected to complete June 27, 2007.

Individual Assistance and Public Assistance PDAs for 12 counties in North Dakota are scheduled to begin on June 25, 2007.

Individual Assistance and Public Assistance PDAs for Delaware County, New York are continuing.  (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level:  2
States Most Affected: California, Alaska
National Fire Activity as of Monday, June 25, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. EDT:
Initial attack activity: Light (138 new fires)
New large fires: 7
Large fires contained: 4
Uncontained large fires: 15

The Caribou Hills Fire, located in Soldonta, Alaska, is now at 52,000 acres and 10% contained. Limited accessibility continues to hamper firefighting efforts. 79 structures have been lost. Evacuations are occurring, and a shelter is open in Ninilchik, AL. The State intends to submit a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) within the next 12 to 24 hours. FEMA Region X continues to monitor the situation. (Region X)

Weather Discussion:  California is experiencing an increase in fire activity. Winds will begin to taper off over most of the western states with cloudy conditions and a chance of showers for Alaska. The southeast will be hot and dry with a possibility of thunderstorms. (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)