nancyk58 Posted May 14, 2011 Author Share Posted May 14, 2011 Thanks for the updates Nancy! I hope the Spanish Coldplayer is well and her family is well there in Spain, though it sounds like everyone fared pretty well being prepared for the quake. Sounds like the Japanese Quake was minor, but still, that's got to be unsettling. Hope everyone's alright there, and sad to hear the news about the plant worker. The Spanish coldplayer wrote back to me that she and her dear ones were all fine. But as she reported - 9 people died. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted May 15, 2011 Author Share Posted May 15, 2011 NEWS ON 15 MAY 2011 IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS FLOODGATES OPENED IN LOUISIANA Saturday evening (Central Europeen time) engineers in the US army opened the floodgates in Louisiana to lead the enormous water masses over vast agricultural areas. The floodgates were opened to prevent the Mississippi river from flooding the densely populated cities of NEW ORLEANS and BATON ROUGE. The area to be flooded is between 7,700 and 7,800 squarekilometers. As many as 25,000 inhabitants had to leave their homes. 25,000 buildings are at risk of flooding. Source: Text-TV on Danish TV channel 1 / DR1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted May 16, 2011 Author Share Posted May 16, 2011 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13411006 16 May 2011 Last updated at 16:45 GMT Mississippi floods: Thousands flee as floodgates open Thousands have evacuated the US state of Louisiana after floodgates were opened on Saturday to relieve pressure from the swollen Mississippi River. More floodgates are to be opened in the coming days to help save more populated areas like Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The man-made floods will damage thousands of homes and hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama met families affected by flooding in Memphis in Tennessee on Tuesday. The president, who was driven past the bulging Mississippi, also spoke to local officials and emergency responders who confronted the region's highest waters since 1937. Seeking higher ground Sheriff's deputies and National Guardsmen have been knocking on the front doors of residents along the Mississippi River in Louisiana since Saturday and ordering them to leave. Most residents heeded the warnings and headed for higher ground; by Monday, some areas were virtually empty as the water from the Mississippi River slowly rolled across the Atchafalaya River basin, the Associated Press news agency reported. About 2,000 people were reportedly ordered to evacuate from the town of St Landry Parish alone. Opening the Morganza Spillway floodgates is set to inundate up to 3,000 sq miles (7,770 sq km) of land in an attempt to protect large cities along the Mississippi River, which forms a large section of the border between Louisiana and Mississippi states. About 25,000 people and 11,000 buildings could be adversely affected. "They say we have to leave town. We have nowhere to go," Louisiana resident Mary Ryder was quoted by AP as saying. Ms Ryder and her fiance were ordered to evacuate from Melville, a town where some mandatory evacuations took place early on Monday. She and her fiance intended to drive their possessions over the levee to stay with relatives on the other side of town. "What are we going to do? I have no idea. We need help up here," Ms Ryder said, adding that the entire town could soon be ordered to evacuate. Flow control It will be at least a week before the peak of the Mississippi River arrives at the spillway, where officials opened two massive gates on Saturday and another two on Sunday. There are 125 gates in total. Fed by rainwater and the spring thaw, the Mississippi and its tributaries have caused massive flooding upstream, and officials have said the flooding in Louisiana is the worst since 1927. Water will flow south, but slowly to give people enough time to leave before the flood waters reach them, officials say. The flood waters are expected to inundate homes and farms in the state's Cajun country under an expected 10-20ft (3-7m) of water. The Morganza Spillway, 45 miles (72km) north-west of Baton Rouge, was last opened in 1973. The spillway stands above the Mississippi's normal water level, and comes into play only when the Mississippi is already swollen and endangering the surrounding areas. By opening its floodgates, engineers are able to control the flow of the flood waters, diverting them around Baton Rouge into the Atchafalaya river basin, a low-lying area of central Louisiana. Over several days, the water should run south to Morgan City - where workers are rushing to reinforces levees - and then into the Gulf of Mexico. Opening all 125 gates on the spillway would release 600,000 cubic ft of water every second. Meanwhile, the US Army Corps of Engineers moved a fifth dredge to dig sediment out of the Southwest Pass, a major shipping connection between the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River, in an effort to keep it open. The Mississippi sends large amounts of sediment down river when its water levels are higher than normal, and the dredges were being used on Monday to keep the channel open. Shipping is expected to continue largely unhindered in the lower Mississippi River, the Coast Guard said over the weekend. Seven states are affected by the continuing floods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technicolor Sparks Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 So the river still hasn't peaked in my town! They keep pushing back the date (it was supposed to crest in April) but it is expected to peak this week...possibly even today. The south side of the river has been evacuated, but the north side of the city may not have to evacuate if the dikes hold. Here is a shot of one of our main streets which runs perpendicular to the river. For reference, the river is usually on the very left of the photo. There are 3 levels of supersandbags, which amounts to the height of one and a half pickup trucks (approximately). There should be a road running vertically towards the intersection but it is underwater. http://media.brandonsun.com/images/648*432/may13airpov17.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted May 17, 2011 Author Share Posted May 17, 2011 http://www.care2.com/causes/environment/blog/alberta-wildfires-destroy-a-third-of-slave-lake/ Fast Moving Wildfire Overwhelms Alberta Town posted by: Shannon M. Residents of Slave Lake, Alberta had to literally run for their lives yesterday when a wildfire firefighters were battling just to the south was suddenly whipped up by wind and then plummeted on the town, quickly overwhelming it and sending the community into panicked retreat. The town of 7,000 people is located about 250 km north of Edmonton. Dry conditions have been feeding forest fires all across the province for several days. The fire that engulfed Slave Lake seemed under control at first, something to keep an eye on but enough of a non-event that there was no evacuation order as late as Sunday afternoon. However, when the winds suddenly picked up the fire rapidly jumped two highways and caught inside the town limits - and the firefighters were unable to use water bombers, a crucial part of their fire defense system, because of that same wind. With firefighter resources spread thin across multiple fires, the fire inside the town split and encircled the perimiter, spreading nearly unchecked. As the flames surrounded the community, residents were landlocked by fire until officials were able to open one road late at night, a dirt road that would take residents east and away from the flames. Officials hurriedly released a mandatory evacuation order and the people of Slave Lake left their homes, community centers, mall parking lots and all of the other locations where they had taken refuge, unsure of what they would find upon their return. Neighbouring towns have set up temporary evacuation centers to house the refugees. This morning, the Mayor of Slave Lake gave the news: fully one third of the town is burned to the ground, with homes, the city hall, library and radio station among the buildings lost. The southeast side of the town bore the brunt of the damage. Miraculously, no fatalities have been reported. The shellshocked residents are not permitted to return yet, due to lack of power, gas and potable water. Those who saw the fire have been submitting incredible photos of the fire and aftermath to many media outlets including the Edmonton Journal. The Canadian Red Cross has deployed teams to assist the evacuated residents of Slave Lake. Wildfires continue to burn across Alberta, with many other towns under evacuation orders. This may not be the last story of destruction. http://www.care2.com/causes/environment/blog/manitoba-punches-holes-in-dikes-to-control-flooding/ Manitoba Deliberately Floods Over 100 Homes To Avert Worse Destruction posted by: Shannon M. We all believed that Manitoba's Flood Of the Century was in May of 1997, when flooding along the Red River Valley spread several kilometers inland and caused $3.5 billion in damages. It appears, then, that 2011 brings the floods of the "new" century to Manitoba. Heavy rains and spring runoff have caused water levels to reach new highs all across the southern Manitoba region. Manitoba has been preparing for expected floods for months. Finally, after monitoring expected water levels particularly closely over the last several days, officials finally decided to punch a hole in the dike just east of Portage La Prairie at Hoop and Holler bend -- selected because of the slow speed of the water at this oxbow bend -- in order to intentionally flood a specific area and avert an almost certain unintentional breach downstream that could be catastrophic in more heavily populated areas. Approximately 500 cubic feet of water per second have been pouring through the breach approximately 260 miles north of Fargo, N.D., since yesterday morning -- the equivalent of an Olympic-sized swimming pool of water every three minutes. The water is slowly spreading across the flat Manitoba farmland, proceeding at a stately but inexorable pace towards over 100 homes in an approximately 180 square kilometer area at risk. The government is promising that those who have been washed out by the intentional flooding will be well compensated. The Assiniboine river is expected to crest later this week. 1,300 people have already been evacuated from low-lying areas surrounding Brandon, Manitoba as a precautionary measure. Armed forces troops are still shoring up dikes at more than 17 weakened locations along the river, hoping the measures will save the rest of the region from flooding. So far it appears only one death has resulted from the flooding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 News in relation to natural disasters on 18.5.11 At least 7 miners have been trapped in a mine 50 miles south of Bogota, Colombia after mudslides that were triggered by heavy rain. Rescuers are trying to reach the miners who are able to communicate with the outside world. From text-TV on Swedish TV channel SVT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technicolor Sparks Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 The Assiniboine river is expected to crest later this week. 1,300 people have already been evacuated from low-lying areas surrounding Brandon, Manitoba as a precautionary measure. Armed forces troops are still shoring up dikes at more than 17 weakened locations along the river, hoping the measures will save the rest of the region from flooding. I know this place...:whistle: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted May 19, 2011 Author Share Posted May 19, 2011 I know this place...:whistle: How are you? I hope that you and your dear ones are in good spirit through these troubled times. I cross my fingers for you all. :hug: Brandon, Manitoba - is it where you live? Do you have anything to add, then please do. Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technicolor Sparks Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 I'm good thanks! How are you? Thanks for your best wishes :nice: Yes that's where I live. :) Things seem to be good here! It has been hot and sunny here for the last couple of days so the water levels have dropped slightly. The dikes are holding well too! Other towns in Manitoba did not prepare for the flood at all so they will suffer a lot more than we have. Brandon spent a few million dollars on flood preparations...the dikes started being built in February!! We are so lucky that our city was so prepared, half the city would be underwater right now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted May 19, 2011 Author Share Posted May 19, 2011 I'm good thanks! How are you? Thanks for your best wishes :nice: Yes that's where I live. :) Things seem to be good here! It has been hot and sunny here for the last couple of days so the water levels have dropped slightly. The dikes are holding well too! Other towns in Manitoba did not prepare for the flood at all so they will suffer a lot more than we have. Brandon spent a few million dollars on flood preparations...the dikes started being built in February!! We are so lucky that our city was so prepared, half the city would be underwater right now! I am glad that your city was prepared. Please let me / us know how things develop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted May 20, 2011 Author Share Posted May 20, 2011 News on 20 May 2011 in relation to natural disasters A MAGNITUDE 5.9 EARTHQUAKE IN NORTH-WESTERN TURKEY KILLED AT LEAST 3 AND INJURED MORE THAN 80 PERSONS THURSDAY EVENING The epicentre was 80 km south-west of Kutahya. Several buildings and power lines as well as telephone lines were damaged. Out of fear of aftershocks people were reluctant to go inside their houses again. The earthquake occurred close to Greek and Bulgarian borders. MASSIVE WILDFIRES IN RUSSIA The fires are covering a total area of 66,000 hectares. Affected are in particular SIBERIA, URAL and the FAR EAST.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted May 21, 2011 Author Share Posted May 21, 2011 NEWS ON 21 MAY 2011 IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS Rudy_O from Malaysia created the thread below on the eve of 21.5.11 about a disaster near capital Kualu Lumpur: http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?t=76746 ORPHANAGE LANDSLIDE HEARTBREAK -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A landslide has hit an orphanage in Malaysia, killing five children and burying at least 10 other people. The incident took place at around 2:30pm local time at the Children's Hidayah Madrasah Al-Taqwa orphanage in Hulu Langat, just south of the capital Kuala Lumpur. Fire department deputy director Morni Mamat said 24 people - 20 children and four adult caretakers - were buried when the landslide struck. Eight children and one of the orphanage caretakers were pulled alive from the muddy debris, police said, while rescuers recovered the bodies of five boys aged between 11 and 14. The orphanage had 49 occupants, five of them caretakers. All 44 residents were boys. Che Rosli Che Mat, a politician with the conservative Islamic party (PAS) expressed shock over the tragedy and said efforts to rescue the victims had been hampered by heavy rain. Two diggers backed by powerful spotlights were being used, he said, as rescuers frantically dug for survivors with spades. "But the heavy rain is washing down more red earth. I fear they will probably find more bodies," he said. "I fear for the safety of the rescuers." Che Rosli said the orphanage was located on a hill slope in his constituency, and it had been raining heavily in the semi-rural area for the past two days. The tragedy struck when the children were practising the traditional Malay drums under a tent near a steep slope, he said. "The landslide happened very fast. Only a few children managed to escape. I am surprised an orphanage has been built on a side of hill," he said. Meanwhile, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said she was saddened by the deadly landslide. "I was just informed by the incident of children being buried in a landslide. It is a sad news," she said. Sharizat said she would work with the police to establish the cause of the tragedy, adding: "I hope the children's home was not built without the approval of local authorities." Landslides in Malaysia are regular natural disasters and the government has imposed strict rules with regards to hillside development. Read more: http://www.news.com.au/world/orphana...#ixzz1N0dqHid0 Swedish text-TV - SVT: FATAL MUDSLIDE IN MALAYSIA KILLING AT LEAST 8 CHILDREN AND 2 ADULTS At least 8 children and 2 adults died when a children's home near Malaysia's capital, Kualu Lumpur, was buried by mudslide(s) after heavy monsoon rain. 6 are missing. 8 children who were buried by the mud could be saved. Swedish SVT and German text-TV / ZDFtext: VOLCANO GRIMSVÖTN IN SOUTH-EAST ICELAND ERUPTING It is situated underneath the ice in Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajökull. Grimsvötn is Iceland's most active volcano. The eruption of Grimsvötn was followed by several minor earthquakes. A huge cloud of smoke is visible over the volcano. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted May 22, 2011 Author Share Posted May 22, 2011 NEWS ON 22 MAY 2011 IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS Text-TV on Swedish TV-channel SVT: 15 CHILDREN (AGED 8 TO 19 YEARS) AND 1 ADULT DIED IN LANDSLIDE NEAR KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA A several-ton-heavy mudslide hit an orphanage near Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur and killed 15 children and one adult. 9 PEOPLE WERE RESCUED - 6 CHILDREN AND 3 ADULTS. 200 firefighters and policemen were trying to evacuate those living in the area. The body of the last victim was recovered after 12 hours. Swedish SVT and text-TV from Danish public TV channels DR1 and TV2 news: CLOUD OF ASH AND STEAM FROM ERUPTION OF ICELAND'S VOLCANO GRIMSVÖTN DISRUPTS ICELAND'S AIR TRAFFIC The ash cloud from Grimsvötn's eruption can be registered 20 km up in the air over Iceland and it has disrupted all air traffic in Iceland. Ash has been located in the air 7 km over Iceland. Grimsvötn is situated beneath a glacier and has melted enormous amounts of ice. The smoke is moving slowing in south-eastern direction. Locally, a no-fly zone has been established at a distance of 200 km (22 miles) from the volcano. So far the air traffic in Europe has not been affected of the eruption. The new Grimsvötn eruption appears to be more powerful than its last eruption in 2004. Latest news item on Danish Text-tv: 4 planes from the Danish capital, Copenhagen to Keflavik on Iceland have been cancelled. So have some planes from Copenhagen to the USA because the planes were scheduled to touch down on Iceland - and Iceland's airspace has been closed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted May 22, 2011 Author Share Posted May 22, 2011 More news today (post II) in relation to natural disasters Text-TV on German channel 2 - ZDFtext: MORE THAN 125 PEOPLE DEAD DUE TO MONSOON RAIN IN INDIA AND PAKISTAN In INDIA alone, more than 100 have died due to monsoon. Most affected were the northern state of Uttar Pradesh and East Bihars. Most victims died, as houses collapsed or trees and electricity poles came down. In the region Ambedkar Nagar lightning killed 4 people. Last Wednesday, 56 other people had died in the region due to similar bad weather. It it monsoon season in INDIA from June until October. TORNADO in US MIDWEST today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted May 23, 2011 Author Share Posted May 23, 2011 News on 23 May in relation to natural disasters 23 May 2011 Last updated at 06:12 GMT MISSOURI: TORNADO BATTERS JOPLIN, AT LEAST 30 DEAD As many as 30 people are reported killed after a tornado tore through the city of Joplin in the US state of Missouri, officials say. The town suffered a "direct hit" from the tornado and parts of the city have been devastated, local media says. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has declared a state of emergency and warned more storms are on the way. Last month, tornadoes and storms killed at least 350 people in Alabama and six other southern states. John Miller, a freelance photographer for the Springfield News-Leader newspaper, described widespread damage in Joplin. "The Home Depot is levelled. The Walmart is destroyed. Gas stations, buildings. Everywhere I could see was either heavily damaged or completely destroyed," he said. "I saw firefighters and paramedics pull a young girl out of a car at the Home Depot. Part of the building had fallen on the car." Hospital damaged Power lines and phone lines in the city are down, reports say. Witnesses said ambulances lined the street near a Walmart store amid reports that hundreds of people were trapped inside. Officials at St John's Hospital in Joplin said the building had been badly damaged and windows blown out. A resident living 45 miles (70km) away said debris from the hospital had landed in his yard, including medical supplies and X-rays. Newton County Coroner Mark Bridges told Reuters by telephone that at least 30 people had been killed. The Red Cross has opened a shelter at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin for victims of the disaster, Red Cross spokeswoman Joanne Muir told the BBC. It has also sent an emergency response vehicle with some supplies such as blankets, cots, water and food to the area. "I know the hospital did take a direct hit and I have heard from people that some people have lost their homes, and there was damage to one of the schools," she said. CONTINUED RISK US President Barack Obama - on his way to the Republic of Ireland - sent his condolences to those affected. "Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in the tornadoes and severe weather that struck Joplin, Missouri, as well as communities across the Midwest today," the president said in a statement. "We commend the heroic efforts by those who have responded and who are working to help their friends and neighbours at this very difficult time." Governor Nixon said storms had caused extensive damage across Missouri. "They continue to pose significant risk to lives and property," he said in a statement. "As a state, we are deploying every agency and resource available to keep Missouri families safe, search for the missing, provide emergency medical care, and begin to recover", he added. He warned that the storms were not finished. "I urge Missourians to keep a close eye on the latest weather information and to follow the instructions and warnings of emergency personnel as these deadly storms continue to move through our state," he said. Related Stories (on BBC World News): US tornado strike 'biggest ever' Deaths from US tornadoes top 340 Storm leaves Alabama poultry industry in ruins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted May 23, 2011 Author Share Posted May 23, 2011 23 May 2011 Last updated at 18:24 GMT http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/ A thunderstorm hinders rescue efforts in the US city of Joplin in Missouri where at least 89 people have died following a devastating tornado A thunderstorm is hindering search and rescue efforts in a US city hit by a devastating tornado on Sunday. The tornado tore through Joplin in the state of Missouri, killing at least 89 people and injuring hundreds. Officials expect the death toll to rise. Joplin official Mark Rohr said the storm cut a path six miles (10km) long, flattening buildings and damaging a hospital that had to be evacuated. Strong winds and hail are hitting the city, much of which is without power. The tornado knocked down power lines and telephone services remain largely cut off. Mississippi governor Jay Nixon has declared a state of emergency and warned that more storms are on the way. Cities in three other Midwestern states have also been badly affected. At least one person was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Last month, tornadoes and storms killed at least 350 people in Alabama and six other southern states. 'Nothing left' Tornado sirens rang 20 minutes before the storm struck Joplin, home to about 50,000 people, cutting a gash nearly six miles long and more than half a mile (800m) wide through the city centre. "There was a loud huffing noise, my windows started popping. I had to get downstairs, glass was flying. I opened a closet and pulled myself into it," Jeff Lehr, a reporter for the Joplin Globe newspaper, told the Associated Press. "Then you could hear everything go. It tore the roof off my house, everybody's house. I came outside and there was nothing left." Another resident, Tom Rogers, said his house had been destroyed. "It's just gone," he told the Joplin Globe. "We heard the tornado sirens for the second time. All of a sudden, everything came crashing down on us. We pulled our heads up and there was nothing." Much of the city's south side is reported to have been levelled, with churches, schools, businesses and homes reduced to rubble. Nearly 100 patients at the St John Regional Medical Center in Joplin were evacuated after the hospital took a direct hit. A resident living 45 miles (70km) away said debris from the hospital had landed in his yard, including medical supplies and X-rays. A door-to-door search of the damaged area was to begin later on Monday morning, but progress was expected to be slow because of the thunderstorm, and the danger from downed power lines and gas leaks, which caused fires around the city overnight. Earlier, the Red Cross opened a shelter at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin for victims, spokeswoman Joanne Muir told the BBC. It had also sent an emergency response vehicle with some supplies such as blankets, cots, water and food to the area, she said. DEADLY US TORNADOES March 1925: Deadliest twister in US history as so-called Tri-State Tornado kills 695 in Missouri, southern Illinois and south-west Indiana March 1932: Deep South tornado outbreak kills 332 people from Texas to South Carolina, with 270 dying in Alabama alone May 1840: The Great Natchez Tornado kills 317 people in Mississippi town, most living on flatboats on the river April 1974: 310 killed in 24-hour "super outbreak" of 148 tornadoes across 13 states. May 1896: Two weeks of storms kill 305 people in Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted May 24, 2011 Author Share Posted May 24, 2011 NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 23.5.11 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13509683 23 May 2011 Last updated at 21:46 GMT Missouri tornado death toll passes 100 - at least 116 confirmed dead Officials in the US state of Missouri say at least 116 people are now confirmed dead after a tornado hit the city of Joplin on Sunday, crushing cars and flattening homes. But Joplin official Mark Rohr also said seven people had been rescued. A thunderstorm carrying hail and high winds was hindering ongoing search and rescue efforts on Monday afternoon. Mr Rohr said the tornado cut a path six miles (10km) long through the city, much of which is now without power. Missouri governor Jay Nixon said he was "optimistic that there are still lives out there to be saved". More than 1,150 people have been treated for injuries stemming from the tornado, the Joplin Globe newspaper reported. The tornado knocked down power lines and telephone services remain largely cut off. Joplin fire chief Mitch Randles said approximately one quarter or more of the city, home to about 50,000 people, had been damaged. Roughly 2,000 buildings were damaged in the region, officials said. Mr Nixon has declared a state of emergency and warned that more storms were on the way. Cities in three other Midwestern states have also been badly affected. At least one person was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The White House said on Monday that President Barack Obama was being kept up-to-date on the deadly storms in the Midwest during his six-day trip in Europe. Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Craig Fugate is being sent to Missouri to help coordinate disaster response and recovery efforts, the White House added. From text-TV in Sweden (SVT) and Germany (ZDFtext) and Denmark (TV2 News) on 24.5.11: The death toll after the devastating tornado in Missouri, US has risen to 116 making it the most deadly tornado for 60 years. 7 missing were rescued according to the authorities. The storm with wind gusts up to 265km / hour had destroyed large parts of Joplin. In the southern part of Joplin (having 50,000 inhabitants) 2,000 buildings including churches, schools and houses had been levelled. More twisters are expected today. Text-TV on Swedish channel SVT: At least 40 killed by lightning in Bangladesh, and 150 injured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted May 25, 2011 Author Share Posted May 25, 2011 NEWS ON 25.5.11 IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS Text-TV from Denmark (DR1 & TV2 News), Sweden (SVT) and Germany (ZDFtext) + CNN live: The death toll after the extremely powerful tornado in the US state of MISSOURI has risen to 124. In hard-hit JOPLIN with 49,000 inhabitants, about 1,500 people are missing (according to New York Times). JOPLIN had a "direct hit" by the MOST FATAL TORNADO for almost 60 years. 2011 has been THE WORST TORNADO YEAR EVER in the USA. Powerful tornadoes with thunder and lightning have mainly hit the US states of OKLAHOMA (where 4 have died) and KANSAS (where 2 have died). At least 6 are reported killed. The town Piedmont north-west of OKLAHOMA City has been levelled. In COLORADO 5 people died, and 60 people are injured. -------------- More than 2 months after the devastating magnitude 9.0 earthquake (with ensuing devastating tsunami) off the island of HONSHU, Japan is still frequently shaken by earthquakes. Within the last 3 days, Japan has been hit by 6 earthquakes of which the most powerful was measured at magnitude 5.8 on the Richter scale (according to US Geological Surveys, USGS). Iceland's volcano Grimsvötn has calmed down. It has stopped spewing ash, so now it is only steam coming up from the volcano. When the volcano started its eruption, the cloud of ash and steam / smoke closed Iceland's airspace. Later Great Britain's and Scandinavia's airspaces were affected. Airports in northern Germany (Hamburg, Bremen and Berlin) were closed for some hours today (25.5.11), but should open again in the afternoon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted May 28, 2011 Author Share Posted May 28, 2011 NEWS ON 28.5.11 IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS Text-TV from Swedish TV broadcaster SVT: DEATH TOLL AFTER THE TORNADO IN JOBLIN, MISSOURI, USA RISEN TO 132. 156 - and not 232 - ARE MISSING. Edit Saturday evening: Death toll risen to 139. Text-TV from German broadcaster ZDF (ZDFtext): TYPHOON THREATENING CRIPPLED NUCLEAR POWER PLANT FUKUSHIMA I IN JAPAN The crippled power plant in Fukushima is not adequately prepared for heavy rains and powerful winds - so news agency Kyodo citing the plant operator Tepco. The powerful typhoon SONGDA is approaching the southern island province of OKINAWA, and heavy showers are threatening the disaster-hit region in north-eastern Japan. It is feared that winds and rains might raise radioactive dust. Text-TV from German broadcaster ZDF aka. ZDFtext: MASSIVE WILDFIRES ON THE SPANISH ISLAND OF IBIZA It is the biggest forest fire / wildfire in Ibiza's history, but the situation should be stable. It is the third day running with fires on Ibiza, and 800 have been evacuated. None injured so far. Tornado watch in the Manitoba province in Canada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted May 29, 2011 Author Share Posted May 29, 2011 NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 29 MAY 2011 DEATH TOLL IN JOPLIN, MISSOURI, USA AFTER THE DEVASTATING TORNADO ON 22 MAY HAS RISEN TO 142. MORE THAN 100 REMAIN MISSING. (German TV station ZDF's text-TV plus text-TV on Danish TV station DR1) WATER COOLING PUMP IN REACTOR 5 OF CRIPPLED JAPANESE FUKUSHIMA NUCLEAR POWER PLANT HAS FAILED according to plant operator Tepco. The water temperature in the reactor was 68 degrees when the failure was discovered and it had risen to 93,7 degrees until the new cooling pump was installed and started Sunday morning in an over 4-hour-long operation. A typhoon is approaching the disaster-hit Japan from the south. (German ZDFtext) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted May 30, 2011 Author Share Posted May 30, 2011 NEWS ON 30 MAY 2011 IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS Text-TV on German TV station ZDF / ZDFtext: TEPCO EXPECTS A DELAY IN STABILIZING FUKUSHIMA PLANT Now the operator of the crippled nuclear power plant Fukushima doubts that the situation there can become stable by the end of 2011. On 17 April Tepco had declared that the crippled nuclear power plant Fukushima could become stable in 6-9 9 months. But due to the partially melted core in reactors 1-3, then a "significant delay" is to be expected, said a Tepco representative. Meteorologists warn of possible LANDSLIDES in the disaster-hit region as a consequence of continuous rains. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13595323 30 May 2011 Last updated at 14:13 GMT Storm suspends work at Japan Fukushima nuclear plant The operator of Japan's crippled nuclear plant has suspended some of its outdoor work due to a tropical storm, just days after it admitted it was not prepared for harsh weather. Heavy rain and strong winds are hitting north-east Japan, which was devastated in the 11 March earthquake and tsunami. There are fears that more radioactive material from the Fukushima plant could drain into the land and sea. Japan's Meteorological Agency has warned of mudslides and floods. Typhoon Songda weakened to a tropical storm over south-west Japan late on Sunday, but strong winds and rain have continued to pound the north-east of the country. Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco), which runs the nuclear plant, said it was on alert to ensure that contaminated water in reactor buildings did not flow out. The level of water in the basement of one of the six reactor buildings rose by nearly 20cm (8in) in 24 hours to nearly 6m (20ft), Tepco said early on Monday. "We presume the level of water has risen due to the rainwater which has seeped into the ground," said spokesman Junichi Matsumoto. Widespread criticism Workers have been spraying thousands of tonnes of water onto the damaged reactors to prevent fuel rods from overheating, after vital cooling systems were knocked out by the tsunami. The emergency measures have left four reactor buildings with radioactive contaminated water pooling inside. As a precaution, Tepco said it had also stopped spraying chemicals that it was using to prevent radioactive dust from spreading. Tepco has been pouring anti-scattering agents - such as synthetic resins - around the damaged buildings of reactors one and four. Separately, Tepco says two workers may have been exposed to unsafe levels of radiation. The two men, who are in their 30s and 40s, have been working on and off at the plant since the twin natural disaster and may have been cumulatively exposed to radiation exceeding the official safe limit. A company official said that the men were ''not at a stage that would require emergency medical treatment". A special adviser to Prime Minister Naoto Kan criticised Tepco on Saturday, saying that the current safety measures at the plant "cannot be said to be appropriate". Tepco and Japan's government have faced widespread criticism - both at home and abroad - over their handling of the Fukushima crisis. Text-TV from German TV Station ZDF / ZDF text: OBAMA PLEDGED SUPPORT TO THE TORNADO VICTIMS IN JOPLIN, MISSOURI Obama has visited JOPLIN, MISSOURI after the devastating tornado. Obama called the devastation in JOPLIN "a national tragedy" and pledged support to the victims. More than 142 died as a consequence of the devastating tornado on 22 May, and 44 remain missing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted May 31, 2011 Author Share Posted May 31, 2011 Death Toll after the devastating tornado in Joplin remains the same, but the number of missing has fallen to 29. The search after the missing continues. (Text-TV from Swedish SVT) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted June 1, 2011 Author Share Posted June 1, 2011 News in relation to natural disasters on 1 JUNE 2011 (from Danish + Swedish text-TV): HAITI: NEW OUTBREAK OF CHOLERA More than 10 people died and thousand(s) have been hospitalized after a new outbreak of cholera around the capital - Port-au-Prince. 310,000 have been infected and 5,332 have died since last year's outbreak of cholera. JAPAN: Japan's crippled nuclear power plant Fukushima I was not prepared for the tsunami as the protective wall was not high enough - the tsunami wave was 14 m high and destroyed the cooling system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share Posted June 2, 2011 NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 2.6.11 - from Danish text-TV and Swedish text-TV / SVT MAGNITUDE 4.7 EARTHQUAKE HIT NORTH-WESTERN JAPAN TODAY No tsunami warning was issued - and no reports of damage. The nuclear power plant in that area - kashiwazaki Kariwa - is still operational. Japan's Prime Minister Kan survived a vote of no confidence today, but had to promise that he would step back once the nuclear power plant Fukushima I had got under control and when a rebuilding plan had been adopted and initiated. 4 DIED WEDNESDAY AFTER AT LEAST 2 TORNADOES IN MASSACHUSETTS, USA A STATE OF EMERGENCY has been declared in the central and western parts of the US state of MASSACHUSETTS. At least 20 communities have reported damages after the tornadoes. TV pictures show that the tornadoes caused substantial damage. Massachusetts is situated on the north-eastern coast of the USA - an area with not so many tornadoes as the southern part. Massachusetts has not been hit by a tornado for 3 years. 1,000 people from the national guard are deployed in connection with tasks of rescue and clean-up. These tornadoes occur one week after a tornado cost 134 human lives in Joplin, Missouri. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancyk58 Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share Posted June 3, 2011 NEWS IN RELATION TO NATURAL DISASTERS ON 3.6.11 CHOLERA WARNING IN HAITI: DEATH TOLL SINCE OUTBREAK IN OCTOBER 2010 RISEN TO 5,337 The cholera death toll in Haiti since the outbreak 7 months ago has risen to 5,337 until the end of May according to Haiti's Department of Health. By each day, 6 more dies, and 550 are infected. The Relief organization Doctors without Borders (Medecins sans frontières / MSF) has also recorded a significant increase of the cholera cases. Since October 2010, 320,000 Haitians have been infected with cholera. From Swedish text-TV /SVT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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