INDIANAPOLIS., Ind. — Hoosiers, in a potentially dangerous severe-weather situation would you (and your family) prefer to be among the first or the last to know? A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio can make the difference.

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

South
A low pressure system will bring rough seas, strong winds, storm surge and beach erosion from the North Carolina coast south through Florida.

Rain from this system is forecast to spread inland into eastern Georgia and much of South and North Carolina during the day today.

The winds, surge and waves at the coast should begin to diminish tonight.

Northeast
By this evening, rain will continue into the I-95 corridor and move northeast into southern New England and strong winds, rough seas, storm surge and beach erosion will occur from Cape Cod southward to Virginia today and tomorrow.  (NWS, Media Sources)

Puerto Rico Heavy Rainfall

The Puerto Rico Emergency Operations Center (PR EOC) is partially activated 24/7, along with the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency (PREMA) Joint Information Center (partially activated), select ESF’s and US Coast Guard Liaison.

The Governor has declared a State of Emergency and the Puerto Rican government has reported five (5) confirmed fatalities and zero (0) injuries due to heavy rainfall and flooding.
Seventeen (17) shelters, with a population of 521 (in 16 municipalities) are open, while 14 preventative shelters remain open in twelve (12) municipalities.  (FEMA Region II SPOT Report, Sep 24)
Thirteen (13) rivers are flooded and a total of 47 major roads in 27 municipalities are closed due to flooding or mudslides.

The Puerto Rico Electric and Power Authority (PREPA) reports approximately 4,000 (0.28%) customers are without service and the Puerto Rico Aqueduct Sewer Authority (PRASA) reports about 37,303 (2.99%) customers are without service.  Restoration of utilities is unknown at this time.

Public schools remain closed in 14 municipalities due to heavy rains and flooding.

Joint IA and PA Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) will began yesterday, September 24, in 12 municipalities with PA and IA PDAs requested for an additional 13 municipalities.  Also, facilities are being pre-identified for a potential JFO.

The Puerto Rican Army National Guard (PR ArNG) has 54 soldiers on State Active Duty (SAD) for water distribution, debris clearance, equipment transportation and civilian relocation.  There are 7,893 personnel available statewide and 18,821 personnel available regionwide.  (FEMA Region II & CAD, PREMA, VITEMA, NWS, NGB SitRep #3)

Federal / State Response for Hurricane Ike and Midwest Storms

Region V
Ohio
The State EOC is activated at Level II (Partial Operations).
There are seven (7) fatalities and one (1) injury reported.
There are no shelters reported open, while the US Department of Energy (DOE) reported there are 9,595 customers without power.  Power restoration is expected to be completed in the next 24 - 72 hours.  (Region V Operations Report Sep 24, DOE Sep 24, NSS Shelter Report, Sep 24)

Indiana
The State EOC is activated at Level IV (Normal Operations) and Joint PDAs have been completed in five (5) counties, while two (2) counties continue to assess damages from the severe weather.
There are eight (8) fatalities and 19 injuries reported.
There is one (1) shelter open with a population of 75, and the US DOE reported there are 6,186 customers remain without power.  (Region V Operations Report, Sep 24; DOE, Sep 24; NSS Shelter Report, Sep 24)

FEMA Region VI

Louisiana
The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is activated at Level III (Emergency Operations).
There are five (5) fatalities and zero (0) injuries reported.
There are five (5) shelters open with a population of 343, and the US DOE reported 12,287 customers are still without power.
There are 14 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) and two (2) Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (MDRCs) in support of Hurricane Gustav/Ike recovery efforts.  (SLB, Sep 23; NSS Shelter Report, Sep 23; DOE, Sep23)

Texas
The State Operations Center (SOC) is activated at Level I, 24/7 Operations.
There are 19 fatalities and zero (0) injuries reported.
There are 65 shelters open with a population of 5,638, and US DOE reports that 502,637 customers remain without power.
FEMA continues to supply commodities to the Texas State-managed Resource Staging Area.
There are seven (7) Disaster Recovery Center (DRCs) and 13 Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (MDRCs) operational in the state.  (JFO SitRep #13; NSS Shelter Report, Sep 23; DOE, Sep 23; SLB, Sep 23)

Presidio, TX Levee Issue Update:
Local gauge readings and flow rates of the Rio Grande River at the Presidio Port of Entry (POE) continue to decrease as the water release rate from the Luis Leon Reservoir in Chihuahua, Mexico was reduced to 600 cubic meters per second.  
The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) reported the levees are holding, but levee integrity remains a concern.
Levee mitigation work continues, with over 25,000 sandbags filled and placed on the existing levee to add support. (NOC Awareness Report, Sep 24; NSS Shelter Report, Sep 24; DOE, Sep 24)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

Nothing significant to report.  (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean:
93L - High Potential for Tropical Cyclone Formation
As of 2:00 a.m. EDT, September 25, another well-defined low pressure system, centered about 140 miles east-northeast of the Turks and Caicos Islands, is moving northward at 10-to-15-mph.

Thunderstorm activity has increased and become better organized during the past several hours, and upper-level winds are expected to gradually become more favorable for a tropical depression to develop during the next day or so.  In addition, the threat for heavy rainfall, associated floods and mudslides over Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands will continue through today.

Extratropical Low - High Potential for Tropical Cyclone Formation
As of 2:00 a.m. EDT, September 25, a well-defined surface low pressure system, centered about 225 miles southeast of the South Carolina-North Carolina border, is moving slowly westward.  Showers and thunderstorms have become a little better organized this morning, and this system could develop into a subtropical or tropical cyclone later today.

Regardless of whether or not this system becomes a subtropical or tropical cyclone, strong winds, coastal flooding, high surf and dangerous rip currents will continue along portions of the US east coast during the next couple of days.  Outer rain bands are already spreading onshore on the southeastern coast of North Carolina, and buoy and ship reports indicate winds in excess of 50 mph are occurring north and west of the center.

Eastern Pacific:
No tropical cyclone expected during the next 48 hours.

Western Pacific:
No tropical cyclone activity affecting United States Territories. (NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Fire Activity as of Wednesday, September 24, 2008:
National Wildfire Preparedness Level: 2
Initial attack activity: Light (67)
New large fires: 0
Uncontained large fires: 4
Large fires contained: 0
States with large fires: CA, NV, OR

Predictive Weather:  A cold front will move across the Pacific Northwest, bringing cloudy and cooler conditions, along with showers along the coast.  However, further south across northeast California and Nevada, this system will bring gusty southwest winds of 20-35 mph with low humidity.  Gradual warming and drying across the Southwest and into the Central Rockies as high pressure strengthens across the Four Corners region.  Some of this warm, dry air will also spread further east, across the Ohio Valley and into much of the Southeast, except for coastal areas where heavy rain is expected. (NIFC, NICC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Illinois:  The Governor of Illinois requested a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Illinois as a result of Severe Storm and Flooding from September 13, 2008 and continuing.  The request includes Individual Assistance for 7 counties (Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, LaSalle and Will) and Hazard Mitigation statewide.

Oklahoma: The Governor requested an expedited Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Oklahoma as a result of Severe Storms and Tornadoes that took place on September 11, 2008.  The request includes Individual Assistance and Public Assistance (including direct Federal assistance) for five counties (Alfalfa, Grant, Kay, Major and Woods) and Hazard Mitigation statewide.

Amendment #10 to FEMA-1785-DR-FL adds Martin County for Individual Assistance; Alachua, Gadsden, and Liberty Counties for Individual Assistance (already designated for Public Assistance) and Lee County for Public Assistance (already designated for Individual Assistance).  (FEMA HQ)

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Puerto Rico Heavy Rainfall

The Puerto Rico Emergency Operations Center (PR EOC) remains partially activated 24/7, along with the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency (PREMA) Joint Information Center (partially activated), select ESF’s and US Coast Guard Liaison.

The Governor requested a Major Disaster Declaration and the Puerto Rican government has reported five (5) confirmed fatalities due to heavy rainfall and flooding.

Sixteen (16) shelters, with a population of 487 (in 16 municipalities) are open, while 14 preventative shelters remain open in twelve (12) municipalities.

Thirteen (13) rivers are flooded and a total of 43 major roads are closed due to flooding or mudslides.

The Puerto Rico Electric and Power Authority (PREPA) reports approximately 4,000 customers are without service and the Puerto Rico Aqueduct Sewer Authority (PRASA) reports about 18,644 customers are without service.  Restoration of utilities is unknown at this time.

Public Assistance (PA) Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) were completed in 18 municipalities, Individual Assistance (IA) PDAs were completed in 22 municipalities and PDAs are scheduled for 9 more municipalities, continuing through the weekend.

The Puerto Rican Army National Guard (PR ArNG) has 54 soldiers on State Active Duty (SAD) for water distribution, debris clearance, equipment transportation and civilian relocation. (FEMA Region II & CAD, PREMA, VITEMA, NWS, NGB SitRep #3)

Federal / State Response for Hurricane Ike and Midwest Storms

Region V
Ohio
The State EOC is activated at Level II (Partial Operations) and Joint PDAs are scheduled to begin on October 26.
There are eight (8) fatalities and ten (10) injuries reported by the state.
There are no shelters reported open, while the US Department of Energy (DOE) reports there are 9,595 customers without power.  Power restoration is expected to be completed by midnight, September 26.

Illinois
One (1) fatality is reported by the state.
IA PDAs were completed and PA PDAs are scheduled to begin on September 29.

Indiana
The State EOC is activated at Level IV (Normal Operations) and Joint PDAs were completed in five (5) counties and are ongoing in two (2) counties.
There are eight (8) fatalities and 19 injuries reported by the state.
There is one (1) shelter open with a population of 95, and the US DOE reports there are 6,186 customers remaining without power.  (Region V Operations Report, Sep 25; DOE, Sep 25; NSS Shelter Report, Sep 25)

FEMA Region VI
Louisiana
The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is activated at Level III (Emergency Operations).
There are five (5) fatalities reported by the state.
There are seven (7) shelters open with a population of 430, and the US DOE reports 12,287 customers are still without power.
Nineteen (19) of 21 PDAs are completed and there are no reported shortfalls or critical issues at this time.
There are 14 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) and two (2) Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (MDRCs) in support of Hurricane Gustav/Ike recovery efforts.  (SLB, Sep 25; NSS Shelter Report, Sep 25; DOE, Sep 25)

Texas
The State Operations Center (SOC) is activated at Level I, 24/7 Operations.
There are 19 fatalities reported by the state.
There are 66 shelters open with a population of 4,653 and US DOE reports that 482,840 customers remain without power, with the highest percentages in Harris (393,251), Galveston  (28,098), Brazoria (23,013) and Jefferson (less than 888) Counties.

FEMA continues to supply commodities to the Texas State-managed Resource Staging Area.
There are seven (7) Disaster Recovery Center (DRCs) and 13 Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (MDRCs) operational in the affected areas.  (NSS Shelter Report, Sep 25; DOE, Sep 25; SLB, Sep 25)

Presidio, TX Levee Issue Update:
The release of water from the Luis Leon Reservoir in Chihuahua, Mexico is reduced and hardening of the levees on the U.S. side of the border is complete. (NOC Awareness Report, Sep 25; FEMA HQ)

Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)

Nothing significant to report. (FEMA HQ)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean:
Tropical Storm Kyle
At 5:00 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm (TS) Kyle was located about 510 miles south-southwest of Bermuda.

TS Kyle is moving toward the north near 12 mph and a turn toward the north-northwest, accompanied by a gradual increase in forward speed, is expected later today and on Saturday, September 27.  On this track, the center of TS Kyle and the strongest winds are forecast to remain west of Bermuda.

Reports from a US Air Force Reserve unit reconnaissance aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60 mph, with higher gusts.  Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and TS Kyle could become a hurricane by Saturday, September 27.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 160 miles, mainly east of the center, and the minimum central pressure recently measured by reconnaissance aircraft was 997 mb (29.44 inches).

Extratropical Low #1 - Low Potential for Tropical Cyclone Formation
As of 2:00 a.m. EDT, September 26, a well-defined, non-tropical low pressure system has moved inland over northeastern South Carolina and is located about midway between Myrtle Beach and Florence.

Strong winds, coastal flooding, high surf and dangerous rip currents will gradually subside along the coasts of North and South Carolina today, but will continue along portions of the US mid-Atlantic coast during the next day or two.

Extratropical Low #2 - Low Potential for Tropical Cyclone Formation
As of 2:00 a.m. EDT, September 26, an area of disturbed weather, located in the Bay of Campeche, is moving slowly eastward toward the Yucatan Peninsula.  There are some signs of organization, but this system is expected to move inland over the Western Yucatan before any significant development can occur.

The system could still bring heavy rains to portions of southern Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula during the next couple of days.
 
Eastern Pacific:
There is no tropical cyclone activity expected in the next 24-48 hours.

Western Pacific:
There is no tropical cyclone activity affecting United States Territories.  (NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Fire Activity as of Thursday, September 25, 2008:
National Wildfire Preparedness Level: 2
Initial attack activity: Light (67)
New large fires: 3
Uncontained large fires: 6
Large fires contained: 0
States with large fires: CA, OR  (NIFC)

Predictive Weather:  Warm and dry across the southwest and central Rockies as high pressure continues to dominate across the Four Corners region.  Southwest winds of 20-30 mph across much of the Great Basin westward to the Sierra Range in eastern California are forecast.  Dry and warm across parts of the Ohio Valley across the northern Florida Panhandle.  Heavy rains and strong winds are expected as a coastal storm moves onshore across the Carolinas up through the mid-Atlantic Seaboard.  Cool, onshore flow across the Pacific Northwest with widespread showers.  (NIFC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

Puerto Rico:  The Governor of Puerto Rico requested a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of Severe Flooding beginning September 21, 2008 and continuing.  The Governor is requesting Individual Assistance for eight municipalities and Hazard Mitigation for the entire Commonwealth. (FEMA HQ)

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

Significant National Weather

Northeast
Strong winds, heavy surf and beach erosion will affect beaches through the Mid-Atlantic region on Wednesday and Thursday. 
Wind gusts around Tidewater, Virginia could exceed 40 mph by late in the day today, with tides running 1-to-3-feet above normal.

South
Heavy surf, gusty winds, dangerous rip currents and increasing rain in the coastal areas in North Carolina, especially the Outer Banks, are forecast for today.

Midwest
A decreasing cold front may still trigger isolated showers and thunderstorms from the Great Lakes to the central Plains.
A few storms may become severe over parts of southern Iowa and Nebraska.  (NOAA, National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Puerto Rico Heavy Rainfall (93L)

The Puerto Rico Emergency Operations Center (PR EOC) is partially activated 24/7, along with the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency (PREMA) Joint Information Center (partially activated), select ESF’s and US Coast Guard Liaison.
The Governor has declared a State of Emergency and the Puerto Rican government has reported four (4) confirmed fatalities and zero (0) injuries due to heavy rainfall and flooding.
Seventeen (17) shelters, with a population of 528 (in 15 municipalities) are open, while 14 preventative shelters remain open in twelve (12) municipalities.  (FEMA Region II SPOT Report)
Thirteen (13) rivers are flooded and a total of 27 major roads in 17 municipalities are closed due to flooding or mudslides.
The Puerto Rico Electric and Power Authority (PREPA) reports approximately 5,800 (0.37%) customers are without service and the Puerto Rico Aqueduct Sewer Authority (PRASA) reports about 36,774 (2.94%) customers are without service.  Restoration of utilities is unknown at this time.
Public schools remain closed in 14 municipalities due to heavy rains and flooding.
Joint IA and PA Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) will begin today, September 24, in 12 municipalities with PA and IA PDAs requested for an additional 13 municipalities.  Also, facilities are being pre-identified for a potential JFO. (FEMA Region II & CAD, PREMA, VITEMA, NWS)

Federal / State Response for Hurricane Ike and Midwest Storms

Region V
Ohio
The State EOC is activated at Level II (Partial Operations).
There are seven (7) fatalities and one (1) injury reported.
There is one (1) shelter open with a population of 12 while the US Department of Energy (DOE) reported there are 25,309 customers without power.  Power restoration is expected to be completed by early next week (Sep 29).  (Region V Operations Report Sep 23, DOE Sep 23, NSS Shelter Report, Sep 23)
Indiana
The State EOC is activated at Level IV (Normal Operations) and Joint PDAs continue to assess damages from the severe weather.
There are eight (8) fatalities and 19 injuries reported.
There is one (1) shelter open with a population of six (6) and the US DOE reported there are 6,186 customers remain without power. (DOE, Sep 23; NSS Shelter Report, Sep 23)

FEMA Region VI
Louisiana
The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is activated at Level III (Emergency Operations).
There are five (5) fatalities and zero (0) injuries reported.
There are seven (7) shelters open with a population of 489 and the US DOE reported 12,287 customers are still without power.
There are 14 Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) and two (2) Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (MDRCs) in support of Hurricane Gustav/Ike recovery efforts. (SLB, Sep 23; NSS Shelter Report, Sep 23; DOE, Sep23)
Texas
The State Operations Center (SOC) is activated at Level I, 24/7 Operations.
There are 19 fatalities and zero (0) injuries reported.
There are 126 shelters open with a population of 11,937, and US DOE reports that 745,241 customers remain without power.
All FEMA-managed Points of Distribution (PODS) have been closed.  FEMA continues to supply commodities to the Texas State-managed Resource Staging Area.
There are three (3) Disaster Recovery Center (DRCs) and 11 Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (MDRCs) located in Texas.
The City of Galveston will reopen today, September 24, and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has established 28 Rights-of-Entry (ROE) sites for citizens to register their property for the Blue Roof Program.  (JFO SitRep #13; NSS Shelter Report, Sep 23; DOE, Sep 23; SLB, Sep 23)
Presidio, TX Levee issue update:
Presidio County, along with the City of Presidio, continues efforts to mitigate the flood impacts from the Rio Grande River. 
Over 1,300 sandbags are being placed on the existing levee to add support; in total, 6,500 sandbags are in place in all the problem areas.  The Department of Defense (DoD) continues to provide CH-47 helicopter support to provide sandbags and supplies.
Helicopters are being used to fill in openings under bridges with large sandbags in an existing railroad right-of-way to create secondary levees.
Mexico has temporarily slowed the rate of water release from the Luis Leon Reservoir in order to allow workers time to shore up the Presidio levees.
The response priorities for this incident are to prevent levee failure, continue maintaining emergency shelter operations, ensure Public Health needs are addressed, providing water/wastewater services in the City/County if a catastrophic flood event occurs and providing for a rapid response for search and rescue should the levees fail. (TX SOC Rio Grande River Flood Event SITREP # 3, USNORTHCOM)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean:
93L - High Potential for Tropical Cyclone Development
As of 5:00 a.m. EDT, September 24, the broad area of low pressure over Hispaniola continues to generate a large area of cloudiness and showers, extending northward from the northeastern Caribbean Sea, across Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, and into the western Atlantic.
This system is interacting with land and has not yet developed a well-defined surface circulation, but atmospheric conditions remain favorable for development and a tropical depression could form later today or tonight as this system moves north of Hispaniola.
Regardless of development, heavy rainfall and the potential for life-threatening flash floods and mudslides are expected to continue over Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands today.
Heavy rains could also spread northward over the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas later today or tonight.
Eastern Pacific:
90L - Low Potential for Tropical Cyclone Development
As of 5:00 a.m. EDT, September 24, shower and thunderstorm activity has decreased in association with the surface low pressure system located approximately 430 miles south of the southern tip of Baja, California.
This system is expected to move west-northwestward over the next two days and further development, if any, should be slow to occur.
Western Pacific:
No tropical cyclone activity affecting United States Territories. (NOAA, HPC, National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Fire Activity as of Tuesday, September 23, 2008:
National Wildfire Preparedness Level: 2
Initial attack activity: Light (70)
New large fires: 0
Uncontained large fires: 4
Large fires contained: 1
States with large fires: CA, NV, OR

Predictive Fire:  It will become warmer and drier from Texas westward across the Southwest as high pressure starts to build in across the Four Coners region.  The Northern Rockies area is also forecast to dry out and become a little warmer.  A cold front will approach the Pacific Northwest and northern California, bringing a cool westerly onshore flow, along with increasing high clouds.  Widespread showers and thunderstorms will continue again across Florida.  Elsewhere, the forecast calls for mainly seasonable, early fall conditions. (NIFC, NICC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The President signed a Disaster Declaration, FEMA-1795-DR, for severe storms and flooding that occurred in Indiana, September 23, 2008 and continuing.  Three (3) counties (Lake, LaPorte and Porter) are eligible for Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation is approved statewide.  The FCO will be Stephen M. DeBlasio, Sr. (FEMA HQ)

Homeland Security Threat Level: YELLOW (ELEVATED)

National Weather

Midwest
A slow moving front may produce showers and thunderstorms from the Upper Mississippi Valley to the central Plains.  Parts of the Eastern Dakotas and Minnesota may see heavy rain.
Flood Warnings continue for numerous rivers in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. 
Highs will range from the low to mid 60s in western North Dakota to the mid-80s in the Ohio Valley.
Northeast
Pleasant weather is forecast for most of the region with cool mornings quickly warming into sunny afternoons.
High temperatures will range from the upper 50s in northern Maine to the low 80s in West Virginia.
South  
High pressure over New England combining with low pressure off the Southeast Coast will bring gusty onshore winds along the Carolina Coasts.  Heavy surf, rip currents and beach erosion are possible. 
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible in southern Texas and the Florida Peninsula. 
Numerous Flood Warnings remain in effect for portions of Texas, Florida, Arkansas and Louisiana.
High temperatures will range from the 70s in the southern Appalachians to around 90 in parts of Texas, Florida and Louisiana.
West  
Most of the region will be dry except for a few showers over eastern Montana.
Eastern Washington, eastern Oregon and Idaho may see below freezing temperatures.
Temperatures will range from the 30s in the higher mountains to the 100s in the Mohave and Sonoran Deserts. (NOAA, National Weather Service, Various Media Sources)

Puerto Rico Heavy rainfall (93L)

• The PR EOC is partially activated 24\7 with select ESF’s.
• The Governor has declared a State of Emergency
• The PREMA Joint Information Center is partially activated.
• The USCG has provided a liaison to the PREMA EOC.
• 4 fatalities; no injuries reported
• 19 shelters; population 337 in 15 municipalities (FEMA Region II)
• Fourteen preventive shelters have been opened in 12 municipalities.
• 13 rivers are flooded and several roads have been closed due to flooding or landslides.
• The Puerto Rico Electric and Power Authority (PREPA) reports about 7,146 (0.48%) customers are without service.
• The Puerto Rico Aqueduct Sewer Authority (PRASA) reports about 103,379 (8.27%) customers are without service.
• State/Federal Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) will begin tomorrow with 10 IA teams and 9 PA teams in 12 municipalities
• A Mission Assignment has been issued to ESF-3, USACE for PA PDA support.
• No Federal assistance is being requested at this time. (FEMA Region II & CAD, PREMA, VITEMA, NWS)

Federal / State Response for Hurricane Ike and Midwest Storms

Region V
Illinois

• State EOC has returned to normal operations.
• Joint PDAs are ongoing.
• 1 fatality; no injuries reported
• All power has been restored.
• 4 shelter; population 7 (ESF 6 Sept. 22) Ohio
• Ohio EOC at Level II (Partial Operations)
• 7 fatalities; 1 injury reported
• 47,825 customers remain without power.  (DOE Sept. 22)
• 1 shelter; population 12 (NSS as of Midnight EDT Sept. 22) Indiana
• State EOC is activated at Level III (Normal Operations)
• Joint PDAs are ongoing.
• 8 fatalities; 19 injuries reported
• 1 shelters; population 6  (NSS as of Midnight EDT Sept. 22)

FEMA Region VI
Louisiana

• GOSHEP activated at Level III
• 5 fatalities; no injuries reported
• 12,287 customers remain without power  (DOE Sept. 22)
• 8 shelters; population 513 (ESF 6  Sept. 22) 

Texas

• Activated at Level I, 24/7
• 19 fatalities; no injuries reported. (JFO Sitrep #13)
• Shelters / Occupants: 141; population of 13,500; 41% capacity; shelter counts are reducing with efforts to transition people for re-entry into areas. (ESF 6  Sept. 22) 764,503 customers remain without power. (DOE Sept. 22)
• PODs continue to consolidate with inventories of commodities to plan to terminate supply flow; there are 27 PODs in Texas.
• There is 3 Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) and 11 Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (MDRCs) located in Texas. (JFO REPORT #13)
• The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has established 27 Rights of Entry (ROE) sites for citizens to register their property for the Blue Roof Program.
• Registration intakes are over 525,000 with 70% submitted online.
• The City of Galveston will re-open on Wednesday, September 24, 2008.

Presidio, TX Levee issue update: Presidio County, along with the City of Presidio, continues efforts to mitigate the flood impacts from the Rio Grande River.

• Sandbag operations continue with 6500 sandbags put in place.
• Air operations successfully placed a large number of large sandbags to reinforce weakness in portions of the levee and remain on stand-by to support additional large sandbag mitigation efforts.
• Sandbagging operations continue as needed by community and county residents and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has provided 70 offender personnel to assist in sandbagging operation efforts.  Priorities of the incident are: to prevent levee failure; to continue to maintain emergency shelter operations; provide for a rapid response for search and rescue should the levees fail. (TX SOC Rio Grande River Flood Event SITREP # 3)

Tropical Weather Outlook

Atlantic/Caribbean:
93L - High Potential for Tropical Cyclone Development
A broad area of low pressure centered over the eastern Dominican Republic continues to produce heavy rains over portions of the eastern Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.  This system has changed little in organization during the past several hours; however, upper-level winds are expected to become a little more conducive for development and this system has the potential to become a tropical depression at any time during the next day or two as it moves northwestward away from Hispaniola.  Heavy rainfall with potentially life-threatening flash flooding is expected to continue over the area through early Wednesday.   
Eastern Pacific:
90L - Medium Potential for Tropical Cyclone Development
A broad area of low pressure centered about 225 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico is producing very limited and disorganized shower activity.  Development of this system, if any, is expected to be slow to occur as it moves west-northwestward.
Western Pacific:
No tropical cyclone activity affecting United States Territories. (NOAA, HPC,  National Hurricane Center, Central Pacific Hurricane Center and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center)

Earthquake Activity

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Preliminary Damage Assessments

No new activity (FEMA HQ)

Wildfire Update

National Fire Activity as of  Monday, September 22, 2008:
National Wildfire Preparedness Level: 2
Initial attack activity: Light (63)
New large fires: 0
Uncontained large fires: 5
Large fires contained: 2
States with large fires: CA, MT, OR
Predictive Fire: Clear weather with drier conditions is expected along the West coast, with light north/offshore winds across parts of northern California. Winds out of the southwest will increase across the Southwest and parts of the Great Basin Continued cool and moist weather will continue over much of the northern and central Rockies, with some snow across the higher terrain of Idaho and Montana. The Gulf States will have widespread showers and thunderstorms. Elsewhere, seasonable fall conditions will arrive a little early.  (NIFC, NICC)

Disaster Declaration Activity

The Governor of Indiana requested a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of severe storms and flooding, beginning on Sept 12 and continuing.
The President approved Major Disaster Declaration (FEMA-1794-DR) for Mississippi as a result of Hurricane Gustav.   (FEMA HQ)

Houston, TX, September 24, 2008 — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced a rental assistance program at a press conference. Media coverage is an important part of getting information out to victims of the disaster. Leif Skoogfors/FEMA

Callahan, FL, September 17, 2008 — Outside at the Nassau FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center(DRC), FEMA Public Information Officer(PIO) Arthur Green is placing a telephone call. FEMA PIO’s assure that media get timely, correct information to help those affected by Tropical Storm Fay. George Armstrong/FEMA

Callahan, FL, September 17, 2008 — At a Nassau Community flood concerns meeting, FEMA Public Information Officer(PIO) Nate Custer responds to questions about FEMA activities. FEMA PIO’s help the media and the public get correct information about FEMA’s response to Tropical Storm Fay. George Armstrong/FEMA

Callahan, FL, September 17, 2008 — Prior to the Nassau Community flood concerns meeting, FEMA Public Information Officer(PIO) Nate Custer speaks with a newspaper reporter. FEMA PIO’s help the media and the public get correct information about FEMA’s response to Tropical Storm Fay. George Armstrong/FEMA

Callahan, FL, September 17, 2008 — At the Nassau Community flood concerns meeting, FEMA Public Information Officer(PIO) Nate Custer speaks with a WJXT-TV (4) reporter. FEMA PIO’s help the media and the public get correct information about FEMA’s response to Tropical Storm Fay. George Armstrong/FEMA