Mount Merapi Erupts Again

MOUNT MERAPI, Indonesia - After a week of turmoil, and a tsunami that killed hundreds and left many displaced, the trouble continued into the weekend. On Saturday, the volcano erupted and the eruptions have been going on all week long. People have been asked to stay at their evacuation sites. Scientists have been predicting an explosion all week, and are still issuing warnings for other volcanoes in the area.

The eruption at Mount Merapi had large pyroclastic flows that lasted for approximately 22 minutes. The problem with the current situation right now is that people are still recovering from the weeks events and aid workers are overwhelmed with the number of refugees. Soldiers have been placed around the premises to try and keep people from going back to check on livestock and crops. However, as I mentioned earlier, the warnings are still being put out. Afterall Indonesia is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making the area a vulnerable place for disasters. Hopefully coninuted education will help Indonesia in the future.

http://www.volcanolive.com/news.html

Midwest Brings Wicked Weather Forecast

Midwest - The monstorous storm that has been brewing these past few days is not quite done yet. The next few days are expected to bring strong, cold winds and snow to the region. Tornado watches and warnings continued across the Southeast on Wednesday afternoon as the huge storm headed towrds the eastcoast. Strong winds in Minnesota and North Dakota have led to blizzards which are headed for Wisconsin sometime later this week. North Dakota received record numbers of snow, approximately 8 inches.  


The strong storm which is now on whirling towards the east coast, was one of the strongest storms in decades which cause major damage including crushed power lines, toppled trees, and tornados. 


http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/2010-10-26-midwest-storm_N.htm

Mount Merapi Erupts In Indonesia; Tsunami Follows

Indonesia - Mount Merapi, one of Indonesia's many volcanoes, erupted Tuesday killing 18 people. However, Mount Merapi is continuing to cause many scientists worry. They claim that all the pressure building up beneath the volcanic dome which could trigger one of the most powerful explosions in years. Scientists said that the volcano is beginning to let off steam, but people need to remain very cautious. 


Additionally, a tsunmai hit some remote shores of Indonesia killing 113 people and causing a slow rescue and recovery process. In fact, fisherman were left to search for the bodies, dead or alive. 


Indonesia and the surrounding islands have been going through a very rough time these past few days. Not only did the volcano and a tsunami hit the area on the same day but, "The fault that ruptured Monday on Sumatra island's coast also caused the 2004 quake and monster Indian Ocean tsunami that killed 230,000 people in a dozen countries" (USA Today). 


As we learned in class, some areas are more vulnerable due to a variety of factors. Indonesia just so happens to be located near the Ring of Fire, a place frequent for natural disasters and hot spots. 


http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2010-10-26-indonesia-earthquake_N.htm

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Indonesia-Mount-Merapi-Begins-To-Erupt-Up-To-19-Dead/Article/201010415774167?f=rss

Tropical Storm Richard Nears Honduras

Tropical Storm Richard nears the Caribbean causing storm and hurricane watches to be issued for Honduras. Although the winds are only thought to hit speeds of around 40 mph, meteorologists say the storm could eventually gain wind and strength and turn into a hurricane over the weekend. "The National Hurricane Center in Miami says the tropical storm could dump rain on Honduras that could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides" (USA Today). 


As we have recently discussed in class, there are many factors that take part in determing the strength and damage of a natural disaster. For example, it is not uncommon for a small earthquake to turn into a life threatening tsunami. In this case, a somewhat common tropical storm for this time of year could cause major damage if turned into a large scale hurricane. 


http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/2010-10-21-tropical-storm-richard_N.htm

http://www.cfnews13.com/static/articles/images/2010/tropical-storm-richard-path-1021-11am_rdax_676x456.jpg

Typhoon Megi will most likely strike again

CAUAYAN, Philippines - Typhoon Megi swirled through the Philippines Tuesday killing ten people. Although Typhoon Megi had winds of around 140 miles per hour, the area was luckily very sparse in population sparing a lot of lives. However, Megi continues to roar on and will most likely hit the southern portion of China sometime on Thursday. Scientists are even predicting that Megi may hit Vietnam at some point which would more than likely cause a lot of damage. Monday night, Vietnam was hit by large flooding, heavy rains and is still in the midst of a disaster.

Fortunately for the Philippines, damage was seen, but the people were prepared having had significant warnings to protect themselves. This case relates very well to the video we just watched in class covering the 2004 tsunami because in that case, a vast majority of the people were completely thrown for a loop without any warning and without knowing the severity of the tsunami.

Meteorologists will continue to issue warnings and track Typhoon Megi, in hopes that people especially in Vietnam can prepare themselves for the worst.

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/2010-10-17-typhoon-philippines_N.htm

http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/101018-typhoon-megi-hmed-110a.grid-8x2.jpg

Hurricane Paula Weakens

HAVANA, Cuba -- Hurricane Paula weakened as it neared the coastline Wednesday afternoon from a category 2 storm to a category 1. Forecasters in the US were monitoring the storm and authorities in Cuba had issued a storm warning and were in preparation to begin evacuating people. However, after the storms began to calm people were able to remain put. After the 2008 hurricanes hit Cuba, officials said they didn't want to take any chances in being under prepared. The hurricane is likely to reach the Florida Keys sometime Friday, but by then will have most likely weakened to a tropical storm.

The forecasting and warnings issued are all part of the engineering portion of the hazard paradigm we discussed in class. Forecastings, warnings, and predictions are also used for the adaptation portion in the "Big Three".

http://www.cfnews13.com/static/articles/images/2010/hurricane-paula-map-1013-5am_rdax_676x456.jpg

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/hurricanes/2010-10-13-hurricane-paula_N.htm

FEMA Begins to Take a Closer Look at the Flooding That Recently Hit Wisconsin

Now that high waters have dropped in western Wisconsin, FEMA officials and authorities have begun to look at the flooding in terms of damage to the counties, new plans for infastructure, and the effect the flooding had on each community's budget. Doing this analysis will hopefully determine whether or not counties, specifically Arcadia, will receive federal funding. As we learned today in class however, was how hard it is for an area to get federal funding and there are many problems associated with government funding. Government aid is expensive, inefficient, inconsisten, and inequitable. A hazard must be assessed looking at many aspects and if the damage and money is not significant, funding is hard to come by.

The total estimated amount of damage to public property has been just over 10 million statewide, and authorities are hoping the funding will come through. Plans are already being discussed and the funding could be used to build a flood control system. Wisconsin will simply have to keep fingers crossed and hope the funding is declared.

http://www.wqow.com/Global/story.asp?S=13273919

Sludge Flooding Surges Through Hungary

KOLONTAR, Hungary - Flooding has been causing residents in hungary to escape. However, this is not the typical flooding we think of when large amounts of rain fall, or a large dam collapses. This flooding was caused by large amounts of red sludge originating in a nearby reservoir. The sludge was a bi-product coming from the process which turns bauxite into aluminum. A large corner of the reservoir broke on Monday killing four people and sending hundreds to hospitals to treat burns.

Residents have been waiting for officials to inform them more about the dangers of the sludge and the chemical content. It is apparent that the sludge has caused damage in the rivers nearby, killing all river life, and continues moving downstream. However, a positive outcome from all of this is the fact that the sludge plants will now be subject to inspections and residents have been promised their homes will be decontaminated.

From various points brought up in class, it is very important to understand and put into perspective the possible losses and damages a hazard will bring. Although this was a technological hazard and unexpected, it was noted that "The sludge reservoirs that dot the area are often poorly maintained...and are supposed to be closed once they are full, but some, like the one that broke this week, are large, and filling them can take decades" (Rosenthal, New York Times).  

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/07/world/europe/07hungary.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hpw