Global Disasters/ Significant Events – August 27, 2013

US “ready” to strike Syria: Hagel

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says the US military is ready to act on Syria.

“We have moved assets in place to be able to fulfill and comply with whatever option the president wishes to take,” Hagel told the BBC.

“I think it’s pretty clear that chemical weapons were used against people in Syria,” he said.

“I think the intelligence will conclude that it wasn’t the rebels who used it, and there’ll probably be pretty good intelligence to show is that the Syria government was responsible. But we’ll wait and determine what the facts and the intelligence bear out.”

John Kerry…

“What we saw in Syria last week should shock the conscience of the world. It defies any code of morality,” Mr Kerry said at a news conference on Monday.

“Make no mistake, President Obama believes there must be accountability for those who would use the world’s most heinous weapons against the world’s most vulnerable people.”

President Assad

Syrian President Bashar Assad told Russia’s Izvestia newspaper that claims of his government using chemical weapons made by Western countries are “an insult to common sense” and “nonsense.”

“The statements made by the politicians in the USA and in other Western countries represent an insult to common sense and neglect of the public opinion of citizens in those countries. It’s nonsense: first, they bring charges, and then they collect evidence. And it’s one of the most powerful countries that does it – the US. They accused us on Wednesday, and in only two days the American leadership announces they started to collect the evidence.… They accuse our army of using chemical weapons in the area that’s reportedly controlled by the terrorists. In fact, there is no precise front line between the army and the insurgents in that area. And how can a government use chemical weapons – or any other weapons of mass destruction – in the area where government troops are concentrated? This is against elementary logic,” said Assad.

Vladimir Putin

President Putin has told the British PM that Russia did not have any evidence whether a chemical weapons attack had occurred or who was responsible, according to an official statement.

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Other Disasters/ Significant Events

Afghanistan

At least 43 people, including a dozen civilians, were killed in Afghanistan over the last 24 hours, authorities said on Tuesday.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has documented 1,319 civilian deaths and 2,533 injuries—a total of 3,852 civilian casualties—in the first half of 2013.

The total represents an increase of 14 per cent in deaths and 28 per cent in injuries over the same period in 2012, said UNAMA.

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Swollen Heilong river triggers widespread, persistent floods in NE China

Original caption: The aerial photo taken on Aug. 26, 2013 shows houses [and vast tracts of crops and farmland] inundated by floods along the Tongjiang-Fuyuan river section of the Heilong River in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. The Heilong River has swelled since mid-August, with some sections of its middle and lower reaches seeing their worst floods in history.(Xinhua/Ma Ling). More images…

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TS FERNAND leaves at least 13 people dead in E. Mexico

At least 13 people were killed Monday after landslides triggered by torrential rains from tropical storm FERNAND destroyed or damaged more than 100 homes in the eastern Mexican state of Veracruz, officials said.

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Disaster Calendar – August 19, 2013

Hundreds dead or missing as floods and mudslides devastate China

Extreme rain events, flooding and mudslides in northeast and southern China have left hundreds of people dead, injured or missing.

“The Heilongjiang Provincial Hydrological Bureau forecast the stretch of the Heilong River between Tongjiang and Fuyuan County will witness the largest flooding in its history. Authorities in Tongjiang have started a Grade I response preparing for floods,” said a report.

• The deluge has destroyed or damaged at least 210,000 houses in Jilin, Heilongjiang, Guangdong and Liaoning provinces, with the direct economic losses estimated at 18.5 billion yuan (3 billion U.S. dollars), said a report.
• Torrential rains and floods triggered by Typhoon Utor have affected 680,000 people in eight cities in Guangxi. Some 16,660 hectares of crops have been damaged and 1,080 houses have been destroyed.
• In Guangdong Province, TY UTOR has affected more than 2.5 million people destroying or damaging about 19,000 houses and forcing 513,000 people to relocate. The extreme rain has also ruined 173,333 hectares of farmland, according to local authorities.
• “In central China’s Hunan Province, landslides triggered by continuous rainfalls over the past two days have left one dead and 14 others buried or missing,” said a report.

[NOTE: Some of the stats quoted above are already outdated as the  catastrophe continues to unfold in China on an almost hourly basis.]

Original caption: People walk on ruins after the flood in Nankouqian Township, Fushun, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, Aug. 18, 2013. The death toll has risen to 54 as of Monday morning after the worst flooding in decades ravaged Fushun City, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, said the local authorities on Aug. 19, 2013. Extreme rainstorms battered Liaoning from Thursday to Saturday, leaving many rivers flooded in Fushun. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

• In Fushun City, 139,800 houses were damaged and many have collapsed.

• In Guangdong province, 19,000 houses have collapsed or sustained severe damage, forcing  about 513,000 residents to relocate.  The direct economic loss is estimated at 490 million yuan (80 million U.S. dollars).
• “Heilongjiang Province reported [37]  flood-related deaths. The floods have destroyed over 2,500 houses and severely damaged at least 12,500 others, with direct economic losses estimated at 7.13 billion yuan (1.15 billion U.S. dollars).”
• In Jilin Province, at least “35,000 houses were destroyed or damaged with direct economic losses at 2.4 billion yuan (387 million U.S. dollars).”
• “As of 10 a.m. Monday, a total of 1.8 million people in 30 counties in Liaoning Province have been affected and 162,000 have been evacuated from flooded areas. More than 6,100 buildings have collapsed and the total direct economic loss is around 8.5 billion yuan(1.39 billion U.S. dollars), according to the ministry.”

Don’t bring your car to China!

Heping Town in Shantou City, south China’s Guangdong Province devastated by extreme rain events and severe flooding, August19, 2013.  (Xinhua/Yao Jun). More images…

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Philippines’ Cebu declares calamity as sunken ferry leaks oil

The central Philippine province of Cebu has declared a state of calamity as an oil slick from a ferry that sank last week spread to about 20 percent of the coast, said a report.

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16 Counties across three states declared agricultural disaster areas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 16 counties in three states as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by frost and freezing temperatures that occurred March 25-29, 2013.

The disaster designations are

• Alabama: Baldwin, Escambia, Mobile, Washington, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Covington and Monroe counties.

• Florida: Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties.

• Mississippi: George, Greene, Jackson and Wayne counties.

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Beaver Creek Fire Consumes 100,000 acres

As of August 18, 2013 10pm,  the Beaver Creek Fire had grown to at about 100,921 acres with 8% containment.

Beaver Creek Fire. Red Flag conditions, including higher temperatures and wind gusts to 38 miles per hour, increased fire activity on the Beaver Creek Fire. Credit: Sawtooth National Forest/ USFS.

For additional information see

• “Take Your Essentials Belongings and Pets and GO NOW” August 18, 2013

Floods Kill Dozens in NE China

China Plagued by Extreme Weather Events

Flooding in the northeast, drought and extreme heat in the south, central and the southwest affecting about 20 percent of China’s population, FIRE-EARTH models show.

Flooding in northeast China’s Jilin, Heilongjiang and Liaoning provinces has left dozens of people dead, millions affected and at least a million others relocated.

• The deluge has destroyed or damaged at least 55,000 houses in Jilin and  Heilongjiang provinces, with the direct economic losses direct economic losses estimated at 10 billion yuan (1.6 billion U.S. dollars), said a report.
• Torrential rains and floods triggered by Typhoon Utor have affected 680,000 people in eight cities in Guangxi. Some 16,660 hectares of crops have been damaged and 1,080 houses have been destroyed.
• In Guangdong Province, TY UTOR has affected more than 2.5 million people destroying about 4,000 houses and forcing 321,500 people to relocate. The extreme rain has also ruined 173,333 hectares of farmland, according to local authorities.
• “In central China’s Hunan Province, landslides triggered by continuous rainfalls over the past two days have left one dead and 14 others buried or missing,” said a report.

Flood-devastated Shachang Residential Compound in Hongshi Town, Huadian City, NE China’s Jilin Province, Aug. 17, 2013. (Xinhua/Xu Chang). More images …

Drought, heatwave affecting half the population in SW China’s

Guizhou province

The heat wave has spread across the province since July, causing rivers and reservoirs to dry up and affecting 16.67 million people, or about 48 percent of Guizhou’s total population, according to the headquarters.

“Half of the 88 counties in our province are on the ‘worst-hit’ list, with more than 2.98 million people facing drinking water shortages,” said an official with the headquarters.

In Wumian, a village some 240 kilometers southeast of Guiyang, the provincial capital, villagers have had to queue up at the only well in the village to get water.

Villager Yang Aduo told Xinhua that he waited two hours before getting a bucket of water, and he had to wait several hours for the sediment to settle before drinking.

Drought leaves 13 million thirsty in China’s south

“A drought that has parched since last month has left nearly 13 million people without easy access to drinking water, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said Thursday.”

• Drought ‘Orange Alert’ Issued in E China

Related Links

• Extreme heat kills at least 40 people in south China August 13, 2013
• Drought, Extreme Heat Cripple China, Japan, S. Korea August 11, 2013

• Major Catastrophe Unfolding in China
• China’s Latest Drought Disaster Figures
• Shanghai Sets Yet Another Record High Temp August 7, 2013

Another Town Destroyed by Floods

Extreme Rain Events trigger devastating floods in NW China

Severe floods have destroyed Niangniangba Town in Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, in northwest China’s Gansu Province.

Extreme rain events, flooding and landslides have affected more than 1.22 million people, leaving at least 20 dead or missing in Tianshui in recent days, said a report.

Original caption: Photo taken on July 31, 2013 shows the Niangniangba Town destroyed by floods in Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, northwest China’s Gansu Province. More than 20 people were dead or missing and about 1.22 million people were affected by the landslides and floods caused by strong rainfall in Tianshui in recent days. (Xinhua/Bai Liping)

Original caption: A bridge is damaged [destroyed] by the flood in Niangniangba Town, Qinzhou District of Tianshui City, northwest China’s Gansu Province, July 31, 2013. More than 20 people were dead or missing and about 1.22 million people were affected by the landslides and floods caused by strong rainfall in Tianshui in recent days. (Xinhua/Bai Liping). More images …

Related Links

• Major Catastrophe Unfolding in China July 30, 2013
• Thousands of Towns and Villages Devastated by Floods in China July 18, 2013
• China to Become Top Wheat Importer after Major Crop Disaster July 17, 2013

More Disasters Hit China

Extreme Rain Events, flooding leave dozens dead or missing in NW China’s Gansu province

Widespread flooding and mudslides in Gansu province have destroyed or damaged more than 15,000 homes, affecting about 500,000 people and forcing 40,000 to relocate.

A flooded gas station at Niangniangba Town of Qinzhou District in Tianshui City, northwest China’s Gansu Province. (Xinhua File Photo/Ren Hengfeng).

Flooding in Shaanxi Province

In Yan’an City, NW China’s Shaanxi Province, continuous torrential rains have triggered widespread flooding and mudslides, destroying or damaging scores of homes and other buildings. Floods have affected at least 1 million people, and 50,000 hectares of crops in 13 of the city’s districts.

Original Caption: A villager walks through the disaster-hit corn field in Madongchuan Township of Yan’an City, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, July 26, 2013. Continuous torrential rain battered Yan’an in the past few days, causing collapses, mud-rock flows and floods. A total of 936,000 people and 47,800 hectares of crops in 13 townships of the city were affected. (Xinhua/Li Yibo). More images…

Related Links

• Drought Drying Up Thousands of Rivers and Reservoirs in China  July 27, 2013
• Dozens Killed, Hundreds Injured in Gansu Quakes, China July 22, 2013
• Climate Catastrophes Cumulate in China   July 20, 2013
• Thousands of Towns and Villages Devastated by Floods in China July 18, 2013
• China to Become Top Wheat Importer after Major Crop Disaster July 17, 2013
• Fire Destroys 200 Houses in SW China July 17, 2013
• Flooding Destroys Town of Caopo in SW China July 16, 2013
• Typhoon SOULIK Affects 2 Million in China  July 15, 2013
• Hundreds of Thousands Evacuated as SOULIK Hits China July 13, 2013
• Extreme Weather Wreaks Havoc in SW China July 10, 2013

Thousands of Towns and Villages Devastated by Floods in China

Extreme Rain Events and floods destroy or damage an estimated 200,000 homes affecting 50 million people

Extreme rain events and devastating floods have left about 600 people dead or missing and affected up to 50 million others  in 30 provinces since the beginning of the year, authorities said.

The toll so far this year stands at

• No of people killed by floods: at least 337 
• No of people missing: 213
  
• No of injuries: NOT released, possibly thousands
• No of houses destroyed: at least 150,000
• No of houses damaged: NOT released, probably hundreds of thousands
• Farmland affected: 4 million hectares
• Source: China’s Control and Drought Relief Headquarters (SFCDRH)

And the flood season hasn’t even started!

“China is expected to face serious flood control challenges in the next 30 days as it heads into flood season,” said a report quoting the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters.

This year’s flood season will run from about July 15 to Aug 15, authorities said.

Heavy rainfall is expected in northern and southwestern China, causing severe flooding in many major rivers, such as the upper reaches of the Yangtze, Haihe, Yellow, Songhua and Liaohe rivers.

Gansu, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Henan and Guangdong provinces should expect 24-hour rainfall amounts of up to 200 mm, said the National Meteorological Center.

Sichuan will be in the height of its rainy season over the next few months, possibly bringing more chaos to the already battered province.

“Since most of the same parts of Sichuan province will be hit again with heavy rainfall, severe floods, flash floods and mudslides are likely,” said a Ministry of Water Resources official. (Xinhua)

Meantime, Tropical Cyclone CIMARON, the eighth storm of the year, is forecast to make landfall  in Southeast China on Friday, just days after Tropical Storm SOULIK hit Fujian and Jiangxi provinces.

Sichuan Province

Rainstorms and floods hit 43 counties in Sichuan producing total  precipitations of 400 mm to 800 mm in Deyang and Dujiangyan, and 800 mm to 1,151 mm in some areas  between July 7 and 12, said deputy head of the Sichuan Provincial Meteorological Administration.

The extreme events destroyed 13,400 houses, affecting 3.47 million people and forcing at least 300,000 people to relocate.

Related Links

• China to Become Top Wheat Importer after Major Crop Disaster July 17, 2013
• Fire Destroys 200 Houses in SW China July 17, 2013
• Flooding Destroys Town of Caopo in SW China July 16, 2013

• Typhoon SOULIK Affects 2 Million in China  July 15, 2013
• Hundreds of Thousands Evacuated as SOULIK Hits China July 13, 2013
• Extreme Weather Wreaks Havoc in SW China July 10, 2013

Typhoon SOULIK Affects 2 Million in China

Torrential rains by SOULIK forces hundreds of thousands to evacuate, 20,000 to relocate

Typhoon SOULIK, the seventh typhoon to hit China this year, has affected at least 2 million, forcing 500,000 to evacuate, and leaving at least 20,000 displaced in south China’s Guangdong Province.

SOULIK landed in Fujian province Saturday afternoon, and moved to Jiangxi province on Sunday.

The typhoon brought torrential to Guangdong province. Local weather stations reported precipitation of more than 250mm (10 in) in 20 hours to 4 p.m. Sunday.

SOULIK has affected at least 382,000 people in Guangdong province alone, destroying 1,076 houses in 80 townships in three cities of the province and leaving 3 dead, Xinhua reported.

Torrential rains have further raised water in local rivers to above warning levels, the report said.

Oil pipeline in NW China damaged by mudslide

Original Caption: Villagers help clean oil stains in the Zichang County, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, July 15, 2013. The oil pipe from Ansai County to Yongping Town was damaged by mudslide following days of rainstorms. Rescue efforts for repairing the broken pipe are underway. (Xinhua). More images …

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Other Global Disasters, Significant Events

Iraq Violence: Death Toll Continues to Mount

At least 400 people have been killed and thousands more injured amid escalating violence in Iraq, between July 1 and 14, 2013.

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Brown Declares State of Emergency for Powerhouse Fire

California Gov. Brown has declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles County for the so-called Powerhouse Fire. The declaration comes a month after the wildfire destroyed 53 structures, including 24 residences, and more than 47 square miles of brush.

The fire began May 30 near a utility station and was contained on June 11.

“Kelly Huston, deputy director of the California Emergency Management Agency, says the move is required before LA County can qualify for federal emergency highway funds to repair roadways damaged by the fire,” said a report.

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Communication companies help surveillance: Former CIA official

“According to UK newspaper, the Guardian, Snowden has only released part of the intelligence he has. During his revelations of the US surveillance program, Snowden says the US government and US communication companies are involved.

“Although related companies like Google and Microsoft are trying to exclude themselves from the scandal, a former CIA official says communication companies are accomplices in the surveillance.”

Ray McGovern, a former CIA official, told CNTV News:

“What’s happened here is the U.S. companies have become joined in a way with United States Government in such a way that you have the corporations, the government, the media and the congress and judiciary all pretty much joined in a complicit attempt to circumvent the constitution of the United States. There’s zero concern on the part of the communication companies to violate the law. They know that they’ll be protected, even if it’s ex post facto…”

Related Links

• Google Continues to Undermine FIRE-EARTH July 4, 2013
• Google Corporate Terrorism: A Conspiracy Against the People!
• Former CIA official: Communication companies help surveillance July 15, 2013

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Deadly Tornadoes Attack Oklahoma Again

Tornadoes kill ‘VNV*,’ injure many more in central Oklahoma

Having declared a Tornado Emergency for parts of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area on Friday, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned early Saturday that “Life-threatening” flash floods were hitting much of central and SE Oklahoma and issued Flash Flood Warnings for five additional states.

Gov. Mary Fallin declared a state of emergency. “This has been a very large storm that hit a lot of communities,” she told reporters.

“An extremely unstable air mass has developed across much of Central & Eastern Oklahoma,” the weather service had earlier warned, describing weather conditions as “particularly dangerous.”

“This will likely result in rapid development of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.” NWS said on Friday.

At least five tornadoes touched down in Oklahoma, including a mile-wide twister west of Oklahoma City, causing extensive damage. The tornado-ravaged city of Moore was hit again by a tornado, and experienced widespread flooding.

The tornadoes overturned trucks, tractor trailers and cars on I-40, downing utility poles and tossing livestock on the road, eyewitnesses said.

There were tornadoes on the ground and aloft also in the following places: Oklahoma city,  Joplin, Missouri and St. Louis, Missouri.

The storm system also dumped at least 6 inches of rain  across most of Oklahoma and Canadian counties, stranding thousands of frightened motorists in flood water.

“Another tornado touched down Friday night 7 miles northeast of Moscow Mills, Mo., about 50 miles northwest of St. Louis. In St. Charles County, 24 houses were severely damaged or destroyed, said Mike O’Connell, communications director for the Missouri Department of Public Safety.”

The storm system knocked out power lines and left at least 250,000 customers without electricity across the Midwest.

“On Thursday, storms in Oklahoma and Arkansas killed at least three people, including Scott County, Arkansas, Sheriff Cody Carpenter, whose body was recovered early on Friday, said a spokesman for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission,” said a report.

Severe Weather Threat Shifts East on Saturday

Another round of severe weather on Saturday is expected, said the NWS Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, with Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys being the areas for greatest concern. Large hail, damaging winds and isolated strong tornadoes are all possible.

SPC confirmed a total of 36 tornado reports in AR, OK, IL, ND, KS, IA and MO on Thursday and Friday, as of posting.

*[NOTE: VNV stands for a “variable number of victims.”  It is an unspecified number, often more than 5 and less than 250, used for reporting  the number of  disaster deaths, which would otherwise be denied by the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.]

Related Links

• Oklahoma City hospitals reported 95 casualties, including four critical patients

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State of Emergency Declared in Missouri

Powerful storm system brings heavy rain, severe flooding, straight-line winds, and tornadoes to Missouri, following days of extreme rains that have prompted Flash Flood Warnings across much of the state.

“Much of Missouri is experiencing dangerous severe weather tonight, on the heels of several days of heavy rain,” said Gov. Nixon. “I urge Missourians to closely monitor weather conditions, so they can take shelter or move to higher ground if needed. The risk of severe weather remains with us well into tomorrow. The state of Missouri will continue to work closely with local officials to help protect lives and property from these storms.”

• Parts of more than 200 roads were shut down due to widespread flooding.

• Multiple tornadoes were spotted moving east across the St. Louis area Friday night, with reports of severe damage, said a report.

• A massive tornado touched down near Bridgeton, causing extensive damage near Harvester, MO, and injuring several people, eyewitnesses reported.

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State of Emergency Declared in San Miguel County, NM, due to Large Wildfire

Gov. Martinez has declared a State of Emergency in San Miguel County and activated the State Emergency Operations Center after Tres Lagunas fire threatened cabins and vacation homes, and closed a highway, prompting dozens of evacuations near Pecos, NM.

The fast-moving wildfire in New Mexico’s Santa Fe National Forest, located near the communities of Pecos and Tres Lagunas, about 25 miles east of Santa Fe,  has consumed at least 2,000 acres and is threatening the Santa Fe and Las Vegas watersheds.

The National Weather Service is forecasting Critical Fire Weather conditions throughout the State and has declared a Red Flag Warning for the northern half of New Mexico through Saturday.

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Average CO₂ at Mauna Loa: Last 5 days of preliminary daily average CO₂

May 30: 399.99 PPM
May 29: 400.20
May 28: 400.27
May 27: 400.29
May 26: 400.45      

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Apparent Temperature for Friday May 31, 2013

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Melbourne, Australia hit by flash floods after record rainfall

Record rainfall in Australia’ s second largest city Melbourne triggered widespread flash floods. The city received cumulative rainfall of 48.4mm between 9:00 am Friday and 8:00 am Saturday, the largest amount in a June day since 1904.

The one-day record almost equaled the average rainfall for the month June, currently 49.2mm, Australia’s BOM reported.

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Flooding kills at least 2,  affects 16,000 others in Xinjiang , NW China

Heavy flooding triggered by extreme rain events in NW China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has killed at least two people and affected thousands of others, according to local authorities.

• About 2,000 residents have been relocated.

• Some 700 homes have been damaged or destroyed .

• More than 13,000 livestock lost.

• Thousands of hectares of crops in Kashgar Prefecture destroyed.

• “The flooding also destroyed local roads, bridges and underground power lines in the region,” said a report.

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Iraq Body Count, May 2013

Some 1,045 people were killed in Iraq during May, most of whom were civilians, U.N. reported. According to Iraq Body Count Org, the civilian death toll for may was 883.

In April more than 700 people were killed, according to U.N. figures; Iraq Body Count reported 561 civilian deaths.

[GW Bush, Tony Blair, Obama and the rest of their criminal gangs will be brought to justice, before the global collapse shifts into full gear.]

DISASTER CALENDAR – June 1, 2013 — 
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,015 Days Left 

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

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,015 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human  History

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

Thousands Evacuated as U.S. Wildfires Grow

Wildfires in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and California force thousands to evacuate, consume hundreds of structures

New Mexico. The Little Bear Fire located in Smokey Bear Ranger District, Lincoln National Forest, and the White Mountain Wilderness, has now grown to more than 26,000 acres (~ 41 sq miles; 105km²), destroying or damaging dozens of structures.

Evacuations: All campgrounds west of Bonito Lake; subdivisions of Villa Madonna, Enchanted Forest, Nogal Canyon (Forest Road 400, campground and summer homes), Angus, Sierra Vista, Sontara (1,2 and 3), Rancho Ruidoso, Copper Canyon, and Loma Grande; Eagle Lakes Campground, Eagle Creek summer homes, Ski Run Road (State Highway 532) at mile marker 3, State Highway 48 to Capitan, and State Highway 37 to Highway 380 and Ski Apache.

Shelters: First Baptist Church on Country Club Road, Church of Christ on Sudderth Road in Ruidoso, and Trinity Baptist Church in Capitan. Pets and livestock may be taken to J&J Country Church in Ruidoso, or the fairgrounds in Capitan.

The blaze is 0% contained, and is aided by air temps of 82ºF, relative humidity of less than 6 percent, and westerly winds of 20mph.

Colorado. The High Park Fire, located approximately 15 miles west of Fort Collins, was sparked Saturday June 9th  and has consumed  more than 20,000 acres (~ 31 sq miles; 81km²); the blaze continues to grow rapidly.

• The blaze has a HIGH growth potential among areas of rough terrain and beetle killed trees.
• The fire has damaged or destroyed at least 2 dozens structure, threatening many more.
• New evacuation order for the area south of County Road 38E from Gindler Ranch Road west to Milner Ranch Road (325 notifications). This area is located south and west of the Horsetooth Reservoir inlet. The High Park Fire is moving rapidly in this direction, Inciweb reported.
• Other evacuation orders include:
  • Crystal Mountain area including Crystal Mountain Road and the Upper Buckhorn. The burning pattern of High Park Fire could potentially cut off exit routes for residents in this area and they should leave now (24 notifications).
    
  • Any residents who have not already left the Crystal Mountain Area must now evacuate to the west on Buckhorn Road. County Road 27 is no longer passable so evacuation to the east is impossible.
  • Evacuation orders have also been issued for the Bonner Peak Subdivision (183 notifications), Buckhorn Rd from CR27 to Pennock Pass and residents to the south approximately 3/4-1 mile. (69 notifications). Evacuation order issued for the area North of CR38E, from Horsetooth Reservoir to Redstone Canyon to Lory State Park. (326 notifications)
  • Evacuations have been ordered for Stove Prairie Road north along County Road 27 to Highway 14, east along Highway 14 to approximately mile marker 111, southeast to Rist Canyon Fire Station 1, then back west to to include Wilderness Ridge Way, Rist Creek Road, Spring Valley Road and County Road 41 and all of the roads that run off of it.
  • All of Rist Canyon (west of 27E) and all roads off of it, including Whale Rock Road and Davis Ranch Road. South 3 additional miles on County Road 44H to just north of Stringtown Gulch Road.
  • At 11:10 P.M. an evacuation alert has been sent to the Poudre Park (along Highway 14) area from mile marker 111 to mile marker 118.
  • Additionally Highway 14 from Ted’s Place to Stove Prairie is closed, as well as Stove Prairie Road and Rist Canyon. Additional evacuations as of approximately 5 a.m. Sunday include all residents from County Road 27E to Bellvue and for the area south and west of Bellvue, including Lory State Park and Red Stone Canyon, and Buckhorn Road from Masonville up to Stove Prairie School.
  • Evacuation ordered for CR 29C and McMurry Ranch Road (33 notifications). Approximately 2,200 notifications (contacts, not residents) have been sent for evacuations on this fire.

Gila National Forest wildfire

New Mexico’s Gov. Martinez has already declared state of emergency in Catron County, where the largest wildfire in state’s history,  Gila National Forest wildfire (Whitewater Baldy Complex fire), has consumed about 280,000 acres, with 37% contained.

The fire is currently aided by air temps of 86ºF, relative humidity of less than 7 percent.

See also: Disaster Declared as Little Bear Fire Grows

Wyoming. A wildfire in Wyoming’s Guernsey State Park has consumed ABOUT 4,000 acres and forced the evacuation of up to 1,000 campers and visitors, AP reported.

Other Major Fires include

• Arizona. Gladiator – 16,240 acres – Prescott National Forest – 45% contained.

• California.  George Bush Fire – 1,707 acres – George Bush Tree/Golden Trout Wilderness – Sequoia National Forest – 85% contained.

• Colorado. Little Sand – 8,238 acres – San Juan National Forest – 13 miles NW of Pagosa Springs – 30% contained.

• Utah. Box Creek Fire – 5 miles west of Greenwich – 2,018 acres – 75% contained.

• Utah. Lost Lake Fires – 2,076 acres – Fishlake National Forest – 55% contained.

• Wyoming.  Cow Camp Fire – 8,493 acres – Medicine Bow – Routt National Forest – 20 Miles NE of Wheatland –  70% contained.

Other Global Disasters, Significant Events

• China.  Extreme rain events in southern China have left large parts of Jiangxi, Hunan and Guizhou provinces submerged affecting millions of people.
  • Thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed.
  • Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated.
  • Tens of thousands of hectares of crop have been destroyed.
  • Flooding in Hunan province triggered massive landslides blocking major railroads, including Hukun Railway, which connects Shanghai and Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, a report said.
  • The authorities reported about a dozen dead or missing.

• Hindu Kush, Afghanistan.Two earthquakes measuring 5.4 and 5.7Mw struck Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan, about 175km north of Kabul.
  •  The quakes destroyed dozens of homes in Dara Azara, a remote village in the Baghlan province, burying about 100 people in the rubble, reports said.

Up-to-date weekly average CO₂ at Mauna Loa (ESRL/Global Monitoring Division)

• Week of June 3, 2012:     395.38 ppm
• Weekly value from 1 year ago:     393.69 ppm
• Weekly value from 10 years ago:     375.82 ppm

The graph, updated weekly, shows as individual points daily mean CO₂ up to and including the week (Sunday through Saturday) previous to today. The daily means are based on hours during which CO₂ was likely representative of “background” conditions, defined as times when the measurement is representative of air at mid-altitudes over the Pacific Ocean. That air has had several days time or more to mix, smoothing out most of the CO₂ variability encountered elsewhere, making the measurements representative of CO₂ over hundreds of km or more. The selection process is designed to filter out any influence of nearby emissions, or removals, of CO₂ such as caused by the vegetation on the island of Hawaii, and likewise emissions from the volcanic crater of Mauna Loa. The weekly mean (red bar) is simply the average of all days in the week for which a background value could be defined. The average standard deviation of day to day variability, calculated as the difference from the appropriate weekly mean, equals 0.38 ppm for the entire record. As a visual aid, the blue lines present monthly means of background data as they are presented under Recent Monthly CO₂ at Mauna Loa. PDF Version. ESRL/Mauna Loa Global Monitoring Division.

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

Dozens Dead or Missing after Storm Batters NW China

Deadly storm leaves a trail of destruction in Gansu province, NW China

Extreme Weather has left more than 60 people dead or missing in Minxian County in Gansu Province, affecting tens of thousands of people and forcing about 3,000 people to flee their homes.

The storm, which lasted only about an hour, left a trail of destruction in 17 of the county’s 18 towns and many villages, dumping up to 70mm of rain, reports said.

Torrential rains and hail caused flash floods unleashing torrents of mud which destroyed homes, farmland and infrastructure.

Villager stands next to the remains of his house destroyed by hail and torrential rains in Minxian County in northwest China’s Gansu Province, May 11, 2012. The death toll has climbed to 24 and 37 people remain missing after hail and torrential rains battered Minxian County in Gansu Province on Thursday, the local government said Friday. The natural disaster on Thursday has affected 36,000 people in Minxian County, forcing the area to be evacuated of 2,183 local residents. Roads were blocked, houses collapsed, and farmland was destroyed by the extreme weather, according to state and local disaster relief agencies. (Xinhua/Nie Jianjiang). More images …

Related Disasters

• Flooding, Drought and Wildfires Ravage China Posted  on May 10, 2012

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

Sudan Declares State of Emergency along Border with South Sudan

War looms as hostilities intensify between Sudan and its new neighbor

Sudan has declared a state of emergency along the border with South Sudan amid rising tensions, imposing a trade embargo against the newly formed country of South Sudan.

Disputes over oil revenue, citizenship issues, cross border raids  and border demarcation between the two countries have resulted in border clashes in recent months.

Sudan had accused South Sudan of using foreign mercenaries to capture the oil-producing Heglig region, which it has now recaptured, reports said.

Other Global Disasters, Significant Events

• Hunan Province, China. Extreme rain events and hailstorms in central China’s Hunan Province have affected up to a million people.
  • “Massive rainfall triggered mountain torrents, landslides and floods in those areas, where 47,500 residents had been evacuated,” reports said.
  • About 40,000 hectares of farmland and up to 15,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed.
  • The worst-hit areas are Yueyang, Yiyang, Zhangjiajie and Yongzhou, reports said.

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