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