Michigan Declared Major Disaster Area

16 Michigan Counties Declared Federal Disaster Areas Following Devastating Floods

The Whit House has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Michigan in the areas affected by flooding during the period of April 16 to May 14, 2013.

The counties covered by the declaration are Allegan, Baraga, Barry, Gogebic, Houghton, Ionia, Kent, Keweenaw, Marquette, Midland, Muskegon, Newaygo, Ontonagon, Osceola, Ottawa, and Saginaw.

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

SNAFU at Fukushima

Trust TEPCO, the operators of Japan’s disaster-stricken Fukushima nuclear plant, turning a disaster into a farce… And, that’s exactly what they have been doing since March 2011 Mega Quake and tsunami, which crippled the reactors causing multiple meltdowns.

TEPCO  has revealed that high levels of a toxic radioactive Strontium-90 was present in the groundwater at 30 times the legal limit.  The plant operators also found Tritium eight times the legal limit.

To compound the problem, experts say that Fukushima plant is running out of storage space for contaminated water, while large amounts of water is needed each day to cool the reactors.

Strontium-90 has a half life of 29 years, and is believed to cause bone cancer if ingested.

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Uttarakhand, N. India: Death toll tops 150, as flooding and landslide devastate a vast region

The Mega Deluge and massive landslides, caused by extreme monsoon rains, have devastated hundreds of towns and villages, destroying thousands of homes and other buildings,  and leaving more than 150 dead, with at least as many reported missing.

The death toll may swell substantially once the exact count of bodies scattered across the ravaged towns is known.  Right now, large parts of the region remain deluged and hundreds of homes  and businesses lay in ruins, the report said.

• “Very heavy casualties are feared and I cannot give the exact number without a proper survey,” said Uttarakhand Chief Minister, who described the flood ravage as unprecedented caused by a “Himalayan tsunami.”

Meantime, India’s Meteorological Center reported that the state of Kerala had received an average of 57 cm of rain between June 1 and 17, some 69 percent more than the normal level.

• “The highest rainfall was recorded in Kannur district at 85 cm. This was 105 per ent more than the expected rainfall,” said a report.

Thousands of people have died in floods and landslides in Uttarakhand: BJP

Indian People’s Party (BJP), which is the country’s second largest political party, has claimed that “thousands of people have died [in floods and landslides in Uttarakhand] and [that] there is no rescue operation,” said a report.

• “We demand that urgent steps be taken to describe this disaster as a national calamity. Adequate attention on war footing be given for rehabilitation and rescue operations,” a BJP spokesperson told reporters in Delhi.

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“Super heat wave hits many parts of China”

A “super heat wave” has hit many parts of China, according to the official media. Many areas have reported temperature highs of 37ºC (98.6 degrees F).

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U.S. High and Low Temperatures (F)

High Temperature for Tuesday, June 18, 2013 (received by 8 am EDT June 19)

• 114 degrees (45.6ºC), recorded at Death Valley, CA

Low Temperature for Wednesday, June 19, 2013 (received by 8 am EDT June 19)

• 27 degrees,  recorded at Spincich Lake, MI

Global High and Low Temperatures

• 116.3 degrees (46.8ºC), Algeria
• -86.8 degrees (-66ºC), Antarctica

Related Links

• World Record High Temperature Could Be Broken This Year

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Fire Threat Intensifies in Western U.S.

Red Flag Warnings issued for most of the West

Fire threat grew for much of the western United States on Wednesday, prompting NWS to issue Red Flag Warnings across a vast region. NWS said:

Parts of the Western United States is under a Red Flag Warning for Wednesday with another day of hot, dry and windy conditions expected.

US weather Hazards Map for June 19, 2013. Source: NWS

Black Forest Fire, Colorado

The Black Forest Fire, which started on Tuesday, June 11, was about 85 percent contained on June 18, 2013 (6:00 p.m. DST).

According to El Paso Sheriff’s website, the property loss caused by the deadly fire were as follows:

• Total Loss: 509 homes
• Partial Damage: 28

• Current Fire Map as of 2 p.m. Tuesday
  
• Other Info

Related Links

• Colo. Fire Turns Deadly, Most Destructive in State’s History June 14, 2013

“FIFA, F*** OFF!”

“We don’t need the World Cup!” “We need money for hospitals and education.”

Dozens of demonstrators have been injured and dozens more arrested in clashes with riot police as thousands of Brazilians demonstrated outside the national stadium in the capital, Brasilia.

Protesters took to streets across Brazil, with thousands demonstrating near Maracana Stadium,  in Rio de Janeiro.

Crowds held signs reading: “We need money for hospitals and education” and “We don’t need the World Cup!”

Protesters expressed their anger at the Federation of International Football Associations, which awarded Brazil the World Cup hosting rights, chanting: “FIFA, F*** OFF!”

Brazil has been plagued with protest rallies recently, with thousands expressing their anger at mounting crime rates, rising inflation and 10 percent hike in bus fares.

The Rio Treat: Brazilian riot police sprays a pedestrian with a noxious chemical. Credit: AP. Image may be subject to copyright.

In Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest city, riot police clashed and protesters as tens of thousands of people rallied in the streets.

The protests, which began earlier this month over the transport fare increase, have since evolved into a nationwide movement calling for better hospitals, schools and transport.