National Situation Update: Friday, July 8, 2011
Missouri River Basin Flooding Summary Overview Releases across the Missouri River Basin continue to decrease at Nebraska City and Rulo, NE; however, widespread overtopping of levees continues. Four federal levees and 11 non-federal levees have breeched or overtopped across Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri.
USACE Actions
- Continues to provide technical assistance and levee repairs in support of local levee sponsors responsible for the Souris and Missouri River basins. A major flood fighting effort is ongoing to control and mitigate the impacts of flooding and levee overtopping throughout both river basins.
- Continues to provide extensive amounts of flood fight supplies (sandbags, pumps, porta-dam) along with technical assistance to levee districts and communities in IA, KS, MO, and NE. As water levels have risen, USACE technical teams and levee sponsors are actively monitoring levees and addressing low spots, animal burrows, sandboils and seepage areas.
- Continues to observe and monitor temporary flood protection projects along the entire Missouri River Basin.
Souris (Mouse) River Flooding – Minot, ND Current Situation
As of 1:00 p.m. EDT on July 7, the river is at 1,556.6 feet. The flood stage is 1,549 feet. The outflow for Lake Darling measured along the Souris River at Foxholm was 9,120 cfs as of 1:30 a.m. EDT on Friday, July 8, 2011. USACE will continue to cut flows by 1,000 to 2,000 cfs daily or every other day, until the conservation pool is reached next week or unless conditions warrant different action. It is expected to take about two weeks for flood waters to recede to within channel banks. Reconstruction of the levees/recovery will begin in mid-July, when the flow will drop to 3,000-5,000 cfs.
Minot and Sawyer (Ward County), and Velva (McHenry County), ND
The mandatory evacuations remain in effect for portions of Ward County. Residents will be allowed to return home when the level at Minot reduces to 1,555 feet. The Broadway Bridge in Minot will be open daily from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. EDT. Potable water remains a limiting factor in Minot (Ward County) with boil water orders in effect. Trinity Hospital has stretched the capacity of the National Guard supplied water purification unit. The loss of city water will likely result in the evacuation of health care facilities in Minot (Ward County). The State Water Commission has expressed concerned about bank erosion along the Missouri River as the water recedes. Mapping of the river in Bismarck/Mandan area will be used to identify potential danger areas. In North Dakota in support of the recovery of Minot, Burlington, Sawyer, and Velva, USACE has received the Mission Assignment for temporary housing site design and began the review of possible sites recommended by the City of Minot.
North Dakota The Garrison Dam Reservoir is expected to remain nearly level for the next several days and then begin to recede. Releases have been reduced to 140,000 cfs. Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for Zones 1-9 (approximately 12,000 residents) Residents in the Evacuation Zones in NE Minot protected by the secondary dike will be allowed to return when the reading at the Broadway Bridge reaches 1555 feet. Voluntary evacuations remain in effect for portions of Morton (182) residents and Burleigh (694 residents). Three shelters are supporting 305 occupants in Ward and Mountrail counties.
Significant National Weather
South Rain and thunderstorms are forecast for much of the Southeast and Lower Mississippi Valley today and into tonight. Some severe storms are possible in Virginia and the Carolinas, and may produce locally heavy rainfall. Triple digit temperature readings will continue across the Southern Plains and over the desert Southwest. Highs will average around 105 in Central Texas.
Midwest Rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds are forecast for the Western and Northern Plains today and tonight. Locally heavy rainfall and severe storms are possible. Heavy rains are forecast for the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic southward.
Northeast Showers and thunderstorms are possible for much of the region today and tonight. A few severe storms are likely in the Mid-Atlantic this afternoon and evening. Some locally heavy rainfall is possible.
West Showers and thunderstorms are expected from the Great Basin through the Rockies into the High Plains today through Saturday. Some severe storms are possible in eastern parts of Montana, as well as Wyoming, and Colorado. Flash flooding is possible in the Four Corners Region and parts of Nevada due to heavy rainfall. Strong wind conditions are possible in parts of the Northwest, including the Northern High Plains.
Tropical Weather Outlook Atlantic / Caribbean / Gulf of MexicoArea 1 Shower activity associated with an elongated area of low pressure extending from near the Yucatan Peninsula to the West Coast of Florida has decreased during the last several last hours. In addition, upper-level winds are expected to be only marginally conducive for further development. There is a medium chance (30%) of this system becoming a tropical or subtropical cyclone during the next 48 hours as it moves northward-northeastward. Regardless of development, this weather system could still produce periods of locally heavy rainfall across portions of the Florida Peninsula and the eastern Florida Panhandle during the next couple of days.
Area 2 Showers and thunderstorms associated with a tropical wave located a few hundred miles east-southeast of the southern Windward Islands have decreased. Significant development of this system is not expected. There is a low chance (0%) of this system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
Eastern / Central PacificTropical Storm Calvin Tropical Depression Three-E has strengthened into the third tropical storm of the 2011 Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season. The tropical storm is located about 215 miles south-southwest of Manzanillo Mexico. Calvin is moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph and this general motion (with some decrease in forward speed) is expected to continue during the next 48 hours. Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 50 miles. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect
Western / South Pacific: No activity expected within the next 48 hours.
Earthquake Activity No new activity
(FEMA HQ) Fire Activity
Thursday, July 7, 2011:
National Preparedness Level: 3
Initial attack activity: MODERATE (281 new fires)
New Large Fires: 4
Large Fires Contained: 2
Uncontained Large Fires: 20
Type 1 IMT Committed: 4
Type 2 IMT Committed: 5
States affected: NM, AZ, NC, GA, FL, LA, TX, OK, AR, CO, & NV
Wildfires
North Carolina FINAL – Simmons Road Wildfire – FEMA-2936-FM-NC
(approved July 4, 2011) – FINAL
The fire has consumed 5,632 (+232) acr
es and is 50 percent contained. Mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted. All shelters have been closed. The fire has destroyed 3 homes and 11 outbuildings. There have been no fatalities or injuries reported.
New Mexico Las Conchas Fire – FEMA-2933-FM-NM
(approved June 26, 2011) The fire has consumed 136,995 (+6,365) acres and is 40% contained. The Bandelier National Monument, Kasha-Katuwe Tents Rocks National Monument, Santa Fe National Forest, and the Valles Caldera National Preserve remain closed. The Federal Aviation Administration has restricted air space in the Los Alamos area to allow for airborne firefighting operations. The USACE facilities at Cochiti Lake are closed through July11, 2011. The fire has destroyed 63 residences and 32 outbuildings. Approximately 565 residences, outbuildings and commercial buildings remain threatened. Five injuries and no fatalities have been reported.
Disaster Declaration Activity Puerto Rico On July 5, 2011, the Governor requested a Major Disaster Declaration Request for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as a result of heavy rains, flooding, mud and landslides during the period of May 20 to June 8, 2011. The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance for the twelve municipalities and hazard mitigation island-wide.
Mississippi Amendment #5 was approved to Major Disaster Declaration, FEMA-1972-DR, for the State of Mississippi. The amendment is effective July 6, 2011 to request FEMA extend the cost-sharing arrangements set forth on May 5, 2011, regarding Federal funds provided under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
