Carmageddon: Nature’s Dislike for Things on Wheels

Images of the Day:

“Carmageddon” in California

La Cañada Flintridge. Smashed vehicles are pushed together on Ocean View Boulevard in La Cañada Flintridge. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times / February 7, 2010) Image may be subject to copyright. LATIMES Photo Gallery

On Saturday, more than 500 homes were under mandatory evacuation orders. About 43 homes have been damaged including 12 that sustained major structural damage, in Paradise Valley, La Cañada Flintridge and La Crescenta, LA Times said.

“About 25 vehicles were damaged, flowing down the street and smashing against walls, trees and one another.”

“Mubserged” in Mexico

Everything on wheels are seen submerged on a flooded highway in Chalco, Mexico City (Feb. 5, 2010). Severe rain from several different weather systems have created chaos killing at least 30 people and causing substantial to several Mexican states, government met services said. Credit: REUTERS. Image may be subject to copyright.

Meanwhile, the death toll from severe and unseasonable winter rain, which have triggered floods and mudslides in Mexico reached 29. At least two dozen others were reported missing, presumed dead,  in the mudslides near Toluca, Mexico State. “A mix of drain water and sewage flowed into thousands of homes and blocked major thoroughfares in the metropolis of 20 million people. About 7,500 homes were flooded, prompting emergency personnel to ferry people from their homes through chest-high water.” AP reported.  “… at least 2,000 homes were damaged. The federal government declared three Michoacan townships disaster zones, opening access to relief funds.”

Source: ABC News Aust. Image may be subject to copyright.

After record rainfall in parts of Australia (70 mm fell in 15 mins at Usher Falls at Bouldercombe, south of Rockhamptonn central Queensland,) dozens of cars “ended up under water and boats washed from the Gold Coast marine precinct at Coomera,” and two people were killed. “The weather bureau says Mount Tambourine and Canungra in the Gold Coast hinterland set rainfall records, each receiving more than 360 millimetres in the 24 hours to 9am AEST yesterday.” ABC News Aust reported.

Related Links:

• 2010: Year One of Human-Enhanced Disasters
• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Index of Human Impact on Nature (HIoN) March 2008
• 2010: The Year of Disasters
• Earth’s Human Induced Antiphase Nears Completion

• Nature’s Assault on Cars Continues
• Car burial day in S. Korea
• Drought and Deluge
• Landslides, Floods, Extreme Rain Events
• CO2e Links Page
• World CO2 Emissions
• Carbon Footprint of Your Dollar
• New York Cognitive Dissonance

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