Two More Mass Shootings in Terrorland: Dozens Killed or Wounded

Updated to include the fatal mass shooting in Savannah, Georgia Wednesday

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14 Killed, 17 wounded in San Bernardino shooting

San Bernandino police say they have identified two people killed in a gun battle with police in Redlands, California as Syed Rizwan Farook, a 28-year-old U.S. citizen, and 27-year-old Tashfeen Malik.

This follows earlier news that two shooters had opened fire at a party in the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, killing at least 14 people and leaving 17 others wounded. The shooters were heavily armed, and their motive remains unknown, according to local reports.

The male shooter, Farook, had worked for the county health department for five years, and left the party “under some circumstances that were described as angry,” police said.

Mass Shooting in Georgia

A shooter in Savannah, Georgia killed a woman and left three others wounded early Wednesday morning, according to a news bulletin issued by Savannah Metro Police.

Mass Shooting in Colorado Springs

The two mass shootings on Wednesday follow yet another mass shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs. Robert L. Dear, a 57-year-old man, was arrested on Saturday in connection with the shooting, which left three people dead and nine others wounded.

More than 1 Mass Shooting per day in 2015 in US

The following is a 2015 list of Mass Shootings in Terrorland, in which at least four people were shot in a single event. Some 355 mass shootings have occurred so far this year, a total of 336 days.

• Cited lists of known mass shootings in 2015

Key Gun Violence Statistics

Every day, 297 people in the U.S. are shot in murders, assaults, suicides & suicide attempts, unintentional shootings, and police intervention, of whom 90 die.

Every day, 90 people die from gun violence:

• 31 are murdered
• 55 kill themselves
• 2 are killed unintentionally
• 1 is killed by police intervention
• 1 intent unknown.

Each year, 32,514 people die from gun violence:

• 11,294 people are murdered
• 19,992 people kill themselves
• 561 people are killed unintentionally
• 414 are killed by police intervention
• 254 die but intent is not known

Each year 2,677 kids die from gun violence:

• 1,671 children and teens are murdered
• 827 children and teens kill themselves
• 124 children and teens killed unintentionally
• 25 are killed by police intervention
• 30 die but the intent was unknown

 

Major Disaster Declared in El Paso County, CO

WH Declares Colorado a Federal Disaster Area

The White House has  declared a major disaster exists in the State of Colorado in the areas affected by the Black Forest Fire during the period of June 11-21, 2013.

Black Forest Fire near Colorado Springs in the El Paso County burned 14,280 acres, destroying at least 511 homes and damaging 28 others. The fire started on June 11 and was declared 100 percent contained on June 20.

An aerial view of a destroyed house and vehicles in the aftermath of the Black Forest Fire in Black Forest, Colorado June 13, 2013. Credit: Reuters/Rick Wilking

Federal funding has been made available for Crisis Counseling , Disaster Unemployment Assistance for affected individuals, as well as emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the Black Forest Fire in El Paso County, said the WH.

Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments, said the official statement.

Related Links

• Colo. Fire Turns Deadly, Most Destructive in State’s History  June 14, 2013
• Massive Wildfire Threatens to Torch Colorado Town  June 24, 2013

Global Disasters/ Significant Events – June 14, 2013

UPDATE: Black Forest Fire Destroys 379 Homes

At least 379 homes have been destroyed and 9 others damaged as of 1:10 a.m. Friday, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office reported.

At least 38,000 people have so far been evacuated,  while residents of 2,000 more homes in Colorado Springs have been told to be ready to evacuate.

Black Forest could  see a high of 90-95 degrees Friday.

Meantime, Colo. Gov. has signed an Executive Order declaring Disaster Emergency due to Black Forest Fire, following a verbal declaration on June 11, 2013.

Royal Gorge Fire

The Royal Gorge Fire in Canon City, 55 miles SW of Black Forest, has incinerated 48 of the Royal Gorge Park’s 52 buildings, damaged the park’s 955 feet suspension bridge above the Arkansas River, and destroyed an aerial tram, reports said.

-oOo-

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

Severe Weather Forecast: Central Plains, Upper Midwest, Northern Florida

The NWS Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a risk of severe thunderstorms Friday afternoon and evening for parts of the central Plains and Upper Midwest, from extreme eastern Colo. across northern Kan., eastern Neb. and extreme northwestern Mo., into western Iowa, southwestern Minn., eastern S.D. and extreme southeastern N.D. There is also a risk of severe weather across parts of northern Fla.

Meantime, a series of severe storms on Thursday cut electricity to about half a million homes and businesses in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic states. The worst affected areas were the Carolinas, said Duke Energy Corp, the largest power company in the U.S.

Duke has warned its customers to prepare for a ‘multi-day’ outage in the storm-hit areas, said a report.

The storms left at least 2 people dead, one in Rising Sun, Maryland and the other in Richmond, Virginia.

-oOo-

Chemical Plant Explosion and Fire

An explosion and fire at the Williams Olefins chemical plant in Geismar, Louisiana has killed at least one person and injured 77  others on Thursday.

-oOo-

Image of the Day: Sandstorm in W. India

A humongous sandstorm sweeps across Bikaner, Rajasthan, western India, June 13, 2013. (Xinhua/Stringer). More images…

Wildfires, Violent Weather Continue Attacking America

Spreading Like Wildfire!

Two ferocious wildfires are spreading across southern Colorado, destroying scores of homes and consuming thousands of acres.

The so-called Black Forest Fire has devoured about 10,000 acres, destroying an estimated 100 homes and prompting evacuation orders and pre-evacuation notices to nearly 10,000 people and 3,500 residences and businesses, according to officials.

The second blaze, Royal Gorge Bridge fire, burning about 55 miles southwest of Black Forest Fire, has consumed about 5 square miles, destroying at least 20 structures.

Deadly Wildfire in California

“Wildfires also were burning in New Mexico, Oregon and California, where a smokejumper was killed fighting one of dozens of lightning-sparked fires,” said a report.

Red Flag Warnings

Red Flag Warnings are in Effect across parts of at least 5 states—Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

Violent Weather Moving East

Forecasters at the NWS Storm Prediction Center have predicted a Moderate Risk of severe thunderstorms for parts of the Mid-Atlantic Thursday. “Significant wind damage expected, along with the possibility of large hail and a few tornadoes. Heavy rainfall will also accompany the system.”

On Wednesday, at least 12 tornadoes touched down in 3 states—Iowa, Illinois and Ohio.

 

Destructive Wildfire Activity Intensifies in Colorado

Tens of thousands of evacuees crowding emergency shelters; hundreds of Colorado homes destroyed  

Waldo Canyon Fire dubbed ‘a monster’ by local fire chief grew nearly 300 percent overnight, consuming at least 18,500 acres, and destroying an estimated 500 homes.

• The blaze has destroyed many homes on the edges of Colorado Springs prompting more evacuations on Wednesday.
• As many as 50,000 people have fled their homes, so far, though the authorities have not yet revealed the exact number of the displaced, or the number of homes destroyed by the blaze.
• The blaze has burned about 12 acres along the southwest boundary of the Air Force Academy campus.
• The blaze, currently about 5% contained, is expected to continue growing:
  • Size: 18,500 acres [Reported by JIC at 11:57UTC on Thursday, June 28, 2012]
  • Structures threatened: 20,085 residences and 160 commercial structures
  • Growth Potential: Extreme
  • Terrain Difficulty: Extreme
  • Wind Conditions: 12 mph SW
  • Temperature: 93 degrees
  • Humidity: 8%

Evacuations and Closures

Currently on mandatory evacuation:  

• Cascade, Chipita Park, Green Mountain Falls, Crystola

• City of Colorado Springs
  • All areas north of Garden of the Gods Rd. between I-25 to the east all the way to the western City limits and north to the Air Force Academy.

• Air Force Academy
  • Evacuated areas include all housing areas on the base except the airfield.

• Teller County
  • Refer to http://www.co.teller.co.us

• US 24
  • Closed between Cave of the Winds and El Paso/Teller County line.

• Pike National Forest
• Order 12-08 closes the Pike National Forest in the area of the Waldo Canyon Fire as shown on map of order.

Currently on Voluntary Evacuation:

• Crystal Park
• Manitou Springs

The fire is one of ten major wildfires burning in Colorado, as of posting.

Waldo Canyon Fire Map (June 27).

Other Significant Fires in Colorado

• High Park Fire, Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests / Pawnee National Grassland, about 15 miles west of Fort Collins, 87,284 acres, 75% contained.
  • At least 257 homes have been lost and the toll is expected to grow as assessments continue.
  • Several thousand residents currently remain under mandatory evacuation orders.

• The Little Sand Fire, located 13 miles northwest of Pagosa Springs, 22,440 acres consumed, 31% contained.
• Weber Fire, San Juan National Forest, 6 miles south of Mancos, CO, has consumed 9,155 acres, 30% contained.
  • Evacuations are in place, number of evacuees NOT reported by Montezuma County Sheriff.
• Pine Ridge Fire. “The lightning-ignited Pine Ridge Fire was reported June 27 about 10 miles northeast of Grand Junction above the Book Cliffs. It has grown rapidly and is currently estimated at 500 acres. Seven structures are threatened.” Inciweb reported.

At least 3 dozen active wildfires are currently burning hundreds of thousands of acres in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, Alaska, California and Virginia.

Montana Wildfires – State of Emergency Declared

Dahl Fire Wildfire. Montana Governor has signed an emergency declaration for Musselshell, Rosebud, Custer, Treasure, Yellowstone and Big Horn Counties and the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Earlier this week, Gov Schweitzer signed another emergency proclamation for Lewis & Clark, Broadwater, Jefferson and Madison Counties.

• Dahl, Hawk Creek, and Ash Creek Fires.The Dahl Fire in Musselshell County was reported on Tuesday, June 26th and has since exploded to 18,751 acres.
  • The massive blaze is fueled by high temperatures, low relative humidities and gusty winds, with ZERO containment.

• Pony fire and at least 2 other fires, Antelope Lane fire and Corral fire, are burning in Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, threatening numerous structures.
  • The town of Mammoth and South Boulder north to the Indiana University Geology Field Station are under mandatory evacuation, fire authorities reported.

Utah Wildfires

• The Wood Hollow Fire, a blaze about 1 mile south of Fountain Green in Utah State Division of Forestry Fire & State Lands has now grown to 46,190 acres, claiming at least one life and destroying a reported 56 structures  and scores of farm animals, mostly sheep.
  • The communities of Indian Ridge, Elk Ridge, Big Hollow, and Oaker Hills communities are under mandatory evacuation.
  • The entire town of Fairview (pop: 1,200) has been evacuated.
  • About 2,000 others have been evacuated from surrounding communities.
• Church Camp Fire, located 22 miles S. of Duchesne, has grown to 4,000 acres, destroying 12 homes.
  • Mandatory evacuation ordered by Duchesne County authorities for the Argyle Canyon Road, east of State Road 191 to Gardner Canyon and 2 miles north and 2 miles south of Argyle Canyon Road.
  • Fire Behavior:  Extreme fire behavior, crowning, torching, spotting. Short crown runs in dense timber.
  • Containment: ZERO percent.
  • Growth Potential:  Extreme

• Wyoming Wildfires.The Fontenelle Fire,  a wildfire burning in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Lincoln and Sublette County, Wyoming, about 33-miles northwest of the community of LaBarge was first reported around 4:30pm on Sunday, June 24.
  • The fire has grown nearly 9  folds from about 2,000 to 17,000 acres in 24 hours.
  • The blaze has forced several road closures and evacuations in the area.

Record heat continues in southern Plains

Excessive Heat Warnings

• Excessive Heat Warning and Dust Storm Warning are in effect in Arizona, as of posting.
• Excessive Heat Warnings are in effect in parts of Kansas, Oklahoma,  Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.

Heat Advisories

Heat Advisories are in effect until 10 p.m. CDT today, expanding dangerous heat to the north and east. Record high temperatures are impacting parts of 13 states today including South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, NWS reported.

Record High Temperatures

Record high temperatures were reported at 92 locations in 10 central-U.S. states, NOAA/NCDC said.

• Colorado reported 18 record high temperature, with the highest at 110 degrees at John Martin Dam, breaking the old record set in 1980 by 4 degrees.
• Kansas reported 13 record highs, with the highest record of 112 degrees at Healy (Lane Co.), topping the old record set in 1971 by 4 degrees.
• Other record highs and ties were recorded in Missouri (4 record highs), Nebraska (3 ), Wyoming (14), Arkansas (10), Oklahoma (5 ), Alabama (2), Tennessee (2), Texas (21).

Air Quality Alerts

Air Quality Alerts are in effect for parts of six states: Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.

NESDIS Map of Analyzed Fires from Satellite Data

Current Hazard Mapping System Fire and Smoke Analysis – NOAA/NESDIS

Flooding in the U.S.

Some 24 locations nationally were under flood conditions this morning. Seven river gauge sites were at Major Flood level, three at Moderate Flood and 14 at Minor Flood; 22 sites were Near Flood,  NOAA’s Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service reported.

U.S. Drought

The drought in the U.S. has intensified since last week  with 72.01 of the lower 48 in D0-D4 (Abnormally Dry to Exceptional Drought) conditions.

• No reported change in Hawaii since last week, with 78.89 of the state in D0-D4 conditions.
• Alaska has reported an increase in dry conditions since last week, climbing from 18.35% to 42.00% in D0.

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

• Drought Impact on US Corn Crop. USDA has rated only 56 percent of the U.S. corn crop as good/excellent, the lowest rating for the category in quarter of a century.
  

• Flooding in Florida. Scores of homes and dozens of road were left completely submerged under 2 feet of water, with low-lying areas experiencing up to 4 feet,  before Tropical Depression DEBBY finally left Florida, moving into the Atlantic.

• Bangladesh.  Intense monsoon rains have triggered severe flooding and landslide, killing more than 100 people, washing away at least 1,000 homes and stranding about a quarter a million people.
  • Parts of the country received more than 18 inches of rain in under 24 hours.

• Ireland.   Severe flooding in County Cork and Northern Ireland, caused by heavy overnight rains, has led to severe flooding, with Clonakilty and Douglas being the worst hit areas, said a report.
  • “There is no access in or out of Clonakilty, while Douglas village was under a meter of water. Parts of the city were evacuated and hundreds of ESB customers are still without power as a result.”
  • “Northern Ireland also experienced heavy rain. Homes in Belfast were flooded and motorists were forced to abandon their cars.”
  • Many homes have been evacuated in Ballyvolane, with flooding also reported in counties Sligo and Tipperary.
  • Many homes and businesses have been severely damaged by floodwater.
  • Met Éireann said it has been the wettest month of June on record in the Republic of Ireland.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

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

• Mega Disasters
• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar
• Mass Die-offs

Armyworms Force Disaster Declarations in Arkansas, Missouri

Armyworms devastate crops across 23 U.S. counties 

USDA has designated 19 counties in Arkansas and 4 counties in Missouri as agricultural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by armyworms that began April 1 and continues.

• The primary disaster areas in Arkansas: Boone, Fulton, Izard, Madison and Sharp counties.
• Contiguous disaster areas in Arkansas:  Baxter, Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Franklin, Independence, Johnson, Lawrence, Marion, Newton, Randolph, Searcy, Stone and Washington counties.
• The disaster areas in Missouri: Howell, Oregon, Ozark and Taney counties.

A county is designated an agricultural disaster area when the crop losses exceed 30 percent.

Fall armyworm damage corn cobs. –USDA

Fall armyworm cause extensive damage to whorls of corn. Source: Purdue Cooperative Extension Service

Four stages of armyworm development. Image Source: NCSU.

Description (Source: NCSU)

• Adult– The true armyworm moth has grayish-brown forewings, each with a white spot near the center, and grayish-white hind wings. The wingspan averages 38.5 mm.
• Egg – The minute, greenish-white egg is globular in shape.
• Larva – The young armyworm is pale green. The mature larva is basically yellowish or brownish-green with a tan or greenish-brown head mottled with darker brown. The smooth, practically hairless body is marked with three dark longitudinal stripes, one along each side and one down the back. A full-grown armyworm is 30 to 35 mm long.
• Pupa – The reddish-brown 13-mm-long pupa darkens gradually until it is almost black.

See also:

• ARMYWORMS MARCH ACROSS NEW YORK Posted on June 17, 2012
• Disaster Declared as Little Bear Fire Grows Posted on June 10, 2012

Other Global Disaster, Significant Events

• Vermont, USA. The Disaster President has declared 3 Vermont counties—Addison, Lamoille and Orleans—as major disaster areas due to severe storms, hail, flooding, high wind and a tornado that struck the region on May 29.
  • The extreme weather event caused widespread damage to private property as well as public infrastructure.
  • Vermont has now experienced extreme weather events destructive enough to warrant major disaster declarations for the sixth successive year.

• See also: Obama Presidency: Thousand Days of Disaster

[NOTE: This blog endorses neither of the two political mafia families!]

• Gulf of Mexico

Tropical Storm DEBBY. Image source: CIMSS

• TS DEBBY, currently quasistationery,  located about 210 miles SSE of the mouth of the Mississippi River, with winds of about 50MPH, and is expected to intensify into hurricane strength before slamming into Texas/Louisiana/Florida coasts.
• DEBBY could dump up to 10 inches of rain along the Gulf Coast from southern Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle.
• Tropical Storm Warnings and Watches have been issued for coastal waters of SE Louisiana and S Mississippi.

• Colorado.  Waldo Canyon Fire, which flared up on Saturday, has grown to more than 2,000 acres, and is expected to remain active throughout the night.
  • The fast-moving blaze near Colorado Springs has forced more than 5,000 people to flee their homes.
  • The fire was zero percent contained, as of posting.
  • Mandatory Evacuation Orders:
    • “Cedar Heights Subdivision and Mountain Shadows south of Chuck Wagon are under mandatory evacuation. Boundaries are Rampart Range Road to the west and everything west of 30th and Centennial from Gateway Road north to Chuck Wagon. City of Manitou Springs and Crystal Park Subdivision as well as The north side of Hwy. 24 east from the County line to Waldo Canyon. There are no evacuation orders in place at this time for Mountain Shadows other than those south of Chuck Wagon Road. Garden of the Gods Park and Garden of the Gods Visitor Center are closed. Pikes Peak Hwy. is closed.” USFS reported.

• Colorado. Woodland Heights fire, another explosive blaze that ignited near the mountain community of Estes Park, has destroyed about two dozen structures.

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