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National Situation Update: Friday, August 1, 2008

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Significant National Weather

Midwest
Areas around the lower Great Lakes and Ohio Valley will experience a few strong to severe thunderstorms as a low pressure system moves into the region; some storms may contain large hail and damaging winds. High temperatures could rise into the upper 90s to lower 100s with heat indices topping 110 degrees from the western Ohio Valley southwest to eastern Kansas, including St. Louis and Kansas City, through early next week.
Northeast
A few scattered thunderstorms are expected across northern New England, a large portion of New York State, and western Pennsylvania. A few storms over western New York and Pennsylvania may contain large hail and strong winds. High temperatures will be in the 70s going north and the 80s in the southern part of the region.
South
Over the next couple of days temperatures could reach the 90s to lower 100 degrees, with heat indices of 100 to 115 degrees for all areas except Florida by Saturday.
West
The West will remain hot through the upcoming weekend, but parts of the Southwest will cool off as moisture moves in. Red Flag Warnings exist for southern Utah and southwest Montana until late tonight due to strong winds and low relative humidity. Expect high temperatures to reach the lower 80s over the higher elevations, and the middle 90s to lower 100s in the interior valleys and along the front range of the Rocky Mountains; deserts will be in the 105 to 115 degree range. Portions of the Pacific Northwest and coastal California will stay cool with temperatures holding in the 60s along the coast to the mid-80s inland.  (National Weather Service, Media Sources)

Mark Twain Lake Update - Northeast Missouri

Mark Twain Lake has experienced record high water levels due to ongoing heavy rainfall and river flooding in northeast Missouri. Water levels at the Lake are dropping; the water fell almost half a foot to 60 feet on Thursday. Although the water is falling, officials say the level of flooding on the lake is still serious. Mark Twain Lake discharge is currently 54,000 cfs, and will remain so until further notice.

Falling waters could quickly rise again if more rain falls into the lake's watersheds. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials say they will maintain a precautionary posture for potential additional rain. A Flood Warning continues for the Salt River below the dam. A water rescue team is on standby; sandbagging and other protective flood measures are ongoing in Ralls County along the Salt River. Missouri Civil Air Patrol recon flights over the lake and Salt River Valley are ongoing. Missouri DOT is monitoring road and bridge conditions in the flood affected areas; 31 roads are closed at this time. (Region VII, media sources)

Alaska Flood Update

Heavy rain over the last several days has caused flooding of the Salcha River, Rosie Creek areas and the Tanana Basin in Alaska.  The Alaska State Emergency Coordination Center remains at Level II (Enhanced Operations) and a DHS Liaison has deployed to the State EOC. Chena River continues to rise and is expected to peak early Saturday morning, August 2; the Tanana River crested Wednesday night, July 30, and is currently receding; however, rainfall is forecast that may impact river levels. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is monitoring the levels for possible activation of the Chena Flood Control project to divert water from Fairbanks, AK, if neccessary. An emergency shelter has been established by the Red Cross for potential displaced residents due to the flooding.(PIO Fairbanks, and Region X)

Hurricane Dolly Update (FEMA-1780-DR-TX)

On May 23, Hurricane Dolly made landfall on South Padre Island about 35 miles northeast of Brownsville, TX with damage reported in 15 counties in southern Texas, and residual precipitation impacting parts of Texas and New Mexico.
State Response:
Texas: Texas State Operations Center is activated to Level I (Emergency Operations/ Highest Level). Nine shelters with a population of 604 were open as of 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 31. Five Public Affairs (PA) Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) teams are operational in Texas and four Individual Assistance (IA) PDA teams are in the field. The State continues recovery operations. Responders continue working on local power grids and public water systems. TxDOT crews have deployed to damaged areas to continue cleaning debris from state highways and repairing traffic signals, signs, and pavement. The Salvation Army and Red Cross continue to operate feeding sites, canteens, and kitchens.
New Mexico: New Mexico DHSEM is activated to Level III for flood emergency. Two PA PDA teams began assessments in New Mexico on Thursday, July 31. Two PDA teams are deploying to New Mexico along with tribal liaison and Public Information Officer.

Federal Response:
Region VI RRCC is activated at level III (normal operations), watch only. The JFO in McAllen, TX opened Thursday, July 31, 2008. The IMAT is operational and transitioning from the Initial Operating Facility at the Weslaco National Guard Armory to the JFO at McAllen, TX. Logistics is continuing coordination with the State of Texas and FEMA Operations on anticipated resources requested. (FEMA Region VI, TX SOC Situation Report #15)

Louisiana Oil Spill Update

On July 23, 2008, the Tanker Vessel Tintomara collided with the fuel barge DM932, causing a spill of approximately 9,000 barrels of heavy crude oil. Clean-up efforts have been on-going. Early Wednesday morning, July 30, an additional 2,520 gallons of fuel oil leaked from the damaged barge closing two miles of river downstream. Water intakes were closed as a precautionary measure. By late Wednesday, all water intakes reopened and vessel traffic resumed. A safety zone is in effect from mile marker 98 to the Southwest Pass; commercial traffic is allowed to move at the slowest safe speed in the vicinity of salvage operations, shoreline clean-up workers, and oil booms. All air monitoring tests yielded safe results. All water samples tested negative for hydrocarbons or oil contamination. LA Department of Environmental Quality continues to monitor water quality. A total of 115,164 gallons of water/oil mixture have been recovered, an estimated 54,600 gallons evaporated from the water, and 840 gallons have dispersed. Resources assigned are 108 work boats, 6 barges, 35 skimmers, 14 vacuum trucks and 5 Oil Spill Removal Organizations with total personnel of 1,789 employees on scene. Algiers and the Inner Harbor Navigational Canal are operational with no restrictions to traffic. No request for Federal assistance has been received or is anticipated. (USCG Command Center HQs, Region VI )

Telegraph Fire Update - California

Firefighters continue efforts to contain a wildfire burning near the main entrance to Yosemite National Park. The fire has burned 33,705 acres and is 45 percent contained. Zero acres have burned in Yosemite National Park. The fire continues to be active on the north and east flanks near Jenkins Hill in the Merced River Drainage. On Thursday, July 31, the California National Guard joined the effort to contain the Telegraph Fire. The Guard was deployed in the area where many residents were evacuated. Firefighters have made significant progress in diminishing the threat of fire to structures in the Midpines and Mariposa areas. Sixteen minor injuries (all firefighters) have been reported; no fatalities to date. There are currently 3 shelters open with a population of 50 people. California OES, Inland REOC and State SOC are activated at the duty officer level. Mariposa County has activated their EOC and an OES representative is on scene. There are currently 96 crews, 466 fire engines, 64 dozers, 56 water tenders, 16 helicopters, 12 airtankers, and 4,496 total personnel assigned to this fire. The number of destroyed structures remains at 21 residences and 33 outbuildings; 2,000 residences remain threatened. The communities of Midpines, Greeley Hill and Coulterville are under an evacuation advisory. Residents of certain locations in Southern and Northern Mariposa County and residents northwest and west of Highway 140 have been permitted to return to their homes.(Cal Fire)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

Nothing significant to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean:
There are no tropical cyclones at this time.
Eastern Pacific:
There are no tropical cyclones at this time.
Western Pacific:
No current tropical cyclone warnings.(NOAA, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, NHS HPC)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Fire Activity as of Thursday, July 31, 2008:
National Wildfire Preparedness Level: 4
Initial attack activity: Light (183 new fires)
New large fires: 8 (Newt-AZ; Tehipte-CA; Chief-CO; Blackhawk-ID; Cabin Creek-ID; Little One-NV; Cogan Creek-TX; Parks-TX).
Uncontained large fires: 34
Large fires contained: 7
States with Large fires: AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NC, NV, OK, TX, UT, VA, WA and WY
Predictive Services Discussion: Windy conditions continue across portions of the northwest quarter of the country; however, wind speeds will be less than yesterday. Isolated mixed thunderstorms are possible in Colorado. Texas will see a gradual increase in relative humidity.  (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Idaho: On July 31, 2008 the President signed Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-1781-DR for the State of Idaho for flooding that occurred May 15 to June 9, 2008. The declaration provides Public Assistance for the counties of Kootenai and Shoshone and Hazard Mitigation statewide. The FCO is Douglas G. Mayne of the National FCO Program.

Texas: Amendment #1 to Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Texas (FEMA-1780-DR) for flooding was approved July 31, 2008. The amendment adds Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy Counties for Individual Assistance and debris removal (Category A) under the Public Assistance program and the counties of Aransas, Bexar, Brooks, Calhoun, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Starr, and Victoria for debris removal (Category A) under the Public Assistance program (all counties are already designated for emergency protective measures [Category B], including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program).  (FEMA HQ)