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National Situation Update: Thursday, June 15, 2006

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED).

Remnants of Tropical Depression Alberto

The remnants of Alberto continue to move northeastward into the Atlantic Ocean and are expected to hit shipping lanes off the coast of New England and Nova Scotia during Thursday through Saturday. Alberto dumped between 5 and 8 inches of rain in the Raleigh area when it passed through North Carolina on Wednesday causing major flooding. There was also flooding in southeastern Virginia and the Delmarva Peninsula where rainfall totals were 2-5 inches.

On June 14, Local, State, and Federal emergency management officials began Preliminary Damage Assessments in Florida counties affected by rain and winds from Tropical Storm Alberto.

Although Alberto spawned at least 6 tornadoes in the Carolinas, flooding in Florida, and other southeastern states, many officials welcomed the rainfall in those areas that had been suffering from near drought conditions.(Source: USDOC/NOAA/National Weather Service, media sources)

Significant National Weather

South:  Hot, sunny, and dry weather is forecast for most parts of the South through the weekend. Temperatures are expected to be in the 90s during the weekend with increasing humidity levels. Some thunderstorm activity is expected for Texas, the southern Plains, and the lower Mississippi Valley on Saturday and Sunday.

Midwest:  A storm system is expected to move eastward on Thursday into the northern Plains bringing the possibility of thunderstorms. There may be hail, strong winds, and isolated tornadoes. The threat of thunderstorms may last through the weekend. Highs will range from the 60s in the northern tier to the upper 90s southward. 

Northeast:  Except for a few isolated showers and thunderstorms, the Northeast will see warm and sunny weather on Thursday and most likely through the weekend. Highs are expected to be the 80s during the next few days.

West:  Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible in the area from the Pacific Northwest through the Rocky Mountains. The Northwest will see cooler than normal temperatures through the weekend, while the Southwest will continue to see very hot and dry weather. (National Weather Service, Media sources)

Tropical Activity

Atlantic: No tropical storm activity - but the remains of Alberto are expected to continue to move northeastwardly off the Atlantic coast.

Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean Sea: No tropical storm activity.

Pacific: No tropical storm activity. (USDOC/NOAA/NWS, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

During the past 24 hours approximately 90 (ninety) low-to-moderate earthquakes have been reported in the vicinity of the Rat Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. The quakes have mainly measured in the 2.5 to 4.5 range. There have been no reports of injuries, damages, or tsunamis.  (Source: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

Florida - Individual Assistance PDA in nine counties and Public Assistance PDA in seven counties began on June 14, 2006. (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

Extremely critical fire weather area is forecast for northeast and east central Arizona and northwest and west central New Mexico. A critical fire weather area is forecast for northern and eastern Arizona, much of New Mexico, far southeast Utah, and southern Colorado.

A broad upper trough will gradually shift eastward across the western states on Thursday with upper ridge transitioning toward the eastern U.S. A heightened fire weather danger will remain across much of the Four Corners Area (NM, CO, AZ, and UT).  (National Weather Service, Storm Prediction Center)

Disaster Declaration Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)