Flood in Australia

Thousands of people were forced out of their homes on Sunday in New South Wales due to a rise in floodwaters.  More than 1500 people were evacuated to shelters because of forecasts of heavy rain later in the week.  Police in the area found a woman's body and believe she was washed 500 meters away from her car on Tuesday in floodwaters.  An average of 50mm of rain was likely to fall in some areas and others could get more than 100mm. 

I'm really glad that Australia is on top of their game and evacuating people before the disaster occurs.  They have the technology and forecast more rainfall and are doing what they can to help these people get out of the bad situations.  This all is possible because Australia is a more developed country with the right infrastructure to withstand an event such as this.


http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2010/12/05/Floods-in-Australia-force-thousands-out/UPI-43761291582683/
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/hundreds-cut-off-by-deadly-floods-20101208-18pxi.html

Mudslide in Colombia

Heavy rains caused a massive mudslide in Bello, Columbia.  The mudslide buried between 30-50 homes.  Officials believe that this happened on Sunday afternoon, when families were together for meals.  Rescue teams have uncovered 30 bodies from the mud and debris.  There are still more than 60 people missing.  There had been weeks of rain and flooding in many of the states that caused this event.  This happened when a saturated hilltop above the La Gabriela neighborhood collapsed.  Those who died included children who were playing in an adjoining park.  According to government secretary of Bello, "The zone, geologically, is very unstable."  There is at least 194 people dead and 248 injured from the rains throughout Columbia. 

I'm not sure I know how to react to an event like this.  I would think that with all the rain they've been getting, Columbia would have kept an eye on event like this and trying to prevent them from happening or injuring the people it did.  The worst part of this is that it happened at a bad time, when families were getting together for a meal.  I'm glad to hear that there are rescue teams out looking for people.


http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/12/07/colombia.landslide/index.html?iref=allsearch
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/7553236-30-bodies-pulled-from-mudslide-in-columbia-60-others-still-missing

Storm on the East Coast

Storms that were suspected to be tornadoes touched down in Louisiana and South Carolina and reached the northeast on late Wednesday.  As it made its way north, the rain turned into snow due to the colder air.  In parts of Virgina, sandbags were handed out to protect homes from flooding.  Along the east coast, at least three people were killed, flights were delayed, and thousands were without electricity.  According to police in New Jersey, a man was killed and his wife injured when a tree toppled and struck their car.  The National Weather Service said in Buford, Georgia a tornado went through with winds as high as 130 mph, damaging more than 50 homes.  There was flooding in Pennsylvania caused by wet, wintry weather. 

This is quite interesting because we just learned in class how the changes in the air can cause it to rain or snow and this is a perfect example because the rain turned into snow as it got colder.  This has impacted thousands of people because so many were without power and a few were even killed!  The only thing I can see that can be prevented is if people were not out driving and instead indoors in their basement, where it would be safe.  But at the rate the storm passed through you could have been like the one family where the mom didn't have time to get the kids to the basement and the storm already hit.  The homes that were damaged, will hopefully get their insurances to help pay for the damages. 


http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/2010-12-01-east-coast-storm_N.htm

Winter Weather Blast in Europe

When I wrote about this heavy snowfall on Monday, there weren't as much information on it yet because it was just starting.  Now I will report on it again and hopefully have more information. 

In Poland, at least eight homeless people have been killed due to the heavy snow and subzero temperatures.  Major airports in Britain and Switzerland are closed.  London's second largest airport was forced to shut down Wednesday as staff struggled to clear runways of snow.  This winter weather caused some 2,000 accidents on German roads.  In Austria a 69-year-old retiree froze to death overnight when slipped on a snow-covered bridge on his way home and lost consciousness.  Many flights were delayed and canceled.  Meteorologist Heinz Maurer said, "We've got unusually cold air over large parts of the eastern Atlantic, and where that meets warm air coming for example from the Mediterranean you have a lot of snow."  In Poland, police were looking for homeless people and getting them into shelters. 

I'm glad to hear that in Poland they have police out searching for homeless people and finding shelters for them.  This kind of relates to what we learned recently in class with cold air and warm air meeting, which gives a lot of snow.  I'm just waiting to see what they aftermath will be.  At this point Europe is taking precaution by cancelling flights and closing airports.  Europe is a more developed country, so I am thinking that they will have a plan for what to do once the storm is over.  They can also forecast what the weather will be like and warn people about what's coming their way.  With these warning, I would hope that people will make some wise decisions and stay indoors and not end up like the one person who froze to death.  This event has caused many tragedies and I hope it doesn't do any more damage than it already has.  


http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/winter/2010-12-01-europe-winter-weather_N.htm

Earthquake in Japan

A 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck off Japan's southern coast Tuesday, shaking a broad swath of the country and swaying buildings in downtown Tokyo.  There were no damage or injuries immediately reported.  Japan's meteorological agency said there was no danger of a tsunami. 

I have to say I am not surprised an earthquake of this magnitude hit Japan.  Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world.  Back in 1995, Japan had an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 killed 6,400 people in the western port city of Kobe.  Japan is a more developed country, so they will have the technology to predict when such an event is going to happen.  However, it would take a lot to have people evacuate an area incase an earthquake did happen.  If an earthquake was to occur, it would affect a lot of people like it did back in 1995. 


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/29/AR2010112906715.html

Snowstorm in Scotland



Scotland was hit by heavy snow and freezing temperatures, bringing chaos to roads and transport links across the country.  The Met office issued a severe weather warning for areas across Scotland with snowfalls of five to 15 cm.  Drivers were advised to not travel unless absolutely necessary.  Drivers on A82 were at a standstill with 200 vehicles stranded at one point.  Hundreds of schools across the country were closed.  In total, some 800 schools were closed in Scotland.  In the North-east and Scotland, some areas had snowfalls of more than 16 inches.  Traffic came to a standstill in heavy snow, where cars broke down and lorries struggled with the ice.  More snow is expected to fall in coming week and temperatures are dropping as well. 

Wow 16 inches of snow is quite a lot and more is expected!  The closest experience to this kind of heavy snowfall I can remember is last December when school was closed due to the snowstorm that occurred.  Since Scotland is a more developed country, I suspect that they will do all that they can to keep the roads clear and get traffic moving.  Scotland also has technology that will allow them to forecast what the weather will be like in the coming days, so people will know what to expect and better prepare themselves.  At this point there are many people affected by this event.  This snowstorm can get worse if snow continues to fall, but only time will tell.  Scotland can prepare themselves by making sure they have sufficient salt to salt the roads and have snow removed.

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/212645-weather-brings-scotland-to-a-standstill/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-11856694

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Snow-Weather-Severe-Weather-Warnings-Arctic-Temperatures-Treacherous-Commuting-Conditions/Article/200907415838366?lpos=UK_News_Top_Stories_Header_4&lid=ARTICLE_15838366_Snow_Weather%3A_Severe_Weather_Warnings_Arctic_Temperatures_Treacherous_Commuting_Conditions

Tornadoes in the Midwest

Last Monday, November 22, a tornado ripped through Wisconsin.  Officials said severe storms moved throughout the region leaving significant damage.  A twister passed near Walworth County on Monday afternoon.  The twister caused damage to eight homes according to the National Weather Service.  It is suspected that a second tornado may have caused some heavy damage in Racine County, but the National Weather Service has not confirmed reports of a second twister.  Some residents of an assisted-living facility had to be moved after heavy winds caused structural damage and forced the facility to rely on generator power. 

In Illinois, some children were injured when the bus they were riding rolled over due to high winds.  The emergency management director said  heavy winds destroyed the Caledonia town hall and one home, damaged three others and knocked out power to more than 500 residents.  According to the weather service, one business was severely damaged and a cracked grain silo was leaking grain. 

It is quite strange that there is a tornado at this time of year.  People in this area expect something like that to happen in the summer months.  The damage in Wisconsin and Illinois were both pretty bad causing all the damage that it did.  I think people may have been better prepared had this happened in the summer.  However, the upside of it is things are being down to help people get back to their homes safely.  In the case of the bus that rolled over, I think it should have not been operating in the first place if winds were strong enough to tip it over.


http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/11/22/illinois.wisconsin.storms/index.html?iref=allsearch
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/11/23/wisconsin.severe.weather/index.html?iref=allsearch

Floods in England

On Tuesday, November 17, a cold front pushing eastward through England produced heavy rain and localized flooding.  Rain struck the county of Cornwall, located in southwestern England.  Officials issued a warning for the region due to the nearly two inches of rain.  Some towns were hit hard by the flood, with parts impassable.  Several roads in the county are covered by water.  Area schools were closed the following days, while regional train lines have been closed due to flooding and landslides.  There hasn't been any reports of injuries or deaths, but officials advised residents stay indoors until the flood water retreat. 

I believe that since England is a more developed country, they will not be facing as many issues as that of Pakistan.  Their government will probably implement some kind of program to help those who are suffering.  This article also mentioned that there is a fear of a bridge collapsing.  If this does end up happening, there will be more damage and the government will have to figure something else out. 

http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/41732/flooding-strands-people-in-eng.asp

Pakistan Flood Update

It has been over 100 days since the monsoon rains caused Pakistan's floods.  In some areas, the water has receded, but in others the emergency is far from over.  Parts of Pakistan are still submerged and hundreds of thousands of people are living on bunds, or embankments, without any regular access to food supplies.  Food has to be flown in or sent by boat.  Some displaced families are returning home and need the critical support that food assistance can provide as they begin their recovery.  In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, work on recovery has begun as residents try to replant crops and rebuild the villages, schools, health centers and businesses that were destroyed.  The World Food Programme is supporting many of them with food as they rebuilt. 

UN aid agencies warned that funding would fall short, threatening emergency aid operations for millions of flood victims in Pakistan.  There is some 18 million people who are affected by this catastrophic flooding.  After 100 days, there is an estimated 14 million people who remain in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.  One agency said they will be forced to cut back vital aid programs in the New Year is it does not receive the money it needs. 

I have to say I'm not surprised to hear that agencies are short on money because I feel like there hasn't been very much on the news about the floods in Pakistan.  It has been 100 days since the monsoons hit and I don't expect Pakistan to receive any more aid especially because there has not been very much about them in the news lately.  I also wanna say this is due to the government's weak infrastructure.  I can imagine if something like this happened in the U.S., the government would have stepped in and done something. 

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Funding-Shortfalls-Jeopardize-Life-Saving-UN-Operations-in-Pakistan-106818238.html
http://www.wfp.org/stories/pakistan-100-days-flooding

Heavy Snowfall Causing 400 Accidents

Heavy snowfall on Saturday caused more than 400 traffic accidnets in Minnesota.  The wintry conditions caused a collision in northern Wisconsin that killed two people.  In parts of the Twin Cities there was about a foot of snow by Saturday evening.  This snowstorm started Friday night and was blamed for a collision that killed 2 drivers and left a passenger hopitalized.  In Minnesota, the State Patrol responded to 401 crashes as of 4 p.m, 45 involving minor injuries.  A commander with the St. Paul Police Department said officers dealt with 20 to 30 car accidents by noon , with many involving four or five vehicles.  He also said drivers were being careful, but they were skidding on a glaze of ice that developed under much of the snow pack. 

I have to say I'm a little shocked at the number of traffic accidents that occurred in Minnesota.  I expect that there would be a few accidnets, considering that this is the first big snowfall of the season, but 400 is a very high number.  I guess part of the reason is due to skidding on ice.  People should be careful when driving in the first snowfall of the season.  There is suppose to be a few inches of snow today too, but nothing too serious.  There are reminders of driving slowly during this season.  I always hear it on the radio and the news on T.V.  I think this helps a little too becuase people get too used to driving without the snow.  This reminder should prevent people from going so fast and braking earlier.


http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/2010-11-13-midwest-snow_N.htm

Serbia Earthquake

According to the USGS, a 5.3 magnitude earthquake rattled through Kraljevo, Serbia on November 3.  This resulted in the death of a couple whose roof and first floor collapsed.  About fifty others are injured in or around the town.  In this town, parts of it are without electricity, running water, or telephone lines.  Schools in the area remain closed.  The majority of these schools have suffered serious damage but their stability is not threatened.  Several older buildings in this town were damaged along with a local hospital and the town hall. 
The earthquake was felt in other areas where people were jolted from their beds and some fleeing their homes in panic.  On Thursday last week, authorities said there was still no drinking water, but electricity has been restored.

This quake didn't seem like it had too much damage or at least it seems like the damage is not severe.  The only down side is that their hospital is damaged.  I want to know why they did not make the hospital a more sturdy building to withstand such a quake or at least make the damage minimal.  I am hoping that the town will have drinking water soon.  Reconstruction should begin soon too.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39978894/ns/world_news-europe/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/04/AR2010110401401.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101103/ap_on_re_eu/eu_serbia_earthquake

Landslides Caused by Rainfall in Philippines

Last Thursday a landslide triggered by heavy downpour in northern Philippines.  Rain had been pouring in this area since Monday and softened the ground causing this landslide at around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday.  Many houses were flooded and swept away by floodwaters.  Some residents went up onto their rooftops due to the fact that their house was submerged.  Army soldiers are conducting search and rescue operations.  About 1,000 residents have evacuated to higher grounds due to the flooding.  The rain has flooded villages in six provinces since November 1, leaving thirteen dead.  Among the thirteen dead were six villagers buried by landslides.

I have to say I am not surprised that there are landslides in the Philippines since it is a disaster prone area.  With all the rainfall thats been happening in southeast Asia, the country should have suspected something like this.  At this point, I can envision that the Philippines will be expecting anything to happen considering all that has occurred in the past few months.  I feel bad for these people, but I almost feel like they shouldn't be living where they are if this country is prone to natural disasters.  If I were to do a hazard risk assessment in this area, I think will have many things to look at.  Examples of types of information I would need are the different types of disasters that occur, their magnitudes, the building structures, and which areas are densely populated.  This kind of information would give me a better idea of where people are and what kind of impact an event can have in a particular area in this country.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40052795
http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/285965/5-die-isabela-landslide

Tomas Passing Through Haiti

Tomas is on its way to Haiti.  Given the condition that Haiti is in, many are worried they will not be prepared for what is to come.  The storm is expected to have 50-mile-an-hour winds and pounding rain.  The plan was to shelter people in churches and public buildings, but the president made it clear that people are on their own and warned them they had to help themselves.  He encouraged people in camps to stay with friends or relatives.

The storm went through Haiti today and luckily the country did not suffer what could have been its first big disaster since the earthquake back in January.  The storm caused widespread floods, wind damage along the coast and took at least six lives.   Haiti got very lucky and the damage there was not quite as bad as what was expected.

I can't believe that the president would tell people they are on their own.  I could never imagine something like that happening to me.  I understand the country just experienced a disaster, but they should still have something planned for this storm.  I'm glad that the storm did not cause the damage that it was suppose to.  If the storm was to hit as badly as planned, the country would be devastated. 

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=12076779
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/hurricanes/2010-11-02-haiti-hurricane_N.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/world/americas/05haiti.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Hurricane%20Tomas%20heading%20for%20Haiti&st=cse

Wildfires in Boulder, Colorado

According to the local Sheriff's Office in Boulder, this wildfire that has continued to burn Friday is suppose to weaken overnight because of the low temperatures and higher humidity.  Many residents on the west side of this city were evacuated.  On Friday evening, firefighters had less than five percent contained.  There are some 200 firefighters scheduled to work on the flames today.  Even though the fire is expected to lay down at night, it still has the potential to grow and that would depend on what the area winds do.  All city offices in the downtown area closed Friday afternoon to prepare for power outages.  According to a city spokeswoman, the electric utility was cutting power in lines in the burn area for safety reasons and to assist fire crews conducting back-burn operations.

It seems like this city has a pretty good infrastructure.  They have evacuated people and are keeping them aware of the fires where abouts.  At this point, there seems to be a lot of uncertainty as to what will happen next because they are waiting to see if winds will pick up or not.  Like the swiss cheese model, if the winds do end up picking up, the fire could spread and this could result in something worse than what it currently is. 


http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/10/29/colorado.wildfire/index.html?iref=allsearch

Wind Storm Sweeping Through the Midwest

 

These are images of what happened in my family's yard when the wind storm passed through my hometown, Green Bay, on October 26.  Luckily, it missed our garage.  My family also told me that it knocked down a cable leading to our house.  They mentioned that they were without power and the phone line was down for a day or two.  The Wisconsin Public Service in Green Bay said there were more than 60,000 without power, but that has been reduced to 32,000 as of Thursday morning.  This wind storm did not cause damage to Green Bay alone, it caused damage throughout Wisconsin.  On Wednesday, the National Weather Service said this wind storm was the most powerful nontropical windstorm measured over the mainland U.S.  This is equivalent to what can be found in a category 3 hurricane.  I agree that this was some strong winds we had passing through.  I remeber some people saying that they felt like the wind was going to blow them away.  What surprises me most about this event is that if it was over the ocean, it would be a category 3 hurricane.  I'm glad to hear that repair teams got out quickly and got people's powers running again.

http://chippewa.com/news/local/article_c2355a06-e2a7-11df-a5e4-001cc4c03286.html

Thailand Floods

Floods in northeastern Thailand have left 17 people dead over the past two weeks.  This flood has caused put entire villages underwater, destroyed crops and disrupted transportation and commerce.  Thailand’s government appears to be caught by surprise with some survivors stranded for days without aid.  This flood has been classified as one of the worst in half a century.  The damage is estimated at more at more than $650 million.  Twenty-eight out of seventy-seven provinces have been affected by this.  According to the government’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, many reservoirs are over capacity and are being forced to dump water downstream.  A school teacher from Lop Buri Province is stranded on the second flood of her house.  She also said no officials or aid organizations had reached her village since the flooding began and that neighbors were delivering food by boat. 

It’s shocking to find out that this area is facing such an event.  I can’t begin to imagine what it would be like to be stranded on the second floor of a house!  With this much water, their crops will be destroyed.  This reminds me of a few years ago when the price of rice rose drastically due to heavy rainfall and fields being destroyed.  I’m guessing that the same thing will be resulting soon.  I hope Thailand’s government starts to get things together and reach people who are stranded.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/22/world/asia/22thai.html

Typhoon headed for southern China

Typhoon Megi that hit the Philippines on Monday killing 20 people is headed for southern China.  Authorities are ordering ships to remain docked as southern China is preparing.  According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the storm’s winds have weakened, but they are expected to strengthen over the next two days and hit China’s Guandong province on Saturday.  In a southern island, people are stocking up on food, vegetables, and bottled water.  In Hong Kong, they are a little bit calmer because their infrastructure has held up well against the annual summer typhoons.  People are urged to make sure their windows are properly bolted and avoid the coastline.  Small vessels are ordered to return to shore. 

It seems like they are preparing quite well for this event.  They have issued warnings and urged people to stay away from the coastline.  This shows their government has a pretty good infrastructure.  With all this preparation, there should not be too much damage in the aftermath.  However, it’s not easy to predict exactly what will happen.  This is not the first time an event like this has hit this area, so the people should be educated on what to do when this event occurs.


http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/2010-10-20-china-typhoon_N.htm

Earthquakes in Arkansas

There has been a series of earthquakes in Arkansas this past week.  The largest with a magnitude of 4.4 just hit Faulkner County Friday morning at 5:20.  These two add to the list of over 50 earthquakes in this county.  Sen. Blanche Lincoln recently sent a letter to requesting a report from the USGS assessing recent earthquakes in the area.  According to the county judge, residents have not reported any damage.  They have reported feeling the tremors. 

At this point, these earthquakes have not had much human impact, but I would be concerned and want to find out more information.  Because this is not common for this area, more research will have to be done.  Once more information is gathered, people will have their questions answered.

http://thecabin.net/news/local/2010-10-16/44-magnitude-quake-rocks-faulkner-county

Pakistan Flood Update

The massive floodwater lake in Pakistan showed little sign of abating.  Water levels on the Indus River have fallen throughout the most of the country, with some areas near the coast with high levels.  An image from August of this year showed the Indus River filling the river valley.  The image also showed a development of a floodwater lake west of the river.  An image from this month shows the floodwater lake west of the Indus.  Levees trap this water in and the water is  resting on dry land, leaving nearby communities underwater.  Manchhar Lake seems to have grown to twice its normal area.

It has been like 12 weeks since the first floods of the monsoon season, but the floodwater west of the river basin is still trapped.  I would think that since it's been this long, it would have gone down or someone would have done something.  At least the water levels in the river are down.  However, I feel like it will take Pakistan quite some time to recover since their government doesn't seem like it's doing much at this point.  I feel bad for those whose homes are underwater.

Future Hazards in Haiti

According to a study published online in Nature Geoscience, the earthquake that hit Haiti last January resulted in a significant uplift of the ground surface along Haiti's coastline and involved slip on multiple faults.  This study suggests that because the earthquake did not involve slip near the surface of the earth, it did not release all of the strain that has built up on faults in the area over the past two centuries.  This means that in the future, surface rupturing earthquakes are likely in the region.  A group consisting of Gavin Hayes, a U.S. Geological Survey geophysicist, along with colleagues from USGS, California Institute of Technology, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and the University of Texas at Austin modeled the patterns of surface deformation and were able to assess which fault was responsible for the earthquake.  Their results show that the earthquake may have involved a complex series of faults.

This means a lot! It's quite impressive that by modeling what happened in Haiti, the group found that this may have involved a complex series of faults.  With this information, I'm sure they will try to find ways to prevent a hit like that of January.  At least now they know that something like this can happen in the future again.  I hope that the next time around Haiti will be more prepared and have plans for what to do.

Earthquake in Indonesia

According to the USGS, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit off Indonesia's North Maluku province on Friday.  There is no damage expected because its epicenter was deep in the sea.  Indonesia is where the meeting of continental plates cause high volcanic and seismic activity, and the archipelago is frequently struck by powerful earthquakes. 

I feel like when you live in areas like this, earthquakes are something that you should be aware of.  I think living in Wisconsin there isn't too much to worry about, which I think is a good thing.  We don't have to worry about preparing for such events.  However, the down side of it is that when something like a flood or tornado hits we still have a harder time preparing for it.  Growing up in Wisconsin the only thing I ever really remember happening was having Tornado warnings.  I do recall when I was younger there was a pretty bad flood back in my hometown, where cars could not get around at all because the roads were flooded.

Toxic Sludge Flood in Hungary

A reservoir collapsed on Monday at Ajkai Timfoudgyar alumina plant in the town of Ajka in Hungary.  A toxic-sludge flood hit seven towns, who are now facing contaminated water, fouled fields, and wrecked ecosystems.  Alumina is used in the smelting of aluminum.  There has been reports of seven people who have been killed and many others are missing.  Yesterday, there were warnings about this reservoir collapsing.  Today, experts are estimating that there is an estimated 500,000 cubic meters more of red sludge that could escape from the reservoir.  Tests done show a high concentration of heavy metal in the sludge.  The company that owns this plan has rejected claims that it should have taken more precautions.

I really think that something like this could have been prevented.  The company should be responsible to an event like this.  There should have been warnings about it.  The people working there should have noticed there were cracks and found a way to prevent it from happening.  But now that it has happened, the company will have to come up with something to compensate for it like the BP oil spill.

Update on flood in Pakistan

 Taken October 5, 2010                                                                   Taken October 4, 2009

It's been 11 weeks since the the monsoon floods in Pakistan and according to the United Nations High commissioner for Refugees, 1.6 million residents are still displaced.  The two images above show changes in the landscape wrought by the monsoon that had recently occurred.  One big difference on the images above are near the coast and west of the river.  There are large expanses of flood waters in the these areas from the flood.

I guess when you can compare images from the past to a recent one, you can really see the impact a flood has in a particular area.  This can really help us to better understand how floods affect areas and we can better prepare for the future.

Storms in Minnesota

Heavy rain in the southern portion of Minnesota caused flooding on Thursday.  The heavy rain affected homes and left residents without power.  There has been six shelters that opened up to help these residents out.

I guess with the recent rain we have gotten, there are many areas that are flooding.  Eau Claire must have not been hit as hard as some other areas since there hasn't been too much news about damages to home in the area.  I kept seeing pictures of the river flooding, but I finally got the chance to go out and see the river the other day.  It is so shocking to believe something like this is happening now.  It's almost kind of cool!

Floods in India

Heavy rains in India resulted in a flood that killed at least 17 people, washed away thousands of homes, and forced the evacuation of at least 2 million people.  In Northern India most rivers are flowing above the danger mark.  Relief organizers say relief camps are being setup while army helicopters are dropping food and water for people stranded in remote villages. 

Unexpected rainfall is affecting many different parts of the world today.  This image really shows how these people are managing with this flood and it is very sad.  So many people are without homes.  I am glad to hear that there are relief camps and food and water is being distributed to some of the remote villages.

Fierce Storm in New York City

On the evening of September 17, a fierce storm went through the city of New York.  The winds were estimated at 60 to 80 miles an hour and caused widespread damage.  There were reports of small fires, power failures and damage to homes, stores and vehicles.  There has been one reported death a woman, who was killed when a tree fell on her car.  Numerous trees were down that blocked traffic and prevented residents from getting in and out of their homes.  The National Weather Service determined that this storm was not a tornado.  They classified it as a microburst, strong winds that descend from a thunderstorm down to the ground.  

 It seems like many people were not aware that this storm was coming because many say they saw it come by, but no one mentioned preparing for it.  It is very scary, especially after seeing the photos people have posted up.  Also, for you to just think of it as any other day and all of a sudden a storm like this just comes through.  I am speechless.  Well, at least there hasn't been anymore deaths reported besides the one lady.  I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to walk through the city at this point.

Flooding around Manchhar Lake, Pakistan

Pakistan's Manchhar Lake was hitting dangerous levels this month due to regional flooding.  Floodwaters were extending beyond the lake's normal boundaries where the water body nears the Indus River.  This lake's water level varies considerably.  During the summer, though, it was unusual.  The monsoon rains during the summer led to a dam failure.  Due to this failure, the Manchhar Lake became the receptacle for massive amounts of water.  According to the International Herald Tribune, the lake was receiving a higher inflow than outflow.  The lake had reach its capacity and torrents of floodwater from the lake's canal's had inundated at least 60 villages.  This flooding in Pakistan proved to be the most damaging natural disaster in the dounty's history.  About 1750 people were killed, some are displaced, and 20 million are affected in some way.

I think that Pakistan could have prepared themselves a little bit because all summer it had been raining.  They should have been execting something and had a plan thought out for a situation like this.  The water levels were rising and there were other signs yet they did nothing to prevent injuries.  Aid agencies are saying that without food and shelter, millions could perish.  The government should be juming in and doing things for its citizens instead of waiting for others to step in and help.