Tungurahua Volcano Evacuates 25,000

Four different villages on the slope of the Tungurahua Volcano ("Throat of Fire" in the indigenous Quechua languague) in Ecuador were evacuated on December 1 as the volcano became active for the first time in four months. This 16,500 foot volcano, located in the Andes Mountains just south of the capital Quito, forced 25,000 people out of their native villages and homes and into refugee housing provided by local authorities. 

Information for this story was found at:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/12/pictures/111207-tungurahua-volcano-eruption-science-ecuador/#/tungurahua-volcano-erupts-in-ecuador-

cone_44911_600x450.jpg

http://www.hispanicallyspeakingnews.com/notitas-de-noticias/details/25000-evacuated-in-ecuador-due-to-tungurahua-volcano/12149/

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/pb-111130-volcano-ecuador-nj-02.photoblog900.jpg

Japan Hands Over Tsunami Relief Funds

I wanted to share this story with my extreme weather tracking blog to show another side of donating and the use of relief funds that I found to be very interesting.

The Japanese government decided to give $29 million of their tsunami relief funds to the whaling industry, which the government explains as a long-standing Japanese tradition. While there is not much of a demand (if any) for whale meat in this day and age, Japan has been receiving permission from the International Whaling Commission for years now to continue their "research-based" whale hunt, claiming 1000 (accounted for) whales every winter. Recent polls in Japan even show that 95% of residents say they rarely eat whale meat, if ever.

While there are several thousands still awaiting relief from the tsunamis in March, Japan is backing their decision entirely, claiming several people are awaiting the whale meat. Many residents of Japan disagree, saying they could spend the money on helping suffering Japanese.

While several are left awaiting relief in the form of food, shelter, or medical attention, Japan will be using the money you donated to buy a new whaling fleet.

http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2011/12/12/blood-money-tsunami-recovery-funds-go-to-japans-whaling-industry/

Quake Hits Mexico

12-11-2011- A 6.5 magnitude earthquake strikes just 100 miles outside of Mexico City in the state of Guerrero, even shaking resorts in Acapulco. It is said the quake was felt in nearly nine of Mexico's state, and claimed 3 lives. These lives were claimed by caving rooftops, and car accidents caused by falling rocks. Many other residents were frightened by the swaying buildings and waited outside, hoping for the best.

The USGS reports the quake occurred at a depth of 40.3 miles.

More on this, http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2011-12-10/mexico-earthquake/51788440/1?csp=hf

10th Hottest Year Since 1850

Recent reports released suggest that this year has become the 10th hottest year on record since 1850 (when they started to record data). The secretary for the World Meteorological Organization, Michael Jarraud, states that greenhouse gases are continuing to rise, and the global average temperature has risen nearly 2.4 degree Celsius. Jarraud also argues that this increase in temperature is due to human activity and that the science behind it is indisputable.

Scientists suggest that if the temperatures keep rising over 2 degrees Celsius, this will lead to mass extinctions and other catastrophic events.

Some suggest that La Nina is to blame for the rise in temperatures and extreme weather patterns this year. Droughts in East Africa, the United States, large floods in Thailand and Asia, and an extremely active tornado season. Sea ice in the Arctic was also measured to be the second-lowest it has ever been.

For more on this, http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2011/11/2011-a-year-of-extreme-weather-and-the-10th-hottest-on-record.html

Is frequent extreme weather becoming the norm?

As I peruse the internet for articles on extreme weather events around the world, I cannot help but notice most articles are reporting on a recent reports that have come out of the climate change conference. 194 countries plan to meet tomorrow in South Africa (Monday, Novemeber 28th) to discuss what they plan to do about these increasing threats. Some of the problems they plan to address include who will help to fund developing countries in their needs for disaster prevention, safety and relief, how to protect rain forests and the need for clean energy and technology. Many developing countries feel that their needs are being neglected and they are not receiving the help they truly need in these disasters increasing in frequency.

Some of the main obstacles come from the United States Congress, and other climate-change skeptics that believe human influence on the increasing problems is non-existent. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change worries that there is not enough faith in scientifically-based evidence, as they just recently released a detailed report on the increasing frequency and intensity of storms around the world (such as cyclones, droughts, and others).

These conferences tend to largely criticize the United States for their lack of effort towards reducing their emissions, even though they play a large role in green house gas emissions. The U.S. has previously rejected Kyoto Protocol, which required countries to reduce their overall emissions.

More on this, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/28/science/earth/nations-meet-to-address-problems-of-climate-change.html

Minnesota Shocked by First Snow Fall

I wanted to report on this story because I was driving from Minneapolis to Eau Claire on Saturday as the snow began to fall, and witnessed large amounts of terrible driving skills combined with first-snow-fall paranoia.

Reporters say that with just 3 inches of an icy-snow mix, there were 261 crashes on the highway alone in less than 3 hours time. Of these accidents, 49 people were hospitalized and 1 was killed.

Minnesota Officials want to remind everyone that when the snow falls, most speed rules can be adjusted. Even if you have ABS or new tires, reducing your speed is the easiest thing we can do to reduce the risk of an accident.

REMEMBER: If you are afraid or just simply do not drive well in the snow, Minnesota/Wisconsin is not the right place for you to live :)

More on this, http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/Slick-Roads-Follow-Saturday-Minn.-Snow-nov-20-2011
http://www.sctimes.com/article/20111120/NEWS01/111190040/1st-snow-year-creates-some-havoc-temperatures-rise-week

Bangkok Cleans Up

Residents of Bangkok pitch in to help begin a massive clean up effort in their city from the major flooding they've been experiencing since this summer. Over 600 people were killed in these floods, mostly from drowning. Business and homeowners say that their efforts in clean up and rebuilding will be centralized around more "flood-friendly" buildings, using different materials such as bricks to resist mold build up, etc. These efforts are costing citizens anywhere from $400-6,000 US dollars.

For more on this story, http://blogs.wsj.com/searealtime/2011/11/21/bangkok-begins-post-flood-clean-up/

Quake Shakes Oklahoma

On Sunday, November 6th, an earthquake of magnitude 5.6 with a depth of 5 km. While earthquakes in Oklahoma is not uncommon, they are often times too small to be felt. In 2009-10, the USGS reported nearly 50 earthquakes and seismic activity, some of which were great enough to be felt. The quakes on Sunday were the largest magnitudes during this period of activity, and the magnitude 5.6 was the largest ever reported in Oklahoma during modern times. 

The information on this quake was found using: www.usgs.gov  

Weather Predictions for the Future Contains More Extremes

Recently the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report that top scientists predict more extreme weather patterns in the future. In the final pages of the report, scientists claim that there is a 2-in-3 probability that extremes within the climate have already intensified due to an increase in man-made greenhouse gases. Single-day rainstorms that in the past have occurred approximately every twenty years, may now occur at a rate of twice a decade. With drying and warming conditions, increase in droughts is a definite possibility as well.

Scientists claim an event like the flooding in Thailand can also be viewed as a way to depict how closely related climate is to other things such as overpopulation, urban development and river management. An interesting time to report on the effects of overpopulation, as we reached seven billion people as of Halloween.

This story was found at:  http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/globalwarming/story/2011-11-01/climate-weather-extremes/51031618/1

Lives Lost in Big Rumble in Turkey

Sources say that nearly 500 people have died since a 7.2 magnitude quake that hit Southeastern Turkey earlier this week. Survivors in Eastern Turkey beg disaster relief for more tents as hundreds have been displaced and left to survive in the snowy, cold temperatures.


More at, http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/72-earthquake-in-turkey/2011/10/23/gIQAOjWh9L_gallery.html#photo=12

Thai Declares Public Holiday for Flood Victims

The Thai Government declared October 27-31 a public holiday for flood victims to get everything in order, and prepare for predicted high tides in the near future. Bangkok city officials are concerned that nearly 13 districts along the Chao Pyraya River (the city's largest waterway) will not be able to escape the flooding that is expected to occur and warn victims to be prepared. Over the last three months, the Don Muang, which has drowned nearly a third of the country and killed 366 people in the last few months.

The airport has been home to nearly 4,000 displaced citizens and has quickly run out of room. Citizens are very concerned for what the future brings.

Image found: http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2011/10/25/mi-thai-water-cp-rtr2t627.jpg

More on this story can be found: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/10/25/thailand-flooding-bangkok-airport.html

Bangkok Prepares for the Worst Flooding in 50 Years.

As Thailand is experiencing the worst flooding in nearly half of a century, officials are quick to blame human activity for increasing the intensity of the usual monsoon season and making it a disaster. Monsoon season has claimed nearly 300 lives from the Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand, and displaced several thousands of citizens. As the flooding continues to spread through Thailand, officials warn that Bangkok could experience the worst (heavy rains, high tides and flooding from elsewhere)--so residents are taking several precautions, stripping stores of their food, water, and candles. Soldiers are frantic, trying to lay out hundreds of thousands of sand bags and protect dikes from boundary battles as people take any measure necessary to keep themselves and their families safe from mother nature.


Director of the National Disaster Warning Center, Cpt. Somsak Khaosuwan, says that Bangkok is simply not prepared for a disaster of this magnitude and blames it on the never-ending increase in population. “This is the sign that we should preserve the forest,” he said. “We’ve hurt nature for a long time, and right now it seems that nature wants to pay us back.” 


More on this, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/14/world/asia/a-natural-disaster-in-thailand-guided-by-human-hand.html

Mexico Prepares for the Worst With Hurricane Jova

Several beach/resort cities in Mexico, such as Barra de Navidad are bracing themselves and preparing their communities to expect the worst from Hurricane Jova. In this particular article, it discusses the different routes of preparedness and safety precautions different people are taking. Residents and tourists alike were advised to head inland, as Jova is predicted to collide with "tourist resorts and flood-prone mountain villages." While some immediately headed for shelter in cities like Jaluco, several decided to try and ride it out. Most residents in this region are migrant farmworkers and understood they must seek shelter elsewhere, as their houses were not sturdy enough to withstand such weather and protect their families. However, some tourists decided to stay, saying they have been through comparable weather in the past.

The hurricane is said to have maximum sustained winds up to 100 mph, and is predicted to Barra de Navidad and Puerto Vallarta around midnight this evening.

For more, http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/10/11/ap/business/main20118714.shtml
Photo: http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/post/2011/10/hurricane-jova-mexico-puerto-vallarta/552417/1

Flooding in Swampscott, MA!

Major floods in Swampscott, Salem and other areas of Massachusetts caused several problems for the residents in this area. I wanted to write about this story because my family lives in Swampscott, MA.

ENGINEERING APPROACH:

what are the physical causes for the magnitude and frequency of natural hazards at certain sites and how can protection be provided against the most damaging consequences?

Emma, in her street, Tuesday morning

A local meteorologist reported that most of the rain occured in a mere 45 minutes! During this, he reported two fifteen minute periods each had nearly 1.1 inches of precipitation alone. He suspects that this rainfall and flooding could boast record setting rainfall in such a short span of time.

BEHAVIORAL APPROACH:
While reading on this story, it sounds as though Swampscott residents did not hardly receive any warning of the intensity or magnitude of the flooding. There was a lot of damage done to homes, cars and other personal items that residents did not prepare for. One women even reported that she felt like there was no where to go, and had no idea how to get out. I believe this story was the first of it's kind in several years in this area, and the meteorologists seem just as stumped as residents but I believe there should be more of a system put in place in the event that a flood of this magnitude should occur again. It sounds as though the floodgate system may have also been slightly neglected, because residents had not implemented it in several years.

Lastly, I think the residents in this area really need to be educated on the dangers of flooding and what could happen if you attempt to go to work, go outside, etc. Several people were forced to abandon their cars in the middle of flooded areas because they reported they were not able to gauge the depth of the water. I think these situations could be greatly reduced if residents were not allowed to drive in these conditions.

DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH:
The residents of Swampscott and other areas affected by this storm could have benefited from education on the dangers of flooding in this area, and what sorts of precautions they can take at home to better prepare them for potential/future flooding. This area was particularly vulnerable I believe because they have not received a flood of this magnitude in several years.

COMPLEXITY APPROACH:
The city of Swampscott (among others) was not prepared for this type of disaster to occur. Several of the articles quoted residents that were willing to admitt they had no idea where the storm came from, why it happened, or how to handle the situation. Many of the residents reported a lack of confidence in their floodgate/structual system, and received no advanced warning that the storm was going to occur. Although there are often cases where there is not much advanced notice for residents, the residents were still not educated on what preparations or precautions to take in the event that a flood of this magnitude should happen. Additionally, houses in this area were not built to withstand floods, causing a lot of dangerous situations. The community needs to pull together to discuss what residents can do in the event that this should happen again.

http://www.boston.com/Boston/metrodesk/2011/10/swampscott-rising-waters-swamped-cars-and-turned-streets-into-rivers/Qvjy26nFgGKGqh7hzMGDyN/index.html

http://swampscott.patch.com/articles/record-setting-rainfall

Typhoons Have Me Worrying!

[Near Manila, Philippines]
Back to back typhoons in the Philippines have left hundreds of people stranded on their rooftops for several days now, as they wait for rescue workers to provide them with much needed food and water! I have been following this story closely, as my best friend is currently living in the Philippines doing work with the Peace Corps. While I am anxiously awaiting contact from her, I continue to read the stories and see the pictures. The damaged caused by these two typhoons is estimated to reach nearly $726 million dollars, and the flooding is not predicted to go down any time soon. They have also predicted nearly 55 people have died, and as conditions make it increasingly harder to reach farming villages, they are afraid the number may only increase.

www.usatoday.com

Is DC Ready for Any Disaster?

Several federal agencies and officials are planning to simulate a full scale natural disaster today at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. The will be testing their mobile command vehicles, mobile morgue, de-con units, mega-shelter operations, and several other things.

Millicent West, Director of D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, says that D.C. still have several things to work on but that it is most important for people to know their own role in the case of an emergency. For that reason, D.C. is working hard to educate the public on what is expected of them in an emergency situation. She states, "We want to make sure that everybody understands that sometimes evacuation is not the first course of action." 


http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/dc/dc-to-simulate-full-scale-natural-disaster-at-rfk-stadium-092711

Senate Rejected House Disaster-relief bill

Early Saturday, Senate rejected the House's bill to provide more funding for disaster relief. The bill would provide the Federal Emergency Management Aid (FEMA) with enough funding to last until mid-November. Without the bill, FEMA has predicted to run out of funding as early as Monday this week. Some say passing this bill is the only way to get immediate assistance to American families suffering from recent disasters.

The most recent version of the House bill is attempting to redirect the cost of disaster relief by getting rid of a separate loan program in the Energy Department that promotes such things as energy-efficient cars. Democrats are furious, saying that the department creates thousands of jobs.

Hopefully the Government can start learning how to compromise, so that we can provide American families with the relief families are so desperately seeking.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/09/23/MNAM1L8NJS.DTL

Joplin Tornado Assessment Offers Advice for Disaster Preparedness

The National Weather Service recently released a disaster assessment report on the May 22nd tornado in Joplin, MO. It acknowledges the things done correctly, and offers some advice for better preparedness in the future. One of the most important things the National Weather Service had to offer was to better improve warning communications to better convey a sense of urgency so that citizens can understand they must act immediately. They also made several suggestions for updating technology such as GPS systems, and alert systems such as sending warnings by text message.

This photo shows only a portion of the damage done in Joplin, MO 

For more on this story, http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2011/20110920_joplin.html

Quake Shakes India

Over 50 people were killed, and 100,000 + homes were destroyed in a quake that hit on Sunday evening. Many of the deaths in this earthquake occurred due to houses that were already weakened by monsoon season in Nepal and India. This quake registered about 6.9 magnitude, and devastated the Himalayan region!

Minnesota Wildfire Reaches Brewers Fans

Recent wildfire has brought smoke and haze to Milwaukee all the way from Northern Minnesota. Miller Park staff was noticing the haze significantly before the Brewers faced the Colorado Rockies, therefore closing the roof and outfield panels. Staff said there was still a haze after the roof was closed but no complaints of smelling any smoke.

This fire was started by a strike of lightning near the Boundary Waters on August 18th but only started truly spreading after recent windy and dry conditions. This fire spread 16 miles in less than 24 hours time. 

In some articles printed, professionals advised anyone in Wisconsin with breathing problems should take it easy because the smoke has been reported to be very thick. 

More on this story can be found at: 

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/129719823.html

Tropical Storm Lee Hit Millersville, PA.

This video was filmed near Millersville, PA after the evacuation order was lifted from nearly 60,000 residents on Saturday, September 10th.  The damage caused is estimated to cost tens of millions, and took nearly 15 lives.