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Millions Short of Drinking Water in S, SW and Central China
Disastrous drought continues to plague parts of Guizhou, Hunan and Hubei provinces, affecting at least 12 million people. More than 3 million people and 2 million livestock have been affected by severe shortages of drinking water, and the drought is expected to continue, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters said. As of July 26, about 2.5 million hectares of farmland have also been affected.
“Since the start of July, the amount of precipitation in those areas has been down dramatically from that recorded during the same period of last year, the headquarters said.”
“In the coming days, droughts are likely to continue in those regions as high temperatures and little precipitation persist, according to the country’s weather forecasters.”
Guizhou Province: Persistent and widespread droughts in southwest China’s Guizhou Province have affected up to 10 million people in more than 200 counties since mid-June. More than 1 million people lack adequate supplies of drinking water, and about 600,000 hectares of crops is being lost or damaged by the drought, said the provincial government.
Hunan Province: Severe drought has spread in central China’s Hunan Province leaving more 1.15 million people short of drinking water.
“Over 100 counties in 14 cities and prefectures in the province have been affected by the drought. About 6 million mu (400,000 hectares) of crops have also been affected and 311,000 heads of livestock lack adequate amounts of drinking water, according to the headquarters,” said a report.
“The extreme weather has also caused 186 rivers and 252 reservoirs to dry up.
“The province has sent 2.5 million people and 13,000 water tankers to irrigate croplands and provide water for 365,000 people, the headquarters said.”
YOU Could Be Next!
Original Caption: Resident Lyu Youde walks on the dried-up pond bed at Jingtang Village of Wufengpu Town in Shaoyang County, central China’s Hunan Province, July 24, 2013. A drought that has lasted since early July has left 533,000 people short of drinking water in the province. 107 counties of 14 cities and prefectures in the province have been affected by the drought, with about 6027,000 hectares of crops damaged and 311,000 heads of livestock short of water. Also in the province, 186 rivers and 252 reservoirs are dry. (Xinhua/Li Ga). More images…
Frost and rain have ruined more wheat in China than previously estimated: Report
Weather damage in China’s northern grain belt may have ruined more than 20 million metric tons of the wheat crop, or 16 percent, which is double the volume previously estimated, said a report.
“Higher imports, which have already been revised upwards on initial damage reports, will further shrink global supplies and support prices, fuelling new worries over global food security.”
“The harvest was terrible”
Farmers in Henan, China’s top wheat producing Province, say frost in the growing period and rainstorms during the harvest have slashed production by 40 percent compared with 2012, the report said .
Global wheat output is forecast to rise this year, but will still fall below demand resulting in the lowest wheat stocks since 2008/09.
In 2012, China accounted for about 20 percent of global wheat production and consumption.
China is expected to become top wheat buyer in 2014, eclipsing Egypt as the world’s top importer, the report said.
The crop damage in China is adding to concerns over global food supplies following the crop quality downgrades experienced by the United States and the Black Sea region due to adverse weather.
FIRE-EARTH population model shows mass die-offs resulting from human impact on the planet and the planetary response to the anthropogenic harm could occur by early 2016.
FIRE-EARTH Climate Models show climate change forcings and feedbacks switching global weather patterns onto “primordial tracks.”
The extreme weather events triggered by anthropogenic climate change have a four-prong impact on humans over the next 50 months [forecast released in 2011.] FIRE-EARTH models forecast:
1. Food production:
Average decline of 22% in the global agricultural output
Loss of topsoil and worsening of soil quality
Rapid Climate Change & Extreme Weather Events
Drought and Deluge
Extremes of Temperature
Heatwaves and Late Frosts
Desertification and Dust Storms
Crop Pests
Increases in the size and occurrence of dead zones
Large decline in marine food sources
2. Spread of Disease
Substantial increases in the spread of diseases
Vector borne
Air borne
Water borne
Food borne
Superbugs: Emergence of resistant bacteria, especially MDR bacteria
Resurgence of killer infectious diseases
Increases in the spread of human immunodeficiency viruses
Significant decline in air quality (and corresponding increase in chronic respiratory diseases)
Other viral diseases
Massive rises in mental illnesses
3. Physical Safety
Major increases in the number of deaths and injuries, as well as large scale displacements due to the loss of shelter and livelihood caused by extreme weather and geophysical events including:
Tornadoes
Hurricanes
Storms and Extreme Weather
Climate Change
Extreme Rain Events
Flash Flooding
Drought and Deluge
Landslides
Extremes of Temperature
Deforestation
Wildfires
Loss of “Seasons”
Earthquakes*
Tsunamis*
Volcanic activity*
Nuclear Incidents
Oil Spills
Chemical and Biological Threats
Poisoned and Polluted Environment (Air, Water and Soil pollution)
Ozone Depletion (Ozone Holes)
4. The Combined Effect
Social upheavals, regional conflicts and wars caused by mass migrations and scarcity of basic resources resulting from the combined effects of the above, as well as other mechanisms.
July 17, 2013 – SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN –
969 Days Left
Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
USDA designates 6 Calif counties disaster areas amid ongoing drought
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated six counties in California as agricultural disaster areas, both primary and contiguous, due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.
The designated counties are Kings, Fresno, Kern, Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Tulare.
U.S. Monthly Precipitation Map, February 12 – March 13, 2013 (Total Precipitation, Last 30 Days). Source: HPRCC
More than 28 percent of schoolgirls are HIV positive in South Africa, according to the latest official figures.
About 4 percent of schoolboys are also HIV positive.
“It is clear that it is not young boys who are sleeping with these girls. It is old men. We must take a stand against sugar daddies because they are destroying our children,” SA Health Minister told reporters.
More than 94,000 schoolgirls fell pregnant across the country in 2011.
“Some (pregnant pupils) are known to the department of education, but there is a number which the education department does not know about. (About) 77,000 girls had abortions at public facilities. We can no longer live like that. We want to put an end to it,” the minister said.
“There is also a high number of TB infections … there is a lot of death and a lot of illness here. It is for this reason that we chose the district to be one of the 11 in the country where the National Health Insurance program will be piloted.”
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DISASTER CALENDAR — March 14, 2013—SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,094 Days Left
Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,094 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human History
Weather Hazards forecast for Friday across the U.S.
‘Snow, heavy at times, will impact the Upper Great Lakes, Washington and Oregon Cascades, and northern Rockies on Friday. Meanwhile, significant ice accumulations are possible for the central Appalachians. Further south, severe thunderstorms may develop along the central Gulf Coast, with heavy rainfall capable of river and/or flash flooding from southern Mississippi to the eastern Carolinas.’ NOAA forecasters reported.
The storm brought snow, sleet and freezing rain to the U.S. Midwest on Thursday, forcing hundreds of flight cancellations.
The system is forecast to hit the East Coast, dumping heavy snow on parts of New England for a third consecutive weekend.
Earlier, NWS issued a Winter Storm Warning for all of Kansas, nearly all of Missouri, as well as most of Nebraska and Iowa. Advisories were also issued for parts of South Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, northern Texas and Arkansas.
Kansas Governor has already signed an emergency declaration for all 105 Kansans counties yesterday, shutting down all state offices in the Executive Branch.
A state of emergency has been declared in Missouri in response to the severe winter storm.
“A severe winter storm continues to bear down on communities across the state,” said Gov. Jay Nixon. “Missouri stands ready to help communities in need and to deploy the resources to keep folks safe. I urge all Missourians to keep a close eye on the weather and avoid unnecessary travel.”
Tornadoes Strike MS and LA
SPC received 18 storm reports including 3 tornadoes in Mississippi and Louisiana on Thursday.
Moderate to heavy damage reported in counties Jefferson Davis (MS), as well as Concordia and Vernon (LA).
SPC filtered storm reports- 21 Feb 2013.
US Drought Monitor
As of February 19, 2013 more than two-thirds of Continental U.S. was experiencing drought or was abnormally dry. The U.S. Drought Monitor reported. The report was prepared before the current winter storm, which may have alleviated the drought conditions in parts of the High Plains.
US Drought Map for February 19, 2013, Released by the U.S. Drought Monitor on February 21, 2013. The map was prepared before the current winter storm.
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February 22, 2013 – DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,114 Days Left
Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,114 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human History
DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,140 Days Left
[January 27, 2013] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,140 Days Left to the most Fateful Day in Human History
Symbolic countdown to the ‘worst day’ in human history began on May 15, 2011 …
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Global Disasters/ Significant Events
Australian Army Called to Help as QLD Flood Disaster Intensifies
Flood and storm damage across the Australian state of Queensland has prompted a statewide catastrophe declaration from the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA), said a report.
‘‘Insurers are greatly concerned about extreme weather expected over the next few days in Queensland, with severe inundation already having been experienced in several towns and cities, and major flood warnings now in place for every river from Cairns to the border,’’ said ICA chief executive.
‘‘Unfortunately, this catastrophe declaration is the result of the first cyclone to come close to the coast this season, and the weather bureau has warned it’s highly possible we will see more before the end of summer.’’
Meantime, the Queensland Government has asked the Australian Army to help amid extreme rain events, worsening flood disaster and tornado outbreaks.
“Local rainfall daily records in central and southeast Queensland are tumbling after falls of 461mm at Boolaroo Tops, 454mm in Walla and 272mm in Gayndah since yesterday morning.”
A giant storm cell is slowly moving southeast toward the population centers, dumping at least 200mm of rain, and destructive winds and tornadoes are expected along the Sunshine Coast and Bribie Island, reports said
A 5-meter wall of water is pouring over the spillway of the Awoonga Dam into the Boyne, south of Gladstone.
Awoonga Dam on January 26. Source: Reece Ireland, Gladstone/ via The Australian
A saddle dam off the Awoonga Dam is close to overflowing, which would put 500 homes in peril, the authorities said.
“Water continues to spill from Wivenhoe dam in preemptive releases.”
Forecasters have warned more than 300mm of rain could fall in Wivenhoe Dam catchment, upstream of Brisbane, in the next few days, with coastal areas receiving about 500mm, isolating additional communities.
Authorities have issued an evacuation order for north Bundaberg after the Burnett River broke its banks.
The Burnett River is now forecast to peak at 9 meters—well above the levels recorded during the 2010/11 floods, reports said.
Residents in the Gympie area, north of Brisbane, are being rescued from rooftop, as Mary River continues to rise to a forecast peak of peak at 17m.
The deep freeze persists throughout much of the Northeast as forecasters warn of looming ice storms. Severe ice storm are expected to hit Northern Illinois, southern Michigan, NE Missouri, large swathes of the Midwest as well as mid-Atlantic, and Ontario.
U.S. Weather Hazards Map. Source: NWS
Tennessee has declared state of emergency as the eastern portion of the state continues to see significant icing, reports said.
Michigan governor has declared state of emergency to boost propane deliveries.
Flood emergency as 40,000 people evacuated in Davao del Norte province, Philippines
A State of Emergency has been declared in the province Davao del Norte following an extreme rain event that has triggered severe flooding throughout the region since last week.
“The province is practically under the water for four days now so I have declared a state of emergency,” said the provincial governor.”
The worst-hit areas are the municipalities of Kapalong , Carmen and Asuncion, said the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center (PDRRMC).
More than 1,100 people have also been evacuated from New Corella, said the report.
“A total blackout has been reported in Kapalong for two days now and in Asuncion, while partial blackout was reported in Mankilam, Tagum City.”
Flooding in Jakarta, Indonesia displaces 100,000
Severe flooding in Jakarta has now claimed dozens of lives, affecting about 250,000 people and forcing more than 100,000 out of their homes.
At its peak, flooding inundated about a third of the Indonesian capital with up to 2 meters of water.
Hundreds of communities inundated following mega-flooding in Nigeria’s Kogi State
At least a dozen people are dead or missing and there is rising concern about outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
Widespread flooding triggered by extreme rain events have severely affected at least 18 of the country’s 38 states in recent weeks, destroying public infrastructure and impacting health, education and agriculture, reports said.
Dozens are killed or missing following cloudbursts in Uttarakhand state, northern India
India. At least 80 people have been killed or were reported missing after a series of cloudbursts triggered flash flooding, causing landslides in northern India’s state of Uttarakhand.
Cloudbursts cause rainfall at a rate equal to or greater than 100 mm (3.94 inches) per hour.
Northern Hemisphere Ice Cover. Arctic Sea Ice Extent shrank to 3,398,785.21 km² on September 16, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC).
Republic of Niger. Flooding in Niger could destroy its main rice harvest, reports said.
Floods have already claimed dozens of lives since the annual rainy season began.
Niger produces about 130,000 tons of rice a year.
“Most of the rainy season rice crop, estimated at over 80,000 metric tons, risks being destroyed this year,” a Malian official said.
United States. The Department of Commerce has declared Fisheries Disasters in Northeast, Alaska, and Mississippi.
Northeast – Several key fish stocks in the Northeast groundfish fishery are not rebuilding and further cuts are expected in 2013. More information here.
Alaska – Low returns of Chinook salmon to the Yukon River, Kuskokwim River, and Cook Inlet have resulted in a fishery resource disaster have caused a continuation of the Yukon River commercial fishery failure in 2010 – 2012, a Kuskokwim River commercial fishery failure in 2011 – 2012, and a Cook Inlet commercial fishery failure in 2012. More information here.
Mississippi – Impacted by the massive freshwater impacts from the historic flooding in the lower Mississippi River in the spring of 2011, a commercial fishery failure has been declared for the Mississippi oyster fishery and the state’s blue crab fishery. More information here.
North Korea. Death toll from recent floods in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has risen to 300, with 600 others reported as missing and many injured, reports said.
“The floods between mid-June and late August destroyed 87,280 houses and affected roughly 298,050 residents, damaging farmland and social infrastructure such as electric cables, coal mines and railways, according to the KCNA, said a report.
Pakistan. Flooding in Pakistan has left hundreds of people dead, injured or missing. Thousands of others are left homeless.
Ryukyu Islands. Super Typhoon SANBA (TY 17W), near 23.5ºN, 129.1ºE, continues to intensifies moving north (345 degrees) toward Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands.
Super Typhoon SANBA (TY 17W) and its project path – enhanced IR satellite image. Image source: CIMSS
Drought-related stress affecting 80% of U.S. corn and soybeans, causing crops failure
The January-August 2012 was the warmest first 8 months of any year on record for the contiguous United States. The national temperature of 58.7°F (14.3°C) was 4.0°F above the 20th century average, and 1.0°F above the previous record warm in 2006, NOAA said.
Summer 2012 was the 3rd hottest summer on record for the contiguous United States since recordkeeping began 117 years ago. [ 2011 and 1936 had higher summer temperatures for the Lower 48.]
Temperature Anomalies, June – August 2012
Reds show June-August temperatures up to 8° F warmer than average. Blues show temperatures up to 2° F cooler than average—the darker the color, the larger the difference. Source: NOAA climate.gov
During the period, 33 states had record warm and an additional 12 states experienced top ten warm.
The average temperature for the Lower 48 between June and August was higher than 74°F (24.3°C), which is more than 2° F above the 20th century average.
“The average global temperature across land and oceans during July 2012 was 0.62°C (1.12°F) above the 20th century average of 15.8°C (60.4°F) and ranked as the fourth warmest July since records began in 1880. The previous three months—April, May, and June—also ranked among the top five warmest for their respective months. July 2012 marks the 36th consecutive July and 329th consecutive month with a global temperature above the 20th century average.” NOAA reported.
Flooding and landslides triggered by extreme rain events have left hundreds of people dead, missing or injured, tens of thousands of people homeless, thousands of properties destroyed or damaged and much of the farmland submerged in Ghana, North Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, SW China and Vietnam.
Vietnam. Flooding and landslides in Vietnam have left dozens dead or missing. “Floods have submerged over 3,500 houses and more than 22,000 hectares of crops and fruit trees, mainly in the two provinces of Ha Tinh and Nghe An,” said a report.
United States. Marathon Detroit refinery has reportedly released unknown chemical into the atmosphere, NRC said.
“The material is causing nausea, burning eyes, and difficulty breathing to local residents.”
Louisiana’s Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHH) have confirmed 53 new human cases of the West Nile infections, marking 145 reported cases and 9 deaths so far this year.
At least 31 of the new cases are neuroinvasive disease, which infects the spinal cord and brain and can lead to death, LDHH reported.
United States is in the midst of “one of the largest West Nile outbreaks ever seen,” said Dr. Lyle Peterson, director of vector-borne infectious diseases section at CDC.
About 1,331 reported cases of the disease have occurred in 38 states including about 640 Neuroinvasive disease cases, leading to at least 46 deaths so far this year.
Nine other states have reported “some activity.”
Texas, the worst-hit state, has reported 641 cases with 24 deaths so far this year.
Since 1999, more than 30,000 people in the United States have been infected with West Nile virus. Occasionally, a person infected with the mosquito-borne disease may develop more severe symptoms including “West Nile encephalitis,” “West Nile meningitis” or “West Nile meningoencephalitis.” CDC reported.
The 1,331 cases thus far in 2012 is the highest number of West Nile virus disease cases reported to CDC through the third week in August since West Nile virus was first detected in the United States in 1999.
About 75 percent of the cases have been reported from 5 states (Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Dakota, and Oklahoma) and almost half of all cases have been reported from Texas.
About 13,000 of the individuals who have been reported as being infected West Nile virus since 1999 have been seriously ill, and more than 1,200 have died, CDC said.
WNV Infection Causes Kidney Disease
WNV infection causes serious and lasting kidney damage, according to a new report by Baylor College of Medicine. Researchers found that 4 in 10 patients had varying stages of kidney disease caused by WNV infection.
About 45,000 people in Houston area have been infected with the virus, many of whom are unaware of it, the report said.
West Nile virus (WNV) activity reported to ArboNET, by state, United States, 2012 (as of August 21, 2012)
One thousand three hundred thirty-one (1,331) human West Nile virus infections have been reported to CDC ArboNET from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
South Korea. Reactor No. 1 at the Ulchin nuclear power plant located in South Korea’s North Kyongsang province stopped operating on Thursday for “unknown reasons,” the Yonhap news agency reported.
TY TEMBIN (N22.7°, E122.5°), the 14th typhoon of the year, approaching SE Taiwan, with TY BOLAVEN (N20.2°, E134.1°) in hot pursuit (timed at 12:00UTC, August 23, 2012). Image: Digital Typhoon
[August 17, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016. SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,307 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History…
Dozens of wildfires are burning out of control across 11 drought-stricken western states, consuming scores of homes and threatening hundred of other structures, and forcing thousands to evacuate entire towns.
Dozens of wildfires are currently raging across Western U.S. consuming about 2 million acres in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.
In Idaho, the massive Trinity Ridge Fire has consumed more than 100 square miles since early August, forcing thousands to evacuate the mountain resort towns of Pine and Featherville, about 100 miles NE of Boise.
About a dozen large wildfires are burning in Idaho.
In Washington, at least 1,000 evacuation orders were issued in rural areas east of Cle Elum, about 75 miles east of Seattle, as hundreds of residents voluntarily fled their homes.
The fire, which started Monday, quickly spread, destroying about 400 homes, barns and other structures, and threatening many more building.
“In California, a dozen major blazes up and down the state were keeping more than 9,000 firefighters busy, with the greatest immediate danger facing the rural community of Ranchita, about 50 miles northeast of San Diego,” said a report.
About 500 residents have been ordered to leave Ranchita and Santa Fe, authorities said.
California. Rush Fire. The fire is located approximately 15 miles southeast of Ravendale, California. “The fire is burning near a major natural gas line and transfer station, and power transmission lines that supply the Reno area.”
The fire started Sunday August 12th, 2012, and has already consumed more than 160,000 acres, with growth potential reported to be ‘extreme.’
Voluntary evacuations in several areas are currently in effect.
In northern California, a large blaze has consumed about 50,000 acres near the town of Belden in the Plumas National Forest, threatening about 1,000 homes, and prompting evacuations.
Holloway Fire, a Mega Wildfire burning along the Nevada-Oregon state line, grew to about 700 square miles, forcing many evacuations. The fire was reportedly 86 percent contained, as of posting.
As of August 16, about 43,000 wildfires had been reported in the U.S. this season, consuming a total of 6.4 million acres (~10,000 square miles). The 10-year average for the period is 52,005 fires, and 5 million acres, said the National Interagency Fire Center. [See previous blog comments about quality of the NIFC reporting.]
[August 9, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016. SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,315 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History…
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Hi temps and low precipitation intensified drought 2012, covering about 2/3 of the U.S., as deadly wildfires burned millions of acres
July average temperature for contiguous U.S. climbed to 77.6°F, 3.3°F above the 20th century average, making it the hottest July and the hottest month on record for the country, reported NOAA. “The warm July temperatures contributed to a record-warm first seven months of the year and the warmest 12-month period the nation has experienced since recordkeeping began in 1895.”
“The August 2011-July 2012 period was the warmest 12-month period of any 12-months on record for the contiguous U.S., narrowly surpassing the record broken last month for the July 2011-June 2012 period by 0.07°F. The nationally averaged temperature of 56.1°F was 3.3°F above the long term average. Except Washington, which was near average, every state across the contiguous U.S. had warmer than average temperatures for the period.”
The previous warmest July was Dust Bowl summer of 1936 when the average U.S. temperature was 77.4°F.
Precipitation in continental U.S. averaged 2.57, 0.19 inches below average.
Virginia experienced its warmest July, with a statewide temperature 4.0°F above average.
Record heat also contributed to the warmest ever January-to-July period.
U.S. temperatures have now broken the hottest-12-months record 4 times in as many months (see chart below).
The U.S. Climate Extremes Index (USCEI) soared to a record-large 46 percent (more than twice the average value) during the January-July period, beating the previous record large CEI of 42 percent which occurred in 1934.
Year-to-date temperature Chart, by month, for 2012 (red), compared to the other 117 years on record for the contiguous U.S., with the five ultimately warmest years (orange) and five ultimately coolest years (blue) noted. Source: NCDC
The ten warmest 12-month periods recorded in the U.S. Temperatures have now broken the hottest-12-months record 4 times in as many months. Source: NCDC
Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events
U.S. Drought Disaster 2012
About a quarter (24.14%) of the Continental U.S. is now in ‘Extreme’ or ‘Exceptional’ drought (D3 – D4), a rise of about 2 percent since July 31, and nearly a half (46.01%) of the country is experiencing ‘Severe’ to ‘Exceptional’ drought levels (D2 – D4), according to data released by the US Drought Monitor.
U.S. Drought Map. Comparison maps for July 31 and August 7, 2012. Source: US Drought Monitor
New Mexico. USDA has designated eight counties in New Mexico as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the ongoing drought.
Nebraska. USDA has designated 38 counties in Nebraska as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the ongoing drought. The disaster declaration extends to the following counties in bordering states
Iowa: 3 counties
Kansas: 2 counties
South Dakota: 3 counties
Mississippi. USDA has designated 6 counties in Mississippi as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the ongoing drought. The disaster declaration extends to the following counties in bordering states
Arkansas: 2 counties
Oklahoma. USDA has designated 20 counties in Oklahoma as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the ongoing drought. The disaster declaration extends to the following counties in bordering states
Kansas: Cherokee County.
Missouri: 2 counties.
Oklahoma Drought Map
Oklahoma Drought Maps for July 31 and August 7, 2012.Source: US Drought Monitor.
South Dakota. USDA has designated 6 counties in South Dakota as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the ongoing drought. The disaster declaration extends to the following counties in bordering states
Iowa: Lyon County.
Minnesota: 2 counties.
Ohio. USDA has designated 4 counties in Ohio as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the ongoing drought. The disaster declaration extends to the following counties in bordering states
Michigan: Hillsdale County.
Indiana: 2 counties.
Arkansas. USDA has designated 6 counties in Arkansas as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the ongoing drought.
Illinois. USDA has designated six counties in Illinois as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the ongoing drought. The disaster declaration extends to the following counties in bordering states
Wisconsin: 2 counties.
Iowa. USDA has designated ten counties in Iowa as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the ongoing drought. The disaster declaration extends to the following counties in bordering states
Minnesota: 2 counties.
Nebraska: 2 counties.
S. Dakota: 3 counties.
Iowa Drought Maps for July 31 and August 7, 2012. Source: US Drought Monitor. The areas covered by extreme or exceptional drought levels in Iowa have more than doubled from 30.74 percent last week to 69.14 percent on August 7. Iowa is the country’s top corn and soybean producer.
Minnesota. USDA has designated 4 counties in Minnesota as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the ongoing drought. The disaster declaration extends to the following counties in bordering states
Iowa: Lyon County
South Dakota: Two counties
Kentucky. USDA has designated 9 counties in Kentucky as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the ongoing drought. The disaster declaration extends to the following counties in bordering states
Indiana: Perry County.
Kansas. USDA has designated 21 counties in Kansas, a key farm state, as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the ongoing drought. The disaster declaration extends to the following counties in bordering states
Missouri: 2 counties.
Nebraska: 5 counties.
Oklahoma: 2 counties.
Kansas Drought Map Kansas Drought Maps for July 31 and August 7, 2012. Source: US Drought Monitor.
U.S. Corn Condition
Map of the Agricultural Weather Assessments for U.S. Corn Conditions for the week ending August 4, 2012.Source: USDA
Europe. Watch this space!
Manila, Philippines. Authorities in the Philippines have appealed for “more medicines, blankets, mats and, more importantly, dry clothes” to help more than two million people displaced or severely affected by floods in and around Manila, as the death toll mounted.
many evacuation centers are unable to provide warm meals for the growing numbers displaced, AFP reported Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman as saying. “Most local government units do a community kitchen, but the volume of evacuees is so big they have been overwhelmed,” she said.
Deadly heat is forecast to continue broiling the Central and Southern Plains through the week ‘with not much relief during the night time hours,’ as National Weather Service issues Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories across the region. Temperatures as high as 110+ degrees are expected this week.
Current High Temperature Map. Temperatures as high as 110+ degrees are forecast for this week.
U.S. Weekly Precipitation Map
U.S. Weekly Precipitation Map, July 22 -28, 2012. Much of the Continental U.S. received little or no rain during the week ending July 28, 2012.
U.S. Hazards Outlook – July 30 to August 10, 2012
US Hazards Outlook for July 30 – August 3, 2012. Source:NOAA/ NWS/NCEP/ CPC
US Hazards Outlook forAugust 4 – 10, 2012. Source: NOAA/ NWS/NCEP/ CPC
Current U.S. Drought Map
Current Map of U.S. Drought 2012. Source: U.S. Drought Portal – NIDIS.
U.S. Daily Highest Max Temperature Records set on July 29, 2012
Temp Records: 12 (Broken) + 8 (Tied) = 20 Total. Source: National Climatic Data Center
Two-thirds of the United States is now experiencing moderate to extreme drought
USDA has designated 76 additional counties [2012 total of 1,369 counties] in six states [total of 31 states] as primary natural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by drought and excessive heat.
During the 2012 crop year, USDA has designated 1,369 counties across 31 states as disaster areas—1,234 due to drought. The drought disaster declaration list also includes numerous other counties designated as contiguous disaster areas.
Most of the drought-stricken areas from Kansas to Ohio need in excess of 10 inches of rain to break the drought, said a National Weather Service meteorologist, however, little precipitation is on the horizon.
“Monday’s crop ratings showed losses on par with the damage seen during the 1988 drought if these conditions persist,” said Bryce Knorr, senior editor for Farm Futures Magazine. “Weather so far has taken almost 4 billion bushels off the corn crop, so a lot of demand must still be rationed.”
List of the most recent counties declared as drought disaster areas by USDA on July 25:
Kansas. USDA has declared 47 counties in Kansas as agricultural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by the ongoing drought.
List of the 25 primary disaster areas: Chase, Franklin, Lincoln, Osage, Dickinson, Geary, Marion, Osborne, Douglas, Jefferson, Miami, Ottawa, Ellis, Johnson, Mitchell, Rush, Ellsworth, Leavenworth, Morris, Russell, Saline, Shawnee, Smith, Wabaunsee and Wyandotte counties.
List of the 22 contiguous disaster areas: Anderson, Cloud, Jewell, Ness, Atchison, Coffey, Linn, Pawnee, Barton, Greenwood, Lyon, Phillips, Butler, Harvey, McPherson, Pottawatomie, Clay, Jackson, Rice, Riley, Rooks and Trego counties.
Missouri. The above Disaster declaration covers 5 counties in Missouri because they are contiguous: Bates, Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte counties.
Nebraska. Franklin and Webster counties.
Michigan. Drought disaster declared in 10 Michigan counties:
Primary DAs: Branch, Cass, Hillsdale and St. Joseph counties.
Contiguous DAs: Berrien, Calhoun, Jackson, Kalamazoo Lenawee, and Van Buren counties.
Indiana. Contiguous DAs: Elkhart, Lagrange, St. Joseph and Steuben counties.
Ohio. Fulton and Williams counties.
Nebraska. USDA has declared 22 Nebraska counties as agricultural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by the ongoing drought.
Indiana. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 38 counties in Indiana as agricultural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by the ongoing drought.
Illinois. The above declaration also extends to three counties in Illinois: Clark, Edgar and Vermilion counties.
Illinois. USDA has designated twelve counties in Illinois as agricultural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by the ongoing drought.
PDAs: Crawford and Pike counties.
CDAs: Adams, Calhoun, Greene, Lawrence, Richland,
Brown, Clark, Jasper, Morgan and Scott counties.
Wisconsin. USDA has designated 31 counties in Wisconsin as agricultural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by the ongoing drought.
Illinois. The above declaration extends to 6 contiguous areas in Illinois: Boone, Lake, Stephenson, Jo Daviess, McHenry and Winnebago counties.
Iowa. The above declaration also extends to 3 contiguous areas in Iowa: Allamakee, Clayton and Dubuque counties.
Weekly U.S. Precipitation Map for the Week Ending July 24, 2012. Source: HPRCC
Corn in Drought Map. Latest available map of drought superimposed on the corn production areas. This map depicts drought-affected areas of the U.S. corn producing farmland as of July 17, 2012. Approximately 88% of the corn grown in the U.S. is within an area-experiencing drought, based on historical U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) crop production data.
Other USDA Disaster Declarations
Colorado. USDA has designated 8 counties in Colorado as agricultural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by freezing temperatures that occurred April 7-8, 2012.
Utah. The above declaration also extends to two counties in Utah: Grand and San Juan counties.
Wisconsin. USDA has designated 34 counties in Wisconsin as agricultural disaster areas due to losses to maple syrup production caused by an unseasonably early thaw, unseasonably warm nights and excessive heat that occurred Jan. 23 – March 31, 2012.
Michigan. The above declaration extends to 4 counties in the state of Michigan.
Minnesota. The above declaration also extends to 4 counties in the state of Minnesota.
Red Flag Warnings, Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories are in effect from Kansas and Nebraska to Indiana
Another round of triple digit temperatures affect the central Plains, as National Weather Service warns about the extreme conditions.
Temperatures are forecast to be 10-15 degrees above average in the central Plains and the Mid-Atlantic, as three wildfires consume at least 120,000 acres in Nebraska, destroying a dozen homes.
U.S. Daily Highest Max Temperature Records set on July 24, 2012
Source: National Climatic Data Center
Excess Heat Warnings are in effect for all or parts of 7 states Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky.
Heat Advisories are in effect for 14 states: South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Red Flag Warnings are in effect for parts of Montana, Nebraska and Kansas.
At least 24 high temperature records were broken and 34 tied in a dozen states Monday: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin, NCDC reported.
“The highest temperature readings of the day were reported at 109 degrees in Minneapolis, Kan., and Hebronville, Texas, tying previous records set in 2001 and 2009, respectively,” said NWS.
Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events
Greenland. Greenland’s massive ice sheet has thawed over an unusually large area, NASA has said.
The thawed area jumped from 40% of the ice sheet to 97% between July 8 -11.
NASA scientists say they are ‘surprised‘ by the speed and scale of this month’s thaw, describing the phenomenon as ‘extraordinary.’
Missouri. Gov. Nixon has declared a state of emergency due to the impact of continued severe heat and drought on agriculture and public health.
“Our farmers are suffering tremendous losses in crops and livestock, and we’re seeing more heat-related deaths and emergency room visits, particularly among seniors.” Nixon said. “In addition, we continue to see a high risk of fire from tinderbox conditions, and we are monitoring how the drought is affecting public water supplies and distribution.”
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has reported 25 heat-related deaths between May 1 and July 22, with about 830 heat-related emergency visits to hospitals, reports said.
Assam, India. “The death toll from ethnic violence in northeast India rose to 38 Wednesday after four days of clashes. At least 170,000 villagers have fled from their homes in the remote state of Assam,” said a report.
China. “Tens of thousands of people have been summoned to stand guard protecting dikes in Jingzhou city (Pop: ~ 6.45 million), which lies downstream of the Three Gorges Dam in Hubei province. Authorities declared more than 620 kms of river banks as risky along the Yangtze and its tributaries in the city.” Said a report.
Original Caption: Armed police patrol at the Three Gorges Dam, a gigantic hydropower project on the Yangtze River, in Yichang City, central China’s Hubei Province, July 24, 2012. Due to the downpours in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, China’s longest, the Three Gorges Dam experienced its largest flood peak this year on Tuesday, with a peak flow of 70,000 cubic meters of water per second. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)
Corn and soybean prices break all-time records. Corn prices have climbed 53 percent in one month, as worst drought and poorest crop conditions in decades decimate yields in the Corn Belt region and beyond.
U.S. Drought Map for July 17, 2012, released July 19.
List of Disaster Areas Continues Growing
On Wednesday, USDA designated an additional 39 counties in 8 states as Primary Natural Disaster areas due to worsening drought, making up a disaster total of 1,297 counties in 29 states. Additionally, several hundred other counties have been declared as contiguous disaster areas.
One Way Drought
Drought is intensifying in the Corn Belt region and creeping to the areas beyond including Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and eastern Nebraska, eastern Kansas, southern Minnesota and parts of Missouri, Kentucky and the Dakotas.
Drought and Deluge Double Whammy
The historic drought could finally end in an epic deluge, in which case what is already extreme stress on the topsoil would be incalculable.
NASS Crop Production Data. Map of drought superimposed on the corn production areas, July 10, 2012.
Drought Stats
Nearly two-thirds of Continental U.S. is currently in drought condition
More than 42 percent of the lower 48 states were in SEVERE, EXTREME or EXCEPTIONAL Drought Conditions (D2-D4) as of July 17, 2012, a rise of over 5 percent since last week.
As of July 17, 2012, the entire Continental U.S. with the exception of Maine was experiencing Abnormally Dry or Drought Conditions (D0 -D4) in full or in parts of the states, a situation which has since worsened due to scant precipitation and a persistent heat wave in the past few days.
More than 81 percent of the Contiguous United States was Abnormally Dry or in Drought Conditions (D0 – D4).
Drought 2012 is considered as the worst drought since 1956 and worst agricultural drought since 1988.
About 40% of the U.S. corn crop is in poor-very poor condition.
Good-excellent soybean crop dropped to 34% – down from 56% at start of season.
Some 1,297 counties in 29 states have been declared as primary natural disaster areas, with several hundred other counties designated as contiguous disaster areas.
Less than 10 percent topsoil moisture is left in South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.
Topsoil moisture in the entire Central Region is below 50 percent of normal.
Drought is expected to persist or intensify across Central Region.
About 98 percent of corn is grown within Central Region.
About 80 percent of corn grown in the U.S. is experiencing drought.
Deadly Heat Persists
Meantime, preliminary records from NCDC showed 145 high temperature records broken Wednesday and 67 records tied in 23 states: Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
High temperatures in the triple digits will be the norm for the next several days for parts of the central U.S., with heat indices reaching into the 110 degree range. Some NWS Forecast Offices have already extended their heat advisories to last through the middle of next week. Source: NWS
Nearly two-thirds of Continental U.S. in drought condition
More than 42 percent of the lower 48 states were in SEVERE, EXTREME or EXCEPTIONAL Drought Conditions (D2-D4) as of July 17, 2012, a rise of over 5 percent since last week.
As of July 17, 2012, all of the Continental U.S. with the exception of Maine is experiencing Abnormally Dry or Drought Conditions (D0 -D4) in full or in parts of the states, a situation which has since worsened due to lack of precipitation and a heat wave in the past two days.
More than 81 percent of the Contiguous United States was Abnormally Dry or in Drought Conditions (D0 – D4).
U.S. Drought Map for July 17, 2012, released July 19.
Comparison Maps for July 10 and July 17, 2012.
U.S. Drought Comparison Maps for July 3 and July 10, 2012.
U.S. Drought Comparison Maps for June 26 and July 3, 2012
Dryness and drought, exacerbated by above-normal temperatures, have been increasing both in extent and intensity across much of the central and northern U.S.Source: NOAA/ NWS/ NCEP/ Climate Prediction Center
‘If I had a rain prayer or a rain dance …’ —Vilsack
U.S. drought intensifies as deadly heat plagues regions from Dakotas to Ohio Valley
‘Dangerous and deadly heat has entrenched itself in the central Plains and Midwest with no prospects of relief in the near future,’ said NOAA forecasters.
U.S. Weather Hazards Map, July 19, 2012. Source: NWS
Excessive Heat Warnings are in effect for parts of 10 states and into the weekend for parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Heat Advisories have been issued for parts of 19 states: South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island, NWS reported.
U.S. Daily Highest Max Temperature Records (July 17, 2012)
Highest Max Temp Reported
BURLINGTON 2S, DES MOINES, IA. New record: 107.0°F set on 2012-07-17; old record at 98.0°F dated 2006-07-17
Drought 2012
“If I had a rain prayer or a rain dance I could do, I would do it.”
USDA has now declared as primary disaster areas a total of about 1,300 counties [many other counties are designated as contiguous disaster areas ] across 29 states, as grain prices shoot through the roof due to deadly heat and unrelenting drought.
“I get on my knees everyday and I’m saying an extra prayer right now,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters after briefing with the Disaster President Obama. “If I had a rain prayer or a rain dance I could do, I would do it.”
Among nature’s extreme dislikes is the fact that more than 40 percent of the U.S. corn is used to produce ethanol.
Weekly drought statistics to be released by U.S. Drought Monitor later today could show more than two-thirds of Continental U.S. in drought condition.
By early July 2012, more than 60% of the contiguous United States was experiencing drought conditions, nearly double the area from early January. This NOAA animation shows monthly composites of D1 to D4 categories of drought in the contiguous U.S. over the time frame January 2012 to July 2012 using data from the U.S. Drought Monitor. The Drought Monitor summary map identifies general drought areas, labeling droughts by intensity, with D1 (lightest color) being the least intense and D4 (darkest color) being the most intense.
State of Emergency Declared in Wisconsin
Governor Walker has declared a state of emergency in all 72 Wisconsin counties due to drought and abnormally dry conditions extending across most of the state.
“Wisconsin families, businesses and farmers are hurting as a result of this drought,” said Gov. Walker. “The increase in wildfires due to the combined lack of rain and high temperatures is adding to the risk of major economic losses, especially in agriculture. This is a time of crisis for many people, and we will utilize whatever resources are necessary to help.”
On July 10, Walker declared a state of emergency in 42 southern and central counties.
Latest Disaster Declarations by USDA
USDA has issued Disaster Declarations due to damage and losses caused by drought and excessive heat that began in April 1, 2012, and continues in
Missouri: A total of 105 counties declared as agricultural disaster areas.
Arkansas: 5 counties
Illinois: 9 counties
Iowa: 10 counties
Kansas: 10 counties
Nebraska: 3 counties
Oklahoma: 2 counties
USDA designated ten Counties in Wyoming as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.
All other Wyoming counties that would be eligible under 7 CFR 759.5 (a), already have been designated as primary natural disaster counties.
USDA designated 16 Counties in Utah as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.
Arizona. The designation also extends to 2 contiguous counties in Arizona.
USDA Designates 5 Counties in Tennessee agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.
Arkansas. The designation also extends to 2 contiguous counties in Arkansas.
Mississippi. Extends also to 2 counties in Mississippi.
USDA has designated 32 counties in Arkansas as agricultural natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.
Mississippi. No. of counties are contiguous disaster areas: 4
USDA has designated 7 counties in New Mexico as agricultural natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought.
Arizona. Counties declared as contiguous disaster areas: 1
Latest Available Maps of Agricultural Disaster Areas in the U.S.
Map of U.S. counties declared as agricultural disaster areas under ‘Streamlined Disaster Designation Process,’ as of July 12, 2012
PRIMARY & CONTIGUOUS COUNTIES designated for 2012 crop disaster losses – As of 07/10/2012 – through Designation No. S3260 (Approved 07/03/2012)
Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events
Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain). A massive wildfire has consumed/affected about 2,000 hectares on the volcanic island of Tenerife forcing the authorities to evacuate 1,800 inhabitants of the small town of Vilaflor, as well as the residents of another village nearby, reports said.
Another large fire burned more than 500 hectares on the neighboring island of La Palma before it was brought under control on Tuesday, officials said.
Global Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Global CO2 emissions rose 3 percent to 34 billion tons, said a new EU report today.
China emits 29 percent of global total (9.7 billion tons), while the U.S. is responsible for 16 percent (5.42 billion tons), the EU11 percent, India 6 percent, Russia 5 percent and Japan 4 percent, according to the report.
Australia has the world’s largest per capita emissions at 19 tons, followed by the U.S. at 17.3 tons and Saudi Arabia at 16.5 tons per year.
The report was released by EC’s Joint Research Center (JRC) and the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency.
DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,337 Days Left
[July 18, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016. SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,337 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History…
Severe frost and freeze in April, ongoing drought prompt agricultural disaster declarations across 11 states
Losses and damage caused to crops due to severe frost and freeze in April, as well as the ongoing drought across most of the U.S. have prompted USDA to declare agricultural disaster areas in dozens of U.S. counties across 11 states.
Damage and losses caused by drought that began in April 2012 and continues prompted USDA to issue disaster declaration in
Arkansas: 30 counties
Missouri: 6 counties
Georgia. USDA has designated a total of 30 counties in Georgia as both primary and contiguous natural disaster areas in two separate declaration due to frost, freeze, hail and high winds that occurred in April and May 2012.
Six counties in North Carolina (4), South Carolina (1) and Tennessee (1), are also designated as disaster areas because they are contiguous.
Iowa. USDA has designated 43 counties in Iowa as both primary and contiguous natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by severe frosts and freezes that occurred April 6-30, 2012.
Nine counties in Illinois (4), Missouri (1), Nebraska (2) and Wisconsin (2) are also designated as disaster areas because they are contiguous.
Map of U.S. Hazards Outlook for July 20 – 26, 2012, showing persistent severe drought.
Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events
Japan: Extreme Rain Events. Dozens are dead or missing on Kyushu island in western Japan, after extreme rain events, which began late Wednesday, spawned severe flooding and multiple landslides.
A record 500 mm of rain fell over a 24-hour period on Aso, Kumamoto prefecture, while scores of homes in neighboring Minami-Aso were destroyed and many more damaged by landslides.
In Kyushu’s Kumamoto and neighboring Oita prefectures, hourly rainfalls of 106mm were recorded, Japan’s meteorological agency said, while warning of additional rainfall.
Up to 150,000 people in about 35,000 households were under mandatory evacuation orders.
Moscow, Russia. Freak storm pounded Moscow, flooding the the historic center of the Russian capital on Friday, said a report.
At least two people were killed after lightning struck them.
Further storms could strike throughout the weekend, meteorologist warned.
Black clouds spawned deadly lightning and massive rainstorm over Moscow. Image by twitter user @OksanaGon4arov, via RT.
Drought Conditions Expand by 5 Percent in Continental U.S.
Moderate to Exceptional Drought conditions (D1 – D4) prevail in 60.84 percent of the Contiguous United States, a rise of about 5 percent from last week.
Abnormally Dry to Exceptional Drought conditions (D0 – D4) cover 80 percent of the United States, the largest area hit by drought than at any other time since the U.S. Drought Monitor began more than 12 years ago—breaking the previous national drought record set only last week…
Current U.S. Drought Map – Released July 12, 2012.
At least 46 people have died amid extreme heat that has paralyzed more than two dozen states from the Midwest to the East Coast.
Heat-related fatalities occurred in Virgina (at least 12 deaths reported), Maryland (11), Chicago (10), Wisconsin (4), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (3) Tennessee (2), and Indiana (1), where an infant died after being left in a vehicle in triple-digit temperatures outside her home in Greenfield, about 25 miles east of Indianapolis.
Hundreds of thousands of people in West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey, Maryland and Indiana are still without power 9 days after deadly storms swept through the region causing widespread destruction and ‘catastrophic damage’ to power grids.
Map of Temperature Departure from Normal
Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events
Krasnodar Region, Russia. The worst flooding in living memory in southern Russia’s Krasnodar Region, near the Black Sea, has left at least 153 people dead and and more than 5,000 homes destroyed or damaged, reports said.
“The flash flood inundated the cities of Gelendzhik, Krymsk and Novorossiysk as well as the four villages of Divnomorskoe, Nizhnebakanskaya, Neberdzhaevskaya and Kabardinka.”
“The streets of Krymsk are now mostly deserted. The town looks like the set of a post-apocalyptic movie,” RT reported .
About 3,000 people have been evacuated from flood-hit areas in Krasnoda, as of posting, while 30,000 people are without power in the region, and more than 80 percent of the population of Krymsk have lost their gas supply cut off.
U.S. Monthly Precipitation Map, February 12 – March 13, 2013 (Total Precipitation, Last 30 Days). Source: HPRCC
Fire Earth 
