State of Emergency Declared in Washington

RAPID CLIMATE CHANGE
EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC DISASTERS
RECORD RAINFALL
SEVERE WINTER STORM
RISING TEMPERATURES, ABNORMAL SNOWMELT, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES
STATE OF EMERGENCY
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Severe winter storm causes extensive damage in 9 WA counties

Gov. Inslee has proclaimed a state of emergency for nine Washington counties in the wake of a severe winter storm that battered the region causing extensive damage to roads and other infrastructure January 4 through 6.

The emergency proclamation is for Grays Harbor, King, Kittitas, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, Skagit, Wahkiakum, and Whatcom counties.

“The governor noted in his proclamation that heavy rain and unseasonable snowmelt from this week’s storm combined with soils saturated by previous storms to cause slope erosion and landslides that impacted state and local roadways,” said a statement released by his office.

“WHEREAS,from November 25 through December 12, 2014, Western Washington received record rainfall from multiple storms resulting in saturated soil and slope erosion throughout the area; and […] from January 4 through 6, 2015, another significant winter storm struck Western Washington, producing extreme rainfall and above normal temperatures throughout the lowlands and mountain snowpack elevations; and […] the heavy rainfall from this storm combined with unseasonable snowmelt compounded existing soil saturation resulted in flooding, additional slope erosion, and landslides causing extensive damage to roadways, road closures and restricted access to affected areas in Grays Harbor, King, Kittitas, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, Skagit, Wahkiakum, and Whatcom counties, affecting the life, health, and safety [of the public,]” said the proclamation.

Balkan Storm Damage Tops $6 Billion: FIRE-EARTH

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
HISTORIC FLOODING
DEADLY LANDSLIDES
MEGA DISASTER
MASS DISPLACEMENT
SCENARIOS 444, 023, 09, 070
STATES OF EMERGENCY
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Deadly floods affect one million, displace 500,000, destroy or damage at least 100,000 homes

The worst floods ever to hit the Balkans have affected more than a million Bosnians and tens of thousands Serbians, killing dozens of people across he region, forcing more than half million out of their homes,  and destroying or damaging at least 100,000 homes, as well as hundreds of schools, hospitals and public infrastructure.

Extreme rain events triggered large-scale flooding, which in turn unleashed thousands of deadly landslides, destroying entire towns, villages and communities.

Tens of thousands of livestock perished across the flood-stricken region.

The storm also damaged coal mines and power stations as well as roads, bridges and other public infrastructure.

Cost of Damage

Based on the latest damage data available, FIRE-EARTH Models estimate the total cost of damage caused by the historic flooding at more than $6 billion across the Balkans.

Related Links, Latest Historic Floods

• Mass Evacuations as Floods Submerge Towns in Croatia May 19, 2014
• ‘Terrifying’ Floods Affect 1,000,000 Bosnians May 19, 2014
• Balkan Historic Flood Disaster Update May 17, 2014
• Historic Flooding Turns Deadly in Serbia, Bosnia  May 15, 2014
• ‘Historic’ Flooding Submerges Pensacola, FL  April 30, 2014

Alaska Declares State Disaster for Interior

Four Storm Systems Devastated Western and Interior Alaska

Governor Sean Parnell has declared a state disaster for Interior Alaska. The governor amended his disaster declaration for the western Alaska villages to include the Fairbanks North Star Borough, according to a press release posted on the state website.

“I commend residents for taking care of their neighbors and helping those who were hardest hit by the storm,” he said.

The same storm systems that devastated western Alaska villages went on to cause widespread damage in Interior Alaska. All told, the four storms that moved through the region blew down trees, cutting power to as many as 16,000 residents at the height of the storm.

“All of our state assets have been standing by to assist the borough, and we have maintained communication through the state emergency operations center during the event,” Governor Parnell continued. “The purpose of this disaster declaration is to ensure the borough has access to recovery grants in order to speed up the process.”

Golden Valley Electric Association has coordinated with all available linemen from across the state to repair downed power lines as quickly as possible. Crews have been working around the clock since the storm subsided this weekend.

Parnell made the announcement after meeting with residents in the Northwest Arctic Borough, Bering Straits Regional Education Attendance Area, and Lower Yukon, as well as the mayors  of FNSB, North Pole and Fairbanks.

Four major storm systems battered the state earlier this month with powerful winds, strong seas and freezing rain and snow, said a report.

The governor’s office says that the declaration opens access to state disaster relief funds to repair infrastructure and some homes.

Related Links

• Major Storms Threaten Alaska  November 13, 2013
• Southern U.S. Freezes Over! November 12, 2013

DANAS Continues to Wreak Havoc in Japan

TS DANAS Dumping Significant Rains throughout Japan

DANAS weakened to a tropical storm, continues to dump significant amounts of rain on Japan Islands, triggering extensive flooding, numerous flash floods and mudslides.

On Tuesday, while still punching typhoon-strength winds, DANAS caused significant damage to buildings on the Island of Kyushu, tearing rooftops, uprooting trees and utility posts and cutting power to tens of thousands of homes.

Tropical Storm DANAS  (TS 1324)

• Time: 00:00UTC – October 9, 2013
• Position: Near 37°N, 134°E
• Movement ENE 45km/h
• Max winds: 85km/h
• Max gusts: 120km/h
• Source: JMA and others

Tropical Storm DANAS Dumping Significant Rains on Japan. Image: MTSAT-2 via Digital Typhoon, recorded at 00:00UTC on October 9, 2013.

DANAS has also forced hundreds of flight cancellations across Japan, NHK reported.

The storm also caused major disruption to public transport, and ferry services from Kyushu, including “Jet Ferry” between Fukuoka and Busan, South Korea, said the report.

Related Links

• Okinawa Battered by 2nd Typhoon in 24 Hrs  October 7, 2013

Major Disaster Declared in West Virginia

West Virginia Declared Major Disaster Area

The White House has declared a major disaster exists in the State of West Virginia  in the areas affected by severe storms and flooding on June 13, 2013.

Most of the damage caused by severe storms and flooding occurred in the counties of Mason and Roane.

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

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Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

Minnesota Declared Major Disaster Area

The White House has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Minnesota in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding during the period of June 20-26, 2013. 

Areas worst affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding were  the counties of Benton, Big Stone, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, McLeod, Morrison, Pope, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, and Wilkin.

FEMA said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

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Royal Gorge Fire Zone Declared Federal Disaster Area

The White House has declared the Royal Gorge fire zone a major disaster area following a request by the state’s congressional delegation to declare Colorado a federal disaster area.

The blaze consumed more than 3,200 acres and destroyed 48 of the 52 structures at the historic Royal Gorge Park, a major economic driver in Fremont County, said a report.

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Canada: Mississauga City asks Ontario for disaster relief

An “epic summer storm” flooded thousands of basements, cut power large parts of the city and brought transportation to a halt on July 8, said a report.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before ever in my community,” said a city Councillor of the flooding, which forced the evacuation of numerous residents, including nearly a thousand families who lost their homes.

You Could Be Next!

Ken Hills, 60, stands in front of the tent that had served as his home after the July 8 deluge. The tent blew away during a thunderstorm last week. Credit: ALEX NINO GHECIU / TORONTO STAR

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