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National Situation Update: Saturday, June 30, 2007

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

National Weather

South
A disturbance in the southern Plains will continue to enhance thunderstorms over Oklahoma and Texas. Rains over Oklahoma where 4 to 8 inches could fall.  A disturbance over Florida will produce locally heavy thunderstorms over the peninsula.  Rain and some severe thunderstorms in  the Carolinas and Savannah River Valley

Northeast
High temperatures will be ranging from the 60s in Upstate New York and northern New England to the 70s and lower 80s in Virginia.

Midwest
The southern Plains disturbance will produce heavy rain and thunderstorms across southern Missouri and south-central and southeast Kansas.  From the Dakotas to Ohio, the 90s will quickly expand eastward while some 70s persist around the northern Great Lakes.

West
A few isolated p.m. thunderstorms will occur across northern Idaho and Montana while western sections of Washington and Oregon see the showers come to an end.  Isolated thunderstorms from the Tetons to New Mexico.  (NWS, Media Sources)

Angora Fire (Lake Tahoe, California) Update

The Angora Fire in the Lake Tahoe Basin continues to threaten several communities. Thursday afternoon (June 29, 2007) the fire was reported at 3,100 acres and 70 percent contained, with an estimated containment date of July 3, 2007. 
There are currently 2,008 fire personnel assigned to this incident. 
To date, approximately 254 residential structures have been destroyed. At least 300 residences remain threatened along with 45 commercial structures.
Strong winds are forecast during the next few days which will hamper firefighting efforts. (Region IX, National Interagency Fire Center)

Texas Severe Storms and Flooding

Weather pattern will provide favorable development of thunderstorms.  Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are likely in the stronger thunderstorms.

Burnet County, evacuation operations were coordinated for residents of 100 homes near Cow Creek as additional heavy rainfall continued to impact the area. The City of Burnet reported rescues and evacuations on Thursday. Two people are missing in Burnet County after their vehicle was found swept down a river. The American Red Cross shelter at the Marble Falls Middle School has closed. Immunization clinics will be opened to provide public inoculations.

In Eastland County, approximately 150 homes in the Lake Leon area were flooded and another 75 homes were inaccessible due to rising lake levels. An American Red Cross Shelter is open in Eastland. Game Wardens from Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife reported rescuing 15 adults and 3 small children from the Lake Leon area.

In Hood County, there were 57 homes impacted with 24 of those homes being either destroyed or receiving major damage. There were 11 injuries reported.
Numerous roads are closed in Dallas, Ellis, Llano, Cooke, Midland, Hood, Eastland, Parker, Bell, Williamson, Burnet counties.

FEMA Region VI anticipates that the state will request a major disaster declaration. (Region VI)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

FMAG-2702-FM-CA was issued for the Creek Fire near Happy Valley, Shasta County, California. The Fire has burned more than 250 acres on State and private land. 500 Homes threatened, along with a health center, power lines, wild life and a fishery.  Zero percent containment of fire.  Cause of fire is unknown at this time.  Resources 12 air tankers, 5 helos and 293 personnel.   There is no estimated date for full containment.  (FEMA HQ) 

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico:
A broad low pressure area centered over the southern Florida peninsula continues to produce disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the central and northern Bahamas and Florida. Development is not expected at this time due to strong upper-level winds and proximity to land.  However, this system could produce locally heavy rains across portions of the Bahamas and Florida during the next day or so as it moves slowly northward.

Elsewhere, 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: California, Alaska
National Fire Activity as of Friday, June 29, 2007:
Initial attack activity: Heavy (364 new fires)
New large fires: 7
Large fires contained: 3
Uncontained large fires: 19
Windy conditions will continue over portions of California and the Great Basin and develop in Western Wyoming and Montana.  There is a chance of thunderstorms, some dry, to develop over eastern Arizona, western New Mexico, Colorado, central Idaho and Montana.  In Alaska, conditions will continue to warm with a chance of thunderstorms.  The Southeast will see widespread showers and thunderstorms. (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, FEMA Region X, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The President signed a Disaster Declaration, FEMA-1709-DR, for severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Texas June 16 to June 18, 2007. Six (6) counties are eligible for Individual Assistance, including Direct Federal Assistance and Hazard Mitigation, statewide. The FCO will be Kenneth Clark.  (FEMA HQ)