Massive snowstorm causes death, destruction in eastern United States
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Showing posts with label Extreme Weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Extreme Weather. Show all posts
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Thursday, January 14, 2016
"Alex" marks rare tropical weather event
Atlantic season opens early, with Subtropical Storm Alex bearing down on the Azores Islands
Monday, January 4, 2016
Extreme weather in central US abates
Recovery begins from December tornadoes, floods which affected those in eight states
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Floods in Indian city continue; hundreds dead
Authority, criticized for inept response, promises relief soon; much of city remains under water
Monday, October 19, 2015
Koppu hammers Philippines
Slow-moving storm kills two, displaces thousands; still considered a threat despite weakening
Friday, May 2, 2014
Hundreds perish in massive landslide
Entire mountainside swallows large swath of village in Afghanistan.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Severe storms, tornadoes ravage central US
At least eighteen dead, dozens injured across six states; federal assistance to be made available.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Deadly heatwave grips eastern India
Scorching temperatures have officials and healthcare professionals alarmed, with emergency procedures being activated.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Tornado outbreak across three US states
A bizarre mid-November storm cell swept through ten states yesterday, with dozens of dangerous tornadoes reported in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. While at least six individuals have been confirmed dead, officials believe that hundreds could be injured or displaced by the event; there are no estimates as yet regarding property damage.
Tornadic activity is not unprecedented for November, though it is certainly rare. If you combine that with the sheer volume of twisters - along with the severity many of them possessed - then yesterday's outbreak becomes much more than merely an 'uncommon' occurrence.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24982072
Tornadic activity is not unprecedented for November, though it is certainly rare. If you combine that with the sheer volume of twisters - along with the severity many of them possessed - then yesterday's outbreak becomes much more than merely an 'uncommon' occurrence.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24982072
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Typhoon leaves devastation in Philippines
Super-Typhoon Haiyan rumbled through the Philippines this last weekend, and what was left in its wake was horrific. With sustained winds at nearly 200 MPH and storm surges more resembling a tsunami than a typhoon, preparation efforts implemented by Philippine Authority proved to be largely futile; early estimates suggest at least 11,000 people were killed, with 600,000 rendered homeless and property damage currently being incalculable.
Despite its best efforts aid from Authority has been slow to come for many, due to mechanized travel being disrupted by roads, bridges, and airports being washed out; these efforts have been further exacerbated by rampant lawlessness in the immediate aftermath, with widespread looting being reported. The United Nations has responded to calls for assistance, along with the United States, which has deployed military forces to provide humanitarian aid.
Professional journalists at Ground Zero used phrases like 'off the scale,' and 'apocalyptic,' to describe that to which they were bearing witness, and from the many gut-wrenching stories and photographs coming from the catastrophe these terms seem apropos. While Philippine Authority deals with multiple typhoons on a yearly basis, in retrospect evacuation measures were woeful at best; many have noted that much of this tragedy could have been averted by thoughtful, sound preparations.
Note: It is not lost on me that our troops are being sent on an 'aid and comfort' mission during a Veterans Day weekend; somehow, due to their courage such a mission feels right, though the circumstances which facilitates the deployment are heartbreaking. I honor our troops - they are the best of us.
Pic courtesy of NOAA, via Wikipedia
Professional journalists at Ground Zero used phrases like 'off the scale,' and 'apocalyptic,' to describe that to which they were bearing witness, and from the many gut-wrenching stories and photographs coming from the catastrophe these terms seem apropos. While Philippine Authority deals with multiple typhoons on a yearly basis, in retrospect evacuation measures were woeful at best; many have noted that much of this tragedy could have been averted by thoughtful, sound preparations.
Note: It is not lost on me that our troops are being sent on an 'aid and comfort' mission during a Veterans Day weekend; somehow, due to their courage such a mission feels right, though the circumstances which facilitates the deployment are heartbreaking. I honor our troops - they are the best of us.
Pic courtesy of NOAA, via Wikipedia
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Super typhoon targeting Philippines
Scientists upgraded Typhoon Haiyan to a category 5 yesterday, with meteorologists calling it the worst storm in a year. With torrential rains and wind gusts of up to 155 miles per hour, Haiyan's arrival is triggering the evacuations of tens of thousands of individuals residing in coastal areas of the Philippines, a nation which has endured its share of natural cataclysms in 2013; this latest storm is expected to make landfall tomorrow.
I will have more on the aftermath of this event at the beginning of next week.
Photo: U.S. Naval Research Lab
I will have more on the aftermath of this event at the beginning of next week.
Photo: U.S. Naval Research Lab
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Typhoon drives hundreds of thousands from homes
A mass evacuation occurred over the weekend, as Typhoon Fitow hammered the southeastern coast of China. The storm made landfall yesterday, obliterating homes, businesses and farmlands, while shutting down all forms of mechanized transportation. Thus far five individuals have been killed by Fitow, with four additional people still missing.
Hundreds of thousands were driven from their homes ahead of the storm, which packed 94 MPH winds and up to 8 inches of rain in some locations; one city, Wenzhou, saw over 1,700 homes and 115,000 acres of farmland destroyed. Over three million people were affected in Zhejiang alone, with estimated damages reaching over $330 million. There is as yet no official account regarding the extent of damage nationwide.
To date China has endured 23 typhoons in 2013, an unusually high number. While Authority in China is accustomed to dealing with multiple storms, with better-than-adequate emergency procedures in place, even they are feeling overwhelmed by this year's events. Fitow's destruction comes just three weeks after Typhoon Usagi, which killed 25 and damaged 7,100 homes while displacing over 400,000 people.
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| Coastal region hit by Fitow |
To date China has endured 23 typhoons in 2013, an unusually high number. While Authority in China is accustomed to dealing with multiple storms, with better-than-adequate emergency procedures in place, even they are feeling overwhelmed by this year's events. Fitow's destruction comes just three weeks after Typhoon Usagi, which killed 25 and damaged 7,100 homes while displacing over 400,000 people.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Flash floods batter Indian state
A state in western India has been devastated by flash floods this week. Monsoon rains have deluged Gujarat since last Saturday, killing 13 while forcing the evacuations of over 90,000 people. Several roads and bridges were overwhelmed by cresting rivers, crippling movement in the region while wrecking havoc on rescue and recovery efforts.
Municipal Authorities in the affected areas were caught off-guard by the results of this storm, due to the pre-monsoon preparations they had implemented. Officials were confident the steps they had taken would allow them to combat any water-based crisis, and this storm proved that the plans they laid out were inadequate at best, and grossly incompetent at worst.
India has weathered some of it worst floods in generations this season. The last month alone has been brutal throughout the nation, and back in June a horrific storm ripped through the northern part of the country, killing an estimated 6,000 people.
Municipal Authorities in the affected areas were caught off-guard by the results of this storm, due to the pre-monsoon preparations they had implemented. Officials were confident the steps they had taken would allow them to combat any water-based crisis, and this storm proved that the plans they laid out were inadequate at best, and grossly incompetent at worst.
India has weathered some of it worst floods in generations this season. The last month alone has been brutal throughout the nation, and back in June a horrific storm ripped through the northern part of the country, killing an estimated 6,000 people.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Japan's scorching summer sets records
The nation of Japan has finally cleared the summertime heat which ravaged its population, and the toll from the season is being calculated. From June through August of this year over 56,000 people from regions spanning the entire island nation were treated at hospitals for temperature-related illnesses, with at least 29 dying from heat stroke.
The middle of August was particularly brutal, with the mercury rising above 40°C (105°F) in many localities, shattering previous records. Food industries were also adversely affected, with poor crop yields and diminished diary production giving officials reason for concern.
It is not yet known what effect the three-month heatwave will have on long-term food supplies, though many are predicting a spike in prices as cooler weather takes hold. While Japan's primary food staple is fish (an industry which thrived during the steamy conditions), the foods which provide the side dishes used to add nutritional balance have suffered during this event; with only 13% of its land utilized for agriculture, any losses are considered potentially serious.
The middle of August was particularly brutal, with the mercury rising above 40°C (105°F) in many localities, shattering previous records. Food industries were also adversely affected, with poor crop yields and diminished diary production giving officials reason for concern.
It is not yet known what effect the three-month heatwave will have on long-term food supplies, though many are predicting a spike in prices as cooler weather takes hold. While Japan's primary food staple is fish (an industry which thrived during the steamy conditions), the foods which provide the side dishes used to add nutritional balance have suffered during this event; with only 13% of its land utilized for agriculture, any losses are considered potentially serious.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Colorado flooding a '1,000 year storm'
17 counties in the state of Colorado have been devastated by raging floods this past week. Starting with torrential downpours on Thursday, the near-constant rains since have caused rivers and streams to rapidly overflow their banks, creating large-scale mudslides while washing out several roads and bridges.
Ground-based rescue efforts were hampered for several days by the scope of the event, causing officials to go airborne through utilizing helicopters to reach victims of the catastrophe. One scientist has noted that this was an event which only happens once every thousand years, speaking volumes to its destructive power.
The numbers behind the suffering have wildly fluctuated over the last five days, but even the low estimates are tragic. It has been confirmed thus far that eight people are dead, with over 600 still missing. Reports state that - at minimum - 19,000 homes have been adversely affected, with at least 1,500 of those completely destroyed, causing officials to speculate that property damage will reach the $1B mark.
State authority is cautiously hopeful that the restoration of communication channels will find a majority of those still missing safe and sound, though admit the current numbers could skyrocket once the final tally is determined. Weather forecasts suggest that the worst of the rains have passed, although additional thunderstorms are still possible for the next 24 hours.
Ground-based rescue efforts were hampered for several days by the scope of the event, causing officials to go airborne through utilizing helicopters to reach victims of the catastrophe. One scientist has noted that this was an event which only happens once every thousand years, speaking volumes to its destructive power.
The numbers behind the suffering have wildly fluctuated over the last five days, but even the low estimates are tragic. It has been confirmed thus far that eight people are dead, with over 600 still missing. Reports state that - at minimum - 19,000 homes have been adversely affected, with at least 1,500 of those completely destroyed, causing officials to speculate that property damage will reach the $1B mark.
State authority is cautiously hopeful that the restoration of communication channels will find a majority of those still missing safe and sound, though admit the current numbers could skyrocket once the final tally is determined. Weather forecasts suggest that the worst of the rains have passed, although additional thunderstorms are still possible for the next 24 hours.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Brutal snowstorms ravage South America
Nations in the west-central region of South America have been enduring their worst winter in 30 years. Frigid temperatures and extreme snowstorms have brought everyday life to a standstill, with thousands of people trapped in the brutal conditions. Basic services have been interrupted, and in Peru - the hardest hit of the five affected countries - a 20 day state-of-emergency has been declared.
Thus far this season at least two dozen people have perished due to weather conditions in the region, along with tens of thousands of llamas, alpacas, and cattle. The agricultural losses threaten to devastate food supplies for months to come, and many are anxious that a ripple effect will upend the already fragile economy on the continent.
Efforts to bring relief to the 35,000-plus citizens in the disaster zone have been hampered by the adverse conditions, with a majority of said-citizens being completely cut-off from services needed for day-to-day living. Concern about additional deaths and rampant illness is driving officials to use a variety of methods (including airlifts) to deliver critical food-stocks and medicines into the overwhelmed areas; such necessities are rapidly being depleted, however, which is exacerbating the potential crisis.
Thus far this season at least two dozen people have perished due to weather conditions in the region, along with tens of thousands of llamas, alpacas, and cattle. The agricultural losses threaten to devastate food supplies for months to come, and many are anxious that a ripple effect will upend the already fragile economy on the continent.
Efforts to bring relief to the 35,000-plus citizens in the disaster zone have been hampered by the adverse conditions, with a majority of said-citizens being completely cut-off from services needed for day-to-day living. Concern about additional deaths and rampant illness is driving officials to use a variety of methods (including airlifts) to deliver critical food-stocks and medicines into the overwhelmed areas; such necessities are rapidly being depleted, however, which is exacerbating the potential crisis.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Drought causing critical food shortages
The most serious drought in 30 years is draining Namibia this season, with worst-case estimations warning that up to 778,000 people are facing critical food shortages. The northern region of the African nation, notoriously arid even in plentiful times, has not seen rain in over two years. Since over a third of the country's citizens survive through subsistence farming (i.e. the only food they eat is what they grow and raise for themselves), a continued drought will be cataclysmic.
Both UNICEF, the International Red Cross, and the Red Crescent Societies are requesting millions of dollars to combat the crisis, with UNICEF warning that, "the threat of hunger, malnutrition, disease and lost livelihoods is growing." With a population of only 2.1 million, the number mentioned above represents roughly one-third of Namibia's people; if that worst-case were to play out it would eviscerate the nation on multiple levels.
The Bank of Namibia has issued a report warning that the drought will reverberate beyond agricultural markets, adversely affecting the entire economy. The threat of food shortages combined with an economic downturn could lead to rampant unrest and virulent illnesses; while Namibia's stature has grown beyond third-world status in recent years, its not-to-distant history of mass-poverty and civil conflict causes grave concerns about the potential reaction to a sustained drought.
Namibia's economy especially thrives on ecotourism from the West, thus outbreaks in violence and disease could destroy its standing. The nation sits on the southwest coast of the continent, sharing a border with the nation of South Africa, and is known for its alluring accommodations and exotic animal reserves.
Both UNICEF, the International Red Cross, and the Red Crescent Societies are requesting millions of dollars to combat the crisis, with UNICEF warning that, "the threat of hunger, malnutrition, disease and lost livelihoods is growing." With a population of only 2.1 million, the number mentioned above represents roughly one-third of Namibia's people; if that worst-case were to play out it would eviscerate the nation on multiple levels.
The Bank of Namibia has issued a report warning that the drought will reverberate beyond agricultural markets, adversely affecting the entire economy. The threat of food shortages combined with an economic downturn could lead to rampant unrest and virulent illnesses; while Namibia's stature has grown beyond third-world status in recent years, its not-to-distant history of mass-poverty and civil conflict causes grave concerns about the potential reaction to a sustained drought.
Namibia's economy especially thrives on ecotourism from the West, thus outbreaks in violence and disease could destroy its standing. The nation sits on the southwest coast of the continent, sharing a border with the nation of South Africa, and is known for its alluring accommodations and exotic animal reserves.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Floods wreck havoc on the Philippines
For the second time in as many years relentless rains have hammered the Philippines over the last three days. 78 municipalities have been adversely affected, with over 60% of metropolitan Manila being under water yesterday; that region alone has over 12 million citizens.
All forms of modern travel have come to a standstill throughout the northern part of the nation, due to roads, bridges, and runways being washed out. Several swelled reservoirs are also at critical points, including Manila's La Mesa Reservoir, which is already overflowing.
The crisis arose from an intense monsoon season combining with the ill-timed arrival of Tropical Storm Trami. Beginning on Monday the downpours almost immediately trapped hundreds of people in their homes, although many more were able to escape before the worst of the torrents took place.
While it was still raining on Wednesday the intensity of the showers have diminished considerably, and officials are hopeful that rescue/recovery efforts can begin quickly. Thus far eight people have been confirmed dead, with over 280,000 displaced from their homes.
All forms of modern travel have come to a standstill throughout the northern part of the nation, due to roads, bridges, and runways being washed out. Several swelled reservoirs are also at critical points, including Manila's La Mesa Reservoir, which is already overflowing.
The crisis arose from an intense monsoon season combining with the ill-timed arrival of Tropical Storm Trami. Beginning on Monday the downpours almost immediately trapped hundreds of people in their homes, although many more were able to escape before the worst of the torrents took place.
While it was still raining on Wednesday the intensity of the showers have diminished considerably, and officials are hopeful that rescue/recovery efforts can begin quickly. Thus far eight people have been confirmed dead, with over 280,000 displaced from their homes.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Severe drought batters central China
Oppressive heat in Central China continues to feed drought conditions in the region. The provinces of Hunan, Guizhou and Hubei are taking the brunt of the emergency, with well over a million people being left without adequate drinking water. As of Saturday 186 rivers and 252 reservoirs have completely dried up.
Agriculture has also been affected adversely, with widespread crop-failures and dying livestock a lingering probability if conditions do not improve soon; in one area it is already estimated that 33,300 hectares will bear no harvest this season. While the burden is being felt immediately in China, a sustained drought in this region could eventually impact the entire global food chain.
Chinese officials have been pouring resources of manpower, water, and materials into the region, with varying results. The crisis, which began in mid-June, is not expected to abate for - at minimum - the next few months.
Agriculture has also been affected adversely, with widespread crop-failures and dying livestock a lingering probability if conditions do not improve soon; in one area it is already estimated that 33,300 hectares will bear no harvest this season. While the burden is being felt immediately in China, a sustained drought in this region could eventually impact the entire global food chain.
Chinese officials have been pouring resources of manpower, water, and materials into the region, with varying results. The crisis, which began in mid-June, is not expected to abate for - at minimum - the next few months.
Severe drought batters central China
Oppressive heat in Central China continues to feed drought conditions in the region. The provinces of Hunan, Guizhou and Hubei are taking the brunt of the emergency, with well over a million people being left without adequate drinking water. As of Saturday 186 rivers and 252 reservoirs have completely dried up.
Agriculture has also been affected adversely, with widespread crop-failures and dying livestock a lingering probability if conditions do not improve soon; in one area it is already estimated that 33,300 hectares will bear no harvest this season. While the burden is being felt immediately in China, a sustained drought in this region could eventually impact the entire global food chain.
Chinese officials have been pouring resources of manpower, water, and materials into the region, with varying results. The crisis, which began in mid-June, is not expected to abate for - at minimum - the next few months.
Agriculture has also been affected adversely, with widespread crop-failures and dying livestock a lingering probability if conditions do not improve soon; in one area it is already estimated that 33,300 hectares will bear no harvest this season. While the burden is being felt immediately in China, a sustained drought in this region could eventually impact the entire global food chain.
Chinese officials have been pouring resources of manpower, water, and materials into the region, with varying results. The crisis, which began in mid-June, is not expected to abate for - at minimum - the next few months.
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