Federal Disaster Declared for New Jersey

New Jersey Declared Major Disaster Area

New Jersey Severe Storm (DR-4231)

The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the State of New Jersey in the areas affected by a severe storm on June 23, 2015. 

The areas that were worst affected by the extreme weather event include the counties of Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester.

Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the territory and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

This is the 27th Major Disaster Declaration [DR 4205-4231] proclaimed for a U.S. state/territory, so far this year. Additionally, the federal government has also issued seven Fire Management Assistance Declarations for the year to date, as of posting.

Fire Management Assistance Declarations (2015)

[FM-5090] 07/20/2015 Washington Blue Creek Fire
[FM-5089] 07/20/2015 California North Fire
[FM-5088] 07/06/2015 Idaho Cape Horn Fire
[FM-5087] 06/29/2015 Washington Sleepy Hollow Fire
[FM-5086] 06/17/2015 Arizona Kearney River Fire
[FM-5085] 06/16/2015 Alaska Card Street Fire
[FM-5084] 06/15/2015 Alaska Sockeye Fire

Related Links

• Federal Disaster Declared for Kansas [DR-4230] July 21, 2015
• Federal Disaster Declared for Colorado [DR-4229] July 19, 2015
• Federal Disaster Declared for Louisiana [DR-4228] July 14, 2015
• Major Disaster Declared for Wyoming  [DR-4227] July 8, 2015
• Major Disaster Declared for West Virginia – (WV’s 4th major disaster in 2 months) [DR-4221] May 22, 2015
• Federal Disaster Declarations
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Deadly Heatwaves Plague Europe

Extreme heat continues to scorch much of Europe, killing hundreds and igniting forest fires in Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain…

Health authorities in Italy have issued a level-3 “red alert” for at least 22 cities, while the fire authorities in Liguria placed the entire region under a forest fire alert as the elevated temperatures brought by the latest heatwave dubbed “Caronte,” and dry conditions posed significant risks.

Record temperatures in northwestern Italy have killed at least 140 senior citizens during the first ten days of July, according to data from the environmental agency, Arpa Piedmont, said a report.

“July 2015 has everything it takes to be among the hottest ever,” says a meteorologist with 3bmeteo. “[We are experiencing]  the most intense heat wave in 70 years.”

The extreme heat has caused a fall in production across Italian farms. Milk production in Italy fell by more than 50 million in the first two weeks of July due to the heat stressing the dairy cows, said a report.

Temperatures in many parts of Europe have been persistently above average by as much as 6ºC for more than three weeks.

Some 60,000 residents of Troyes, a town in the Champagne region of France, woke up in a sweat as the temperature climbed from 24ºC to 33°C, an increase of 9ºC (or 16.2 degrees F), in just one hour (between midnight and 1.00 am), in a phenomena called a heat burst, said a report.

An earlier heatwave that hit France between June 29 and July 5 left 700 dead and thousands more hospitalized, said a report quoting the country’s Ministry of Health.

 Related Links

• Heatwave grips Europe (video clip, external link)
• Wildfires ravage Spain amid record heatwave (external link)

Kentucky Declares State of Emergency

Deadly Storms sweep through Kentucky causing widespread damage

Severe storms have left at least 5 people dead and 6 others missing, causing widespread damage in the State of Kentucky and prompting Gov. Beshear to declare a state of emergency.

Part of a statement posted on the State website read:

According to the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KYEM), numerous counties were impacted by Monday’s storms that caused flash flooding. Areas reported with the heaviest damage include Johnson and Rowan counties. In Johnson County, one fatality was reported, and state and local rescue workers there continue to search for others who are missing or unaccounted for. In Rowan County, homes were also damaged by floods, and minor injuries were reported.

The Kentucky National Guard, KYEM and Red Cross officials are on the ground in Johnson County and will continue to monitor areas statewide for further reports of damage. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet on Monday waived certain highway restrictions for out-of-state utility vehicles traveling nationally to areas with widespread power outages. Shelters are in place in Rowan, Johnson and Jefferson counties.

Flash floods in Indiana reportedly killed at least one person, according to local reports.

Kentucky has already been declared a major disaster area three times, so far this year.

Drought and Deluge, Hail and Severe Freezing Destroy Crops in 7 States

Crop disasters declared for 70 counties across seven states

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated a total of 70 counties in seven states:  Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming—as crop disaster areas due to losses caused by multiple disasters including drought, severe flooding and hail, as well as severe  freezing.

Disaster Designations due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought

• Washington. Adams, Benton, Columbia, Douglas Franklin, Garfield, Grant, King, Klickitat, Kittitas, Lewis, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pierce, Skamania,Walla Walla,Whitman and  Yakima counties.

• Oregon Gilliam, Hood River, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Wallowa and Wasco counties.

Disaster Designations due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought

• Oregon. Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Morrow Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco and Wheeler counties.
• Idaho. Adams, Idaho and Nez Perce counties.
• Washington. Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Garfield, Klickitat and Walla Walla counties.

Disaster Designations due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought

• Idaho. Bingham, Butte, Bonneville, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhiand, and Madison  counties.
• Montana. Beaverhead County.

Disaster Designations due to losses caused by severe flooding and hail that occurred on June 3, 2015, and continues

• Wyoming. Converse, Goshen, Niobrara, Platte and Weston counties.
• Nebraska. Sioux County.
• South Dakota. Cluster and Fall River counties.

Disaster Designations due to damages and losses caused by severe freezing that occurred from Nov. 13, 2014, through Jan. 2, 2015

• Oregon. Clackamas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jefferson, Marion, Sherman, Wasco and Wheeler counties.
• Washington. Klickitat County.

Crop Disasters 2015

Beginning January 7, 2015 USDA has declared crop disasters in at least 1,329 counties across 22 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.

About 99 percent 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 five disaster designations posted above were approved by USDA on June 24, 2015 (posted on their website on June 25).

Related Links

• Crop Disasters Declared in Three States June 19, 2015
• Drought Disaster Declared for Counties in Two States June 12, 2015
• Drought Destroys More Crops in Idaho, Oregon, Utah June 4, 2015
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Heatwave Kills at least 485 in Pakistan

Death toll mounts amid intense heatwave in Sindh province, Pakistan

Pakistan’s opposition parties have decided to observe black day across the country following deaths of at least 485  from the heatwave that has plagued Karachi area, said the state TV.

More than 3,000 affected people were brought to hospitals since Saturday, including at least 200 who were in a critical condition.

Most of  the deaths [at least 474 and a further 11 deaths were reported in southern parts of central Punjab province] occurred in Karachi [pop: ~ 25million,] where temperatures of up to 45ºC  (113ºF) have been recorded in recent days, according to reports.

The temperature difference between the city and its outskirts was as much as 7ºC on Saturday, according to a researcher.

Karachi is the second most populous city in the world after Shanghai.

Most of the victims died from heatstroke, said health officials.

The governor of Sindh province [pop: 45m; density=320/km²] has imposed a state of emergency,  cancelling leave for doctors and other medical staff at all hospitals, and increasing stocks of medical supplies, the report said.

Thousands died in a heatwave in neighboring India in May [official toll put at 2,000.]

Related Links

• Deadly Heatwave Claims About 200 Lives in Pakistan June 22, 2015

Deadly Heatwave Claims About 200 Lives in Pakistan

Updated

Heatwave in Pakistan’s Sindh province kills about 200 people

Massive heatwave has killed about 200 people in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province [pop: 45m; density=320/km².]

Most of  the deaths occurred in Karachi [pop: ~ 25million,] where temperatures of up to 45ºC  (113ºF) have been recorded in recent days, according to local reports.

The temperature difference between the city and its outskirts was as much as 7ºC on Saturday, according to a researcher.

Karachi is the second most populous city in the world after Shanghai.

Thousands died in a heatwave in neighboring India in May [official toll put at 2,000.]

National High and Low Temperature

Meanwhile, the National High and Low Temperatures for the contiguous United States were as follows:

High Temperature for Sunday, June 21, 2015

• 50ºC  (122ºF) at Death Valley, CA

Low Temperature for Sunday, June 21, 2015

• -1ºC  (30ºF) at Charleston [a ghost town in Elko County, NV]

[Source: NWS Weather Prediction Center, College Park, MD Issued 2 am EDT Monday, June 22, 2015]

Excessive Heat Warnings or Heat Advisories are currently in effect in parts of at least 12 states, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Drought Disaster Declared for Counties in Two States

Crop Disasters Declared for 9 Additional Counties across Oregon, Washington

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated a total of nine counties in two states—Oregon and Washington—as crop disaster areas due to losses caused by the worsening drought.

The disaster designations are as follows:

• Oregon. Clackamas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jefferson, Marion, Sherman, Wasco, and Wheeler counties.

• Washington. Klickitat County.

Crop Disasters 2015

Beginning January 7, 2015 USDA has declared crop disasters in at least 1,233 counties across 17 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington.

About 99 percent 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 June 10, 2015 and posted on their website on June 11.

Related Links

• Drought Destroys More Crops in Idaho, Oregon, Utah June 4, 2015
• Crop Disasters Declared in Nevada, Utah May 28, 2015
• 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

Global Disasters/ Significant Events – June 7, 2015

Saudi-led airstrikes kill 44, leave many wounded in Sanaa, Yemen

Airstrikes by Saudi Arabia and partners on the Yemeni army headquarters—controlled by Houthi fighters—in the capital, Sanaa, has killed at least 44 people including 20 civilians, and wounded at least 100 others, capital of Sanaa on Sunday, the official Saba news agency reported.

Weeks of conflict have killed at least 2,000 people, with many others wounded and tens of thousands displaced.

5 fatalities from MERS in South Korea, 64 cases reported

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has claimed another life in South Korea, with 14 additional cases reported.
The death toll was five, as of posting, and the total number of reported infections had climbed to 64.

Meantime, the authorities have closed 24 hospitals where MERS cases had spread, and quarantined at least 1,600 people including the medical staff from those hospitals which may have come in contact with the infected patients.

Eastern Star disaster: More bodies recovered from Yangtze River

At least 431 people are now confirmed dead after the Chinese cruise ship Eastern Star capsized on Yangtze River, last week. Fourteen people reportedly survived the disaster, and 11 others are still missing.

Texas Emergency Disaster Proclamations Expanded

Emergency Disaster Proclamation expanded to 94 Texas Counties

Texas governor has now declared States of Disaster in 94 counties, as extreme weather events and deadly flash flooding leave trails of death and destruction across the state.

Governor Abbott expanded his Disaster Proclamations of May 11, May 15, May 25, May 26 and May 29, 2015, certifying that the extreme weather events have now caused a disaster in 94 Texas counties, he said on his website.

I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of the State of Texas, issued Emergency Disaster Proclamations on May 11, May 15, May 25, May 26 and May 29, 2015, certifying that the severe weather, tornado and flooding event that began on May 4, 2015, has caused a disaster in many Texas counties.  Disaster conditions persist in many parts of the state.

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, Atascosa, Austin, Bastrop, Baylor, Blanco, Bosque, Bowie, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cass, Chambers, Cherokee, Clay, Collin, Comal, Comanche, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Dewitt, Eastland, Edwards, Ellis, Erath, Fannin, Fayette, Fort Bend, Gaines, Garza, Gillespie, Grayson, Grimes, Guadalupe, Harris, Harrison, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hill, Hood, Houston, Jack, Jasper, Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lamar, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Lubbock, Lynn, Madison, Milam, Montague, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Nueces, Palo Pinto, Parker, Polk, Real, Red River, Refugio, Robertson, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Smith, Somervell, Starr, Tarrant, Travis, Trinity, Tyler, Uvalde, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Wharton, Wichita, Williamson, Wilson, Wise and Zavala counties.

Federal Disaster Declaration

The Disaster President declared a major disaster for Texas in the areas affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding on May 30.

Related Links

• Major Disaster Declared for State of Texas May 30, 2015
• Texas Disaster Declaration Again Expanded May 29, 2015
• Deadly Weather in Texas Destroys/ Damages Thousands of Homes May 27, 2015
• Texas Declares States of Disaster in 24 Additional Counties May 26, 2015

45 Million Birds Affected by Avian Flu in U.S.

Bird Flu Continues to Devastate US Poultry Industry

Infected Commercial Flocks. Commercial flocks have been infected in at least 15 States: Arkansas, California, Idaho, Indiana (May 10, 2015), Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska (May 11, 2015), North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and  Wisconsin.

Update on Avian Influenza Findings – Poultry Findings Confirmed by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories

• Detections Reported: 207
  
• Birds Affected: 45,027,793
• First Detection Reported: December 19, 2014
• Last Detection Reported: June 2, 2015
• No of Flocks pending tests: 14

Worst Affected Areas

• Iowa: 29,261,400 Birds Affected
• Minnesota: 8,394,450
• Nebraska: 3,794,100
• Wisconsin: 1,950,733
• South Dakota: 1,168,200

States of Emergency

Iowa’s Gov. Branstad has extended a State of Disaster Emergency Proclamation until July 1 as more farms continue to report new cases of the deadly avian flu virus in their poultry flocks.

Nebraska Gov. Ricketts proclaimed a state of emergency in May following the discovery of avian influenza in the state’s poultry sector, according to a statement posted on his website.

Background and Additional Links

• ‘Unprecedented’ Flu Outbreak Baffles Scientists April 22, 2015
• State of Emergency Declared in Dallas County due to Bird Flu May 9, 2015
• State of Emergency Declared in Nebraska in Bird Flu Epidemic May 15, 2015
• State of Disaster Emergency Extended in Iowa amid Rising Bird Flu Cases June 1, 2015

Drought Destroys More Crops in Idaho, Oregon, Utah

Drought Crop Disasters Declared for 15  Counties across Three States

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated a total of 15 additional counties in three  states—Idaho, Oregon and Utah—as crop disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the ongoing drought.

The disaster designations are for the following areas:

• Idaho:  Adams, Gem, Idaho, Valley and Washington counties.
• Oregon: Baker and Wallowa counties.
• Utah: Piute, Sevier, Beaver, Emery, Garfield, Millard, Sanpete and Wayne counties.

Crop Disasters 2015

Beginning January 7, 2015 USDA has declared crop disasters in at least 1,224 counties across 16 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

About 99 percent 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 June 3, 2015 and posted on their website in two separate declarations.

Related Links

• Crop Disasters Declared in Nevada, Utah May 28, 2015
• 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

Drought Disaster Declared in 36 Thai Provinces

Drought plagues about half of Thailand

Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has declared drought disaster in 36 provinces that are in need of emergency aid, including 8 provinces classified as severe disaster areas.

The disaster areas include 12 provinces in the north, 10 in the northeast, three in the east, four in the south and a further seven in central Thailand.

The 8 severe drought disaster areas include Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Sawan, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Saraburi, Sa Kaeo and Trang.

Some 254 districts are facing water shortages, said the national News Bureau of Thailand.

Disaster Declared in 31 Arkansas Counties after Floods

Arkansas Gov. declares disasters in four more counties affected by extreme rain events

Gov. Hutchinson has amended an earlier Disaster Proclamation for Arkansas adding to the disaster areas four more counties that are affected by extreme rain events and floods.

Those areas are Conway, Jefferson, Perry and Sebastian counties, bringing the total disaster areas to 31 across the state.

The disaster areas in the original Proclamation included Madison, Newton, Marion, Searcy, Izard, Independence, Franklin, Johnson, Pope, Scott, Yell, Polk, Montgomery, Garland, Sevier, Howard, Pike, Little River, Hempstead, Nevada, Ouachita, Chicot, Crawford, Miller, Lafayette, Logan and Faulkner counties.

Related Links

• Disaster Declared in 27 Arkansas Counties as Flooding Worsens June 2, 2015

South China on Alert for Extreme Rain Events

Extreme Rain Events Wreak Havoc across China

Alerts have been issued for rainstorms in south China, said China’s National Meteorological Center (NMC), reported the official news agency Xinhua.

Extreme rain events are forecast for parts of Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan and Guizhou provinces, and Shanghai from Tuesday night to Wednesday, the NMC forecast.

The forecasters have also warned of possible thunderstorms and gales in the alert areas.

Meantime, torrential rains have killed at least 16 people [and affected very large number of others] since last week, said the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MCA).

[The toll does not include the presumed casualties from the cruise ship disaster on Yangtze River. Editor]

“The ministry said on May 25 to 27 and 28 to 31, two heavy rainfalls occurred in the southern part of China, leading to casualties in Fujian, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan and other provincial regions.”

The extreme rain events have triggered multiple disasters including floods, landslides and mudslides leaving three people missing, the report said.

Extreme rain events over May 29-30 of May, combined with strong wind and large hail, hit parts of Northwest and North China, affecting almost 420,000 people, said the MCA.

Record Rainfall

Rainstorms have been pounding large parts of south China since May 4, breaking a 40-year rainfall record, said NMC.

[Between May 4 and 23] south China received about 200mm of rain, some 74 percent higher than the long-term average, said NMC.

Disaster Declared in 27 Arkansas Counties as Flooding Worsens

Water levels continue to rise in disaster areas

“We are concerned with additional risks since the level of the water is continuing to rise in areas already affected,” said Gov. Hutchinson.

Flooding has severely impacted SW Arkansas and areas along the Arkansas River.

“Severe storms, flooding and tornadoes beginning May 8, 2015 and continuing caused great damage to private property and public-facilities in various jurisdictions in Arkansas; and Adverse circumstances have been brought to bear upon the citizens and public properties within the State,” he said, extending the Disaster Declaration to include 27 counties.

The disaster areas so far include the counties of Chicot, Crawford, Faulkner, Franklin, Garland, Hempstead, Howard, Independence, Izard, Johnson, Lafayette, Little River, Logan, Madison, Marion, Miller, Montgomery, Nevada, Newton, Ouachita, Pike, Polk, Pope, Searcy, Sevier, Scott and Yell.

Texas

At least 167 counties in Texas have have been affected by flooding.

Oklahoma

Governor Fallin has requested a federal disaster declaration for at least 13 counties severely affected by deadly storms and tornadoes.

She amended an Executive Order last week declaring a State of Emergency for all 77 Oklahoma counties.

State of Disaster Emergency Extended in Iowa amid Rising Bird Flu Cases

44.6 Million Birds Affected by Deadly Avian Flu Viruses in U.S.

Iowa’s Gov. Branstad has extended a State of Disaster Emergency Proclamation until July 1 as more farms continue to report new cases of the deadly avian flu virus in their poultry flocks. The Proclmation was due to expire on May 31, 2015.

Update on Avian Influenza Findings – Poultry Findings Confirmed by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories

• Birds Affected: 44,612,573 [up from 33,521,073; additional cases pending]
• Detections Reported: 197 [previously 162]
• First Detection Reported: December 19, 2014
• Last Detection Reported: May 28, 2015 [previously reported on May 13, 2015]

Infected Commercial Flocks

Commercial flocks have been infected in at least 15 States: Arkansas, California, Idaho, Indiana (May 10, 2015), Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska (May 11, 2015), North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and  Wisconsin.

The majority of the infections have been reported in the state of Iowa, with 29,095,500 birds  affected [up from 24,815,500 on May 13,] across 18 counties, and at least 6 additional flocks being tested for the deadly virus(es).

• Minnesota has the second highest number of infections, with 8,220,760 birds affected.
• Nebraska has 3,794,100 affected birds.

• Wisconsin reported 1,950,733 birds.

• South Dakota has 1,116,200 affected birds.
  

Wild Flocks with Infection Found in at least 5 States: Kentucky, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

Wild Bird HPAI Cases in the United States
A list prepared by National Flyway Council reports HPAI cases in wild bird flocks across the following states:

• CA, ID, KS, KY, MN, MO, NM, NV, OR, WA, WI and WY.

Key Points: HPAI H5  [CDC Influenza Division]

• Increased outreach, reporting and surveillance activities in the United States followed the detection of HPAI H5N2 among commercial poultry flocks in Canada in early December 2014.

• USDA has reported
  • HPAI H5N8 virus in California, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Nevada.
  • HPAI H5N2 virus in Nebraska, Indiana, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Kentucky.
  • HPAI H5N1 virus in Washington.
  • H5 virus in a wild bird in New Mexico, but diagnostic test did not determine the neuraminidase (NA).

• HPAI H5N8, HPAI H5N2 and HPAI H5N1 viruses with this combination of genes had not been detected previously in the United States.

A strain of avian flu, EA-H5N8, which had previously been found only in the Western U.S., was detected in a backyard mixed poultry flock in Whitley County, Indiana on May 11, APHIS reported.

WILD BIRD HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA  [Last updated by APHIS on May 14, 2013]

• WILD BIRD HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA CASES IN THE UNITED STATES

Background and Additional Links

• ‘Unprecedented’ Flu Outbreak Baffles Scientists April 22, 2015
• State of Emergency Declared in Dallas County due to Bird Flu May 9, 2015
• State of Emergency Declared in Nebraska in Bird Flu Epidemic May 15, 2015

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

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
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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