Significant Events – January 6, 2016

North Korea Announces ‘Successful’ H-Bomb Test

North Korea says it has successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, as earthquake monitoring centers reported a magnitude 5.1 earthquake near the main nuclear test site in Punggye-ri.

“The republic’s first hydrogen bomb test has been successfully performed at 10:00 am on January 6, 2016,” said the North Korean state TV.

16,000 Houses in England were flooded

About 16,000 houses in England were flooded during the wettest December on record, with entire communities swamped by rising waters, the UK Environment Secretary has said.

The numbers were not available for Scotland and Wales, as of posting.

December was wettest month for UK

December was the wettest month of any calendar month for the UK since  records began in 1910, according to data provided by the UK Met Office. Overall, 2015 was the sixth wettest year on record.

It was also the warmest December in 115 years, with  temperatures hovering around 7.9C (46F), typical for April or May, with the mean temperatures rising about 4C (7.2F) above the long-term average.

Scotland, Wales and the north west of England received record rain.

The head of the arboretum at Kew Gardens (SW London, UK) said the jumbling of seasons was causing problems in the natural world.

“The plants are really mixed up, they don’t know what season they’re in. They think spring is on the way, and they need to flower and grow leaves to make food.

“The seasons are normally quite short so they do it as soon as time allows.

“The downside is is that we could get a frost, and all these young leaves are very tender and not used to temperatures below freezing, and they won’t flower again in spring.

“And it’s a food source for insects that won’t be around when insects need it.”

Michigan Finally Declares a State of Emergency

Gov. Snyder has finally declared a state of emergency for Flint and Genesee County due to the contaminated drinking water crisis.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has confirmed it is investigating the contamination of drinking water supply in Flint.

The governor made the declaration “due to the ongoing health and safety issues caused by lead in the city of Flint’s drinking water,” said Snyder’s office in a news release.

“Genesee County declared an emergency on Monday and asked the state to do the same. The City of Flint has been under an emergency declaration since Dec. 14,” said a report.

 

State of Emergency Declared in Flint, Michigan

Lead pollution affecting children and other residents in Flint

Flint Mayor Dr. Weaver has declared a state of emergency, calling on the Genesee County Board of Commissioners to conduct a Special Meeting before the end of December to tackle the water crisis, according to local reports.

Weaver says lead exposure is causing irreversible damage in children and would lead to some having learning difficulties.

“The City of Flint has experienced a Manmade disaster,” said the Mayor, proclaiming the State of Emergency.

“I am declaring a state of emergency in the incorporated boundaries of the city of Flint, Michigan.

“The city of Flint has experienced a man-made disaster” by switching to the use of the Flint River, she said.

“Flint children have experienced increased bloods lead levels since the switch to the Flint River.”

“This damage to children is irreversible and can cause effects to a child’s IQ, which will result in learning disabilities and the need for special education and mental health services and an increase in the juvenile justice system.

“This will increase the need for foster and adoptive parents as a result of social services needed due to the detrimental effects of the high blood lead levels.

“I am requesting that all things be done necessary to address this state of emergency declaration, effectively immediately. This action is being taken to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Flint.’

“Flint, a city of about 99,000 people, switched from Detroit’s water system while under state emergency financial management. The Flint River was supposed to be an interim source until the city could join a new system getting water from Lake Huron that is scheduled to be completed next year. But residents complained about the taste, smell and appearance of water coming into their homes and businesses from the Flint River, said a report.

Water samples from Flint, on the left, and Detroit. Credit Steve Carmody / Michigan Radio

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Rare Earthquake Strikes near Union City, Michigan

Earthquake strikes 11km NE of Union City, Michigan

Centered at 42.147°N, 85.048°W the quake occurred at a [signature] depth of 5.0 km (3.1 mi), USGS/EHP reported.

Our searches of the USGS Earthquake archive show that only four earthquakes have struck the State of Michigan in the past 100 years.

Michigan EQs

• M3.3, 11km NE of Union City, Michigan 2015-06-30 at 15:42:54 UTC depth=5.0 km
• 4.2, 8km S of Galesburg, Michigan 2015-05-02 16:23:07 UTC depth=5.4 km
• M2.5, Michigan 2010-03-08 at 10:10:38 UTC depth=18.0 km
• 3.5 Michigan 1994-09-02 at 21:23:06 UTC depth=5.0 km

Earthquake location Map.  31 earthquakes in map area since June 23, 915.  U.S. Hazard map layer activated. [Source: USGS Earthquake Archive.]

Significant Quake Strikes S of Galesburg, Michigan

M4.2 earthquake strikes 8km S of Galesburg, Michigan

Centered at 42.212°N, 85.429°W the quake occurred at a depth of 5.9 km, reported USGS/EHP.

EQ Details
Magnitude: 4.2Mw
Location: 42.212°N 85.429°W
Depth: 5.9 km
Time: 2015-05-02 16:23:07 UTC

Nearby Cities:

• 8km (5mi) S of Galesburg, Michigan
• 12km (7mi) E of Portage, Michigan
• 15km (9mi) SE of Kalamazoo, Michigan
• 23km (14mi) WSW of Battle Creek, Michigan
• 92km (57mi) SW of Lansing, Michigan

Historic Earthquakes

Southern Michigan: 1947-08-10 at 02:46:41.3 UTC (local 08/09)
Magnitude: 4.60
Intensity: VI

Isoseismal Map

Damage was heaviest in the area southeast of Kalamazoo at Athens, Bronson, Coldwater, Colon, Matteson Lake, Sherwood, and Union City. Chimneys were damaged, windows and plaster were broken, and brick cornices were downed. Also felt in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Ontario, Canada. [Source: USGS/EHP]

Michigan: Earthquake History

Shallow Quake Generates 1-m Tsunami

Region name: Torishima Kinkai (Japan)
TSUNAMI ADVISORY: IZU ISLANDS and OGASAWARA ISLANDS

Magnitude 5.9
Location: 31.5N, 140.1E
Depth: Very Shallow
Time:  01:51 JST (UTC + 9.0 hrs) May 3, 2015 (Source: Japan’s weather agency.)

Multiple Crop Disasters Declared in Michigan, Wisconsin

Dozens of counties in MI, WI declared crop disaster areas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated dozens of additional counties in Michigan and Wisconsin as crop disaster areas due to due to damages and losses caused by multiple disasters that occurred during the 2014 crop year.

Disaster Designation #1

USDA has designated 51 counties in Michigan as crop disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the combined effects of excessive rain with cooler than normal temperatures that occurred on April 1, 2014, and continues. Those counties, both primary and contiguous disaster areas, are:

Wisconsin. Florence, Forest, Marinette and Vilas counties in Wisconsin have also been designated as crop disaster areas  because they counties are contiguous.

Disaster Designation #2

USDA has designated 19 counties in Michigan as crop disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the combined effects of excessive rain, a drought, and cooler than normal temperatures that occurred on April 1, 2014, and continues. Those counties, both primary and contiguous disaster areas, are:

Crop Disasters 2015

Beginning January 7, 2015 USDA has declared crop disasters in at least 1,014 counties across 20  states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Majority of the 2015 crop disaster designations so far are due to drought.

Crop Disasters 2014

In 2014, USDA declared crop disasters in at least 2,904 counties across 44 states. Most of the designations were due to drought.

Those states were:

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 as 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 March 25, 2015.

Related Links

• Drought Crop Disaster Declared in Oklahoma March 26, 2015
• Federal Disasters
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Multiple Crop Disasters Declared in Eight U.S. States

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See Crop Disasters Declared for 7 New York Counties

Crop Disasters 2014

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

Those states are

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

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

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

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

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

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

Major Disaster Declared for Michigan

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC HAZARDS
MAJOR DISASTERS
SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING
FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARED
SCENARIOS 900, 444, 111, 101, 066, 027, 023, 02
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Michigan Declared a Federal Disaster Area after  Severe Storms, Flooding (DR-4195)

The White House has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Michigan in the areas affected by severe storms and flooding during the period of August 11-13, 2014.

Areas worst affected by the disasters include Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.

Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments, said the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas.

Latest Federal Disaster Declarations

• Major Disaster Declarations for Hawaii, California and Guam – September 13, 2014
• Major Disaster Declaration for American Samoa – Sep. 11, 2014
•  Major Disaster Declared for North Dakota August 21, 2014
• Major Disaster Declaration Proclaimed for Tennessee  August 15, 2014
• Federal Disaster Declared in Washington August 15, 2014
• Major Disaster Declared for Iowa August 7, 2014
• Federal Disaster Declared in Minnesota July 23, 2014
• Federal Disaster Declared for Iowa  July 16, 2014
• Federal Disaster Declared for New York  July 11, 2014
• Federal Disasters
• Drought
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Deadly Storms Cut Power to 600,000+ Homes, Businesses in Midwest

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC HAZARDS
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
HIGH WINDS
DEADLY STORMS
SCENARIOS 900,  888, 444, 178, 111, 070, 066, 064, 08, 07 
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Killer storms wreak havoc in U.S. Midwest

A line of killer storms brought heavy winds, torrential rains and lightning to Illinois and Michigan, uprooting trees, downing power lines and leaving at least two people dead, said officials on Saturday, Reuters reported.

Hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents were left without power, with the the Detroit area being  the hardest hit, AP reported.

Wind gusts of more than 120 km/h (75 mph) downed more than 2,000 power lines Friday, said DTE Energy Co, leaving hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses without power.

“An Illinois woman died Saturday of injuries she sustained when she was struck by a falling tree and a Michigan man was electrocuted after touching a power line,” Reuters reported local media as saying.

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

“Mystery virus” infecting hundreds of children across the US

A severe respiratory illness is sickening hundreds of children across the U.S., according to reports describing disease as a “mystery virus.”

“The disease hasn’t been officially identified but officials suspect a rare respiratory virus called human enterovirus 68. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus is related to the rhinovirus, which causes the common cold,” ABC reported.

The disease is said to be similar to a common cold, but is more severe. Symptoms include high fever,  breathing difficulty, and a wheezing couch.

“Officials at Children’s Hospital Colorado said they have treated more than 900 children since Aug. 18 for severe respiratory illness and admitted 86 to the hospital,” said a report.

Hundreds of additional cases have also been reported in Illinois, Missouri and Ohio.

Significant Seismic Activity Continues at Bardarbunga Volcano

Researchers monitoring Iceland’s massive volcano reported a total of 70 earthquakes between midnight and 08:00GMT on September 7,  2014, said IMO. The largest quake measuring magnitude M5.7  occurred at 07:08 in the Bárðarbunga caldera. “The lava has reached Jökulsá á Fjöllum. Steaming occurs.”  [The quake was later downgraded to magnitude 5.4  — Editor]

Another significant quake measuring M5.0 occurred Saturday morning some 7.2km NE of Bárðarbunga, said IMO.

Large changes on the ice surface: up to 15 m subsidence has occurred in the centre of Bárðarbunga caldera [which corresponds to a volume change of 0.25 km³]. There are no signs of eruption or increased geothermal activity in the caldera.The main eruptive activity is on the fissure that has been active since the eruption began. In addition, the fissure that opened yesterday morning is still active. Depressions in the ice have grown deeper.

The shape of the subsidence area is in accordance with the elevation of the caldera floor having lowered by that amount. [IMO]

 Deadly Floods Force Evacuations in S. Italy

Several people are dead or reported missing as severe floods inundated large parts of southern Italy forcing more than 1,000 families to evacuate.

Rainfall in the region has been the heaviest in at least 80 years, officials said.

Thousands evacuated as Hurricane NORBERT lashes Mexico’s Pacific coast

More than 2,500 people were evacuated as Hurricane NORBERT inundated large areas along Mexico’s Pacific coast, damaging at least 1,500 homes, officials said.

The hurricane also severely flooded the coastal town of San Carlos [population: ~7,000,] after levees protecting the area were breached by storm surges.

Deadly Bat Disease Found in Michigan, Wisconsin

DEADLY BAT DISEASE
UNPRECEDENTED BAT MORTALITY
WNS SPREADS IN THE U.S.
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White-nose syndrome (WNS) has now spread across 23 U.S. states

White-nose syndrome (WNS) had killed an estimated 6.7 million bats by January 2012.

“White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a devastating disease of hibernating bats that has caused the most precipitous decline of North American wildlife in recorded history. It is caused by the fungus Psuedogymnoascus destructans, and is rapidly spreading through cave bat populations across the country causing unprecedented mortality.”

WNS has affected at least 11 cave-hibernating bats, including four endangered species and subspecies of insect-eating bats in the eastern and southern U.S., causing population declines of up to 100 percent, wild life officials said.

A cluster of little brown bats (Myotis lucifigus). Little brown bats often form clusters of up to hundreds of bats in order to maintain constant temperatures while hibernating. Source: Wisconsin Dept of Natural Resources.

“In February 2006, some 40 miles west of Albany, New York, a caver photographed hibernating bats with an unusual white substance on their muzzles. He noticed several dead bats. The following winter, bats behaving erratically, bats with white noses and a few hundred dead bats in several caves came to the attention of New York biologists, who documented white-nose syndrome (WNS) in January 2007. Named after the distinctive white growth that appears on the nose and wings of affected bats, WNS reached Wisconsin in spring 2014.”

Human Health and Economy

Bats play a vital role in the ecosystems by eating insects and pests that can damage crops, forests and transfer diseases like West Nile Virus. Several of the upper Midwest’s largest bat hibernation sites, estimated to host about half a million bats, are found in Wisconsin.

“[WNS] has significant environmental, economic and public health implications. Insectivorous bats consume large numbers of agricultural pests, which cost farmers and foresters billions of dollars yearly. Bats play an important role in sustaining many unique and fragile cave ecosystems. For example, bats are the primary source of nutrients in many cave systems, and many cave-obligate species depend on such input for survival. Thus, the loss or significant reduction of bat populations from caves could have cascading affects that impact the status of many other cave species.”

WNS is mainly spread from bat to bat, but the spores can also be transported by humans from fungus contaminated sites to healthy bat colonies.

Little brown bats in a hibernation cave in New York show fungal growth on their muzzles. Bats have been dissappearing at alarming rates due to white-nose syndrome, which scientists now know is caused by a specific fungus. (Photo Credit: Nancy Heaslip, New York Department of Environmental Conservation)

WNS Spread Map

 

Multiple Crop Disasters Declared for Michigan

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENTS
MULTIPLE CROP DISASTERS
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Crop Disasters Hit 89 Counties Across Three States

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 86 counties in Michigan, two counties in Wisconsin and one in Ohio as agricultural disaster areas in three different designations due to multiple disasters.

Designation #1

USDA has designated 56 counties in Michigan as crop disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by excessive rain with cooler than normal temperatures that began April 1, 2013, and continues.

Alcona, Chippewa, Gratiot, Mackinac, Arenac, Clare, Houghton, Midland, Baraga, Crawford, Huron, Monroe, Bay, Emmet, Iosco, Muskegon, Charlevoix, Gladwin, Luce, Newaygo, Cheboygan, Gogebic, Ogemaw, Ontonagon, Oscoda, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Alger, Isabella, Marquette, Oceana, Alpena, Kalkaska, Mason, Osceola, Antrim, Kent, Mecosta, Otsego, Clinton, Keweenaw, Missaukee, Ottawa, Ionia, Lake, Montcalm, Saginaw, Iron, Lenawee, Montmorency, Sanilac, Schoolcraft, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Washtenaw and  Wayne counties.

The designation includes also the following areas in neighboring states:

• Ohio: Lucas County.

• Wisconsin: Iron and Vilas counties.

Designation #2

USDA has also designated 5 counties in Michigan as crop disaster areas  due to damages and losses caused by drought with cooler than normal temperatures that occurred August 1 – September 28, 2013.

The disaster areas are:

Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Manistee, Wexford and Benzie counties.

Designation #3

USDA has further designated 25 counties in Michigan as crop disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the combined effects of excessive rain that occurred April 1 – July 29, 2013, and returning October 15, 2013, and continuing. The designation also includes drought that occurred July 30 – October 15, 2013, and cooler than normal temperatures which spanned the entire disaster period. The counties are:

Alpena, Grand Traverse, Mecosta, Montmorency, Antrim, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Osceola, Otsego, Wexford, Alcona, Cheboygan, Isabella, Manistee, Benzie, Clare, Lake, Montcalm, Charlevoix, Crawford, Leelanau, Newaygo, Oscoda, Presque Isle and Roscommon.

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

2. Total number of counties designated as agricultural disaster areas includes both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

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

4. A number of counties have been designated crop disaster areas more than once due to multiple disasters.

5. The disaster designations were approved by USDA on January 22 and released on January 24, 2013.

2014 Agriculture Disaster Declarations

• Drought Disaster Declared for Multiple Counties in Four States January 25, 2014
• Crop Disaster Declared in 40 Counties due to Drought January 16, 2014
• Crop Disasters Declared in 6 States January 10, 2014

Related Links

• Drought 2013
• Agricultural Disasters Index

Mass Blackouts Continue in Freezing US, Canada

EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS

Up to 650,000 homes in northeastern US and southeastern Canada still without electricity days after deadly ice storm

Dozens of fatalities reported in the region, many caused by carbon monoxide poisoning from heating appliances.

The ice storm severely impacted a vast area in the US, from Michigan to Maine, and large parts of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in Canada.

Toronto’s Mayor called the ice storm “one of the worst storms in Toronto history.”

The ice storm also battered New York state, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, forcing New York Governor to declare a winter ice storm emergency on Friday in four counties where more than 2 inches of ice covered the roads.

States of emergency were in effect across many towns, cities and counties during the ice storm.

Low Temperature Embarrass MN

Low Temperature in the U.S. on Thursday, December 26, 2013 was -28 degrees (-33ºC) at Embarrass, MN
(as received by 7 am EST December 26), reported NWS Weather Prediction Center.

Record Daily High and Low Temps

As of December 24, 2013 some 983 daily record high temperatures and 1,124 daily record low temperatures were broken or tied across the U.S. for the month, according to National Climatic Data Center (NCDC)  in Asheville, North Carolina.

Related Links

• Major Blackouts in U.S., Canada as Deadly Storms, Tornadoes Kill 18 December 24, 2013

Major Blackouts in U.S., Canada as Deadly Storms, Tornadoes Kill 18

EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS

Deadly storms pummel northern US, eastern Canada leaving a million homes dark, cold

Deadly storms cut power to about a million homes in the U.S. and Canada, leaving at least 18 people dead, grounding hundreds of flights, delaying thousands more and causing major disruptions to transport networks throughout vast regions.

Ice storm has caused massive outages in the state of Michigan as well as in western and northern NY, leaving more than 2 inches of ice on trees and many roads.

On Monday, up to half a million homes and businesses in Michigan, upstate New York and northern New England and as many in eastern Canada remained without electricity as thick ice continued to fell trees and bring down power lines, according to reports.

Toronto’s Mayor has called the ice storm “one of the worst storms in Toronto history.”

The ice storm also battered New York state, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, forcing New York Governor to declare a winter ice storm emergency on Friday in four counties where were more than 2 inches of ice covered the roads.

The Storm Prediction Center has recorded at least 12 confirmed tornado reports and more than 320 wind reports since Friday, December 20, 2013.

High and Low Temperatures for the contiguous U.S. on Monday 

• High Temperature: 86 degrees (30ºC) at Fort Myers/Southwest Florida, several other locations in FL

• Low Temperature:  -37 degrees (-38ºC) at 13 miles northeast of Poplar, MT

Source: NWS Weather Prediction Center, College Park, MD – Issued 7 pm EST Monday, December 23, 2013

Temperature Range for Monday: 123 degrees

Related Links

• Deadly Ice Storm Paralyzes Eastern Canada December 23, 2013
• Ice Storm Emergency Declared for NY December 22, 2013
• Multiple Hazard Warnings in Effect Across Much of The U.S. December 21, 2013

Ice Storm Emergency Declared for NY

EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS

Cuomo declares Ice Storm Emergency for northern and western New York

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has declared an ice storm emergency for portions of northern and western New York ahead of the storm as forecasters warn ice accumulation could top one inch.

Cuomo also activated the state Emergency Operations Center on Saturday

Winter Storm Warnings and Watches are in effect for multiple counties across the state,  said the National Weather Service (NWS).

State of Energy Emergency Declared For UP, Michigan

Gov. Snyder has issued an executive order proclaiming a State of Energy Emergency in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP).

The Order allows drivers to exceed the driving duration and frequency limits imposed so  law so that they can deliver propane in Michigan due to a temporary shortage of the fuel in parts of the UP.

Propane is used for heating homes in rural areas that are not connected to the  natural gas pipelines.

“Michiganders and those visiting the Upper Peninsula who rely on propane for heat and other uses are in our thoughts,” said Snyder after issuing the Order. “This executive order will help make sure that there is enough supply in the coming days and weeks until problems are resolved.”

Other States of Emergency Declaration

Dozens of other counties, cities, towns and communities have declared states of emergency due to the extreme weather brought by the ice storm including

• Cities of Beloit and Sun Prairie in Wisconsin, see related report
• City of Rockford, Illinois (Snow Emergency)
• City of North Liberty, Iowa (Snow emergency)

Related Links

• Multiple Hazard Warnings in Effect Across Much of The U.S. December 21, 2013

Michigan Declared Major Disaster Area

16 Michigan Counties Declared Federal Disaster Areas Following Devastating Floods

The Whit House has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Michigan in the areas affected by flooding during the period of April 16 to May 14, 2013.

The counties covered by the declaration are Allegan, Baraga, Barry, Gogebic, Houghton, Ionia, Kent, Keweenaw, Marquette, Midland, Muskegon, Newaygo, Ontonagon, Osceola, Ottawa, and Saginaw.

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

SNAFU at Fukushima

Trust TEPCO, the operators of Japan’s disaster-stricken Fukushima nuclear plant, turning a disaster into a farce… And, that’s exactly what they have been doing since March 2011 Mega Quake and tsunami, which crippled the reactors causing multiple meltdowns.

TEPCO  has revealed that high levels of a toxic radioactive Strontium-90 was present in the groundwater at 30 times the legal limit.  The plant operators also found Tritium eight times the legal limit.

To compound the problem, experts say that Fukushima plant is running out of storage space for contaminated water, while large amounts of water is needed each day to cool the reactors.

Strontium-90 has a half life of 29 years, and is believed to cause bone cancer if ingested.

-oOo-

Uttarakhand, N. India: Death toll tops 150, as flooding and landslide devastate a vast region

The Mega Deluge and massive landslides, caused by extreme monsoon rains, have devastated hundreds of towns and villages, destroying thousands of homes and other buildings,  and leaving more than 150 dead, with at least as many reported missing.

The death toll may swell substantially once the exact count of bodies scattered across the ravaged towns is known.  Right now, large parts of the region remain deluged and hundreds of homes  and businesses lay in ruins, the report said.

• “Very heavy casualties are feared and I cannot give the exact number without a proper survey,” said Uttarakhand Chief Minister, who described the flood ravage as unprecedented caused by a “Himalayan tsunami.”

Meantime, India’s Meteorological Center reported that the state of Kerala had received an average of 57 cm of rain between June 1 and 17, some 69 percent more than the normal level.

• “The highest rainfall was recorded in Kannur district at 85 cm. This was 105 per ent more than the expected rainfall,” said a report.

Thousands of people have died in floods and landslides in Uttarakhand: BJP

Indian People’s Party (BJP), which is the country’s second largest political party, has claimed that “thousands of people have died [in floods and landslides in Uttarakhand] and [that] there is no rescue operation,” said a report.

• “We demand that urgent steps be taken to describe this disaster as a national calamity. Adequate attention on war footing be given for rehabilitation and rescue operations,” a BJP spokesperson told reporters in Delhi.

-oOo-

“Super heat wave hits many parts of China”

A “super heat wave” has hit many parts of China, according to the official media. Many areas have reported temperature highs of 37ºC (98.6 degrees F).

-oOo-

U.S. High and Low Temperatures (F)

High Temperature for Tuesday, June 18, 2013 (received by 8 am EDT June 19)

• 114 degrees (45.6ºC), recorded at Death Valley, CA

Low Temperature for Wednesday, June 19, 2013 (received by 8 am EDT June 19)

• 27 degrees,  recorded at Spincich Lake, MI

Global High and Low Temperatures

• 116.3 degrees (46.8ºC), Algeria
• -86.8 degrees (-66ºC), Antarctica

Related Links

• World Record High Temperature Could Be Broken This Year

-oOo-

State of Disaster Declared in Michigan due to Flooding

19 Michigan counties, two cities declared disaster areas after flooding

Gov. Snyder has declared a state of disaster for 19 counties and two cities—Grand Rapids and Ionia—due to damage caused by flooding to homes, businesses, public facilities and infrastructure.

• The declaration is in response to flooding, which occurred April 9 through May 3.

• Along with Grand Rapids and Ionia, the governor’s disaster declaration also covers the following counties: Baraga, Barry, Benzie, Genesee, Gogebic, Gratiot, Houghton, Ionia, Kent, Keweenaw, Marquette, Mecosta, Midland, Muskegon, Newaygo, Ontonagon, Osceola, Ottawa and Saginaw, according to the Governor’s website.

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Panama Paralyzed by Drought

The Panamanian government declared a drought emergency in four provinces, comprising about 35% of the nation’s territory.

• Panama ordered government offices and private businesses to slash their power consumption, and temporarily closed schools in response to a drought that has decimated the tropical Central American nation’s hydroelectric power supply, which accounts for more than 60% of electricity production, said a report.

• “Opening hours for government offices will be reduced, while supermarkets, bars, cinemas, restaurants, casinos and other night spots would have to close between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. from Monday to Thursday, according to a statement from the president’s office.”
• Private businesses must cut air-conditioning use by 4 hours a day, starting Wednesday.

• “The drought has killed hundreds of cattle, damaged crops, and caused some $200 million in losses in Panama.”

Coastal districts of Los Santos and Guararé, Panama, have been experiencing a drought since 2011. Image source: NewsroomPanama

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State of Emergency Declared in Catawba County, North Carolina

Extreme rain events triggered severe flooding in the High Country of North Carolina, sparking a State of Emergency in Catawba County, said a report.

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State of Emergency Declared in Swan River, Manitoba, CA

The Town of Swan River in Manitoba was under a state of emergency, as of posting, due to rising waters along the banks the Swan River, which was expected to reach flood stage sometime Wednesday, said a report.

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Dhaka building collapse death toll reaches 807

Death toll from the collapse of Rana Plaza, the stricken factory building near the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, has climbed to 807, officials said.

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DISASTER CALENDAR – May 8, 2013 — 
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,039 Days Left 

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

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,039 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human  History
• The countdown began on May 15, 2011 …

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

Disaster Diary – April 22, 2013

Earthquake in China: Up to 208 dead, 11,500 injured, 150,000 displaced, 1.5 million affected

The magnitude 7.0 quake, which struck the mountainous Lushan County of Sichuan Province in SW China on Saturday, has killed up to 208 people (184 bodies recovered, 24 others missing), injured more than 11,500, including about 1,000 serious injuries, left an estimated 150,000 people homeless, and directly affected at least 1.5 million people.

More than 2,300 aftershocks have been recorded in Lushan County as of 4 p.m. Beijing time on Monday, the China Earthquake Administration (CEA) reported; however, only four of the initial shocks were significant, measuring greater than 5.0Mw.

More than 200 major landslides have blocked 57 roads and highways  in 3 areas within the quake damage zone, China’s CCTV reported. The landslides have also severely damaged much of the vegetation in the disaster zone increasing the likelihood of more landslides triggered by rain.

Freeze frame from a CCTV video clip showing one of more than 200 major landslides that have caused 57 road and highway blockages in the quake hit area of Sichuan Province, SW China.

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

Nigeria fighting: Scores killed, more than 2,000 homes destroyed

Intense fighting between the Nigerian military forces and Boko Haram militants in Baga, northern Nigeria has reportedly killed about 200 people.

• Much of the town was torched, including some 2,000 homes, causing many of the fatalities. Most of the bodies were charred beyond recognition.
• “Residents of Baga fled into the bush and only returned on Sunday afternoon to find much of the town destroyed and human and animal corpses strewn through the streets,” said a report.
• Since 2009, thousands of people have lost their life in the Boko Haram insurgency.

CHINA: Avian Flu Cases Steadily Rising

China confirmed two new cases of human H7N9 avian influenza in Zhejiang Province. The total number of reported infections stand at 104, including 21 deaths, as of 4:00 pm Monday, Beijing time, said a report.

US: City of Grand Rapids Declares a State of Emergency

Rising Grand River has inundated scores of homes in several western Michigan towns and communities, prompting the authorities to declare states of emergency in Grand Rapids and Kent county.

The mayor of small town of Beardstown, has also declared a state of emergency, as Illinois River water levels continued to rise.

Illinois Gov. Quinn has declared 3 additional counties disaster areas from flooding, raising the disaster declaration total  to at least 41 counties.

Flooding and high water across the Midwesthave been responsible for at least 6 deaths, reports said.

Flooding have been reported in six states, and Flood Warnings were in effect across parts of 14 states, as of posting.

US Flood Map shows 174 locations in flood as of 04/22/2013 at 11:50 am EDT [04/22/2013 15:50 UTC]

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DISASTER CALENDAR – April 22, 2013 —  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,055 Days Left 

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

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,055 Days Left to ‘Worst Day’ in the brief Human  History
• The countdown began on May 15, 2011 …

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

Dissolving Detroit!

DISASTER CALENDAR SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,197 Days Left 

[December 1, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,197 Days Left to the most Fateful Day in Human History
• Symbolic countdown to the ‘worst day’ in human history began on May 15, 2011 ...

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Global Disasters/ Significant Events

Lawmakers consider dissolving Detroit as bankruptcy looms

With the city of 700,000 residents set to go bankrupt by mid-December, several lawmakers have suggested dissolving Michigan’s largest city and merge it with neighboring Wayne County, said a report.

• “If we have to, that is one idea we have to look at,” State Senator Rick Jones has told a CBS News affiliate. “We really have to look at everything that is on the table. Again, if this goes to federal bankruptcy, every employee down there will suffer, the city will suffer and the vultures will come in and take the jewels of Detroit and they will be gone.”

• Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has said he wouldn’t count any option out.

Great Lakes: Lake Michigan water nearing record low

The ongoing drought has reduced the water level in Lake Michigan to less than two inches of its December record low set about half a century ago [576.18 feet set in 1964,] said a  the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

• “There is a good chance of setting record lows. We’ve been falling below average for over a decade due to lean winter snowfalls.”  Chief Hydrologist for the Corps said.
  • “The water level of Lake Michigan‐Huron is forecasted to be near December’s record low water level of 576.2 feet, set in 1964, and then set new record lows for the months of January through March,” said a report by the Corps.

• “Water levels naturally fluctuate and have been at low levels for 10 years. But this year of extreme high water temperatures increased evaporation rapidly and that helped draw down water levels,” said a researcher at NOAA.

• Great Lakes, the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth, comprise a collection of 5 freshwater lakes—Michigan, Huron, Erie, Superior and Ontario—contain 23% of the world’s surface fresh water and 84 percent of the supply in North America. [Great lakes have a total volume of  about 22,700 km³  of water with a combined surface area of about 244,100 km^{2  measured at low-water datum}.]

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

GLOBAL WARNING

• WARNING: Human impact 2.85 x Earth’s diminishing carrying capacity
• WARNING: RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Europe: The First Phase of Collapse Has Started 
• United States: The First Phase of Collapse Has Begun

US Tornado Brief

A Shrinking World Series

Updates:

• First lock on Mississippi River closes amid flood June 12, 2008

• Tornado kills four and injures up to 40 at Iowa boy scout camp June 12, 2008
• Midwest hit with floods June 11, 2008
• Midwest floods drowning crops; corn prices soar 11 Jun 2008
• Tornado kills four at Iowa boy scout camp 11 Jun 2008
• Midwest battles flood waters 11 Jun 2008
• Flooded Midwest braces for more rain 10 Jun 2008

• Video: Severe weather pounds U.S.
• Video:Holding a river at bay

What Tornado Headlines Say:

Copyright Editors or the News Agencies [Some editing by FEWW]

Deadly storms flood Midwest

At least five people were reported killed as heavy rains continued to pound the American Midwest on Sunday, flooding towns from Iowa to Michigan and threatening levees as lakes and rivers swelled.

Early Death Toll:

• Two delivery workers for The Grand Rapids Press in Michigan were killed Sunday when their car fell into a deep ravine created when a rain-swollen creek washed out a road.

• A woman died in Lansing Michigan, when a small trailer blew over on top of her.

• At least one person died as the result of rising waters, police spokesman in Columbus, Indiana said.

Meanwhile, storms in Nebraska spun out an early-morning Omaha tornado about a quarter-mile wide that moved northeast. As much as 11 inches of rain flooded central Indiana over the weekend.

Most towns south of Indianapolis and further west in Terre Haute received 6-10 inches of rainfall, said a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. He said some affected areas hadn’t seen a such flooding for 100 years.

Flood waters continued to rise throughout Iowa on Sunday, with the northern part of the state receiving up to 5 inches of rain from a single afternoon storm.

Two delivery workers in Michigan were killed when their car fell into a ravine. (Photo: AP/ The Grand Rapids Press) Image may be subject to copyright. See FEWW Fair Use Notice!

Tornadoes maul homes, flip vehicles

A series of tornadoes destroyed homes, toppled power lines and flipped vehicles Saturday as a small but powerful storm system moved through the region, cutting just south of Chicago before weakening and moving over Lake Michigan.

Some of the damage in Monee. (Photo: Scott Stewart/Sun-Times) Image may be subject to copyright. See FEWW Fair Use Notice!

“It was kind of like a train coming through the living room,” An eye witness said. “The building was shaking. There was a lot of commotion.” He said his neighborhood looked like a war zone, with siding, branches and debris strewn everywhere.

Lightning strikes pavilion as storms blow through Connecticut state park; 1 killed, 4 hurt

Lightning struck a pavilion at a Connecticut state park killing one person and injuring four others. Strong thunderstorms moved through the state Sunday leaving thousands of homes without power.

Powerful storms swamp U.S. Midwest, spawn tornadoes

Heavy rains caused flooding that forced hundreds of evacuations in Indiana, and a tornado raked Chicago’s suburbs on Saturday as violent thunderstorms pummeled the already soggy U.S. heartland, authorities said.

The U.S. Coast Guard was called out to help rescue stranded homeowners and motorists, and near-record flooding was forecast for rivers and creeks in western and central Indiana where Gov. Mitch Daniels declared an emergency in 10 more counties, added to the 41 counties declared earlier. At least one person was injured and some 29,000 households were without power.

“We’ve had some reports of houses destroyed,” said Andrew Krein of the National Weather Service.

Tornadoes also struck in Iowa and Wisconsin, capping a season that has seen a parade of storms spawning tornadoes, hail and destructive winds. According to the weather service, 112 people have died in tornadoes since the beginning of the year, the most in the United States in a decade.

Weather service warns of ‘violent’ tornadoes in Plains

Large hail, strong winds and heavy rain are reported in northwest Kansas in a powerful storm system that could produce large tornadoes in the state before nightfall.

In a strongly-worded statement Thursday, the National Weather Service warned that parts of Kansas could see hail bigger than baseballs, 80-mph-plus winds and “a few strong to violent long-lived tornadoes.”

Forecasters say severe thunderstorms will form by late afternoon in central and south-central Kansas and move toward eastern Kansas, Nebraska, northwestern Missouri and Iowa.

68 Tornadoes Have Hit Mississippi In 2008

The Storm Prediction Center – the National Weather Service office responsible for severe weather forecasts and tallies – says that 1,330 tornadoes have been reported this year. Not all of those tornadoes have been confirmed yet, but even still the numbers of confirmed tornadoes are already nearly three times that of the most active periods of previous years.

The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Jackson says 68 tornadoes have been confirmed to have touched down in Mississippi so far this year. In 2007, a total of 33 tornadoes touched down. In less than half the time the number of tornadoes has more than doubled.

Tornadoes and heavy rain struck Northern Minnesota

At least two tornadoes broke loose Friday morning in the far northeastern corner of Minnesota, where heavy overnight rains led to flash flooding throughout Cook County and the city of Grand Marais. About 5 inches of rain fell at Grand Marais.

Water coming down the hill next to Highway 61, west of Grand Marais. (Photo: Stephan Hoglund/ Star Tribune). Image may be subject to copyright. See FEWW Fair Use Notice!

Related Links:

• Deadly Storms Hit US Midsection
• Will 2008 be year of the tornadoes, too?
• 2008: Year of the Fire

EPA official resigns citing Dow Chemical

Update: Mary Gade Story – CREW Files FOIA Requests With EPA concerning Mary Gade Resignation

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed two Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning the resignation of EPA Region 5 administrator, Mary Gade, May 7, 2008.

See below for CREW’s original report and their FOIA requests to the EPA.

• Report by CREW
• CREW FOIA Request to EPA Headquarters
• CREW FOIA Request to EPA Region 5

EPA official no match for Dow

After years of fighting over dioxin contamination by Dow Chemicals, a top EPA administrator was forced to quit as head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Midwest office, based in Chicago.

Mary Gade, regional administrator of U.S. EPA Region 5, center, and Stephen A. Elbert, vice chairman of BP America, right, listen as Sadhu Johnston, chief environmental officer of the City of Chicago, talks to the media following a summit on the BP Whiting refinery. (Tribune photo by Zbigniew Bzdak / August 15, 2007. Text Tribune ) Image may be subject to copyright. See FEWW Fair Use Notice.

Gade said two of the EPA chief Stephen Johnson’s lieutenants had removed her powers as regional administrator and told her to quit or be fired by June 1.

“There is no question this is about Dow,” Gade said. “I stand behind what I did and what my staff did. I’m proud of what we did.” Full report

Related Links:

• EPA official ousted while fighting Dow
• Hermaphrodite Lamb Born With Seven Legs
• THE POISONING OF NEW ZEALAND
• Is EPA protecting the environment or public health?

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