Utah's Iron and Cottonwood fires force evacuations as NIFC holds the nation at Preparedness Level 3

Utah's Iron and Cottonwood fires force evacuations as NIFC holds the nation at Preparedness Level 3

Western wildfires lead today’s brief, with Utah’s Iron Fire near Eureka and the Cottonwood Fire near Beaver each pushing past 30,000 acres and forcing evacuations, while NIFC keeps the country at Preparedness Level 3 with 31 uncontained large fires. In Arizona, the Pocket Fire north of Sedona prompts a downgrade of Oak Creek Canyon from GO to SET, and Extreme Heat Warnings push toward 114 degrees. We also cover active fires in Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, near-record heat across Florida and the Southern Plains, new FEMA flood mitigation funding for New England, and a minor central California earthquake. 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 • NIFC Preparedness Level 3: 31 uncontained large fires and about 5,854 personnel are committed nationwide, with activity concentrated in the Great Basin, Southwest, Northwest, and Alaska. Year-to-date acres burned run at 158 percent of the ten-year average. • Utah, structure threat: The Iron Fire near Eureka (about 31,314 acres, 9 percent) and the Cottonwood Fire near Beaver (about 31,000 acres, 0 percent) both force mandatory evacuations and road closures; both are human-caused, and no homes have been lost on the Iron Fire. • Arizona, Pocket Fire: Oak Creek Canyon eased from GO to SET at 8 a.m. today; State Route 89A remains closed, and crews prepare indirect line ahead of a midweek wind shift with gusts near 45 mph. • Western and Southern heat: Dangerous, near-record heat covers parts of the West, the Southern Plains, and Florida through Friday, with Arizona Extreme Heat Warnings near 114 degrees and possible record highs from southern Colorado into New Mexico. • Other active fires: Nevada (Grapevine, Kane Springs), Oregon (Lytle), Washington (Garred Road eased to Level 1, Kartar), and Alaska (Starry, Bear) all show ongoing operational impact. • Federal assistance: FEMA announced more than 17 million dollars in hazard mitigation funding for New England states to reduce flood risk. • Quiet on other fronts: No new NTAS bulletins, no CISA KEV additions, no State Department travel advisory level changes, and no significant earthquakes in the last 24 hours. SPONSORS The NIMS Store - https://thenimsstore.com/ [https://thenimsstore.com/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] SOURCES NIFC AND NATIONAL FIRE • NIFC Incident Management Situation Report: June 23, 2026, 0730 MDT (PL 3, fire counts, acres, predictive discussion) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NIFC National Fire News: current large fire activity [https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn?utm_source=em-morning-brief] WEATHER AND HEAT • NWS Weather Prediction Center: national forecast and heat discussion [https://www.noaa.gov/weather-prediction-center?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NWS HeatRisk: excessive heat outlook [https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heatrisk/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] FEMA • FEMA Newsroom: hazard mitigation funding announcements [https://www.fema.gov/about/newsroom?utm_source=em-morning-brief] USGS • USGS Latest Earthquakes map [https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] ALASKA • NIFC IMSR: Alaska Area fire summary (Starry, Bear, Pogo, Kathul, Shaw) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] ARIZONA • Arizona Emergency Information Network: Pocket Fire, Oak Creek Canyon reduced to SET [https://ein.az.gov/pocket-fire-update-oak-creek-canyon-decreased-set-status?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Coconino National Forest: more resources arrive to battle Pocket Fire [https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino/newsroom/releases/more-resources-arrive-battle-pocket-fire-north-sedona?utm_source=em-morning-brief] CALIFORNIA • USGS Latest Earthquakes map: M4.2 near Ridgemark, June 23 [https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] COLORADO • NIFC IMSR: predictive services discussion (record-heat potential, southern Colorado into New Mexico) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] FLORIDA • NIFC IMSR: Southern Area fires and Florida near-record heat [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] IDAHO • NIFC IMSR: Northern Rockies Area (Shingle Creek) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NEBRASKA • NIFC IMSR: Rocky Mountain Area (South Fork) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NEVADA • NIFC IMSR: Great Basin Area (Grapevine, Kane Springs) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NEW MEXICO • NIFC IMSR: Southwest Area (Rio Fire) and Four Corners fire weather [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NORTH CAROLINA • NIFC IMSR: Southern Area (Rose Bay Canal) and Carolinas fire weather [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] OREGON • NIFC IMSR: Northwest Area (Lytle Fire) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] UTAH • Gephardt Daily: Iron Fire at 31K acres, 9 percent contained [https://gephardtdaily.com/local/iron-fire-at-31k-acres-9-contained/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • KSL: Cottonwood Fire east of Beaver, evacuations [https://www.ksl.com/article/51520572/hilo-area-east-of-beaver-county-evacuated-for-new-cottonwood-fire?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NIFC IMSR: Great Basin Area (Iron, Cottonwood, Hastings, Sawmill, Bonneville) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] WASHINGTON • Washington State Patrol: state fire mobilization authorized for the Garred Road Fire [https://wsp.wa.gov/state-fire-mobilization-authorized-for-the-garred-road-fire?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Columbia Basin Herald: Garred Road Fire contained at 3,500 acres [https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2026/jun/23/garred-road-fire-outside-coulee-city-contained-at-3500-acres/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NIFC IMSR: Northwest Area (Garred Road, Kartar) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief]

Iron Fire forces full evacuation of Eureka, Utah; Pocket Fire keeps Oak Creek Canyon under orders; NIFC holds the nation at Preparedness Level 3 amid Western heat.

Western wildfires dominate today’s brief as NIFC holds the nation at Preparedness Level 3 with 31 uncontained large fires. Utah’s Iron Fire forces a full evacuation of Eureka, Arizona’s Pocket Fire keeps Oak Creek Canyon under orders, and Alaska’s Starry Fire prompts new evacuations. We also cover dangerous Western heat and Mid-Atlantic flash-flood risk, Los Angeles emergency declarations over the Boyle Heights cold-storage fire, and the latest CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities additions. 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 • National Preparedness Level 3: NIFC reports 31 uncontained large fires across eight geographic areas, with the Great Basin carrying 11 and a rebuilding ridge driving critical fire weather and single-digit humidity across the West. • Utah: Iron Fire: Past 24,000 acres at zero containment, keeping all of Eureka under mandatory evacuation; no homes lost, full containment estimated July 3. • Arizona: Pocket Fire: Oak Creek Canyon north of Sedona remains under evacuation with State Route 89A closed; orders set to lift Tuesday morning. The Sycamore Fire north of Globe threatens structures and energy infrastructure. • Alaska: Starry Fire: Evacuations near Anderson as the Alaska area sits at PL3 with five uncontained large fires. • California: Boyle Heights: Local and state emergency declarations remain in effect for the Lineage cold-storage warehouse fire, with multi-day smoke impacts and biohazard concerns. • Washington: Upriver Fire: 85 percent contained after destroying 18 structures; FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant on June 16. • Severe weather: NWS tracks flash-flood and severe-storm corridors from the Mid-Atlantic to the High Plains, alongside dangerous heat in the West and southern Plains; no tropical development expected over seven days. • Cyber: CISA’s latest Known Exploited Vulnerabilities additions (June 16 and June 9) carry federal remediation deadlines for Arista, Chromium, and Cisco products. SPONSORS The NIMS Store - https://thenimsstore.com/ [https://thenimsstore.com/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] SOURCES NIFC / NATIONAL WILDFIRE • NIFC Incident Management Situation Report: National PL3, 31 uncontained large fires, geographic-area detail (June 22, 0730 MDT) [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NIFC National Fire News: current national fire activity summary [https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NWS / WEATHER • Weather Prediction Center: flash flooding and severe storm corridors, excessive rainfall outlook [https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/index.php?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NHC Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook: no Atlantic/Caribbean/Gulf development expected over 7 days [https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php?utm_source=em-morning-brief] CISA • CISA Adds One Known Exploited Vulnerability to Catalog (June 16, 2026) [https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2026/06/16/cisa-adds-one-known-exploited-vulnerability-catalog?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • CISA Adds Three Known Exploited Vulnerabilities to Catalog (June 9, 2026) [https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2026/06/09/cisa-adds-three-known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog: full list and remediation deadlines [https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?utm_source=em-morning-brief] TRAVEL ADVISORIES • State Department Travel Advisories: full index of current levels [https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories.html?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Mexico travel advisory update (June 3, 2026): exercise increased caution [https://fox8.com/news/us-updates-travel-risk-advisory-for-mexico-crime-terrorism-kidnapping/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] DHS / NTAS • DHS National Terrorism Advisory System: current bulletin status [https://www.dhs.gov/national-terrorism-advisory-system?utm_source=em-morning-brief] ALASKA • NIFC IMSR: Alaska area at PL3; Starry, Elliott Complex, Bear, and Nowitna fires [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] ARIZONA • Coconino National Forest: Oak Creek Canyon evacuations due to Pocket Fire north of Sedona [https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino/newsroom/releases/evacuations-oak-creek-canyon-ordered-due-pocket-fire-north-sedona?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Arizona Emergency Information Network: Pocket Fire evacuation orders to end Tuesday [https://ein.az.gov/firefighters-deploy-spike-camps-secure-pocket-fire-perimeter-midweek-storm-threat?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NIFC IMSR: Pocket and Sycamore fire size, containment, and threats [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] CALIFORNIA • Mayor Karen Bass: Declaration of Local Emergency for the Boyle Heights warehouse fire [https://mayor.lacity.gov/news/mayor-bass-issues-declaration-local-emergency-mobilize-resources-fight-warehouse-fire-boyle?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NBC Los Angeles: Newsom declares state of emergency for Boyle Heights warehouse fire [https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/boyle-heights-emergency-declaration/3907014/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • CAL FIRE Incidents: statewide active incident list [https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents?utm_source=em-morning-brief] FLORIDA • NIFC IMSR: Rookery, Well 13, Shell, and Corrections 13 fires; peninsula thunderstorm ignition risk [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] IDAHO • NIFC IMSR: Shingle Creek, Gold Run, and Mary fires; Snake River Plain fire weather [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NEBRASKA • Nebraska Public Media: South Fork Fire now 90% contained [https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/south-fork-fire-in-northwest-nebraska-now-90-contained/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NIFC IMSR: South Fork Fire at 39,696 acres, 90% containment, precipitation over fire area [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NEVADA • NIFC IMSR: Kane Springs (railroad infrastructure threatened) and Grapevine fires [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NEW MEXICO • NIFC IMSR: Bear Fire at 97% containment and Rio Fire status [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NORTH CAROLINA • NIFC IMSR: Rose Bay Canal Fire status; elevated fire risk across the Carolinas [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] OREGON • NIFC IMSR: Basin and Old Emigrant fires contained; southeast Oregon fire weather [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] UTAH • ABC4: Iron Fire mapped past 24,000 acres, Eureka under mandatory evacuation [https://www.abc4.com/utah-weather/wildfire/santaquin-iron-fire-update/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • KSL: Eureka evacuations remain in place as Iron Fire grows [https://www.ksl.com/article/51514447/evacuations-remain-in-place-as-eurekas-iron-fire-grows?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NIFC IMSR: Iron, Bonneville, Sawmill, Hastings, and Middlefork fires [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] WASHINGTON • FEMA: Fire Management Assistance Grant authorized for the Upriver Fire (June 16, 2026) [https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20260617/fema-authorizes-funds-fight-upriver-fire-washington?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NIFC IMSR: Kartar and Upriver fire size, containment, and structures lost [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief]

Iron Fire forces full evacuation of Eureka, Utah; Pocket Fire keeps Oak Creek Canyon under orders; NIFC holds the nation at Preparedness Level 3 amid Western heat.

Today’s brief leads with the Western heat-and-fire surge: Utah’s human-caused Iron Fire has grown to nearly 22,000 acres and forced the full evacuation of Eureka, while Arizona’s Pocket Fire keeps Oak Creek Canyon under evacuation orders north of Sedona. The National Interagency Fire Center holds the country at Preparedness Level 3 with 28 uncontained large fires, and active blazes persist across Nevada, California, Florida, and Washington. We also cover a two-sided weather pattern of dangerous heat in the West and South and severe storms in the East, a quiet tropics outlook, and a calm window on the terrorism, cyber, and seismic fronts. 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 • Utah, Iron Fire: A human-caused fire on the Tooele and Juab county line reached about 21,935 acres at zero percent containment, forcing the full evacuation of Eureka (population near 1,000) and closing U.S. Highway 6; an overnight backburn protected the town with no primary structures lost. • Arizona, Pocket Fire: Evacuations remain in effect for Oak Creek Canyon north of Sedona for a roughly 500-acre, zero-percent-contained fire, with State Route 89A closed and a Red Cross shelter open. • National wildfire posture: NIFC holds the nation at Preparedness Level 3 with 28 uncontained large fires and about 5,489 personnel committed; year-to-date fires and acres are both well above the ten-year average. • Western fire weather: Critical conditions of extreme heat, single-digit humidity, and gusty winds are driving extreme fire behavior in the Great Basin (Nevada’s Kane Springs and Grapevine fires) and Southwest. • Two-sided weather: Dangerous heat is building across the West and South while severe storms and flash flooding threaten the Lower Lakes, Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and Plains. • Quiet security and seismic window: No new DHS NTAS bulletin, no new CISA KEV entries, and no significant domestic earthquakes in the last 24 hours. SOURCES NATIONAL WILDFIRE AND HEAT • NIFC Incident Management Situation Report: National PL3, 28 uncontained large fires, June 20, 2026 [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NIFC National Fire News: current national fire activity [https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • PBS News: heat, wind, and drought spark wildfires in the U.S. West [https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/heat-wind-and-drought-conditions-spark-wildfires-in-the-u-s-west?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • U.S. News: heat, wind, and drought conditions spark wildfires in U.S. West (June 21) [https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2026-06-21/heat-wind-and-drought-conditions-spark-wildfires-in-us-west?utm_source=em-morning-brief] WEATHER • National Weather Service: national forecast and hazards [https://www.weather.gov/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NOAA Weather Prediction Center: national forecast discussion [https://www.noaa.gov/weather-prediction-center?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Storm Prediction Center: Day 4-8 severe weather outlook (June 21) [https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/exper/day4-8/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] TROPICAL • National Hurricane Center: Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook (June 22) [https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php?utm_source=em-morning-brief] USGS EARTHQUAKES • USGS: Significant Earthquakes 2026 [https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/browse/significant.php?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • USGS: Latest Earthquakes map [https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] DHS / NTAS • DHS: National Terrorism Advisory System (no new bulletin in window) [https://www.dhs.gov/national-terrorism-advisory-system?utm_source=em-morning-brief] CISA • CISA: Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog (most recent addition June 16) [https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?utm_source=em-morning-brief] ARIZONA • Coconino National Forest: Oak Creek Canyon evacuations ordered for Pocket Fire [https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino/newsroom/releases/evacuations-oak-creek-canyon-ordered-due-pocket-fire-north-sedona?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • AZFamily: Pocket Fire burns near Sedona, sparks evacuations [https://www.azfamily.com/2026/06/20/pocket-fire-burns-500-acres-north-sedona-sparks-evacuations/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NIFC IMSR: Sycamore and Rock Canyon fire details [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] CALIFORNIA • CAL FIRE: Lost Fire incident page [https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2026/6/18/lost-fire?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • BakersfieldNow: all evacuation warnings lifted after Lost Fire burns 7,800 acres [https://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/evacuation-orders-and-warnings-issued-as-lost-fire-burns-7500-acres-with-5-containment-lost-hills-highway-33-kern-county-fire-departmetn-california?utm_source=em-morning-brief] FLORIDA • NIFC IMSR: Coptic, Quarry 2, and Well 13 fire details [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NEVADA • NIFC IMSR: Kane Springs and Grapevine fire details [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NEW MEXICO • NIFC IMSR: Bear and Rio fire details [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] TEXAS • NWS Houston/Galveston: area forecast and hazards [https://www.weather.gov/hgx?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • GovOneStop: Texas flood advisory effective June 21, 2026 [https://govonestop.com/nws/texas-minor-flood-advisory-effective-06212026-0334?utm_source=em-morning-brief] UTAH • KSL: Juab County wildfire forces evacuations as it explodes to thousands of acres [https://www.ksl.com/article/51514239/juab-county-wildfire-grows-to-1000-acres-overnight?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Herald Extra: Iron Fire reaches nearly 22,000 acres, Eureka evacuation orders stay in place [https://www.heraldextra.com/news/2026/jun/21/iron-fire-reaches-nearly-22000-acres-eureka-evacuation-orders-stay-in-place/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Deseret News: no homes burned, but evacuations remain for growing Iron Fire [https://www.deseret.com/utah/2026/06/21/utah-fire-in-iron-county-eureka-evacuated/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • KUER: heat, wind, and drought spark a weekend of wildfires in Utah [https://www.kuer.org/science-environment/2026-06-21/heat-wind-and-drought-spark-wildfires-in-utah?utm_source=em-morning-brief] WASHINGTON • NIFC IMSR: Upriver and Kartar fire details [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief]

Level 4 flood emergency across the Gulf Coast; Louisiana declares statewide emergency; Mississippi dam scare and Texas heat compound the threat.

Today’s brief leads with the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur, which have stalled over the Deep South and triggered a rare Level 4 High Risk for excessive rainfall from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle. Louisiana has declared a statewide emergency with flood rescues underway in Avoyelles Parish, Mississippi faced a dam scare near Carriere that emergency officials later resolved, and dangerous heat grips south-central Texas. We also cover the latest NIFC wildfire situation report and a new FEMA major disaster declaration for Delaware. 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 • Tropical Storm Arthur remnants: A rare Level 4 of 4 High Risk for excessive rainfall covers Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle, with five flash flood emergencies declared across southern Louisiana and Mississippi and at least three storm-related deaths. • Louisiana state of emergency: Governor Landry declared a statewide emergency; flood rescues are underway in Avoyelles Parish, where parts recorded 12 to 26 inches of rain and at least 200 homes flooded, with a Red Cross shelter open in Mansura. • Mississippi dam scare: Early reports of an Anchor Lake Dam failure near Carriere prompted a precautionary evacuation; the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency later confirmed the dam was not breached and lifted the order. A clean-up worker was killed. • Texas heat and flooding: Arthur made landfall June 17, two people died in central Texas flash flooding, and Extreme Heat Warnings along and east of I-35 pushed temperatures to 105 to 115 degrees. • Wildfire posture: NIFC holds the National Preparedness Level at 2, with 27 large fires being suppressed and about 4,988 personnel assigned nationally. • FEMA Delaware declaration: A Presidential major disaster declaration (FEMA-4916-DR) for a February severe winter storm, Public Assistance only, was published in the Federal Register on June 18. SPONSORS The NIMS Store - https://thenimsstore.com [https://thenimsstore.com/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] SOURCES NWS / WEATHER PREDICTION CENTER • Fox Weather: Life-threatening flash flood emergencies as Arthur’s remnants slam the South [https://www.foxweather.com/live-news/live-updates-catastrophic-life-threatening-flooding-unleashed-on-the-south-by-remnants-of-arthur?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Washington Post: Where risk remains as Arthur’s remnants sweep through the South [https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2026/06/18/arthurs-dangerous-downpours-push-ashore-deep-south/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Weather.com: Flash flood emergency issued due to compromised dam in South Mississippi [https://weather.com/2026/06/18/news/weather/flash-flood-emergency-issued-compromised-dam-south-mississippi?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER • NHC: 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season [https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • AccuWeather: Tropical Storm Arthur makes landfall in Texas, raises flood risk across southern US [https://www.accuweather.com/en/hurricane/tropical-storm-arthur-makes-landfall-in-texas-to-raise-flood-risk-across-southern-us/1902142?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NIFC (WILDFIRE) • NIFC: Incident Management Situation Report, June 18, 2026 [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NIFC: National Interagency Coordination Center [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc?utm_source=em-morning-brief] FEMA • SBA / Federal Register: Presidential major disaster declaration for Delaware, Public Assistance only (June 18, 2026) [https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2026/06/18/2026-12305.html?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • FEMA: Disasters and Other Declarations [https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations?utm_source=em-morning-brief] ALABAMA • Alabama Public Radio: Alabama and the South get a drenching, and worse, from what’s left of Arthur [https://www.apr.org/news/2026-06-18/alabama-and-the-south-get-a-drenching-and-worse-from-whats-left-of-arthur?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Fox Weather: Life-threatening flash flooding slams multiple states as Arthur sweeps the South [https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/days-rain-potentially-life-threatening-flash-flooding-plague-south-amid-post-tropical-storm-arthur?utm_source=em-morning-brief] FLORIDA • MyPanhandle: Local impacts moving in from remnants of Arthur [https://www.mypanhandle.com/news/local-impacts-moving-in-from-remnants-of-arthur/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Pinellas County: Precautionary boil water notice for Pinellas Park residents [https://pinellas.gov/news/pinellas-county-utilities-and-city-of-pinellas-park-issue-precautionary-boil-water-notice-for-pinellas-park-residents/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] GEORGIA • Fox Weather: Days of rain, potentially life-threatening flash flooding plague the South amid post-tropical Arthur [https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/days-rain-potentially-life-threatening-flash-flooding-plague-south-amid-post-tropical-storm-arthur?utm_source=em-morning-brief] LOUISIANA • WAFB: Large-scale flood rescue effort launched in Avoyelles Parish [https://www.wafb.com/2026/06/18/large-scale-flood-rescue-effort-launched-avoyelles-parish/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Louisiana Illuminator: Flooding, tornadoes pound SE Louisiana from fizzled Tropical Storm Arthur [https://lailluminator.com/2026/06/18/louisiana-arthur/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • CBS News: State of emergency declared in Louisiana over deadly flooding [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tropical-storm-arthur-gulf-states-flooding/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] MISSISSIPPI • WWL: Residents urged to evacuate amid risk of Anchor Lake Dam break [https://www.wwltv.com/article/weather/some-pearl-river-county-residents-urged-to-evacuate-after-anker-lake-dam-break/289-f7cd217a-9a72-4bc3-8f63-edf15ea61b9c?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • WLOX: Anchor Lake Dam in Carriere at risk of failure [https://www.wlox.com/2026/06/18/anchor-lake-dam-carriere-risk-failure/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • KTBS: Tropical Storm Arthur remnants cause Mississippi dam scare and widespread flash flooding [https://www.ktbs.com/weather/headlines/tropical-storm-arthur-remnants-cause-mississippi-dam-failure-and-widespread-flash-flooding/article_584ce3da-86a7-4184-85a9-ad44fb4dd06c.html?utm_source=em-morning-brief] TEXAS • CBS Austin: Tropical Storm Arthur triggers severe flood warnings across 6 states [https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/tropical-system-threatens-texas-coast-could-become-first-named-storm-of-2026?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Click2Houston: Houston transitions to a scorching forecast in the wake of Tropical Storm Arthur [https://www.click2houston.com/weather/2026/06/16/houston-weather-tropical-rains-bring-possible-flood-threat-on-tuesday/?utm_source=em-morning-brief]

Post-tropical Arthur drives life-threatening Gulf Coast flooding; Midwest tornado outbreak hits Iowa and Illinois; Magnitude 4.5 quake shakes Hawaii Island

Today’s brief leads with post-tropical cyclone Arthur, which is pushing life-threatening flash flooding across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle, with high-water rescues already underway in St. Tammany Parish. A separate severe-weather outbreak spawned tornadoes and damaging winds across Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, while weather-driven FAA ground stops snarled major airline hubs. We also cover active wildfires in California, New Mexico, and Arizona, a magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Pahala on Hawaii Island, Kilauea’s paused summit eruption, and a precautionary boil water notice in Pinellas Park, Florida. 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 • Gulf Coast flooding: Post-tropical Arthur threatens life-threatening flash flooding through Friday across southern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle, with flood watches for more than 18 million people and active rescues near Folsom, Louisiana. • Midwest tornado outbreak: Confirmed tornadoes and a 94 mph wind gust struck Iowa and Illinois, with overnight tornado warnings in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio, more than 9,000 power outages, and at least one death. • Transportation: Weather-driven FAA ground stops and delays are disrupting Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas-Fort Worth hubs. • Wildfire: NIFC remains at National Preparedness Level 2 with roughly a dozen uncontained large fires, including the Shore Fire (California), Seven Cabins Fire (New Mexico), and a Coconino County fire (Arizona). • Seismic and volcanic: A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck near Pahala on Hawaii Island; Kilauea is paused at Volcano Alert Level ADVISORY with the next episode expected June 23 to 27. • Texas: Governor Abbott’s 101-county disaster declaration remains in effect after Arthur’s landfall near Galveston; at least two people have died in Texas floodwaters this week. • Florida lifeline: Pinellas Park is under a precautionary citywide boil water notice after a main-valve pressure loss; service is restored pending sample clearance. SPONSORS The NIMS Store - https://thenimsstore.com/ [https://thenimsstore.com/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] SOURCES TROPICAL STORM ARTHUR AND GULF COAST FLOODING • National Hurricane Center via MySuncoast: Arthur downgraded to post-tropical cyclone near Galveston [https://www.mysuncoast.com/2026/06/18/arthur-downgraded-post-tropical-cyclone/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • CNN: Tropical Storm Arthur forms off Texas, fueling Gulf Coast flood threat [https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/16/weather/texas-south-flash-flood-threat-tropical-rain-arthur-climate?utm_source=em-morning-brief] SEVERE WEATHER AND MIDWEST OUTBREAK • NOAA Storm Prediction Center: Day 1 Convective Outlook [https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day1otlk.html?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • CBS News: Tornadoes and severe storms slam the Midwest, killing at least one [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/midwest-storms-tornadoes-iowa-illinois/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] WILDFIRE • National Interagency Fire Center: Incident Management Situation Report [https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/sitreprt.pdf?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • National Interagency Fire Center: National Fire News [https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn?utm_source=em-morning-brief] USGS EARTHQUAKES AND VOLCANOES • USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory: Magnitude 4.5 earthquake information statement [https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/news/magnitude-45-earthquake-information-statement?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • USGS: Kilauea volcano updates [https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/volcano-updates?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • USGS: Latest earthquakes map [https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] CISA AND DHS • CISA: Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog [https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • U.S. State Department: Travel Advisories [https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories.html?utm_source=em-morning-brief] TRANSPORTATION • FAA: National Airspace System status [https://nasstatus.faa.gov/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Travel Market Report: Arthur and Midwest weather trigger flight waivers at Houston, Chicago, and Atlanta hubs [https://www.travelmarketreport.com/air/articles/tropical-storm-arthur-midwest-weather-trigger-flight-waivers-at-hubs-in-houston-chicago-and-atlanta?utm_source=em-morning-brief] ALABAMA • Weather.com: South flood threat looms as Arthur dissipates [https://weather.com/2026/06/16/storms/hurricane/potential-tropical-cyclone-depression-storm-arthur-south-flood-threat?utm_source=em-morning-brief] ARIZONA • National Interagency Fire Center: National Fire News, Southwest large fires [https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn?utm_source=em-morning-brief] CALIFORNIA • CAL FIRE: Active incidents [https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • IQAir: Wildfire spotlight, Shore Fire, Riverside County [https://www.iqair.com/newsroom/wildfire-map-spotlight-shore-fire-riverside-county-california?utm_source=em-morning-brief] FLORIDA • Pinellas County: Precautionary boil water notice for Pinellas Park [https://pinellas.gov/news/pinellas-county-utilities-and-city-of-pinellas-park-issue-precautionary-boil-water-notice-for-pinellas-park-residents/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Bay News 9: Pinellas Park issues boil water notice for entire city [https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2026/06/17/pinellas-park-issues-boil-water-notice-for-entire-city?utm_source=em-morning-brief] GEORGIA • Travel Market Report: Storm-driven flight waivers at Atlanta and other hubs [https://www.travelmarketreport.com/air/articles/tropical-storm-arthur-midwest-weather-trigger-flight-waivers-at-hubs-in-houston-chicago-and-atlanta?utm_source=em-morning-brief] HAWAII • USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory: Magnitude 4.5 earthquake information statement [https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/news/magnitude-45-earthquake-information-statement?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • USGS: Kilauea volcano updates [https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/volcano-updates?utm_source=em-morning-brief] ILLINOIS • CBS News: Tornadoes reported in Illinois and Iowa as severe weather roils Midwest [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tornadoes-reported-illinois-iowa-severe-weather-roils-midwest/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Central Illinois Proud: Severe weather and tornadoes, June 17 [https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/weather-headlines/severe-weather-june-17/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] INDIANA • WISH-TV: Severe storms threaten central Indiana Wednesday [https://www.wishtv.com/weather/severe-storms-threaten-central-indiana-wednesday-tornadoes-and-destructive-winds-possible-june-17-2026/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] IOWA • FOX Weather: Damage reported after severe storms slam the Midwest [https://www.foxweather.com/live-news/live-updates-90-mph-winds-slam-iowa-as-violent-tornado-outbreak-targets-the-midwest-today?utm_source=em-morning-brief] KENTUCKY • Local 12: Damage reports emerge across Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana after overnight storms [https://local12.com/news/local/tornado-warnings-tri-state-severe-storms-boone-county-tornado-power-outages-damage-photos-emerge-across-ohio-kentucky-indiana-after-overnight-cincinnati-weather?utm_source=em-morning-brief] LOUISIANA • FOX 8 New Orleans: Arthur flood threat turns urgent, rescues begin near Folsom [https://www.fox8live.com/2026/06/17/arthurs-flood-threat-turns-urgent-rescues-begin-near-folsom/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • NOLA.com: Tropical Storm Arthur reaches Louisiana, St. Tammany rivers a major concern [https://www.nola.com/news/weather/tropical-storm-arthur-louisiana-flooding-weather-forecast/article_e53349a3-ea65-4f80-a413-f6418ac60bbd.html?utm_source=em-morning-brief] MISSISSIPPI • Weather.com: South flood threat looms as Arthur dissipates [https://weather.com/2026/06/16/storms/hurricane/potential-tropical-cyclone-depression-storm-arthur-south-flood-threat?utm_source=em-morning-brief] NEW MEXICO • National Interagency Fire Center: National Fire News, Seven Cabins Fire [https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • USGS: Latest earthquakes map [https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/map/?utm_source=em-morning-brief] OHIO • Local 12: Damage reports emerge across the Tri-State after overnight storms [https://local12.com/news/local/tornado-warnings-tri-state-severe-storms-boone-county-tornado-power-outages-damage-photos-emerge-across-ohio-kentucky-indiana-after-overnight-cincinnati-weather?utm_source=em-morning-brief] TEXAS • Office of the Texas Governor: Governor Abbott issues disaster declaration for Texas severe weather [https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-issues-disaster-declaration-for-texas-severe-weather?utm_source=em-morning-brief] • Galveston County Daily News: First named storm of 2026 forms as Arthur tracks along Texas coast [https://www.galvnews.com/news/first-named-storm-of-2026-forms-as-arthur-tracks-along-texas-coast/article_81e2e115-4c5e-471d-b859-31bd003d47ad.html?utm_source=em-morning-brief]