Multiple Crop Disasters Declared in Eight U.S. States

Drought, freeze, frost, high winds, extreme cold, record snowfall, ice and blizzard destroy crops in 111 counties

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 104 counties in eight states as crop disaster areas due to losses caused by drought, freeze, frost, high winds, extreme cold, record snowfall, ice and blizzard.

1. Crop disasters declared due to damages and losses caused by excessive snow, freeze, frost, high winds, extremely cold temperatures, record snowfall, ice and blizzards that occurred from January 1, 2014, through May 17, 2014.

• Michigan. Alger, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Baraga, Barry, Bay, Benzie, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Clare, Clinton, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Eaton, Emmet, Genesee, Gladwin, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Houghton, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, Iron, Isabella, Jackson , Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Kent, Keweenaw, Lake, Lapeer, Leelanau, Lenawee, Livingston, Luce, Mackinac, Macomb, Manistee, Marquette, Mason, Mecosta, Menominee, Midland, Missaukee, Monroe, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon , Newaygo, Oakland, Oceana, Ogemaw, Ontonagon, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Ottawa, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Sanilac, Schoolcraft, Shiawassee, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Tuscola, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne and Wexford counties.

• Indiana. Elkhart, Lagrange, La Porte, St. Joseph and Steuben counties.
• Ohio. Fulton, Lucas and Williams counties.
• Wisconsin. Door and Marinette counties.

2. Crop disasters declared due to damages and losses caused by drought that occurred from July 1, 2014, and continuing.

• Connecticut. Hartford, Litchfield, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland and Windham counties.
  
• Massachusetts. Hampden and Worcester counties.
• New York. Suffolk County.
• Rhode Island. Kent, Providence and Washington counties.

3. Crop disasters declared due to damages and losses caused by excessive snow, flooding, freeze and high winds that occurred from Nov. 17, 2014, through Nov. 24, 2014.

See Crop Disasters Declared for 7 New York Counties

Crop Disasters 2014

Beginning January 10, 2014 USDA has declared crop disasters in at least 2,879 counties across 44 states.

Those states are

• Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan. Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. [FIRE-EARTH has documented all of the above listings. See blog content.]

Notes:
i. USDA trigger point for a countywide disaster declaration is 30 percent crop loss on at least one crop.

ii. The counties designated as agricultural disaster areas, as listed above, include both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

iii. Some counties may have been designated crop disaster areas more than once due to multiple disasters.

iv. The U.S. has a total of 3,143 counties and county-equivalents.

v. The disaster designations posted above were approved by USDA on December 10, 2014.

‘Major Disaster Declartion’ Declared for NC

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION
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North Carolina Declared Federal Disaster Area

The White House has signed Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina following the damage caused by a severe winter storm during the period of March 6-7, 2014.

The worst of the damage occurred in Alamance, Caswell, Davidson, Davie, Granville, Guilford, Orange, Person, and Randolph counties.

For previous Federal/ Major Disaster Declarations, search blog content.

Related Links

• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

 

Major Disaster Declared for South Carolina (DR-4166)

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
CLIMATE RELATED DISASTERS
FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION
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Major Disaster Declaration For South Carolina – March 12, 2014

The White House has declared South Carolina a Federal Disaster Area due to a severe winter storm that struck the state during the period of February 10-14, 2014.

The severe winter storm caused widespread losses and damage across at least 21 counties throughout the Palmetto State.

Areas worst affected by the  storm were the counties of Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Berkeley, Calhoun, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Colleton, Dillon, Dorchester, Edgefield, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Marion, Orangeburg, Saluda, Sumter, and Williamsburg.

The above Federal Disaster Declaration (ref: DR-4166) is in addition to an earlier Presidential Disaster Declaration declared  on February 12, 2014 (ref: EM-3369) for all counties of the State of South Carolina.

Recent Federal Disaster Declarations

• Major Disaster Declared for Georgia March 9, 2014
• White House Issues Federal Emergency Disaster Declaration for South Carolina February 14, 2014
• White House Signs Pennsylvania Emergency Declaration February 7, 2014
• Oklahoma Declared Major Disaster Area January 31, 2014
• Vermont Declared Major Disaster Area January 31, 2014
• Major Disaster Declared for Alaska January 24, 2014

• Alaska Declared Major Disaster Area January 18, 2014
• Major Disaster Declared For Arkansas  January 10, 2014
• Texas Declared Federal Disaster Area December 22, 2013
• Federal Disaster Declared in California December 14, 2013
• Nebraska Declared Federal Disaster Area November 27, 2013

• Major Disaster Declared for South Dakota November 9, 2013
• Major Disaster Declared in North Dakota November 1, 2013

• North Carolina Declared Federal Disaster Area October 31, 2013
• Major Disaster Declared in New Mexico October 30, 2013
• Kansas Declared Federal Disaster Area October 30, 2013

• Major Disaster Declared for Pennsylvania October 3, 2013
• New Mexico Declared Federal Disaster Area October 2, 2013
• Major Disaster Declared for Santa Clara Pueblo September 28, 2013
• Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina September 26, 2013
• N. Colorado Declared as Federal Disaster Area September 14, 2013
• Major Disaster Declared for Vermont, New Hampshire, Florida August 6, 2013
• Major Disaster Declared in El Paso County, CO Posted on August 1, 2013
• Major Disaster Declared in West Virginia Posted on July 27, 2013
• Major Disaster Declared in New York, North Dakota July 16, 2013
• Michigan Declared Major Disaster Area June 19, 2013

• Drought 2013/14
• Agricultural Disasters Index

 

Wisconsin Declares State of Emergency over Extreme Cold, Fuel Shortage

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENTS
STATE OF EMERGENCY
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Walker declares a State of Emergency due to extreme cold, propane shortages in Wisconsin

Gov. Walker has declared a State of Emergency in response to potentially life-threatening temperatures expected to plague Wisconsin this week and dangerously low propane levels impacting the state.

More than quarter of a million Wisconsinites depend on propane to heat their homes and businesses.

Proclamation declaring a State of Emergency in Response to Severe Winter Weather and a Propane Shortage

… an extremely dangerous winter storm with associated bitter
and potentially life-threatening temperatures, exacerbated by
brutal wind chill values at thirty to fifty degrees below zero, will
be moving across the entire State of Wisconsin … and the supply of
propane gas for heating purposes is dangerously low throughout the
State of Wisconsin, affecting the safety of citizens and property…

The entire Midwest is experiencing a propane shortage, including Wisconsin.

The supply shortage in the upper Midwest has caused delivery delays and reduced delivery amounts for propane customers in America’s Dairyland, as well as ALL Midwestern states. The propane shortage has been caused by a combination of unusually cold winter temperatures, closure of a major pipeline supplying propane to Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa and increased propane demand for grain drying due to a wet fall, said the Office of Governor Scott Walker in a statement.

National Heating Fuel Shortages

“Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy reported that cold weather led to record-high natural gas storage withdrawals, as well as propane.  These are the largest drawdowns in the 20-year history of the survey and the second time this year the record has been broken. Efforts are underway with the U.S. Department of Energy to acknowledge that emergency conditions could be forming, as consumers and businesses in dozens of state are faced with higher electricity and gas costs due to persistent cold weather,”  said the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) in its latest Statement on Propane Supply, Demand, and Distribution.

Some of the propane gas retailers have run out of supplies in the worst hit areas in the South, East and Midwest, said NPGA.

US-DOT: Current – Emergency Declarations, Waivers, Exemptions & Permits

In addition to the State of Emergency in Louisiana, numerous other states of emergencies and/or executive orders, wavers and exemptions have been issued  for 33 states in the U.S. South, East and Midwest and District of Columbia, according to the Department of Transportation.

The following Emergencies are currently in effect:

Regional Emergency Declaration Issued by Southern Service Center (PDF)

Affected States: Louisiana, Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Oklahoma.  (Effective Date:  1/21/2014 – In effect for the duration of the emergency or until 2/11/2014, whichever is less).

Regional Emergency Declaration Issued by Eastern Service Center (PDF)

Affected States: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont and West Virginia.  (Effective from 1/19/2014 In effect for the duration of the emergency or until 2/11/2014, whichever is less).

Regional Emergency Declaration Issued by Midwestern Service Center (PDF)

Affected States: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin.   (Effective from 1/19/2014 In effect for the duration of the emergency or until 2/11/2014, whichever is less).

Related Links

• Louisiana Declares 2nd State of Emergency due to Dangerous Cold January 25, 2014
• State of Emergency Declared for Louisiana January 24, 2014
• Energy Emergency Declared for Alabama January 24, 2014
• Tennessee Declares Statewide Energy Emergency January 22, 2014
• Ohio Declares Statewide Energy Emergency January 20, 2014
• State of Emergency Declared in Oklahoma due to Propane Shortage January 8, 2014

Energy Emergency Declared for Alabama

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENTS
ENERGY EMERGENCY
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“polar vortex has increased the number of deaths throughout the nation” —Alabama Gov

Gov. Bentley has declared a State of Emergency for all Alabama counties due to the threat of a propane shortage amid extreme winter weather in the southern U.S.

State of Emergency

Part of Bentley’s State of Emergency Declaration read:

The current prediction of the national Weather Service demonstrate the potential for the entire State of Alabama to be severely affected by extreme and prolonged subfreezing temperatures, with the chance of ice and snow beginning on January 23, 2014. This emergency declaration is in response to the extreme cold experienced by throughout Alabama from the polar vortex and the possible continuing effects of the arctic cold on people and property, including an immediate threat to human life or public welfare in the State of Alabama  …  an emergency exemption is issued as a result of extreme arctic cold weather conditions causing shortages and interruptions in the availability and/or delivery of propane and other home heating fuels throughout the State of Alabama …  the polar vortex has increased the number of deaths throughout the nation, and may result in abnormally high demand and potential supply shortages for conventional heating fuels and threaten the safety and well-being of citizens, agribusiness and business property located throughout the State of Alabama

“With life threatening cold temperatures expected once again, it is important for Alabamians to have the necessary heating resources available for survival,” said Bentley.

“This State of Emergency will help Alabamians have an uninterrupted supply of propane gas and other home heating fuels during this period of winter weather.”

The State of Emergency will wave the federal transportation motor carrier laws, allowing flexibility in the delivery of the vital heating fuel to homes, schools and businesses.

The frigid condition threaten Alabama’s $15 billion poultry industry. The state is the third largest in the country for broiler and 14th in egg production, according to the Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Current – Emergency Declarations, Waivers, Exemptions & Permits

In addition to the State of Alabama, States of Emergencies and/or executive orders, wavers and exemptions have been issued  for 33 other states and District of Columbia, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The following Emergencies are currently in effect:

Regional Emergency Declaration Issued by Southern Service Center

Affected States: Louisiana, Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Oklahoma.  (Effective Date:  1/21/2014 – In effect for the duration of the emergency or until 2/11/2014, whichever is less).

Regional Emergency Declaration Issued by Eastern Service Center 

Affected States: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont and West Virginia.  (Effective from 1/19/2014 In effect for the duration of the emergency or until 2/11/2014, whichever is less).

Regional Emergency Declaration Issued by Midwestern Service Center 

Affected States: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin.   (Effective from 1/19/2014 In effect for the duration of the emergency or until 2/11/2014, whichever is less).

Related Links

• Tennessee Declares Statewide Energy Emergency January 22, 2014
• Ohio Declares Statewide Energy Emergency January 20, 2014
• State of Emergency Declared in Oklahoma due to Propane Shortage January 8, 2014

Heavy Snow Kills Tens of Thousands of Animals in Peru

State of emergency extended in Peru due to extreme cold

An unusually cold wave in Peru, covering large areas in snow and ice, has forced the government to extend a state of emergency.

Heavy snow has reached more than a meter high in some areas, with temperatures down to minus 20 degrees Celsius.

Carabaya Province, Puno, Peru. Photo credit: ANDINA

The cold spell has killed tens of thousands of animals including alpacas, llamas, cattle and sheep, leaving more than 12,000 families destitute.

The extreme weather has also killed at least a dozen people in Peru and its southeastern neighbor, Bolivia, and Paraguay.

Snow and high winds have also damaged thousands of homes affecting tens of thousands of people in the region.

Hundreds of villages and small towns have been cut off by the extreme weather, according to local reports.

The Peruvian government declared a 60-day state of emergency in the southern region of Puno last week for the provinces of Carabaya, Sandia, Lampa, San Antonio de Putina, Melgar, Azangaro, Puno, Collao and Huancane. The emergency declaration has now being extended for an additional 20 days.