National Situation Update: Tuesday, May 9, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Mild Weather Across the Nation

Northeast: Southern New England and coastal Maine will be windy and rainy. The remainder of the Northeast is expected to be dry with near-seasonable temperatures.

South: Much of the South be threatened by scattered showers and thunderstorms as a slow-moving warm front moves from the Red River Valley to near the Georgia-Florida border. Severe storms, including a few tornadoes, may occur over Oklahoma and Arkansas and into Tuesday night in northern Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Midwest: Locally heavy rain will soak northern portions of the Upper Midwest, and a few severe thunderstorms, including tornadoes, may rumble over southern Missouri and southeastern Kansas. Elsewhere in the Great Plains, only widely scattered or isolated showers are likely.

West: Showers and thunderstorms will be scattered over Montana, Wyoming and Colorado.
(National Weather Service, media sources)

Florida Wildfire Update

Chronic drought conditions, low humidities, and gusty winds fostered the development of numerous wildfires in central and southern Florida over the weekend. At least three of the larger fires have persisted through mid afternoon Monday, resulting in evacuations, road closures, and threats to residences.

The interior Florida Peninsula will remain very warm Tuesday south of a frontal boundary that will extend across northern Florida . Showers and storms will be likely with his boundary. In areas that remain dry relative humidity levels will approach critical levels below 40 percent at peak heating with highs near 90. Due to forecast weaker wind speeds and possibility of rain the area will not be forecast as critical although some portion could be upgraded if it becomes apparent the relative humidity will be much lower than currently forecast.

Volusia County (New Smyrna Fire) Update:

The fire is now burning 1,320 acres and is 70-percent contained. Three homes have been lost. Of particular concern is hot spot west of I-95 and north of S.R. 44; two task forces are working to keep it contained within the fire lines.
Power has been restored to most homes. Cable and phone service may be restored Tuesday.
I-95 was scheduled to remain closed Monday night. The closure will be reassessed Tuesday morning.
The American Red Cross Shelter at the Babe James Center closed Monday night.
There is a 40 percent chance of showers in the new Smyrna Beach Area Tuesday.
Residents who evacuated the area on Sunday were able to return to their homes Monday.

Brevard County (Areca Fire) Update:

Currently, all brush fire activity is contained within the fire lines and there are no threatened structures. Although the fires are within the fire lines, there is still significant threat of flare up.
No evacuations or road closures are currently in effect.
Local and State agencies will continue to monitor fire conditions.

Hillsborough County (Gibsonton Fire) Update:

Fire is at 350 acres. Northbound I-75 has reopened, but southbound lanes remain closed. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has lifted the evacuation orders and people are being allowed back into their homes. The fire is currently in unincorporated portions of the County.
Hillsborough County EOC has been partially activated. Thirty-eight fire engines and personnel on scene.
One shelter has been opened in Brandon with a capacity for 70 persons. No current population report.

Levy County (Bronson Fire) Update:

The Fire is completely out. Two mobile homes were destroyed and the Red Cross is helping the one displaced family.

The State EOC will activate at a minimal level 2 (Plans, Operations, Meteorology) with 0800 - 1700 operational hours, or as needed. A small element will also be active in the Mobile Command Vehicle at the Governor's Hurricane Conference in Fort Lauderdale . A Governor's Executive Order has been drafted and is pending signature. The Florida Division of Forestry has requested a Federal Fire Suppression Assistance Grant for the Hillsborough County fire. The Division of Emergency Management (DEM) is facilitating the request with FEMA Region IV.

The Regional Duty Officer will remain in contact with the FL DEM and provide reports as necessary.(FEMA Region IV)

FEMA Regional Activity

FEMA-1633-DR-IL Joint Field Office will close on or about May 20, 2006. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Earthquake Activity

Two minor earthquakes of 3.1 and 3.6 magnitudes were recorded 8 miles west southwest of Coronado, CA at 8:13 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. EDT, Monday, May 8, 2006. There are no reports of damage. (Source: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

The National Preparedness Level remains at Level 2. Initial attack activity was light nationally with 57 new fires reported. Five new large fires were reported in Florida. Two large fires were contained, one in Virginia and one in Arizona. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

High pressure will continue to bring dry weather and low humidity to most of central and southern Florida and from the eastern Great Lakes into New England. Hot and dry weather is on tap for most of the Southwest.

There is a Critical Fire Weather Area for much of New Mexico and southwestern Texas.
Initial attack activity was light nationally with 57 new fires reported. Five new large fires were reported in Florida. Two large fires were contained, one in Virginia and one in Arizona. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

There is a Critical Fire Weather Area for much of New Mexico and southwestern Texas. (National Interagency Fire Center, media sources)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Last Modified: Tuesday, 09-May-2006 08:14:51 EDT