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Caution
Technical information and scientific data from the US Government agencies (NASA, EPA…) are subject to variation due to political expediency.
This caution also extends to the UN organizations (e.g., FAO, WHO…).
As of August 2011, FIRE-EARTH will no longer reprint photos from NASA, due to the agency's wanton crimes against nature.
Unemployment in Eurozone reaches new record high in April
Unemployment in the eurozone, has hit yet another record high, with the seasonally-adjusted rate for April climbing to 12.2%, up from 12.1% the previous month, according to official statistics.
Some 95,000 additional people were out of work in the 17 countries that use euro (€), raising the total to 19.38 million.
Jobless rates were worst in Greece (27.0% in February 2013), Spain (26.8%) and Portugal (17.8%), Eurostat reported.
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Hundreds Evacuated as Major Brush Fire Burns Out of Control in Calif.
A brush fire is burning out of control in the Angeles National Forest north of Castaic, officials said. The so-called Powerhouse Fire, had burned about 1,300 acres and was uncontained, said the U.S. Forest Service.
Authorities were forced to evacuate hundreds of people on Thursday as the flames threatened homes and high-voltage power lines.
The fire broke out on Thursday afternoon in Francisquito Canyon, near Drinkwater Reservoir, said a report.
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Iraq Body Count Continues Climbing
At least 38 more people were killed across Iraq on Thursday bringing the civilian death toll for May to 881 so far.
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US: Risk of Severe Thunderstorms
Tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds from central Okla. to parts of the Ozarks forecast for Friday afternoon and evening; a Moderate Risk area is in place across extreme northwest Ark., extreme southeast Kan., extreme southwest Mo. and central and northeast Okla. Severe storms are also possible from northwest Texas to the Great Lakes. —NWS Storm Prediction Center
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DISASTER CALENDAR – May 31 2013— SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,016 Days Left
Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,016 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human History
Drought Disaster Plagues at least 1,260 Counties across the U.S.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 72 additional counties in nine states as agricultural disaster areas due to the ongoing drought.
The latest designations including both primary and contiguous disaster areas are:-
Texas: Total of 20 counties including Aransas, Atascosa, Crane, Bexar, Ector, La Salle a, Medin, Refugio, Ward, Calhoun, Frio, Live Oak, Neuces, San Patricio, Wilson, Crockett, Karnes, McMullen, Pecos and Upton.
Utah: 13 Counties including Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, Beaver, Emery, Juab, Utah, Carbon, Garfield, Millard, Wayne Rich and Summit.
Montana: 9 Counties including Jefferson, Madison, Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Lewis and Clark, Silver Bow, Broadwater, Gallatin and Powell.
Idaho: 7 Counties including Canyon, Owyhee, Payette, Washington, Bear Lake, Bonneville and Cariboulll.
Nebraska: 6 Counties including Nuckolls, Adams, Clay, Fillmore, Thayer and Webster.
Nevada: 6 Counties including Humboldt, Eureka, Elko, Lander, Nye and White Pine.
Wyoming: Lincoln, Uinta, Sublette, Sweetwater and Teton counties.
Oregon: Malheur, Baker, Grant and Harney counties.
Kansas: Adams and Clay counties.
U.S. Drought Disaster Map as of May 29, 2013. A total of at least 1,260 counties across 28 states are currently designated as [primary or contiguous] drought disaster areas.
Rare Tornado Leaves a Trail of Destruction in Milan, Italy
A ferocious tornado struck the northeastern outskirts of Milan, destroying buildings, overturning trucks, uprooting trees
“It kept growing and growing. It was like having the engine of a plane next to me,” said a local resident.
Milan has a population of about 1.35 million; however, its urban area is the largest in Italy, and 5th largest in the EU, with a population of more than 5.2 million. The Milan metropolitan area is located within the so-called Blue Banana, the area of Europe with the highest industrial output.
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U.S. Drought Eases in the Northeast
Rain threatens yields in the US Midwest
“Additional rainfall from late Thursday into the weekend will further stall corn and soybean plantings in the U.S. Midwest, threatening to trim acreage and yield potential for each crop, an agricultural meteorologist said on Thursday,” said a report.
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Hurricane Barbara slams into the Pacific Coast of Mexico
Hurricane BARBARA slammed into Mexico’s Pacific Coast Wednesday, leaving at least two people dead and 14 others missing, before being downgraded to a tropical storm as it moved north toward the Gulf of Mexico.
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Saudi Arabia reports 3 more deaths from MERS-CoV
Saudi Arabia says three more people have died from MERS-CoV, a new respiratory virus related to SARS, bringing the global total to 30. The three victims, ranging in age from 24 to 60, had chronic diseases, the Health authorities said. A total of 38 infected cases had been reported in the country, 49 worldwide, as of May 30, 2013.
Despite major scaremongering by the World Health Organization (WHO), calling the virus a “threat to the entire world,” MERS does not appear to be as easily transmitted as SARS was.
So far, MERS has not shown any signs of sustained person to person transmission, and nearly all of fatalities have occurred in patients with underlying medical conditions.
The SARS outbreak in South China and later Hong Kong, which didn’t become a pandemic, led to 8,273 cases and 775 deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
[The novel coronavirus called “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus” (MERS-CoV) was identified in 2012 as the cause of respiratory illness in people, CDC said.]
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DISASTER CALENDAR – May 30, 2013— SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,017 Days Left
Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,017 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human History
Flood, Freeze, Gale, Red Flag Warnings and Civil Emergency Situations as Tornadoes Rake a Dozen States
Emergency Alert Level (EAS) Activation requested by Meade County Emergency Management in Meade County, SD, due to severe and widespread flooding “over many location across western and central Meade County.”
EAS Activation has also been requested by Butte County Sheriff in Butte County, SD, due to Flash flooding which has occurred “over many location across Butte County.”
Severe weather continues to be a possibility across the Great Plains and the Midwest Thursday. Primary threats are large hail and tornadoes, some could be strong. SPC has outlined an area of Slight Risk; however this threat may have to be upgraded. In addition to the severe weather threat, river and flash flooding will continue as additional rainfall will move over already saturated locations. —NOAA
Map of the US Weather Hazards – May 30, 2013. Source: NWS
Dozens of tornadoes rake a dozen states; injuries reported
Some 50 tornadoes struck a dozen states, leaving at least 10 people injured in Kansas and Texas, according to initial reports.
Trends in Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide:
Average CO2 at Mauna Loa Continues Rising
Last 5 days of preliminary daily average CO2
May 28 – 400.27
May 27 – 400.29
May 26 – 400.45
May 25 – 399.97
May 24 – 399.84
Weekly average CO2 at Mauna Loa
Week beginning on May 19, 2013: 399.91 ppm
Weekly value from 1 year ago: 396.30 ppm
Weekly value from 10 years ago: 379.36 ppm
Atmospheric increase of CO2 over 280 ppm in weekly averages of CO2 observed at Mauna Loa. Source: NOAA/ESRL
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TS BARBARA intensifying on its way to southern coast of Mexico
BARBARA is forecast to reach hurricane strength before slamming Mexico’s southern coast on Wednesday, NHC said.
The storm, currently moving northeast at about 7MPH, is forecast to cross Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico’s narrowest point.
The center has issued a hurricane warning from Oaxaca’s Puerto Angel to Barra de Tonala, and a tropical storm warming from Barra de Tonala to Boca de Pijijiapan in Chiapas state.
BARBARA is expected to dump up to 12 inches of rain over eastern Oaxaca through western Chiapas after making landfall, generating a storm surge of up to 5 feet above normal tide levels, NHC added.
Vegetable greenhouses are flooded in Bijie City, SW China’s Guizhou Province, May 29, 2013. The region experienced an extreme rain event from Tuesday through Wednesday. (Xinhua/Deng Jie)
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DISASTER CALENDAR – May 29, 2013— SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,018 Days Left
Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,018 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human History
More than 500 people killed in Iraq amid mounting violence
At least 511 people have been killed and more than 1,350 wounded so far this month, making May the deadliest month in a year.
In April, more than 460 people were killed and about 1,300 others wounded.
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6,000 evacuated as fast-moving wildfire rips through Santa Barbara County
A fast-moving brush fire continued to consume hillsides in Santa Barbara County, Calif., blackening more than 1,200 acres and threatening 50 structures.
The “White Fire” broke out Monday in Los Padres National Forest near the White Rock Camp Area in Red Rock Canyon, forcing the authorities evacuate 50 families from nearby homes, and about 6,000 campgoers from the Paradise Road area.
No injuries were reported, as of posting, and the fire was only 5 percent contained. The cause of the fire is being investigated.
Further south, a large blaze in San Diego County consumed about 1,000 acres, and was about 40 percent contained by late Monday.
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DISASTER CALENDAR – May 28, 2013— SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,019 Days Left
Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,019 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human History
Chile and Argentina order evacuation of 3,000 people living near Copahue
Argentine and Chilean authorities have issued a red alert, fearing that the volcano could erupt imminently.
The mandatory evacuation order covers all residents living within a 25-km radius of Copahue.
The 2,965m tall volcano began spewing volcanic gasses Friday amid heightened seismic activity, with volcanic tremors occurring at an average rate of about 450 per hour.
Copahue volcano sits in the Biobio region of Chile, straddling the border with Argentina’s Neuquen province.
This photo released by the Government of Neuquen, Monday, May 27, 2013, shows a plume of ash and smoke rise from the Copahue volcano, as seen from Caviahue, in the Argentine province of Neuquen, Friday, May 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Government of Neuquen, Tony Huglich)
[NOTE: The most probable outcome over the next 96 hours or so can be deduced from the photo.]
Emergency Warnings in 9 Chinese provinces as record rains batter central and south China
Extreme rain events have dumped between 50 and 100mm of rain across nine provinces in central and south China, with 34 monitoring stations reporting record rainfalls.
“Authorities have issued emergency warnings. Forecasters say it is rare to see such strong rains in May,” said a report.
Forecasters have warned that up to 200mm of rain could swamp Hunan, Jiangxi and Guangdong provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, triggering floods and landslides.
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Cold, Snow, Rain Buffet Vermont
More than 19cm (7½ in) of snow fell on Mount Mansfield in Stowe by early Sunday, as a winter storm moved across the region.
Other significant snowfall reported in Walden (6 in), and Marshfield and Greensboro (4 in), NWS said.
Meantime, NWS issued Flood Watches across most of Vermont, and Flood Warnings in northern portion of the state.
The worsening drought in Namibia has decimated most of the available grazing across the country, said a report.
“According to farmers in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs) the situation is getting worse by the day and grazing in areas that farmers thought would save them is gradually decreasing. To worsen matters farmers do not have water for their livestock.”
The Namibian President declared a national drought emergency earlier this month.
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DISASTER CALENDAR – May 27, 2013— SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,020 Days Left
Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,020 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human History
Livestock are dying in large numbers on farms due to the shortage of grass and fodder, and imported hay “is leaving animals more vulnerable to disease and infection,” said a report.
The number of mortalities of cattle in the first four months of this year has risen by a staggering 31 percent to 152,000, up 36,000 compared with the same period in 2012, according to the official figures released by the Department of Agriculture.
A knackery in east Galway has reported a 100 per cent increase in activity, “with queues of lorries forming to unload carcasses.”
As winter continues to persist over large tracts of the Irish countryside the lack of fodder has left tens of thousands of farmers despondent, despite large imports of French hay and British silage, said the report.
The cost to the Irish economy is put at €1bn [$1.3bn,] for the disastrous summer of 2012 and the “everlasting” winter this year.
The disaster has been described as “the single biggest crisis in Irish agriculture for years,” by the Irish Farmers Association deputy president, who described the situation as “very very bad.”
While religious vigils are being held in Counties Cork and Kerry and special Masses in Mayo, with the farmers praying for better weather, a scientist has suggested that the problem is due to the persistent anti-cyclones that have become “locked” over Ireland bringing cold, dry polar air, instead of the warm moist air from the south which is the norm for this time of year.
“Whether it is due to something that is ‘gone’ in our climate as a result of climate change or not is open to speculation. There is some research linking the location and weakness of the jet stream to the south with the removal of the summer sea ice in the Arctic Ocean,” said Prof. John Sweeney of National University of Ireland, Maynooth.
“It is very tentative as yet, but it is being suggested that the loss of all that shiny snow and the warming up of the northern ocean is reducing the need for our depressions to whistle by us as normal. Instead, it is making the jet stream weaker and a bit more inclined to get locked in strange positions.”
President of Namibia has declared a national drought emergency due to significantly below-average precipitation.
An estimated 331,000 people, 14 percent of the Namibia’s population of 2.324 million, in rural communities across 13 regions have now been classified as food insecure so far this year.
An additional 448,000 people have been classified as moderately food insecure.
Those moderately food insecure could rapidly become food insecure, UN reported.
About 109,000 children under age 5 living in rural households classified severely and moderately food insecure are at risk of malnutrition due to reduced availability, access and utilization of food, compounded by limited access to safe water and improved sanitation, UN said.
Namibia: Rainfall Anomaly for Q1 2013. Source: SADC FANR
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
11 Regions across the country are without water tanks for additional storage.
About 32% of households and communities use boreholes as their main sources of water, followed by piped water (20%) and public taps in neighboring houses (19%).
As a result of the severe drought, water tables in boreholes are currently low with reduced yields.
The cost of water has risen and most households are now using their limited funds to buy food instead of water.
Only 33% of households have improved sanitation facilities.
50% of the population practice open defecation. [Source: U.N.]
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Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events
Extreme Rain Events Flood San Antonio, Texas
At least two people were killed on Saturday as torrential rains in San Antonio triggered severe flooding forcing the rescue of about 240 people, officials said.
San Antonio was inundated with about 10 inches of rain Saturday, the second-wettest-day recorded, San Antonio Express-News reported.
“Saturday was not only the wettest day in May ever recorded, but with 9.87 inches of rain at the San Antonio International Airport, it was the second wettest day ever recorded in San Antonio, according to the National Weather Service. The wettest day on record is Oct. 17, 1998, when 11.26 inches of rain fell.”
NWS issued Flood Warnings for rivers affecting Bexar, Wilson and Karnes counties.
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Average CO2 at Mauna Loa: Last 5 days of preliminary daily average CO2
A state of emergency has been declared in Plumas County after the magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the area Thursday, causing damage both to infrastructure as well as homes and businesses.
“The earthquake did not injure anyone but did cause moderate damage and was felt by people as far away as the Bay Area, Reno and into Oregon,” said a report.
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DISASTER CALENDAR – May 26, 2013— SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,021 Days Left
Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,021 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human History
Sandstorm from Taklimakan Desert rages in NW China
An unusually strong sandstorm in Taklimakan Desert swept northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region this week, damaging or destroying homes, uprooting trees and crops, and lowering the visibility to less than 20 meters.
Whipped by strong winds of up to 50km/h, the storm shrouded a vast region.
Strong winds also swept parts of Inner Mongolia autonomous region, blanketing the region with floating dust and causing a temperature drops of at least 20 degrees.
The sand storm also impacted eastern China, severely affecting the air quality in Beijing, which saw the air pollution level rising to just below “hazardous level,” with AQI of 299 on Thursday.
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March Against Monsanto: International Day of Protest
Hundreds of thousands of people across at least 59 countries are staging a global protest against Monsanto and GMO crops Saturday May 25.
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GOES-13 Weather Satellite Fails
The outage occurred exactly a week before 2013 Atlantic hurricane season, which NOAA has predicted to be “extremely active,” was about to start.
GOES-13, which was launched in 2006, will remain in storage mode while the problem is being investigated. There is no estimate on return to operations at
this time, NOAA said.
SPECIAL MESSAGE: GOES-East
GOES-14 is providing GOES-East coverage. GOES-14 is stationary at 105 degrees West with no current plans to drift east. GOES-13 will remain in storage mode while the anomaly is being investigated. There is no estimate on return to operations at this time. More information: http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/SATS/messages.html.
GOES satellites provide the kind of continuous monitoring necessary for intensive data analysis. They circle the Earth in a geosynchronous orbit, which means they orbit the equatorial plane of the Earth at a speed matching the Earth’s rotation. This allows them to hover continuously over one position on the surface. The geosynchronous plane is about 35,800 km (22,300 miles) above the Earth, high enough to allow the satellites a full-disc view of the Earth. Source: NOAA/SSD
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23 Killed in clashes in Tripoli, Lebanon
At least 23 people have been killed in fierce fighting between pro- and anti-Syria groups in Tripoli, Lebanon, according to a report.
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DISASTER CALENDAR – May 25, 2013— SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,022 Days Left
Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,022 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human History
DISASTER Diary – 21 May 2013 [At least 2 dozen significant quakes, measuring between 5.0 and 6.0Mw, have struck off the east coast of Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia since Monday May 20, 2013. ]
FIRE-EARTH Forecast for the Next Mega Quake
FIRE-EARTH will NOT release details of its forecast for the next Mega Quake as a continued protest to the ongoingcensorship, hacking and theft of the intellectual property that are posted on this blog.
2013 Atlantic hurricane season could see up to 6 major hurricanes: NOAA CPC
The six-month hurricane season, which begins June 1, could see up to 20 named storms, of which 7 to 11 could become hurricanes, including as many as 6 major hurricanes, says NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC).
NOAA’s 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook indicates that an above-normal season is most likely, with the possibility that the season could be very active. The outlook calls for a 70% chance of an above-normal season, a 25% chance of a near-normal season, and only a 5% chance of a below-normal season.
Summary of CPC Prediction for 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season:
70% chance of an above-normal season
13-20 Named Storms (winds of 39 mph or higher)
7-11 Hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher)
3-6 Major Hurricanes ( Categories 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher)
Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) range of 120%-205%
Note: The official NHC 1981-2010 seasonal averages 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes.
Climate factors that control Atlantic hurricane activity
According to NOAA/CPC, three climate factors strongly control Atlantic hurricane activity, which are expected to join forces to produce an active or extremely active 2013 hurricane season.
The ongoing set of atmospheric conditions that have been producing increased Atlantic hurricane activity, which includes a strong west African monsoon, that is responsible for the ongoing era of high activity for Atlantic hurricanes that began in 1995
Expected continuation of above-average sea surface temperatures (SSTs) across MDR, which includes the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea
ENSO-neutral conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean (i.e., no El Niño or La Niña); meaning El Niño is not expected to develop and suppress the hurricane season
NOAA’s 2013 Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season Outlook
55% chance of a below-normal season
35% chance of a near-normal season
10% chance of an above normal season
[The eastern Pacific hurricane region covers the eastern North Pacific Ocean east of 14:0oW and north of the equator.]
The outlook is based on the analysis and prediction of three climate signals:
The ongoing climate conditions that have been associated with reduced eastern Pacific hurricane activity since 1995
Expected ENSO-neutral conditions, meaning El Niño is not expected to develop and strengthen the seasonal activity,
Expected near-average or below-average sea-surface temperatures in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.
NOAA estimates a 70% chance of occurrence for each of the following ranges of activity in the 2013 season:
FIRE-EARTH will NOT release details of its 2013 Hurricane Season forecast as a continued protest to the ongoingcensorship, hacking and theft of the intellectual property posted on this blog.
OKC Mega Tornado Destroyed or Damaged 13,000 Homes
The mega tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs on Monday has destroyed or damaged as many as 13,000 homes and caused about $2 billion in damage, officials have said.
FIRE-EARTH models show that about 50,000 people have been displaced as a result of the twister.
The deadly Moore tornado was EF5, according to NWS:
Rating: EF5
Peak Winds: 200 – 210 mph (338 km/h)
Path Length: 17 miles
Maximum Width: 1.3 miles
Begin Time: 2:45pm CDT
Begin Location: 4.4 miles west of Newcastle
End Time: 3:35 pm CDT
End Location: 4.8 miles east of Moore
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Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events
Rioting Spreads in Stockholm, Sweden
Rioting in Swedish capital continued for a fourth night, with at least one large building, reported to be a a restaurant, and 4 dozen cars torched by the rioters described by police as a “mixture of every kind of people.”
The rioting began in the deprived suburb of Husby on Sunday, several days after police shot dead an elderly man for allegedly threatening to kill them with a machete.
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Montreal Residents Told to Boil Drinking Water
Up to 1.4 million Montrealers have been told by the City Council to boil their drinking water.
An urgent message posted on the official City portal read:
Boil water advisory
“You must boil your tap water (bringing it to a bubbling boil) for at lea[s]t one minute be[f]ore drinking it, or use bottled water instead, if you live in many boroughs or related cities.”
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DISASTER CALENDAR – May 23, 2013— SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,024 Days Left
Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,024 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human History
Drought Disaster Plagues at least 1,251 Counties across the U.S.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 28 additional counties in three states as agricultural disaster areas due to the ongoing drought.
The latest designations which include both primary and contiguous disaster areas are: –
Montana: Beaverhead, Broadwater, Deer Lodge, Jefferson, Meagher, Gallatin, Lewis and Clark, Ravalli, Granite, Madison and Silver Bow counties.
Idaho: Clark, Fremont and Lemhi counties.
Texas: Anderson, Pecos, Brewster, Crockett, Houston, Reeves, Cherokee, Freestone, Jeff Davis, Terrell, Crane, Henderson, Leon and Ward counties.
U.S. Drought Disaster Map as of May 22, 2013. A total of at least 1,251 counties across 28 states are currently designated as [primary or contiguous] drought disaster areas.
Extreme Rain Events affect hundreds of thousands, destroy thousands of homes in South China’s Guangdong Province
Flooding triggered by extreme rain events have destroyed thousands of homes, affecting about 500, 000 people, and forcing the authorities to evacuate tens of thousands.
Torrential rains, the second round to pound the province this month, are expected to continue through Friday. The events have left dozens of people dead or missing since early May.
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Millions of Italians too poor to heat their homes
14 percent of the population, 8.6 million Italians, are completely destitute, twice as many as two years ago, according to the national statistics institute ISTAT’s Annual Report 2013 – The state of the Nation.
16.6 percent of the population cannot afford protein-based meals, for example meat, every two days, up from 6.7 percent in 2010.
More than 20 percent of the population cannot afford to heat their homes.
A quarter of Italy’s 61 million population are living in families that meet three of more of ISTAT’s nine poverty indicators.
Italy’s youth jobless rate has climbed to about 40 percent, the highest in Europe.
Nearly 24 percent of young Italians are neither receiving education nor in the job market, also the highest level in Europe. In southern Italy, a third of the youth aged 15-29 fell into this group.
Italians’ purchasing power plunged by 4.8 percent in 2012.
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DISASTER CALENDAR – May 22, 2013— SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,025 Days Left
Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,025 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human History
NWS damage teams have upgraded the deadly tornado that struck Moore to EF5.
Rating: EF5
Peak Winds: 200 – 210 mph (338 km/h)
Path Length: 17 miles
Maximum Width: 1.3 miles
Begin Time: 2:45pm CDT
Begin Location: 4.4 miles west of Newcastle
End Time: 3:35 pm CDT
End Location: 4.8 miles east of Moore
This is a preliminary track outline of the powerful EF-5 tornado that struck Newcastle and Moore during the afternoon of May 20, 2013. This path may change as we continue to survey the damage. Notice how the tornado path contracts toward the right side of the image. Source: NWS
Tornado Damage and Casualties
Preliminary estimate for the damage is put at $3 billion.
The tornado has left thousands of people homeless.
Most of the 91 or so people killed by the tornado were resurrected within hours, thanks to the political will. Current death toll stands at only 24. (See also the ‘Joplin Syndrome’).
About 240 others were injured.
The Enhanced Fujita Tornado Scale – Quick Chart
EF0: 65 TO 85 MPH
EF1: 86 TO 110 MPH
EF2: 111 TO 135 MPH
EF3: 136 TO 165 MPH
EF4: 166 TO 200 MPH
EF5: Wind speeds greater than 200 MPH
Major Disaster Declared in Oklahoma after Mega Tornado Kills Dozens
The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Oklahoma in the area affected by severe storms and tornadoes beginning on May 18, 2013, and continuing.
The areas worst affected are the counties of Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma, and Pottawatomie.
At least 91 people, many of them children, are feared to have been killed and about 240 others injured after a mega tornado ripped through Oklahoma City suburbs, leveling numerous blocks in the city of Moore (pop: ~ 55,000), Cleveland County, Oklahoma.
The death toll included 51 confirmed deaths and an additional 40 bodies on their way to the Medical Examiner’s office. (See also the ‘Joplin Syndrome’).
The tornado was rated as at least an EF4, with winds of up to 200mph, according to NWS preliminary damage ratings.
The tornadic event began at 2.56pm CDT on Monday and lasted for 40 minutes.
Moore twister was as much as two miles wide, and carved a 20-mile path of destruction.
The tornado left obliterated many hundreds of homes and other buildings in Moore.
This is a preliminary tornado track for the tornado that affected Newcastle, Moore, and Oklahoma City on May 20, 2013. The tornado touchdown at around 2:56 pm in Newcastle, OK and moved through Moore and south OKC before lifting at around 3:36 pm. The path length is estimated to be about 20 miles long with a preliminary damage rating of at least EF4. —NWS
“Our hearts are broken,” Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin said. “This is bigger than anything I’ve ever seen. It’s absolutely huge. It’s horrific.”
More Severe Weather Expected from Great Lakes to Central Texas on Tuesday
More severe weather is expected on Tuesday from the Great Lakes across the Mississippi River Valley and into central Texas. Primary threats will be very large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes. Some of the storms could also produce heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding concerns, especially in the Ark-La-Tex region. —NWS
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Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events
Average CO2 at Mauna Loa Observatory: Last 5 days of preliminary daily average CO2
May 20 – 400.15 ppm
May 19 – 400.06 ppm
May 18 – 399.77 ppm
May 17 – 399.87 ppm
May 16 – 399.74 ppm
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Groundwater depletion in the U.S. has accelerated
Groundwater depletion in the United States during 1900–2008 was about 1,000 cubic kilometers (km³), according to a new study released by USGS.
The rate of groundwater depletion has increased significantly since about 1950, with maximum rates occurring during the most recent period (2000–2008), said the report.
The average depletion rate climbed to about 25 km³ [6.6 trillion gallons] per year during 2000–2008, compared to 9.2 km³ per year averaged over the 1900–2008 period.
Map of the United States (excluding Alaska) showing cumulative groundwater depletion, 1900 through 2008, in 40 assessed aquifer systems or subareas. Colors are hatched in the Dakota aquifer (area 39) where the aquifer overlaps with other aquifers having different values of depletion. [Konikow, L.F., 2013, Groundwater depletion in the United States (1900−2008): U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2013−5079. http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2013/5079.(Available only online.)]
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Kamchatka, Russia
At least 2 dozen significant quakes, measuring between 5.0 and 6.0Mw, have struck off the east coast of Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia since Monday May 20, 2013.
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DISASTER CALENDAR – May 21, 2013— SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,026 Days Left
Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,026 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human History
At least 37 killed, many injured in OKC gigantic twister attack
The massive tornado first touched down in Newcastle and barreled toward Interstate 44, Moore and South Oklahoma City, killing at least 37 people, as of posting, injuring scores of others, destroying hundreds of buildings and leaving a path of destruction behind.
The deadly twister was at least an EF4 tornado packing winds of about 200mph (320km/h) and was reportedly as much as ‘two-miles’ wide.
It struck about 15:00 CDT (UTC -5hrs) on Monday in Moore, Oklahoma, a suburb south of Oklahoma City, and remained on the ground for at least 40 minutes.
Massive tornado hits Okla. Screen grab of damage in Moore, Oklahoma from massive tornado that swept through on Monday afternoon. Credit: CBS News
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, who had already declared a state of emergency in 16 counties after the previous round of tornado attack, told CBS: “Well, we know we’ve had a massive tornado that has come through a major metropolitan area in Moore, Okla. It was a very wide tornado, a very strong tornado. It has damaged lots of neighborhoods, it’s hit two schools that possibly had school children in them. It’s also it a hospital and a big movie theater and a commercial area.”
88 Killed, more than 150 injured in Iraq shooting and bombing attacks
At least nine bomb explosions ripped through predominantly Shia districts of the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Monday, killing dozens of people and wounding over 130 others, reports said.
Two car bombs hit the predominantly Shia city of Basra in southern Iraq also on Monday, killing at least 13 and injuring 40 others.
Meantime, the authorities found the bodies of 13 people kidnapped on Saturday in a desert in Anbar Province with bullet wounds to their heads and chests. At least 6 of the victims were policemen.
The death toll from Iraqi violence exceeded 200, with hundreds of others injured.
April was the deadliest month in Iraq since 2008, as bombing attacks and shootings killed more than 700 people and injured at least 1,600 others across the country, said the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).
Baghdad was the deadliest province, with at least 211 killed and about 500 injured, UNAMI reported.
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DISASTER CALENDAR – May 20, 2013— SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,027 Days Left
Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,027 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human History
State of emergency declared as deadly tornadoes tear through Oklahoma
Powerful twisters strike U.S. states of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas and Illinois, and Oklahoma.
Governor Fallin declared a State of Emergency for 16 Oklahoma counties: Caddo, Cleveland, Comanche, Creek, Garfield, Grant, Greer, Kiowa, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Payne and Pottawatomie.
The state of emergency was declared in the 16 counties because they sustained the heaviest damage from the twisters, straight-line winds, fist-size hail and flash flooding, which began late Saturday evening.
The worst damage was caused by a deadly tornado that struck near the town of Shawnee, about 50km from Oklahoma City, leveling a mobile home park.
At least one person was confirmed dead in Pottawatomie County and two dozen others were reportedly injured.
In addition to Shawnee, several other towns and communities were severely affected by the extreme weather including Bethel Acres, Carney, Edmond, Little Axe, Norman and Wellston.
Storm-related injuries have also been reported in other parts of Oklahoma, as well as in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Illinois and Iowa.
Severe Weather Threat to Continue Through Monday Across the Central States —NWS
After over 300 reports of severe weather on Sunday, another round of dangerous severe weather is expected Monday with the greatest threat once again in the southern Plains targeting Oklahoma and parts of Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas. However, severe weather is possible much further north towards Chicago and Madison as well.
Europe’s largest gas field: The Dutch earthquake zone
Earthquakes are becoming more intense and more frequent in northern Netherlands, as energy companies continue to extract natural gas at increasing rates, said a report.
Partial map of NW Europe showing Groningen gas fields and adjacent areas. Source: Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Investors’ Handbook.
The government has prioritized profits over the protection of its citizens. The Dutch government received revenues of more than 14bn euros (£12bn; $18bn) from the Groningen gas fields last year, and an estimated 250bn euros since the 1960s.
“We want them to put our safety on top of everything, but they don’t, they really don’t,” says a resident, Daniella Blanken, who runs the Groningen Ground Movement.
“The government is meant to protect its citizens … We don’t feel protected.”
“It comes rumbling towards you, louder and louder and louder,” Blanken told a BBC reporter.
“Everything starts to shake. It ends with a bang, like a massive weight dropped on the house. Boof! And that is frightening, really really frightening.”
Prominent oil and gas fields of the southern North Sea and adjacent onshore areas:Source: USGS
Some 60,000 homes lie within the earthquake zone, and so far the gas companies have received about 6,000 earthquake damage claims from the residents, the report said.
“Last August there was a magnitude 3.4 tremor. Higher than any expert had previously predicted, it further sapped the residents’ confidence and forced the ministers to commission an inquiry,” according to the report.
“Until now we always knew that earthquakes could occur, now we don’t know what the new maximum could be,” says Chiel Seinen, who represents the NAM oil company collective incorporating Royal Dutch Shell Plc and Exxon Mobil Corp.
Southern Permian Basin-Europe. Source: USGS
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DISASTER CALENDAR – May 19, 2013— SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,028 Days Left
Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,028 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human History
Angry Pavlof continues to belch out ash, gas and steam
PAVLOF VOLCANO (CAVW #1102-03-)
55°25’2″ N 161°53’37” W, Summit Elevation 8261 ft (2518 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Ash, gas and steam emissions continue at Pavlof Volcano, as seismic tremors and intense elevated surface temperatures persist, AVO reported.
Pavlof volcano eruption column, May 18, 2013 (12:00am AKDT). Photo courtesy Theo Chesley/AVO.
Other Alaska Volcanoes
CLEVELAND VOLCANO (CAVW #1101-24-)
52°49’20” N 169°56’42” W, Summit Elevation 5676 ft (1730 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Elevated surface temperatures at the summit of Cleveland Volcano were observed in satellite images Saturday morning AKDT, AVO reported.
Hawaii Volcanoes
KILAUEA VOLCANO (CAVW #1302-01-)
19°25’16” N 155°17’13” W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Activity Summary: At the summit, tiltmeters recorded the start of DI inflationary tilt and the lava lake level rose. At Pu`u `O`o vent in the middle east rift zone, there was no new activity within the crater but the Kahauale`a II lava flow remained active on the north base of the cone. To the southeast, the Peace Day pali flow remained active on the coastal plain while the main flow branch continued to enter the ocean in at least 2 locations spanning the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park boundary. Gas emissions remained elevated. (HVO)
Recent Observations at the middle east rift zone vents: Only glow was seen from the east lava pond and spatter cones on the crater floor. The tiltmeter on the north flank of Pu`u `O`o cone recorded the start of DI inflationary tilt at 8 pm yesterday. GPS receivers on the north rim and south base of Pu`u `O`o cone recorded neither extension nor contraction since May 12. The most recent (preliminary) sulfur dioxide emission rate measurement was 300 tonnes/day on April 26, 2013, from all east rift zone sources; these values have ranged between 150 and 450 t/d in 2013; these measurements are made at a greater distance from the sources where the plume is more easily characterized.
New Activity/Unrest
[Source: AVO, HVO, GVP and others]
Cleveland, Chuginadak Island (ALASKA)
Copahue, Central Chile-Argentina border
Dieng Volcanic Complex, Central Java (Indonesia)
Guntur, Western Java (Indonesia)
Mayon, Luzon (Philippines)
Pavlof, Alaska Peninsula
Popocatépetl, México
Tungurahua, Ecuador
Ongoing Activity
Kilauea, Hawaii (USA)
Kizimen, Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)
Karymsky, Kamchatka (Russia)
Paluweh, Lesser Sunda Islands (Indonesia)
Reventador, Ecuador
Sabancaya, Perú
Sakura-jima, Kyushu (Japan)
Shiveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)
Tolbachik, Central Kamchatka (Russia)
Bezymianny, Kamchatka (Russia) YELLOW
Gorely Volcano YELLOW
VONA/KVERT DAILY REPORT – May 17, 2013
Kamchatkan and Northern Kuriles Volcanic Activity
SHEVELUCH VOLCANO (CAVW #1000-27-)
56.64 N, 161.32 E; Elevation 10768 ft (3,283 m), the dome elevation ~8200 ft (2500 m)
Aviation Color Code is ORANGE
Moderate seismic activity continues at the volcano. Video images showed a moderate gas-steam eruption and incandescence above the lava dome. Satellite data showed a thermal anomaly over the volcano.
PLOSKY TOLBACHIK VOLCANO (CAVW #1000-24-)
55.83 N, 160.39 E; Elevation 10119 ft (3085 m)
Aviation Color Code is ORANGE
Strong seismicity occurring at the volcano. The amplitude of volcanic tremor was up to 3.2 mcm/s. Explosive-effusive eruption continues: lava continues to effuse from the Southern fissure on Tolbachinsky Dol. A thermal anomaly was noted on satellite images at the northern area of Tolbachinsky Dol.
KIZIMEN VOLCANO (CAVW #1000-23-)
55.13 N, 160.32 E; Elevation 8151 ft (2485 m)
Aviation Color Code is ORANGE
Moderate seismic activity continues at Kizimen. Video images showed growth of an extrusion at the volcano summit continues. Incandescence of the volcano summit, hot avalanches on the western and eastern volcanic flanks, and strong and moderate gas-steam activity accompany this process. Satellite data showed the volcano was obscured by clouds.
KARYMSKY VOLCANO (CAVW #1000-13-)
54.05 N, 159.44 E; Elevation 4874 ft (1486 m)
Aviation Color Code is ORANGE
There was no seismic data due to technical reasons. Satellite images were obscured by clouds.
BEZYMIANNY VOLCANO (CAVW #1000-25-)
55.97 N, 160.6 E; Elevation 9453 ft (2882 m)
Aviation Color Code is YELLOW
Strong seismic activity at Tolbachinsky Dol obscured seismicity of Bezymianny. WebCam images obscured by clouds. Satellite data showed a thermal anomaly over the volcano.
GORELY VOLCANO (CAVW #1000-07-)
52.56 N, 158.03 E; Elevation 5996 ft (1828 m)
Aviation Color Code is YELLOW
Moderate seismic activity continues at Gorely. Volcano was obscured by clouds.
Fire Earth 