Special Broadcast – FIRE-EARTH – MDS

CJ Members

Special Broadcast on FIRE-EARTH TODAY!

Tune into FIRE-EARTH Channel for a special broadcast titled “MDS” TODAY (Sunday, May 31, 2015) at the following times:

• 18:32, 20:32 and 23:32 UTC.

Saudi-led Coalition Using Same Cluster Munition in Yemen as ISIS Fired in Syria

Saudi Arabia first used cluster bombs on Houthis in 2009: HRW

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released new evidence contending the Saudi-led coalition has been dropping  internationally-banned cluster bombs on Yemenis population.

Four civilians, including a young boy, were wounded on April 29 in Baqim, a village near the Saudi border, when unexploded submunitions detonated after local residents picked them up. HRW identified the weapon as a type of ground-fired cluster munition containing “ZP-39” submunitions, which has a distinctive red ribbon.

• The cluster munition dropped by Saudi-led coalition aircraft  near al-Amar was the CBU-105 Sensor Fuzed Weapon.
• In addition, photographs and information from local residents indicate that Saudi-led coalition aircraft dropped a third type of cluster munition, bombs containing BLU-97 submunitions, in at least two attacks in Saada governorate on May 23.

“Human Rights Watch … has documented that Islamic State forces (also known as ISIS) fired the same weapon, whose submunition was marked ‘ZP-39,’ in northern Syria in September 2014,” said the report.

The HRW report is posted online, here.

Yemen: Deteriorating Humanitarian Crisis Situation Report No. 9 (as of 29 May 2015)

Highlights of UN OCHA Report

• The humanitarian situation in the SW governorates of Aden, Lahj, Taizz, and Al Dhale’e continues to deteriorate at an alarming rate, as violence increases and basic services grind to a halt.
• The northern governorates of Sa’ada, Hajjah and Amran face increasing levels of displacement due to airstrikes. Insecurity has limited access and the provision of assistance.
• The death toll reached 1,976; 27 May was the deadliest day so far with reports of at least 80 people killed and 300 injured. The conflict is now entering its third month.

• People in need: 15.9m
• Internally displaced: 545,719
• Registered deaths resulting from conflict: 1,976
• Registered injuries resulting from conflict: 8,034
• People who have become food insecure since escalation of conflict: 1.4m [UN OCHA]

Terrorists Fed by Saudi Royals’ Hatred for Shia Muslims

Meantime, the Saudi division of the Islamic State terrorists group has called on all jihadist to cleanse the Arabian Peninsula of Shia Muslims in an audio recording, said a US-based ISIS monitoring group, SITE.

A representative of Najd Province, a division of the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/DAESH) has called on Sunni Saudi youths to join the group, fend off the “Shia threat” and “purify the land” of the “disbelievers and apostates,” said the report.

The terrorist group has reportedly claimed responsibility for the May-22 suicide bombing of a Shi’ite mosque in the town of al-Qadeeh, Qatif province, which killed at least 21 people and wounded more than 50 other worshipers.

The local ISIS terrorists have also claimed responsibility for bombing another Shi’ite mosque in the Saudi port city of Dammam on Friday, May 29, 2015.

A suicide bomber, reportedly disguised as a woman, blew himself up in the parking lot of the mosque during Friday prayers, killing at least four people.

Significant Aftershock Strikes Japan Region

M 6.3 aftershock strikes Izu Islands

Centered at 30.7N, 143.0E, about 625km SSE of Tokyo, the shock occurred at a depth of 10km, according to Japan weather agency.

EQ Details
Magnitude: 6.3Mw  (JMA)
Location: 30.7N, 143.0E  depth=10km
Date/Time: 31 May 2015 at 03:49 JST (UTC + 9.0 hrs)

Related Links

• M8.5 Quake Strikes Ogasawara Islands, Japan May 30, 2015

Oddest in Odessa

Former Georgian President  Saakashvili appointed as governor of Odessa region, Ukraine

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has been appointed as the governor of Odessa region [Poroshenko’s home province,] according to Ukraine News Agency.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko expressed hope that Saakashvili can successfully fight corruption in his new post.

“This is the person who is able to materialize ideas and who changed his country [Georgia] in the transparency, efficiency, anticorruption areas, attracting new investors, establishing fair court, protecting rights of citizens and democracy and whom I want to see in Ukraine—this is Mikheil Saakashvili,” he said, introducing Saakashvili as the new head of Odessa Regional Administration to the regional officials.

[When asked if he was aware of an outstanding arrest warrant against Saakashvili, Poroshenko did not reply.]

A Tblisi Court issued arrest warrants for former president Saakashvili and 4 of his aides, including former defense minister David Kezerashvili and former prosecutor general Zurab Adeishvili, in August 2014 on charges of abuse of power, using excessive force against protesters in Tbilisi in November 2007 and a raid on the independent TV station Imedi that had criticized the government.

He also faces corruption charges. The court froze both Saakashvili’s and his family’s assets in Georgia, including bank accounts and properties.

Saakashvili, now a fugitive, fled his native Georgia just before his presidency was about to end in November 2013.

“US Congressmen John McCain and Michael Turner requested Interpol not to issue an international arrest warrant against Saakashvili,” said a report.

However, international arrest warrants were issued for Adeishvili and Kezerashvili. Former Tbilisi Mayor, Gigi Ugulava, “was arrested and remanded in custody in early July on suspicion of money-laundering and using budget funds to finance the ENM parliamentary election campaign in 2012,” said  a report.

Major Disaster Declared for State of Texas

Texas Declared Federal Disaster Area

Texas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (DR-4223)

The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Texas in the areas affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding during the period beginning on May 4, 2015 and continuing.

Areas worst affected by the deadly weather events, severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding, include Cooke, Gaines, Grimes, Harris, Hays, Navarro, and Van Zandt counties.

The damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and additional counties may be designated for assistance after the assessments are fully complete, said the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations.

This is the 19th Major Disaster Declaration proclaimed for the contiguous U.S., so far this year.

Extreme Weather Events

The extreme weather events have caused historic flooding and spawned tornadoes killing at least 24 people in the Lone Star State and destroying or damaging thousands of homes and vehicles, since May 5.

Governor Abbott expanded his Disaster Proclamation of May 11, 2015, declaring States of Disaster in 70 Texas counties on Friday.

Related Links

• Major Disaster Declared for Oklahoma May 27, 2015
• Major Disaster Declared for West Virginia – (4th major disaster in 2 months) May 22, 2015
• Federal Disaster Declarations
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

M8.5 Quake Strikes Ogasawara Islands, Japan

Correction

Powerful earthquake rocks Bonin Islands, Japan

Centered at 27.9N, 140.8E the quake struck at a depth of 590km, according to Japan’s weather agency.

The quake registered up to ‘Upper 5′ on Japan’s seismicity scale of 1 to 7 in the Tokyo area. The epicenter of the quake was about 875km south of Tokyo, Japan.

Tsunami Evaluation: NO Pacific-wide destructive tsunami generated by this quake.

M7.8 Quake Strikes Offshore Japan

M7.8 quake strikes 189km WNW of Chichi-shima, Japan

27.831°N 140.493°E depth=677.6 km (421.0 mi)

Texas Disaster Declaration Again Expanded

CORRECTION

States of Disaster Declared in 70 Texas Counties

Texas governor has now declared States of Disaster in 70 counties, as severe weather and deadly flash flooding leave trails of death and destruction across the state.

Governor Abbott has expanded his Disaster Proclamation of May 11, 2015, certifying that the extreme weather events, including severe weather, tornadoes and flooding, that began on May 4,2015, has now caused a disaster in 70 Texas counties, said the Executive Clerk to the Governor.

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME: 

I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, issued Emergency Disaster Proclamations on May 11, May 15, May 25 and May 26, 2015, certifying that the severe weather, tornado and flooding event that began on May 4, 2015, has caused a disaster in many Texas counties.  Severe weather, tornadoes and flooding continue in these and other counties in Texas.

THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I hereby amend these aforementioned proclamations and declare a disaster in Angelina, Archer, Bastrop, Blanco, Bosque, Bowie, Burleson, Caldwell, Cass, Cherokee, Clay, Collin, Comal, Cooke, Denton, Dewitt, Eastland, Edwards, Ellis, Fannin, Fayette, Gaines, Garza, Gillespie, Grayson, Grimes, Guadalupe, Harris, Harrison, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hill, Hood, Houston, Jasper, Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lamar, Leon, Liberty, Lynn, Madison, Milam, Montague, Navarro, Newton, Nueces, Parker, Real, Red River, Refugio, Rusk, Sabine, San Jacinto, Smith, Travis, Tyler, Uvalde, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Wharton, Wichita, Williamson, Wilson, Wise and Zavala counties.

The initial Disaster Proclamation was for 13 counties, amended twice previously to include first a total of 37 and then 46 counties (see below links).

Meantime, a quasi-stationery storm system dumped more than 15cm (6 inches) of rain across North Texas overnight. Collin County recorded 17.4cm (6.85in) of rain.

This week’s deadly storms dumped about 3.86 bbls (162 billion gallons) of water on the Houston area, destroying or damaging thousands of homes, washing away roads and cars and causing flooding across much of Houston.

PRECIPITATION DATA for May 1 – 28
Station: Houston International
Total Rainfall: 35cm (13.59in)
Departure from Normal: 23cm (9.01in)
Greatest 24hr: 13.0cm (5.11in) on May 25-26
[National Weather Service, NWS]

Oklahoma Gov. amends Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency for all 77 counties

“In light of continued storm and flooding damage over the weekend, Governor Fallin today amended an executive order declaring a state of emergency in 44 counties to a statewide emergency declaration. All 77 counties are now in a state of emergency. Under the executive order, state agencies can make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to expedite the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions,” said a statement issued by her office on Tuesday.

The storms, flooding and tornadoes have killed at least 40 across Texas, Oklahoma and  the Mexican city of Ciudad Acuna, with more than a dozen people still unaccounted for.

Related Links

• Deadly Weather in Texas Destroys/ Damages Thousands of Homes May 27, 2015
• Texas Declares States of Disaster in 24 Additional Counties May 26, 2015

FIRE-EARTH EARTHQUAKE FORECAST – Alaska

FIRE-EARTH EARTHQUAKE FORECAST

Major Earthquake measuring up to 8.8Mw could strike Alaska Peninsula

FIRE-EARTH Models show a mega earthquake measuring up to magnitude 8.8Mw could strike Alaska Peninsula between now and June 2015 with a probability of 0.7.

Forecast Details

Magnitude: 8.8Mw
Depth: 18km
Time: May – June 2015
Region: Alaska Peninsula
Probability: 0.7

Strong Earthquake Strikes Alaska – Update

M6.8 quake strikes NNW of Chirikof Island, Alaska

Centered at 56.694°N, 156.530°W (111km NNW of Chirikof Island, Alaska) the quake struck at a depth of , USGS/EHP reported.

Tsunami Evaluation: This quake did NOT generate a destructive tsunami.
Aftershocks: No significant aftershocks reported, as of posting.

EQ Details
Magnitude: 6.8Mw [USGS/EHP]
Location: 56.694°N, 156.530°W; depth=61.7 km
Time: 2015-05-29 at 07:00:08 (UTC)
Distances:

• 111km (69mi) NNW of Chirikof Island, Alaska
• 631km (392mi) SW of Anchorage, Alaska
• 1024km (636mi) SSW of Fairbanks, Alaska

 

 

 

Strong Earthquake Strikes Alaska

M6.8 quake strikes NNW of Chirikof Island, Alaska

Volcano Erupts 160km S. of Sendai Nuke Plant

Japan’s Mt. Shindake erupts prompting highest level alert on Kuchinoerabujima island

Officials are considering evacuation of about 150 residents of the small island of Kuchinoerabujima, reported NHK.

The explosion was followed by a pyroclastic flow of super-heated volcanic matter which swept down the side of the mountain and reached the ocean, NHK said.

It’s unclear whether the eruption and recent earthquakes in the region, or anything short of another direct nuclear catastrophe, would affect the restart of Kyushu Electric’s Sendai nuclear power plant, which the nuclear regulator cleared on Wednesday.

Shindake erupted about 10:00am local time, ejecting a large plume of black smoke and ash into the air, promoting the weather agency to issued a level-five warning for the area, the highest on its scale, and advising evacuations.

The Kuchinoerabujima island [area of 38.04km², population of 149 persons] is located about 160km south of the Sendai nuclear plant, on Japan’s southernmost main island of Kyushu.

EQ Details (recent seismic activity)

• M4.8 quake strikes 10km ESE of Makurazaki, Japan 2015-05-27 at 01:51:25 UTC depth=150.2 km (USGS/EHP)
• M4.5 quake 4km E of Makurazaki, Japan 2015-05-24 at 00:09:38 UTC depth=161.7 km (USGS/EHP)
• M4.0 quake strikes Fukuoka pref. (33.0N, 130.5E) 27 May 2015-05-27 at 16:11 JST (UTC + 9 hrs.)  depth=10 km  (JMA)
• M5.2 quake 24km NNE of Naze (28.573°N 129.567°E), Japan 2015-05-22 at 13:28:49 UTC Depth=35.9 km

Current Volcanic Alerts in the Region (JMA)

• Kuchinoerabujima, Level 5 (Evacuate)   10:07 JST, 29 May 2015
• Sakurajima,  Level 3 Alert ,  since 21 March 2012
• Asosan,  Level 2 Alert (Do not approach the crater) since 30 August 2014
• Kirishimayama (Shinmoedake),  Level 2 Alert,  since 22 October 2013
• Suwanosejima, Level 2  Alert, since 01 December 2007
• Kirishimayama,  volcano is potentially active, since 01 May 2015

Related Links

• Quakes Strike North and South of Sendai Nuclear Power Plant May 27, 2015

 

India Home to 194 Million Hungry People—Highest Number Globally

Hungry: 795 million people, or one in nine—UN Hunger Report

India is home to the highest number of hungry people in the world, at 194 million, surpassing China, says the United Nations annual hunger report.

The number of hungry people in China are 133.8 million in 2014-15, says the report.

Countries with more than 40 percent of the populations undernourished:

Zambia: 7.4 million people or 47.8 % of the population
Central African Republic: 2.3 million or 47.7 %
Namibia: 1 million or 42.3 %
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea: 10.5 million or 41.6 %

The number of hungry people globally has declined from about 1 billion 1990 to about 795 million this year, despite a surge in population growth, according to the report.

However, the Moderators were unable to independently verify the figures in the United Nations’ annual hunger report, which is published jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the World Food Program.

Crop Disasters Declared in Nevada, Utah

Drought destroys more crops in 11 areas across two states

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 11 additional areas (10 counties and Carson City) across two states—Nevada and Utah—as crop disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by ongoing drought.

Crop disasters have  occurred in the following areas:

• Nevada.  Storey, Lyon, Lincoln, Washoe counties and Carson City.
• Utah. Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Millard, Piute and Sevier counties.

Crop Disasters 2015

Beginning January 7, 2015 USDA has declared crop disasters in at least an 1,209 counties (and county-equivalent areas) across 20 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

Majority of the 2015 crop disaster designations so far are due to drought.

Crop Disasters 2014

In 2014, USDA declared crop disasters in at least 2,904 counties across 44 states. Most of the designations were due to drought.

Those states were:

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan. Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. [FIRE-EARTH has documented all of the above listings. See blog content.]

Notes:
i. USDA trigger point for a countywide disaster declaration is 30 percent crop loss on at least one crop.

ii. The counties designated as agricultural disaster areas, as listed above, include both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

iii. Some counties may have been designated as crop disaster areas more than once due to multiple disasters.

iv. The U.S. has a total of 3,143 counties and county-equivalents.

v. The disaster designations posted above were approved by USDA on May 27, 2015 and posted on their website as two separate declarations.

Related Links

• Crop Disasters Declared in 4 States  May 21, 2015
• Drought Destroys More Crops in CO, ID, OR, TX, UT May 14, 2015
• Drought Destroys more Crops in ID, NV, OR, UT May 7, 2015
• Federal Disasters
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Mass Die-off: 40 pct of Kazakhstan’s Saiga Antelope Died in 16 Days

More than 120,000 saiga carcasses found in Kazakhstan since May 11: Agriculture Ministry

Mass deaths of saiga antelope have been reported in Kostanai, Aktobe and Akmola regions of Kazakhstan. An emergency situation has been declared in northern Kazakhstan.

Carcasses of dead antelopes litter the ground in the Zholoba area of the Kostanai region. Agriculture Ministry

The saiga antelope, classified as critically endangered, have been around since the Ice Age.

Excerpts from Internet translation of the Ministry’s website:

The Ministry of Agriculture has held a special meeting to identify the causes of mass deaths of the saiga antelope in Kostanai, Aktobe and Akmola regions.

Work on the disposal of saiga antelopes in Kostanai and Aktobe regions has been completed. Counting is carried out at the burial of dead animals. It should be noted that the mass deaths of calving saiga occurred  in Kostanai region, which is not a permanent habitat for the saiga. Winter saiga live in the southern regions of the country, but with the onset of spring they migrated north. Thus 90% of the total number of the dead wildlife are female.

According to the latest data, an additional 8,502 carcasses were disposed in Zharkainskom and Zhaksynskom areas of Akmola region. Arrangements for monitoring the state of wildlife and to identify the causes of mortality continue.

According to the Kazakhstan Association of Biodiversity (ACBK), there were more than 300,000 saiga antelope in Kazakhstan in 2014, about 50,000 heads more than there were in 2013.

Quakes Strike North and South of Sendai Nuclear Power Plant

Earthquakes strike as Japan nuclear regulator clears two-reactor Sendai NPP

Two quakes struck about 55km south of Sendai NPP, USGS/EHP reported. A third quake  occurred [about 60km] north of the plant, according to Japan weather agency (JMA).

Japan’s nuclear regulators said Wednesday that Kyushu Electric Power Co’s that the two reactors at Sendai nuclear plant had cleared “safety hurdles,” according to reports.

Kyushu Electric company is planning to restart the Sendai No. 1 reactor in late July, and the No. 2 reactor in late September 2015 despite public opposition.

In April, a Kyushu court rejected a legal bid by residents to block the resumption of power generation at Sendai despite the potential threats posed by nearby volcanoes.

EQ Details

• M4.8 quake strikes 10km ESE of Makurazaki, Japan 2015-05-27 at 01:51:25 UTC depth=150.2 km (USGS/EHP)
• M4.5 quake 4km E of Makurazaki, Japan 2015-05-24 at 00:09:38 UTC depth=161.7 km (USGS/EHP)
• M4.0 quake strikes Fukuoka pref. (33.0N, 130.5E) 27 May 2015-05-27 at 16:11 JST (UTC + 9 hrs.)  depth=10 km  (JMA)

Current Volcanic Alerts in the Region (JMA)

• Kuchinoerabujima, Level 3 Alert (Do not approach the volcano), since 07 August 2014
• Sakurajima,  Level 3 Alert ,  since 21 March 2012
• Asosan,  Level 2 Alert (Do not approach the crater) since 30 August 2014
• Kirishimayama (Shinmoedake),  Level 2 Alert,  since 22 October 2013
• Suwanosejima, Level 2  Alert, since 01 December 2007
• Kirishimayama,  volcano is potentially active, since 01 May 2015

Wildfires Force Mass Evacuation of Alberta Oil Sands Staff

Wildfires force suspension of tenth of Alberta’s oil sands output

Statoil Canada, MEG Energy  and Cenovus Energy have evacuated hundreds of oil sands staff from three projects—Christina Lake, Narrows Lake and  Leismer—in NE Alberta, as raging wildfires threaten the major oil-producing region.

“At least 233,000 barrels per day of oil sands production, nine per cent of Alberta’s total oil sands output, has been suspended in Alberta’s northeast because of the fire risk, said a report.

ALBERTA WILDFIRE Update – May 26, 2015 @ 10:00hrs

• At least 19 out-of-control wildfires and 50 other forest fires are raging across the province, as of update, A total of 55 wildfires were sparked on Monday, most by lightning.
• States of Emergency have been declared for several towns due to the fires.
• A 200-hectare wildfire forced evacuation of approximately 5,000 residents of Wabasca.
• The fiercest fires include
  1. 10km  from the hamlet of Wabasca.
  2. 22km east of Slave Lake (see also Slave Lake Hit by Back-to-Back Disasters).
  3. 40km  NW of Cold Lake (see also Another Dark Day for Global Climate, Environment).
• Alberta has experienced 687 wildfires that have burned 18,435.22 hectares between April 1 and May 26, 2015, according to the latest government update.
• Officials have evacuated several towns threatened by fires throughout the province.
• Alberta has deployed more than 1,300 wildland fire crews and about 100 aircraft to control the fires.
• Alberta has declared a province-wide fire ban.

Deadly Weather in Texas Destroys/ Damages Thousands of Homes

States of Disaster declared for 46 Texas counties

Deadly weather has killed at least 20 people in Texas and Oklahoma and left more than a dozen missing, said reports.

Gov. Abbott Extends the Disaster Declaration

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:

I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, issued Emergency Disaster Proclamations on May 11, May 15 and May 25, 2015, certifying that the severe weather, tornado and flooding event that began on May 4, 2015, has caused a disaster in many Texas counties. Severe weather, tornadoes and flooding continue in these and other counties in Texas.

THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I hereby amend my proclamations of May 11, May 15 and May 25, 2015, and declare a disaster in Archer, Bastrop, Blanco, Bosque, Bowie, Caldwell, Cass, Clay, Collin, Comal, Cooke, Denton, Dewitt, Eastland, Fannin, Gaines, Garza, Grayson, Grimes, Guadalupe, Harris, Harrison, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hill, Hood, Houston, Jasper, Johnson, Kendall, Montague, Navarro, Newton, Nueces, Parker, Red River, San Jacinto, Smith, Van Zandt, Walker, Wichita, Williamson, Wilson, Wise, and Zavala counties.

Tsunami-like walls of water have destroyed homes and swept away people over the weekend in Central Texas.

“A record surge 44 feet high sped down the Blanco River late Sunday, demolishing homes and businesses, Hays County Commissioner Will Conley said. The previous record on the river was 32 feet, recorded in 1926,” said a report.

Floodwaters submerged large areas of Houston, the fourth-largest city in the US, destroying or damaging more than 4,000 homes.

At least 4,000 properties have sustained “significant damage,” local media reported the Mayor Annise Parker as saying.

Dozens of homes in in Hays County have been completely destroyed and more than 1,400 others damaged, said reports.

Oklahoma Gov. amends Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency for all 77 counties

“In light of continued storm and flooding damage over the weekend, Governor Fallin today amended an executive order declaring a state of emergency in 44 counties to a statewide emergency declaration. All 77 counties are now in a state of emergency. Under the executive order, state agencies can make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to expedite the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions,” said a statement issued by her office.

More severe storms, bringing additional rain, hail and tornadoes, are forecast to pound Oklahoma and Texas this week.

Twister devastates Mexican city of Ciudad Acuna

The Mexican city of Ciudad Acuna was devastated by a tornado which struck early Monday, killing at least 13 people.

The twister destroyed up to 800 homes (destruction toll varies between 200 and 800 properties) and damaged thousands more buildings.

The twister was the first ever to hit Ciudad Acuna since the city was founded more than 100 years ago, local media quoted the Mayor as saying.

Major Disaster Declared for Oklahoma

Oklahoma Declared Federal Disaster Area

Oklahoma Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (DR-4222)

The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Oklahoma and in the areas affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of May 5-10, 2015.

The areas worst affected by the disasters include Cleveland, Grady, and Oklahoma counties.

Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments, said the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations.

This is the 18th Major Disaster Declaration proclaimed for the contiguous U.S., so far this year.

Related Links

• Major Disaster Declared for West Virginia – (4th major disaster in 2 months) May 22, 2015
• Federal Disaster Declarations
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Road-melting Heat Kills at least 800 across India

Death toll mounts in India’s near 50-degree heat

An intense heatwave has killed at least 806 people across India melting roads in the capital New Delhi as temperatures approach 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees).

Official death toll is as follows (the real toll may be much higher).
In the worst-hit state of Andhra Pradesh, in the south, 551 people have died over the past week with temperatures exceeding 47ºC on Monday.

In the bordering state of Telangana, at least 231 people have died, with temperatures reported in excess of 48ºC over the weekend.

The heatwave has also killed 11 people in the western state of Orissa, and 13 others in the eastern state of West Bengal.

Meantime, India’s Meteorological Department has issued a “Red Box” warning for several states on Tuesday and Wednesday, forecasting maximum temperatures above 45ºC.

Maximum temperature in the capital reached a high of 45.5ºC on Monday, some five degrees above the seasonal average.

National High and Low Temperature (for the contiguous U.S.)
NWS Weather Prediction Center, College Park, MD
Issued 8 am EDT Tuesday, May 26, 2015

High Temperature for Monday, May 25, 2015

• 39ºC  (102 degrees) at Death Valley, CA

Low Temperature for Tuesday, May 26, 2015

• -1ºC (31 degrees) at Grants-Milan, NM

Texas Declares States of Disaster in 24 Additional Counties

Gov. Abbott Adds 24 Counties To Disaster Declaration

The governor of Texas has declared States of Disaster in 24 additional counties, bringing the total to 37, as severe weather and deadly flash flooding leave trails of destruction across the state.

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:

I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, issued an Emergency Disaster Proclamation on May 11, 2015, certifying that the severe weather, tornado and flooding event that began on May 4, 2015, has caused a disaster in Bosque, Clay, Denton, Eastland, Gaines, Montague and Van Zandt counties in the State of Texas. On May 15, 2015, I amended my proclamation of May 11, 2015, to include Cooke, Grimes, Hood, Navarro, Smith and Wise counties. Severe weather, tornadoes and flooding continue in these and other counties in Texas.

THEREFORE, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby declare a state of disaster in Archer, Bastrop, Bosque, Caldwell, Cass, Clay, Collin, Cooke, Denton, Dewitt, Eastland, Fannin, Gaines, Grayson, Grimes, Harrison, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hill, Hood, Houston, Jasper, Johnson, Kendall, Montague, Navarro, Newton, Nueces, Parker, San Jacinto, Smith, Van Zandt, Walker, Wichita, Wilson and Wise counties.

At least 5 people have been killed in Texas and Oklahoma, and more than a dozen are missing.

“This is the biggest flood this area of Texas has ever seen,” said Abbott.

“It is absolutely massive,” he said, describing the relentless power of the wave of water as “tsunami-like.”

The Lone Star State has also been pounded by tornadoes, heavy rain and thunderstorms that have forced mass evacuations.

Meantime, a 9-pm to 7-am curfew in Wimberley and San Marcos was extended for a second night on Monday, said Hays County officials.

Tornado kills 13 in Mexico-Texas border city

A tornado has swept through Ciudad Acuna, a city of 125,000 across from Del Rio, Texas, destroying homes and tossing cars. At least 13 people were killed, and five others reported as missing, officials said.

The twister, which has destroyed or damaged about 800 homes, was the first ever to hit Ciudad Acuna since the city was founded more than 100 years ago, local media quoted the Mayor as saying.

 

Deadly Heatwave Kills Hundreds in India

Temperatures approach 50ºC (122ºF) in parts of India

An intense heatwave has reportedly killed at least 500 people in India, with temperatures approaching 50ºC in some areas.

Most of the deaths have occurred in the southern states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, said local media, with a dozen fatalities reported in the eastern state of West Bengal.

• Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh recorded 48ºC.
• Delhi, the Indian Capital, recorded 44ºC.
• Most of the recorded fatalities have occurred as a result of extreme dehydration and heatstroke.

Significant Quake Strikes Near Tokyo

M5.6 Earthquake strikes north of Tokyo, Japan

Centered at 36.1N, 139.6E the quake struck at a depth of about 50km, the local weather agency reported.

EQ Details [JMA]

• Magnitude: 5.6
• Location: 36.1N, 139.6E; depth=50km
• Region: Saitama prefecture (about 32km N of Tokyo, Japan)
• Date/Time: 14:28 JST (UTC + 9hrs) on May 25, 2015

The quake was felt throughout Japan’s main island of Honshu.

Texas Judge Declares Hays County a Disaster Area

Flooding in Texas leaves more than 1,300 homes damaged or destroyed

Flooding in Texas town of San Marcos [pop: ~ 55,000] has left more than 1,300 homes damaged or destroyed, prompting the Hays County Judge to issue a disaster declaration.

“Once they told me the extent of damage and potential damage, we declared it a disaster area,” Judge Dr. Bert Cobb was quoted as saying.

“The flow and height is double what [it] was when it was at its highest in 1929,” said San Marcos Emergency Management Commander, describing the Blanco River that flows through San Marcos, said a report.

[The river crested at more than 13m (43ft), about 10m above the flood stage, and 2.1m higher than the 1929 record.]

At least three people have been killed and several reported as missing in flash flooding and severe storms across the region, officials said late on Sunday.

A man was killed in the floods that inundated San Marcos, and two others lost their lives in Oklahoma.

Thousands of people have been evacuated across the region.

Earlier, State of Disaster declared was also declared in Caldwell County, Texas as San Marcos River threatened to inundate the area.

A State of Emergency was declared for 44 Oklahoma counties on Saturday.

Severe weather in Houston caused an apartment building to collapse, injuring at least two people and severely damaging 10 of the 41 units, said the Houston Fire Department.

More severe weather and flooding rains possible on Memorial Day

Widespread strong to severe storms will be possible again on Memorial Day from south Texas across the Plains into the Midwest. Isolated tornadoes, damaging winds and hail are all possible especially across much of Texas. In addition, moderate to heavy rainfall is forecast for parts of Texas, increasing the flash and river flooding concerns with an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain possible. [Source: NWS]

 

Related Links

• Mass Evacuations Ordered as Texas, Oklahoma Floods Worsen May 24, 2015

Texas Judge Declares County a Disaster Area

Flooding in Texas leaves more than 1,300 homes damaged or destroyed

Flooding in San Marcos [pop: ~ 55,000] has left more than 1,300 homes damaged or destroyed, prompting the Hays County Judge to issue a disaster declaration.

“Once they told me the extent of damage and potential damage, we declared it a disaster area,” Judge Dr. Bert Cobb was quoted as saying.

“The flow and height is double what [it] was when it was at its highest in 1929,” said San Marcos Emergency Management Commander, describing the Blanco River that flows through San Marcos, said a report.

[The river crested more than 13m (43ft), about 10m above the flood stage, and 2.1m higher than the 1929 record.]

At least two people have been killed in flash flooding and severe storms in the region, one each in Texas and Oklahoma, officials said on Sunday.

Earlier, State of Disaster declared was also declared in Caldwell County, Texas as San Marcos River threatened to inundate the area.

A State of Emergency was declared for 44 Oklahoma counties on Saturday.

More severe weather and flooding rains possible on Memorial Day

Widespread strong to severe storms will be possible again on Memorial Day from south Texas across the Plains into the Midwest. Isolated tornadoes, damaging winds and hail are all possible especially across much of Texas. In addition, moderate to heavy rainfall is forecast for parts of Texas, increasing the flash and river flooding concerns with an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain possible. [Source: NWS]

 

Related Links

• Mass Evacuations Ordered as Texas, Oklahoma Floods Worsen May 24, 2015