KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), at the request of the State of Iowa, is delivering 25 truckloads of water to assist Ames, Iowa residents impacted by the recent flooding. An additional 14 truckloads will be staged in Iowa for distribution when requested by the state.

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- More than $8.7 million has been approved in federal disaster grants and loans for Kentuckians affected by the July severe storms, flooding and mudslides.

Discussions aim at learning to adapt to climate change’s effects and focus on cost-effective and mutually beneficial solutions for humans and the environment.

Lexington, Ky. -- Federal Emergency Management Agency officials today announced the addition of Madison, Mason and Rowan counties to the disaster declaration for July’s severe storms, flooding and mudslides.

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Disaster Recovery Centers in Carter and Lewis counties will continue to operate through Thursday, Aug. 19. These centers had been scheduled to close on Saturday.

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

Midwest
Rain and thunderstorms are forecast today over the central U.S. bringing more river flooding to Iowa. By late today, thunderstorms will extend from northern Wisconsin and Minnesota down to northeast Kansas. A few of the storms could become severe, with large hail and gusty winds. Areas from the Great Lakes to the Ohio Valley will remain dry. The Southern Plains will see high temperatures of over 100, with the Ohio Valley seeing high temperatures in the 90s.
The oppressive heat gripping the Mississippi valley and portions of the Midwest will begin to weaken a little over the weekend.
South
The remnants of Tropical Depression Five will bring increased moisture to the region as it moves northward from the Gulf Coast. Heavy rain will move from Louisiana to inland areas over the weekend.
Scattered thunderstorms are forecast from Louisiana eastward to the Carolinas. Louisiana and Mississippi could see locally heavy rain and localized flooding. The recent heat wave in the region will diminish due to clouds and precipitation, but humidity will remain high and may bring heat indices ranging from 110 to 115 degrees.
Northeast
Scattered thunderstorm activity will continue across the mid-Atlantic region while Upstate New York will see less precipitation. Much of New England will remain dry.
West
A cold front is shaping up over the Intermountain West this morning and is expected to make its way into the central plains during the day. Parts of Idaho, Montana and northern Wyoming will see showers and cool temperatures today. Elevations above 7,000 feet in northwestern Montana may see one to three inches of snow. The higher elevations of southeast Arizona and New Mexico will see isolated thunderstorm activity. High temperatures will increase and move across the Southwest over the weekend and will spread up through central California and the Pacific Northwest. The Desert Southwest will see highs up to 110 degrees, with Death Valley seeing highs of 120 degrees. The West Coast will see highs only in the 60s.(NOAA’s National Weather Service, the Hydro meteorological Prediction Center and media sources)

Southeast Severe Weather

A line of severe storms affected the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. metro area early Thursday morning, August 12, 2010. A second line of storms moved through the area early in the evening. The storms produced heavy rain, quarter-sized hail, and damaging winds in excess of 60 mph.
The storms caused widespread power outages, flash flooding, downed trees,  motorists stranded in high water, and several building collapses due to downed trees crashing through buildings.
The storms caused delays for commuter rail and buses due to power outages (traffic signals not working) and downed trees and debris blocking tracks and roadways. One subway station was closed due to power outage and flooding inside the station. There were over 100,000 without power across the entire region at the height of the storm. As of 1:00 a.m. EDT this morning, 43,000 customers remain without power.

Iowa Flooding

Over the past few days, a nearly stationary frontal system over Iowa brought strong thunderstorms and heavy rain to a large portion of central Iowa from near Oskaloosa (Mahaska County) to Sac City (Sac County). Since August 8, three to eight inches of rain have fallen, causing river and flash flooding in many locations in central Iowa. More rain and additional flooding is forecast through the weekend. The areas of most concern are along the Skunk, Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. Along these rivers, five river gauges are at major flood stage with four expected to remain at major flood stage over the next 48 hours. A few gauges are expected to crest at or near record flood stage. Agricultural levees along the Skunk and Des Moines Rivers remain at risk due to the continuing heavy rainfall. Two water treatment plants surrounded by levees, one at Ames and the other at Oskaloosa, also remain at risk. Major impacts from these thunderstorms have been power outages, residential flooding, numerous downed trees, and road closures.  Five highways have been closed due to flooding and approximately 1,000 customers remain without power (down from 8,000). There is one confirmed storm-related fatality and numerous injuries have been reported. Region VII Regional Watch is at Level III (Monitoring) with extended hours, 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. CDT. Two FEMA LNOs have been deployed to the Iowa EOC.

Mississippi Canyon 252 Update

Well pressure remains stable and is decreasing at a rate of 5 psi per hour. Drilling operations have been on hold until the passage of the remnants of Tropical Depression Five.  Approximately 669 miles of coastline is currently oiled in AL, FL, LA, MS, and TX. Shoreline cleanup efforts continue. 52,395 miles of Gulf Exclusive Economic Zone remains closed to fishing. Approximately 78% of the Gulf of Mexico federal waters are open to commercial fishing. (NIC Daily SitRep Update, DHS SLB Deepwater Horizon Response, JIC Ongoing Administration-Wide Response) 

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity. (HQ FEMA) 

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico:
Remnants of Tropical Depression Five 
At 2:00 a.m. EDT, a broad area of low pressure associated with the remnants of Tropical Depression Five remains located near the coast of southern Mississippi. The low is expected to produce locally heavy rains and occasionally gusty winds in squalls as it moves inland over the next 24 to 48 hours. There is a LOW chance (near 0%) of this system re-developing into a tropical cyclone over the next 48 hours. Localized flooding is possible over southern Louisiana and coastal Mississippi.
Eastern Pacific:
Area of Disturbed Weather (1)
At 2:00 a.m. EDT, shower and thunderstorm activity associated with an area of disturbed weather is located 150 miles west-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico. Although conditions appear favorable for tropical storm formation, land interaction could inhibit development of this system by the weekend. There is still a high chance (70%) of this system becoming a tropical cyclone over the next 48 hours as it moves slowly northwestward.
Central Pacific: 
No tropical cyclones are expected through Saturday, August 14, 2010.
Western Pacific:
No tropical cyclone activity affecting United States Territories.(NOAA, NWS, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

At 7:54 a.m. EDT on August 12, 2010, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurred 90 miles east of Ambato, Ecuador at a depth of 131 miles. There were no reports of serious injury, or damage and no tsunami was generated.(USGS)
 

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Preparedness Level: 2
National Fire Activity as of Thursday, August 12, 2010: 
Initial attack activity:  Light (177 new fires)
New large fires:  1
Large fires contained:  4
Uncontained large fires:  6
States Affected:  ID, CA, MT, WY, OK, and TX. (NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Amendment No. 4 to FEMA-1925-DR-KY for the State of Kentucky was approved on August 12 and adds three counties for Individual Assistance and one county for Public Assistance.
The JFO for FEMA-1901-DR-ND has been approved to close at close of business on August 27, 2010.
The JFO for FEMA-3309-EM-ND has been approved to close at close of business on August 27, 2010.

Kansas City, Mo. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division offer safety tips to residents returning to check on flood damaged property and information on filing flood insurance claims.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennesseans are stepping up to help their neighbors recover from devastating spring storms and flooding.

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

Midwest      
Scattered thunderstorms, some severe, are forecast for the Dakotas, Nebraska, Minnesota and Iowa today. Flash flooding is possible in Minnesota and Iowa. Some rivers in Iowa have seen all-time record flood levels. The Great Lakes region will be mainly dry while the Ohio Valley will see isolated thunderstorm activity. The central and southern Plains will be dry, but the oppressive heat is forecast to continue for another couple of days. Parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri may see high temperatures of over 100 degrees. High temperatures along with high humidity will raise the heat index to over 115 degrees in many locations.
South
Portions of the South will see pockets of heavy rain or scattered thunderstorms. Scattered thunderstorms are forecast across parts of eastern Kentucky, eastern Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina. Portions of the Gulf Coast will see locally heavy rain due to the remnants of Tropical Depression Five. Localized flooding is possible over parts of southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi.
Northeast
 Scattered thunderstorms are forecast from Upstate New York to the Chesapeake Bay, but the thunderstorms are not expected to become severe. There is only a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms over most of New England but severe thunderstorms are possible over the mid-Atlantic.
West
 Showers and thunderstorms are forecast from eastern Idaho to Montana and down to northern Wyoming. The higher elevations of Arizona and New Mexico will see less thunderstorm activity than last week. The Desert Southwest will see high temperatures from 105 to 110 degrees.
(NOAA and media sources)

Iowa Flooding

Three to eight inches of rain fell in central Iowa over the past few days and caused flooding in several locations. A nearly stationary frontal system over Iowa brought thunderstorm activity to an area from near Oskaloosa, Iowa in Mahaska County to Sac City, Iowa in Sac County. Several river gauges are at major flood stage with a few gauges forecast to crest at or near record flood stage. Major impacts from these thunderstorms are power outages, emergency crews performing rescues, and numerous road closures. Forty-nine counties issued local emergency declarations. A boil water order was issued for the city of Ames (population 56,000), Story County, due to a water main break. The Region VII Regional Watch remains at Steady State, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CDT but a FEMA liaison is deployed to the state Emergency Operations Center.

Mississippi Canyon 252 Update

The well pressure remains stable and is declining at a rate of 5 lbs per square inch per hour. Drilling operations are on hold until the passage of the remnants of Tropical Depression Five. Approximately 665 miles of coastline are impacted. NOAA reopened 5,144 square miles to finfish harvest but the area closed to all fishing covers 52,395 square miles or approximately 22% of the Gulf of Mexico’s exclusive economic zone.
(NIC Daily SitRep)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) No activity. (HQ FEMA)
Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico: 
The remnants of Tropical Depression Five are now a broad area of low pressure over the northern Gulf of Mexico located just east of southeastern Louisiana. The low is expected to move inland along the north-central Gulf coast by early this morning and there is a low chance, near zero percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. This low could still produce locally heavy rains and strong gusty winds in squalls to portions of the north-central Gulf coast through this morning. Another low pressure system located 850 miles northeast of the northern Leeward Islands is producing minimal shower activity. Upper level winds are not conducive for development and there is a low chance, near 10 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. There is also a tropical wave located 200 miles east of the Lesser Antilles but there is a low chance, near 10 percent, of that system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Eastern Pacific
An area of low pressure is located 375 miles south of Acapulco, Mexico. Environmental conditions appear conducive for further slow development and this low could become a tropical depression during the next 48 hours. There is a high chance, near 60 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Central Pacific: 
Thunderstorm activity located 800 miles south of Honolulu, Hawaii has a low chance, near 10 percent, of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
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 Wednesday, August 11, 2010: 
Initial attack activity: Light (190 new fires), new large fires: 7, large fires contained: 4
Uncontained large fires: 10, U.S. States affected:  ID, UT, CA, MT, WY, OK, TX, VA, LA, SD & NV.
(NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Wisconsin received a Presidential disaster declaration (FEMA-1933-DR-WI) on August 11, 2010, for severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding from July 20-24, 2010. Public Assistance was approved for Grant and Milwaukee Counties and all counties are eligible for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The Federal Coordinating Officer for the disaster is Paul J. Ricciuti.

Amendment No. 4 to FEMA-3311-EM-RI amends the cost-sharing arrangement effective July 29, 2010, to provide Federal funds for emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct Federal assistance, at 90 percent of total eligible costs.

Amendment No. 3 to FEMA-1916-DR-MS amends the cost-sharing arrangement effective July 29, 2010, to provide Federal funds for all categories of Public Assistance (Categories A-G) at 90 percent of total eligible costs.

Amendment No. 7 to FEMA-1912-DR-KY amends the cost-sharing arrangement effective July 29, 2010, to provide Federal funds for all categories of Public Assistance (Categories A-G) at 90 percent of total eligible costs.

Amendment No. 11 to FEMA-1909-DR-TN amends the cost-sharing arrangement effective July 29, 2010, to provide Federal funds for all categories of Public Assistance (Categories A-G), including direct Federal assistance, at 90 percent of total eligible costs.

Amendment No. 5 to FEMA-1906-DR-MS amends the cost-sharing arrangement effective July 29, 2010, to provide Federal funds for all categories of Public Assistance (Categories A-G), including direct Federal assistance, at 90 percent of total eligible costs.

Amendment No. 6 to FEMA-1894-DR-RI amends the cost-sharing arrangement effective July 29, 2010, to provide Federal funds for all categories of Public Assistance (Categories A-G) at 90 percent of total eligible costs.
(HQ FEMA)

Operation Golden Phoenix promotes collaboration and uses the ICBRNE program that monitors and reports critical information.

BEAVER, W. Va. -- While the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State of West Virginia are providing a restart for many homes in the counties hardest hit by June storms, voluntary community service and faith-based organizations are tackling the longer term needs of many households.

(New York, N.Y.) The owner of four gas stations around Saranac Lake, N.Y

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 Wisconsin.

Major Disaster Declaration number 1933 declared on Aug 11, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that federal aid has been made available to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding during the period of July 20-24, 2010.

(Boston, Mass. – Aug. 11, 2010) – EPA has begun an effort to remove hazardous materials from a former furniture mill, Country Home Furnishings, in Gardner, Mass

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Federal Emergency Management Agency Community Relations teams are working in three Kentucky counties, reaching out to residents, business owners, nonprofit agencies and faith-based organizations in areas under the disaster declaration for July flooding.

Action requires completion of final remedy for soil and groundwater at the 2.6-acre site (08/11/10) HONOLULU – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has negotiated terms and ordered cleanup of the former Chem-Wood wood treatment facility located in the Ewa Beach area of Oahu

Lessons learned from the blaze forever changed the way fires are fought in the region.