Typhoon UTOR Batters Northern Philippines

Typhoon UTOR struck the coast of eastern Aurora province with sustained winds of about 180 km/hr (110 mph) and gusts of up to 210 km/hr, leaving at least one person dead and dozens missing.

UTOR devastated the coastal town of Casiguran, destroying houses knocking down overhead electricity and phone lines and uprooting poles and trees.

Torrential rains triggered landslides that blocked the only access road to the town, local reports said.

The typhoon crossed Luzon, Philippines’ main northern island, heading west towards South China Sea with sustained winds of about 145 km/hr.

UTOR, which means “squall line” in Marshallese, was the 12th of about 20 tropical cyclones forecast to hit the Philippines this year.

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Related Links

• Destructive Typhoon Slamming Philippines August 11, 201

Major Disaster Declared in Wisconsin

The Disaster President Signs Wisconsin Disaster Declaration

The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Wisconsin in due to severe storms, flooding, and mudslides during the period of June 20-28, 2013.

Areas worst affected by the losses and damaged from the severe storms, flooding, and mudslides are Ashland, Bayfield, Crawford, Grant, Iowa, Richland, St. Croix, and Vernon Counties and the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in Bayfield County.

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

Recent Disaster Declarations

• Major Disaster Declared in Texas, S. Dakota  August 5, 2013
• Major Disaster Declared in El Paso County, CO August 1, 2013
• Major Disaster Declared in West Virginia July 27, 2013
• Minnesota Declared Major Disaster Area

• Missouri Declared Major Disaster Area  July 24, 2013
• Major Disaster Declared in New York, North Dakota July 16, 2013
• Major Disaster Declared in 47 Iowa Counties July 3, 2013
• Major disaster declared in South Dakota July 3, 2013

• Arkansas Declared a Major Disaster Area  June 27, 2013
• Major Disaster Declaration for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe 27, 2013
• Alaska Declared Major Disaster Area  June 26, 2013
• Michigan Declared Major Disaster Area  June 19, 2013
• Major Disaster Declared in Oklahoma after Mega Tornado Kills Dozens

Drought And Agricultural Disaster Declaration

• Drought 2013
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Additional Disaster Declarations

• Additional disaster declarations can be found at http://www.sba.gov
• Drought Disaster Declarations are posted on FIRE-EARTH – search blog content

Idaho Wildfire Threatens Entire County

Elk Complex Fire consumes more than 80,000 acres, forces evacuations of 3 towns

The fast-growing Elk Complex, said to be nation’s No.1, has consumed more than 80,365 acres since late Thursday and is only 5% contained.

The massive fire complex has forced large-scale evacuations and threatens structure across Elmore County.

Two small towns of Pine and Prairie have been evacuated.

The Elk Complex fire.  Viewed from I-84, photo taken Saturday afternoon. Credit: Boise National Forest/U.S. Forest Service.

The Elk Complex is now estimated at 80,365 [acres] and 5% contained. After the inversion broke, sustained crown runs were observed. Plume dominated fire activity has made parts of the fire inaccessible. Many access roads into the fire area are impassible due to downed power lines, debris and fallen timber. The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office has implemented evacuations in the Pine area. Road closures include the Pine/Featherville Road, Cow Creek Road and Blacks Creek Road. The lodge in Fall Creek and approximately 20 structures were not damaged by the fire, but it is believed there is significant structure loss further up the drainage. Fire officials will gain access to assess the situation as soon as it is safe for them to enter the area. [More…]

The Pony Fire Complex

Meantime, the Pony Fire Complex continued to grow, consuming about 120,000 across and forcing the evacuations of hundreds of homes in Prairie and Mayfield, including the communities Baseline, Indian Creek and Regina.

The 119,543 acre Pony Complex is now 20 percent contained. Two cabins and an outbuilding in Syrup Creek were destroyed this morning as a result of the extreme fire behavior. Evacuations were ordered for the Syrup Canyon area. Multiple residences in Syrup Canyon and Miller Ranch were defended today. Evacuations were ordered including the community of Mayfield, Canyon Creek area and the Danskin and Bennett Mountain Lookouts. Livestock was continued to move from out in front of the fire. Numerous road closures are in effect along with an area closure. Firefighters remained on the fire last night and will tonight continuing to construct direct lines while securing and protecting structures.  [Inciweb]

Dozens of structure have been destroyed or damaged by the two fire complexes, but the exact toll is not yet known/released.

Related Links

• Idaho Town Evacuated as Wildfires Rage  August 10, 2013