Winter conditions in Wisconsin and Minnesota for the weekend snow storm:
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
Pakistan Monsoon Victims Receiving Little Aid
After a magnitude 7 earthquake hit Pakistan last January, the country's 20 million effected have suffered due to little assistance. Reasoning behind this includes the corrupt government situation in the country. Also, in this economic era, countries are having issues helping each other out with aid after environmental hazard events. These are two of the important factors for recovery after a hazard event. If a governing body isn't stable, it can't provide the assistance and leadership needed to help affected citizens. The other factor is financial. If there isn't enough money fast enough after the disaster, then recovery slows down even further.
Largest Snowfall in Decades hits the Twin Cities
Snow may not be the standard type of environmental hazard, but I think it could be considered as one. The combination of snow and cold temperature can be quite damaging to our environment, especially as humans. If we aren't prepared for the weather, death is a scary possibility. It's a natural occurring event that forces us to adapt or leave ourselves at risk for damaging effects.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Throat of Fire Erupts
A volcano named Tungurahua, or Throat of Fire, erupted in the country of Ecuador. The volcano has erupted periodically since 1999. Ecuador's National Agency of Risk Control alerted citizens in time of Tungurahua's activity and no one was injured. This event is a good example of how people can endure environmental hazards if there is a hazard plan in place. The agency had the proper technology to know what was happening with this fiery hazard.
Update on Israeli Forest fire...
The Jewish National Fund has proposed replanting trees in the forest areas damaged by the recent four day fire. Donations from around the world continue to pour in for this cause. The small amount of forest Israel has in their country is extremely important to national pride. On the other hand, forestry experts state that the land should be allowed to regenerate itself. They back this claim up by saying that the fires help enhance the soil and lead to greater biodiversity development later. For now, it has been decided to wait a year for nature to take its own course. I think the smarter decision to make is to let the forest redevelop on its own. If we has humans continue to interrupt the natural recovery systems of the environment, there will be more damage in the future.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40590433/ns/world_news-world_environment/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40590433/ns/world_news-world_environment/
Monday, December 6, 2010
Island State's Existence Threatened?
This article discusses a scenario that happens in the movies. The Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean are threatened by the rising water level. This threat is very possible and could be happening this very moment. Water levels are starting the split the main island in two. Residents of the island are raising questions about the entire Islands' existence. Will an entire nation of people lose their, well, nation? If a country is swallowed by the ocean, will it still be recognized as well the its' people? These questions lead to many political and ethical considerations in the environmental hazard world. First of all, there aren't any solid laws regarding a nation/state's disappearance due to climate change. Second of all, these people's rights don't seem to have as much protection because with the island, their established governing body will also disappear. One of the main ingredients for surviving a hazard event is having an established government body to maintain order. With this island sinking below the ocean, everything literally disappears.
145 Feared Dead in Colombian Landslide
As a result of El Nino weather effects, Colombia has been dealing with torrential downpour throughout the area. This downpour caused 
massive landslides to occur. Twenty three bodies have been recovered, but 100 are feared trapped or dead. A few residents of the area claimed that this was a previously known risk. As a country that regularly deals with landslides, the residents of this incident were underneath a large pile of dirt and rubble. The governing body didn't do anything to reduce the risk, and now 
the people are suffering large amounts of loss.Sunday, December 5, 2010
Worst Forest Fire in Israel History
Israel was under siege by forest fire and found a major weakness in the infrastructure of the country. As a country of 7.6 million people, there are only 16 firefighters for every 100,000 residents. Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the Israel's current fire emergency system is understaffed and underfunded. Luckily for the residents at risk, surrounding countries came to Israel's aid with their own firefighters. Even countries in conflict with the nation helped out including Palestine and Turkey. Israel's inadequate fire response is due to their focus on military and police functions. This fire reveals how surrounding political relationships can leave an entire country unprepared to deal with an environmental hazard. If your system is unbalanced, much like Israel's, it could lead to a lot of fatalities and further expenses. This fire took the lives of 41 people - lives that could have been saved if balance in the infrastructure and planning existed.
Europe dealing with extreme weather
Europe has been dealing with record cold temperatures and amounts of snow this season. Southeastern Europe dealt with some of the worst flooding in a century. Both of these extreme weather events are speculated to be the result of global warming effects on our environment. The entire global warming argument is a good example of how continuously improving technology forces the natural environment to change and adjust too. This adjustment on the environment's part is leading to a lot of hazard events.
Landslide kills 3 people in Bosnia
This article further discusses the large amounts of flooding in the Balkan areas of Europe. Related to above article.
Floods forcing evacuations in Venezuela
Floods in Venezuela force more evacuations throughout the country. Because they are also in the midst of an election, candidates worry that there won't be a sufficient voter turn out. The evacuations have successfully prevented deaths so far. In Colombia however, the effects of the flooding have been devastating. Thousands of people have been displaced and 174 people are dead. The flooding is a result of a La Nina cooling effect of the Pacific waters. The La Nina effect causes floods, droughts, and other water disturbances around the world. Those most effected are usually residents of developing countries that rely on water for food and income. The fact that these countries continue to suffer devastating effects of a yearly climate event is interesting. Many blame Chavez for poor environmental hazard protection. In the end, the governing body of these countries doesn't seem to make hazards a priority. Developing countries deal with these issues the most because they have less established governments, less money, and are usually established on hazard prone land. These are some of the most important factors surviving hazard events.La Nina info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Ni%C3%B1o-Southern_Oscillation
Article link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40518024/ns/weather/
Monday, November 29, 2010
Atlantic Hurricane Season Ends
As the Atlantic season comes to an end, U.S. Atlantic coast citizens exhale after the season was labeled a gentle giant. The worst damage in the U.S. consisted of tropical storms in Texas. Other countries were not so lucky. Mexico and Haiti suffered record breaking weather, from their busiest hurricane season in years. Hazard event effects ranged from over 20 deaths, major flooding, and power outages.
Thousands Displaced by Heavy Rain
With thousands displaced by heavy rain, Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez has opened up one of his palaces to house homeless families. Flooding and mudslides caused about a dozen deaths. Some praise Chavez for his generosity, others are critical. In my opinion, if Chavez is willing to help the people in Venezuela, then let him. If there was no assistance for residents of a country after a hazard event, then the country would suffer from lack of recovery.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Insurance for Three Islands
Approximately 12.8 million was payed out from insurance to islands in the eastern Caribbean for Hurricane Thomas damage. After the devastated damage from Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Caribbean leaders set up insurance agreements for the islands. If the wind speeds surpass an island's threshold, the insurance is triggered. Haiti was not eligible because it was not hit by threatening enough winds. Island insurance is an interesting concept. I wonder if the Marshal Islands could get insurance of some sort to protect the residents from losing their identity and rights. Improving their protection against future hazard events was a wise decision on Caribbean leaders' parts. They definitely learned from Hurricane Ivan.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Loss from Natural Disasters Could Triple by 2100
This article discusses future environmental hazard conditions. As the world population grows, so will the hazard risks. The fastest growing populations are statistically in areas at higher risk of hazard damage. Officials must consider methods of protection because it will pay off financially. Things suggested include better infrastructure protection for buildings such as hospitals, buffering methods such as planting mangroves along coastal regions, and reviewing rent on buildings. Many property owners fail to consistently maintain buildings, leading to a higher risk of collapse in severe weather. The content of this article shows that it's more financially responsible to prevent the hazard than paying for the after effects. The after effect expenses are usually the higher ones.
Top 5 Hurricane Vulnerable and Overdue Cities
This article caught my attention because it describes 5 cities that we don't consider when thinking about places at risk of hurricanes. Yet these five places are in or near the usual hurricane hotbeds and it seems like only time will tell us what kind of damage is possible.
#1 Miami/Ft. Lauderdale
The center of a hurricane has not impacted this area since 1950. Because hurricanes aren't common in this area, the population as well as development is within 20 miles of the coastline. This puts Miami/Ft. Lauderdale at higher risk of more damage from a hazard event.
#2 New York City
In years past, hurricanes generally moved northeastern past New York. If a hurricane did happen to hit the Big Apple, it would cause a storm surge unlike anyone in the city has ever seen. The skyscrapers in the city are especially vulnerable to high winds. Vertical shelter isn't a great
option for residents to escape potential flooding.
#3 Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is vulnerable due to its extremely developed coastline. As a popular tourist and vacation place, the city is at even greater r
isk of devastation from a hazard event. The lack of hurricane events also leads to a low experience level, leaving residents even less prepared for dealing the effects during and after. T
he last hurricane that went through and caused significant damage was in 1921.
#4 Savannah, GA
Savannah hasn't been hit by a hurricane since 1893. If one developed and followed the same pattern as Hurricane Floyd from 1999, it would have devastating effects on the Georgia coastline.
#5 Atlantic City, NJ
The last time a hurricane hit Atlantic City, NJ was in 1903, meaning this city is more likely to be hit in the near future. The city is characterized by numerous high rises and is on barrier coastal land. The population isn't as high as other coastal cities, but the risk still remains.
http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/top5-most-vulnerable-overdue-hurricane-cities_2010-07-14
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
More Tornados!! This time in the south.
24 tornados were reported Tuesday along the East coast. More than 200,000 homes and businesses lost power. The worst damage was caused in North Carolina where 11 people were injured and several homes damaged. High winds are hitting the Midwestern region as well as reports of snow. Duluth reported atleast 7 inches. Schools were closed due to the amount of snow. The weather in the Midwest has lead to many cancelled flights out of cities including Chicago, Boston, and New York. About 500 flights were cancelled in O'Hare as well as about 200 the next day. This event illustrates the many ripple effects of a hazard. The flights that were cancelled as a result of the tornadoes prevented many people from travelling. It also disrupted many families and their homes.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Cyclone in Western Myanmar
Cyclone Giri hit with winds up to 110 mph. It damaged thousands of buildings and displaced even more people. 27 were killed while 15 remain missing.
Story link
Story link
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Volume One EC Flood Photo Gallery
Volume One has a great gallery of photos posted from the EC flood in September.
Northern Philippines to be battered by Megi
Super Typhoon Megi will hit the Phillippines on Monday morning. It is estimated to have winds up to 180 miles per hour. This and other features of the typhoon make it a category 5 typhoon.
http://www.weather.com/outlook/videos/watching-small-but-powerful-hurricane-paula-6584?from=video_email
Video on the Typhoon: http://www.weather.com/outlook/videos/watching-small-but-powerful-hurricane-paula-6584?from=video_email
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Weather service: Arizona raked by 4 twisters
At least four tornadoes struck Arizona Wednesday, injuring seven people, derailing a train and damaging more than 100 homes, the National Weather Service said.
Virgin Islands dry out after Otto's wrath
Tropical storm Otto left the Virgin Islands very dry after striking the area. They saw about 20 inches of rain.
Watch issued for Florida Keys as Paula churns toward Cuba
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Photo Gallery of Flooding in the Blain, WI Area
Check out these photos from the flooding in the Blaine, WI area.
More development on the Mexico Landslide
Apparently the Mexico landslide continued its development. A majority of Mexico has been buried or effected in some way. Many are feared to be dead.
Check this out!
I looked at the floodgate link we received and found out some interesting info on the Mississippi River. St. Paul is predicted to have a lot of flooding as a result of the collective waters flowing down the Mississippi River.
*Automatically updates to current dates
Underwater Football Anyone?
A friend of mine sent this. It's a football stadium in her hometown in Minnesota.
This is Owen Park in Eau Claire, WI. A friend also took these photos.
Flooding in Portage, WI
A 120 year old sand levee failed in Portage, WI. The flooding in the Wisconsin River overcame the levee due to old technology and flooded throughout Portage. The materials used to build the levee are sand versus the steel and concrete modern engineers would use today. New technology is part of some main geography arguments. As we add more technology into our environment, the more the environment is influenced. Once the environment eventually depends on that technology, if something goes wrong, the hazardous results could be worse than what that technology was originally placed there to prevent. Unfortunately this is what happened during this flood.
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