State of Emergency Declared for 12 Oklahoma Counties

Deadly twisters wreak havoc along Tornado Alley

Gov. Fallin declared a State of Emergency for 12 Oklahoma counties after dozens of tornadoes tore through the state late Wednesday.

The counties included in the governor’s proclamations are Alfalfa, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Cleveland, Dewey, Garfield, Grady, Grant, Major, McClain and Oklahoma.

The State of Emergency declaration will allow counties to make emergency purchases without limitations, said Fallin.

“Be weather aware over the next several days,” added Fallin, warning the residents about the probability of more severe weather hitting the Sooner State.

Excerpts from Fallin’s Executive Order 2015-23

Tornadoes, severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding beginning May 6, 2015, and continuing have caused extensive damage to public and private properties within the State of Oklahoma; and said damages have caused an undue hardship on the citizens of this state.

There is hereby declared a disaster emergency caused by the tornadoes, severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding in the State of Oklahoma that threatens the lives and property of the people of this State and the public’s peace, health and safety.

This declaration may be amended to add counties as conditions warrant.

This Executive Order shall terminate at the end of thirty (30) days.

Some 76 twisters tore through the Tornado Alley so far this month, destroying or damaging hundreds of structures and mobile homes and leaving massive flooding in their wake.

At least one person drowned after she became trapped in a storm shelter, said local reports.

Dozens of Tornadoes Strike OK, KS, NE

U.S. Tornado Alley Swept by Twisters

At least 36 tornadoes have swept through Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska, flipping cars, downing power lines and snapping trees.

The twisters, including a “large tornado,” have caused “substantial” damage to many structures across several regions.

Filtered Tornado Reports. Source Storm Prediction Center/NWS

US Tornado Alley

Source: FIRE-EARTH

At least seven tornadoes touched down in Texas and New Mexico on Tuesday. There were no report of casualties, as of posting.

Tornado Alley is a nickname for an area that consistently experiences a high frequency of tornadoes each year. The area that has the most strong and violent tornadoes includes eastern SD, NE, KS, OK. Northern TX, and eastern Colorado. Source: NSSL/NOAA. Click image to enlarge.

Tornado Probabilities [Monthly] – All Tornadoes

Tornado Probabilities [Monthly] – Significant Tornadoes

Tornado Probabilities [Monthly] – Violent Tornadoes

Other Maps

1. Tornado
2. F2 or greater (significant) tornadoes
3. Wind
4. Hail

States of Emergency Declared in Indiana, Oklahoma, Chile

HIV Outbreak: Indiana Declares State of Emergency

Indiana Gov. Pence has declared a public health emergency after “the worst HIV outbreak in the state’s history.”

Pence said 79 cases had been confirmed, but “we expect that number to go up,” with more testing underway.

Every single confirmed case so far has been related to intravenous use of Opana, an opioid painkiller, said Pence.

“This is a very serious situation,” he said, adding that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had advised for a needle-exchange program to be set up.

“I’m prepared to make an exception to my long-standing opposition to needle-exchange programs,” said Pence. “This is a public health emergency driven by intravenous drug use.”

All of the HIV-infected cases so far detected were either in or connected to Scott County, near the Kentucky border, said a state health official.

Everyone who has tested positive for HIV has admitted to intravenous drug use, although some have also had sex with other users, said a public health nurse at Scott County Health Department.

Fallin Declares State of Emergency After Deadly Tornadoes

Oklahoma governor declared a state of emergency in 25 counties affected by tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and straight-line winds.

The twisters destroyed a mobile home park in suburban Sand Springs. At least one person was reported dead and scores of others injured with widespread damage reported across Oklahoma and Arkansas.

An EF-1 tornado spiraled through the suburb of Moore in Oklahoma City, where 24 people were killed by a tornado in May 2013.

Chile declares a state of emergency due to unprecedented deluge

Chile has declared a state of emergency in the northern regions of Atacama and Antofagasta after extreme rain events (EREs) left dozens of people dead or missing, forced thousands of others to flee their homes and closed copper-mining operations.

The EREs triggered an unprecedented flooding in the desert region, as rivers broke banks isolating numerous villages and communities.

The deluge in the north occurs as drought stricken southern Chile struggles with massive forest fires.

Disaster Declared in 13 Illinois Counties

Gov. Quinn declares 13 IL counties disaster areas

Gov. Pat Quinn has declared 6 additional counties in Illinois disaster areas after tornadoes tore through the state, killing at least 6 people and leaving hundreds of others injured.

A total of 85 twisters (confirmed by SPC), including two EF4 tornadoes,  which pack 166 mph to 200 mph winds, touched down in the US heartland destroying or damaging hundreds of homes.

Tornado aftermath in Illinois.

Quinn declared disaster areas in Champaign, Grundy, LaSalle, Massac, Tazewell, Washington, Woodford, Douglas, Jasper, Pope, Wabash, Wayne, and Will counties.

“Illinois was hit extremely hard by deadly tornadoes that left many in a great deal of pain and loss,” Governor Quinn said in a statement. “Although we are still receiving reports of massive damage to communities across our state, we want to make sure people are getting the assistance and resources they need as quickly as possible.”

Related Links

• Deadly Tornadoes Attack U.S. Midwest November 18, 2013
• Seven IL Counties Declared Disaster Areas after Deadly Storms November 19, 2013

Seven IL Counties Declared Disaster Areas after Deadly Storms

“We are still receiving reports of massive damage to communities across our state” —IL Gov. Quinn

Sunday’s deadly storms killed at least six people and injured scores of others, while damaging and destroying hundreds of homes and businesses and cutting power to tens of thousands of residents.

The counties declared disaster areas are Champaign, Grundy, LaSalle, Massac, Tazewell, Washington and Woodford, according to the Disaster Proclamation issued by Gov. Pat Quinn’s office on Monday.

“Although we are still receiving reports of massive damage to communities across our state, we want to make sure people are getting the assistance and resources they need as quickly as possible,” said the governor. “As we pray for the families of those who have lost their lives and others who are injured, the state of Illinois will do everything necessary to help these communities recover.”

A large swarm of storms brought destructive winds and tornadoes to Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York.

Illinois took the brunt of the ferocious weather system, which spawned a total of 76 confirmed tornadoes, and 451 storm reports.

Washington (Population: 16,000), a small city in Tazewell County, about 140 miles southwest of Chicago, was the hardest hit area, with up to 500 homes damaged or destroyed, according to reports. of 16,000.

EF4 Tornadoes

Two of the deadly twisters were rated EF-4 tornadoes, reported the National Weather Service (NWS).

EF4 tornadoes pack destructive winds of between 166 and 260 mph (267 – 322kph), and can leave well-constructed houses leveled, blowing away structures with weak foundations blown away some distance;  throwing cars and generating large missiles.

F4 F touch down in IL November 17, 2013.

Tacloban City, Philippines or the State of  Illinois?

IL deadly tornadoes aftermath – Image credit: Natalie Martinez

Powerful tornadoes tore through large swathes of Illinois on Sunday. Image credit: @WCL_Shawn

Latest Weather Forecast

Strong winds in the Northeast and across the Great Lakes will subside today as the powerful storm system responsible for yesterday’s severe weather continues to move farther away into Canada. Meanwhile, another storm system will move into the Pacific Northwest bringing rain and mountain snow. NWS

“You don’t need temperatures in the 80s and 90s to produce severe weather [since] the strong winds compensate for for the lack of heating,”  said a forecaster at NWS. “That sets the stage for what we call wind shear, which may produce tornadoes.”

Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF scale)

Fujita-Pearson Tornado Scale

F-0  [39%]
40-72 mph, chimney damage, tree branches broken

F-1 [35%]
73-112 mph, mobile homes pushed off foundation or overturned

F-2 [20%]
113-157 mph, considerable damage, mobile homes demolished, trees uprooted

F-3  [5%]
158-205 mph, roofs and walls torn down, trains overturned, cars thrown

F-4 [0.9%]
207-260 mph, well-constructed walls leveled

F-5 [<0.1%]
261-318 mph, homes lifted off foundation and carried considerable distances, autos thrown as far as 100 meters

Source: US gov. [Figures in brackets represent long-term relative frequencies— revised by FIRE-EARTH]

Related Links

• Deadly Tornadoes Attack U.S. Midwest November 18, 2013

Global Disasters/ Significant Events – November 18, 2013

Global Disasters/ Significant Events – November 18, 2013

Deadly Tornadoes Attack U.S. Midwest

At least SIX people were killed and dozens more injured after 67 tornadoes [confirmed total] spawned by a massive weather system struck parts of 9 states, including Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky. Some 442 events have so far been reported across NINE states after Sunday storm attacks, which flattened large section of the city of Washington, Ill.

Plane crash in Russia’s Kazan kills 50 people on board

Russian authorities confirmed that all 50 people aboard a passenger plane were killed when the aircraft  crashed on landing in central Russia’s city of Kazan, capital of Tatarstan Republic.

Egypt train and bus crash kills 24 near Cairo

24 people were killed and 20 others injured when a train crashed into a pickup truck and a bus near Cairo, the state news agency MENA said on Monday.

50 Children were killed when a train hit their school bus near Manfalut, about  350km south of Cairo, on November 17, 2012.

Guided-missile cruiser struck by “friendly” drone: LATimes

The guided-missile cruiser Chancellorsville was  struck by an aerial-target drone during a training exercise off Ventura County, officials said.

BQM-74E target drones are launched from the guided-missile destroyer McCampbell in 2010. (Ensign Colleen R. Praxmarer / U.S. Navy)

The US Navy vessel was struck on its port side by an BQM-74 series drone, leaving two sailors with burns.

“The drone, controlled from Point Mugu, was being used during a routine exercise meant to test the ship’s radar system’s tracking ability. The test was not designed for the ship to shoot down the drone,” LATimes quoted officials as saying.

Navy technicians are examining the extent of damage to the ship, as other specialists try to establish the possible cause of the drone malfunction, said the report.

Bomb attack kills 31 in Syria including 4 generals

A bomb attack by Saudi-backed foreign terrorists on an army base near Damascus killed at least 31 Syrian military personnel including four generals,  according to reports.

“Three generals and a brigadier-general were among 31 troops killed in a bomb attack that caused a building in the army transport base in Harasta to collapse,” said director for Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Libya declares a State of Emergency in Tripoli as deadly violence erupts

A 48-hour state of emergency has been declared in the Libyan capital Tripoli after gun battles between rival militia groups left at least 45 people dead and more than 400 wounded.

However, eyewitnesses say the death toll is much higher than the official figures.

“Officially, there were more than 40 victims in the clashes in Tripoli in the past two days, but according to our data, the number of victims is much larger,” a medic on the scene told reporters.

Potentially Disastrous Fuel Rod Removal Operation Starts at Fukushima Daiichi

The operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. TEPCO, has begun removing nuclear fuel rods from a storage pool at a damaged No. 4 reactor building.

The pool contains 1,533 fuel units, of which 1,331 are highly radioactive spent rods. The operator decided to remove unused units first because they release less radiation and heat than the used ones.

Philippines Mega Disaster Update – SitRep No. 27

Super Typhoon HAIYAN affected up to 14 million Filipinos, leaving 5,578 dead or missing, 4,009, 074 homeless, and causing at least PHP10.4 billion worth of damage to the country’s agriculture and infrastructure.

Source: SitRep No. 27 released by Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMC)  November 18, 2013. [$1 = 43.66 Philippine pesos]

Mass Burials

Town officials bury some of the victims of the Super Typhoon HAIYAN in a mass grave. Credit: Local news media.

This post will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.

Deadly Tornadoes Attack U.S. Midwest

“Particularly dangerous situation” for parts of central US: NWS

Up to 80 powerful twisters [unconfirmed total] wreak havoc in Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky, causing deaths, injuries and destruction.

Sunday Storm Attacks

At least SIX people were killed and dozens more injured after 67 tornadoes [confirmed total] spawned by a massive weather system struck parts of 9 states, including Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky. Some 442 events have so far been reported across NINE states after Sunday storm attacks, which flattened large section of the city of Washington, Ill.

UPDATES:

• Indiana – The city of Kokomo, Howard County, Greentown, and Russiaville have declared states of emergency after Nov. 17 storms swept through the state causing “significant damage.”
• “A confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado” near Washington, Illinois, about 145 miles southwest of Chicago was reported to SPC, the National Weather Service said, adding that the twister was moving northeast at about 55 MPH.

“These storms will be moving very fast … They will be at your location and on to the next location in a matter of minutes. As a result, people cannot wait for visual confirmation of the threat.” —Russell Schneider, Storm Prediction Center.

The storm was moving east at dangerous speeds of up to 97 km/hr, reported the NWS’s Storm Prediction Center.

SPC Storm Reports [unfiltered] for 11-17-13 updated 11-18-13. Some 398 events  including 67 tornadoes [filtered totals] so far reported across NINE states—IL, IA, IN, KY, MI, MO, OH, TN, and WI—during Sunday storm attacks. The bulk of the tornadoes struck Illinois.

Entire neighborhood wiped out

Washington is reportedly the hardest hit area, with one resident saying his neighborhood was wiped out by tornadoes in a matter of seconds, said a report.

“I stepped outside and I heard it coming. My daughter was already in the basement, so I ran downstairs and grabbed her, crouched in the laundry room and all of a sudden I could see daylight up the stairway and my house was gone,” resident Michael Perdun told the Associated Press.

“The whole neighborhood’s gone, the wall of my fireplace is all that is left of my house.”

Probability (%) of Tornado in November (1980 – 1994). Source: NSSL

“Pandemonium. It looks like a war zone”

I saw a “car completely mangled, the houses gone… telephone wires [are] down everywhere, live wires are still down.” Karen Harris, a food truck operator in Washington, told the BBC she saw  “I’m pretty traumatized  from what I saw”

“I actually saw a vehicle in the middle of the road, their left signal light turned on, like they were getting ready to turn, all the windows were out of it, blood was in the back seat. Pandemonium. It looks like a war zone,” Ms Harris added.

“From the window I saw this huge tornado, tonnes of debris flying through the air,” said Laura Nightengale, a reporter with the Journal Star newspaper in Peoria, Illinois, witnessed the approach of a tornado from inside a house in the town.

“I took shelter in the basement. The area that was hit, it’s just absolutely devastated – entire blocks where homes stood this morning right now are just rubble.”

NWS: “particularly dangerous situation”

The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned of a “particularly dangerous situation” for parts of Midwest.

“Several rapidly moving, intense tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, large hail events and damaging winds are expected in these watch areas,” reported the service.

Dark Storm

The fast-moving storm system darkened downtown Chicago an hour or so after the tornadoes devastated large sections of Washington city, forcing officials to evacuate football fans from a local stadium as a fierce twister swept through the city suburbs.

Tornado Probabilities [Monthly]

Any Tornado	Signif. Tornado (F2-F5)	Violent Tornado (F4-F5)
Java animation	Java animation	Java animation
Monthly frames	Monthly frames	Monthly frames
January	January	January
February	February	February
March	March	March
April	April	April
May	May	May
June	June	June
July	July	July
August	August	August
September	September	September
October	October	October
November	November	November
December	December	Dece

The probability of having one or more days with a tornado within 25 miles of a point sometime during a month. The base data for all tornadoes are the reports from 1980-1994 and for significant and violent tornadoes are the reports from 1921-1995. The values are probabilities in percent. Source: Severe Thunderstorms Climatology

US Composite. (Source: SSEC/Wisc-Uni). Map enhanced by FIRE-EARTH Blog.

This post will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.

Related Links

• The worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history
• U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather
• Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley

• Deadly Tornadoes Attack U.S. Midwest
• Disaster Declared in 3 Texas Counties
• Powerful Tornadoes Attack Dallas Area
• Tornado Death Toll Climbs to 49

• Tornadoes Devastate 2 Small Towns, Kill 12 in 3 States
• Deadly Tornadoes Slam Midwest
• U.S. Tornado Forecast 2012

• Deadly Tornado Hits Rome, Ga
• 43 Tornadoes Reported in 5 States
• Joplin tornado official death toll rises to 151

• Deadly EF2 Tornado Strikes Louisiana Town
• U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• Fierce Storm Dumps 160mm of Rain over SoCal

Central Oklahoma Tornadoes – Preliminary Damage Assessment

 Preliminary Tornado Survey Results by NWS

Other Details:

• Total number of buildings destroyed or damaged: Not known/undisclosed, as of posting.
• Number of fatalities: VNV
• Injuries: More than 100, according to media reports.
• The violent storms triggered widespread flooding.
• The first tornado developed around 5:55 pm CDT near El Reno. This storm then moved east to southeast into western and central portions of Oklahoma City, producing other tornadoes. (NWS)
• Other storms developed to the west and moved over the same areas as the first storm. This produced significant flooding in the Oklahoma City metro. (NWS)

Missouri Tornado

Missouri Gov. Nixon declared a state of emergency due to severe storm damage and widespread flooding. An EF-3 tornado caused extensive damage leaving behind a 22-mile path of destruction from St. Charles County into St. Louis County on Friday.

Illinois Tornado

An EF-2 tornado hit Madison County in southwestern Illinois, causing damage to buildings.

A second tornado, also an EF-2, touched down in neighboring Macoupin County, causing damage to dozens of buildings buildings, said an emergency management official.

• “We had houses twisted off foundations, houses with roofs taken off,” he said.

Tornado Tallies

• A total of 20 tornadoes struck 7 states (OK, ND, KS, MO, IA, IN and IL) on Friday May 31, SPC reported.
• At least 109 tornadoes struck 16 states (AR, NE, TX, NY, WI, WY, PA, MI, CO, OK, ND, KS, MO, IA, IN and IL) starting May 27 through May 31.

Related Links

• Deadly Tornadoes Attack Oklahoma Again June 1, 2013
• Tornado Emergency Issued in Oklahoma City June 1, 2013
• Severe Weather Plagues the North, South, Midwest May 30, 2013
• Active or Extremely Active 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season: NOAA May 24, 2013
• DISASTER Diary – 23 May 2013 May 23, 2013
• OKC Mega Tornado: Fact and Fiction May 21, 2013
• DISASTER Diary – 21 May 2013 May 21, 2013
• Massive Deadly Tornado Rips Across Oklahoma City Suburbs May 20, 2013
• Powerful Tornadoes Strike in Six U.S. States May 20, 2013
• Rising Temperatures, Red Flag Warnings and Erupting Volcanoes May 18, 2013

Tornado Emergency Issued in Oklahoma City

Large, Destructive Tornadoes Target Oklahoma City Area

A tornado emergency has been issued for the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, covering Okla. City, Moore and several other suburbs.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issues a Tornado Emergency if a storm with tornadoes is moving toward a populated area.

“An extremely unstable air mass has developed across much of Central & Eastern Oklahoma,” the weather service warned, describing weather conditions as “particularly dangerous.”

“This will likely result in rapid development of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.” NWS said.

• NWS Latest Tornado Warnings
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City has been evacuated with more than a 1,000 passengers moved to underground tunnels; currently no flights are arriving or departing.

About a dozen tornadoes touched down in Arkansas three in Oklahoma and one in Illinois on Thursday. One tornado hit Tulsa suburb of Broken Arrow, causing structural damage to multiple buildings.

Tornado damage has also been reported in Canadian County, located west of Okla. City.

Several twisters have already touched down near El Reno, about 25 miles west of downtown Oklahoma City, overturning vehicles on I-40, downing utility poles and tossing livestock on the road, eyewitnesses said.

Authorities closed I-35 and I-40 and warned motorists to seek immediate shelter.

Meantime, flooding has inundated parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois, with a number of fatalities reported.

NWS Weather Hazards Map

US Weather Hazards Map. Source: NWS

OKC Mega Tornado: Fact and Fiction

 Moore Tornado Upgraded to EF5

NWS damage teams have upgraded the deadly tornado that struck Moore to EF5.

• Rating: EF5
• Peak Winds: 200 – 210 mph (338 km/h)
• Path Length: 17 miles
• Maximum Width: 1.3 miles
• Begin Time: 2:45pm CDT
• Begin Location: 4.4 miles west of Newcastle
• End Time: 3:35 pm CDT
• End Location: 4.8 miles east of Moore

This is a preliminary track outline of the powerful EF-5 tornado that struck Newcastle and Moore during the afternoon of May 20, 2013. This path may change as we continue to survey the damage. Notice how the tornado path contracts toward the right side of the image. Source: NWS

Tornado Damage and Casualties

• Preliminary estimate for the damage is put at $3 billion.
• The tornado has left thousands of people homeless.
• Most of the 91 or so people killed by the tornado were resurrected within hours, thanks to the political will. Current death toll stands at only 24.  (See also the ‘Joplin Syndrome’).
• About 240 others were injured.

The Enhanced Fujita Tornado Scale – Quick Chart

EF0: 65 TO 85 MPH
EF1: 86 TO 110 MPH
EF2: 111 TO 135 MPH
EF3: 136 TO 165 MPH
EF4: 166 TO 200 MPH
EF5: Wind speeds greater than 200 MPH

DISASTER Diary – 21 May 2013

Major Disaster Declared in Oklahoma after Mega Tornado Kills Dozens

The Disaster President has declared a major disaster exists in the State of Oklahoma in the area affected by severe storms and tornadoes beginning on May 18, 2013, and continuing.

The areas worst affected are the counties of Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma, and Pottawatomie.

At least 91 people, many of them children, are feared to have been killed and about 240 others injured after a mega tornado ripped through Oklahoma City suburbs, leveling numerous blocks in the city of Moore (pop: ~ 55,000),  Cleveland County, Oklahoma.

The death toll included 51 confirmed deaths and an additional 40 bodies on their way to the Medical Examiner’s office. (See also the ‘Joplin Syndrome’).

• The tornado was rated as at least an EF4, with winds of up to 200mph, according to NWS preliminary damage ratings.
• The tornadic event began at 2.56pm CDT on Monday and lasted for 40 minutes.
• Moore twister was as much as two miles wide, and carved a 20-mile path of destruction.
• The tornado left obliterated many hundreds of homes and other buildings in Moore.

This is a preliminary tornado track for the tornado that affected Newcastle, Moore, and Oklahoma City on May 20, 2013. The tornado touchdown at around 2:56 pm in Newcastle, OK and moved through Moore and south OKC before lifting at around 3:36 pm. The path length is estimated to be about 20 miles long with a preliminary damage rating of at least EF4. —NWS

“Our hearts are broken,” Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin said. “This is bigger than anything I’ve ever seen. It’s absolutely huge. It’s horrific.”

More Severe Weather Expected from Great Lakes to Central Texas on Tuesday

More severe weather is expected on Tuesday from the Great Lakes across the Mississippi River Valley and into central Texas. Primary threats will be very large hail, damaging winds and tornadoes. Some of the storms could also produce heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding concerns, especially in the Ark-La-Tex region. —NWS

-oOo-

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

Average CO₂ at Mauna Loa Observatory: Last 5 days of preliminary daily average CO2

• May 20 – 400.15 ppm
• May 19 – 400.06 ppm
• May 18 – 399.77 ppm
• May 17 – 399.87 ppm
• May 16 – 399.74 ppm

-oOo-

Groundwater depletion in the U.S. has accelerated

Groundwater depletion in the United States during 1900–2008 was about 1,000 cubic kilometers (km³), according to a new study released by USGS.

• The rate of groundwater depletion has increased significantly since about 1950, with maximum rates occurring during the most recent period (2000–2008), said the report.
• The average depletion rate climbed to about 25 km³ [6.6 trillion gallons] per year during 2000–2008, compared to 9.2 km³ per year averaged over the 1900–2008 period.

Map of the United States (excluding Alaska) showing cumulative groundwater depletion, 1900 through 2008, in 40 assessed aquifer systems or subareas. Colors are hatched in the Dakota aquifer (area 39) where the aquifer overlaps with other aquifers having different values of depletion. [Konikow, L.F., 2013, Groundwater depletion in the United States (1900−2008): U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2013−5079. http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2013/5079.(Available only online.)]

-oOo-

Kamchatka, Russia

At least 2 dozen significant quakes, measuring between 5.0 and 6.0Mw, have struck off the east coast of Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia since Monday May 20, 2013. 

-oOo-

DISASTER CALENDAR – May 21, 2013 — 
SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,026 Days Left 

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

• SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,026 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

Massive Deadly Tornado Rips Across Oklahoma City Suburbs

At least 37 killed, many injured in OKC gigantic twister attack

The massive tornado first touched down in Newcastle and barreled toward Interstate 44, Moore and South Oklahoma City, killing at least 37 people, as of posting, injuring scores of others, destroying hundreds of buildings and  leaving a path of destruction behind.

The deadly twister was at least an EF4 tornado packing winds of about 200mph (320km/h) and was reportedly as much as ‘two-miles’ wide.

It struck about 15:00 CDT (UTC -5hrs) on Monday in Moore, Oklahoma, a suburb south of Oklahoma City, and remained on the ground for at least 40 minutes.

Massive tornado hits Okla. Screen grab of damage in Moore, Oklahoma from massive tornado that swept through on Monday afternoon. Credit: CBS News

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, who had already declared a state of emergency in 16 counties after the previous round of tornado attack, told CBS: “Well, we know we’ve had a massive tornado that has come through a major metropolitan area in Moore, Okla. It was a very wide tornado, a very strong tornado. It has damaged lots of neighborhoods, it’s hit two schools that possibly had school children in them. It’s also it a hospital and a big movie theater and a commercial area.”

Latest SPC Filtered Storm Reports for May 19 – 20

Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley

The Enhanced Fujita Tornado Scale – Quick Chart

EF0: 65 TO 85 MPH
EF1: 86 TO 110 MPH
EF2: 111 TO 135 MPH
EF3: 136 TO 165 MPH
EF4: 166 TO 200 MPH
EF5: Wind speeds greater than 200 MPH

Powerful Tornadoes Strike in Six U.S. States

State of emergency declared as deadly tornadoes tear through Oklahoma

Powerful twisters strike U.S. states of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas and Illinois, and Oklahoma.

Governor Fallin declared a State of Emergency for 16 Oklahoma counties: Caddo, Cleveland, Comanche, Creek, Garfield, Grant, Greer, Kiowa, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Payne and Pottawatomie.

The state of emergency was declared in the 16 counties because they sustained  the heaviest damage from the twisters, straight-line winds, fist-size hail and flash flooding, which began late Saturday evening.

The worst damage was caused by a deadly tornado that struck near the town of Shawnee, about 50km from Oklahoma City, leveling a mobile home park.

At least one person was confirmed dead in Pottawatomie County and two dozen others were reportedly injured.

In addition to Shawnee, several other towns and communities were severely affected by the extreme weather including Bethel Acres, Carney, Edmond, Little Axe, Norman and Wellston.

Storm-related injuries have also been reported in other parts of Oklahoma, as well as in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Illinois and Iowa.

SPC Filtered Storm Reports for May 19, 2013

Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley

Severe Weather Threat to Continue Through Monday Across the Central States —NWS

After over 300 reports of severe weather on Sunday, another round of dangerous severe weather is expected Monday with the greatest threat once again in the southern Plains targeting Oklahoma and parts of Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas. However, severe weather is possible much further north towards Chicago and Madison as well.

Global CO2 Update

Current Global Monthly Mean CO₂

Weekly average CO₂ at Mauna Loa

• Week of May 27, 2012:     396.46 ppm
• Weekly value from 1 year ago:     394.11 ppm
• Weekly value from 10 years ago:     376.20 ppm

The graph, updated weekly, shows as individual points daily mean CO₂ up to and including the week (Sunday through Saturday) previous to today.

Recent Mauna Loa CO₂

• April 2012:     396.18 ppm
• April 2011:     393.28 ppm

Recent Global CO₂ (ESRL/NOAA)

• March 2012:     393.87 ppm
• March 2011:     391.46 ppm

The graph shows recent monthly mean carbon dioxide globally averaged over marine surface sites, as measured by the Global Monitoring Division of NOAA/ESRL.  The dashed red line with diamond symbols represents the monthly mean values, centered on the middle of each month. The black line with the square symbols represents the same, after correction for the average seasonal cycle.

Other Global Disasters, Significant Events

• Virginia, USA.  City of Hampton declared a state of emergency after a tornado struck Petersburg and Hampton, destroying or damaging dozens of building and causing injuries to residents.
  • The tornado left several families displaced and caused millions of dollars in damage.

• U.K.   Britain has undergone a moral decline over the past six decades, the Bishop of London has decried.
  • Ironically, the period coincides with Queen Elizabeth’s 60 year reign on the throne.
  • Promiscuity has reached “epidemic” levels. “Literally millions of children grow up without knowing a stable, loving, secure family life …,” he said.
  • “Dr Chartres also called for action to tackle ‘depressingly high’ youth unemployment in Britain,” said a report.
  • “The extent of youth unemployment is appalling. The waste of human talent is unsustainable morally and economically,” he said.

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

Deadly Tornadoes Attack U.S. Midwest

Dozens of tornadoes tore through the U.S. midsection as Kansas declared disaster emergency

More than 120 tornadoes pummel Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Indiana leaving at least 5 people dead in Woodward, NW Oklahoma, and forcing Kansas governor to declare a disaster emergency.

• Iowa.  About 75 percent of the small town of Thurman (Fremont County) has been destroyed. The town has been evacuated with an emergency shelter in a nearby town. No power in the town, SPC reported.
• Oklahoma.  Numerous reports of major structural damage on western and northern part of Woodward; at least 5 killed and many injured.
• Kansas.  A tornado has caused widespread damage and power outages in Wichita, Kansas, but there were bno reports of deaths or injuries as of posting.
• Tornadoes have damaged or destroyed many homes, businesses, a jail, a hospital and an Air Force base aaround the region, reports said.
• Nebraska.  Baseball-sized hail tore siding from houses and shattered windows in Petersburg, about 130 miles NW of Omaha.
• Sedgwick County, Kansas, declared a state of disaster and said the storm damage could top $280 million.
•  Severe weather is expected to continue Sunday “from east Texas and Arkansas and up into the Great Lakes,” said Storm Prediction Center (SPC).

See also:

• Disaster Declared in 3 Texas Counties Posted  on April 7, 2012
• Powerful Tornadoes Attack Dallas Area Posted on April 4, 2012

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar 

Related Links

• Tornado Death Toll Climbs to 49 Posted on March 3, 2012
• Extreme Weather: States of Emergency Declared in 4 States Posted on March 2, 2012

• Tornado Alley Maps for June
• Nebraska Nuke Plant Remains Shut After Missouri River Flooding
• The worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history
• U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather
• MEGA DELUGE 2011?
• Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley

•  Tornado Dead to Haunt Missouri Officials
• The worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history
• U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather
• MEGA DELUGE 2011?

• 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season: AAA
• Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley

Tornadoes 2012

• State of Emergency Declared in Louisiana for Severe Weather, Flooding Posted on March 22, 2012
• Spring Officially Starts Today Posted on March 20, 2012
• Tornadoes, Flooding Destroy or Damage 600+ Homes in MI and WV Posted on March 16, 2012

• Deadly Tornadoes Slam Midwest Posted on February 29, 2012
• Map of Tornado Reports (filtered) 28 February – 02 March 2012
• U.S. Tornado Forecast 2012 Posted on February 25, 2012
• Deadly Tornado Hits Rome, Ga Posted  on February 24, 2012

• Tornado Attacks Leave 100 Dead or Injured in Indonesia Posted on January 29, 2012
• State of Emergency Declared in Alabama Posted on January 24, 2012
• Deadly Tornado Season 2012 Begins Posted on January 23, 2012

Disaster Declared in 3 Texas Counties

Disaster Calendar 2012 – April 7

Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,439 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

Tornado-devastated Dallas, Tarrant and Kaufman counties declared disaster areas

Perry has declared disaster for three counties following Tuesday’s tornadoes that destroyed or damaged an estimated 650 structures.

• Texas, USA.  Texas Governor has declared disaster for three counties following Tuesday’s devastating tornadoes that cause significant damage to property and infrastructure.
  • Twisters affected  an estimated 650 structures, with 200 structures destroyed and at least 100 sustaining major damage, reports said.
  • Dozens of people were injured, but no fatalities were reported.
  • Up to 1,700 American Airlines and American Eagle flights were canceled since the storms, including about 300 on Friday.
  • The damage is estimated to be “in the tens of millions of dollars,” according to experts.
  • A Dallas County Judge, who had earlier signed a local disaster declaration, estimated road and bridge damage to Dallas County to exceed $1 million, a report said.

• Se also: Powerful Tornadoes Attack Dallas Area Posted on April 4, 2012

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar 

Related Links

• Tornado Death Toll Climbs to 49 Posted on March 3, 2012
• Extreme Weather: States of Emergency Declared in 4 States Posted on March 2, 2012

• Tornado Alley Maps for June
• Nebraska Nuke Plant Remains Shut After Missouri River Flooding
• The worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history
• U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather
• MEGA DELUGE 2011?
• Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley

•  Tornado Dead to Haunt Missouri Officials
• The worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history
• U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather
• MEGA DELUGE 2011?

• 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season: AAA
• Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley

Tornadoes 2012

• State of Emergency Declared in Louisiana for Severe Weather, Flooding Posted on March 22, 2012
• Spring Officially Starts Today Posted on March 20, 2012
• Tornadoes, Flooding Destroy or Damage 600+ Homes in MI and WV Posted on March 16, 2012

• Deadly Tornadoes Slam Midwest Posted on February 29, 2012
• Map of Tornado Reports (filtered) 28 February – 02 March 2012
• U.S. Tornado Forecast 2012 Posted on February 25, 2012
• Deadly Tornado Hits Rome, Ga Posted  on February 24, 2012

• Tornado Attacks Leave 100 Dead or Injured in Indonesia Posted on January 29, 2012
• State of Emergency Declared in Alabama Posted on January 24, 2012
• Deadly Tornado Season 2012 Begins Posted on January 23, 2012

Powerful Tornadoes Attack Dallas Area

Disaster Calendar 2012 – April 4

Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,442 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

Disaster declared in Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs

Multiple tornadoes touched down in Dallas-Fort Worth  area, raking entire neighborhoods, destroying homes, flattening trailer trucks and causing numerous injuries, some critical.

Texas Tornado Map. As of 02:10UTC on April 4, 2012, SPC had received 18 tornado reports in the Dallas area.   The storms that spawned the tornadoes were caused by a slow-moving system centered over N.M.

A tornado touches down in Lancaster, Texas,  south of DF. Photo credit: Parrish Velasco/Dallas Morning News, April 3, 2012. Image may be subject to copyright.  More images…

• Officials signed a disaster declaration for Lancaster, Texas, about 15 miles south of Dallas,  after a twister damaged 500 structures, more than half of them severely.
• Widespread looting was reported.
• In Arlington, a tornado  has caused severe damage to homes and businesses prompting the city officials to issue a disaster declaration.
• The DFW area was also hit with thunderstorms that dumped damaging hail the size of baseballs in several places.
• More than a 100 planes were damaged by large hail at Dallas Fort Worth  Airport, a spokesman told AP.
• American Airlines canceled or diverted 500 flights in and out of its hub airport by late Tuesday afternoon.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar 

Related Links

• Tornado Death Toll Climbs to 49 Posted on March 3, 2012
• Extreme Weather: States of Emergency Declared in 4 States Posted on March 2, 2012

• Tornado Alley Maps for June
• Nebraska Nuke Plant Remains Shut After Missouri River Flooding
• The worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history
• U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather
• MEGA DELUGE 2011?
• Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley

•  Tornado Dead to Haunt Missouri Officials
• The worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history
• U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather
• MEGA DELUGE 2011?

• 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season: AAA
• Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley

Tornadoes 2012

• State of Emergency Declared in Louisiana for Severe Weather, Flooding Posted on March 22, 2012
• Spring Officially Starts Today Posted on March 20, 2012
• Tornadoes, Flooding Destroy or Damage 600+ Homes in MI and WV Posted on March 16, 2012

• Deadly Tornadoes Slam Midwest Posted on February 29, 2012
• Map of Tornado Reports (filtered) 28 February – 02 March 2012
• U.S. Tornado Forecast 2012 Posted on February 25, 2012
• Deadly Tornado Hits Rome, Ga Posted  on February 24, 2012

• Tornado Attacks Leave 100 Dead or Injured in Indonesia Posted on January 29, 2012
• State of Emergency Declared in Alabama Posted on January 24, 2012
• Deadly Tornado Season 2012 Begins Posted on January 23, 2012

Rare Snowstorm, Winds Batter Arizona, N.M.

Parts of Arizona buried under up to 19 inches of snow

A rare snowstorm pummeled Arizona Monday, a day before spring officially starts. This was the same system that dumped several feet of new snow on the Sierra Nevadas over the weekend.

Disaster Calendar 2012 – March 19

[March 19, 2012]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,458 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

• Arizona, USA.  A late-winter snowstorm buried parts of Arizona under up to 19 inches of snow paralyzing  travel throughout  the state  and closing schools, including Northern Arizona University and Coconino Community College.
  • The heavy snow and high winds, which exceeded 60MPH, also forced authorities to close more than 180 miles of Interstate 40 and parts on I17 in both directions, said the Arizona Highway Patrol.

Severe Thunderstorms Possible from Southern Minn. to Texas: NWS

The NWS Storm Prediction Center forecast a Moderate Risk of severe thunderstorms Monday into the late evening “for parts of central and northern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. Expect severe storms in these areas to continue overnight and be capable of damaging winds, large hail, a few tornadoes and excessive rainfall. SPC has also indicated a Slight Risk or severe thunderstorms from the southern Minnesota southward into Texas.”

US Natural Hazards Map. Source: NWS. Map enhanced by FIRE-EARTH

• Tornado Alley, USA.  SPC received at least 11 tornado reports in 3 states of Oklahoma, Nebraska and South Dakota.
  • At least 1 serious injury reported in Nebraska.
  • Dozens of houses significantly damaged or destroyed in the tornado-struck areas.
  • In Lincoln County, NE, 15 train cars were flipped over by a tornado, which also caused extensive damage to private vehicles, SPC said.

SPC Tornado, High Wind and Hale Map for March 18, 2012 (filtered).

• Idaho.  Bonner County in Idaho has declared a State of Emergency amid flooding caused by Thursday’s torrential rains.
  • At least a dozen roads have washed out throughout the county.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar 

Related Links

• Tornadoes, Flooding Destroy or Damage 600+ Homes in MI and W Posted on March 16, 2012
• Tornado Death Toll Climbs to 49 Posted on March 3, 2012
• Extreme Weather: States of Emergency Declared in 4 States Posted on March 2, 2012

• Tornado Alley Maps for June
• Nebraska Nuke Plant Remains Shut After Missouri River Flooding
• The worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history
• U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather
• MEGA DELUGE 2011?
• Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley

•  Tornado Dead to Haunt Missouri Officials
• The worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history
• U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather
• MEGA DELUGE 2011?

• 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season: AAA
• Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley

Tornadoes 2012

• Deadly Tornadoes Slam Midwest Posted on February 29, 2012
• Map of Tornado Reports (filtered) 28 February – 02 March 2012
• U.S. Tornado Forecast 2012 Posted on February 25, 2012
• Deadly Tornado Hits Rome, Ga Posted  on February 24, 2012

• Tornado Attacks Leave 100 Dead or Injured in Indonesia Posted on January 29, 2012
• State of Emergency Declared in Alabama Posted on January 24, 2012
• Deadly Tornado Season 2012 Begins Posted on January 23, 2012

Tornadoes, Flooding Destroy or Damage 600+ Homes in MI and WV

Tornadoes destroy or damage 126 homes in Michigan; flooding ruins 500 homes in W. Virginia

A powerful tornado, packing winds of about 135mph, touched down northeast of Dexter in Washtenaw County, located northwest of Ann Arbor, leveling or damaging at least 123 homes, uprooting trees and toppling power lines, sparking fires and flooding neighborhoods.

Disaster Calendar 2012 – March 16

[March 16, 2012]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,461 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

Map of Michigan Tornadoes

At least 3 tornado, 18 wind and 146 hail reports were received by SPC, as of posting.

• Michigan, USA.  A powerful tornado touched down northeast of Dexter, northwest of Ann Arbor, leveling or damaging at least 123 homes, uprooting trees and felling power lines, sparking fires and flooding neighborhoods. The  tornado, packing winds of 135mph, stayed on the ground for about 30 minutes leaving behind a 10-mile path of destruction.
  • Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department told Reuters that “there are homes leveled [in Dexter.]”
  • Sheriff’s spokesman told The AP that at least homes were destroyed and 105 others significantly damaged in Dexter and the surrounding area.
  • More than 200 people have been displaced and placed  in a temporary shelter at a nearby school.
  • Another tornado touched down in Columbiaville, Lapeer County causing damage to trees and powerliness. The tornado left a one-mile path of twisted debris, SPC said.
  • A third tornado touchdown in SSE of Ida, Monroe County, also caused damage to 3 homes, trees and powerlines.

Probabilities of significant tornadoes (F2-F5) in March – NSSL

The Enhanced Fujita Tornado Scale – Quick Chart

EF0: 65 TO  85 MPH
EF1: 86 TO 110 MPH
EF2: 111 TO 135 MPH
EF3: 136 TO 165 MPH
EF4: 166 TO 200 MPH
EF5: Wind speeds greater than 200 MPH (>322 km/hr)

• West Virginia, USA.Several counties in southern West Virginia experienced widespread flooding following severe storms and torrential rains.
  • The storms caused “extreme devastation” in Logan County.
  • “Once again, severe storms have caused major flooding in our state, causing significant devastation to both homes and businesses,” said the state governor (Earl Ray Tomblin).
  • Mingo County has declared a state of emergency following the deluge.
  • The governor is expected to declare a statewide state of emergency.
  • “The communities of Verdenville, Whitman, Mud Fork, Mt. Gay, Holden and several locations right in the downtown district were affected, with the estimate of homes damaged or destroyed being over 500 as of now,” said a report.
  • At least a dozen roads and bridges in Logan County alone were closed due to high water, mudslides, washouts and rock falls, reports said.
  • The towns of Griffithsville and Yawkey in Lincoln County were also severely hit by flooding.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar 

Related Links

• Tornado Death Toll Climbs to 49 Posted on March 3, 2012
• Extreme Weather: States of Emergency Declared in 4 States Posted on March 2, 2012

• Tornado Alley Maps for June
• Nebraska Nuke Plant Remains Shut After Missouri River Flooding
• The worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history
• U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather
• MEGA DELUGE 2011?
• Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley

•  Tornado Dead to Haunt Missouri Officials
• The worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history
• U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather
• MEGA DELUGE 2011?

• 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season: AAA
• Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley

Tornadoes 2012

• Deadly Tornadoes Slam Midwest Posted on February 29, 2012
• Map of Tornado Reports (filtered) 28 February – 02 March 2012
• U.S. Tornado Forecast 2012 Posted on February 25, 2012
• Deadly Tornado Hits Rome, Ga Posted  on February 24, 2012

• Tornado Attacks Leave 100 Dead or Injured in Indonesia Posted on January 29, 2012
• State of Emergency Declared in Alabama Posted on January 24, 2012
• Deadly Tornado Season 2012 Begins Posted on January 23, 2012

State of Emergency Declared in S. Louisiana Following Widespread Flooding

Dozens of homes in four Acadiana parishes inundated

States of emergency have been declared in four south Louisiana parishes— Acadia, Lafayette, St. Landry and St. Martin—after floodwaters from severe thunderstorms caused widespread flooding.

Disaster Calendar 2012 – March 13

[March 13, 2012]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,464 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

• Louisiana, USA.  State officials declared states of emergency in four south Louisiana parishes—Acadia, Lafayette, St. Landry and St. Martin—after floodwaters from severe thunderstorms caused widespread flooding.
  • “We had up to 7 feet of water on some streets,” said Capt. Kip Judice, the sheriff’s spokesman. “We had no deaths or injuries but a lot of near calls.”
  • SPC received reports of 4 tornadoes in Louisiana, one of which caused significant damage in Acadia.

• Kentucky, USA.  FEMA has added several more Kentucky counties to the disaster declaration for the state following he deadly tornadoes and violent storms that left at least 22 people dead and caused widespread damage.
  • Currently, there are 16 counties in the Kentucky disaster declaration:  BATH, CAMPBELL, CARROLL, GRANT, JOHNSON, KENTON, LAUREL, LAWRENCE, MAGOFFIN, MARTIN, MENIFEE, MONTGOMERY, MORGAN, PENDLETON, ROWAN and WOLFE.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar: Collapse has already Begun

U.S. Tornado Forecast 2012

Theft of Intellectual Properties from FIRE-EARTH Discourages Tornado Forecast

Due to the theft of intellectual properties from FIRE-EARTH blog, the Moderators are reluctant to publish tornado forecasts for the 2012 season.

However, summaries of the major tornadic, and other extreme weather/ climatic events will be posted on the Blog, as they occur.

Related Links

• Tornado Alley Maps for June
• Nebraska Nuke Plant Remains Shut After Missouri River Flooding
• The worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history
• U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather
• MEGA DELUGE 2011?
• Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley

•  Tornado Dead to Haunt Missouri Officials
• The worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history
• U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather
• MEGA DELUGE 2011?

• 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season: AAA
• Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar 

• Tornado Attacks Leave 100 Dead or Injured in Indonesia Posted on January 29, 2012
• State of Emergency Declared in Alabama Posted on January 24, 2012
• Deadly Tornado Season 2012 Begins Posted on January 23, 2012
• U.S. Tornado Forecast 2012 Posted on February 25, 2012

Deadly Tornado Hits Rome, Ga

EF-1 Tornado kills at least one, leaving a 3-mile swath of destruction in Floyd County, Georgia

Disaster Calendar 2012 – February 24

[February 24, 2012]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,482 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

• Georgia, USA.   EF1 tornado with winds of about 95mph (153 km/hr) struck Rome (Floyd County), Ga., killing at least one personand devastating a vast area.
  • The twister damaged about 100 homes in Kingston Highway area, reports said.
  • This was the second time in recent months that Floyd County was hit by a tornado.
  • Tornado touched down in Floyd County at about 10:15pm Wednesday, just west of the Maplewood subdivision in Rome, and traveled 3.25 miles, SPC said.

The Enhanced Fujita Tornado Scale – Quick Chart

EF0: 65 TO 85 MPH
EF1: 86 TO 110 MPH
EF2: 111 TO 135 MPH
EF3: 136 TO 165 MPH
EF4: 166 TO 200 MPH
EF5: Wind speeds greater than 200 MPH

Related Links

• Tornado Alley Maps for June
• Nebraska Nuke Plant Remains Shut After Missouri River Flooding
• The worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history
• U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather
• MEGA DELUGE 2011?
• Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley

•  Tornado Dead to Haunt Missouri Officials
• The worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history
• U-S Attacked by Continued Severe Weather
• MEGA DELUGE 2011?

• 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season: AAA
• Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar 

• Tornado Attacks Leave 100 Dead or Injured in Indonesia Posted on January 29, 2012

• State of Emergency Declared in Alabama Posted on January 24, 2012

• Deadly Tornado Season 2012 Begins Posted on January 23, 2012

State of Emergency Declared in Alabama

Alabama Declares a State of Emergency in All 67 Counties

Deadly tornadoes and severe storms leave at least 2 dead, more than a hundred injured and hundreds of homes destroyed or damaged.

Disaster Calendar 2012 – January 24

[January 24, 2012]  Mass die-offs resulting from human impact and the planetary response to the anthropogenic assault could occur by early 2016.  SYMBOLIC COUNTDOWN: 1,513 Days Left to the ‘Worst Day’ in Human History

• Alabama, USA.Gov. Bentley has declared a state of emergency in all 67 counties after deadly tornadoes and severe storms left at least 2 dead, more than a hundred injured and hundreds of homes destroyed or damaged.
  • Heavy rains has intensified  flooding across North Alabama.
  • Chilton County: WKLF RADIO STUDIO DESTROYED … AND 302 FOOT TRANSMISSION TOWER WAS TOPPLED AT THE INTERSECTION OF ALABAMA HIGHWAY 22 AND COUNTY ROAD 37. (Source: SPC)
  • Butler County: DAMAGE TO METAL BUILDING WITH ONE INJURED NEARBY. (Source: SPC)

US Tornado Map Jan 23, 2012. (Source: SPC)

US Tornado Map Jan 22, 2012 -UPDATED. (Source: SPC)

Southern U.S. Wintertime Tornado Outbreak

Several damage surveys were completed today in the wake of a tornado outbreak in Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama last night. Most of the damage surveyed so far has been rated EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, indicating considerable damage with wind speeds reaching between 111 and 135 mph. However, the tornado that passed through Clay, Alabama, which is just north of Birmingham has been rated an EF-3. This tornado produced significant damage and was capable of wind speeds between 136 and 165 mph. (Source: NWS)

• The Storm Prediction Center received 23 tornado reports, 118 high wind reports and 35 large hail reports from Sunday’s outbreak:
• Arkansas: 10 tornado reports
• Alabama: 9
• Mississippi:  2
  • NWS STORM SURVEY DETERMINES AN EF-2 TORNADO WITH MAX EST WINDS OF 120 MPH CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE IN EXTREME NE BOLIVAR COUNTY. PATH LENGTH 3.75 MI. (NWS)
• Tennessee: 1
• Kentucky: 1
  • TORNADO BEGAN AT HAZEL KY TO NEW PROVIDENCE KY. 100 YRDS WIDE AND 5.6 MILES LONG. PK WND 95MPH. PROPERTY DAMAGE 50K. HUNDREDS OF TREES UPROOTED/SNAPPED. HOUSE WITH SHIN. (NWS)
• Georgia: 2 tornadoes struck Macon and Dooly Counties Saturday, NWS said.

Tornadoes have destroyed or damaged about 500 homes throughout the region and uprooted/snapped thousands of trees.

Other Global Disasters

• Papua New Guinea (PNG). A massive landslide has completely buried two villages in PNG.
  • “The landslide is about a kilometer long and about 300 meters wide. There are people buried underneath and a number of them are from what I have heard, children.” Local MP Francis Potape has told Radio Australia.
  • At least 40 people are reportedly missing, reports said.
  • The landslide occurred near Exxon-Mobil’s liquefied natural gas project in the new Hela Province, blocking the main road and stopping work at the site and a nearby airfield.

Global Disasters: Links, Forecasts and Background

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Back to the Primordial Future
• Mass Die-offs

• 2010 Disasters [Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters
• 2011 Disaster Calendar
• 2012 Disaster Calendar

• Washington declares a state of emergency amid deadly ice storm
• Massive snowstorm in the Northwest closes schools, halts transportation

• Deadly Tornado Season 2012 Begins

20 Tornadoes Hit North Dakota Over the Weekend

North Dakota Attacked by 20 Tornadoes, 10 on Saturday, 10 on Sunday

Total of 179 severe weather reports for the weekend were received at SPC, including 20 tornado sightings.

Severe weather reports for July 16 17, 2011 (Source: SPC)

Probability map for July Tornadoes

The probability of having one or more days with a tornado within 25 miles of a point sometime during a month. The base data for all tornadoes are the reports from 1980-1994 and for significant and violent tornadoes are the reports from 1921-1995. The values are probabilities in percent. Source: Severe Thunderstorms Climatology

Related Links

• Tornado Alley Maps for June
• April Tornado Stats
• The worst tornado outbreak in U.S. history
• Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley

Tornado hits Churchill Downs, Kentucky

Images of the Day

Supercell storm produces  tornado at Churchill Downs, Kentucky

Radar data from the NWS Doppler Radar during the evening of June 22, 2011. The top two images are “reflectivity” showing the supercell storm which produced a tornado at Churchill Downs race track. The tornado is located in the “hook” area on the southwest side of the supercell. The bottom two images are “storm-relative velocity” images. Source: NWS. Click image to enlarge.

This animation shows Doppler radar storm-relative velocity data. A different supercell storm produced a cyclonic  circulation highlighted in the black circle (red-green couplet). This circulation was responsible for producing an EF-1 tornado in the Jeffersonville, KY area. Source: NWS. Click image to enlarge and animate.

 

Related Links

• 43 Tornadoes Reported in 5 States
• Tornado, Flood and Red Flag Warnings
• Mega Tornadoes to Bombard U-S Tornado Alley

2011 Disasters

• 2011 Disaster Calendar – June
• 2011 Much More Disastrous
• 2010 Disasters [Includes Links to 2010 Disaster Calendar]
• Mega Disasters: 2011 SIX TIMES MORE DISASTROUS THAN 2010
• 2011 Disaster Calendar