A record-challenging heat wave drives a federal power emergency for the PJM grid across 13 states, while wildfires push the national preparedness level to 4 with large, fast-moving fires forcing evacuations in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, and Alaska. Kentucky continues recovery after deadly flash flooding, and precautionary boil-water advisories affect communities in Missouri and South Carolina. EM Morning Brief is your concise daily update on national and state-by-state emergency management news. Produced by Sitch Radio, an EOC Voices podcast.
Key Takeaways
• Power grid: DOE emergency order lets PJM plants run at maximum output as record heat threatens the grid’s all-time summer peak on July 2; conserve energy and use cooling centers.
• Wildfires: National preparedness level 4 with 54 uncontained large fires; Utah’s Cottonwood Fire (about 92,820 acres, 4 percent contained) may be the state’s most destructive on record.
• Colorado: Aspen Acres Fire near 28,300 acres with about 155 structures lost; Rye, Beulah, and San Isabel evacuated under a state disaster declaration.
• Kentucky flooding: Four dead and at least 63 water rescues; statewide emergency and 26 local declarations remain as extreme heat complicates recovery.
• Lifelines: Precautionary boil-water advisories in St. Louis, Missouri and West Columbia, South Carolina; heat-driven outages in the Detroit area.
• Volcano: Kilauea is not erupting at ADVISORY level; USGS forecasts the next fountaining episode between July 6 and 10.
A Dangerous Record challenging heat wave grips the central and eastern United States with heat indices forecast above 100 degrees from the Plains through the Northeast into the weekend.
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On June 30, the U.S. department of Energy issued an emergency order for the PJM Interconnection, the nation's largest grid operator serving about 67 million people across 13 states and the District of Columbia, authorizing power plants to run at maximum output to meet demand that could approach or exceed the grid's all time Summer Peak on July 2.
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Grid operators and the National Weather Service urge residents to limit strenuous outdoor activity, check on vulnerable neighbors and use cooling centers where available.
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Wildfire activity remains high across the West.
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The National Interagency Fire center holds the national preparedness level at four of five, with 54 uncontained large fires and more than 8,200 personnel assigned.
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Nationwide, roughly 35,884 fires have burned over 3.1 million acres so far this year.
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The largest active incident is Utah's Cottonwood Fire near Beaver, which fire managers describe as potentially the most destructive in state history.
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Additional large, fast moving fires are driving evacuations in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington and Alaska.
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In Kentucky, recovery continues after weekend flash flooding that killed four people and prompted at least 63 water rescues.
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Governor Andy Beshear maintains a statewide emergency and more than two dozen local jurisdictions have declared emergencies as extreme heat now complicates response.
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Forecasters also flag a marginal risk of excessive rainfall and isolated flash flooding across the upper Mississippi Valley, the Upper Great Lakes, southwest Texas, New England and South Florida.
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In the tropics, the National Hurricane center gives an area in the eastern Pacific a high chance of becoming a tropical depression with no threat to the United States.
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While the Atlantic remains quiet, lets run through the Alaska the Starry Fire near Anderson threatens structures and critical infrastructure with area closures in effect.
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Arizona Multiple fires are active.
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The Pocket Fire about seven miles north of Sedona shows running, torching and spotting with numerous structures threatened.
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The Steamboat Fire near Dripping Springs and the Sycamore Fire north of Globe threaten structures and energy infrastructure.
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Evacuations.
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Area road and trail closures are in effect.
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Colorado the Aspen Acres Fire in Pueblo in Custer Counties has burned about 28,314 acres with zero containment and an estimated 155 structures lost.
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The communities of Rye, Beulah and San Isabel are evacuated and Governor Jared Polis has declared a disaster emergency.
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The Ferris Fire near the San Juan National Forest has grown to nearly 20,000 acres.
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Hawaii official update published within the last 24 hours.
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The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports Kilauea is not erupting at volcano alert level advisory and aviation color code yellow after episode 50.
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Lava Fountaining paused June 27.
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Models suggest the next fountaining episode is likely between July 6 and 10.
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Hazards remain within the closed area of Hawaii Volcanoes national park from crater wall instability, ground cracking and rock falls.
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Kentucky Search and rescue teams continue surveying rural counties after flash flooding killed four people and prompted at least 63 rescues with rainfall totals up to 8 inches in places.
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A statewide emergency remains in effect and 26 local jurisdictions have declared emergencies.
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Extreme heat now compounds recovery efforts.
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Michigan Extreme heat is straining the grid in the Detroit area where DTE Energy reported equipment related outages affecting hundreds of homes late June 30.
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Missouri St. Louis issued a precautionary boil water advisory June 30 for parts of north and South City after a pump unexpectedly tripped offline at the Chain of Rocks water treatment plant.
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Officials say no contamination was detected and the advisory is precautionary.
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Nevada the Grapevine Fire in Lincoln county has burned roughly 26,460 acres with extreme behavior including wind driven runs and tree torching.
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A Level 1 ready evacuation warning covers neighboring zones.
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NEW Mexico the Canyon Venado Fire is burning about five miles east of Klein's Corners.
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New York New York City is under an extreme heat warning with temperatures forecast to approach 105 degrees.
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The city has opened cooling centers and urged residents to take precautions.
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North Carolina Northwestern counties saw flooding as the same storm system that struck Kentucky moved through the region and local response continues.
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Large fires have triggered evacuations and threatened structures in parts of the state amid hot, dry and windy conditions.
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South Carolina West Columbia issued a boil water advisory June 30 for areas affected by a water main break.
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Residents are advised to boil water for at least one minute before drinking or cooking.
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Tennessee One flooding death is confirmed in the northeast part of the state from the same system affecting Kentucky.
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Utah the Cottonwood Fire near Beaver has burned about 92,820 acres at 4% containment with roughly 150 structures lost.
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Mandatory evacuations are in effect for Eagle Point Resort, Merchant Valley, Hilo Estates and Arrowhead summer homes, while Marysvale Junction and Circleville are in ready status.
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Rocky Mountain Power has de energized lines in Puke county and warns of a prolonged outage.
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The Snyder Fire straddling Utah and western Colorado has burned more than 30,000 acres at 0 containment.
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Washington the Lyle Hill Fire, about 10 miles northwest of the Dalles, shows active behavior, with numerous structures threatened and evacuations in effect.
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All other states and territories have no significant updates in the last 24 hours.
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That wraps today's EM Morning Brief.
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