Rare November tornado strikes southeast Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE - Cleanup has begun for southeast Wisconsin after a rare and unusual Novemeber tornado went through the area late Monday night. Racine county was one of the hardest hit, and winds were strong enough to damage several homes and overturned semis. Approximately 3,000 homes lost power in the storm. Fortunately, no one was killed and only a few minor injuries were reported. Utility services returned power to people in the area quickly and clean-up crews standing by to help. By early Tuesday, the storms had moved from southeast Wisconsin into Indiana and Michigan.

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/tornadoes/2010-11-22-midwest-storm_N.htm

Pakistan flooding major wake up call

ISLAMABAD - As posted earlier this year in my blog, Pakistian was hit with major flooding. This summer's floods covered 1/5 of the country, approximately the size of Louisianna. The disaster caught everyone by surprise, and overwhelmed emergency response teams. Many experts believe the floods were due to climate change, and others aren't sure the direct relation, but almost all can agree the floods are occuring more frequenty and people are ill equipped to handle the situation. People agree that changes need to be made and soon. Implementing programs that help the displaced and get people back to their normal lives a bit easier. "The failure to address the threat of climate displacement could undermine the long-term stability of countries likely to experience increased floods, storms, droughts and other disasters," said Gabaudan, the Refugees International chief. "Taking preventive steps now will strengthen these countries and provide support to the world's poorest people" (MSNBC).


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40309467/ns/us_news-environment/

State of emergency declared

BOGOTA, Columbia - Columbian President declared a state of emergency Thursday for Columbia after heavy rains and flooding hit the area affecting 1.2 million people. 136 people have been killed already and over 200 have been injured due to the flooding and mudslides in the area. Many people have lost everything they have, so the President really wants to try to utilize outside resources to help the people. Additionally, large amounts of crop and livestock have been damaged. Meterologists are predciting more rainfall in Columbia for the next two weeks, so help right now is neccessary to prevent more death and damage.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/11/19/colombia.rain.calamity/index.html?hpt=T2

http://gnrworld.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/colombia_bogota-lg-map.jpg

Flooding and mudslides hit London

LONDON - Wednesday morning large amounts of heavy rainfall hit southwest London causing major flooding and muslides around the area. Water levels and damage was so high that many people were trapped in houses and cars and numerous road systems remain unpassable. Barry Green, an owner of a local bakery shop said, "One minute I was making bread, the next I was wading waist high through muddy water. We've had people coming in to help but it's pretty much destroyed the shop" (MSNBC). Fortunately, several search and rescue teams were able to use helicopters to rescue people in trapped cars. No injuries were reported thus far.


This news article relates very well to this past week's lectures. Flash flooding comes suddenly and unexpected which correlates to the situation in England. People were unprepared and large amounts of rain hit the area quickly and in a short period of time. Although no one was hurt, the damage was apparent.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40234497/ns/weather/

Building collapse: Cause of bad weather or bad construction?

NEW DELHI - A five story tenement suddenly collapsed Tuesday morning, killing at least 64 people and that number could rise. Survivors of the collapse used cell phones to try and call rescuers to the area, but struggled to reach the site because of the poor building contruction and soggy soils surrounding the area. Rescuers worked all through the night using jackhammers and sniff dogs to try and find the trapped bodies, hoping to find some alive.

 The cause of the collapse was not immediately clear, but many think it has to do with this year's heavy monsoon rains. Additionally, the building complex had very poor construction and it's location was right near a river. "The area is frequently flooded, and sits near a waterlogged riverbank. Residents said that this year’s unusually heavy monsoon had left the basements of buildings in the low-lying area flooded" (NY Times). Apparently, the tenant of the building is looking to be arrested, but has yet to be located.

This news article ties directly into this weeks lecture. We have been talking about mudslides quite frequently, and although the building collapse was not directly related to a mudslide, the collapse happened under similiar circumstances. The ground was extremely wet and the soil beneath the building became quite unstable and weak.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/world/asia/17india.html?_r=1&ref=world

High-rise fire causes 53 deaths

SHANGHAI - A massive fire that burned a high-rise building in Shanghai killed 53 people and sent 70 people to the hospital with injuries. The cause of the fire is still unknown but a witness says the fire began when some materials in the building complex caught fire. "The government said more than 100 fire trucks were called to battle the blaze, which was largely put out about four hours later. Firefighters could be seen taking bodies from the building, while survivors were rushed away in ambulances" (Yahoo news). 


The problem with this fire, and other disasters which have been occuring in recent years is due  to a recent new contruction stint in Shanghai. This construction frenzy ranges "from high rises that dot its skyline to new subway lines, highways and airport upgrades. But unsafe building work remains a chronic problem in China" (Yahoo news). High-rise buildings, although stable and conveinient in many cases, pose a large threat. These create major problems for hazards such as fires, and earthquakes. 


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101116/ap_on_re_as/as_china_fire;_ylt=AqNeCjM6fKW0dhWCSup4AWlw24cA;_ylu=X3oDMTJqM2E5amJrBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAxMTE2L2FzX2NoaW5hX2ZpcmUEcG9zAzQEc2VjA3luX3BhZ2luYXRlX3N1bW1hcnlfbGlzdARzbGsDc2hhbmdoYWloaWdo

400 car crashes in Minnesota

EDEN PRARIE, Minnesota - Heavy snowfall and winter storms struck the state of Minnesota over the weekend leading to a large number of car accidents, 45 of them which led to minor injuries. Additionally, a large crash in western Wisconsin was said to be the cause of two deaths. "Nearly a foot of snow had fallen in parts of the Twin Cities area by Saturday evening, downing trees and causing sporadic power outages" (USA Today). The cooling temperatures in the area also lead to large patches of ice on the roads which is the major reason for the large number of crashes around the same time. Fortunately, meteorologists have predicted weather in the high 30's which will keep the pavement a bit warmer, hopefully melting the ice.

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/2010-11-13-midwest-snow_N.htm