Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Latest from the National Weather Service-

Snow, moderate at times, will continue to spread northward across western north Texas and Oklahoma through the afternoon. Although most of the snow will melt when it hits the ground, it will come down hard enough at many locations to result in a quick 1/2" on grassy and elevated surfaces. Although most accumulations through this evening will average 1" or less, scattered accumulations of up to 2" are still possible from western north Texas through southwest and central Oklahoma.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Latest Winter Weather Information EOC and NWS

Just a quick update on the potential for more snow...

We may see some accumulating snow beginning Tuesday morning across western north Texas and SW Oklahoma, then spreading northeast into Tuesday night.

Model trends with this system have been to take a little further north, which would take the potential for more snow north, as well. Right now, we're not looking for significant accumulations, but given what we've been through in recent days, any mention of snow will get a lot of attention. We think the highest totals will be around two inches, most likely along and north of I-44. We do not plan to issue a winter storm watch, but may issue a winter weather advisory at some point late tonight or early Tuesday.

Keep an eye on our enhanced page - http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/enhanced.php - for the latest details.

--
Rick Smith
Warning Coordination Meteorologist

National Weather Service - Norman Forecast Office

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Winter Storm Warning Update

From the National Weather Service- please notice that we are toward the south end of the predicted activity. This does not mean that it will not necessarily occur, but MAY be of lesser intensity than in areas to our north.



2009-12-23 20:47:00 UTC

906
WWUS44 KOUN 232047
WSWOUN

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
247 PM CST WED DEC 23 2009

INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...PONCA CITY...PERRY...GUTHRIE...
STILLWATER...OKLAHOMA CITY...CHANDLER
247 PM CST WED DEC 23 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM
CST THURSDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NORMAN HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WARNING FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM
MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM CST THURSDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS
NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* TIMING: NEAR SUNRISE THURSDAY THROUGH EARLY THURSDAY EVENING

* MAIN IMPACT: NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS WITH SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW
AND ACCUMULATION UP TO 5 INCHES IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA AND 8
INCHES IN NORTH CENTRAL OKLAHOMA.

* OTHER IMPACTS: INCREASINGLY BLUSTERY WINDS...RESULTING IN
BLOWING SNOW AND LOW WIND CHILL TEMPERATURES. THERE IS ALSO A
CHANCE OF FREEZING RAIN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW...
SLEET...AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO
POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

Latest from the National Weather Service




Latest from the National Weather Service-

I have attached several graphic products representing the predicted conditions for tonight and into CHRISTmas Eve. Please remember to plan ahead and to check local weather conditions before traveling, including your destination and points in between. If traveling into areas with colder temperatures and the possibility of freezing precipitation, it is wise to take additional clothing, coats or a blanket in case the unexpected should occur. A roadside safety kit including flashlight, gloves, warm hat and footwear, bottled water, high protein snack foods, some type of “traction aiding” material such as sand or cat litter, etc. should be taken with you.

Mild weather will persist today southeast of the interstate 44 corridor... while cooler temperatures will prevail over northwest Oklahoma. Scattered thunderstorms will affect southern and eastern Oklahoma. A few areas of light freezing drizzle may also occur over far northwest Oklahoma...but temperatures will warm a few degrees by mid morning. This afternoon... severe storms will be possible over part of southeast Oklahoma. From late today into Thursday, the colder air will spread southward causing a change to snow. Accumulating snow, with areas of blowing/drifting snow, are most likely to affect parts of northern and central Oklahoma. As the storm begins to shift to the east on Christmas Eve, blustery north winds will bring in the coldest air yet this season.

Looks like we may have a white CHRISTmas!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Winter Weather Potential

A Winter Weather Advisory has been posted for central and northern Oklahoma from 9pm tonight (Monday) through 9am Tuesday. Light freezing drizzle may cause limited ice accumulations on exposed objects. While impacts are expected to remain low, the morning commute in Oklahoma City may prove difficult, IF freezing precipitation should occur. Surface temperatures will be at or below freezing tonight and in the early morning hours. Light freezing drizzle/rain is expected in the advisory area.

Conditions will rapidly improve on Tuesday as surface temperatures warm above freezing. Impacts are not expected in southern Oklahoma where temperatures should be above freezing and also farther removed from the upper system.


As usual, winter weather, and particularly adverse winter weather, is more difficult to forecast and determine with as much advance warning and accuracy as Springtime severe weather. All personnel are strongly encouraged to monitor on-going weather conditions, forecasts and observations, and to make tentative plans to allow additional time for the Tuesday morning commute, should it be necessary.



The Oklahoma County Office of Emergency Management will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.






Monday, September 21, 2009

Potential Severe Weather

Oklahoma County has been placed in a Severe Thunderstorm WATCH area until 10:00 PM. There is currently no severe weather near, or threatening Oklahoma County, however, due to a cold front that is approaching from the northwest, and the presence of significant moisture in central Oklahoma, the possibility of severe thunderstorm development is present. Below is part of the actual WATCH information provided from the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) in Norman

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH NUMBER 742
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
200 PM CDT MON SEP 21 2009

THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF

EXTREME NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
SOUTHEAST KANSAS
SOUTHWEST AND CENTRAL MISSOURI
CENTRAL AND EASTERN OKLAHOMA
EXTREME NORTHWEST TEXAS

EFFECTIVE THIS MONDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 200 PM UNTIL
1000 PM CDT.

HAIL TO 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS TO 70
MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE AREAS.

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH AREA IS APPROXIMATELY ALONG AND 75
STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF A LINE FROM 50 MILES NORTH
NORTHWEST OF SPRINGFIELD MISSOURI TO 40 MILES SOUTH SOUTHEAST OF
WICHITA FALLS TEXAS.

REMEMBER...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH MEANS CONDITIONS ARE
FAVORABLE FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN AND CLOSE TO THE WATCH
AREA. PERSONS IN THESE AREAS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR
THREATENING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND LISTEN FOR LATER STATEMENTS
AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAN AND OCCASIONALLY
DO PRODUCE TORNADOES.

DISCUSSION...THUNDERSTORMS WILL GRADUALLY INCREASE IN
COVERAGE/INTENSITY ACROSS MO/SE KS AND OK THIS AFTERNOON AS THE LOW
LEVELS CONTINUE TO DESTABILIZE IN ADVANCE OF A COLD FRONT AND
PRE-FRONTAL TROUGH. DEEP LAYER VERTICAL SHEAR IS SOMEWHAT MARGINAL
FOR SUPERCELLS IN THE WARM SECTOR...WHILE MLCAPE VALUES RANGE FROM
2000-3000 J/KG BASED ON SURFACE TEMPERATURES IN THE 80S WITH
BOUNDARY LAYER DEWPOINTS OF 68-70 F. IT APPEARS THAT LARGE HAIL AND
DAMAGING WINDS WILL BE THE MAIN SEVERE THREATS THIS AFTERNOON. THE
SEVERE THREAT WILL CONTINUE INTO THIS EVENING AND EARLY TONIGHT AS
STORMS GRADUALLY EVOLVE INTO AN EXTENSIVE BAND ALONG THE FRONT AND
SPREAD EWD/SEWD.

AVIATION...A FEW SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT
TO 2 INCHES. EXTREME TURBULENCE AND SURFACE WIND GUSTS TO 60
KNOTS. A FEW CUMULONIMBI WITH MAXIMUM TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM
MOTION VECTOR 26025.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Drones seek storms' secrets

This is interesting! I wonder if weather forecasting in general will be helped by this project.
 
Michelle

HomeNewsState News

Drones seek storms' secrets

New unmanned drones promise better weather insight

The Global Hawk drone will give scientists more information on how storms strengthen, by taking closer and longer looks at storms' eyewalls.

Photo provided

The Global Hawk drone will give scientists more information on how storms strengthen, by taking closer and longer looks at storms' eyewalls.

Predator drones piloted from laptops track al-Qaida in the Middle East and illegal border crossings from Canada and Mexico.

In the middle of the Atlantic, they will hunt hurricanes -- maybe leading to the end of manned reconnaissance flights, or at least the most dangerous ones.

One drone can jet high above a hurricane to scan a storm's origins. Another propels along a cyclone's tail, deep into the eyewall, within a few hundred feet of the ocean surface. Their instruments peer through clouds and sandstorms. They send photos and real-time video.

This new breed of hurricane hunters targets the Holy Grail in hurricane forecasting: better prediction of how storms quickly strengthen. The closer, longer glimpses of a storm's beginnings and eyewall could one day save lives and property.

"We can stay aloft longer," said Ramesh Kakar, a program scientist at NASA in Washington, D.C. "That's a big difference between a drone and a manned aircraft. You're limited by the pilot fatigue."

NASA plans a test flight in September of the Global Hawk predator drone, with hopes of having it ready for next year's hurricane season.

"It's just like having your own little roving satellite," said Robbie Hood, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Unmanned Aircraft Systems program in Boulder, Colo. "It would be like parking a satellite above the storm."

The Global Hawk cruises at 400 mph and can reach 65,000 feet with up to 2,000 pounds of weather instruments.

Last year, the Air Force transferred two Global Hawks to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California. For now, the drones will deploy from there.

But Kakar hopes to make the drone available at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia next year.

Aerosonde

To focus resources on the Global Hawk, the federal government this year scrubbed flights of a much smaller hurricane drone that gathers near-ocean data, which forecasters say is vital for improving storm-intensity predictions.

The Aerosonde drone, named after the Australian company that designed it, can fly 500 feet or lower above the ocean.

Scientists say the temperature, pressure and moisture data collected would help to better describe the way energy transfers from ocean to the atmosphere to make a storm's power grow so fast. That could improve warnings for hurricanes such as Charley in 2004, which seemed to fizzle as Charlotte County residents went to bed but grew to a powerful Category 4 storm overnight.

The first Aerosonde drone to venture into a tropical storm launched in 2005 during Tropical Storm Ophelia.

The prop-driven drone weighs roughly 30 pounds and cruises at 50 to 70 mph, at up to 15,000 feet. It can run about 24 hours or more on the 1.6 gallons of fuel it carries.

But the drone has its drawbacks, which caused NOAA and NASA to shelve it this year in favor of focusing on Global Hawk.

"Aerosonde will carry very minor, miniature instruments, and it can't fly very high," Kakar of NASA said. "It has a limited coverage. Also, if you're not careful, it can get destroyed."

NOAA lost one Aerosonde drone, when researchers in 2007 intentionally ditched it into the Atlantic off of North Carolina during Hurricane Noel. They wanted to gather more storm data, rather than return the craft to refuel.

Global Hawk

Federal hurricane researchers decided the larger, much pricier Global Hawk -- a 44-foot-long aircraft with a 116-foot wingspan -- could gather more valuable data, partly because it can carry a much heavier payload of instruments.

The Global Hawk can drop dropsondes -- small devices on chutes that radio sea temperature, salinity and other information back to computers aboard the aircraft -- as the manned flights do, and collect more measurements.

"What I'm trying to do here is simulate a lower satellite," Kakar said.

He hopes to develop air-refueling capability for the Global Hawk, to double its flight time to about 60 hours. Most manned hurricane flights last seven to nine hours.

Others drones in the works include the Altair Predator B, the Global Observer and Zephyr. Each has its pros and cons. The Zephyr, for example, can linger over a hurricane for days at a time, but only with about a nine-pound payload.

NOAA's unmanned aircraft program had a $3.3 million budget last year and $6.3 million this year.

Manned flights

Hood said it could be 30 years before the drones ground the human hurricane hunters.

NOAA's time-tested Gulfstream-IV jet, called "Gonzo," flies into the storms, with a crew of 10, dropping in instruments. And Lockheed's N42RF "Kermit" and N43RF "Miss Piggy" each carry a crew of 18.

The manned flights can improve track forecasts by 20 percent, by deploying dropsondes.

But they give only periodic snapshots, so forecasters can't wait for a longer, closer look into a storm's eye.

"I think over the next decades we're going to see pretty significant improvements in hurricane intensity forecasting," said Scott Spratt, a National Weather Service forecaster in Melbourne.

Contact Waymer at 242-3663 or jwaymer@floridatoday.com.

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Friday, June 26, 2009

More Heat This Weekend

354 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight
time
Saturday...
For the following counties...
In arkansas...
Crawford...franklin and sebastian.
In oklahoma...
Osage...washington...nowata...craig...ottawa...pawnee...tulsa...
Rogers...mayes...delaware...creek...okfuskee...okmulgee...
Wagoner...cherokee...muskogee...mcintosh...sequoyah and le flore.
Afternoon heat index values of 105 to 110 degrees will be common
Across much of northeast oklahoma...and in the arkansas river
Valley of east central oklahoma and west central arkansas through
Saturday. These high temperatures combined with nighttime temperatures
Only falling into the mid and upper 70s will cause a continued
Strain on those who must be outside...and those who do not have
Air conditioning.
The excessive heat will likely peak saturday afternoon ahead of
An approaching cold front...with actual high temperatures in the
Upper 90s to around 103. A cold front saturday night will result
In milder temperatures on sunday.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
Remember the effects of excessive heat can accumulate over a
Number of days.
The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will create
A situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of
Fluids...stay in an air-conditioned room if possible...stay out
Of the sun...and check up on relatives and neighbors.
Never leave any person or pet in a closed...parked vehicle.
Temperatures inside can reach over 150 degrees quickly...
Resulting in heat stroke and death. Ensure pets have adequate
Water and if outdoors a shady place to rest.

957 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect until 9 pm central daylight time
saturday...
A heat advisory remains in effect until 9 pm central daylight time
saturday.
A strong dome of high pressure will continue to sink and
Compressionally heat the air into the first half of the weekend
Over much of southeastern missouri...southern illinois...and
Southwestern kentucky. The result will be an increasingly hot...
Humid...and stagnant air mass that will produce afternoon and
Evening heat index values around 105 for both today and saturday.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.

354 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect from 7 am this morning to 7 pm
central daylight time saturday...
For the following counties...
In oklahoma...
Pushmataha...choctaw...pittsburg...haskell and latimer.
Afternoon heat index values of 100 to 105 degrees will be common
Across southeast oklahoma friday and saturday. Overnight lows will
Remain in the lower 70s...with some sheltered valley locations
Reaching the upper 60s both nights. A cold front will bring a
Chance of showers and thunderstorms by sunday...along with cooler
Temperatures.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.
Never leave any person or pet in a closed...parked vehicle.
Temperatures inside can reach over 150 degrees quickly...
Resulting in heat stroke and death. Ensure pets have adequate
Water and if outdoors a shady place to rest.

330 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect from noon today to 10 pm central
daylight time
Saturday...
A heat advisory remains in effect from noon today to 10 pm central
daylight time
Saturday.
A ridge of high pressure will build east into extreme southeast
Kansas and the missouri ozarks through saturday. High
Temperatures today and saturday will range from the mid to upper
90s. Coupled with high humidity...afternoon heat index values
Will peak around 105 degrees.
A cold front will move through the ozarks saturday night and early
Sunday morning bringing relief from the heat. A more comfortable
Airmass will settle into the region sunday and last into the
Middle of next week.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.

318 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...heat advisory in effect from 10 am to 7 pm central daylight time
saturday...
The national weather service in little rock has issued a heat
Advisory...which is in effect from 10 am to 7 pm central daylight time
saturday.
The combination of afternoon temperatures in the mid 90s to around
100...along with high humidity values...will produce dangerous
Heat indices saturday afternoon. Heat index values between 105 and
110 degrees will be common across much of arkansas...with locally
Higher values over 110 degrees across central and southern
Arkansas.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.

Urgent - weather message
National weather service memphis tn
317 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...hot and humid conditions are expected across western parts of
The mid south today...
.an strong upper level ridge of high pressure will bring hot
Temperatures to areas along west of interstate 55 today.
Increasing humidity will combine with temperatures in the upper
90s to produce heat indices of 100 to 105 degrees this afternoon.
317 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...heat advisory in effect from 10 am this morning to 7 pm central
daylight time
This evening...
The national weather service in memphis has issued a heat
Advisory...which is in effect from 10 am this morning to 7 pm central
daylight time
This evening.
Hot and humid conditions are expected along and west of interstate
55 today. Heat indices will reach 100 to 105 degrees during the
Afternoon.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.

...hot weather expected this weekend...
.a strong ridge of high pressure will build over the west coast
This weekend resulting in warmer than normal temperatures for the
Interior sections of the san francisco bay area.
...excessive heat warning remains in effect from 11 am saturday
To 8 pm pdt sunday for the santa clara valley including san
Jose...
Temperatures will warm rapidly on saturday as an area of high
Pressure builds strongly over california and light offshore flow
Develops. Hot temperatures will continue on sunday as well.
High temperatures are expected to reach the mid 90s to as high as
101. Overnight low temperatures on saturday night will only drop
Into the mid 60s to middle 70s.

258 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight
time
Saturday...
Dangerous hot and humid conditions will continue through
Saturday evening...with afternoon and early evening heat index
Readings of 105 to 110 degrees.
The health risks associated with heat and humidity increase
Dramatically as the hot weather lingers. Therefore...it becomes
Even more important to make frequent checks on friends...
Neighbors...and relatives that may be susceptible to the heat.
These checks are especially critical for those living in homes or
Apartments that do not have air conditioning.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
Children...the elderly...and people with chronic ailments are
Usually the first to suffer from the heat. Heat exhaustion...
Cramps...or in extreme cases...heat stroke...can result from
Prolonged exposure to these conditions. Friends...relatives...or
Neighbors should check on people who may be at risk.
Many people avoid using air conditioning because of the cost. In
Times of extreme heat and humidity...this can be a fatal mistake!
Many towns and cities...social agencies...and utilities have
Financial assistance available for those in need. If you have air
Conditioning be sure to use it...it can truly make the difference
Between life and death.
Even healthy people should stop outdoor activities in these times
Of extreme heat and humidity. If you must be outside...drink plenty
Of water or other non-alcoholic beverages and take frequent
Breaks in the shade.
People in the st. Louis metropolitan area can get information on
Cooling centers or energy assistance related to the excessive
Heat by calling the united way of greater st. Louis at 800-427-
4626.

957 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect until 9 pm central daylight time
saturday...
A heat advisory remains in effect until 9 pm central daylight time
saturday.
A strong dome of high pressure will continue to sink and
Compressionally heat the air into the first half of the weekend
Over much of southeastern missouri...southern illinois...and
Southwestern kentucky. The result will be an increasingly hot...
Humid...and stagnant air mass that will produce afternoon and
Evening heat index values around 105 for both today and saturday.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.

Urgent - weather message
National weather service lincoln il
951 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...heat advisory for parts of central illinois this afternoon...
.the combination of temperatures in the lower 90s and dewpoints
In the lower 70s will create heat index values in excess of
100 degrees this afternoon...mainly along and south of a
Rushville...to springfield...to effingham line. Further north...
Slightly drier air filtering southward from the upper midwest
Will keep heat indices a bit lower. Another heat advisory
Covering all of central illinois may be required on saturday...as
Hotter and more humid air pushes into the area from the
Southwest.
951 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect from 1 pm this afternoon to
7 pm central daylight time this evening...
A heat advisory remains in effect from 1 pm this afternoon to
7 pm central daylight time this evening.
Temperatures in the lower 90s will combine with high relative
Humidity levels to produce heat index readings of 100 to
105 degrees this afternoon.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible.
Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned room...stay
Out of the sun...and check up on relatives and neighbors.

258 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight time
saturday...
Dangerous hot and humid conditions will continue through
Saturday evening...with afternoon and early evening heat index
Readings of 100 to 105.
The health risks associated with heat and humidity increase
Dramatically as the hot weather lingers. Therefore...it becomes
Even more important to make frequent checks on friends...
Neighbors...and relatives that may be susceptible to the heat.
These checks are especially critical for those living in homes or
Apartments that do not have air conditioning.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
Children...the elderly...and people with chronic ailments are
Usually the first to suffer from the heat. Heat exhaustion...
Cramps...or in extreme cases...heat stroke...can result from
Prolonged exposure to these conditions. Friends...relatives...or
Neighbors should check on people who may be at risk.
Even healthy people should stop outdoor activities in these times
Of extreme heat and humidity. If you must be outside...drink plenty
Of water or other non-alcoholic beverages and take frequent
Breaks in the shade.
Many people avoid using air conditioning because of the cost. In
Times of extreme heat and humidity...this can be a fatal mistake!
Many towns and cities...social agencies...and utilities have
Financial assistance available for those in need. If you have air
Conditioning be sure to use it...it can truly make the difference
Between life and death.

Urgent - weather message
National weather service kansas city/pleasant hill mo
518 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...oppressive heat and humidity returns today through saturday...
.after a warm and muggy overnight...heat will build again today and
Remain over the area until a cold front moves through the region
Saturday afternoon and evening. A very moist airmass will maintain
High humidity levels...bringing peak afternoon heat indices to
Between 105 and 110 degrees.
518 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight
time
Saturday...
An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight
time
Saturday.
Hot and humid weather will return today...and remain over the area
Until a front arrives saturday afternoon and evening. Afternoon
Temperatures should climb into the middle 90s today...and middle to
Even upper 90s saturday. Very humid conditions will yield maximum heat
Index readings in the 105 to 110 degree range. Nighttime lows will
Only fall into the middle to upper 70s which will not allow buildings
Without air conditioning to cool down...especially in the more urban
Areas.
Of particular concern will be for any outdoor events today and
Saturday. Persons attending such outdoor events should take frequent
Breaks...preferably in an air conditioned building...to cool down and
Drink water to prevent heat illnesses.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of
Dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot
Temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous
Situation in which heat illnesses are likely. If you must be
Outdoors the next several days...especially during the peak
Heating of the afternoon...be sure to drink plenty of water and
Take frequent breaks in the shade...or preferably in an air
Conditioned building. Children...the elderly...and pets are most
Susceptible to excessive heat...and should be checked on
Frequently during this stretch of hot weather.

336 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight
time
Saturday...
An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight
time
Saturday.
Very hot and humid conditions will linger across the region
Through saturday. Afternoon heat indices around 105 degrees or
Higher are expected in the warning area.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of
Dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot
Temperatures and high humidity will create a dangerous situation
Where heat illnesses are likely. Drink plenty of fluids and stay
In an air-conditioned room. Stay out of the sun and check up on
Relatives and neighbors. The elderly...children and pets are most
Susceptible to excessive heat...and should be checked on
Frequently during this stretch of hot weather.

317 am central daylight time fri jun 26 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central
daylight time this
Evening...
An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central
daylight time this
Evening.
Very hot temperatures and high levels of humidity will persist
Through this afternoon. Afternoon heat indices will peak around
105 degrees.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
Children...the elderly...and people with chronic ailments are
Usually the first to suffer from the heat. Heat exhaustion...
Cramps...or in extreme cases heat stroke can result from
Prolonged exposer to these conditions. Friends...relatives...and
Neighbors should check on people who may be at risk.

--
Email services provided by the System Access Mobile Network. Visit
www.serotek.com to learn more about accessibility anywhere.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Dealing With The Accessive Heat

Urgent - weather message
National weather service new orleans la
531 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...a heat advisory remains in effect for southeast louisiana and
Southern mississippi until 7 pm today...
.a ridge of upper level high pressure has become centered farther
West over the southern plains...but the extended period of very
Hot weather will continue today. Temperatures will be slightly
Lower thursday through the weekend...but high heat indices may
Reach dangerous levels each day.
531 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight time
this evening...
High temperatures today are expected to be mostly in the upper 90s
To near 100 degrees. When factoring in the humidity...late morning
And afternoon heat indices will reach 105 to 110 degrees. There is
A slight chance of a late afternoon or evening shower or
Thunderstorm with some cooling rain and gusts of wind...but most
Areas will remain hot and dry.
High temperatures friday through sunday are expected to drop to
The mid 90s...but humidity values are expected to remain high...and
This will likely continue to produce afternoon heat indices near
105 degrees or greater. There is a slight chance of afternoon or
Evening showers and thunderstorms each day...but most areas will
Remain hot and dry.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
The excessive heat and humidity will make a dangerous combination
For individuals if proper precautions are not taken. Excessive
Heat kills people by taxing the human body beyond its abilities
To cool itself. In a normal year...about 175 americans die from
The heat.
This is a dangerous situation. Children...the elderly...and
People with chronic ailments are usually the first to suffer from
The heat. Heat exhaustion...heat cramps...or in extreme cases...
Heat stroke may result from prolonged exposure to these
Conditions. Friends...relatives...or neighbors should check on
People at risk.

344 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...heat advisory in effect from noon today to 7 pm central daylight time
this
Evening...
The national weather service in little rock has issued a heat
Advisory...which is in effect from noon today to 7 pm central daylight
time this
Evening.
The combination of afternoon temperatures in the mid and upper 90s...
Along with high humidity values...will produce dangerous heat
Indices this afternoon. Heat index values between 105 and 110
Degrees will be common along the arkansas river valley...as well
As central and southern arkansas.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.

343 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...heat advisory in effect until 7 pm central daylight time this
evening...
The national weather service in shreveport has issued a heat
Advisory...which is in effect until 7 pm central daylight time this
evening.
The combination of afternoon temperatures around 100 degrees...
Along with high humidity values...will produce dangerous heat
Indices this afternoon. Heat index values near or exceeding
105 degrees will be common across the entire four state region
Today. The excessive heat will result in a serious strain on
Those who must be outside...and those who do not have air
Conditioning.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.
Never leave any person or pet in a closed...parked vehicle.
Temperatures inside can reach over 150 degrees quickly...
Resulting in heat stroke and death. Ensure pets have adequate
Water and if outdoors a shady place to rest.

309 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight time
this evening...
A heat advisory remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight time
this evening.
Heat stress levels will continue to be very high today. High
Temperatures between 97 and 100 degrees...combined with high
Relative humidity will send heat indices to above 105 this
Afternoon.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is likely
To continue. Be sure to check on the elderly. The combination of
Hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a
Situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of
Fluids...stay in an air conditioned room...and stay out of the
Sun.

707 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight
time
Thursday...
An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight
time
Thursday.
Very hot and humid conditions will linger across the region
Through thursday. Afternoon heat indices around 105 degrees or
Higher are expected in the warning area. The excessive heat
Warning includes areas along and east of a line from salina to
Wichita to wellington...including the wichita metropolitan area.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of
Dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot
Temperatures and high humidity will create a dangerous situation
Where heat illnesses are likely. Drink plenty of fluids and stay
In an air-conditioned room. Stay out of the sun and check up on
Relatives and neighbors. The elderly...children and pets are most
Susceptible to excessive heat...and should be checked on
Frequently during this stretch of hot weather.

501 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 10 pm central
daylight time this
Evening...
An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 10 pm central
daylight time this
Evening.
Hot and humid conditions will persist through today. Heat index
Values will again climb to between 105 and 112 degrees this
Afternoon. This oppressive heat will occur over areas along and
North of a line from joplin...to stockton lake...to the lake of
The ozarks.
Current forecast trends indicate that hot and humid conditions
Will persist through the end of this week. As a result...the
Excessive heat warning may need to be extended through saturday.
Stay abreast of the latest forecasts and advisories from your
National weather service in springfield missouri for updated
Information regarding this episode of hot and humid weather.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of
Dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot
Temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous
Situation in which heat illnesses are likely. Drink plenty of
Fluids...stay in an air-conditioned room...stay out of the sun...
And check up on relatives and neighbors.

259 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 10 pm central daylight
time
Thursday...
For the following counties...
In arkansas...
Crawford...franklin and sebastian.
In oklahoma...
Osage...washington...nowata...craig...ottawa...pawnee...tulsa...
Rogers...mayes...delaware...creek...okfuskee...okmulgee...
Wagoner...cherokee...muskogee...mcintosh...sequoyah and le flore.
Afternoon heat index values of around 105 degrees will be common
Across much of northeast oklahoma...and in the arkansas river
Valley of east central oklahoma and west central arkansas through
Thursday. Isolated heat index readings may approach 110 degrees.
These high temperatures combined with nighttime temperatures only
Falling to between 75 and 80 will result in a serious strain on
Those who must be outside...and those who do not have air
Conditioning.
The excessive heat will continue to slowly increase into thursday
...and will likely persist into and possibly beyond the weekend.
The only real question to the forecast is the day-to-day changes
In humidity. As the heat continues and the area grass begins to
Cure the amount of humidity in the air may drop...but that will
Just allow the temperature to climb. These subtle trends will be
Monitored closely and will control how the excessive heat event
Evolves over the region.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
Remember the effects of excessive heat can accumulate over a
Number of days.
The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will create
A situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of
Fluids...stay in an air-conditioned room if possible...stay out
Of the sun...and check up on relatives and neighbors.
Never leave any person or pet in a closed...parked vehicle.
Temperatures inside can reach over 150 degrees quickly...
Resulting in heat stroke and death. Ensure pets have adequate
Water and if outdoors a shady place to rest.

707 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect from 1 pm this afternoon to
7 pm central daylight time thursday...
A heat advisory remains in effect from 1 pm this afternoon to
7 pm central daylight time thursday.
Very hot and humid conditions will linger across the heat
Advisory area through thursday. Afternoon heat indices of near
105 degrees are expected to occur this afternoon...and again
Thursday afternoon.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will create conditions where heat illnesses are possible. Drink
Plenty of fluids and stay in an air-conditioned room if possible.
Stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and neighbors.

405 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 9 pm central
daylight time this
Evening...
An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 9 pm central
daylight time this
Evening.
The combination of highs in the mid to upper 90s...and very high
Humidity will create dangerous heat through wednesday evening.
This afternoon heat index is expected to be around 110... But may
Be as high as 115.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of
Dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot
Temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous
Situation in which heat illnesses are likely. Drink plenty of
Fluids...stay in an air-conditioned room...stay out of the sun...
And check up on relatives and neighbors.

357 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 9 pm central
daylight time this
Evening...
An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 9 pm central
daylight time this
Evening.
Hot and humid conditions will redevelop again today. Highs
Wednesday will again reach the mid 90s...and combined with dew
Points in the mid 70s will result in heat index values of near
110 degrees this afternoon.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of
Dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot
Temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous
Situation in which heat illnesses are likely. Drink plenty of
Fluids...stay in an air-conditioned room...stay out of the sun...
And check up on relatives and neighbors.

Urgent - weather message
National weather service kansas city/pleasant hill mo
257 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...oppressive heat and humidity tonight through wednesday...
.a large dome of very warm high pressure will persist across the
Region through at least today. Afternoon temperatures will reach the
Middle to upper 90s with high humidity levels. The combination of the
Heat and humidity in the afternoon will make it feel more like it is
105 to 110 degrees. Some relief is possible on thursday as a weak cold
Front moves across missouri. If significant thunderstorms develop along
This front tonight...the cooler air may press further south into west
Central and central missouri.
257 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 10 pm central
daylight time this
Evening...
An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 10 pm central
daylight time this
Evening.
An extended period of hot and humid weather has enveloped much of
Eastern kansas and missouri...and will continue through
Wednesday. Afternoon temperatures will reach into the middle to
Upper 90s...and with the humid conditions...heat index values
Will be peaking between 105 and 110 degrees during the afternoon.
Overnight lows are only expected to fall into the middle to upper
70s. This combination of hot afternoons and warm nights will make
It difficult for those without air conditioning or persons
Spending extended periods outdoors...to cool their core body
Temperature. This can lead to heat related illness without the
Proper precautions. A brief reprieve from the heat is possible on
Thursday as slightly cooler temperatures are forecast across
Northern and parts of central missouri. It is possible that the
Heat will build again on friday and saturday and additional
Advisories may be needed.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of
Dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot
Temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous
Situation in which heat illnesses are likely. If you must be
Outdoors...especially during the peak heating of the afternoon...
Be sure to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the
Shade...or preferably in an air conditioned building. Children...
The elderly...and pets are most susceptible to excessive heat...
And should be checked on frequently during this stretch of hot
Weather.

438 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight
time
Saturday...
An excessive heat warning remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight
time
Saturday.
The hot and humid airmass will remain over missouri and illinois
As a large area of high pressure continues to dominate the
Weather today. Highs are expected to reach the upper 90s with
Dewpoints in the low to mid 70s across the st. Louis metropolitan
Area. The combination of the heat and humidity will cause heat
Indices to reach the 105 to 110 degree range during the afternoon
And early evening hours.
A weak cold front will move into the area by thursday but temperatures
Will remain in the mid 90s thursday and friday with dewpoints in
The low 70s keeping heat indices above 100 degrees both days.
Friday night and into saturday a hot and humid airmass will rebuild
Across the st. Louis metro area. Highs on saturday in the upper
90s and dewpoints in the low 70s will result in heat indices in
The 105 to 110 degree range during the afternoon and evening hours.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
Children...the elderly...and people with chronic ailments are
Usually the first to suffer from the heat. Heat exhaustion...
Cramps...or in extreme cases...heat stroke...can result from
Prolonged exposure to these conditions. Friends...relatives...or
Neighbors should check on people who may be at risk.
Many people avoid using air conditioning because of the cost. In
Times of extreme heat and humidity...this can be a fatal mistake!
Many towns and cities...social agencies...and utilities have
Financial assistance available for those in need. If you have air
Conditioning be sure to use it...it can truly make the difference
Between life and death.
Even healthy people should stop outdoor activities in these times
Of extreme heat and humidity. If you must be outside...drink lots
Of water or other non-alcoholic beverages and take frequent
Breaks in the shade.
People in the st. Louis metropolitan area can get information on
Cooling centers or energy assistance related to the excessive
Heat by calling the united way of greater st. Louis at 800-427-
4626.

Urgent - weather message
National weather service quad cities ia il
357 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...another day with dangerous and humidity...
.hot and humid conditions are expected again today. Heat indices
Will climb into the dangerous category by noon and remain there
Through early this evening. A thunderstorm complex will move
Through the area this evening bringing relief from the heat.
357 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...heat advisory in effect from noon today to 8 pm central daylight time
this
Evening...
The national weather service in quad cities has issued a heat
Advisory...which is in effect from noon today to 8 pm central daylight
time this
Evening.
Temperatures are expected to climb into the lower to middle 90s
This afternoon and early this evening. These temperatures combined with
High humidities will create heat indices in the 100 to 105 range.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures and high
Humidity is expected. This combination will lead to possible
Heat illnesses. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-
Conditioned room...stay out of the sun...and check on relatives
And neighbors...especially the elderly.

Urgent - weather message
National weather service lincoln il
328 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...hazardous heat conditions expected through wednesday...
.hot and humid conditions will remain entrenched over central and
Southeast illinois today. Apparent temperatures will return above
100 degrees by this afternoon. A weak cold front is expected to
Move across the area tonight brining more seasonal conditions to
The region for the remainder of the week.
328 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight time
this evening...
A heat advisory remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight time
this evening.
Temperatures in the 90s will combine with high humidity levels to
Create heat index readings from 100 to 105 degrees by this
Afternoon.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned room...stay
Out of the sun...and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Urgent - weather message
National weather service chicago/romeoville il
305 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...hot and humid conditions today...
.another day of high temperatures in the low to mid 90s is
Expected on wednesday. These high temperatures will combine with
High humidity levels to boost the heat index into the 100 to 105
Range. An anchored ridge of high pressure will help to continue
The hot spell across northern illinois and northwest indiana.
305 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009 /405 am eastern
daylight time wed jun 24 2009/
...heat advisory remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight time
/8 pm eastern daylight time / this
Evening...
A heat advisory remains in effect until 7 pm central daylight time /8
pm eastern daylight time / this
Evening.
High temperatures will climb into the middle 90s wednesday. High
Humidity levels combined with these hot temperatures will produce
Heat index values between 100 and 105 degrees. Light winds and
Poor atmospheric ventilation will make this heat episode even more
Stifling.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.

333 am eastern daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect from noon today to 7 pm eastern
daylight time
This evening...
A heat advisory remains in effect from noon today to 7 pm eastern
daylight time
This evening.
An upper high pressure system and light winds will cause
Temperatures to climb into the low 90s today with dew points in
The low 70s producing heat index values around 100.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.

Urgent - weather message
National weather service dodge city ks
318 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...the hot weather will stick around...
.a high pressure ridge over the eastern high plains will result
In mostly sunny skies and high dew points over central and part
Of western kansas today and thursday. This will result in heat indices
Reaching the advisory criteria during the afternoon and early
Evening hours.
318 am central daylight time wed jun 24 2009
...heat advisory remains in effect from 2 pm this afternoon to
8 pm central daylight time thursday...
A heat advisory remains in effect from 2 pm this afternoon to
8 pm central daylight time thursday.
Temperatures will range from 100 to 104 degrees both on today and
Thursday. Heat indices will rise during the afternoon and evening
Hours into the 104 to 107 degree range.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
Expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
Will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
Possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
Room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
Neighbors.

Monday, June 22, 2009

MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AS NATIONAL EMERGENCY CENTERS.

Excerpt SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AS NATIONAL EMERGENCY CENTERS.

 

 

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-645

Text of H.R. 645: National Emergency Centers Establishment Act

HR 645 IH

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 645

To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish national emergency centers on military installations.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 22, 2009

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned


A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish national emergency centers on military installations.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the 'National Emergency Centers Establishment Act'.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY CENTERS.

(a) In General- In accordance with the requirements of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish not fewer than 6 national emergency centers on military installations.

(b) Purpose of National Emergency Centers- The purpose of a national emergency center shall be to use existing infrastructure--

(1) to provide temporary housing, medical, and humanitarian assistance to individuals and families dislocated due to an emergency or major disaster;

(2) to provide centralized locations for the purposes of training and ensuring the coordination of Federal, State, and local first responders;

(3) to provide centralized locations to improve the coordination of preparedness, response, and recovery efforts of government, private, and not-for-profit entities and faith-based organizations; and

(4) to meet other appropriate needs, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AS NATIONAL EMERGENCY CENTERS.

(a) In General- Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall designate not fewer than 6 military installations as sites for the establishment of national emergency centers.

(b) Minimum Requirements- A site designated as a national emergency center shall be--

(1) capable of meeting for an extended period of time the housing, health, transportation, education, public works, humanitarian and other transition needs of a large number of individuals affected by an emergency or major disaster;

(2) environmentally safe and shall not pose a health risk to individuals who may use the center;

(3) capable of being scaled up or down to accommodate major disaster preparedness and response drills, operations, and procedures;

(4) capable of housing existing permanent structures necessary to meet training and first responders coordination requirements during nondisaster periods;

(5) capable of hosting the infrastructure necessary to rapidly adjust to temporary housing, medical, and humanitarian assistance needs;

(6) required to consist of a complete operations command center, including 2 state-of-the art command and control centers that will comprise a 24/7 operations watch center as follows:

(A) one of the command and control centers shall be in full ready mode; and

(B) the other shall be used daily for training; and

(7) easily accessible at all times and be able to facilitate handicapped and medical facilities, including during an emergency or major disaster.

(c) Location of National Emergency Centers- There shall be established not fewer than one national emergency center in each of the following areas:

(1) The area consisting of Federal Emergency Management Agency Regions I, II, and III.

(2) The area consisting of Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IV.

(3) The area consisting of Federal Emergency Management Agency Regions V and VII.

(4) The area consisting of Federal Emergency Management Agency Region VI.

(5) The area consisting of Federal Emergency Management Agency Regions VIII and X.

(6) The area consisting of Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IX.

(d) Preference for Designation of Closed Military Installations- Wherever possible, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall designate a closed military installation as a site for a national emergency center. If the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Defense jointly determine that there is not a sufficient number of closed military installations that meet the requirements of subsections (b) and (c), the Secretaries shall jointly designate portions of existing military installations other than closed military installations as national emergency centers.

(e) Transfer of Control of Closed Military Installations- If a closed military installation is designated as a national emergency center, not later than 180 days after the date of designation, the Secretary of Defense shall transfer to the Secretary of Homeland Security administrative jurisdiction over such closed military installation.

(f) Cooperative Agreement for Joint Use of Existing Military Installations- If an existing military installation other than a closed military installation is designated as a national emergency center, not later than 180 days after the date of designation, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Defense shall enter into a cooperative agreement to provide for the establishment of the national emergency center.

(g) Reports-

(1) PRELIMINARY REPORT- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting jointly with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to Congress a report that contains for each designated site--

(A) an outline of the reasons why the site was selected;

(B) an outline of the need to construct, repair, or update any existing infrastructure at the site;

(C) an outline of the need to conduct any necessary environmental clean-up at the site;

(D) an outline of preliminary plans for the transfer of control of the site from the Secretary of Defense to the Secretary of Homeland Security, if necessary under subsection (e); and

(E) an outline of preliminary plans for entering into a cooperative agreement for the establishment of a national emergency center at the site, if necessary under subsection (f).

(2) UPDATE REPORT- Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting jointly with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to Congress a report that contains for each designated site--

(A) an update on the information contained in the report as required by paragraph (1);

(B) an outline of the progress made toward the transfer of control of the site, if necessary under subsection (e);

(C) an outline of the progress made toward entering a cooperative agreement for the establishment of a national emergency center at the site, if necessary under subsection (f); and

(D) recommendations regarding any authorizations and appropriations that may be necessary to provide for the establishment of a national emergency center at the site.

(3) FINAL REPORT- Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting jointly with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to Congress a report that contains for each designated site--

(A) finalized information detailing the transfer of control of the site, if necessary under subsection (e);

(B) the finalized cooperative agreement for the establishment of a national emergency center at the site, if necessary under subsection (f); and

(C) any additional information pertinent to the establishment of a national emergency center at the site.

(4) ADDITIONAL REPORTS- The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting jointly with the Secretary of Defense, may submit to Congress additional reports as necessary to provide updates on steps being taken to meet the requirements of this Act.

SEC. 4. LIMITATIONS ON STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.

This Act does not affect--

(1) the authority of the Federal Government to provide emergency or major disaster assistance or to implement any disaster mitigation and response program, including any program authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.); or

(2) the authority of a State or local government to respond to an emergency.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There is authorized to be appropriated $180,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010 to carry out this Act. Such funds shall remain available until expended.

SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act, the following definitions apply:

(1) CLOSED MILITARY INSTALLATION- The term 'closed military installation' means a military installation, or portion thereof, approved for closure or realignment under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (part A of title XXIX of Public Law 101-510; 10 U.S.C. 2687 note) that meet all, or 2 out of the 3 following requirements:

(A) Is located in close proximity to a transportation corridor.

(B) Is located in a State with a high level or threat of disaster related activities.

(C) Is located near a major metropolitan center.

(2) EMERGENCY- The term 'emergency' has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122).

(3) MAJOR DISASTER- The term 'major disaster' has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122).

(4) MILITARY INSTALLATION- The term 'military installation' has the meaning given such term in section 2910 of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (part A of title XXIX of Public Law 101-510; 10 U.S.C. 2687 note).