Record Heat Plagues Western United States

Potentially life-threatening temperatures plague Desert Southwest and southern Calif.

Extreme weather rehearsals on the eve of the first calendar day of summer!

Excessive heat warnings, advisories and “Red Flag Warnings” for extreme fire conditions were in effect across southern California, and the Desert Southwest, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported.

In Phoenix, Arizona, the temperature rose to 47.8°C (118°F), breaking the previous record high for the date of 46.1°C set in 1968. In Burbank (LA Suburb), the temperature reached 42.8°C, breaking the previous record high set in 1973 by nearly by 2.8°C.

Dangerous heat in the Desert Southwest and southern Calif.

Record-breaking, dangerous heat will continue on Monday in parts of the southwestern U.S., especially in the deserts where temperatures of 120 degrees will be possible early this week. Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories are in effect across southern Calif., southern Nevada and southern Arizona. These extreme temperatures can be life-threatening. —NWS

Wildfires

Meanwhile, strong winds and very low humidity continued to fuel multiple wildfires across the region, consuming tens of thousands of hectares, and prompting the federal government to declare two fire assistance emergencies, in addition to local states of emergencies that have already been declared:

• California Border 3 Fire (FM-5128)
• New Mexico Dog Head Fire (FM-5127)

Dangerous Heat to Continue across Desert Southwest, U.S. Midsection

Large swathes of the US domed by oppressive and dangerous heat 

Dangerous heat expected to continue across the midsection of the U.S. in addition to the Desert Southwest.

Oppressive and dangerous heat persists across parts of Plains…Mississippi Valley and the Desert Southwest. Numerous excessive heat warnings in effect across the Desert Southwest and parts of the Plains. Widespread heat advisories are in effect from the Gulf Coast to central Plains. Severe thunderstorms will be possible across parts of the northern Plains on Saturday.  —NWS

“The persistent ridge anchored over the central U.S. will keep the oppressive and dangerous heat across the southern Plains and Mississippi Valley. The Desert Southwest is also facing extreme heat, with the scale tipping well over the century mark. Places around Phoenix can even see temperatures over 110 degrees this weekend. Numerous excessive heat warnings in effect across the Desert Southwest, Kansas and Oklahoma. Widespread heat advisories are in effect from the Gulf Coast to central Plains.” —NWS/WPC

Wildfire burning in Santa Barbara County explodes to 4,000 acres

The so-called Sherpa fire, burning in Santa Barbara County, is threatening homes and forcing closure of major highways.

“The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said mandatory evacuations for El Capitan, Refugio, Venadito and Las Flores canyons north of Santa Barbara remained in effect, while residents of neighboring communities such as Las Llagas, Gato, Las Varas, Dos Pueblos and Eagle canyons received evacuation warnings,” LA Times reported.

Related Links

• State of Emergency Declared in New Mexico as Wildfire Spreads June 16, 2016

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Global Disasters/ Significant Events – June 9, 2013

Saudi Arabia becomes the third Arab dictatorship to Ban Guy Fawkes Masks

The Saudi newspaper al-Medina reported that the country’s Ministry of the Interior has banned the import and sale of the Guy Fawkes masks.

The ban includes the immediate confiscation and destruction of all masks and related symbols already in Saudi Arabian markets and toy stores, the report said.

The United Arab Emirates banned the masks in November 2012, followed by the mini kingdom of Bahrain, which prohibited the masks in February.

The Guy Fawkes Mask: A stylized portrayal of Guy Fawkes (13 April 1570 – 31 January 1606), a member of a group that planned the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.

The Guy Fawkes mask is a stylized portrayal of Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, who attempted to blow up the House of Lords in London in 1605.

The mask, designed by illustrator David Lloyd, was used as a major plot element in V for Vendetta, a comic book published in 1982, and its 2005 film adaptation, and has now become  a symbol of united opposition to undemocratic governments.

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New Round of Deadly Flooding in South, Central and East China

Severe flooding and landslides triggered by extreme rain events have affected millions of people in south and east China.

Heavy rains have been pounding ten provincial regions in southern, central and eastern China, since Wednesday, including the provinces of Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

• The floods have left dozens dead or missing.
• At least 62,000 people have been forced to abandon their homes.
• More than 2,500 homes have been destroyed, and tens of thousands of buildings damaged.
•  Some 21,400 hectares of crops have also been destroyed by floodwaters.

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River Danube to Peak at Record High Levels in Budapest

The Danube in Budapest is forecast to peak later today (Sunday evening) at 8.95 meters (30 feet), more than double its usual level, and 0.35 meters above the record set in 2006 floods.

• The authorities have already declared a state of emergency, and evacuated thousands of people (1,200 – 4,000) from dozens of towns and villages. The authorities have also closed dozens of roads, according to local news.

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Torrential rain, hail and floods affect about 100,000 in NW China

Widespread flooding has affected about 100,000 people in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

“The rainstorm has damaged over 12,300 hectares of crops and killed 2,340 head of livestock, while 303 houses have been toppled or damaged, forcing the evacuation of 939 people,” said a report.

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State of emergency declared in Kiev following landslides

The Kiev municipal government has declared a state of emergency in the Ukrainian capital following multiple landslides on the banks of Dnieper River.

• “There were a total of 11 possible disaster sites in Kiev,” said a report citing city officials.
  

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Another Day of Record Breaking Heat in Western US

Excessive Heat Warnings remain in effect in the Desert Southwest as daytime temperatures again soar into triple digits, said NWS.

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