State of Disaster Declared in Nine Texas Counties amid Floods

Violent storms dump 460mm of rain on Houston, Texas triggering massive floods

Extreme weather events and severe flooding that began on April 17, 2016, and that continues, has caused a disaster in Austin, Bastrop, Colorado, Fort Bend, Grimes, Harris, Montgomery, Waller and Wharton counties, said Texas Gov., proclaiming a state of disaster for those areas.

At least a half dozen people have died in weather-related incidents.

NWS forecasters have warned rivers would crest later this week, flooding downstream areas.

More heavy rain will occur across the central and southern Plains, causing a risk for flash flood and river flooding. Severe storms and an isolated tornado are possible across south Texas. Snow will continue over parts of the Central Rockies and the Northern/Central High Plains. Additional heavy accumulations are possible. [NWS]

Chile Floods Leave 4 Million People Without Drinking Water

Red Alert issued in Santiago as heavy rains pound Chile and Uruguay unleashing severe flooding

An estimated 4 million people without drinking water, as torrential rains triggered severe flooding and major landslides and rivers breached their banks, polluting the drinking water  in the capital Santiago, according to reports.

More than four million Chileans are without drinking water, with seven million in the capital under threat, as tap water production falls to 35 percent of normal, the report said.

Violent storms deluge Uruguay

Extreme rain events have plagued central parts of South America, causing severe flooding in Uruguay, and prompting the authorities to declare a state of emergency.

Widespread devastation and multiple fatalities have been reported across the Andean country, with thousands of people left homeless.

At least one tornado has left four people dead in the town of Delores, 250km northwest of the capital, Montevideo.

Up to 190mm of rainfall in 24 hours has been reported in central Uruguay.

 

Volcanoes Awakening Globally by Strong Seismicity

ILT

Interesting times: 25 volcanoes firing

Popocatépetl volcano erupts again shooting ash 3km into the sky

The 5,426-meter stratovolcano, Mexico’s most active volcano, erupted overnight ejecting a large column of ash into the air and spewing lava.

• Earlier Event

The latest eruption forced the authorities to close Puebla airport, located east of the volcano, urging residents to wear masks and avoid inhaling volcanic ash.

About 25 million people live within a 100-kilometer radius of the active volcano.

Popocatépetl Volcano (“smoking mountain” in Aztec) is North America’s 2nd-highest volcano. The massive stratovolcano stands 5,450m high and lies about 65 kilometers (40 miles)  southeast of  Mexico City (19.023°N, 98.622°W) in the eastern segment of the Trans-Mexican volcanic belt.

Latest Volcanic Eruptions/ Recent Activity [AZ]

• Aso (Kyushu, Japan)
• Cleveland (Alaska)
• Kerinci (Indonesia)
• Klyuchevskoy (C. Kamchatka, Russia)
• Langila (New Britain – PNG)
• Pavlof (Alaska)
• Popocatepetl (Mexico)
• Sangay (Ecuador)
• Villarrica (Chile)

Ongoing Activity

• Aira Kyushu (Japan)
• Alaid (Kuril Islands, Russia)
• Chirpoi (Kuril Islands, Russia)
• Colima (Mexico)
• Dukono (Halmahera, Indonesia)
• Fuego (Guatemala)
• Karymsky (E. Kamchatka,Russia)
• Kilauea (Hawaii)
• Masaya (Nicaragua)
• Momotombo (Nicaragua)
• Sheveluch (C. Kamchatka, Russia)
• Sinabung (Indonesia)
• Soputan (Sulawesi, Indonesia)
• Telica (Nicaragua)
• Tengger Caldera (E. Java, Indonesia)
• Zhupanovsky (E. Kamchatka, Russia)

[Sources: AVO, HVO, USGS, CENAPRED, GVP and others.]