Portugal’s farmers praying for miracle as driest February in nearly a century devastates land
MEGA DISASTERS: Extreme to severe drought prevailing in Portugal is expected to last until at least the end of March, official forecasters say.
Disaster Calendar 2012 – March 4
[March 4, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016. SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,473 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History
- Portugal. Driest February in more than 8 decades is devastating Portugal with “extreme” or “severe” drought covers about three-quarters of the country.
- Farmers are reportedly praying for a miracle, but the drought is expected to last until at least the end of March, official forecasters said.
- The drought is also boosting the number of wildfires in the country with as many as 200 forest fires reported on warmer days.
Other Drought-related Headlines
- Texas, USA. Thousands of Texas rice farmers won’t be getting irrigation water anytime soon, while more than 40 percent of the state remains in severe drought.
- The water level in Travis and Buchanan lakes are currently 3,200 acre-feet (1 billion gallons) short of the stage they must reach before the farmers can receive water, reports said.
Other Global Disasters
- The Midwest and South, USA. Death toll from multiple tornadoes that struck the US Midwest and South on Friday has risen to at least 39, a total of 52 for the week.
- The Friday’s fatalities occurred in 5 states: Alabama (1), Georgia (1), Indiana (14), Kentucky (20) and Ohio (3).
Tornado Probabilities [Monthly]
March Tornadoes Probability Map. The probability of having one or more days with a tornado within 25 miles of a point sometime during a month. The base data for all tornadoes are the reports from 1980-1994 and for significant and violent tornadoes are the reports from 1921-1995. The values are probabilities in percent. Source: Severe Thunderstorms Climatology
- Kentucky. NWS has confirmed that an EF4 tornado hit Henryville, north of Louisville, with winds of 175MPH.
- The tornado which struck on Saturday remained on the ground for 52 miles, measuring about 150 yards wide.
- Indiana. The state has issued disaster declarations for Clark, Gibson, Harrison, Jefferson, Posey, Ripley, Scott, Shelby, Vanderburgh, Warrick and Washington counties, after tornadoes and high winds left 14 dead and caused widespread damage and destruction.
Map of Tornado Reports (filtered) 03 March 2012 – SPC
Map of Tornado Reports (filtered) 28 February – 02 March 2012 – SPC
Flooding Disasters
- Oregon. The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Oregon and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by a severe winter storm, flooding, landslides, and mudslides during the period of January 17-21, 2012.
- The severe winter storm, flooding, landslides, and mudslides caused significant damage in Benton, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Hood River, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, and Tillamook counties.
Flooding Disasters in Australia
- Sydney, Australia. Unprecedented amounts of rain have fallen over the Australian state of NSW, since February, inundating more than 75 percent of the state.
- Many rivers in the region are expected to peak more than 11 meters, forcing the emergency officials to close multiple bridges.
- Some areas have received more rain in 48 hours than the annual average.
- Thousands of people across the Australian state of NSW “face an indefinite wait before they can return to their homes as continuous heavy rain swells rivers across the state,” said a report.
- “About 2,000 people in Sydney’s flood-threatened north-western fringes have been told to evacuate as emergency services battle what they say is a record event.”
- Evacuation orders have been issued for several more areas.
- Water was released from Sydney’s Warragamba Dam, which reached full capacity last night for the first time in 14 years.
- NSW is experiencing all-time record rains.
- Victoria, Australia. Deadly floods have forced the evacuation of patients from a hospital in northeastern Victoria.
- At least one person was found dead from flood-related causes. The victim’s body was found at Majors Creek in Araluen, reports said.
- The floods are said to be the region’s worst in living memory.
Australia rain map (1 week)
Related Links
- Tornado Death Toll Climbs to 49 Posted on March 3, 2012
- Extreme Weather: States of Emergency Declared in 4 States Posted on March 2, 2012
- Tornado Alley Maps for June
- Nebraska Nuke Plant Remains Shut After Missouri River Flooding
- The worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history
- U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather
- MEGA DELUGE 2011?
- Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley
- Tornado Dead to Haunt Missouri Officials
- The worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history
- U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather
- MEGA DELUGE 2011?
Tornadoes 2012
- Deadly Tornadoes Slam Midwest Posted on February 29, 2012
- U.S. Tornado Forecast 2012 Posted on February 25, 2012
- Deadly Tornado Hits Rome, Ga Posted on February 24, 2012
- Tornado Attacks Leave 100 Dead or Injured in Indonesia Posted on January 29, 2012
- State of Emergency Declared in Alabama Posted on January 24, 2012
- Deadly Tornado Season 2012 Begins Posted on January 23, 2012
Australian Disasters
- Australia: Weather systems to remember!
- New South Wales (NSW), Australia: Disaster Declaration Extended
- Australia: 5 disaster areas declared in NSW following severe flooding Posted on January 30, 2012
- Flooded Australia: Thousands Evacuated in 3 States Posted on January 25, 2012
- Wildfire Consumes 1 Million Acres in WA Posted on January 18, 2012
- Back-to-Back Disasters Could Hit Australia: FIRE-EARTH Forecast
Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background
- 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
- Mega Disasters
- 2011 Disaster Calendar
- 2012 Disaster Calendar