June’s Hurricane Alex and July’s Tropical Depression 2 and Tropical Storm Bonnie serve as strong reminders to Texans living and/or working in or near hurricane-prone areas to prepare, plan and stay informed during this year’s hurricane season.

June’s Hurricane Alex and July’s Tropical Depression 2 and Tropical Storm Bonnie serve as strong reminders to Louisianans living and/or working in or near hurricane-prone areas to prepare, plan and stay informed during this year’s hurricane season.

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- For many Kentuckians recovering from the July storms, flooding and mudslides, completing a disaster loan application is an essential step.

Fire Management Assistance Declaration number 2851 declared on Jul 30, 2010

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today visited New Orleans, La., to deliver remarks about DHS' nationwide "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign at the National Sports Safety and Security Conference—building on the Department’s continued collaboration with the sports industry to improve the security and resilience of their facilities.

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

West:
Thunderstorms forecast for the Four Corners area today are the type resulting from the meteorological phenomenon known as the North American Monsoon, sometimes called the Arizona Monsoon or the Southwest United States Monsoon. This is when high pressure built up over the dry land is intermittently impacted by moisture, often drawn up from the Gulf of Mexico. The result is sudden bursts of heavy precipitation, often an inch or more. This pattern is known to produce flash flooding when the sudden influx of water hits the compacted desert soil, rolls off and collects in low-lying areas. Elsewhere, this region will be dry except for a few thunderstorms along the Canadian border.
Midwest:
A complex frontal system will produce severe thunderstorms across the Central Plains and Middle Mississippi Valley. Threats include gusty winds, hail and even tornadoes. Heavy precipitation may cause flash flooding. Temperatures will be above average with highs from the 80s in the Dakotas, the 90s in the Ohio Valley, and near 100 degrees in the Central Plains.
South:
Much of the southern region continues to be under the influence of a ridge of high pressure at the surface and a ridge aloft. This will allow the dangerous heat wave to continue for at least the next couple of days and suppress precipitation except for isolated thunderstorms. Temperatures in the upper 90s to lower 100s combined with high humidity levels will result in dangerous heat indices of 105 to 115 degrees during the hottest times of the day for many areas. Heat advisories and excessive heat warnings are in effect.
Northeast:
Southerly winds and an upper level disturbance will produce showers and a few thunderstorms across the region  
(NOAA and media sources)

Oil Spill - Marshall, Michigan

On Jul 26, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that a 30-inch oil pipeline ruptured in Marshall, MI.  The Governor declared a State of Disaster for Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties.  The State EOC is activated for day shift operations only (8:00 a.m. – 5:00 a.m. CDT).  The pipeline has been secured and clean up and recovery operations are ongoing.  Voluntary evacuations remain in effect for approximately 60 residents along the Kalamazoo River.  There is no request for FEMA assistance.  (FEMA Region V) 

Mississippi Canyon 252 Update

FEMA is providing personnel to the National Integration Center and additional Logistics and External Affairs support to the Federal On-Scene Coordinator. FEMA leads the Social Services and Small Business Interagency Working Group (Claims and Benefits). The static kill operation including cementing the oil well is scheduled to begin on Aug. 3, 2010. The second drill rig is holding operations at 10,743 feet below the sea floor awaiting results of the primary relief well effort. Approximately 620 miles of coastline are impacted by the oil spill. The closed fishing area is 57,539 square miles or 24 percent of the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone.
 (NIC Daily Situation Update)

California Wildfires

The Crown Fire in northern Los Angeles County, Calif. is now 87 percent contained with 13,918 acres burned. The Bull Fire in Kernville, Calif. is now 85 percent with 16,460 acres burned. FEMA approved Fire Management Assistance Grants for both fires in late July.
(FEMA HQ)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

No activity. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico:
A large area of low pressure about 950 miles west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands remains fairly well organized. Conditions appear favorable for tropical development but thus far there is no well-defined surface center of circulation. There is a high, around 90 percent chance, of this system becoming a tropical depression during the next 48 hours. 
There is also a tropical wave approaching the coast of Nicaragua, producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the southwestern Caribbean Sea and adjacent land areas.  Significant development of this disturbance is unlikely and there is a low, near zero percent chance, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Central Pacific:
A weak, disorganized low-level circulation is located about 975 miles southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. Upper level winds will hinder development of this system as it moves further westward over the next several days. There is a low, near 20 percent chance, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone within the next 48 hours. 
Eastern and Western Pacific:
No tropical cyclone activity expected in 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 Sunday, August 1, 2010:
Initial attack activity: light (171 new fires), new large fires: 6, large fires contained: 2
Uncontained large fires: 11, U.S. States affected: CA, ID, MT, NV, WA, & WY
(NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Vendors say life-saving safety equipment for first responders is here, but researchers want more study time.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Pascua Yaqui Tribe today announced the production of the first ever Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC) - designed as a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document that formally recognizes tribal membership and U.S. citizenship for the purpose of entering the United States through a land or sea port of entry. The Pascua Yaqui are the first tribe in the country to issue an ETC.

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

West

Under high pressure, most of the region will remain dry except the desert Southwest where isolated showers and thunderstorms will persist throughout the day. The strongest storms will bring lightning, brief heavy rain and wind gusts up to 40 mph in some areas.

Midwest

Thunderstorms are forecast from the western plains to the Mississippi River. Parts of South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri could see severe thunderstorms possible of producing heavy rain, gusty winds, and hail. Flash Flooding is possible across Missouri and Illinois.

South

A heat advisory is in effect for southeast Georgia, southern South Carolina, and portions of northeast Florida today as temperatures will produce heat indices of near 115 degrees in some areas. Scattered thunderstorms are expected in the afternoon and evening across northeast Florida and may generate gusty winds and excessive lightning.

Northeast

Under high pressure today, most of the region will remain sunny and dry.   

(NOAA and media sources)

Flooding in Northern Arizona

On July 29 heavy rains continued to impact northern Arizona (Coconino and Navajo Counties) causing flooding and debris flows. In Navajo County, the Navajo and Hopi tribal lands are significantly impacted by the heavy rains and report sewer line, water line, and road damage. FEMA Region IX remains at a Watch/Steady State and a state liaison is on standby. There are no requests for federal assistance. (FEMA Region IX)

Oil/Natural Gas Leak - Barataria Waterway, Louisiana

On July 27, a dredge barge in the Barataria Waterway made impact with an oil/natural gas wellhead owned by the State of Louisiana. The well is releasing oil and gas and is impacting the nearby shoreline and marsh. Approximately 33,000 feet of boom is deployed to contain the oil. There is no request for federal assistance. (DHS NOC)

Oil Spill - Marshall, Michigan

On July 26, a 30-inch pipeline ruptured and released 19,500 barrels (819,000 gallons) of oil into Tallmadge Creek near Marshall, Mich. Although the ruptured pipeline is now repaired, the creek is a tributary of the Kalamazoo River so the oil has drifted 30 nautical miles down the river. It is now affecting the waterway south of Augusta, Mich. which is only 55 miles from Lake Michigan. The EPA is providing resources for personnel, oil skimming, containment, and recovery activities. The U.S. Coast Guard is also providing support but no additional federal resources are requested. (Region V)

Mississippi Canyon 252 Update

FEMA is providing personnel to the National Integration Center and additional Logistics and External Affairs support to the Federal On-Scene Coordinator. FEMA leads the Social Services and Small Business Interagency Working Group (Claims and Benefits). Approximately 11,652,000 feet of boom has been deployed to date and booming and skimming activities continue in the affected areas. (NIC Daily Situation Update)

Wildfire Activity

National Preparedness Level: 2

National Fire Activity as of Thursday, July 29, 2010:

Initial attack activity: light (267 new fires), new large fires: 6, large fires contained: 5, uncontained large fires: 16, U.S. States affected: NV, CA, MT, ID, CO, OR, WA, AK, & FL

(NIFC)

 

Bull Fire - Kernville, Calif.

Approximately 16,074 acres have been consumed and the fire is reported to be 20 percent contained. The fire destroyed 14 structures and 1,200 structures are threatened. There are 2,060 personnel fighting the fire. FMAG – 2849-CA was approved for this fire on July 27, 2010. 

 

West Fire – Tehachapi, Calif.

Approximately 1,658 acres have been consumed and the fire is reported to be 44 percent contained. To date, 25 structures are destroyed and 150 more are threatened. There are 1,205 personnel fighting the fire with seven helicopters and 107 fire engines. FMAG-2850-CA was approved for this fire on July 27, 2010. 

 

Crown Fire – Northern Los Angeles County, Calif.

Approximately 2,000 acres have been consumed and the fire is reported to be zero percent contained. The fire is threatening the community of Acton, Calif. including major power and communication lines and 2,000 primary residences. Mandatory evacuations are in effect. There are 388 personnel fighting the fire with 51 fire engines. FMAG-2851-CA was approved for this fire on July 30, 2010.

 

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

On July 30, 2010, FMAG-2851-CA was approved for the Crown Fire for Los Angeles, CA on July 30, 2010. 

(FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico:
A westward tropical wave is associated with disorganized clouds and a few thunderstorms over the southeastern Caribbean Sea. There is a low chance, 10 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. A second area of disturbed weather located over the Eastern Atlantic is 700 miles southwest of the Cape Verde islands and moving slowly westward. There is a low chance, 20 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.

Eastern Pacific
A broad area of low pressure centered about 400 hundred miles south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec is beginning to show some signs of organization. Although there are some clouds and thunderstorms, additional development is expected to be slow as it moves west or west-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph. There is a low chance, 20 percent, of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.

Central Pacific:
A low level trough centered about 400 miles south-southeast of the Big Island of Hawaii is moving west at around 15 mph. There are isolated thunderstorms associated with the trough and there is a low chance, near zero percent, of the system becoming a tropical cyclone in the next 48 hours.

Western Pacific:
No activity.(NOAA, JTWC)

Earthquake Activity

On July 28-29, 2010, three magnitude 6.4 earthquakes, at depths ranging from six to nine miles, were reported in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. No damages or injuries were reported. (USGS)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Iowa:
The President approved a major disaster declaration (FEMA-1930-DR-IA) for Iowa as a result of severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes that occurred June 1, 2010 and continuing. The declaration makes 32 counties eligible for the Public Assistance Program and all Iowa counties eligible for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

South Dakota:
The President approved a major disaster declaration (FEMA-1929-DR-SD) for South Dakota as a result of severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes that occurred June 16-24, 2010. The declaration makes three counties and the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation eligible for the Public Assistance Program and all South Dakota counties eligible for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Kentucky:
Amendment #1 to FEMA-1925-DR-KY, effective July 29, 2010, amends the major disaster declaration to make Shelby County eligible for the Public Assistance Program. (FEMA HQ)

Major Disaster Declaration number 1929 declared on Jul 29, 2010

Major Disaster Declaration number 1930 declared on Jul 29, 2010

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