Hundreds of Homes Evacuated as MT Wildfire Grows

Wildfire consumes 720 acres, threatens hundreds of homes NE of Frenchtown, Montana

A fast-moving wildfire reportedly sparked by a lawnmower northeast of Frenchtown, Mont, rapidly consumed 720 acres, prompting authorities to issue evacuation notices to hundreds of homes.

As of 9 p.m. Thursday, the so-called Mill Creek fire was zero percent contained, said a report.

Red Flag Warning were in effect across parts of Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, NWS reported.

Special Weather Statement for South Texas

NWS also issued a Special Weather Statement forecasting heat index values between 105 and 109 degrees across southTtexas.

THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH DEWPOINTS WILL
PRODUCE HEAT INDEX VALUES BETWEEN 105 AND 109 DEGREES TODAY ACROSS SOUTH TEXAS. A FEW LOCATIONS MAY BRIEFLY EXPERIENCE HEAT INDEX VALUES ABOVE 110 DEGREES THIS AFTERNOON.

Drought Drying Up Thousands of Rivers and Reservoirs in China

Millions Short of Drinking Water in S, SW and Central China

Disastrous drought continues to plague parts of Guizhou, Hunan and Hubei provinces, affecting at least 12 million people.  More than 3 million people and 2 million livestock have been affected by severe shortages of drinking water, and the drought is expected to continue, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said. As of July 26, about 2.5 million hectares of farmland have also been affected.

• “Since the start of July, the amount of precipitation in those areas has been down dramatically from that recorded during the same period of last year, the headquarters said.”

• “In the coming days, droughts are likely to continue in those regions as high temperatures and little precipitation persist, according to the country’s weather forecasters.”

Guizhou Province: Persistent and widespread droughts in southwest China’s Guizhou Province have affected up to 10 million people in more than 200 counties since mid-June. More than 1 million people lack adequate supplies of drinking water, and about 600,000 hectares of crops is being lost or damaged by the drought, said the provincial government.

Hunan Province:  Severe drought has spread in central China’s Hunan Province leaving more 1.15 million people short of drinking water.

“Over 100 counties in 14 cities and prefectures in the province have been affected by the drought. About 6 million mu (400,000 hectares) of crops have also been affected and 311,000 heads of livestock lack adequate amounts of drinking water, according to the headquarters,” said a report.

“The extreme weather has also caused 186 rivers and 252 reservoirs to dry up.

“The province has sent 2.5 million people and 13,000 water tankers to irrigate croplands and provide water for 365,000 people, the headquarters said.”

YOU Could Be Next!

Original Caption:  Resident Lyu Youde walks on the dried-up pond bed at Jingtang Village of Wufengpu Town in Shaoyang County, central China’s Hunan Province, July 24, 2013. A drought that has lasted since early July has left 533,000 people short of drinking water in the province. 107 counties of 14 cities and prefectures in the province have been affected by the drought, with about 6027,000 hectares of crops damaged and 311,000 heads of livestock short of water. Also in the province, 186 rivers and 252 reservoirs are dry. (Xinhua/Li Ga). More images…

Related Links

• Drought Disaster 2013
• “Super heat wave hits many parts of China”
• China to Become Top Wheat Importer after Major Crop Disaster July 17, 2013

 

Major Disaster Declared in West Virginia

West Virginia Declared Major Disaster Area

The White House has declared a major disaster exists in the State of West Virginia  in the areas affected by severe storms and flooding on June 13, 2013.

Most of the damage caused by severe storms and flooding occurred in the counties of Mason and Roane.

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

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Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

Minnesota Declared Major Disaster Area

The White House has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Minnesota in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of June 20-26, 2013. 

Areas worst affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding were  the counties of Benton, Big Stone, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, McLeod, Morrison, Pope, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, and Wilkin.

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

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Royal Gorge Fire Zone Declared Federal Disaster Area

The White House has declared the Royal Gorge fire zone a major disaster area following a request by the state’s congressional delegation to declare Colorado a federal disaster area.

The blaze consumed more than 3,200 acres and destroyed 48 of the 52 structures at the historic Royal Gorge Park, a major economic driver in Fremont County, said a report.

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Canada: Mississauga City asks Ontario for disaster relief

An “epic summer storm” flooded thousands of basements, cut power large parts of the city and brought transportation to a halt on July 8, said a report.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before ever in my community,” said a city Councillor of the flooding, which forced the evacuation of numerous residents, including nearly a thousand families who lost their homes.

You Could Be Next!

Ken Hills, 60, stands in front of the tent that had served as his home after the July 8 deluge. The tent blew away during a thunderstorm last week. Credit: ALEX NINO GHECIU / TORONTO STAR

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