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.