National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS)      

USGS Recent Earthquakes

Flood Watch Conditions

Significant River Flood Outlook

NWS - Rivers

ACE Real-Time Solar Wind Pages


Real Time Water Data





Fire Weather Forecast


Experimental Day 3-8 Fire Weather Forecast



6 to 10 Day Temperature Outlook


6 to 10 Day Precipitation Outlook


8 to 14 Day Temperature Outlook


8 to 14 Day Precipitation Outlook

May 17, 2026

New Significant Incidents /Ongoing Ops:
• No new significant incidents / ops

Hazard Monitoring:
• Severe Thunderstorms – Central Plains, Upper / Middle Mississippi Valleys
• Critical Fire Weather – Southern Plains

Disaster Declaration Activity:
• No new declaration activity

The Pulse —## DisasterCenter.com Situation Report

United States — Sunday, May 17, 2026
Report basis: FEMA Daily Operations Briefing, 8:30 a.m. ET; official hazard-source cross-checks where available.

Bottom line

No new major national disaster operation was reported in the FEMA National Watch Center briefing. The national posture is quiet-to-active rather than crisis-level: no new significant incidents, no new significant events, and no new declaration activity. The main continuity concerns are severe thunderstorms across the Central Plains into the Upper/Middle Mississippi Valleys, critical fire weather in the Southern Plains, ongoing wildfire activity in Texas, and several unresolved damage-assessment/declaration pipelines from prior storms.

This is not a “no disaster” day. It is a monitoring and continuity day.

1. National operational status

FEMA reports:

No new significant incidents or operations
No new significant events
No new disaster declaration activity
Hazard monitoring focused on severe thunderstorms and critical fire weather

The public meaning is straightforward: there is no newly emerging national-scale disaster operation in the FEMA briefing. The operational concern is whether forecast hazards or ongoing fires create localized discontinuity before they rise to the level of national incident reporting.

2. Severe weather watch

FEMA’s hazard monitor identifies severe thunderstorms across the Central Plains and the Upper/Middle Mississippi Valleys. The severe-weather outlook graphic on page 5 shows the principal risk area centered from the central Plains into the Midwest, with additional risk areas extending eastward in later outlook periods.

The Weather Prediction Center also showed an active national forecast pattern for this period, with short-range forecast products and excessive rainfall tools active on May 17, indicating that the broader weather environment remains unsettled across parts of the country.

DisasterCenter interpretation:
The immediate issue is not simply thunderstorm occurrence. The watch issue is whether storm activity creates discontinuity in transportation, power, flooding, agriculture, or local emergency operations. At this point, the FEMA briefing does not identify a new nationally significant incident from the severe-weather threat.

Carry-forward:
Monitor Central Plains, Upper Mississippi Valley, and Middle Mississippi Valley impacts for reports of wind damage, hail, flash flooding, road closures, power interruptions, or local emergency declarations.

3. Fire weather and wildfire activity

FEMA identifies critical fire weather in the Southern Plains. The fire-weather outlook graphic on page 6 shows elevated to critical fire-weather areas centered in the Southwest/Southern Plains corridor for today and tomorrow.

National fire activity remains at Preparedness Level 2. FEMA’s briefing reports light initial attack activity over the prior 24 hours, with 118 fires, 6 new large fires, 3 large fires contained, 16 uncontained large fires, 1,918,424 year-to-date acres burned, and 1,992 total responders.

NIFC’s National Fire News similarly reported national preparedness level 2, 118 new fires, 16 uncontained large fires, and nearly 2,000 personnel assigned to incidents across the country.

Hunggate Fire — Randall County, Texas

The principal named wildfire in the FEMA briefing is the Hunggate Fire in Randall County, Texas, under FMAG 5663-FM-TX. FEMA reports:

17,300 acres burned
45% contained
250 mandatory evacuations
10 homes threatened
3 other/minor structures destroyed
0 fatalities / 0 injuries

DisasterCenter interpretation:
This is the clearest active discontinuity in the briefing. The fire is not nationally catastrophic, but evacuations, threatened homes, and destroyed non-residential structures make it a live local-impact event. The key continuity questions are evacuation duration, containment progress, structure threat, smoke impacts, and whether critical fire-weather conditions could expand or re-intensify the incident.

Carry-forward:
Track containment, evacuations, structure threat, and any state/local updates from Randall County/Texas emergency sources.

4. Tropical outlook

FEMA reports no tropical cyclones expected during the next seven days and no tropical cyclones threatening U.S. territories.

The National Hurricane Center’s May 16 outlook likewise stated that tropical cyclone formation was not expected during the next seven days in both the eastern/central North Pacific and the North Atlantic/Caribbean/Gulf basin.

DisasterCenter interpretation:
Tropical risk is currently a low operational concern for U.S. interests in this briefing period. No carry-forward tropical incident is indicated.

5. Recovery and declaration pipeline

Although there is no new declaration activity, recovery and declaration continuity remains active.

FEMA lists joint preliminary damage assessments in progress or recently completed for:

Mississippi tornadoes, severe weather, and flash flooding from May 6–7
Michigan severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding from April 10
Wisconsin severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding from April 13–23
Kansas severe storms from April 26–27
Missouri severe storms from April 23–28
Guam Super Typhoon Sinlaku from April 11–17

FEMA also lists 23 declaration requests in process, including severe storms, flooding, winter storms, wildfires, landslides/mudslides, and tribal/territorial requests. The list includes Nebraska wildfires requested May 8, Hawaii severe storms/flooding/landslides/mudslides requested April 7, Michigan severe storm and tornadoes requested April 1, and multiple winter-storm requests from states and tribal governments.

DisasterCenter interpretation:
This is the main hidden continuity layer. A quiet current-operations day can still carry a large backlog of unresolved damage, eligibility, recovery, and assistance questions. These do not present as breaking disasters, but they mark communities still moving through the disaster system.

Carry-forward:
Track which PDA items resolve into declarations, denials, amendments, or assistance decisions.

6. FEMA readiness and capacity notes

FEMA’s common operating picture shows the Incident Workforce at 19,824 assigned, with 6,307 / 32% deployed, 6,222 / 31% available to deploy for 30 days, and 7,295 / 37% remaining surge capacity force. The briefing also notes multiple watch/RRCC staffing statuses and several State EOCs active for prior incidents, wildfires, severe weather, flooding, water main break, river watch/flood operations, and fire explosion.

The Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED)release of the 2025 Annual Report on the global distribution of disasters.

FEMA Announces $1 Billion in Federal Funding to Help States Mitigate Impact of Disasters -- The current application window: it opened March 25, 2026 and FEMA says it runs 120 days, through July 23, 2026.

The Future That Never Happened  -- How the World Came Together to Save the Sky
 

Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire Aviation Operations: The Red Book - 2025

 After a disaster make your donations count -- FTC Report Fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Criminals Use Generative Artificial Intelligence to Facilitate Financial Fraud

FEMA Daily Situation Report -- Current

Trail Maintenance and Construction Notebook

New Published January 2025

Corps Eng. Wetlands Delineation Manual

FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide Version 5

The CFR Titles are published months after the regulation official publication date

The United States is currently oscillating at a historically high frequency of destructive events. What was once a background hum of roughly 3 to 4 significant disruptions per year in the 1980s has shifted into a sustained higher harmonic — averaging 23 such events annually over the past five years, with 2023, 2024, and 2025 ranking as the three highest years on record. Factually
The dominant mode in 2025 was not the one the system had been tuned to expect. For the first time since 2015, no major tropical events contributed to the signal. Instead, the energy expressed itself through a different channel — 21 severe convective events, including six major tornado outbreaks, mostly pulsing through the central United States. The system had shifted modes.
The single highest-amplitude event of the year came early. The Los Angeles wildfire outbreak in January generated $61 billion in damage and 31 deaths — a sharp, concentrated spike rather than a distributed wave. It was followed by a May outbreak that demonstrated how energy can propagate across a coupled geography: 182 tornadoes moving through Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, and Alabama in just two days, generating $11 billion in damage and 43 deaths.
The cumulative amplitude across all 2025 events — 276 deaths and $115 billion in total damage — reflects a system that has not returned to its prior equilibrium. Since 1980, the U.S. has absorbed 426 such events totaling over $3.1 trillion.
The underlying frequency is still rising.

The FBI IC3 received 535,314 complaints reporting $13.7 billion in losses last year, an average loss of $25,700 per victim. Between 2020 and 2024, a total of $50.5 billion in losses were reported to IC3. People over 60 suffered the most losses and submitted the most complaints. Victims over 60 who need assistance filing an IC3 complaint can contact the DOJ Elder Justice Hotline, 1-833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311). Learn more about scam prevention at fbi.gov/takeabeat.

Detect immigration scams that start on social media

By Gema de las Heras

Scammers are impersonating attorneys and law firms, offering immigration services on social media. The posts on Facebook and other platforms might be in English or your preferred language. If you press like or leave a comment, they’ll contact you and guarantee you’ll get a work permit, green card, or citizenship — but it’s a scam. How do you spot and avoid the scammers?

 
Consumer Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission
If someone you care about paid a scammer, here’s how to help
By Jennifer Leach

January 21, 2025 The Reports and Court Cases For and Against Donald Trump
Printed instructions for:1040 Individual Income Tax Return 2023: includes instructions and forms for 1040/1040SR, and Schedule 1, 2 and 3, A, B, C, D, E, F, H, J, R, SE, and 8812 available on Amazon
January 9, 2024 ---What goes on in the shadows: FTC action againsUt data broker sheds light on unfair and deceptive sale of consumer location data.

October 12, 2023 -Your tenant background check shouldn’t have mistakes!

Before you rent an apartment, read about your rights
 
If you think a landlord or property manager violated your rights, report it to the FTC.

October 26, 2023 -- UNDRR Report --2023 Global Survey on Persons with Disabilities and Disasters

July 18, 2023 --Joining forces to help stop scam calls
Today, the FTC and its federal and state law enforcement partners announced Operation Stop Scam Calls, the latest joint effort in the fight against illegal robocalls. Today’s announcement outlines the enforcement actions to stop multiple dishonest telemarketers, the companies that hire them, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers that supply the technology for telemarketers to make millions of scam robocalls. Learn more at FTC.gov/calls

 You should never wire money or send money using platforms to: the

    Anyone claiming your account is compromised
    Anyone asking you to send money to yourself
    Anyone who claims to be from a government agency
    Any stranger, no matter what reason they give
    A telemarketer trying to sell you something
    Unauthorized, unverified cryptocurrency sites or salespeople


November 3, 2022 - State's Flood Risk Disclosure Practices

Several states have mandated multiple flood risk disclosures as part of their laws and/or disclosure forms. As illustrated in dark blue five states (Louisiana, Texas, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Delaware) have the most flood risk disclosure requirements. According to FEMA, fifteen States, including Florida, do not have any state mandated flood disclosure requirement.
Hurricane Fiona: Make your donations count
By Cristina Miranda
Consumer Education Specialist, FTC
September 23, 2022
Hurricane Fiona hit the southern part of Puerto Rico hard leaving the island in the dark, flooded, and without running water. And once again, islanders are coping and cleaning up. As with any severe weather disaster, you may be considering a charitable donation to help the people and communities in Puerto Rico that were affected. A bit of research and planning before you donate will ensure that your money goes to organizations that are helping Puerto Rico recover from this disaster and not scammers.

Here’s advice on donating wisely and avoiding charity scams:

Donate to charities you know and trust with a proven track record with dealing with disasters.

If you get a request to donate on social media, research the organization yourself before you give. Don’t assume that charity messages posted on social media are legitimate. Check out the charity on the Better Business Bureau's (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, or Candid. If the message was from a friend, ask them if they know the organization themselves.

Be cautious about giving to individuals on crowdfunding sites. If considering crowdfunding, it’s safest to give to someone you personally know and trust, and to review the platform’s policies and procedures. Keep in mind that while some crowdfunding sites take measures to vet postings for help after a disaster, others don’t.

If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, by wiring money or cryptocurrency, don’t do it. Pay by credit card, which offers more protections.

When texting to donate, confirm the number with the source before you donate. The charge will show up on your mobile phone bill, but donations are not immediate.

You can find this information and more at ftc.gov/charity. Looking for information to help prepare for, deal with, and recover from a natural disaster or severe weather event? Visit ftc.gov/weatheremergencies.

August 21, 2022 ---Digital money movement fraud on the rise. A scammer can contact you requesting payment through a Wire Transfer --these methods allow money to be sent quickly, and the funds are often hard to trace and recover.     
You should never wire money or send money to:           
    * Anyone who claims to be from a government agency
    * Any stranger, no matter what reason they give
    * A telemarketer trying to sell you something
    * Anyone claiming your account is compromised
    * Unauthorized, unverified cryptocurrency sites or salespeople
    * Anyone asking you to send money to yourself

A kindle version of the Supreme Court Ruling in: “NY RIFLE & PISTOL Assoc. Inc v. BRUEN, of NY State Police” is available as an Amazon Kindle Book and as a paperback.

  August14, 2022 --FTC.
FTC lawsuit reminds businesses: CAN-SPAM means CAN’T spam
Can't "unsubscribe" from unwanted email? Tell the FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
 
To join the National Do Not Call Registry, go to www.donotcall.gov or call 1 (888) 382-1222. 
I feel more comfortable with my ignorance than their certainty
Volunteer with Mennonite Disaster Service -- it is a volunteer network.

 Crime Reports pages.  The new pages integrate crime and imprisonment by year and States.

To volunteer or donate to a National VOAD member organization

We've been working on updating the State disaster pages.  Here they are, a work in progress:
Alabama -- Alaska -- Arizona -- Arkansas -- California -- Colorado -- Connecticut -- Delaware -- Florida -- Georgia -- Hawaii -- Idaho -- Illinois -- Indiana -- Iowa -- Kansas -- Kentucky -- Louisiana -- Maine -- Maryland -- Massachusetts -- Michigan -- Minnesota -- Mississippi -- Missouri -- Montana -- Nebraska -- Nevada -- New Hampshire -- New Jersey -- New Mexico -- New York -- North Carolina -- North Dakota -- Ohio -- Oklahoma -- Oregon -- Pennsylvania -- Rhode Island -- South Carolina -- South Dakota -- Tennessee -- Texas -- Utah -- Vermont -- Virginia -- Washington -- West Virginia -- Wisconsin -- Wyoming
If you have any suggestions about how it can be improved, please send an email to host@disastercenter.com
 
Ready Rating: A FREE Service from the American Red Cross
The Red Cross, Salvation Army and other volunteer organizations move resources into position so as to be able to respond to disasters. Please consider a donation to the Red Cross  You can text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation or call 1-800 RED CROSS     
There are several ways you can donate to the Salvation Army .  By phone: Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY   By text: Text “GIVE” to 80888.  Also, consider volunteering or donating with  Disaster Relief Agencies and Nongovernment Organizations. 
Red Cross -- After a disaster, letting your family and friends know that you are safe and well can bring your loved ones great peace of mind. This website is designed to help make that communication easier.

FBI's "Tips on Avoiding Fraudulent Charitable Contribution Schemes"

If you want to suggest a link, please post to host@disastercenter.com

The people affected will not lack clothing for long and more will be donated than will ever be used.  It will end up in the local landfill, because there is no place to store it.  If you are going to collect clothing have a garage sale with the proceeds going to the victims.  Be responsible, if you collect money get proof that it was donated and make evidence available to those who gave.  Consider volunteering or donating with  Disaster Relief Agencies and Nongovernment Organizations. 
WHO's CRED is reporting that in 2010 a total of 385 natural disasters killed more than 297,000 people worldwide, affected over 217.0 million others and caused US$ 123.9 billion of economic damages. Annual Disaster Statistical Review 2010: (PDF 4.2 MB) The Numbers and Trends. Brussels: CRED; 2011-Guha-Sapir D, Vos F, Below R, with Ponserre S.   

There is only one weather authority in the United States, and that's the National Weather Service  For emergency information consult with your local NWS office or your local emergency management agency.  If you want to suggest a link, please post to host@disastercenter.com
SaferProducts.gov: A New World for Consumers, Businesses, and Researchers -- This is a site that the US Chamber of Commerce wants the government to shut down.  Take a Look...

States: 10 Leading Causes of Death
Vital Records: Locate your States' sources for Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce Records

	Loop	Loop	Loop	Loop	Loop	Loop
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September 19, 2011 -- We have added the FBI's 2010 State Uniform Crime Reports to our State data which now covers from 1960 to 2010, 50 years of crime statistics.

The National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) has replaced the color codes of the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS). The new alert system is currently active, active alerts are also available on Twitter and Facebook

 Established 14 years ago, the Disaster Center site has gone through a number of evolutions.  A big part of this work has provided coverage for disasters affecting the United States.  Big stories were Hurricane Dennis, Rita, Katrina, Wilma, Floyd, Mitch, Bret and many others.  One of the most linked to areas on the web site has been our graphics. The most popular of these Hurricane Floyd as it approached the US coast. Current and Historic Atlantic Tropical Storms and Hurricanes

 Our work of mitigating disasters involves the preparation for them, responding to them, and recovering from them.  In an ideal world we would be working on ways to mitigate risk

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