Release date: 08/19/2010 Site Contact Information: 888-363-8632, spillpress@epa.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 10-ENB012 MARSHALL, MI

LAREDO, Texas – Do you have questions about recovering from Hurricane Alex and the subsequent flooding? The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are providing several ways to get answers – and one may be knocking on your door shortly.

LAREDO, Texas – The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announce the opening of mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) Saturday in Cameron and Webb counties for those affected by Hurricane Alex flooding.

LAREDO, Texas – State agencies, local jurisdictions and eligible nonprofit organizations in Dawson County that suffered damage or loss as a result of Hurricane Alex and subsequent flooding now can register for federal assistance.

LAREDO, Texas – Texas renters who lost their homes or personal property as a result of Hurricane Alex and flooding might be missing out on assistance.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting seven public hearings on the agency’s proposal to regulate the disposal and management of coal ash from coal-fired power plants

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED) Significant National Weather

Midwest
Thunderstorms are forecast from the Northern Plains to the upper Mississippi Valley. A few of these storms will be severe and may include hail, high winds, and lightning. A few storms are also possible in central and southern Michigan.

South
The remnants of Tropical Depression 5 are interacting with a weak frontal boundary and southeast Texas to the Carolinas can expect isolated to scattered thunderstorms. The heaviest rain will be in the southern Louisiana and Mississippi area and flash flooding is possible. Areas of heavy rain can also be expected in eastern Tennessee, southeastern Kentucky and in the Appalachians. Areas in north Texas and Arkansas will see high temperatures approach 100 with very high humidity.

Northeast
Showers and/or thunderstorms are possible over much of New York State later in the day. The rest of the region will experience a dry and sunny day.

West
Scattered thunderstorm activity will continue around the Four Corners area. Stronger storms could contain flooding downpours and strong wind gusts as well as dangerous lightning. The strong wind gusts ahead of these storms may produce local dust storms. A few thunderstorms could also move over eastern Montana into much of central and southern Wyoming. The remainder of the region should be dry. In the Southwest, high temperatures will range from the 100 to 115 degrees. (NOAA and media sources)

Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season Peak

The official hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin (Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico) runs from June 1 to November 30. Major hurricanes can occur at any time during this season.  According to historical data, most tropical cyclone activity occurs between mid to late August and mid to late October, with the peak of the hurricane season occurring around mid September. As we enter into the peak of the 2010 hurricane season, it is important to review their emergency plans for hurricane associated hazards such as; storm surge, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding. The best way to survive a hurricane and minimize its impact is to be prepared before it strikes. For more information, see the National Hurricane Center’s Hurricane Preparedness website: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/intro.shtml. (NOAA)

Mississippi Canyon 252 Update

The well pressure remains stable and well integrity monitoring is ongoing with sonar surveys and visual inspections. Drill Rig III is conducting in–place Blowout Preventer (BOP) testing. Drill Rig II continues rig maintenance and is preparing to temporarily abandon the well. Approximately 680 miles of coastline is impacted by the spill and shoreline cleanup efforts continue. (NIC Daily SitRep Update)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico:
A tropical wave over the west-central and southwestern Caribbean Sea has a low chance, near 20 percent, of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.

Central, Eastern and Western Pacific:
Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours. (NOAA, JTWC)

Earthquake Activity

No significant activity. (USGS)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 2
National Fire Activity as of Wednesday, August 18, 2010:

Initial attack activity: light (188 new fires), new large fires: 3, large fires contained: 2 Uncontained large fires: 4, U.S. States affected: OR, WA, ID, UT, AR, OK, MT, and CA. (NIFC)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
FEMA-1931-DR-TX, Amendment #2 closes the incident period for this disaster effective August 14, 2010.
FEMA-1931-DR-TX, Amendment #3 adds 1 county for Public Assistance effective August 19, 2010.
FEMA-3313-EM-TX, Amendment #1 closes the incident period for this disaster effective August 14, 2010. (FEMA HQ) 

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Disaster Recovery Centers in Carter and Lewis counties will be open only through tomorrow (Thursday, Aug. 19) to assist people affected by the July severe storms, flooding and mudslides.

BEAVER, W. Va. -- Federal disaster assistance funding has reached $12.6 million to help homeowners, renters, business owners, and government agencies in West Virginia recover from the June 2010 flooding.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10-OPA096 August 18, 2010 Chicago, Ill. – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials, along with Indiana and Hammond officials, will hold a media briefing on the BP underground gas leak near 175th Street and White Oak Ave., Hammond, Ind

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Nashville musician Murph Wanca nearly lost an old friend this spring; his prized Hammond B3 organ. The storms that swept Tennessee beginning April 30 almost destroyed the vintage instrument, and the business that sprang up around it.

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- When disaster strikes, local and state officials focus on addressing the immediate needs of survivors and community safety issues. A presidential disaster declaration brings in federal programs to supplement these efforts in designated counties.

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED) Significant National Weather

 Midwest
Severe thunderstorms are possible from the Dakotas to Upper Michigan, bringing the potential for damaging wind gusts, hail, and tornadoes. Kentucky may see more than an inch of rain but the rest of the region should remain dry.
South
The stalled frontal system draped over the South and the remnant of Tropical Depression Five will continue to bring rain and thunderstorms throughout the South.  Downpours of 1 to 4 inches are possible from Louisiana to Tennessee. The southern Plains will see high temperatures between 95 to 103 degrees.  Heat Advisories remain in effect for southeastern Texas, where high humidity will make the temperatures feel between 105 to 115 degrees.
Northeast
The stalled front along the North Carolina-Virginia line will bring heavy rain across the southern Mid-Atlantic Region with downpours up to 5 inches. Upstate New York to New England will remain dry.
West
Dry thunderstorms are forecast from the Cascades to the northern Rockies creating a possibility for wildfires from lightning strikes. The Four Corners states and parts of Nevada and southeast California may see some redeveloping thunderstorms.
(NOAA and media sources)

Mississippi Canyon 252 Update

The well pressure remains stable and well integrity monitoring is ongoing with sonar surveys and visual inspections. Drill Rig III is conducting Blowout Preventer (BOP) testing. Drill Rig II continues rig maintenance and is preparing to temporarily abandon the well. Approximately 674 miles of coastline is impacted and shoreline cleanup efforts continue. Approximately 22 percent, or 52,395 miles, of federal waters of Gulf Exclusive Economic Zone remain closed to fishing.
(NIC Daily SitRep)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity. (HQ FEMA)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico: 
A tropical wave located over Hispaniola and portions of the central Caribbean Sea is producing widespread cloudiness and disorganized shower activity. Development of this disturbance, if any, should be slow to occur over the next 48 hours due to unfavorable environmental conditions. There is a low chance, around 10 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone over the next 48 hours.
Central, Eastern and Western Pacific: 
No tropical cyclone activity expected during the next 48 hours.
(NOAA, JTWC) 

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 Tuesday, August 17, 2010: 
Initial attack activity: moderate (201 new fires), new large fires: 0, large fires contained: 3
Uncontained large fires: 6, U.S. States affected: OR, OK, LA, AR, ID, UT, MT & AK
(NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

On August 17, 2010, the President approved a major disaster declaration for Missouri (FEMA-1934-DR) as a result of severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes from June 12 to July 31, 2010. The declaration makes 29 counties eligible for the Public Assistance Program and all counties eligible for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Joseph M. Girot was appointed as the Federal Coordinating Officer for this disaster.
(HQ FEMA)

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s major disaster declaration issued for the State of Missouri.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for Missouri and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes during the period of June 12 to July 31, 2010.

Major Disaster Declaration number 1934 declared on Aug 17, 2010

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- Three additional counties are now eligible for individual federal assistance to help communities recover from recent severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Nearly $68 million in federal grants has been obligated to help the state of Oklahoma and its communities recover from the December blizzard and January ice storm, officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) said Tuesday.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is helping Tennessee prepare for future disasters. At the request of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), Joint Field Office Logistics Section Chief Jim Lowery, FEMA Logistics Specialist Jimmy Jordan and the training departments at TEMA and FEMA have organized Points of Distribution - or POD - training classes across the state.

With billions invested in interoperability, why does it seem like agencies are still at square one?