National Situation Update: Friday, July 15, 2011
Severe Weather – Midwest – July 11 – 12, 2011 During the early morning hours of July 11, 2011, severe storms brought widespread power outages for northern Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Power has been restored in Indiana, and restoration continues in Illinois and Michigan. Flood warnings remain in effect for several locations along the Minnesota River in Minnesota and the Illinois River in Illinois. No significant impacts have been reported and there are no rivers in major flood stage within the Region. There have been no unmet needs or requests for FEMA assistance.
Illinois As of 11:00 p.m. EDT, approximately 97,000 customers remain without power (from a high of 868,000). Full restoration is expected by Saturday, July 16, 2011. One shelter is open with 65 occupants.
Michigan As of 11:00 p.m. EDT, less than 5,000 customers remain without power; full restoration is expected early Friday morning.
Ohio On July 13, 2011, the President signed Major Disaster Declaration, FEMA-4002-DR, as a result of Severe Storms and Flooding that occurred April 4-May 15, 2011. The declaration approves Public Assistance for twenty-one counties, and Hazard Mitigation statewide. Full power restoration is complete.
Iowa Less than 1,000 customers remain without power in central Iowa. Two ARC shelters are open with 15 occupants.
Missouri River Basin Flooding Summary
Overview
The high flood waters have reached a steady state throughout most of the Missouri River Basin and the focus has shifted as releases from reservoirs have begun to decline is on monitoring and reinforcing existing levees. Releases from Fort Peck, Garrison, Oahe, and Big Bend dams are schedule for small decreases this week which will cause water levels to decline as less water is moved throughout the system. U.S. Army Core of Engineers (USACE) continue to monitor and complete flood fight efforts to reinforce levees along the river in an effort to keep record levels of water in the system from causing additional damage.
Missouri River Basin Flooding Dam Releases as of Thursday, July 14: - Fort Peck: 45,000 cfs
- Garrison: 135,000 cfs
- Oahe: 145,000 cfs. The lake is below the spillway gates and expected to continue to decline.
- Big Bend: 145,000 cfs.
- Fort Randall: 156,000 cfs.
- Gavins Point: 160,000 cfs (since July 12); USACE expects to reduce the outflow before August
River levels continue to decline across the region. The main stem of the Missouri River remains at Moderate to Major Flood Stage in many locations.
Missouri Seventeen levees have overtopped or breached since the beginning of this current flooding event. There have been no new breaches/overtopping since July 11. Missouri DOT reports 55 flood related road closures.
Souris (Mouse) River Flooding – Minot, ND Current Situation As of 2:30 a.m. EDT on July 15, the Souris River at Minot was at 1,549.87 feet (Flood Stage) and is expected to continue to recede. The river is forecast to fall below Flood Stage on July 16. Releases from Lake Darling Dam into the Souris River are currently at 4,500 cfs. USACE staff has coordinated with state and local officials to finalize the debris management plan and overall debris strategies.
Minot and Sawyer (Ward County), and Velva (McHenry County), ND Amendment #6 was approved for FEMA-1981-DR-ND, effective July 13, 2011. The Amendment adds Barnes, Ramsey, and Richland Counties and the Spirit Lake Nation for Individual Assistance (already designated for Public Assistance). In Minot (Ward County), the Boil Order has been lifted for residents in some areas of the City limits. The City is working on isolating and testing the other areas within Minot; however, residents will need to conserve water in all areas of Minot and the surrounding areas. A Temporary Housing Unit (THU) staging area was secured in Velva.
North Dakota Roadways are reopening and residents are being allowed to return to their homes and businesses during daylight hours. Mandatory evacuations continue to be lifted as the water level recedes. Twelve of Minot’s 25 lift stations are flooded and are not pumping. However, all other lifts are operational and the City’s waste water treatment system is functioning. The North Dakota National Guard (NDNG) has 227 personnel activated in Minot, including 120 Minnesota National Guardsmen acquired through emergency management assistant compact to augment the NDNG. Three shelters are open supporting 332 occupants.
Significant National Weather
South Hot and humid weather will continue in the Southern and Central Plains, high temperatures are anticipated to be between 95 to 105 degrees. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected for the Gulf Coast states into the Southeast. The heavy precipitation may increase the potential of flash flooding in parts of Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina.
Midwest Rain and thunderstorms are expected for the Northern and Central Plains into the Upper Mississippi Valley. These impending storms could develop into severe weather capable of producing strong winds and hail. Isolated tornadoes are possible in the eastern Dakotas and Minnesota. Triple digit temperatures are forecast in northern Kansas.
West Rain and isolated thunderstorms producing strong winds and hail is possible in the Pacific Northwest, and parts of Montana, northeast Colorado and New Mexico.
Northeast Most of the Region will experience dry and pleasant seasonal weather from the Mid-Atlantic to New England.
(NOAA, NWS and various media sources) Tropical Weather Outlook Atlantic / Caribbean /Gulf of Mexico There is a low chance (10 percent) of the weather over the southwestern Caribbean Sea becoming a tropical storm during the next 48 hours. Regardless, of development heavy rainfall is possible over portions of Central America during the next few days.
Eastern Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected at this time.
Central Pacific
No tropical cyclones are expected through Saturday evening.
Western / South Pacific: Typhoon (TY) 08W (Ma-On) is located approximately 290 miles south-southeast of Iwo To, Japan. The typhoon has moved past all U.S. territories and continues to move further west. The typhoon is moving west-northwest at 12 mph and this general motion will continue for the next 36-48 hours.. Maximum sustained winds are 115 mph with gusts up to 144 mph.
Earthquake Activity No new activity
(FEMA HQ) Fire Activity Thursday, July 14, 2011: National Preparedness Level: 3
Initial attack activity: LIGHT (145 new fires)
New Large Fires: 4
Large Fires Contained: 4
Uncontained Large Fires: 19
Type 1 IMT Committed: 1
Type 2 IMT Committed: 3
States affected: NC, GA, TX, OK, AR, MS, NM, AZ, and CO.
Wildfires
Texas Nolan County Complex Fire – FEMA-2937-FM-TX
(approved July 11, 2011) The fire has consumed 3,880 acres and is 50% contained. The fire is located approximately 50 yards from the town of Sweetwater. Two hundred homes are threatened; 30 homes were evacuated; however, no residences have been destroyed.
New Mexico Las Conchas Fire – FEMA-2933-FM-NM
(approved June 26, 2011) The fire has consumed 150,041 acres and is 61% contained. The fire is located twelve miles southwest of Los Alamos, NM. Eight injuries and no fatalities have been reported. The fire has destroyed 63 residences and 49 outbuildings. Approximately 565 residences, outbuildings and commercial buildings remain threatened. Warm and dry weather with some strong winds and isolated thunderstorms is forecast for the remainder of the week. The forecast weather will generate more fire activity. Flash flooding and debris flow threats exist in burn areas across New Mexico. Two Burned Area Emergency Response Teams remain on scene. The Valles Caldera National Preserve reopened the staging area effective July 13. The staging area was closed since June 26 due to evacuations. The Federal Aviation Administration has restricted airspace in the Los Alamos area to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft operations. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers facilities at Cochiti Lake are closed through July19
Disaster Declaration Activity Puerto Rico On July 14, 2011, a Major Disaster Declaration, FEMA-4004-DR-PR, was declared for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as a result of severe storms, flooding, mudslides and landslides that occurred May 20 – June 8, 2011. Public Assistance for 12 municipalities and Hazard Mitigation for all municipalities in the Commonwealth were approved.
New York The Governor of New York has requested a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of New York as a result of severe storms and flooding during the period of May 9 – 30, 2011. The Governor is specifically requesting Public Assistance for Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chemung, Clinton, Delaware, Essex, Steuben, Warren, and Wyoming Counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide.
