Disasters, States of Emergency – May 23, 2014

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
HISTORIC FLOODING
DEADLY LANDSLIDES
MEGA DISASTER
MASS DISPLACEMENT
THREAT OF DISEASE EPIDEMICS
SCENARIOS 444, 333, 023, 09, 070
STATES OF EMERGENCY
.

Balkans faces risk of disease after flood disasters

Worst floods ever recorded in the Balkans, which triggered thousands of landslides, have devastated large swathes of Bosnia, Serbia, and Croatia, destroying or damaging more than 100,000 homes, thousands of other buildings and much of the public infrastructure.

The disasters killed dozens of people across the Balkans; however, the death toll might rise because about 600 people are missing or unaccounted for in Serbia.

Tens of thousands of animals also perished in the disasters, creating a very serious health risk for populations in the devastated areas.

Rotting animal carcasses, food and waste in rising temperatures pose a serious risk of contaminating ground and surface waters.

Serbia’s government has made an appeal for disinfectants, quicklime, chlorine bleach and protection gear.

In Bosnia, there is the added danger posed by hundreds of thousands of landmines left over from the Bosnian War (1992-95) that may have been moved by the floodwaters and landslides from marked minefields.

Cost of Damage

Based on the latest damage data available, FIRE-EARTH Models estimate the total cost of damage caused by the historic flooding and landslides across the Balkans at more than $6 billion.

Related Links, Latest Historic Floods

• Balkan Storm Damage Tops $6 Billion: FIRE-EARTH May 21, 2014
• Mass Evacuations as Floods Submerge Towns in Croatia May 19, 2014
• ‘Terrifying’ Floods Affect 1,000,000 Bosnians May 19, 2014
• Balkan Historic Flood Disaster Update May 17, 2014
• Historic Flooding Turns Deadly in Serbia, Bosnia  May 15, 2014
• ‘Historic’ Flooding Submerges Pensacola, FL  April 30, 2014

Other Disasters, States of Emergency

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, has declared a State of Emergency following widespread damage caused by flooding storms on May 12.

At least 736 homes have reported flood damage in Summit County, with nine of the homes suffering significant structural damage, according to the Falls Mayor.

Siberian Irkutsk region has declared a state of emergency after forest fires spread to local villages, prompting mass evacuations.

Some 77 forest fires have consumed more than 40,000 hectares of land in the region.

Hundreds of people have been evacuated from the village of Dalny, where fires have destroyed two dozen homes, the the Emergency Situations Ministry said, Interfax reported.

Major AZ Wildfire Threatens Hundreds of Homes

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
DROUGHT
MAJOR WILDFIRES
MASS EVACUATIONS
SCENARIO 101
.

Ferocious AZ wildfire forces evacuations, thousands more on pre-evacuation notice

The Slide Fire wildfire is burning in Oak Creek Canyon north of Slide Rock State Park, consuming about 6,000 acres.

“Closures include Highway 89A from Sedona to Fort Tuthill in Flagstaff and Forest Road 535 off Highway 89A. Power has been shut off by APS from Slide Rock, north through the canyon,” said fire officials.

Up to 3-mile stretch of area north of Slide Rock State Park has been evacuated, as well as the East Pocket Forest Service Lookout Tower. Evacuees are being relocated to Sinagua Middle School in Flagstaff.

Fire behavior is said to be “extreme.”

Slide Fire (Oak Creek Canyon Overlook). Members of the Carson Hotshots and Mormon Lake Hotshots coordinate retardant drops on the Slide Fire in Oak Creek Canyon. The helicopter can be seen in the background making its drop. Taken on 5/22/14 by Brady Smith. Credit: U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest.

Additional Evacuations: Coconino County has issued a pre-evacuation notices to residents of Kachina Village and Forest Highlands subdivisions, advising thousands of residents to be prepared to evacuate at  short notice. “County Emergency Management encourages those in the affected neighborhoods to begin packing important items they may need for several days. These items include prescriptions, important papers, any special dietary needs and pets.”

Current Resources: Some 840 personnel including 15 hotshot crews, 33 engines, three air tankers, five helicopters, two air attack, and other resources have so far been deployed.

Other Large, Active Fires in Arizona

• Skunk Fire Wildfire,  38,259 acres, 27 miles east of San Carlos, burning since April 19, 2014.

• Barlow Fire Wildfire, 1,482 5 acres, 30 miles east of San Carlos, burning since May 17.