Australia: Catastrophe Continent

IN PROGRESS…

• TIA [September 24, Confidential 10]
• TNWG [October 22, Confidential 10]

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Nominated Groups:

• ALL Groups

FIRE-EARTH REPORT 112805

200 fires burning across Queensland, Australia

Catastrophic Fire Warning has been issued for the first time in Queensland

Queensland bushfire forces mass evacuation from Gracemere

Nearly all residents have fled the central Queensland town of Gracemere after authorities issued a state of emergency as a fast-moving and dangerous bushfire burnt toward the town.

• Catastrophic fire threat declared for Capricornia, Central Highlands and Coalfields

And this is why people are being urged to evacuate from Gracemere to Rockhampton. That wall of flames is dangerous. #qldfires @abcbrisbane pic.twitter.com/cgarcV3k13

— Allyson Horn (@allysonhorn) November 28, 2018

More horrific vision coming in from Deepwater in Central Queensland. These fires are catastrophic. Truly scary. #QLDFires @abcbrisbane pic.twitter.com/y0el1Ounqw

— Allyson Horn (@allysonhorn) November 28, 2018

 

Record-breaking heatwave

Extreme #heatwave conditions are impacting far north Queensland from #Cooktown and #Cairns to #Townsville, #Mackay and #Rockhampton. Max. temps are well above average, with records already broken. Tips from @qldhealthnews to beat the heat: https://t.co/jWnU3nkDIh. @ABCemergency pic.twitter.com/jABTAntQEi

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) November 26, 2018

Devastating Impact: Sydney has had its wettest November day in 34 years

Significant raised dust observed in southern inland QLD this morning

💨Significant raised dust observed in southern inland QLD this morning, with visibility as low as 1000m in #Charleville. Dust haze will move eastwards today. Widespread smoke can also be seen in eastern parts of QLD. Track it all on our satellite viewer: https://t.co/ql9VhgwhbC pic.twitter.com/HjSrDxkHEj

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) November 27, 2018

[Report Australia: Catastrophe Continent 112802 prepared by FIRE-EARTH Science Teams and affiliated scientists.]

• Presentation available via FIRE-EARTH PULSARS.

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FIRE-EARTH Top Ten Alerts

• All Groups

Latest FIRE-EARTH DIRECTIVES, ALERTS, FORECASTS, BULLETINS and MESSAGES available via FIRE-EARTH PULSARS.

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States of Emergency Declared in NJ, NY, FL… — Ongoing Emergencies in AZ, CA

NJ Declares State of Emergency

NJ Governor has declared a state of emergency in Bergen, Essex, Monmouth, Ocean and Passaic counties due to the damage caused by torrential rains.

Many areas of the state have experienced flooding over the past few days. Know how to stay safe after a flood https://t.co/BzTQIgv9VH. #ReadyNJ #flooding #floodsafety #TurnAroundDontDrown #summersafety pic.twitter.com/YQZE2tRXLk

— NJOEM (@ReadyNJ) August 14, 2018

#BREAKING: Gov. Murphy declares state of emergency in multiple counties due to flooding https://t.co/5dU9OQ3SKG pic.twitter.com/Q0tRSW6NAS

— News12NJ (@News12NJ) August 14, 2018

Part of New York under State of Emergency due to flooding

Effective immediately, Seneca County Sheriff Tim Luce and the Seneca County Emergency Management Office has declared a State of Emergency for the Towns of Covert, Lodi, Ovid, and Romulus. This includes the Villages of Interlaken, Lodi, and Ovid. Heavy rain has caused major flooding in those affected areas. Many roadways are now closed and no unnecessary travel is advised. Emergency crews are working diligently to assist citizens. Citizens are urged to shelter in place and move to higher ground if they are experiencing high water.”

Sheriff Luce and Emergency Management Office declared a state of emergency in southern SENECA County, tTowns of Covert,Lodi,Romulus and Ovid

— Seneca NY Sheriff (@SenecaSheriff) August 14, 2018

Twin Tiers: Disaster declared in Troy Borough due to flash flooding; Wellsburg declares state of emergency

Severe Red Tide: Florida Declares State of Emergency
Florida has declaring a state of because of the severe red tide affecting Florida’s west coast. The worst affected areas are Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

AZ Governor Declares State Of Emergency For Town Of Mammoth
“Governor Doug Ducey today declared a State of Emergency for the Town of Mammoth in Pinal County after unusual amounts of heavy rain from monsoons compromised the town’s potable water system. The storms resulted in significant roadway damage and the loss of accessible water throughout the area, including for personal use, and has prevented emergency response capabilities for fire suppression. Currently, Mammoth has established cooling centers and is distributing water to residents.”

Crop Disasters Declared in 22 States and the Virgin Islands –USDA

JCA 2081W

USDA designates hundreds of counties and parishes across the US as crop disaster areas

Major losses and damages caused by multiple disasters including drought and deluge, frost and freeze, excessive snow and extreme rainfall, as well as other extreme climate and weather events, and two Hurricanes Maria and Irma have prompted USDA to declare crop disasters in at least 287 counties, parishes and territories across 22 states and the Virgin Islands.

Those states are Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, and the Virgin Islands.

The Disaster Designations:

Release No. 0132.17  [Oct. 17, 2017]
USDA has designated three territories in the Virgin Islands as crop disaster areas due to losses caused by multiple disasters that occurred during Hurricanes Irma and Maria that occurred during the 2017 crop year.

• Designation Number 1 – St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands have been designated as crop disaster areas due to losses caused by Hurricane Irma that occurred during Sept. 6, 2017 through Sept. 7, 2017.
• Designation Number 2 – St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands have been designated as crop disaster areas due to losses caused by Hurricane Maria that occurred during Sept. 19, 2017.

Release No. 0125.17
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated two counties in Delaware and four counties in Maryland as crop disasters areas due to losses caused by excessive rainfall that occurred from July 28, 2017, through Sept. 21, 2017.

Release No. 0131.17
USDA has designated 24 counties in South Carolina, 4 counties in Georgia, and 5 counties in North Carolina as crop disasters areas due to losses and damages caused by frost and freeze that occurred from March 4, 2017 through March 17, 2017.

Release No. 0124.17
USDA has designated 7 counties in California as crop disasters areas due to losses and damages caused by excessive rain that occurred from Oct. 1, 2016 through May 1, 2017.

Release No. 0126.17
USDA has designated 44 counties in Florida as crop disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by Hurricane Irma that occurred from Sept. 9, 2017 through Sept. 12, 2017.

Release No. 0127.17
USDA has designated 4 counties in Idaho, 2 in Montana, and 2 in Washington as crop disaster areas area due to losses caused by a recent drought.

Release No. 0130.17
USDA has designated 7 counties in Oregon as crop disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by excessive snow, freeze, frost, excessive rain and flooding that occurred from Dec. 8, 2016 through Feb. 25, 2017.

Release No. 0129.17
USDA has designated 4 counties in Montana as crop disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought.

Release No. 0128.17 [Oct. 17, 2017]
USDA has designated 12 counties in Iowa, and 2 in Missouri as crop disaster areas due to a recent drought.

Release No. 0114.17 [Oct. 3, 2017]
USDA has designated five counties in North Dakota as crop disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought.

Release No. 0113.17
USDA has designated 7 counties in Montana as crop disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought.

Release No. 0112.17
USDA has designated 59 counties in Mississippi, 4 counties in Alabama and 10 parishes in Louisiana as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by extreme rainfall, flooding and flash flooding that occurred from April 1, 2017, and continues.

Release No. 0115.17
USDA has designated 7 counties in Wisconsin as crop disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by heavy rains that occurred from June 14, 2017, through July 14, 2017.

Release No. 0111.17  [Oct. 3, 2017]
USDA has designated 11 counties in Iowa and 2 counties in Missouri as crop disaster areas due to a recent drought.

Release No. 0109.17 [Sept. 18, 2017]
USDA has designated 10 counties in South Dakota and 2 counties in Nebraska as crop disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought.

Release No. 0108.17
USDA has designated multiple counties in Ohio as crop disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by excessive rain and flooding during the 2017 crop year.

• Designation Number 1: USDA has designated 8 counties in Ohio as crop disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by excessive rain and flooding that occurred from July 7, 2017, through July 14, 2017.
• Designation Number 2: USDA has designated 6 counties in Ohio, and 2 counties in Indiana as crop disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by excessive rain and flooding that occurred from May 25, 2017, through July 15, 2017.

Release No. 0107.17  [Sept. 18, 2017]
USDA has designated 18 counties in Montana as crop disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought.

 

From Puerto Rico to un infierno

• CJ
• OCT
• TML

Puerto Rico turned into a living hell

[Special report prepared by FIRE-EARTH Affiliates.]

• [Details available from FIRE-EARTH PULSARS.

 

Federal Disaster Declarations [Listed in August]

All items on the following list, with the exception of Washington South Wenas Fire (FM-5187), were posted on FEMA website on August 31, 2017  [TW – GH]

Disaster Emergency, Federal Disasters Declared for 14 States

Louisiana Tropical Storm Harvey (EM-3382)
Incident Period: August 27, 2017
Emergency Declaration declared on August 28, 2017
Designated Areas: Disaster 3382
Beauregard (Parish), Calcasieu (Parish), Cameron (Parish), Jefferson Davis (Parish), Vermilion (Parish)

Idaho Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (DR-4333)
Incident Period: May 06, 2017 – June 16, 2017
Major Disaster Declaration declared on August 27, 2017
Designated Areas: Disaster 4333
Blaine, Camas, Custer, Elmore, Gooding

Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding (DR-4334)
Incident Period: July 19, 2017 – July 23, 2017
Major Disaster Declaration declared on August 27, 2017
Designated Areas: Disaster 4334
Allamakee, Bremer, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Mitchell

Texas Hurricane Harvey (DR-4332)
Incident Period: August 23, 2017
Major Disaster Declaration declared on August 25, 2017
Designated Counties (Individual Assistance):
Aransas, Bee, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Goliad, Hardin, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Kleberg, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, Sabine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Victoria, Waller, Wharton

West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (DR-4331)
Incident Period: July 28, 2017 – July 29, 2017
Major Disaster Declaration declared on August 18, 2017
Designated Areas: Disaster 4331
Doddridge, Harrison, Marion, Marshall, Monongalia, Ohio, Preston, Randolph, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Wetzel

Vermont Severe Storms And Flooding (DR-4330)
Incident Period: June 29, 2017 – July 01, 2017
Major Disaster Declaration declared on August 16, 2017
Designated Areas: Disaster 4330
Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Orange, Rutland, Washington, Windsor

New Hampshire Severe Storms And Flooding (DR-4329)
Incident Period: July 01, 2017 – July 02, 2017
Major Disaster Declaration declared on August 09, 2017
Designated Areas: Disaster 4329
Grafton

Oregon Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (DR-4328)
Incident Period: January 07, 2017 – January 10, 2017
Major Disaster Declaration declared on August 08, 2017
Designated Areas: Disaster 4328
Columbia, Deschutes, Hood River, Josephine

Wyoming Flooding (DR-4327)
Incident Period: June 07, 2017 – June 22, 2017
Major Disaster Declaration declared on August 05, 2017
Designated Areas: Disaster 4327
Fremont, Park

Michigan Severe Storms And Flooding (DR-4326)
Incident Period: June 22, 2017 – June 27, 2017
Major Disaster Declaration declared on August 02, 2017
Designated Areas: Disaster 4326
Bay, Gladwin, Isabella, Midland

Nebraska Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Straight-line Winds (DR-4325)
Incident Period: June 12, 2017 – June 17, 2017
Major Disaster Declaration declared on August 01, 2017
Designated Areas: Disaster 4325
Banner, Box Butte, Butler, Cass, Cuming, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Morrill, Platte, Polk, Sarpy, Saunders, Sheridan, Sioux, Thurston, Wayne

Oklahoma Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, And Flooding (DR-4324)
Incident Period: May 16, 2017 – May 20, 2017
Major Disaster Declaration declared on July 25, 2017
Designated Areas: Disaster 4324
Alfalfa, Beckham, Cherokee, Coal, Cotton, Delaware, Johnston, Le Flore, Murray, Muskogee, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Roger Mills, Washita

North Dakota Flooding (DR-4323)
Incident Period: March 23, 2017 – April 29, 2017
Major Disaster Declaration declared on July 12, 2017
Designated Areas: Disaster 4323
Benson, Bottineau, Cavalier, McHenry, Pembina, Pierce, Renville, Rolette, Towner, Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, Walsh

New York Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm (DR-4322)
Incident Period: March 14, 2017 – March 15, 2017
Major Disaster Declaration declared on July 12, 2017
Designated Areas: Disaster 4322
Albany, Broome, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Orleans, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster

Washington South Wenas Fire (FM-5187)
Incident Period: June 27, 2017
Fire Management Assistance Declaration declared on June 28, 2017
Designated Areas: Disaster 5187
N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two nuclear reactors pose “a credible threat of a severe accident” in S. Texas

Flooding could cause electrical fires, other cascading events, triggering severe accidents leading to meltdown –Report

Watchdog groups have raised concerns of “a credible threat of a severe accident” at two nuclear reactors still operating at full capacity despite severe flooding caused by hurricane HARVEY, a report said.

South Texas Project’s Main Cooling Reservoir is surrounded by a 20km-long earth and cement dike. 

The groups called for the immediate shutdown of the South Texas Project, which sits behind an embankment at risk of breaching, given the volume of water raining down in the region.

“Both the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the STP operator have previously recognized a credible threat of a severe accident initiated by a breach of the embankment wall that surrounds the 7,000-acre reactor cooling water reservoir,” said the director of the Reactor Oversight Project with Beyond Nuclear in Takoma Park, Maryland.

“The top of the cooling reservoir wall is between 65 and 67 feet above mean sea level, with the reactor site situated below at 29 feet above mean sea level.”

Read more…

Texas Floods Update:

• Port Arthur Shelter Has Been Inundated by Rising Floodwater
• The entire town of Port Arthur in under water, the mayor reported.
• Texas has activated 14,000 National Guards (up from 12,000), with an additional 10,000 on standby.
• Hurricane related fatalities have reached 30, and expected to rise, according to reports.
• About 30,000 people have so far fled their homes in Houston area [20,000 homes have been evacuated.]
• Incidents of looting and armed robberies have forced authorities to impose a midnight to 5:00 am curfew in Houston area.
• Areas impacted by HARVEY is much larger than either KATRINA, or SANDY, TX governor said.
• As much as 140cm of rain has fallen in some areas, since Friday.
• “I have asked for and received an expansion of the number of counties added to the federal disaster declaration… We have added 14 counties. Now the total is 33 counties,” TX governor said.

 

 

State of Emergency Declared in Waterlogged West Virginia

State of Emergency Declared in WV: 8 Counties Waterlogged Again

A state of emergency is in effect across eight West Virginia counties following flooding over the weekend.

Harrison, Marion, Marshall, Monongalia, Ohio, Taylor, Tucker and Wetzel counties are currently operating under the state of emergency.

State of Emergency Declared in Illinois as Floods Affect Thousands of Homes

States of Emergency Declared in IL Disaster Areas

Illinois governor has declared Lake, McHenry and Kane counties state disaster areas after days of flooding that have inundated thousands of homes.

Additionally, two southern Illinois counties, Jackson and Franklin, have also declared disasters due to unprecedented flooding.

Up to 7,000 buildings have reportedly been damaged by flood water, and forecasters expect flooding in the northern Chicago suburbs will get worse in the coming days due to water flows from Wisconsin.

“These counties were hit with flash and river flooding caused by more than seven inches of rain over a couple of days,” said the governor.

Emergency Rain Warnings Issued for Kyushu, Japan

Hundreds of thousands of residents evacuated, many more unable to move to safety

Emergency warnings have been issued for parts of Fukuoka and Oita prefectures in Kyushu, Japan and more than 400,000 residents have been ordered or advised to evacuate after torrential rains paralyzed the western parts of the country, said NHK.

“A Japan Meteorological Agency official says that it is an emergency with imminent risks of danger and that it is a situation where landslides and flooding could have already triggered a catastrophe.”

Serious flooding and landslides have blocked roads and left thousands of homes without power.

Many homes have been flooded and the residents are left isolated, unable to move to safety due to the inundation, said the report.

Major Flooding in China

Deadly Rainstorms, Flooding, Mudslides Plague Central, S and SW China

“Days of torrential rain in central China’s Hunan Province raised the water level of the Xiangjiang River, a major tributary of the Yangtze River, to exceed its record flood level Sunday morning [The water level in the section of the river in Changsha, capital of Hunan, reached 39.21 meters surpassing previous record set by a massive flood in 1998.]”

“Hunan has experienced severe flooding after ongoing torrential rain over the last 10 days. Since June 22, flooding has inundated parts of several cities, forced 311,300 people to evacuate, damaged 295,160 hectares of crops and destroyed 6,369 houses,” Xinhua reported.

“Hunan has experienced severe flooding after ongoing torrential rain over the last 10 days. Since June 22, flooding has inundated parts of several cities, forced 311,300 people to evacuate, damaged 295,160 hectares of crops and destroyed 6,369 houses.”

The latest round of torrential rains lashed 832 towns in southern and eastern Hunan province, and affected more than 230,000 people in 20 counties and districts in Guangxi province, leaving several dead or missing.

Links to Official Reports:

• Flood hits S China’s county due to consecutive heavy rains
•  Central China’s city witnesses heaviest flood
•  Major Yangtze River tributary breaks record flood level
•  China launches emergency response for flood relief
•  Flood hits Guizhou’s Yuqing County, SW China

 

USDA Crop Disaster Designations

Submitted by C.K.

Crop Disasters Declared for 254 Counties Across 11 US States

The disaster areas include multiple counties in Arkansas, California, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, Tennessee and Utah.

Release No. 0055.17
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated five counties in Georgia as a crop disaster area due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought. [Total: 5 counties ]

Release No. 0054.17
USDA has designated 26 counties in Florida as crop disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought.  [Total: 23 counties ]

Release No. 0053.17
USDA has designated 46 counties in Arkansas, 8 in Missouri, and 4 in Tennessee as crop disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by excessive rain, flash flooding, flooding, hail, high winds and lightning that occurred from April 1, 2017, and continues. [Total: 58 counties ]

Release No. 0052.17
USDA has designated 27 counties in Georgia and six  counties in Florida as crop disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by freeze that occurred from March 15, 2017, through March 18, 2017. [Total: 23 counties ]

Release No. 0051.17
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 21 counties in Florida and one in Georgia as crop disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought. [Total: 22 counties ]

Release No. 0050.17
USDA has designated various counties in Delaware and Maryland as crop disaster areas due to losses caused by multiple disasters that occurred during the 2016 crop year. [Total: 18 counties ]

Designation Number 1: USDA has three counties in Delaware and six counties in Maryland as crop disaster areas due to losses caused by drought that occurred from June 1, 2016, through Sept. 29, 2016.

Designation Number 2: USDA has designated three counties in Delaware and six counties in Maryland as crop disaster areas due to losses caused by excessive rain that occurred from Sept. 29, 2016, through Oct. 10, 2016.

Release No. 0049.17
USDA has designated 22 counties in Florida as crop disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought. [Total: 22 counties ]

Release No. 0048.17
USDA has designated 32 counties in Georgia, and six counties in Florida as crop disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by freeze that occurred from March 15, 2017, through March 18, 2017. [Total: 38 counties ]

Release No. 0044.17
USDA has designated 28 counties in California as crop disaster areas due to losses caused by severe weather including excessive rain, high winds, cold temperatures and hail that occurred from March 1, 2016, through May 7, 2016. [Total: 28 counties ]

Release No. 0046.17
USDA has designated 15 counties in Idaho, and one each in Nevada and Utah as crop disaster areas due to losses caused by a blizzard, excessive snow, excessive rain, freeze, flooding, flash flooding and high winds that occurred from Dec. 22, 2016, and continues. [Total: 17 counties ]

States of Emergency Declared in Montreal, Laval Over Flooding

• All Groups

States of Emergency Declared in Montreal, Laval: Evacuations Underway in Multiple Areas

• Forecasts are available from FIRE-EARTH PULSARS.

Background:

Both Montreal and Laval have declared states of emergency amid rising floodwaters caused by days of incessant rainfall.

“This is an historical moment,” Montreal mayor told a news conference.

Tornadoes, Storms Continue Deadly Mayhem in U.S. Midwest, South

Tornadoes Wreak Widespread Destruction in Texas

More than 5,000 homes may have been damaged or destroyed by tornadoes, while at least 17 people were killed across the storm battered areas.

Arkansas has declared a state of emergency after at least three people were  killed in severe weather.

The storms were forecast to roll into Alabama before moving north toward Michigan.

Up to 20 million people are under some risk of severe weather, including tornadoes, strong winds, rainstorm and hail, according to NWS.

Millions more are under a flood warning or watch.

 

FIRE-EARTH Alert: Chile

Millions without water in Santiago, Chile amid Deadly Floods

Landslides triggered by severe flooding in Chile capital, Santiago, have contaminated a major river, leaving an estimated 4 – 6 million people without drinking water.

The water supply from the Maipo river has been cut off until further notice, said emergency authorities.

“We are talking about 1.45 million homes that are going to be affected by the cutting off of the water supply, which will be total or partial in 30 districts,” said the intendant of Santiago Metropolitan Region, Claudio Benjamín Orrego Larraín.

“We still do not know when the drinking water will be turned back on,”

“We cannot guarantee resumption of the service until the River Maipo clears up.”

Climatic analysis and forecasts are available from FIRE-EARTH PULSARS.

Disaster Declared in Idaho

Multiple Idaho Counties Declared Disaster Areas

At least eight counties across the state have declared a disaster due to severe weather and extensive flooding, with more snow forecast.

• Additional details: The Official Website of the State of Idaho.

 

FIRE-EARTH Disaster Alerts 000116

• CJ Members
• EAC
• OC Teams

Disasters, States of Emergency, Extreme Events, Viral Outbreaks, Wildfires: Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Philippines, Thailand, United States

• Details and analysis are available from FIRE-EARTH PULSARS.

Extreme Weather Hammers Victoria, Australia

Heavy storms trigger major deluge in Melbourne, move across the region

Multiple warnings have been issued across the state. Details are available from:

• http://www.abc.net.au/
• http://www.bom.gov.au/

Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters

Cost of 200 disasters in the U.S. exceeds $1.1 trillion

Some 200 weather and climate disasters have occurred in the U.S. since 1980, each exceeding  $1 billion (including CPI adjustment to 2016) in overall damages/costs. The total cost of these 200 events exceeds $1.1 trillion, according to NCDC/NOAA.

Some 12 weather and climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each across the United States have occurred this year (as of  September), exceeding the 1980–2015 annual average of 5.2 events (CPI-adjusted); the annual average for the most recent 5 years (2011–2015) is 10.8 events (CPI-adjusted).

Four new billion-dollar disaster events have been added during the 3rd quarter, bringing the 2016 event total to 12. This represents the 2nd highest total number of events surpassing the 11 events observed in 2012. The record number of events in one year (since 1980) is 16, as observed in 2011.

The U.S. has also experienced 4 billion-dollar inland flood events during 2016, doubling the previous record, as no more than 2 inland flood events have occurred in a year since 1980. This is a notable record, further highlighted by the numerous other record flooding events that have impacted the U.S. in 2016.

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (2016). https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/billions/

FIRE-EARTH Alert: VTNM

CJ Members

FIRE-EARTH Alert: State of Emergency Continues in Vietnam amid Drought and Deluge

• More than 2 million people in Vietnam are experiencing acute water shortages and 18 of 63 provinces have been in a state of emergency since May.

• Meanwhile, several rounds of flooding since last month have destroyed or severely damaged at least 200,000 homes, destroying roads and other public infrastructure across 15 provinces, authorities said.

• Floodwaters have destroyed up to 20,000 hectares of crops, killing about 60,000 cattle and poultry.

• Details of the Alert are available from FIRE-EARTH PULSARS.

China Flooding: 7.68 Million People Affected

Extreme Rain Events in China Causing Major Crisis

At least 7.68 million people across 10 Chinese provinces have been affected by extreme rain  events and sever flooding, said the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

Weather related disasters have left dozens of people dead or missing, destroying thousands of homes and hundreds of thousands of hectares of crops.

East China

“In east China’s Jiangxi Province, six people died, according to the provincial civil affairs department. Among them, two drowned in swollen rivers, while four were killed by lightening.

“Three people remain missing, 105,700 hectares of crops were ruined, 969 houses destroyed and direct economic losses have been estimated in the region of 2.16 billion yuan (about 328.5 million U.S. dollars).

“About 199,000 people have been displaced, including about 13,000 from Guxiandu, Poyang County where a river breached its banks on Monday evening. More than 400 armed police plan to mend a 100-meter gap in the river defenses on Wednesday. “We’re waiting because the water level remains high,” said a police spokesman.

Southeast China

“Thousands of homes were flooded in Poyang county, Jiangxi province, late on Monday after Bintian Reservoir overflowed as torrential rain continued to wreak havoc in South China.”

“In Hunan province, a flooded river in Longshan county forced about 18,500 residents to leave an ancient township.

“Torrential rains and floods have affected 213,800 residents and forced the relocation of 32,800 people in the province, according to provincial authorities.”

“In neighboring Guizhou province, rescuers saved more than 150 residents who were stranded after their villages were flooded in Yanhe county. More than 1,500 people were relocated,” local media reported.

Central China

In central China’s Hunan Province, torrential rains have triggered extensive flooding forcing at least 20,000 people, including 5,000 tourists, to evacuate, Official Xinhua reported

State of Emergency Declared in Oklahoma amid Severe Storms, Floods

State of Emergency Declared for 9 Oklahoma Counties Due to Floods, Storms —Lt. Gov.

The counties covered in the declaration include Caddo, Carter, Comanche, Cotton, Garvin, Grady, McClain, Murray and Stephens.

The declaration can be amended to add additional counties if conditions warrant.

Since Saturday, these Oklahoma counties have experienced flooding, severe storms, tornadoes and straight-line winds. Initial reports show damage in numerous communities including Apache, Cyril, Lawton, Maysville and Walters. Further damage assessments are ongoing, Oklahoma Governor’s Office said.

The extreme weather events beginning June 11 have caused extensive damage to public and private properties within the State.

Under the executive order, the state of emergency lasts for 30 days.

Federal Disaster Declared for Texas

Texas Declared Major Disaster Area

Texas Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-4272)

• Incident period: Started May 26, 2016 and Continuing
• Major Disaster Declaration proclaimed on June 11, 2016

The White House has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Texas in the areas affected by severe storms and deadly flooding beginning on May 26, 2016, and continuing.

Federal funding have reportedly been made available to affected individuals in Austin, Brazoria, Brazos, Fort Bend, Grimes, Hidalgo, Hood, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Travis, Waller, and Washington counties. “Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.”

Federal funding also is available to the state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures in Austin, Brazoria, Brazos, Fort Bend, Grimes, Hidalgo, Hood, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Travis, Waller, and Washington counties.

Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas said damage surveys were continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.

Major Disaster Declarations (2016)

• Major Disaster Declared for the U.S. State of Montana [DR-4271] May 25, 2016
• Major Disaster Declared for the State of Arkansas [DR-4270] May 7, 2016
• Texas Severe Storms and Flooding [DR-4269]
• Major Disaster Declared for Mississippi [DR-4268] March 26, 2016
• Federal Disaster Declared for Pennsylvania [DR-4267] March 24, 2016

• Texas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding [DR-4266]  March 17, 201
• Major Disaster Declared for Delaware [DR-4265] March 17, 201
• Louisiana Disaster Declaration Expanded March 17, 2016
• Major Disaster Declaration: New Jersey [DR-4264] March 15, 2016
• Major Disaster Declaration: Louisiana Severe Storms and Flooding March 14, 2016
• Federal Disaster Declared for Virginia [DR-4262] March 8, 2016
• Major Disaster Declarations for DC and Maryland [DR-4260, DR-4261 ] March 5, 2016
• Major Disaster Declaration Proclaimed for Georgia [DR-4259] February 27, 2016
• Major Disaster Declared for Oregon [DR-4258] February 19, 2016

• Major Disaster Declared for Alaska [DR-4257] February 18, 2016
• Major Disaster Declared for Oklahoma [DR-4256] February 12, 2016
• Major Disaster Declared for Texas  [DR-4255] February 10, 2016
• Major Disaster Declaration Proclaimed for Arkansas [DR-4254] February 6, 2016
• Federal Emergency Declared for Louisiana (EM-3376) February 6, 2016
• Major Disaster Declaration Proclaimed for Washington [DR-4253] February 3, 2016
• Major Disaster Declaration Proclaimed for Idaho [DR-4252] February 2, 2016
• Major Disaster Declared for Alabama [DR-4251] January 23, 2016
• Oklahoma Oak Grove Fire (FM-5118)
• Major Disaster Declared for Missouri [DR-4250] January 22, 2016
• Federal Emergency Declared in Michigan [EM-3375] January 17, 2016
• Major Disaster Declaration for Washington [DR-4249] January 16, 2016
• Major Disaster Declared for Mississippi [DR-4248] January 5, 2016
• Federal Emergency Declared for Missouri [EM-3374] January 3, 2016
• Federal Disaster Declarations
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Global Disasters – June 11, 2016

6.5 Million people (39 percent of Malawi’s projected population) likely to be food insecure in 2016/17

At least 6.5 million people, or 39 percent of the country’s projected population of 16.8 million, will not be able to meet their annual food requirements during the 2016/17 consumption period, according to The Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, through the  Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC).

This represents an increase of 129 percent compared with the corresponding figure of 2.8 million people for the 2015/16 consumption period. In order to ensure that the affected people survive up to the next harvest period without disrupting their socioeconomic livelihoods, the total humanitarian food assistance that is required is estimated at the equivalent of 493,000 metric tonnes of maize, with an estimated cash value of MK148 billion. However, the estimated humanitarian food assistance declines to the equivalent of 375,000 metric tonnes of maize if we adjust for the fact that some of the affected people may sell their assets in order to acquire food.

“The food shortage is largely a result of the El Nino climatic episode experienced across the country during the 2015/16 agricultural reason,” the government said.

The MVAC figures stated above relate to the total food requirement for the vulnerable population only. This is lower than the maize consumption deficit of 790,000 metric tonnes affecting 8.4 million people, as reported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development based on the Second Round Crop Estimates released in April 2016. The main difference between the two sets of figures arises from the fact that part of the maize consumption deficit relates to the consumption needs of those who can afford to procure it on the market, if available, without the need for humanitarian support. The MVAC figures exclude such consumption needs which are, nevertheless, a significant part of the Government’s overall intervention plans.

Iraq

More than 3.3 million Iraqis, or about 10 per cent of the population, have been displaced due to acts of violence perpetrated by the Saudi-backed Wahhabi terrorists (ISIL) since the start of 2014.

At least 500,000 people fled Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, when terrorists stormed the city in June 2014. Many have been displaced multiple times, and most face extreme hardship.

South Sudan

More than 2.4 million people have been displaced since fighting broke out in Juba in December 2013. This includes 720,394 people who have crossed into neighboring countries. Six Protection of Civilian (PoC) sites are currently sheltering 169,983 internally displaced people (IDPs): 98,653 in Bentiu; 40,448 in Malakal; 27,959 in Juba; 2,004 in Bor; 700 in Melut; and, 219 in Wau, said the UN Mission in South Sudan.

Somalia

Extreme rain events in the upper part of the Ethiopian highlands have caused river Shabelle to overflow. The flood waters have destroyed crops and that fields remain inaccessible.

“The flood has destroyed almost everything. The majority of the community here operates a small business in a local market. They could no longer work as the place is submerged with water. We do hope in a month’s time it will dry up and we can start rebuilding our lives,” said a local elder.

[District of] Beletweyne hosts 31,000 displaced people, the majority of whom have fled conflict in the neighboring districts of Jalalqsi and Bulle Burte. The residents who live in a low-lying areas have moved to higher ground in El Jaale, five kilometres from Beletweyne.

“This flooding is the worst in years. It covered most of the town and surroundings. As the people move to higher grounds, they are in need of everything. The ICRC is providing food and other basic items, clean water and health care to the most affected communities. This will enable them to hold on as they start to rebuild their homes,” said the region’s field coordinator for the ICRC in Somalia.

 

Extreme Weather Events Pummel Australia

Extreme Rain Events, High Winds  Pummel NSW, Tasmania as Queensland Mops Up

“Wild weather that thrashed parts of Queensland over the weekend is continuing to pummel New South Wales, with the east coast low pressure system reaching as far south as Tasmania amid warnings of heavy rain, flash flooding and damaging winds,” said a report.

A flood evacuation warning is in place for multiple areas in NSW including residents living along the Georges River, in Sydney’s southwest, the report said.

Huge surf is also causing widespread coastal erosion with police door knocking affected homes in the Northern Beaches.

Hundreds of thousands of homes across the state have been affected by power outages as a result of wild weather.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from North Lismore, as major flooding peaked at 9.1 meters in the Lismore area Sunday afternoon.

The weather system has also extended down to Tasmania, with an “exceptional” huge swell expected to hit Tasmania’s north-east on Monday.

The state is predicted to receive up to 200 millimeters of rain in the coming days, with warnings of flash flooding.

Flood warnings are in place for eight rivers in the state, with major warnings current for the Meander River and Mersey River, with forecasters warning the Mersey basin is at most risk of major flooding.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has forecast ‘king waves’ of up to eight meters to cause erosion along the northeast coast.

Mount Victoria recorded rainfall amounts of 76mm, with destructive winds peaking at 107 km/h at Mount Read.

“That north-easterly swell’s actually getting up to the six to seven-metre mark on Monday which is very, very, large for our secondary swell,” a BoM forecaster said.

“Typically we only see those swell heights in our south-westerly stream. So it’s an exceptional swell for the east coast.”

Since Friday morning, 382mm of rain had fallen at Upper Springbrook in the Gold Coast hinterland, with nearby Mount Tamborine receiving  357mm, BoM reported.

Deadly Floods Devastate Large Areas across the Globe

USA, Ukraine, Sri Lanka, Russia, Romania, Pakistan, Mexico, Kenya, India, Germany, France, China, Bangladesh, Belgium, Austria hit by major flooding

Widespread flooding has left scores of people dead, hundreds of thousands displaced, tens of thousands of homes destroyed, hundreds of cities, towns, villages inundated…

Storms seem to be competing for dumping the largest amount of precipitation on multiple regions,  with record rainfalls reported across many areas.

France flooding: Extreme rain events, deadly flooding continues…

“Torrential rain brings flooding from Paris to Prague”>Torrential rain brings flooding from Paris to Prague…

Floods Sweep Europe