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 ]

Mass Evacuation Ordered in Japan amid Extreme Weather Events

Much of Japan hammered by high wind, giant waves and heavy snowfall

At least 9,700 people have been ordered to evacuate Nemuro, a town in the northern Japanese prefecture of Hokkaido, as heavy snowfall, high wind and giant waves plagued the region leaving more than 50,000 residents without power, the media reported Tuesday.

Warnings have also been issued to residents in the region concerning the threat of flooding as high waves batter the coastal areas putting some 4,000 families at risk, Kyodo News reported.

At least 169 people were injured in the Kanto area, which includes Tokyo, after heavy snow blanketed eastern and northern Japan early on Monday.

Heavy snow has led to hundreds of flight cancellation, and suspension of train services as of posting.

.

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.

Crop Disasters Declared for 7 New York Counties

DISASTERS CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE
EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS
RECORD SNOWFALL
FLOODING
HIGH WINDS
CROP DISASTERS
SCENARIOS  887, 560, 477, 444, 177, 111, 063, 027, 025, 023, 02
.

Record snow, freeze, flooding and high winds destroy crops in NY

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated seven Western New York counties as crop disaster areas, due to losses caused by record snow, freeze, flooding and high winds that occurred November 17-24.

The crop disasters declaration is for Genesee, Erie, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

Crop Disasters 2014

Beginning January 10, 2014 USDA has declared crop disasters in at least 2,775 counties across 41 states.

Those states are

• Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, 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.

Latest/ Recent Crop Disaster Declarations

• Multiple Crop Disasters Declared in Five States November 27, 2014
• Drought Destroys Crops in Five States November 21, 201
• Drought Destroys Crops in Georgia, Florida October 17, 2014
• Crop Disasters Declared in Five States October 10, 2014
• Multiple Crop Disasters Declared in New England October 4, 2014
• Multiple Crop Disasters Occur in 11 States October 3, 2014
• Multiple Crop Disasters Declared in 10 States September 25, 2014
• Drought Crop Disasters Declared in U.S. West  September 18, 2014
• FREEZE Destroys Crops in Ohio, Pennsylvania  September 18, 2014
• Crop Disasters Declared in Five States September 12, 2014
• Crop Disasters Declared in Six States Posted on September 5, 2014
• Federal Disasters
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters [Index]

Crop Disasters Declared in Five States

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC HAZARDS
DROUGHT
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS (ERE)
HIGH WINDS
HAIL STORM
FROST
CROP DISASTERS
SCENARIOS 900,  888, 444, 178, 177, 111, 064, 03, 02
.

Drought, Frost, ERE and Winds destroy crops in five states

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated a total of 26 counties in five states–Texas, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Mexico and Kansas–as crop disaster areas due to losses caused by drought, frost, extreme rain events and high winds.

Drought Disaster Areas

A total of 9 counties in Texas and one county in New Mexico have been designated as crop disaster areas due to ongoing drought.

• Texas: Crane, Winkler, Andrews, Ector, Pecos, Ward, Crockett, Loving and Upton counties.
• New Mexico: Lea County

Drought & Frost Disaster Areas

11 Counties in Kansas and Nebraska have been declared crop disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by drought and frost that occurred during the period of January 1, 2014, and continuing.

• Kansas: Republic, Washington, Clay, Cloud, Jewell, Marshall and Riley counties.
• Nebraska: Gage, Jefferson, Nuckolls and Thayer counties.

Excessive Rain and Winds Disaster Areas

USDA has designated five counties in North Carolina as crop disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by excessive rain and winds that occurred on July 3, 2014.

• North Carolina: Pamlico, Beaufort, Carteret, Craven and Hyde counties.

Crop Disasters 2014

Beginning January 10, 2014 USDA has declared at least 2,315 separate crop disasters across 35 states. Most of those designations are due to the ongoing drought.

• Those states are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Washington, 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 total number of counties designated as agricultural disaster areas includes both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

iii. 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 September 10, 2014.

Crop Disaster Links

• Crop Disasters Declared in Six States Posted on September 5, 2014
• Crop Disasters Declared in Three States August 15, 2014
• Crop Disasters Declared in 7 States August 7, 2014
• Federal Disasters
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

 

Crop Disasters Declared in Six States

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC HAZARDS
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
HIGH WINDS
HAIL STORM
CROP DISASTERS
SCENARIOS 900,  888, 444, 178, 111, 064 
.

Excessive rain, high winds, and hail storm destroy crops in six states

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated a total of 27 counties in six states–Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Montana, Nevada–as crop disaster areas due to losses caused by extreme rain events, high winds and hail storm.

Wind, Rain and Flooding

•  Hawaii. Hawaii County has been designated as a Crop Disaster Area due to wind, rain and flooding that occurred Aug. 7-9, 2014.

Hail Storm

The following counties have been declared crop disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by a hail storm that occurred May 21, 2014.

• Illinois. Vermilion, Champaign, Douglas, Edgar, Ford and Iroquois counties.
• Indiana. Benton, Vermillion and Warren counties.

Extreme Rain Event

The following counties have been declared crop disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by excessive rain that occurred Aug. 3-7, 2014.

• Idaho. Jerome, Twin Falls, Cassia, Gooding, Minidoka, Elmore, Lincoln and Owyhee counties.
• Nevada. Elko County.

High Winds and Hail

The following counties have been declared crop disaster areas due to high winds and hail that occurred Aug. 14, 2014.

• Idaho. Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce and Shoshone counties.
• Montana. Mineral and Missoula counties.

Crop Disasters 2014

Beginning January 10, 2014 USDA has declared at least 2,289  separate crop disasters across 35 states. Most of those designations are due to the worsening drought.

• Those states are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Washington, 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 total number of counties designated as agricultural disaster areas includes both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

iii. 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 August 13, 2014.

Crop Disaster Links

• Crop Disasters Declared in Three States August 15, 2014
• Crop Disasters Declared in 7 States August 7, 2014
• Federal Disasters
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Crop Disasters Declared in Three States

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC HAZARDS
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS, HIGH WINDS, HAIL
CROP DISASTERS
SCENARIOS 900,  888, 444, 178, 111, 064 
.

Excessive rain, high winds, and hail destroy crops in six counties across three states

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated a total of six counties in three states–Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska–as crop disaster areas due to losses caused by extreme rain events, high winds and hail.

The crop disaster designations are for the following areas:

• Kansas:  Cheyenne, Rawlins and Sherman counties
• Colorado: Kit Carson and Yuma counties
• Nebraska: Dundy County

Crop Disasters 2014

Beginning January 10, 2014 USDA has declared at least 2,246 separate crop disasters across 33 states. Most of those designations are due to the worsening drought.

• Those states are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina Texas, Utah and Washington, 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 total number of counties designated as agricultural disaster areas includes both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

iii. 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 August 13, 2014.

Crop Disaster Links

• Crop Disasters Declared in 7 States August 7, 2014
• Federal Disasters
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

UK Coastal Towns Destroyed in Colossal Storm Surge

EXTREME CLIMATIC & WEATHER EVENTS
.

Flood-ravaged Britain now threatened by ice and heavy snow: Report

Arctic blast and heavy snow plunging Britain into frigid conditions following destruction by mega storms.

The Environment Agency issued a dozen severe flood warnings indicating  indicate “danger to life” as rivers reach dangerous levels.

It also posted  hundreds of flood warnings and flood alerts following  a gigantic storm surge spawned by strong winds and high tides which destroyed coastal towns.

Devon, Cornwall, parts of  Wales and southeast England were the worst hit areas, according to reports.

“Hundreds of homes were flooded and officials closed the Thames Barrier to protect properties in London,” said a report.

Britain battered by rounds after rounds of extreme rain events, flooding, heavy snow, hurricane-force winds, colossal tidal surge and extreme weather this winter. Photo credit: PA (Image may be subject to copyright.)

“This weekend and into the beginning of next week there is more wind and rain on the way with 80mph gusts in parts and up to three inches of rain likely in 72 hours. Torrential downpours are going to be devastating in parts of the UK which have been given absolutely no let-up from the stormy weather,” the report quoted a meteorologist as saying.

Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday called another emergency COBRA meeting to review the crisis.

[COBRA: Cabinet Office Briefing Room A – the location for a crisis response committee by the government of the United Kingdom in response to instances of national or regional crisis.]

He said: “A range of ministers from across government will be working very closely with local councils, power companies, utility and transport companies, making sure all those organizations are prepared for the bad weather.”

Fierce storms have lashed the UK since before Christmas with the ­latest onslaught on Thursday night and yesterday.

Homes have once again been left without electricity after high winds tore down power lines while transport networks have been crippled.

Winter 2013 – 2014 is forecast to be “exceptionally severe,” with above-average snowfall and frigid temperatures, meteorologists say.

We Told You So!

In November 2009,  EDRO/FIRE-EARTH Models forecast Climate Change could directly affect about half the population in the UK within 3 to 5  years.

• Climate change could directly affect about half the population in the UK  in the next 3 to 5 years  posted on November 20, 2009.

Related Links

• Extreme Winter Storms Lash Britain, France  January 4, 2014

• Tidal Surge Floods Western, Southern Scotland January 4, 2014
• More Severe Storms to Hit the UK, Tens of Thousands Without Power  December 27, 2013
• Massive Storm System Batters UK, France  December 24, 2013
• Thousands Lose Power as Storm Hits UK  December 19, 2013
• Mega Storm Threatens Biggest Tidal Surge in History  December 6, 2013

What you should know by now

• RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Critical Overload Threatens Planetary Life Support Systems

Other Links

• Britain Set for “Worst Winter in History” December 2, 2013
• ‘Catastrophic Losses’ of Animals Feared due to UK Spring Snow Posted on March 26, 2013
• How Homo Ignarus Killed Spring Posted on March 21, 2013
• Intensifying Winter Drought in England Worst Since 1888 Posted on March 12, 2012
• British Govt Makes Another Straw Man March 17, 2010
• Group Forecast Climate change could directly affect about half the population in the UK  in the next 3 to 5 years November 20, 2009

Extreme Winter Storms Lash Britain, France

EXTREME CLIMATIC & WEATHER EVENTS
.

High winds, giant waves and tidal surge batter western coasts of Britain and France, flooding coastal towns 

Southwest England, Wales, western and southern Scotland and Northern Ireland are reportedly the worst-hit UK regions as the latest round of extreme winter storms batters western Europe.

Hurricane-force winds gusting up to 146 km/h, combined with Extreme Rain Events and exceptionally high tides, have battered coastal areas in Britain and France, leaving homes in dozens of cities and towns as well as low-lying areas flooded.

High tides and strong winds have also caused flooding in Wales and western England as officials warn of a continuing threat in the UK coastal areas.

The UK Environment Agency has issued four severe flood warnings, down from 14, meaning “danger to life” for Gloucestershire and Dorset.

Earlier on Friday, residents in parts of Dorset and Aberystwyth were evacuated from their homes before the high tide on Friday night, said the report.

Scotland

A massive tidal surge combined with severe gale force winds inundated coastal areas of western and southern Scotland. Homes in the Isle of Whithorn, Portpatrick, Garlieston, Kirkcudbright, Annan, Carsethorn, Powfoot and Port William have been flooded.

Southwest of Scotland is one of the worst-hit areas, having suffered similar flooding earlier in the week, with numerous properties inundated along the coastline of Dumfries and Galloway, reported BBC.

France

Parts of northwestern France have also been deluged. Homes and business were evacuated in parts of Brittany coast as the Laita River overflowed its banks, leaving  large areas buried under floodwater.

The latest round of extreme winter storm follows a pattern of extreme weather events which began battering western and northern Europe  in early December and continued over Christmas.

Forecast for the UK

In November 2009,  EDRO/FIRE-EARTH Models forecast Climate Change could directly affect about half the population in the UK within 3 to 5  years.

• Climate change could directly affect about half the population in the UK  in the next 3 to 5 years  posted on November 20, 2009.

Related Links

• Tidal Surge Floods Western, Southern Scotland January 4, 2014
• More Severe Storms to Hit the UK, Tens of Thousands Without Power  December 27, 2013
• Massive Storm System Batters UK, France  December 24, 2013
• Thousands Lose Power as Storm Hits UK  December 19, 2013
• Mega Storm Threatens Biggest Tidal Surge in History  December 6, 2013

What you should know by now

• RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Critical Overload Threatens Planetary Life Support Systems

Other Links

• Britain Set for “Worst Winter in History” December 2, 2013
• ‘Catastrophic Losses’ of Animals Feared due to UK Spring Snow Posted on March 26, 2013
• How Homo Ignarus Killed Spring Posted on March 21, 2013
• Intensifying Winter Drought in England Worst Since 1888 Posted on March 12, 2012
• British Govt Makes Another Straw Man March 17, 2010
• Group Forecast Climate change could directly affect about half the population in the UK  in the next 3 to 5 years November 20, 2009

Agricultural Disasters Declared for 180 U.S. Counties

Extreme weather events, severe climatic episodes cause agricultural disasters across 14 states

Drought and Deluge, hail and high winds, severe storms and excessive rains have prompted USDA to designate 180 counties across 14 states as agricultural disaster areas.

Drought

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 39 counties in 5 states as agricultural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by the recent drought.

• Texas: Cherokee, Rusk, Smith, Van Zandt, Wood, Anderson, Gregg, Houston, Panola, Angelina, Harrison, Hunt, Rains, Camp, Henderson, Kaufman, Shelby, Franklin, Hopkins, Nacogdoches and Upshur counties.

• Colorado: Eagle, Garfield, Lake, Routt, Grand, Pitkin and Summit counties.

• Oregon: Curry, Coos, Douglas and Josephine counties.

• California: Del Norte County.

• Idaho: Jerome, Cassia, Gooding, Lincoln, Minidoka and Twin Falls counties.

All counties listed above were designated natural disaster areas Aug. 28, 2013. The lists include both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

Map of the U.S. Drought Disaster areas as of August 28, 2013. At least 1,336 counties, or 42.5% of all U.S. counties¹, were designated as agricultural disaster areas² due to the ongoing drought. [The figure includes both primary and contiguous disaster designations.] Source: USDA. Map enhanced by FIRE-EARTH.

1. [U.S. has a total of 3,143 counties and county-equivalents.]
2. Agriculture officials declare disaster when crop damage has exceeded 30 percent.

UPDATED: September 6, 2013 – MAP CORRECTED!

Hail, high winds and severe storm

USDA has designated seven counties in two states as agricultural disaster area due to damage and losses caused by hail, high winds and severe storms that occurred August 1, 2013, and continues.

• Montana: Park, Carbon, Gallatin, Meagher, Stillwater and Sweet Grass counties.

• Wyoming: Park County.

Excessive Rain and Flooding

USDA has designated 68 counties across six states as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by excessive rain and flooding that occurred March 1, 2013, and continues.

• Tennessee: Bradley, Hamilton, Macon, Rhea, Greene, Knox, Smith, Unicoi, Cocke, Hardin, Marion, Sequatchie, Washington, Anderson, Clay, Hawkins, Decatur, Jefferson, Polk, Sevier, Monroe, Benton, Cumberland, Henderson, Putnam, Blount, Franklin, Loudon, Sumner, Chester, Hamblen, Meigs, Roane, Carroll, Grainger, McMinn, Trousdale, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Sullivan, Carter, Grundy, McNairy, Wayne, Wilson, Perry, Bledsoe, De Kalb and Jackson counties.

• Alabama: Jackson and Lauderdale counties.

• Georgia: Catoosa, Fannin, Walker, Dade, Murray and Whitfield counties.

• Kentucky: Allen and Monroe counties.

• Mississippi: Alcorn and Tishomingo counties.

• North Carolina: Cherokee,  Madison,  Swain, Haywood, Mitchell and Yancey counties.

Agricultural Disaster Declared in ALL 46 South Carolina Counties due to Excessive Rain and Flooding

USDA has designated the entire state of South Carolina and 20 other counties across Georgia and North Carolina as agricultural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by excessive rain and flooding that occurred March 1, 2013, and continues.

• South Carolina: ALL 46 counties. Aiken, Chesterfield, Greenville, Orangeburg, Berkeley, Dorchester, Lee, Sumter, Allendale, Clarendon, Hampton, Pickens, Calhoun, Edgefield, Marion, Union, Bamberg, Colleton, Horry, Richland, Charleston, Florence, Marlboro, Williamsburg, Barnwell, Darlington, Jasper, Saluda, Cherokee, Georgetown, Newberry, York, Beaufort, Dillon, Laurens, Spartanburg, Anderson, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Abbeville, Chester, Greenwood, Lancaster, Oconee and McCormick counties.

• Georgia: Burke, Columbia, Richmond, Chatham, Effingham and Screven counties.

• North Carolina: Anson, Columbus, Mecklenburg, Robeson, Cleveland, Henderson, Richmond, Scotland, Brunswick, Gaston, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania and Union counties.

Related Links

• U.S. Drought Expands  August 22, 2013
• U.S. Drought Map – August 13, 2013
• Drought Disaster Declared in 37 Counties Across 5 States August 15, 2013
• Agricultural Disaster Declared for Dozens of U.S. Counties August 8, 2013
• U-S Drought 2013: Fueled by Heat from Hell? January 31, 2013 [FIRE-EARTH Forecast]
• US: Drought Disaster 2013 [Index Page]
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Next Blizzard Targets Northern Plains

Major winter storm bringing heavy snow, high winds to Northern Plains

‘A major winter storm will bring heavy snow and strong winds from northeast Colorado into central Minnesota Sunday into Monday.  Snowfall amounts in the hardest hit areas across eastern South Dakota will reach over a foot with 50 mph winds creating whiteout conditions.’ NWS  reported.

• Winter Weather Forecast

U.S. Weather Hazards Map – February 9, 2013 – Source: NWS

Related Links

• States of Emergency Declared in 6 States Amid Blizzard  February 9, 2013
• America Under Siege by Forces of Nature  February 8, 2013

Disaster Declared in 94 Counties across 4 States

Extreme Weather Events Cause Agricultural Disasters in  Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin

Damage and losses caused by the combined effects of blizzards, excessive snow, excessive heat, excessive rain, high winds, hail, freeze, frost, tornadoes, flooding and lightening that occurred between January 1 and May 11, 2012 prompted USDA to declare disaster in 94 counties across 4 states.

List of the 72 Michigan counties declared Primary Disaster Areas

List of 10 Michigan counties declared Contiguous Disaster Areas

The following 12 counties in Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin have also been designated as disaster areas because they are contiguous.

• Indiana: Elkhart, Lagrange, La Porte, St. Joseph and Steuben counties.
• Ohio: Fulton, Lucas and Williams counties.
• Wisconsin: Florence, Forest, Marinette and Vilas counties.

March Heat, April Freezes

According to a report by the Central Region Climate Response Team, March Heat, April Freezes, March 2012 “was the warmest March on record for 25 states east of the Rockies, and for 15 other states this March ranked among the ten warmest.”

“During the middle of March maximum temperatures were averaging 40 degrees F above normal. Maximum temperatures regularly reached the low and mid 80s
well north into Wisconsin. Many locations broke daily records by more than 20 degrees F.”

However, April 2012 experienced “at least three significant cold air masses” that crept into the Midwest and caused freezing temperatures.

• Iowa. The freeze caused a 50% destruction of the grape crop, about 90% damage to the apple and fruit tree blossoms and caused significant damage to corn and other crops.

• Illinois. The 2012 apple crop in parts of the state was a total loss due to freeze on April 11.
  • “Sweet corn grower in Vermilion County planted sweet corn on March 19. Plants were up a couple of leaves when back‐to‐back freezes hit (26F and 27F), reducing stand by 5,000 plants per acre.
  • “Sleepy Creek Vineyard in Vermilion County reported earliest budding grapevines had 100 percent damage, and others had 80 percent damage.”

• Michigan. “Thousands of acres of this year’s grape crop have been lost across southwest lower Michigan.
  • “A surveyor for National Grape Cooperative, better known as Welch’s Foods, said he went through hundreds of acres before even finding a live bud.  John Jasper estimates more than 10,000 acres were destroyed April 12, mostly in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties.
  • “Many apple, peach, cherry and blueberry orchards have also had substantial losses across northern Indiana and southern Lower Michigan.”

• Wisconsin.  “Cherry growers in Door County, WI, anticipate losses of 70% …”

• Kentucky.  Frost damaged apples, peaches, pears, plums, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and grapes to varying degrees across the state.
  • “Wheat harvest began two weeks early in Kentucky due to warm weather, but warm temperatures, and then a brief cold snap, have wreaked havoc on the crop’s yield, which some farmers say has been cut nearly in half. Some farmers are getting 12 bu/acre, compared to a normal of 80 bu/acre,” said the report (PDF file).

Other Global Disasters, Significant Events

Up-to-date weekly average CO₂ at Mauna Loa

• Week of June 24, 2012:     395.33 ppm
• Weekly value from 1 year ago:     393.50 ppm
• Weekly value from 10 years ago:     375.08 ppm

Recent Mauna Loa CO₂

• May 2012:     396.78 ppm
• May 2011:     394.16 ppm
• May 2002:    375.65 ppm
• May 1962:     321.01 ppm
• [1-year increase: 2.62 ppm; 10-year increase: 21.13 ppm; 50-year increase: 75.77 ppm]

Recent Global CO₂

• April 2012:     394.01 ppm (1-year increase: 2.18 ppm)
• April 2011:     391.83 ppm

New Zealand Earthquake

• A Richter magnitude 7.0 quake struck the Cook Strait, west coast of North Island, NZ, about 100km SSW of New Plymouth and 170 km north-west of Wellington (40.00°S, 173.75°E), at a depth of about 230km on Tuesday, July 3 2012 at 10:36UTC.
  • NO tsunami warning was issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
  • NO report of casualties, as of posting.
  • The quake shook Wellington and was felt as far away as the Bay of Plenty and Christchurch, reports said.

U.S. Heat Wave

US Weather Hazards Map, July 3, 2012. “The heat wave continues for a large portion of the central and eastern U.S., with high temperatures this afternoon forecast to be 10-15 degrees above normal. Combined with high levels of humidity, this will create dangerous heat index values as high as 100-110 degrees for locations such as Minneapolis, Chicago, Kansas City and St. Louis,” said NWS.

The core of the record heat in the central United States is forecast to move gradually to the east this week, however heat alerts and heat indices to 105 degrees will continue. “Much of the eastern half of the country will continue to bake under clear skies, high temperatures and a lack of significant rain,” said NOAA forecasters.

Continued relentless heat through most of the week from the Plains to the Atlantic Coast will dominate the weather events.

Current Warnings Prompted by Unrelenting Heat

Red Flag Warnings, Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories issued in parts of 26 states from Wyoming to North Carolina.

Heat Advisories

Heat Advisories are in effect until this evening for parts of the Northern Plains, Ohio Valley and the Southeast:

• North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Ohio, West Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida.

Record Daily High Temperatures Nationwide – June 2012

All Time Record High Temperatures Nationwide – June 2012

Mid-Atlantic Derecho

• Death toll has climbed to 22 after the weekend derecho that ravaged the Mid-Atlantic region, with at least 2 million utility customers, or an estimated 7 million people, experiencing power outages amid the continued heat.

Drought Emergency

• Nebraska.  Gov. Heineman has declared a state emergency due to the drought conditions throughout the state of Nebraska.
  • “This declaration is important for continued efforts of state officials to ensure the safety of Nebraskans,” Heineman said. “This action is necessary as dry conditions are presenting an imminent threat to the ability of local governments to respond to drought conditions. Additionally, actions such as haying along the roadsides in Nebraska help with drought conditions.”
  • Nebraska has broken or tied scores of record high temperatures in recent days.
  • Extreme temperatures will continue over central and western Nebraska through at least Friday due to high pressure lingering over the Central Plains, NWS reported.
  • “As excessive heat and dry conditions continue, fire danger is high again today. In addition, isolated thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening in north central Nebraska and in the Panhandle. The very dry conditions will continue to make the use of fireworks and even power equipment hazardous.”

Map of U.S. Precipitation (7-day total)

Map of U.S. Precipitation as Percent of Normal (7-day total)

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

Fay Heads North Toward SW Florida Coast

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTHWESTERN COAST OF FLORIDA FROM FLAMINGO TO ANNA MARIA ISLAND.  A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.  PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION. (NOAA)

TS Fay – Short Wave IR Image – GOES Floater Imagery – 30 minute updates – NOAA

Fay struck Cuba’s south coast with 80km winds and heavy rain. She was expected to drop as much 20cm (8 inches) of rain over the island, having left a deadly trail across the Caribbean.

National Weather Service Enhanced Radar Mosaic

Base Reflectivity – Southeast Sector – NOAA – NWS

About 10,000 people including tourists in western and central areas of Cuba have been evacuated, boats were pulled out of water, temporary shelters and food distribution centers were set up.

State of Florida have deployed 500 National Guards, and Florida Keys are being evacuated.

In Haiti a bus plunged into a swollen river, killing 50 people. Many of the dead were swept away like “driftwood,” said the Mayor of Bomont, Haiti. Others, including several children, drowned while trapped in the sunken vehicle.

Five others were killed in Haiti and the neighboring Dominican Republic in flood-related accidents.

A couple died in Kingston, Jamaica when their car was swept away by floodwater.

Shell Oil and Marathon Oil have reportedly pulled as many as 700 workers from offshore facilities in the Gulf of Mexico.

Related Links:

• TS Fay Public Advisory No. 13A
• Fay May Strengthen to Hurricane Force
• Weather
• World Now (Weather and Image Links)
• Tropical Storm Fay Forms