Public Assistance To Washington Communities Is Over $5.5 Million
OLYMPIA, Wash. — This winter Washington was hit with back-to-back storms which resulted in two major Presidential disaster declarations for the severe winter storm and record and near record snow during the period of December 12, 2008 to January 5, 2009 and the severe winter storm, landslides, mudslides, and flooding during the period of January 6-16, 2009. Those declarations opened the door for the state to receive fema assistance through the Stafford Act, which provides recovery assistance to individuals and state, local, and tribal governments affected by a disaster.
Warm Weather Throughout The Pacific NW Fuels 2009 Fire Season
SEATTLE, Wash. — Ample moisture and cooler temperatures for Alaska and Pacific Northwest states may keep 2009 fire potential in normal ranges, but after multiple weeks of warm weather, fuel supplies are drying out. Persistent drought conditions may well drive significant wildfire risk for north-central Washington, and the recent near-record spring dry spell is boosting fire risk in western Washington as well. fema Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger encourages residents living on wooded lots and wildland/urban interface areas to stay informed on local conditions and take steps now clearing brush and creating defensible perimeters around their homes.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED) Significant National Weather Midwest Excessive heat is forecast for much of the Midwest region over the next couple of days, with temperatures ranging into the 90s to the 100s. St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri, are under excessive heat warnings and heat index values will be well over 100 degrees in many locations. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms are forecast for today and these storms (some severe) may impact areas from northern Nebraska and South Dakota, northeastward to Minnesota and Wisconsin. South Areas from the Southern Plains to the lower-Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast will continue to experience excessive heat and humidity today, with temperatures in the upper 90s to near 100 degrees, putting Tulsa, Oklahoma under an Excessive Heat Warning. Possible isolated thunderstorms are expected over the region and scattered thunderstorms are forecast across the state of Florida. Northeast An area of low pressure off the East Coast will continue to affect the weather across the coastal Northeast over the next couple of days, with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms forecast from New England southward to portions of eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the Del-Mar-Va Peninsula. West Parts of New Mexico, eastern Arizona and Colorado may see scattered thunderstorms, with temperatures forecast for the 100s across the deserts of Arizona, southern Nevada and southeastern California. Metro Train Collision - Washington, DC Two (2) Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metro trains collided shortly after 5:00 p.m. EDT, June 22, 2009. The Washington, DC Fire and EMS Department spokesman reported one (1) train collide with the rear of another train that was stopped due to its earlier derailment. 76 injuries and nine (9) fatalities were confirmed. At least one (1) car remains “unclear” due to the extent of injuries and rescuers have not yet been able to determine if anyone remains inside. The accident impacted Metro, commuter and freight rail services in the area, pending an investigation involving WMATA, the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other agencies located at a Unified Command Post near the scene of the collision. Region III Actions The Region is not activated, but is working under extended hours to cover emergency. State/Local Actions The Maryland Joint Operations Center (MDJOC) is activated to Level 2 for the emergency and the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (DCHSEMA) is also activated for emergency. (fema Region III SPOTREPs, DC Fire Department) Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) No activity. (fema HQ) Tropical Weather Outlook Atlantic: Showers and thunderstorms, associated with an area of low pressure over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, have changed little during the past few hours. Development of this system, if any, is expected to be slow to occur as it moves slowly northwestward. There is a low chance (< 30%) of this system becoming a Tropical Cyclone during the next 48 hours. Locally heavy rainfall is possible over portions of east-central and northeastern Mexico during the next couple of days. Elsewhere, Tropical Cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours. Western Pacific: No activity affecting US territories. Eastern Pacific: Tropical Storm Andres A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for the southwestern coast of Mexico from Punto San Telmo to Cabo Corrientes. A Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch remain in effect for the southwestern coast of Mexico from Lazaro Cardenas to Punto San Telmo. At 2:00 a.m. EDT, June 23, 2009, the center of Tropical Storm (TS) Andres was located about 160 miles southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico. TS Andres is moving toward the northwest near 8 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 24 - 36 hours, with a slight increase in forward speed. On the forecast track, TS Andres should pass very close to, or over, the southwestern coast of Mexico within the warning area today. Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph, with higher gusts. TS Andres is forecast to become a Hurricane today. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center and the estimated minimum central pressure is 994 mb (29.35 inches). TS Andres is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 4 - 8 inches over portions of west-central Mexico, with possible isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches. Coastal storm surge flooding of 1 - 3 feet above normal tide levels, along with large and dangerous battering waves, are possible in the warning area. (NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center) Earthquake Activity Starting at 3:28 p.m. EDT, Monday, June 22, 2009, a series of 11 earthquakes, measuring in magnitudes from 1.9 - 5.4, and depths between 18.5 - 46.4 miles, have occurred 58 miles north-northwest of Anchorage, AK. There were no reports of damage or injury and no tsunami was generated. At 3:55 and 5:05 p.m. EDT, Monday, June 22, 2009, two (2) earthquakes measuring 5.5 in magnitude and at depths between 15.2 - 25 miles occurred 80 miles west-southwest of Adak, AK. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program) Preliminary Damage Assessments No new activity (fema HQ) Wildfire Update National Preparedness Level: 1 National Fire Activity as of Monday, June 22, 2009: Initial attack activity: Light (68 new fires) New large fires: 6 Large fires contained: 0 Uncontained large fires: 6 States affected: AK, AR and FL Predictive Services Discussion: Thunderstorms will continue mainly across northeast Washington, northern Idaho and Montana associated with an exiting storm system. Elsewhere, isolated thunderstorms are forecast for the central Sierra Nevadas and portions of the southern Great Basin. Drier conditions will develop across the Southwest while breezy conditions are expected to continue across the southern Great Basin and Arizona, while winds will be on the increase across the Rocky Mountains. Alaska will see strong winds in the Alaska Range and cool and showery conditions across the south. (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center, NGB) disaster Declaration Activity The Governor of California requested a Major disaster Declaration as a result of Severe Drought conditions beginning April 14, 2009, and continuing. Specifically requested were Individual Assistance (IA) for nine (9) counties, disaster Unemployment Assistance, Food Commodities, Crisis Counseling and Legal Services for Fresno County. (fema HQ) fema-1819-DR-Arkansas, Amendment #4 (effective June 20, 2009) is amended to change the Federal Coordinating Officer to Gerard M. Stolar. fema-1834-DR-Arkansas, Amendment #3 (effective June 20, 2009) is amended to change the Federal Coordinating Officer to Gerard M. Stolar. fema-3301-EM-Arkansas, Amendment #2 (effective June 20, 2009) is amended to change the Federal Coordinating Officer to Gerard M. Stolar.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED) Significant National Weather South The combination of a frontal boundary and disturbances may produce isolated to scattered storms in the Southeast. Storms over the Florida Peninsula could be strong with locally heavy rain, hail and damaging winds possible. High temperatures from the Florida Panhandle, Alabama and western Tennessee to Texas and Oklahoma will be in the mid 90s to near 100. Midwest Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected from northeast Minnesota, Wisconsin and upper Michigan southward to Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky. Thunderstorms are possible in the Northern Plains. Temperatures will be above average across much of the region. Temperatures in the mid and upper 90s are expected from Kansas and Nebraska to Missouri and portions of Illinois and Kentucky. Heat index values may be near or over 100 in some locations. Northeast A chance for showers is predicted for today in the eastern region from coastal Mid-Atlantic northeastward through the Del-Mar-Va Peninsula up to New England. The surface low will cause gusty north winds from Long Island, N.Y. to New England including Boston, Mass. and Portland, Maine. West A chance for showers is expected from western Washington and northwest Oregon to northern Idaho and Montana. Gusty west winds are expected across portions of Montana and Wyoming Marine layer clouds and fog will persist in Southern California. Temperatures in 90s and 100s will be widespread across the Desert Southwest. Lightning Safety Awareness Week is June 21-27 Outdoor activities and the frequency of thunderstorms make summer the most likely time to be injured or killed by lightning, according to statistics compiled by NOAA’s National Weather Service. In order to reduce lightning injuries and fatalities, the National Weather Service is promoting Lightning Safety Awareness Week the last week of June. More than 70 percent of lightning fatalities occur between June and August. Annually lightning strikes more than 400 people in the United States. About 60 of those die, and many more are left with devastating and permanent disabilities. The National Weather Service studies show men are struck far more often than women, sustaining about 85 percent of lightning deaths. And men under 40 account for 60 percent of all lightning fatalities. To avoid being struck by lightning, the National Weather Service recommends that you: Get into a fully enclosed building or hardtop vehicle at the first rumble of thunder; Stay indoors for 30 minutes after the last thunder clap; Monitor the weather forecast when you’re planning to be outdoors; Have a plan for getting to safety in case a thunderstorm moves in; Do not use a corded phone during a thunderstorm unless it’s an emergency; cell phones are safe to use; Keep away from plumbing, electrical equipment and wiring during a thunderstorm. Remember-”when thunder roars, go indoors.” (http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2009/20090617_lightning.html) Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) No activity. (fema HQ) Tropical Weather Outlook Atlantic: Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 48 hours. Western Pacific: No activity. Eastern Pacific: Tropical Storm Andres Tropical Storm Andres has formed approximately 200 miles south of Zihuatanejo, MX and 330 miles south-southeast of Manzanillo, MX. Andres is moving west-northwest at 5 mph and a slow west-northwest to northwest motion are expected to continue during the next 48 hours. The maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts; some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 to 48 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center. Area 1 An area of low pressure located about 1,350 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California continues to produce disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Development of this system, if any will be slow to occur as it moves slowly east-northeastward over the next couple of days. There is a less than 30 percent chance of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours. (NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center) Earthquake Activity On Sunday, June 22, 2009, at 10:43 p.m. EDT, an earthquake measuring 4.0 magnitude occurred 70 miles north northeast of Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands at a depth of 15.5 miles. There were no reports of damage or injury and no tsunami was generated. (USGS, Earthquake Hazards Program) Preliminary Damage Assessments No new activity (fema HQ) Wildfire Update National Preparedness Level: 1 National Fire Activity as of Sunday, June 21, 2009: Initial attack activity: Light (93 new fires) New large fires: 3 Large fires contained: 1 Uncontained large fires: 7 States affected: FL, AK, AZ & NM. Predictive Services Discussion: Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue across the Great Basin into the Rocky Mountains today. Windy conditions will persist across the southern Great Basin into northwest Arizona. Alaska will see showers and cooler conditions moving across the south. (National Interagency Fire Center, National Incident Information Center, NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center, NGB) disaster Declaration Activity No new activity (fema HQ)
Long-Term Recovery Organizations Provide disaster Assistance
OLYMPIA, Wash. — As Washington residents have demonstrated throughout the storms and flooding of the past few years, they care not only for themselves, but for their neighbors, too. Now, concern for the welfare of their communities is leading individuals and faith-based and voluntary groups to work together in local Long-Term disaster Recovery Organizations (LTROs).
