State of Emergency Declared for 33 Oklahoma Counties

Drought conditions and raging wildfires prompt Oklahoma Lt Gov to declare a state of emergency for 33 counties

At least 10 blazes have been reported in Oklahoma, forcing thousands of residents to abandon their homes in western and southern Oklahoma.

“These counties have struggled to see relief from our current drought and with Oklahoma’s high winds, conditions have unfortunately been ideal for devastating wildfires,” Lt. Gov. Lamb said.

A large fire near Lawton has reportedly destroyed up to 20 homes (an unknown number of homes have been damaged), and consumed about 6,000 acres.

Oklahoma Map of below normal 7-day average streamflow. Source: USGS. Click images to enlarge

Fires burning in A Comanche County. At least one injury reported. Frame grab from a news video clip. Watch video here.

The State of Emergency

The State of Emergency declaration  covers  Alfalfa, Beaver, Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cimarron, Comanche, Cotton, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Garvin, Grady, Grant, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Jackson, Jefferson, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Love, Major, Roger Mills, Stephens, Texas, Tillman, Washita, Woods and Woodward counties.

Additional counties may be added, if conditions deteriorate.

Current HMS Fire and Smoke Analysis

Analyzed Fires and Smoke from Satellite on NESDIS ArcIMS server. Map enhanced by FIRE-EARTH. Click images to enlarge.

Related Links

• Massive Pender Fire Killing Many Animals
• U.S. Wildfires News and Blame Games
• North America Fire and Smoke Hazards – June 20
• Wildfires Raging in Arizona, Alaska, NC, Georgia, Texas …
• U.S. Wildfires – June 21 Update

Disaster Declared in 25 More Kansas Counties

USDA Declares 25 Additional Kansas Counties as Disaster Areas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 25 more Kansas counties as disaster areas due to crop damage caused by the ongoing drought.

The latest designation, requested by Gov. Sam Brownback, covers the Wichita metropolitan area and south-central Kansas, and comes shortly after the agency had listed 21 other counties as disaster areas.

The latest designation cover Barber, Barton, Butler, Clark, Comanche, Cowley, Edwards, Ellis, Ford, Graham, Gray, Harper, Harvey, Hodgeman, Kingman, Lincoln, Norton, Phillips, Reno, Rice, Russell, Sedgwick, Stafford, Sumner and Trego counties.

Kansas Map of below normal 7-day average streamflow. Source: USGS.
Click images to enlarge

US Map of below normal 7-day average streamflow. Source: USGS. Click images to enlarge.

 

Related Links

• Massive Pender Fire Killing Many Animals
• U.S. Wildfires News and Blame Games
• WARNING: Global Disasters – June 21, 2011

Souris River Tops 1881 Historic Flood Level

Minot Drowning as Souris River sinks 130-year flood record, more rain forecast for Missouri Basin

The river is still climbing and it forecast to crest at 1,564 feet above sea level by late Saturday.

Entire streets are under up to 8 feet of water, and the floodwaters continue to rise.

More then 12,000 of the city’s 41,000 residents are under evacuation orders.

“It’s dangerous and we need you to stay away and do as little travel as possible within the community,” Minot Mayor said.

At least 2,500 homes had been flooded by Friday afternoon, and the number could grow to 5,000 homes by late Friday, the mayor added.

“Even though we are still frantically fighting the flood and trying to keep the water away still as much as possible, we are very rapidly going to be into a period where we are dealing with the human impacts of this,” North Dakota Governor said, as shelters and temporary housing began running out of space.

About a third of the homes in the small town of Burlington (Pop: 1,075) are expected to be lost.

Hydrograph for Souris River at Minot-Broadway Bridge. Source: NWS/AHPS

Flood Categories and Historical Crests

More hydrographs: Souris and Des Lacs Flood Briefing Page

HPC 5-Day Precipitation Forecast Map.

Canadian reservoirs over capacity

“Heavy rains across the Souris River Basin left Canadian reservoirs over capacity. Water then rushing down from Canada has forced U.S. officials to make record-large releases from the Lake Darling Dam above Minot and other communities,” a report said.

The reservoirs won’t be able to cope with the additional rain forecast for the region and ecord releases would be needed causing widespread floodings in Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri through mid-August.

US Weather Threats Assessment Map

Map of potential hazards related to climate, weather and hydrological events in the U.S.  Source: NWS/CPC. Click image to enlarge.

US Weather Map 24-25 June

Click image to enlarge.

External Links

• Flood Threat Creates ‘Psychological Roller Coaster’ in Minot, N.D.

Related Links

• Minot Flood Warning
• Major floods forcing evacuations from North Dakota to Missouri
• Nebraska Nuke Plant Remains Shut After Missouri River Flooding
• FLOODING AT TWO NEBRASKA NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

2011 Disasters

• 2011 Disaster Calendar – June
• 2011 Much More Disastrous
• 2010 Disasters [Includes Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters: 2011 SIX TIMES MORE DISASTROUS THAN 2010
• 2011 Disaster Calendar