US Dept of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Daily Update - Tuesday July 5, 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 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. In North Dakota along the Souris River, the USACE is beginning to pick up some of the potential mission assignments (Temporary Housing, Critical Public Facilities, Debris, Water/Wastewater) in support of the recovery of Minot, Burlington, Sawyer, and Velva. USACE will incrementally 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. The USACE continues to observe and monitor temporary flood protection projects along the entire Missouri River Basin.
Souris (Mouse) River Flooding – Minot, ND
Current Situation
The river fell below the 1,558 ft. historical record stage (set in 1881) as of 9:30 p.m. EDT, July 4, 2011. As of 2:00 a.m. EDT, July 5, the Souris at Minot was at 1557.74 feet (flood stage is 1549 feet).
The outflow for Lake Darling measured along the Souris River at Foxholm was 11,600 cfs at 2:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Flows at Lake Darling will continue to be incrementally cut by 1,000 to 2,000 cfs daily or every other day, until the conservation pool is reached. Flood waters are expected to recede to within channel banks over the next two weeks. Reconstruction of the levees/recovery will begin in mid-July, when the flow will drop to 3,000-5,000 cfs. The Souris at Westhope (Bottineau County) crested at 22.75 feet and now all locations along the Souris River are receding.
Minot and Sawyer (Ward County), and Velva (McHenry County), ND
All residents in the valley outside of the evacuation zone have been advised to use discretion and take precautions. The mandatory evacuation order for Velda (McHenry County) was rescinded by the Governor on June 30, 2011. Residents of Minot from the outer fringe areas in the northwest Evacuation Zones that have no river water on their lawns were allowed back to their homes beginning on July 2, 2011. The Broadway Bridge in Minot will be open daily from 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. EDT. Trinity Hospital is operating a walk-in clinic at the Lewis & Clark School. Due to the boil water order, extra precautions have been taken to ensure the safety of patients and staff. 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 back into their homes 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). There are four shelters supporting 341 occupants.
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.
Georgia- Savannah
On July 4, 2011, Georgia EOC reported to Region IV Watch Center that a Sulfuric Acid leak occurred in Savannah, Georgia at the Southern States Phosphate and Fertilizer Plant (one of the largest suppliers of sulfuric acid on the U.S. East Coast). The size of the holding tank is 1,600 tons and the release rate was estimated to be one ton per hour. The HAZMAT crew have responded and contained the leak; approximately 200 gallons leaked. The U.S. Coast Guard investigators state that there are no waterways affected. No evacuations or injuries have been reported. There are no requests for Federal assistance.
Colorado-Clear Creek County-Water Outage (Final)
On July 1, 2011, at 6:47 p.m. EDT, the Colorado OEM was notified that due to a valve failure within Georgetown’s water supply, the supply had been exhausted, impacting over 5,000 residents and tourists; efforts continue to try and isolate the problem. All immediate needs have now been met. Water tanks have been distributed throughout the town and filled with potable water.
Montana-Summit County-Oil Pipeline Rupture
Late Friday night (July 1, 2011), an Exxon oil pipeline running underneath the Yellowstone River ruptured just south of Laurel, MT. The oil spill prompted evacuations from Laurel to Lockwood. Yellowstone County Officials notified residents along the Yellowstone River that they should evacuate. The Exxon Mobile Oil pipeline rupture point has been isolated and clean up/repair crews are on site. Exxon Mobile states that the pipe leaked approximately 750-1000 barrels of oil before it was shutdown. The affected area is now 25 miles downriver to Pompey Pillar, MT. There has been no request for Federal assistance, other than the support provided by the United States of Agriculture – Natural Gas Resources Conservation Service (NCRS).
Significant National Weather
Northeast
Thunderstorms are possible today across southern Virginia. A few storms could be severe, with strong winds and rain accumulations exceeding a half inch. Sunny skies will prevail over the remainder of region. Midweek, a new cold front along the Canadian border will spark thunderstorms from northern Maine to upstate New York and possibly western Pennsylvania.
South
Hot conditions will persist across much of the southern U.S. today, with the possibility of triple digit readings across the Southern and Central Plains and the Lower Mississippi Valley.
Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will be possible again today across the south-central and southeastern U.S. A few storms may become severe, producing damaging winds, large hail, and locally heavy rainfall. High temperatures will range from the 90s across the Southeast to over 100 degrees in the southern Plains.
Midwest
Thunderstorms will be possible today from Upper Michigan to Nebraska. Some storms may be severe, capable of producing large hail and damaging wind gusts with rainfall accumulations of 1-2 inches possible. Thunderstorms will also be possible across portions of Kentucky and southeast Missouri.
West
Thunderstorms are possible from the Southwest to the northern and central high Plains. Some severe storms are possible, especially from southeast Montana to northeast Colorado. Lightning associated with these storms could trigger more fires. High temperatures will remain well above average, ranging from the 80s in Montana to between 100 and 117 degrees in the Desert Southwest
Tropical Weather Outlook
Atlantic / Caribbean / Gulf of Mexico
No Activity expected within the next 48 hours.
Eastern / Central Pacific
No Activity expected within the next 48 hours.
Western / South Pacific:
No activity expected within the next 48 hours.
Earthquake Activity
On July 4, 2011 at 5:01 p.m. EDT, a magnitude 5.2 earthquake occurred 66 miles south-southeast of Chignik, Alaska at a depth of 20.9 miles. No tsunami generated and no reports of damages or injuries.
Fire Activity
Monday, July 4, 2011:
National Preparedness Level: 3
Initial attack activity: LIGHT (137 new fires)
New Large Fires: 6
Large Fires Contained: 6
Uncontained Large Fires: 17
Type 1 IMT Committed: 4
Type 2 IMT Committed: 7
States affected: NM, AZ, NC, GA, FL, TX, SC, CO, NV, & CA
Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
On July 4, 2011, the State of North Carolina submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant declaration for the Simmons Road fire burning in Cumberland and Bladen Counties. The FMAG was approved on July 4, 2011, at 10:08 PM EST.
Wildfires
North Carolina
North Carolina-Simmons Road Wildfire
The North Carolina (NC) Emergency Operations Center (EOC) notified Region IV Watch Center of an active wildfire, named the Simmons Road Wildfire, located in Cumberland and Bladen County. The fire has burned 5,100 acres and is 40 percent contained. At the time of the FMAG request, the fire was threatening 306 residences, 200 farm structures, 2 state highways, 4 churches, a large swine farm and multiple Carolina Bays in and around Roseboro, NC (pop 1,267); plans are in place to relocate 16,000 hogs from the threatened facility located on the leading edge of the fire. Mandatory evacuations have taken place for 10 homes (40 residents). There have been no fatalities or injuries reported. A Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was approved at 10:08 p.m. EDT, on July 4, 2011.
New Mexico
Las Conchas Fire – FEMA-2933-FM-NM
The fire has consumed 123,563 acres and is 27% contained. Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for Bandelier National Monument, Conchiti Mesa and Las Conchas. Voluntary evacuations remain in effect for the town of White Rock and Cochiti. Los Alamos started repopulation on July 3, 2011; no significant problems reported since repopulation began. The Los Alamos Hospital is open and operational; nursing homes will bring back clients until today or Wednesday July 6, 2011. The jail is open and repopulating. The Los Alamos National Laboratory is expected to reopen on July 6, 2011.
A reported 63 residences, 5 commercial structures, and 32 outbuildings have been destroyed. Approximately 410 residences, 45 commercial properties and 110 outbuildings remain threatened. Three Type I IMTs are responding. Four injuries and no fatalities have been reported.
Donaldson Fire – FEMA-2935-FM-NM (Lincoln County)(Final)
The fire has consumed 100,831 acres and is 75% contained. The Donaldson Fire is burning primarily on private property and also in Mesaclero-Apache Tribal lands and Forest Service. Voluntary evacuations remain in place for residents within the Alamo Canyon area.
Georgia
Racepond Fire – Waycross, GA
The Georgia Forestry Commission reported to the Region IV Watch Center that the Racepond Wildfire has affected 20,934 acres (no new growth) and is 75 percent contained. Re-burns are becoming more frequent and intense. They will likely continue to threaten containment due to the forecasted dry and hot weather. Structures along the east line near Randall Crews Road are still threatened until mop-up and line improvement is completed.
Disaster Declaration Activity
No new activity (FEMA HQ)
Last Modified: Tuesday, 05-Jul-2011 08:21:35 EDT
http://www.fema.gov/emergency/reports/2011/nat070511.shtm
