Major Heatwave Enters 5th Day in Australia

Perth experiences earliest spell of five 35-degree-plus days in 71 years

A major  heatwave is shifting eastwards, pushing the mercury up to 40ºC in Adelaide by Thursday, and into the 30s for Sydney by Friday, local meteorologists forecast.

[Sydney’s average temperatures for December is 25.2ºC.]

Perth and surrounding areas were put on a severe fire danger alert Monday morning amid hot, dry and windy conditions, following a sweltering weekend, said a report.

The alert followed a large bush fire in the Shire of Toodyay, which needed more than 170 fire crews to control, as the blaze edged menacingly towards two housing estates. The fire had consumed more than 270 hectares, as of posting.

Rows of baled hay went up in flames most probably due to spontaneous combustion in Toodyay farmland on Sunday. Photo credit: Nine News Perth

Monday is the 5th day of a major heatwave which has pushed temperature highs above 40ºC.

On Saturday it reached 40.4ºC in Perth, and peaked at 37ºC Sunday. Parts of the eastern metropolitan Perth could see the temperature reaching 41ºC today.

In November, Perth recorded its hottest spring in 116 years, with overall average of 18.8ºC

Related Links

• BACK-TO-BACK Australian Disasters

Liver Disease Killing 7,500 Australians Each Year

More than 6 million Australians have liver disease, mostly self-inflicted

More than a quarter of Australians suffer from liver disease, according to a report commissioned by the Australian Liver Association.

The most common form of the disease in Australia is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, affecting 5.5 million across the country. The next most common form is viral hepatitis, including B and C, which affects another 500,000 people.

• The cost to the economy is a “staggering” $51 billion a year.

• Obesity, drug and alcohol abuse are major risk factors.

• ”The majority of patients are also part of the obesity epidemic that we’re seeing in Australia,” said Australian Liver Association Chairwoman.

• ”While liver disease caused by the virus hepatitis C is the No.1 cause for a liver transplant, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease accounts for a much higher proportion of people with liver disease.”

Other Global Disaster/ Significant Events

Peru declares state of emergency in its rainforest

Government of Peru has declared a state of emergency in a part of its northern Amazon rainforest, after discovering high levels of barium, lead, chrome and petroleum-related compounds in the region, which is home to one of its biggest oil fields, said a report.

‘Abnormal heat’ sets record March temps in Australia

Australia’s 2013 summer was the hottest on record, said a report, and the period from October onwards is forecast to be the hottest since records began more than a century ago.

Blistering temperatures were reported across eastern Australia this week.

• Birdsville, Queensland broke a 101-year-old record, posting a high of 42.9ºC  and beating a previous high of 42.1ºC set at Longreach on 28 March 1912, the report said.

• Swan Hill, Victoria set a new late-season record at 38.8ºC and Fowlers Gap, NSW recorded 40.9ºC  ( Both records were previously set on March 29, 1986).

• Melbourne reported peak of 35.6ºC, the hottest this late in the season since the extreme heat of March 1940.

Massive bushfire in Australia destroys many homes

Australian authorities have issued two emergency warnings after a massive bushfire, which consumed 1,300 hectares and many homes,  descended on the 700-strong community of Dereel, west of Melbourne, prompting many residents fleeing for safety, said a report.

Related Links

• Back-to-back Australian Disasters

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DISASTER CALENDAR – March 27, 2013 — 
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,081 Days Left 

Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,081 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human  History
• The countdown began on May 15, 2011 …

GLOBAL WARNINGS

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID PLANETARY DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

Powerful Tornadoes Destroy Dozens of Homes in Australia

Two tornadoes leave a trail of destruction across Victoria, NSW injuring at least 20 people

Destructive twisters described as “terrifying,”  ripped through Murray River towns of Bundalong, Yarrawonga, Mulwala, Rutherglen, Koonoomoo and Cobram, leaving at least 20 people injured, five seriously, more than 60 homes uninhabitable, and many more houses, mobile homes and businesses damaged, reports said.

• The tornadoes have been assessed as between F1 and F2 on the F-Scale rating, with wind speeds between 118 and 254km/h [F3?] and a destruction path 150m – 250m wide, said the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

• A local official in Mulwala described his town as “looking like a war zone” after the tornadoes swept through.

• “It’s just like a bomb went off. Trees have got no leaves. It’s just defoliated them. It looks like Agent Orange has sort of gone through there and stripped them.”

• Another official said:  “It is colossal damage, this will cost millions to fix.”

• “Big trees that weigh tonnes have been plucked from the ground and dragged and smashed everywhere.”

Related Links

• Back-to-Back Australian Disasters

Other Global Disasters/Significant Events

USA: Connecticut Disaster Declaration

The White House has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Connecticut in the areas affected by a severe winter storm and snowstorm during the period of February 8-11, 2013.

• Public infrastructure and facilities were destroyed or damaged by the severe winter storm and snowstorm in Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland, and Windham Counties and the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribal Nations located within New London County.

Thailand: Drought Disaster Declared in 39 Provinces

Drought disaster has been declared across 39 of Thailand’s 76 provinces, with a 4oth province,  Suphan Buri, on the verge of becoming another disaster area, said officials at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM).

• At least 20 of the disaster areas are experiencing extreme [exceptional] drought.

USA: New Hampshire Disaster Declaration

The White House has declared a major disaster exists in the State of New Hampshire in the areas affected by a severe winter storm and snowstorm during the period of February 8-10, 2013.

• Public infrastructure and facilities were destroyed or damaged by the severe winter storm and snowstorm in the counties of Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham, Strafford, and Sullivan.

United Kingdom: Britain could run out of gas in 36 hours

Britain’s natural gas stocks are running low due to the unseasonably cold weather, which has pushed the demand up by at least 20 percent. In the worst case scenario the country could run out of gas supplies in 36 hours, reports said.

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March 22, 2013 — DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,086 Days Left 

Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,086 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human  History
• The countdown began on May 15, 2011 …

GLOBAL WARNINGS

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID PLANETARY DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

RUSTY Upgraded to a Cat 4 Cyclone

Powerful Cyclone RUSTY Could Cause Severe Flooding in Australia’s NW Coast

Severe Tropical Cyclone RUSTY Forecast Track Map. Source: Australia BOM (Note: WST = UTC + 8hrs)

• Cyclone RUSTY  intensified to a Cat 4 storm early Wednesday, Australia’s BOM reported.
• At 3:00am UTC (11am WST) February 27, 2013  RUSTY was located at 19.5S, 19.4E.
• The cyclone was quasi-stationery for about 6 hours, hovering some 100km off the coast, BOM reported.
• The storm could make landfall east of Port Hedland, about 1,300km north of Perth, Wednesday PM local time.
• High winds have already been reported in Australia’s north-west coast.
• Up to 600mm of rain (~24in) has been being forecast over a 24-hour period.
• People in low-lying areas have been evacuated.
• RUSTY could dump the equivalent of Perth’s entire winter rainfall  over the next 3 days, BOM has warned.

Related Links

• Back-to-back Australian Disasters [index page for Australian disasters 2010 – 2013]

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February 27, 2013 – DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,109 Days Left 

Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,109 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human  History
• The countdown began on May 15, 2011 …

GLOBAL WARNINGS

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID PLANETARY DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

Disaster Declared in 11 Australian Zones

NOTE: This Blog is virtually blocked in Australia, NZ, UK …

Australia: Back-to-back disasters intensify

Two Major floods in 2 months cause more disasters in NSW

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell have declared 11 areas in northern NSW as disaster zones due to severe storms and widespread flooding.

• The disaster areas are Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Camden, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Kiama, Nambucca, Port Macquarie Hastings and Randwick.

• It is northern NSW’s second major flood this year.
• In southern Queensland, at least one person drowned in floodwaters north east of Brisbane.
• Kiama declared disaster zone

Related Links

• Towns Evacuated as Major Flooding Hits NSW, Australia February 23, 2013
• Wildfires Rage Across Australia February 13, 2013
• Final Eviction Notice to Australians? January 28, 2013
• Australian floods force evacuation of thousands in 2 states January 29, 2013
• Disaster declared in NSW

• Back-to-back Australian Disasters [index page for Australian disasters 2010 – 2013]

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February 25, 2013 – DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,111 Days Left 

Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,111 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human  History
• The countdown began on May 15, 2011 …

GLOBAL WARNINGS

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID PLANETARY DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

Towns Evacuated as Major Flooding Hits NSW, Australia

NOTE: This Blog is virtually blocked in Australia, NZ, UK …

Australia: Back-to-back disasters intensify

Major flooding in NSW forces mass evacuations

Evacuation orders are being enforced in several towns along the northern New South Wales (NSW) coast, including Kempsey, Port Macquarie and Bellingen, and emergency services are warning people not to enter floodwaters, said a report.

Flood warnings are in effect for at least 11 rivers in NSW as floodwater from a low-pressure system continues to swamp a large region.

At least two deaths have so far been reported in the region as a result of flooding.

New South Wales Rainfall Map to 9:00am, 23 Feb 2013. Source: Australia BOM. Image may be subject to copyright.

Other Disasters/ Significant Events

The White House has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Louisiana in the areas affected by severe storms and flooding during the period of January 8-17, 2013.

The damage caused by the severe storms and flooding occurred in the parishes of Acadia, Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, Evangeline, Franklin, Jefferson Davis, Livingston, Madison, St. Landry, and Vermilion.

Related Links:

• Final Eviction Notice to Australians? January 28, 2013
• Australian floods force evacuation of thousands in 2 states January 29, 2013
• Back-to-back Australian Disasters [index page for Australian disasters 2010 – 2013]

Final Eviction Notice to Australians?

DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,139 Days Left 

[January 28, 2013] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,139 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

You’ve overstayed your welcome!

Forced evacuations of about 5,000 people are under way in flood-hit city of Bundaberg (pop: ~ 72,000), with authorities warning people could die if they stay.

Severe flooding continues to bury large areas in Queensland, destroying or damaging thousands of properties and forcing mass evacuation of residents in the city of Bundaberg.

Queensland flood map. Source: Bureau of Meteorology

• Floodwater is surging through some parts of the city at  a speed of about 40 knots (~ 75kmh).
• “The velocity of the water, and the rises in the water levels, means that literally houses, particularly in north Bundaberg, and maybe other locations, could be swept away,” said Queensland premier.
• “The communities of Gympie and Maryborough are flooding, Gladstone had suffered severe flooding downstream from Awoonga dam, and Rockhampton was braced for a significant flood from this weekend.”

• The storm is heading to NSW, while floodwaters threaten two major cities of Brisbane and Sydney.

• Earlier this months hundreds of fires in New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria burnt more than 750,000 hectares of the state, destroying dozens of properties and forcing the government to declare disaster in at least 43 local government areas.

Meantime, the Australian PM, who was visiting bushfire-ravaged states of Victoria and NSW, said: 

• “Whether it’s bushfires, whether it’s floods we are being challenged by nature…”
• “Across Queensland the wild weather has broken a lot of hearts. It’s a very tough period…”

• “To those right now, in the grip of this disaster, I say to you: `You are not alone’. This state and its people will rise to the challenge I am supremely confident of that.” Ms. Gillard said.

• “We’ll do whatever we can to protect you, in some cases to rescue you, and to do everything to stand by you in the days, weeks and months ahead. Together we will get through this.”

Challenged by nature? We beg to differ!

We believe you have overstayed your welcome, as far as Mother Nature is concerned.

In the words of Queensland police commissioner:  “Do not wait. Move now. Yr life depends on it.”

• Back-to-back Australian Disasters [index page]

• Wild storms hit Canberra
• Floods likely to isolate hundreds in NSW
• Brisbane expected to flood
• LARGE, out-of-control bushfire continues to threaten homes on the outskirts of the central Victorian community of Violet Town.
• Mass evacuation under way in Qld city

GLOBAL WARNINGS

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

Statewide Catastrophe Declared in Queensland, Australia

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.

• Back-to-back Australian Disasters [index page]

• Wild storms hit Canberra
• Floods likely to isolate hundreds in NSW
• Brisbane expected to flood

United States

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.

GLOBAL WARNINGS

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/weather/brisbane-expected-to-flood-20130127-2deip.html

Flooding in Mozambique Displaces 70,000, Killing Dozens

DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,141 Days Left 

[January 26, 2013] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,141 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

“We are eating grasshoppers”

Severe flooding, triggered by week-long extreme rain events in South Africa and Zimbabwe,  continued to spread across southern Mozambique.

“The number of displaced people now stood at 67,995 while nearly 85,000 have been affected by the raging waters in recent days, the UN said, urging donors to urgently make more funds available ‘to help deal with this emergency’ in the impoverished southeast African nation.”

Hunger is setting in among tens of thousands of the victims who are waiting for help to arrive, said a report.

“We are eating grasshoppers,” a flood victim told AFP, adding that she believed they were the “lucky ones.”

“We have family in the town, our aunts. They must be on the rooftops now,” she said.

“We left at midnight without taking food. We have nothing to sleep under.”

• Mozambique Floods Threaten 50,000 January 22, 2013

The Great Crocodile Escape

A crocodile farm in northern South Africa was forced to open its gates after being inundated, letting loose at least 15,000 crocodiles.

Australia

Several ‘mini-tornadoes’ spawned by the remnants of cyclone Oswald have hit the Queensland coast injuring about two dozen people, as severe weather and flooding batters the disaster state.

The tornadoes have damaged scores of homes and forced the evacuation of towns around Bundaberg, reports said.

• Tornadoes  caused severe damage to coastal townships of Bargara and Burnett Heads, both of which have since been declared disaster areas.

Further north, severe flooding in Gladstone led to the city (population ~ 30,000) being declared a disaster zone, and the authorities told at least 2,000 people  to evacuate.

• Back-to-back Australian Disasters [index page]

Oklahoma, USA

The drought in Oklahoma has caused more than $2 billion in damage in the past two years, said a report.

Oklahoma Drought Map. Source: Drought Monitor Archives

• “Cities are facing water rationing, and Tulsa residents will see dying lawns, trees and plants.”
• It cost twice as much to feed the livestock. “A load of feed, which lasts about a month, has gone from about $3,500 to $7,500.”
• USDA has declared 917 counties as primary and contiguous drought disaster areas including the entire state of Oklahoma and parts of 25  other states, in January 2013.

High Plains Drought Map. Source: Drought Monitor Archives

• Drought 2013

GLOBAL WARNINGS

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

Extreme Weather Wallops QLD, Australia

DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,209 Days Left 

[November 19, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,209 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

More than 100,000 bolts of lightning strike QLD area

A massive storm system hammered southern Queensland with destructive, near hurricane force wind gusts as 4-inch hail and heavy rain buffeted the region.

• Flash-flooding swamped parts of Brisbane (pop: ~2.2 million), Australia’s third most populous city. [SE QLD urban conurbation around Brisbane  has a population of about 3.2 million.]
  

• The storms affected the Brisbane, Ipswich, Sunshine and Lockyer council areas, causing crop damage in the Granite Belt and on the Darling Downs, reports said.

• The storms caught the country’s Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) by surprise, as they failed to issue a specific warning until after the extreme weather event had hit parts of Brisbane.

• Brisbane city received about 80mm of rain, and rainfall in access of 100mm was recorded elsewhere in the region over the weekend.

Lightning strikes outside Dalby in southern Queensland. (Photo: Hans Siebert/via abc.net.au)

At least 100,000 bolts of lightning, delivering an estimated 50 megacoulombs of electric charge, were recorded in the region.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• The Fate of Energy Dinosaurs
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar

GLOBAL WARNING

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun

Drought Declared in Southeast UK

Larger areas of the UK face drought this year: DEFRA

England declares drought in more regions after months of low rainfall.  Drought is now affecting the country’s southeastern, eastern and parts of the Midlands. The river Kennet has stopped flowing near Lockeridge in Wiltshire, reports said.

Disaster Calendar 2012 – February 21

[February 21, 2012]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,485 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

• England, UK.  As UK government declares drought in southeast England, the country’s top official responsible for  environment has warned that large parts of the country are facing an inevitable drought this summer even if the coming months bring heavy rainfall.
  • “Drought is already an issue this year with the south-east, Anglia and other parts of the UK now officially in drought, and more areas are likely to be affected as we continue to experience a prolonged period of very low rainfall,”  British Environment Minister has warned.
  • Meantime, the country’s Meteorological Agency has warned that ‘prolonged periods of heavy rainfall in the near future are unlikely.’
  • Groundwater levels in East Anglia are exceptionally low.
  • Rainfall in the Midlands, East Anglia and the south east in January was about 35 percent below normal.
  • East Anglia has experienced its driest-ever 5-month period from last September, the Center for Hydrology and Ecology reported.
  • The counties of Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and large parts of Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, as well as  west Norfolk are experiencing drought, while Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Kent, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Shropshire are extremely dry.
  • “Since June 2011, drought has affected Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, parts of Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, and west Norfolk. In February 2012 following a dry winter, Hampshire, West Sussex, East Sussex, Kent, Surrey, London, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and the east of Gloucestershire are now in drought,” Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) reported.
  • In contrast, northern England and Scotland have experienced their wettest winter in 100 years, reports said.

UK Groundwater Levels as of mid February 2012. BGS © NERC. Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Environment Agency, 100026380, 2012.

Other Global Disasters

• New South Wales (NSW), Australia.   The government in the Australian state of NSW has extended a natural disaster declarations to the northern areas of Bourke and Tamworth, a report said.
  • The disaster declarations follow widespread flooding which has substantially damaged homes, businesses and infrastructure.
  • The following local government areas have already been declared disaster areas: Walgett, Brewarrina, Liverpool Plains, Gloucester, Upper Hunter, Ballina, Gunnedah, Moree Shire, Greater Taree, Gwydir, Narrabri, Tenterfield, Bellingen, Byron, Lismore, Kyogle, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Inverell, Nambucca, Kempsey and Tweed Shire Council.
  • Flood evacuation orders may be issued later today.
• Western NSW.  Meantime, major flooding is occurring across the western portion of NSW, reports said.
  • Fooodwaters from Queensland and eastern NSW are heading west towards Brewarrina and Bourke (combined pop: ~ 4,000), where three swollen river systems converge.
• Southern NSW.   “Authorities received more than 300 calls for help as flash flooding hit Sydney and the New South Wales south coast last night,” a report said.
  • “Extraordinary rain. Terrey Hills had 61 millimeters in a hour, and Peakhurst had 26 millimeters in just ten minutes,” State Emergency Service spokesman said.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar 

Back-to-Back Australian Disasters

• Inland sea moving across NSW, Australia  Posted on February 10, 2012
• The state government in NSW (Aus)  has declared Gunnedah a disaster area

• Flooded Australia: Thousands Evacuated in 3 States
• Back-to-Back Disasters Could Hit Australia: FIRE-EARTH Forecast
• Wildfire Consumes 1 Million Acres in WA

• Australia: 5 disaster areas declared in NSW following severe flooding