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National Situation Update: Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Eastern North Pacific Possible Tropical Cyclone Development

Shower and thunderstorm activity associated with a broad area of low pressure centered a few hundred miles west of Costa Rica has become a little better organized today.  Slow development of this system is possible over the next couple of days as it remains nearly stationary or drifts eastward to northeastward.  Regardless of development, locally heavy rains are expected to continue over portions of Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua during the next day or two. (NWS, NHC)

Hurricane Preparedness Week Continues Through 31 May - Inland Flooding

Hurricanes produce storm surges, tornadoes, and often the most deadly of all - inland flooding. While storm surge is always a potential threat, more people have died from inland flooding from 1970 up to 2000.
Inland flooding can be a major threat to communities hundreds of miles from the coast as intense rain falls from these huge tropical air masses. Tropical Storm Allison (2001) produced extremely heavy rainfall and catastrophic floods in the Houston, Texas area. Allison then acquired subtropical characteristics and continued to produce heavy rainfall and flooding near its track from Louisiana eastward to North Carolina, and then northward along the U.S. east coast to Massachusetts. Forty-one deaths were directly related to the heavy rain, flooding, tornadoes, and high surf.
In a study from 1970 to 1999, freshwater flooding accounted for more than half (59%) of U.S. tropical cyclone deaths. These floods are why 63% of U.S. tropical cyclone deaths during that period occurred in inland counties.
At least 23% of U.S. tropical cyclone deaths occur to people who drown in, or are attempting to abandon, their cars. So, the next time you hear hurricane -- think inland flooding! (National Hurricane Center)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No request has been made.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean: No significant Activity to report.
Eastern Pacific: Shower and thunderstorm activity associated with a broad area of low pressure centered a few hundred miles west of Costa Rica has become a little better organized. 
Slow development of this system is possible over the next couple of days as it remains nearly stationary or drifts eastward to northeastward.  Regardless of development, locally heavy rains are expected to continue over portions of Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua during the next day or two.
Western Pacific: No activity affecting U.S. Territories. (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
National Fire Activity as of Monday, May 27:
Initial attack activity: Light (101 new fires)

 New large fires: 1
 Large fires contained: 0
 Uncontained large fires: 10

Weather Discussion: A warming and drying trend is on tap for the Southwest. There will be a chance of dry thunderstorms over the New Mexico central mountains on Wednesday and Thursday. Dry weather is expected to persist over Florida for the next couple of days. Mild weather and relatively high humidity should continue over California through Wednesday.. (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The President has signed FEMA-1763-DR for Iowa.  The incident is for a severe storm and tornadoes May 25, 2008.  One county was designated for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance.  Hazard Mitigation statewide. (FEMA HQ)