California Communities Could Run Out of Water in 60 to 120 Days

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENTS
STATE OF EMERGENCY
WATER EMERGENCY
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Extreme Drought Conditions Plaguing California Threaten 17 Communities with Water Famine

The state of California, currently experiencing its worst drought on record, has identified 17 rural drinking water systems most at risk. They serve communities ranging from about 40 to 11,000 throughout the Golden State.

Some 3,000 community water systems with at least 15 service connections each provide water in California.

“As the severe drought continues, we’re working with impacted communities to identify alternative water sources and additional resources,”  said  California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

The announcement follows the Governor’s drought state of emergency proclaimed last week.

CDPH has identified the following communities whose drinking water systems are at greatest risk:

• Shaver Lake Heights Mutual Water Company (Fresno County)
• Sierra Cedars Community Services District (Fresno County)
• Bass Lake Water Company (Madera County)
• Whispering Pines Apts (Mariposa County)
• Boulder Canyon Water Association (Kern County)
• Cypress Canyon Water System (Kern County)
• Lake Of The Woods Mutual Water Company (Kern County)
• Camp Condor (Kern County)
• Jackson Valley Irrigation District (Amador County)
• City of Willits (Mendocino County)
• Redwood Valley Community Water District (Mendocino County)
• Brooktrail Township Community Services District (Mendocino County)
• Washington Ridge Conservation Camp (Nevada County)
• Ophir Gardens (Placer County)
• Lompico County Water District (Santa Cruz County)
• City of Cloverdale (Sonoma County)
• Healdsburg (Sonoma County)

Gov. Brown Declared Drought State of Emergency earlier this month amid worst dry conditions in 119 years

Brown had earlier described the drought as being “really serious,” adding that 2014 could be California’s third consecutive dry year. “In many ways it’s a mega-drought.”

California Drought

• 2013 was California’s driest year since records began 119 years ago.
• Many California reservoirs are at their lowest levels in years.
• The snow cover is less than 20 percent of the normal at this time of year.
• Lake Shasta, the state’s largest reservoir is holding just over a third of its full capacity,  down from the normal of more than a half at this time of year, according to officials.
• Sacramento City Council has voted to enact severe water rationing as the region is faced with historically low water levels on the American River with a long-range forecast showing little, if any, rain.

California Drought Monitor Map.  Source: The U.S. Drought Monitor, The National Drought Mitigation Center. The above map remained unchanged as of January 21, 2014 according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Related Links

• Drought Disaster Declared for Multiple Counties in Four States January 25, 2014

• California Declares Drought State of Emergency January 18, 2014
• California Governor to Declare Drought Emergency January 17, 2014
• High Fire Danger in Southern California amid Driest Conditions on Record January 17, 2014
• 520 Counties across 16 States Declared Crop Disaster Areas due to Drought January 16, 2014

Emergency Signal Shuts Hanul Nuke Reactor in S. Korea

NUCLEAR INCIDENT AT S. KOREA NPP
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Warning Signal Shuts Down Reactor Unit 5 at Hanul NPP in Uljin, S. Korea

Reactor No. 5 at Hanul Nuclear Power Plant in Uljin, located some 330 kilometers southeast of Seoul, was automatically shutdown at 4:17 am on Wednesday (UTC +9 hrs) after an emergency signal was activated.

The cause of the shutdown of the 1,000-megawatt unit was not yet known, said officials from the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co, Yonhap reported.

The Hanul Nuclear power plant [previously named Uljin] has six pressurized water reactors (PWRs) with a total installed capacity of 5,881 MW. The first unit went online in 1988.

Hanul Nuclear Power Plant. Undated photo provided by Korea Electric Power Corporation.

Currently 19 [out of 23] nuclear reactors supply about 30 percent of South Korea’s electricity.

Fake Parts, Bogus Certificates

South Korean nuclear regulators discovered about a thousand more fake parts supplied for their nuclear plants with bogus quality certificates in 2012.

• In November 2012, eight companies were found to have submitted 60 fake  certificates that covered more than 7,000 parts mostly used in the two reactors that were reportedly shut.

• S. Korean government is planning an additional 11 nuclear reactors, to add to its existing fleet of 23.

• About 12,500 tons of nuclear waste filled more than 70 percent of the country’s  storage capacity at reactor sites, as of June 2012.

Global Map of Nuclear Power Plants

Related Links

• It All Happens in a Flash Posted on November 28, 2013

• Japan Underestimating Nuclear Fallout Risks: U.N. Posted on November 27, 2012
• S. Korea: Nuclear Waste Storage Facility Reaching Full Capacity Posted on November 20, 2012
• Probability of a Nuclear Disaster – by Country
• Nuclear Power

Deadly Winter Storm Prompts States of Emergency in Georgia, Carolinas

A NOTE to our readers, if any, in the states of Alabama, North and South Carolinas, Georgia, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin as well as everyone else who knows someone in those states:

Send a copy of this post to your state governor and ask them whether they were/are allowed to receive FIRE-EARTH forecasts.

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EXTREME CLIMATIC & WEATHER EVENTS
STATES OF EMERGENCY
ENERGY EMERGENCY
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Deadly winter storm continues to impact the Gulf Coast and Southeast

Governors in three states—Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina—have declared states of emergency amid forecasts of significant snow and ice for the region.

Georgia

The deadly winter storm moving across the Southeast paralyzed metro Atlanta and other major cities in Georgia prompting Gov. Deal to declare a  State of Emergency Tuesday afternoon for the entire State of Georgia (159 counties).

“Many parts of our state have experienced heavy sleet and snowfall, and in the metro areas we’re experiencing traffic jams caused primarily by heavy volume after the quick onset of the winter storm,” said Deal.

Executive order prohibiting propane price gouging

On Monday, Deal signed an executive order prohibiting price gouging for propane. Georgia’s continued period of cold weather has increased the demand for propane, causing a substantial prices increase.

• Propane shortage
• DOT – Current Emergency Declarations, Waivers, Exemptions & Permits

State of Georgia does NOT post details of Executive Orders and or Proclamations on its official website.

The Carolinas

Up to 6 inches of snow could fall in parts of the Carolinas.

North Carolina
“Given the forecast and as winter weather approaches, we are working with all necessary departments and local emergency management crews in order to keep our citizens safe and up to date regarding potentially hazardous weather conditions,” said Governor McCrory. “This morning, I signed two executive orders declaring a state of emergency for North Carolina and waiving certain requirements for vehicles assisting in relief efforts [propane shortage.] We are prepared for likely power outages and dangerous driving conditions throughout our state. These executive orders and our capable statewide and local officials will ensure a rapid response to any adverse conditions.”

“Our residents, as well as our livestock industry, need heat and electricity.”

South Carolina

Governor Nikki Haley has also declared a State of Emergency due to the major winter storm that is expected to impact the state beginning Tuesday afternoon.

“Governor Haley has ordered all state government offices to follow county government closing decisions; meaning if a county administration decides to close for the day, state offices in that county will automatically follow the same schedule,” said an official statement.

States of Emergency Declared in Alabama, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi

On Monday, States of Emergency were declared in  Alabama, Louisiana, Minnesota and Mississippi.

Deadly weather-related traffic accidents

At least five people were killed and nine others injured in weather-related traffic accidents in Alabama on Tuesday, according to the state’s Department of Public Safety.

At least 3 people were killed in weather related road crashes in southern Mississippi.

The storm is affecting an estimated 55 million people from eastern Texas to southeastern Pennsylvania.

On January 7, 2014 FIRE-EARTH said [but was censored by Google, WordPress and others]:

FIRE-EARTH Models show more Extreme Weather Events could wreak havoc across North America in the coming days and weeks.

Satellite Animation

• Real-Time U.S. Composite Satellite Animation – 7 day movie

Flight Cancellations and Delays

More than 4,900 flights have been canceled and thousands more delayed within, into, or out of the United States Sunday through Wednesday, so far, according to flightaware.com

Related Links

• States of Emergency Declared in Alabama, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi … January 28, 2014