2011 Texas drought kills 5.6 million urban shade trees: TFS
The historic drought has killed an estimated 5.6 million shade trees, dubbed ‘urban forest,’ throughout the cities, towns and communities across the state of Texas since last year, Texas Forest Service (TFS) reported.
Disaster Calendar 2012 – February 16
[February 16, 2012] Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016. SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,490 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History
- Texas, USA. Last year’s unrelenting drought killed an estimated 5.6 million shade trees, dubbed urban forest,’ throughout the communities across the state, Texas Forest Service(TFS) reported.
- “This estimate is preliminary because trees are continuing to die from the drought,” said Pete Smith, Texas Forest Service staff forester and lead researcher. “This means we may be significantly undercounting the number of trees that ultimately will succumb to the drought. That number may not be known until the end of 2012, if ever.”
- “All cities and towns in Texas were included in the study with the exception of the Trans Pecos region, where tree mortality was determined to be a result of a February 2011 cold snap; not the drought,” said the report.
- The loss of economic and environmental benefits provided by the trees is estimated at about $280 million per year, TFS said.
- To prevent safety hazards posed by falling dead trees, the authorities will have to remove them. The estimated cost of removing the dead trees is $560 million.
Texas Drought Map (Feb. 2012). Source: US Drought Monitor
Other Global Disasters
- Madagascar. Death toll from Cyclone Giovanna, which struck Madagascar on February 14, 2012, has risen to at least 16, officials have reported.
- Many people were reported missing and about 100 injured.
- The deadly Cat 4B cyclone slammed the Indian Ocean island with sustained winds of 231km (143 miles) per hour and wind gusts exceeding 275kph.
- The storm has destroyed about 4,000 structures, mostly homes, and dozens of schools, leaving up to 15,000 people homeless.
- Much of the infrastructure in several cities have also been destroyed, with vast areas submerged under up to 3 feet of water.
- Honduras. Death toll has risen to 360 following a massive prison fire that destroyed large parts of the Comayagua complex located about 100km (60 miles) north of the in Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa.
Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background
- 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
- Mega Disasters
- 2011 Disaster Calendar
Fire Earth 