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National Situation Update: Saturday, October 25, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No new activity to report.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean:
There are no current tropical cyclone warnings.

Eastern Pacific:
Area 1:  As of 2:00 a.m. EDT, October 25, the remains of Tropical Depression 17-E are centered about 330 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico and re-development of this system is not expected.

Area 2: As of 2:00 a.m. EDT, October 25, shower activity associated with an area of disturbed weather, located about 1,800 miles east-southeast of the Hawaiian Islands, remains disorganized and upper-level winds are not conducive towards development of this system.

Western Pacific:
No current tropical cyclone warnings. (NOAA, HPC, 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 Fire Activity Report, Friday October 24, 2008
National Wildfire Preparedness Level: 1
Initial Attack Activity, Light 127 
States reporting large fires: California
Number of Uncontained Large Fires  3 
Number of New Large Fires 0 
Number of Large Fires Contained 0 

Year-to-date statistics
2008 (1/1/08 - 10/24/08) Fires: 58,950 Acres: 4,482,023
2007 (1/1/07 - 10/24/07) Fires: 76,285 Acres: 8,248,271

Fire Weather
Red flag warnings in effect for portions of southern California through Sunday evening, due to an extended period of low humidity.  (NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

North Carolina:  The Governor has requested a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of severe storms accompanied by tornadoes, lightning and torrential rains resulting in widespread flooding and flash flooding beginning September 24, 2008 and ending September 28, 2008.  The request includes Public Assistance (Categories A-G) for Brunswick, Pender, Onslow and Dare counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide.

Ohio: On October 24, 2008, the President signed Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1805-DR-Ohio as a result of a Severe Wind Storm, associated with hurricane force winds that occurred September 14, 2008.  The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance for 33 counties and Hazard Mitigation for the entire statewide. (FEMA HQ)

Indiana: On October 24, 2008, Amendment #5 for FEMA-1795-DR (dated September 23, 2008) adds seven (7) counties for Public Assistance (already designated for Individual Assistance) and adds eleven (11) counties for Public Assistance.

Oklahoma: On October 24, 2008, Amendment # 1 for FEMA-1803-DR (dated October 9, 2008) adds Garfield County for Public Assistance.

Texas: On October 24, 2008, Amendment #10 for FEMA-1791-DR (dated September 13, 2008) adds four (4) counties for Public Assistance and seven (7) counties for Public Assistance {Cat C-G} (already designated for Individual Assistance and Debris Removal and Emergency Protective Measures {Cat A&B}, including direct Federal Assistance under the Public Assistance program).