Archive for the ‘state of emergency’ Category
Posted by feww on May 20, 2013
Powerful twisters strike U.S. states of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas and Illinois, and Oklahoma.
Governor Fallin declared a State of Emergency for 16 Oklahoma counties: Caddo, Cleveland, Comanche, Creek, Garfield, Grant, Greer, Kiowa, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Payne and Pottawatomie.
The state of emergency was declared in the 16 counties because they sustained the heaviest damage from the twisters, straight-line winds, fist-size hail and flash flooding, which began late Saturday evening.
The worst damage was caused by a deadly tornado that struck near the town of Shawnee, about 50km from Oklahoma City, leveling a mobile home park.
At least one person was confirmed dead in Pottawatomie County and two dozen others were reportedly injured.
In addition to Shawnee, several other towns and communities were severely affected by the extreme weather including Bethel Acres, Carney, Edmond, Little Axe, Norman and Wellston.
Storm-related injuries have also been reported in other parts of Oklahoma, as well as in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Illinois and Iowa.
SPC Filtered Storm Reports for May 19, 2013
Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley
Severe Weather Threat to Continue Through Monday Across the Central States —NWS
After over 300 reports of severe weather on Sunday, another round of dangerous severe weather is expected Monday with the greatest threat once again in the southern Plains targeting Oklahoma and parts of Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas. However, severe weather is possible much further north towards Chicago and Madison as well.
Posted in Global Disaster watch, global disasters, global disasters 2013, state of emergency | Tagged: Deadly tornadoes, Oklahoma State of emergency, Pink, SEVERE WEATHER Warning, Shawnee, Shawnee Twin Lakes, Tornado, Tornado Alley, US Tornado Alley, US Tornado Patch | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on December 27, 2012
DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,171 Days Left
[December 27, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
- SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,171 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
Severe storms cut power to hundreds of thousands, prompt disaster declaration in AR, states of emergency in MS, AL
Powerful winter storms continue to pound the U.S. northeast with high winds and heavy snow, forcing thousands of flight cancellations.
- Governor Beebe has declared a statewide disaster in the wake of Tuesday’s winter storm. Hundred of thousands remain without power in Central Arkansas amid freezing temperatures.
- Beebe made similar declarations on Wednesday to ease federal regulations for the transport of utility crews and supplies, as well as poultry and poultry feed.
- Up to 10 inches of snow is forecast for northern New England
- Storms dumped record snow in Arkansas and north Texas.
- “White-out” conditions reported in Indianapolis.
- At least a dozen people have been killed and dozens more injured in weather-related incidents.
- Gov. Walker declared a state of emergency in Wisconsin last week as the winter storm approached.
Snow Record Broken
A record snowfall of 4 inches was set at Elko, NV on Wednesday. This breaks the old record of 3 inches set in 1923.
Nicaragua
San Cristóbal, Nicaragua’s tallest volcano, has erupted spewing a 1.3-km column of volcanic cloud into the air.
- About 1,500 residents who live within a 3-km radius of the volcano have been told to leave the area.
- The 1,745-meter volcano sits about 140km northwest of the capital Managua.
Related Volcano Links
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Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background
GLOBAL WARNING
Posted in global change, Global Climate Extremes, Global Disaster watch, global disasters, global disasters 2012, national emergency, state of emergency | Tagged: Alabama State of Emergency, Disaster Declaration, Disaster in Arkansas, Elko, Extreme weather events, Global Weather Extremes, Managua, Mississippi State of Emergency, Nicaragua, Nicaragua volcano, San Cristóbal, severe weather system, Snow Record, U.S. Tornadoes | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on November 13, 2012
DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,215 Days Left
[November 13, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
- SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,215 Days Left to the most Fateful Day in Human History
- Symbolic countdown to the ‘worst day’ in human history began on May 15, 2011 ...
.
Global Disasters/ Significant Events
Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio devastated by severe flooding
Two days of extreme rain have caused severe flooding in parts of northern and central Italy devastating Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio regions.
- Hundreds of people have been forced to flee their homes amid major flooding.
- About 80 percent of Venice has been submerged under several feet of floodwater.
- Tuscan president has asked the army for help after several rivers burst their banks in the region.
- At least four people have reportedly died in the flooding.
Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background
GLOBAL WARNING
Posted in drought and deluge, global deluge, Global Disaster watch, global disasters, global disasters 2012, state of emergency | Tagged: Arno, Empoli, Enrico Rossi, Etruria, extreme rain event, Florence, Italy flood, italy flooding, Lazio, Nera, Pisa, Terni, Tiber river, topino, Toscana, Tuscany, Umbria, Valnerina | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on October 29, 2012
DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,230 Days Left
[October 29, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.
-
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,230 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History
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Global Disasters/ Significant Events
SANDY’s storm surge could be “life-threatening”: NHC
National Hurricane Center (NHC) has described the storm surge threat from Hurricane SANDY as “life-threatening,” ranking the surge and wave “destruction potential” for the hurricane alone, not including the combined force of the hybrid storm, which it could eventually become, at 5.8 on a scale of 0 to 6.
- SANDY could be the largest storm ever to hit the United States, said NHC.
- The massive storm could affect tens of millions of people hundreds of miles along the Atlantic Coast.
- Some coastal parts of New York and New Jersey could experience surge and waves of up to 11 feet, judging by Hurricane SANDY’s size, said NHC.
- New York Mayor has ordered the evacuation of more than 375,000 people in low-lying areas.
- Some 50,000 people in Delaware and 30,000 in Atlantic City, N.J. have also been evacuated.
- At least 5,000 flights have been cancelled.
- Flooding caused by the storm surge is expected to be particularly severe because the storm’s arrival coincides with a full moon, which causes higher tides.
- Up to 284,000 residential properties valued at $88 billion could sustain damage from storm-surge flooding, according to risk analysts CoreLogic, Reuters reported.
- The massive storm has already claimed at least 66 lives in the Caribbean.
- The Disaster President has declared States of Emergency for New York and Massachusetts.
- States of emergency have also been declared by the governors in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia and the District of Columbia.
Hurricane SANDY – IR Sat Image (NHC Enhancement). SANDY was centered about 420 miles south of New York City, at 00:01UTC on Monday moving NE, parallel to the Atlantic coast, at about 15 mph. Image source: CIMSS.
Global Disasters/ Significant Events
Myanmar
- “The UN has reported that over 22,000 people were displaced in a week of renewed sectarian fighting between Buddhists and Muslims living on Myanmar’s west coast. The total number of displaced since violence erupted in June is now around 100,000 [with at least 200 dead or injured, and more than 3,000 homes destroyed,]” said a report.
NW Pacific: TYPHOON SON-TINH
- “More than 80,000 people in south China’s Hainan Province have been relocated following the arrival of Typhoon Son-Tinh, which has brought gales and downpours to the region since Saturday,” said a report.
SW Pacific
Related Links
Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background
GLOBAL WARNING
Posted in Global Disaster watch, global disasters, global disasters 2012, state of emergency | Tagged: Atlantic City, Caribbean death toll, collision course, deadly hurricane, FRANKENSTORM, Halloween Hurricane, huriicane, Hurricane SANDY, Hurricane SANDY forecast, Hurricane SANDY projected path, hurricane warning, Myanmar, NW Pacific, SANDY, storm surge, super storm, SW Pacific, TYPHOON 24W, TYPHOON SON-TINH | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on December 13, 2010
Wisconsin declares a state of emergency in 72 counties
Wind chill temperatures expected to drop to as low as minus 27 degrees F (- 33ºC).
Gov Jim Doyle of Wisconsin declared a state of emergency in 72 counties as a powerful snowstorm barreled through the upper Midwest depositing about 20 inches of snow, causing extensive power outages, closing many roads in several states and grounding thousands of flights across the region.
The deadly snowstorm which has claimed at least 4 lives so far, hit Wisconsin and Minnesota first and moved eastward toward Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio. In Minnesota the roof of the Metrodome in Minneapolis collapsed under about 2 feet of snow.
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Chicago, northern, and north-western Illinois, as well as Michigan, North and South Dakota.
“In Wisconsin, wind gusts were as high as 70 miles per hour, the National Weather Service said, and an advisory was issued with wind chill temperatures expected to drop to minus 20 degrees F to minus 27 degrees F (minus 29ºC to minus 33ºC).” A report said.
Pacific Northwest
Extreme rain events in parts of the Pacific Northwest have triggered major mudslides, closing roads and blocking at least one railroad track in the state of Washington. Forecasters say storms could dump an additional 15cm (6 inches) or more of rain in the Cascade Range and Olympic Mountains, a report said.
Middle East
Torrential rains, snow, fierce winds and a major sandstorm hit countries across the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean for a second day. The storms sunk a cargo ship off the Israeli port of Ashdod and disrupted shipping in the Suez canal and most Egyptian ports on the Red Sea and the Mediterranean.
A factory collapsed in the port of Alexandria killing at least three people and pushing the reported death toll from climate-related incidents to at least 6 in the region so far.
U.S Weather Outlook
Click image to update. Click HERE to Animate.
National Weather Service. Click image to enter portal.
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Posted in midwest snowstorm, snow forecast, snow in the US, snowstorm, state of emergency | Tagged: deadly snowstorm, Middle East storms, Sandstorm, Wisconsin state of emergency, Wisconsin Wind Chill | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on February 6, 2010
Snow Forecast: Record 76 cm (30 in)
Snowfall totals of up to 76 cm are forecast from Virginia to southern New Jersey
Virginia, Maryland and Delaware declare states of emergency amid “snowpocalypse,” and put the National Guard on alert
Real-Time U.S. Composite Satellite Image. Click Image to enlarge (24-Hr FE ED). Source: UW-SSEC
A ferocious blizzard caused by at least 12 inches of snow, as of posting (and mounting), and 64 km/h (40 mph) winds in what is dubbed as “snowmageddon” is pummeling the US mid-Atlantic.
The authorities canceled all flights at Washington’s Reagan National airport, allowing only a few international flights to operate at Dulles International, news reports said.
The blizzard forced the U.S. govt offices in the Washington area to close after lunch yesterday.
Virginia Department of Transportation, VDOT said it had less than 6% of the state’s snow removal budget left, with the lion’s share already spent during the earlier blizzard in December.
About 20,000 homes have lost power in the Washington area as power lines and tree branches snapped under heavy snow.
The blizzard is the second to strike the area since December, when another storm dumped about 41 cm (16in) of snow in the Washington area.
Forecasters have predicted more than 76 cm (30 inches) of snow, for the area, some 5 cm (2 in) more than the all time record of 28 inches set in 1922.
GOES East – Eastern U.S. Imagery
An aviation color enhancement of a satellite image. GEOS Eastern U.S. Imagery, NOAA SSD.
Weather Map – Click Image to Enlarge –
The National Weather Service Snow Stats:
More than 30.5cm (12in, 1ft) of snowfall: 13 times since records began in 1870
Heaviest snowfall on record: 71cm (28in) in January 1922
Worst snowfall ever: about 91.5cm (3ft) hit the area in 1772 (100 years before records began)
National Snow Analysis:
February 5, 2010 (Metric Units)
| Area Covered By Snow: |
62.3% |
| Area Covered Last Month: |
59.0% |
| Snow Depth |
| Average: |
17.0 cm |
| Minimum: |
0.0 cm |
| Maximum: |
2340.7 cm |
| Std. Dev.: |
27.6 cm |
| Snow Water Equivalent |
| Average: |
3.7 cm |
| Minimum: |
0.0 cm |
| Maximum: |
1158.5 cm |
| Std. Dev.: |
7.1 cm |
February 5, 2010 (English Units)
| Area Covered By Snow: |
62.3% |
| Area Covered Last Month: |
59.0% |
| Snow Depth |
| Average: |
6.7 in |
| Minimum: |
0.0 in |
| Maximum: |
921.5 in |
| Std. Dev.: |
10.9 in |
| Snow Water Equivalent |
| Average: |
1.5 in |
| Minimum: |
0.0 in |
| Maximum: |
456.1 in |
| Std. Dev.: |
2.8 in |
Other NOHRSC Links:
Snow Cover Animations:
Snow Reports
| Top Ten: |
Metric Units… |
| Station ID |
Name |
Elev
(feet) |
Snow
(in) |
Duration
(hours) |
Time(UTC) |
| 35.1322_082.9342 |
LAKE TOXAWAY (278LAK) |
3061 |
5.000 |
6 |
2010-02-05 04 |
| 0724H_MADIS |
CLOUDCROFT 0.4 ESE, NM |
8940 |
12.000 |
24 |
2010-02-04 14 |
| 0730H_MADIS |
CLOUDCROFT 2.3 S, NM |
8684 |
12.000 |
24 |
2010-02-04 14 |
| 35.1906_083.3639 |
EAST FRANKLIN (840685EA) |
2087 |
3.000 |
6 |
2010-02-05 03 |
| 35.3186_082.4611 |
HENDERSONVILLE (932HEND) |
2188 |
3.000 |
6 |
2010-02-05 05 |
| 2199C_MADIS |
TIJERAS 5.0 E, NM |
7113 |
11.200 |
24 |
2010-02-04 14 |
| 0722H_MADIS |
CLOUDCROFT 4.9 NE, NM |
8294 |
10.700 |
24 |
2010-02-04 14 |
| MTRN5 |
MOUNTAINAIR 8NW |
6634 |
10.500 |
24 |
2010-02-04 14 |
| 2395C_MADIS |
CLOUDCROFT 16 ESE, NM |
6621 |
10.000 |
24 |
2010-02-04 14 |
| 3705S_MADIS |
NORTH LOGAN 0.8 ESE, UT |
4757 |
10.000 |
24 |
2010-02-04 15 |
|
NWS Radar Mosaic. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
Hazards. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
Snow Accumulation. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
Weather Forecast. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
Predominant Weather. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
IR Satellite Image. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
Water Vapor Satellite Image. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
Max Temps. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
Min Temps. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
Temp – Real Time Mesoscale Analysis. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
6-Hr Precipitation amount. (24-Hr FE ED). Click Image to enlarge and update.
12-Hr Probability Precipitation (%). Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
Wind Speed. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24hr- FE ED).
Wind Gusts. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24hr- FE ED)
Sky Cover. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24hr- FE ED)
River and Lake Levels. Click Image to Enter Portal.
US Seasonal Drought Outlook. Click Image to enlarge.
Surface Weather Charts. Click image to enter portal.
Fire-Earth Related Links:
Posted in mid-atlantic blizzard, National Guard, snowstorm, state of emergency, US weather | Tagged: Delaware, Eastern U.S., Maryland, mid-Atlantic, snowmageddon, snowpocalypse, Virginia, washington snowfall | 3 Comments »
Posted by feww on January 31, 2010
Vercorin, Switzerland Sees 6ft of Snow in just 3 Days
NC Gov Declares State of Emergency after Snow Storm
Large snow storms have been reported across Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and France in the past three days.
Switzerland saw the most snow, On the Snow reported. In Vercorin, Switzerland, snow topped 180cm. Elsewhere in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and France between 105 and 120cm (48 inches) of snow covered much of the region.
“Another 42-70cm of further snow is forecast within the next five days in Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and France: 70cm in Gstaad, Switzerland; 48cm in am Belchen and Todtnauberg, Germany; 47cm in Courmayeur, Italy; and 42-44cm in La Mongie, Piau Engaly, and Saint Lary Soulan, France.” The report said.
In Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia, the region where the cities of Cologne and Dusseldorf are located, more than 300 accidents were reported in a 12-hour period between Friday night and Saturday morning.
The chaos on the North Rhine-Westphalia roads killed at least one motorist and injured 40 others, while Bavaria’s frozen roads claimed another two lives, and a road accident in Thuringia killed 2 more people.
Flights at some of the airports in both regions were canceled or delayed, as police advised motorists to stay at home.
US Weather
Near Real-Time U.S. Composite Satellite Image. Credit SSEC. Click image to enlarge.
Meanwhile, North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue declared a state of emergency as more than a foot of snow blankets mountain areas. About 20 emergency shelters opened across the state, Perdue said.
“The storm left roads icy and snow packed across the South, and thousands were without power as ice accumulated. Although police said they had to clear hundreds of wrecks, there were no deaths or serious injuries reported.” WMBF reported.
Some 11 inches of snow covered Asheville, North Carolina, on Friday. The storm that brought the winter weather to the Southeast is now heading toward the Eastern Seaboard.
The lowest temperature in the Lower 48 states ranged from a low of -25ºF degrees at Upson, Wisconsin, to a high of 83ºF degrees at Vero Beach, Florida.
IR Satellite Image. Click image to update.
Weather. Click image to enlarge and update.
Temperature. Click image to enlarge and update.
Predominant Weather. Click image to enlarge and update.
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Posted in Gstaad, Hannibal's army, North Carolina, North Rhine-Westphalia, state of emergency, Thuringia | Tagged: austria, Cologne, Dusseldorf, France, germany, snow, snow storm, Upson, US temperatures, US Weather Forecast, Vercorin, Vero Beach | 3 Comments »
Posted by feww on December 25, 2009
Raging blizzard hits the lower plains
State of Emergency declared in Oklahoma, S. Dakota and Texas after winter storm kills dozens of people
“The storm is spanning two thirds of the country. Its effects run the gamut from severe thunderstorms in the Gulf Coast to ice in New England to really what is a raging blizzard in the lower plains.” The National Weather Service said.
Highlights of Storm Related Events:
- Oklahoma’s governor Brad Henry declares state of emergency, closes all state highways and interstates.
- As many as 3 dozen people have been killed in accidents in the Midwest.
- About 50 vehicles pile up in chain-reaction crash in Oklahoma.
- About a dozen states in the Midwest are under blizzard warnings.
- Heavy snow forced the cancellation of at least 80 flights in Oklahoma Thursday, trapping hundreds of passengers and employees at Oklahoma’s main airport.
- About 10,000 customers lost power in Oklahoma.
- Oklahoma City received 35cm (14in) of snow by Thursday night, nearly 6 times the record of 6cm (2.5in) set in 1914.
- 80kph (50mph) winds pummeled Kansas
- 105 kph (65mph) helped bury parts of Texas in 1.5m (5ft) snow drifts.
- Blizzard warnings stretch from Texas to northern Minnesota.
- The real misery will commence after the snowmelt will cause large scale flooding in the south and the north-east.
Near Real-Time U.S. Composite Satellite Image. Click image to enlarge.
National Weather service reported:
A powerful weather system pushing through the central U.S. will continue to significantly impact travel plans during this holiday season…
The north-central states can expect some of the heavier snowfall, occasionally accompanied by blizzard-like conditions as cold and windy conditions will spread through the region. Even places as far south as Oklahoma and northern Texas have seen snowfall totals in excess of a foot. The swath of precipitation will move toward the north and east, spreading a mixture of rain and snow to much of the Great Lakes by midday on Christmas. For more details, check the web site of the local Weather Forecast Office. Details…
Hazards. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
Snow Accumulation. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
Weather Forecast. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
Predominant Weather. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
IR Satellite Image. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
Water Vapor Satellite Image. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
Max Temps. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
Min Temps. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
Temp – Real Time Mesoscale Analysis. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
6-Hr Precipitation amount. (24-Hr FE ED). Click Image to enlarge and update.
12-Hr Probability Precipitation (%). Click Image to enlarge and update. (24-Hr FE ED).
Wind Speed. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24hr- FE ED).
Wind Gusts. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24hr- FE ED)
Sky Cover. Click Image to enlarge and update. (24hr- FE ED)
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Posted in Gulf Coast, New England, Oklahoma storm, state of emergency, texas snowdrift | Tagged: blizzard warning, Flood warning, Great Lakes, South Dakota storm, US winter storm | 7 Comments »
Posted by feww on August 29, 2009
Image of the Day: Rancho Palos Verdes on Fire
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declares a state of emergency for Los Angeles and Monterey counties as new brush fires consume more than 12,000 acres.
Residents watch a brush fire burn in Rancho Palos Verdes, California August 27, 2009. Photo: REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
For the latest on California brush fires and the US “wildfire” stats see:
https://feww.wordpress.com/calif-fires-2009/
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Posted in Calif governor, downtown Los Angeles, La Canada Flintridge, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, state of emergency | Tagged: calif fires 2009, California Fires, Los Angeles county, Monterey county, Rancho Palos Verdes, Schwarzenegger, US fire stats, US forest fires | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on May 7, 2009
The Jesusita fire/ Santa Barbara Fires 2009
This post is upgraded to provide continuous coverage.
Posted in calif., Santa Barbara County, socal, state of emergency, wildfire | Tagged: Arizona fire, Arnold Schwarzenegger, calif wildfire, Jesusita fire, Santa Barbara fire | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on April 3, 2009
Parts of Southern Africa Submerged by Deluge
Flooding has affected Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique. Rainfall was above normal in southern Africa for January to March, 2009, reports said.
Deadly Flooding in Namibia – Earth Observatory Images
Image acquired March 27, 2009
Image acquired October 18, 2002
At least 350,000 people were affected by flooding in Namibia during the annual rainy season in southern Africa in March 2009. According to a report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, at least 92 people had been killed and 13,000 people were displaced as of April 1.
Among the places affected by the heaviest rains and most severe flooding was the Caprivi Strip, a narrow “peninsula” of Namibia that stretches out along the Zambezi River between Zambia to the north and Botswana to the south. This pair of natural-color images of the area was captured by the Advanced Land Imager sensor on NASA’s Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite on March 28, 2009 (top), and the Landsat 5 satellite on October 18, 2002 (bottom).
Flood waters pooled across a wide swath of the Zambezi flood plain on March 28, and numerous towns and villages were either underwater or surrounded by floods. In the dry season, the river meanders in a narrow ribbon across the region. The vegetation is dry, and the land is shades of beige and brown. In the flooded image, the vegetation across the area is greener, which makes the flooded landscape look almost purple in places.
Flooding during the southern Africa rainy season is a normal occurrence, but this year’s rains and flooding were exceptional. Quoting Caprivi Governor Leonard Mwilima, an Agence-France Press news report said that the Zambezi River rose to its highest level in 40 years.
NASA image created by Jesse Allen, using EO-1 ALI data provided courtesy of the NASA EO-1 Team, and Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey Global Visualization Viewer. Caption by Rebecca Lindsey. Instrument: EO-1 – ALI
Southern Africa hit by worst floods in years
The Zambezi River passes the town of Tete in central Mozambique after floods took place in three river basins in 2008. Photo AFP. Image may be subject to copyright.
On Mar 27, 2009 AFP reported:
- Southern Afica’s worst floods in years, has killed more than 100 people, displacing thousands more.
- Record river levels across the region have affected hundreds of thousands of people.
- In March, Namibia’s government declared a state of emergency in areas where floods have affected over 350,000 people, 13,000 of whom were displaced.
- Some 160,000 people have been affected in Angola.
- The Zambezi river, along Namibia’s northeastern Caprivi Region, rose to 7.82 meters last week, its highest level in 40 years.
- Large areas were submerged by water and access to several villages was cut off.
- The death toll stood at 112.
- Nearly 200 schools have closed.
- One hospital and 19 clinics were cut off due to floods.
- “Water engineers are telling us these are the worst floods here since 1965,” an official told AFP.
- In Zambia, 21 districts have been affected by flooding and the army has been called in to assist the worst affected region of Shang’ombo, where they are also helping reconstruct a bridge connecting it to the rest of the country.
- In northern Botswana, rain has caused the Okavango, Zambezi and Chobe rivers to swell, leaving 430 people displaced and submerging eight villages.
- The villages of Satau and Parakarungu (population 1,000), could be swept away by the rising rivers within a matter of days, said a district official.
- In Mozambique, about 4,000 people were cut off by floods.
- In 2008, heavy rains in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi caused flash flooding in Mozambique displacing tens of thousands of people and destroying 100,000 hectares of crops.
- In 2000 and 2001 about 700 people were killed in Mozambique’s floods caused by torrential rains.
- “We must seriously consider the present floods and those of a year ago as having to do with climate change,” Guido van Langenhove, a Namibian government hydrologist, said.
Posted in Angola, displaced by deluge, Mozambique, state of emergency, weather refugees | Tagged: Angola, Deluge in Namibia, Namibia, Namibia flooding, S Africa flooding | 2 Comments »
Posted by feww on February 28, 2009
California drought: An ecological time bomb
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Friday declared a state of emergency because of three consecutive years of drought.
He urged Calif residents to cut their water consumption by 20 percent or risk mandatory cuts.
Layers of sun-baked earth are exposed in an area of the San Luis Reservoir near Gustine that was previously underwater but was dried out in January because of drought conditions. (Patrick Tehan / Mercury News). Image may be subject to copyright.
The governor said drought conditions were having “a devastating impact” on people, causing enormous financial harm to California’s economy, with losses to the farmers approaching $3 billion in 2009.
Schwarzenegger reportedly said the water crisis was “self-inflicted, it’s not mother nature’s fault.”
“This drought is having a devastating impact… making today’s action absolutely necessary,” Schwarzenegger said.
“We have a water system that is for 18 million people [but] now we are 38 million. We’ve got to go and redo our water system [to] bring it up to date.”
“The Santa Clara Valley Water District board is expected to consider recommending mandatory reductions of 10 to 20 percent for customers, which include more than a dozen towns and cities, including San Jose.” Mercury News reported.
“Our board was already considering calling for mandatory conservation, and the governor’s proclamation will give them another reason to move ahead with it,” said Susan Siravo, a spokeswoman for the district.
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Posted in drought and deluge, Santa Clara Valley, state of emergency, water consumption, water shortage | Tagged: California drought, California's economy, ecological time bomb, mandatory conservation, Schwarzenegger | 2 Comments »
Posted by msrb on December 1, 2008
Death toll from Brazil’s mudslides rises to 110
Renewed rainfall threatens to trigger more landslides in Brazil’s Santa Catarina state
As Brazil’s death toll from mudslides rises to 110 with 20 others missing, renewed rainfall threatens to trigger more landslides in Brazil’s Santa Catarina state, which has experienced more than 4,000 landslides after months of torrential rain. Many houses and their residents have been buried in massive rivers of mud.
A general view shows a flooded Itajai city in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina November 26, 2008. Brazil sent hundreds of state and federal police officers to quell looting by homeless and hungry landslide victims facing the threat of disease after heavy flooding that authorities say killed more than 100 people and displaced 54,000. Rescue workers shoveled through massive mudslides that buried homes and cars and ferried stranded survivors to safety in rubber dinghies, as the disaster prompted President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to visit the region on Wednesday. REUTERS/SECOM/James Tavares/Handout (BRAZIL).
Blumenau was one of five towns in the Itajai valley of Santa Catarina state, the heartland of German and Italian immigrants in Brazil, to declare a state of emergency. Its main river rose by about 12 meters submerging large areas.
Several thousand soldiers and police have been sent to the affected towns to help distribute food and medicine and stop looting which had reportedly broken out.
Brazil’s President Lula da Silva authorized emergency relief funds worth about $900 million earlier this week. Floods and mudslides have affected up to 2 million people displacing some 100,000 people.
Other countries/regions/cities affected by flooding this week:
- In Italy torrential rains and hail flooded streets in Rome November 30, 2008.
- Sri Lankan Floods caused by days of heavy rain have killed a dozen people, displacing about 90,000 others.
- In Venice, Italy, the biggest flood in nearly a quarter of a century submerged most parts of the city, with waters rising as high as 1.6m above normal levels.
- In southeast Queensland, the worst storms in three decades have triggered massive floods. Brisbane, the provincial capital, was deluged by about 25cm of rainfall in less than 7 hours. About a quarter of million homes and businesses were left without power. More rain and flooding is expected in the next few days.
- In Colombia, the second rainy season this year has triggered numerous landslides, which has left about 60 people dead and some 70,000 buildings destroyed. More than 150,000 families have been affected.
Flooded Saint Mark’s square in Venice: A harbinger of submerged world. Tourists take photos of each other in the flooded Saint Mark’s square in Venice December 1, 2008. Image may be subject to copyright.REUTERS/Manuel Silvestri
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Posted in Blumenau, Climate Change, environment, President Lula, state of emergency | Tagged: Brazil, Extreme Rain Events, Itajai city, mudslides, Santa Catarina state | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on October 15, 2008
California: Playing with fire!
“Once again, we are facing the perfect storm of high winds, low humidity and high heat,” said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Wildfires have consumed 26,000 acres and 64 structures [and many mobile homes] from Los Angeles to the Mexican border in the last few days, Schwarzenegger said.
[This bag and my son is all I ever needed!] – Maria Ramirez runs through a police closure to get her son from their home as the Marek fire threatens houses in Lake View Terrace. October 13, 2008. Photo: Al Seib/Los Angeles Times. Image may be subject to copyright.
- Marek fire was more than 50% contained.
- Sesnon fire, doubled in size overnight to about 10,000 acres, is still burning in a southwesterly direction.
- Villaraigosa signed a local emergency declaration to receive state and federal disaster assistance.
The Sky Terrace Mobile Lodge in the northeast San Fernando Valley suffered significant damage to residences and structure from the Marek fire. October 13, 2008. Photo: Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times. Image may be subject to copyright.
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Posted in air pollution, mandatory evacuation, Marek Fire, state of emergency, Villaraigosa | Tagged: Los Angeles, Mexican border, Schwarzenegger, Sesnon fire, SoCal Fires | Leave a Comment »
Posted by feww on July 6, 2008
Trick or Treat?
A home in the path of a fast moving wildfire burns out of control in the northern part of Poway, California October 22, 2007. More than 120,000 residents have been evacuated and numerous homes have been lost due to the multiple fires burning in San Diego county. REUTERS/Fred Greaves (UNITED STATES). Image may be subject to copyright. See FEWW Fair Use Notice!
Posted in Climate Change, energy, environment, state of emergency, Trick or Treat | Tagged: California Fires, Halloween, lifestyle, multiple fires, San Diego county | Leave a Comment »
Posted by edro on March 21, 2008
Update:
The death toll in American Midwest flood has reached 13 with 3 people reported missing. Missouri’s governor has declared a state of emergency and President [sic.] Bush has approved federal assistance for the state. Meanwhile, the storm continues moving northeast.
Deadly Rains in the U.S. Midwest
An early spring storm system advanced out of the Southern Plains in mid-March 2008, causing widespread flooding. NASA images by Hal Pierce (SSAI/NASA GSFC). Caption by Steve Lang (SSAI/NASA GSFC).
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Posted in flood, Midwest, Missouri, state of emergency, storm | Leave a Comment »
Fire Earth 
