Super Typhoon Haiyan made morning landfall at Guiuan, a small city in Samar province in the eastern Philippines. The U.S. Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center said maximum sustained winds were 195 mph, with gusts to 235 mph.
It reached the fragile island chain as the most powerful typhoon or hurricane in recorded history, based on wind speed measurements from satellites, says meteorologist Jeff Masters of Weather Underground.
""There aren't too many buildings constructed that can withstand that kind of wind,'' Masters said.
Authorities in Guiuan could not be reached for word of any deaths or damage, regional civil defense chief Rey Gozon told DZBB radio.
Forecaster Mario Palafox with the nation's weather bureau said it had lost contact with its staff in the landfall area.
A reporter for the network in the Tacloban city was drenched in the pounding rain and said he was wearing a helmet as protection against flying debris. Visibility was so poor that only his silhouette could be seen through the driving rain and water.
Officials in Cebu province have shut down electric service to the northern part of the province to avoid electrocutions in case power pylons are toppled, said assistant regional civil defense chief Flor Gaviola.
Thousands of people evacuated villages in the central Philippines as Haiyan took aim the region, which was devastated by an earthquake last month.
No Atlantic or eastern Pacific hurricane has ever been stronger than Haiyan (typhoons are the same type of storms as hurricanes).
The latest forecast track shows Haiyan passing near Tacloban, a city of about 250,000, and Cebu, a city of nearly 1 million, reports meteorologist Eric Holthaus of Quartz magazine.
The storm was not expected to directly hit Manila, which is farther north. Predictions for Manila were for winds of up to 37 mph and rain.
Showing posts with label Alyson Hoogstraten. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alyson Hoogstraten. Show all posts
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Halloween "Meteorological Bomb"
Dangerous storms marched east on Halloween night and into Friday morning, creating numerous reports of flooding and wind damage, some of which was caused by reported tornadoes.
"An area of low pressure intensified rapidly as it moved from the Midwest into eastern Canada Thursday into early Friday," said weather.com meteorologist Chris Dolce. "This resulted in numerous reports of high winds, wind damage and a few tornadoes from the lower and middle Mississippi Valleys into the Ohio Valley and central Appalachians."
According to The Weather Channel senior meteorologist Stu Ostro, the Halloween windstorm could be considered a "meteorological bomb", which occurs when the central pressure within a mid-latitude cyclone -- such as the one present during the Halloween severe weather -- falls on average at least one millibar per hour for 24 hours.
"Models had indicated this Halloween week system would be close to meeting the criteria -- the central pressure of the low pressure system dropping at least 24 millibars in 24 hours -- and may or may not quite get there," Ostro said.
"It did, dropping 27 millibars from 999 millibars Halloween morning to 972 millibars Friday morning. It's a notable aspect of the storm, and was one of the things representative of how much energy it had."
Severe weather expert Dr. Greg Forbes states that at least 27 confirmed tornadoes in seven states from Texas to Ohio touched down on Thursday into the early morning hours of Friday. According to Dr. Forbes, this is a new record for the most confirmed tornadoes on any Halloween on record in the U.S. Most of these were rated EF0 and EF1, though an EF2 tornado touched down near Baker, Mo.
"An area of low pressure intensified rapidly as it moved from the Midwest into eastern Canada Thursday into early Friday," said weather.com meteorologist Chris Dolce. "This resulted in numerous reports of high winds, wind damage and a few tornadoes from the lower and middle Mississippi Valleys into the Ohio Valley and central Appalachians."
According to The Weather Channel senior meteorologist Stu Ostro, the Halloween windstorm could be considered a "meteorological bomb", which occurs when the central pressure within a mid-latitude cyclone -- such as the one present during the Halloween severe weather -- falls on average at least one millibar per hour for 24 hours.
NOAA/NWS/WPA
Halloween Surface Weather Map
"It did, dropping 27 millibars from 999 millibars Halloween morning to 972 millibars Friday morning. It's a notable aspect of the storm, and was one of the things representative of how much energy it had."
Severe weather expert Dr. Greg Forbes states that at least 27 confirmed tornadoes in seven states from Texas to Ohio touched down on Thursday into the early morning hours of Friday. According to Dr. Forbes, this is a new record for the most confirmed tornadoes on any Halloween on record in the U.S. Most of these were rated EF0 and EF1, though an EF2 tornado touched down near Baker, Mo.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Lightning-Detection Network Tested Out for Storm Tracking
Meteorologists watched as afternoon thunderstorms brewed in the mountainous region of central Guinea. By the evening of 22 October, the storms had intensified and were moving west towards the coast of Africa. At 8.20 p.m., the meteorologists received a thunderstorm alert, and for the next 45 minutes the 130,000 residents of the city of Fria were hammered by heavy rain, flash floods and winds of up to 77 kilometres per hour.
What happened that evening was not unusual. Similar storms blow through Fria and Guinea’s coastal capital Conakry regularly during the rainy season. Flash flooding is a common problem, and the country is frequently buffeted by tornadoes.
What was unusual was the way the storm was detected. Government meteorologists in Guinea lack the Doppler radar system that is usually used for this, and have struggled to track weather using rudimentary equipment. Europe and the United States provide free satellite data and forecasts, but these are coarse and infrequent. Only in recent months has Guinea turned to a new, simple proxy for storms: flashes of lightning.
Lightning-detection sensors installed atop just 12 mobile-phone towers now allow the country’s meteorological service to track storms nationwide as they develop. The project shows how lightning detection could provide a quick and relatively cheap way for poor countries to acquire basic weather services. Earth Networks, based in Germantown, Maryland, spent around US$1 million to deploy the current network.
What happened that evening was not unusual. Similar storms blow through Fria and Guinea’s coastal capital Conakry regularly during the rainy season. Flash flooding is a common problem, and the country is frequently buffeted by tornadoes.
What was unusual was the way the storm was detected. Government meteorologists in Guinea lack the Doppler radar system that is usually used for this, and have struggled to track weather using rudimentary equipment. Europe and the United States provide free satellite data and forecasts, but these are coarse and infrequent. Only in recent months has Guinea turned to a new, simple proxy for storms: flashes of lightning.
Lightning-detection sensors installed atop just 12 mobile-phone towers now allow the country’s meteorological service to track storms nationwide as they develop. The project shows how lightning detection could provide a quick and relatively cheap way for poor countries to acquire basic weather services. Earth Networks, based in Germantown, Maryland, spent around US$1 million to deploy the current network.
Central US Storms Threaten Halloween
While the preliminary tornado count for 2013 is historically low, severe weather will ramp up across the United States through Thursday.
Areas from Kansas City to Oklahoma City and Dallas will be at risk for violent thunderstorms into Wednesday night.
The strength of the winds could still be great enough to cause travel delays, power outages and downed trees.
The threat for damaging wind gusts will reach farther along into parts of the Northeast Thursday night and Friday.
Since a major tornado outbreak is not expected, the severe weather this Halloween week will not change this year's preliminary tornado count from being historically low.
The below graphic from NOAA's Storm Prediction Center shows that the preliminary tornado count, on an adjusted scale, through Oct. 26, 2013 (656) is significantly less than the previous minimal value (776) observed during the same time.
Areas from Kansas City to Oklahoma City and Dallas will be at risk for violent thunderstorms into Wednesday night.
The strength of the winds could still be great enough to cause travel delays, power outages and downed trees.
The threat for damaging wind gusts will reach farther along into parts of the Northeast Thursday night and Friday.
Since a major tornado outbreak is not expected, the severe weather this Halloween week will not change this year's preliminary tornado count from being historically low.
The below graphic from NOAA's Storm Prediction Center shows that the preliminary tornado count, on an adjusted scale, through Oct. 26, 2013 (656) is significantly less than the previous minimal value (776) observed during the same time.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
China Smog
An index measuring PM2.5, or particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5), reached a reading of 1,000 in some parts of Harbin, the gritty capital of northeastern Heilongjiang province and home to some 11 million people.
A level above 300 is considered hazardous, while the World Health Organisation recommends a daily level of no more than 20.
The smog not only forced all primary and middle schools to suspend classes, but shut the airport and some public bus routes, the official Xinhua news agency reported, blaming the emergency on the first day of the heating being turned on in the city for winter. Visibility was reportedly reduced to 10 meters.
The smog is expected to continue for the next 24 hours.
Air quality in Chinese cities is of increasing concern to China's stability-obsessed leadership because it plays into popular resentment over political privilege and rising inequality in the world's second-largest economy.
Domestic media have run stories describing the expensive air purifiers government officials enjoy in their homes and offices, alongside reports of special organic farms so cadres need not risk suffering from recurring food safety scandals.
The government has announced plans over the years to tackle the pollution problem but has made little apparent progress.
A level above 300 is considered hazardous, while the World Health Organisation recommends a daily level of no more than 20.
The smog not only forced all primary and middle schools to suspend classes, but shut the airport and some public bus routes, the official Xinhua news agency reported, blaming the emergency on the first day of the heating being turned on in the city for winter. Visibility was reportedly reduced to 10 meters.
The smog is expected to continue for the next 24 hours.
Air quality in Chinese cities is of increasing concern to China's stability-obsessed leadership because it plays into popular resentment over political privilege and rising inequality in the world's second-largest economy.
Domestic media have run stories describing the expensive air purifiers government officials enjoy in their homes and offices, alongside reports of special organic farms so cadres need not risk suffering from recurring food safety scandals.
The government has announced plans over the years to tackle the pollution problem but has made little apparent progress.
Tropical Storm Lorenzo Forms In The Atlantic
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The 13th Tropical Storm of the season formed in the Atlantic Ocean Monday.
Tropical Storm Lorenzo is now moving northeast at 9 mph in the open Atlantic.
At 11 p.m., the National Hurricane Center said the system
was no threat to land.
The center of the system was located about 685 miles east-southeast of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph. Tropical storm force winds extend up to 80 miles from the center.
Lorenzo is expected to turn toward the northeast Monday night followed by a turn toward the ENE Tuesday.
Tropical Storm Lorenzo is now moving northeast at 9 mph in the open Atlantic.
was no threat to land.The center of the system was located about 685 miles east-southeast of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph. Tropical storm force winds extend up to 80 miles from the center.
Lorenzo is expected to turn toward the northeast Monday night followed by a turn toward the ENE Tuesday.
Typhoon Francisco
TORONTO – As Japan recovers from one typhoon, another is on its doorstep.
Typhoon Wipha struck the country just a week ago. Typhoon Francisco is now on its way to the island, packing sustained winds near 150 km/h with gusts of 222 km/h and is moving west-northwestward at 15 km/h.
The storm is expected to make landfall near Tokyo Friday or Saturday as a category one typhoon.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the storm was about 530 km southwest of Okinawa, Japan.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued warnings and advisories for much of the eastern part of the country.
According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), the storm is generating wave heights of up to 13.1 metres in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean.
Typhoon Wipha struck the country just a week ago. Typhoon Francisco is now on its way to the island, packing sustained winds near 150 km/h with gusts of 222 km/h and is moving west-northwestward at 15 km/h.
The storm is expected to make landfall near Tokyo Friday or Saturday as a category one typhoon.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the storm was about 530 km southwest of Okinawa, Japan.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued warnings and advisories for much of the eastern part of the country.
According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), the storm is generating wave heights of up to 13.1 metres in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean.
Hurricane Raymond
ACAPULCO, Mexico -- Hurricane Raymond remained nearly stationary as it spun off Mexico's southern Pacific coast late Monday, threatening to spread heavy rains onto a sodden region already devastated by last month's Tropical Storm Manuel.
Guerrero state authorities said it was raining in places but so far no torrential rains had hit the area. Some streets flood in Acapulco, and a few hundred people were evacuated as a precaution from some low-lying coastal areas and isolated mountain towns, authorities said.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the Category 3 hurricane had maximum sustained winds of about 120 mph (195 kph) and was edging eastward at 2 mph (4 kph). Raymond was centered about 90 miles (150 kilometers) south-southwest of the beach resort of Zihuatanejo late Monday, and it was expected to follow an erratic path and possibly get closer to the coast over the next day, before veering back out to sea Wednesday.
In the beach resort of Zihuatanejo, officials went door-to-door in hillside communities warning residents about the risk of flash floods and mudslides, but nobody had voluntarily evacuated to the three shelters set up in schools and athletic facilities, municipal firefighter Jesus Guatemala said.
Amid light, intermittent rains, tourists continued to stroll through town.
Mexican authorities rushed to deploy emergency crews and said they were considering evacuations of low-lying areas. About 10,000 people already are living away from their homes a month after Manuel inundated whole neighborhoods and caused landslides that buried much of one village. It left behind drenched hillsides that pose serious landslide risks.
Guerrero state authorities said it was raining in places but so far no torrential rains had hit the area. Some streets flood in Acapulco, and a few hundred people were evacuated as a precaution from some low-lying coastal areas and isolated mountain towns, authorities said.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the Category 3 hurricane had maximum sustained winds of about 120 mph (195 kph) and was edging eastward at 2 mph (4 kph). Raymond was centered about 90 miles (150 kilometers) south-southwest of the beach resort of Zihuatanejo late Monday, and it was expected to follow an erratic path and possibly get closer to the coast over the next day, before veering back out to sea Wednesday.
In the beach resort of Zihuatanejo, officials went door-to-door in hillside communities warning residents about the risk of flash floods and mudslides, but nobody had voluntarily evacuated to the three shelters set up in schools and athletic facilities, municipal firefighter Jesus Guatemala said.
Amid light, intermittent rains, tourists continued to stroll through town.
Mexican authorities rushed to deploy emergency crews and said they were considering evacuations of low-lying areas. About 10,000 people already are living away from their homes a month after Manuel inundated whole neighborhoods and caused landslides that buried much of one village. It left behind drenched hillsides that pose serious landslide risks.
Chicago Snow
Chicagoans awoke to a deep chill Tuesday morning with a freeze warning overnight and the possibility of early evening snowfall.
That possibility turned into a reality in the early afternoon when snow began to fall around 12:20 p.m. at Midway Airport and continued through 12:40 p.m. before it changed to rain, according to the Chicago Weather Center. Snowfall was also reported at O'Hare Airport and a number of west and southwest suburbs Tuesday.
Meteorologists previously said a first snow of the season was most likely along the I-80 corridor around 6 p.m. Tuesday. Any snow will likely be a wintry mix with rain, making for a "light slushy accumulation" on the ground, (so, not quite graupel) National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Friedlein told the Tribune.
The south and southwest suburbs stood a greater chance of seeing the white stuff Tuesday, while those living north of the city will only have the blast of cold air ripping through the area: A Tuesday high of 45 degrees in the city will drop down below freezing by evening, CBS Chicago reports.
Chicago's been snow-free since April 19 when AccuWeather says "a measly 0.1 of an inch was recorded." AccuWeather says while October snowfall isn't impossible, it is rare.
The last time the city recorded measurable October snowfall was Oct. 12, 2006 -- 0.3 inches -- which remains the city's all-time earliest measurable snowfall.
Last year, Chicago went until Nov. 12 before seeing any snow with the first measurable snowfall holding out until Dec. 20.
That possibility turned into a reality in the early afternoon when snow began to fall around 12:20 p.m. at Midway Airport and continued through 12:40 p.m. before it changed to rain, according to the Chicago Weather Center. Snowfall was also reported at O'Hare Airport and a number of west and southwest suburbs Tuesday.
Meteorologists previously said a first snow of the season was most likely along the I-80 corridor around 6 p.m. Tuesday. Any snow will likely be a wintry mix with rain, making for a "light slushy accumulation" on the ground, (so, not quite graupel) National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Friedlein told the Tribune.
The south and southwest suburbs stood a greater chance of seeing the white stuff Tuesday, while those living north of the city will only have the blast of cold air ripping through the area: A Tuesday high of 45 degrees in the city will drop down below freezing by evening, CBS Chicago reports.
Chicago's been snow-free since April 19 when AccuWeather says "a measly 0.1 of an inch was recorded." AccuWeather says while October snowfall isn't impossible, it is rare.
The last time the city recorded measurable October snowfall was Oct. 12, 2006 -- 0.3 inches -- which remains the city's all-time earliest measurable snowfall.
Last year, Chicago went until Nov. 12 before seeing any snow with the first measurable snowfall holding out until Dec. 20.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Slow Hurricane Season
Nearly one year after Hurricane Sandy ravaged the East Coast, the 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season has not produced a single land-falling hurricane in the U.S. Instead of having above-average storm activity, as the seasonal hurricane outlooks unanimously called for, the season has been quiet — notable for its inactivity.
The tropical season doesn’t officially end until November 30, but it would take a barrage of late-season storms to bring the season up to average levels, let alone above average, something that forecasters say is unlikely.
While pre-season outlooks rarely, if ever, have pinpoint accuracy, they don’t usually miss by such a large margin. In May, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) projected that there would likely be between 13 and 20 named storms (with sustained winds of at least 39 mph). Of those storms, NOAA projected that between seven and 11 would achieve hurricane status (winds of at least 74 mph); and that three or four would become major hurricanes of category 3, 4 or 5 (winds of at least 111 mph).
By one measure, 2013 so far ranks as the 7th quietest season in the past 70 years. That measure uses an index known as Accumulated Cyclone Energy, which incorporates how many storms formed, how long they lasted, and how strong they became. If no additional storms were to form before the end of the season, 2013 would be the 4th quietest.
There has not been a major hurricane in either the North Atlantic Basin or the eastern Pacific this year, something that hasn’t happened since 1968, according to Philip Klotzbach, a hurricane researcher and seasonal forecaster at Colorado State University.
The tropical season doesn’t officially end until November 30, but it would take a barrage of late-season storms to bring the season up to average levels, let alone above average, something that forecasters say is unlikely.
While pre-season outlooks rarely, if ever, have pinpoint accuracy, they don’t usually miss by such a large margin. In May, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) projected that there would likely be between 13 and 20 named storms (with sustained winds of at least 39 mph). Of those storms, NOAA projected that between seven and 11 would achieve hurricane status (winds of at least 74 mph); and that three or four would become major hurricanes of category 3, 4 or 5 (winds of at least 111 mph).
By one measure, 2013 so far ranks as the 7th quietest season in the past 70 years. That measure uses an index known as Accumulated Cyclone Energy, which incorporates how many storms formed, how long they lasted, and how strong they became. If no additional storms were to form before the end of the season, 2013 would be the 4th quietest.
There has not been a major hurricane in either the North Atlantic Basin or the eastern Pacific this year, something that hasn’t happened since 1968, according to Philip Klotzbach, a hurricane researcher and seasonal forecaster at Colorado State University.
Tropical Cyclone Phailin
New Delhi, India (CNN) -- Hours after it snapped power lines, overturned cars and ripped away bamboo homes, the most powerful cyclone to hit India in years weakened Sunday, but not before it left at least 14 dead.
Morning light revealed damage from Tropical Cyclone Phailin after it pounded the eastern coast, the strongest storm in India in 14 years.
Debris littered wet streets. Buildings had gaping holes where roofs and windows had been.
In Odisha state, where the cyclone landed, at least 13 people were killed after trees fell and walls collapsed when the storm hit, Police Chief Prakash Mishra said. Another death was confirmed in Andhra Pradesh state, India's disaster management authority said.
Many had feared the death toll would be higher. Massive evacuation efforts helped limit the number of casualties, officials said.
"It is a huge, huge relief," Naveen Patnaik, Odisha's chief minister, told CNN sister network CNN-IBN. "Damage has been minimal."
But in the hardest hit areas, the storm's impact was clear, with flooded highways, fallen trees and downed power lines.
Typhoon Wipha
TOKYO, Japan – Typhoon Wipha packed winds of up to 110 mph as it passed along Japan’s coast early Wednesday, snarling travel in Tokyo and causing floods and mudslides that left at least 17 people dead.
The powerful storm made landfall during the morning rush hour, grounding domestic flights and prompting the suspension of bullet trains.
But the most damage centered around Izu Ohshima, an island of 8,400 residents, 75 miles south of Tokyo where a record breaking torrential rain triggered landslides and caused rivers to overflow.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency warned on Tuesday that the typhoon was expected to be the strongest in a decade.
Local television stations showed aerial pictures of a mountain in Ohshima that had been completely caved in by the rain, depicting the large track of damage it left behind.
While the storm moved north and is expected to weaken, the government’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga urged the public to remain vigilant of the latest weather information and to take ample precaution.
Tokyo Electric Power Corp., operator of the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, said it would call off all offshore work.
The powerful storm made landfall during the morning rush hour, grounding domestic flights and prompting the suspension of bullet trains.
But the most damage centered around Izu Ohshima, an island of 8,400 residents, 75 miles south of Tokyo where a record breaking torrential rain triggered landslides and caused rivers to overflow.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency warned on Tuesday that the typhoon was expected to be the strongest in a decade.
Local television stations showed aerial pictures of a mountain in Ohshima that had been completely caved in by the rain, depicting the large track of damage it left behind.
While the storm moved north and is expected to weaken, the government’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga urged the public to remain vigilant of the latest weather information and to take ample precaution.
Tokyo Electric Power Corp., operator of the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, said it would call off all offshore work.
Severe Storms After Blizzard
Some locations of the High Plains hit by the blizzard last week could be hit with severe thunderstorms Thursday evening.
The 1-4 feet of snow that fell on northwestern Nebraska, western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming less than a week ago with temperatures in the 20s and 30s has been melting rapidly this week with temperatures climbing into the 50s, 60s and even the 70s.
In many areas away from the mountains and hills, the snow will be gone by the time the next storm rolls. After nearly 20 inches of snow fell at the airport in Rapid City, the snow depth as of 1 a.m. local time Thursday was down to 1 inch.
That storm has the potential to bring severe weather from western and central South Dakota, southward through western and central Nebraska, western Kansas to the Oklahoma Panhandle, and perhaps neighboring areas of Wyoming and Colorado.
According to AccuWeather.com Severe Weather Expert Henry Margusity, "The storms are likely to hit late in the day Thursday into Thursday night with damaging wind gusts, hail and flash flooding being the major threats."
Cities that could be hit by the storms include Rapid City, S.D., Chadron, Neb., and Dodge City, Kan.
The 1-4 feet of snow that fell on northwestern Nebraska, western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming less than a week ago with temperatures in the 20s and 30s has been melting rapidly this week with temperatures climbing into the 50s, 60s and even the 70s.
In many areas away from the mountains and hills, the snow will be gone by the time the next storm rolls. After nearly 20 inches of snow fell at the airport in Rapid City, the snow depth as of 1 a.m. local time Thursday was down to 1 inch.
That storm has the potential to bring severe weather from western and central South Dakota, southward through western and central Nebraska, western Kansas to the Oklahoma Panhandle, and perhaps neighboring areas of Wyoming and Colorado.
According to AccuWeather.com Severe Weather Expert Henry Margusity, "The storms are likely to hit late in the day Thursday into Thursday night with damaging wind gusts, hail and flash flooding being the major threats."
Cities that could be hit by the storms include Rapid City, S.D., Chadron, Neb., and Dodge City, Kan.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Kentucky Floods
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Dozens of people were displaced over the weekend by flooding in Louisville and Jefferson County, including some by rescue personnel using boats, authorities said Sunday.
By Sunday evening, some people were returning home to assess damage. Flood watches and warnings were discontinued for the area as the rain tapered off.
A potent storm front rumbling across the nation's midsection was blamed for more than 6 inches of rain that drenched the region Saturday, swamping some low-lying neighborhoods with water from ankle-deep to waist-deep in spots, Metro Safe spokeswoman Jody Duncan told The Associated Press.
"We had about 82 people that we assisted because of flooding in specific areas," said Duncan, with the local emergency management agency for the city and the county. "We had 12 rescues and 250 assists. Everybody's safe and we had no injuries."
The drenching rainstorms were part of a cold front sweeping the area late Saturday, prompting flash flood warnings for more than two dozen counties in and around Louisville and parts of southern Indiana. Some of the watches remained in effect early Sunday.
Louisville Metro officials listed several streets and thoroughfares that were at least partly closed off because of flooding. Photographs posted on social media sites showed floodwaters partly submerging cars and at least one swollen creek swirling with dark brown waters.
On Sunday, flood victims were surveying the flood damage.
"Our carpet is wet. Whatever furniture is touching the floor is wet. We've got blankets in the hallway soaked," Santrelle Varner told WHAS-TV in Louisville.
By Sunday evening, some people were returning home to assess damage. Flood watches and warnings were discontinued for the area as the rain tapered off.
A potent storm front rumbling across the nation's midsection was blamed for more than 6 inches of rain that drenched the region Saturday, swamping some low-lying neighborhoods with water from ankle-deep to waist-deep in spots, Metro Safe spokeswoman Jody Duncan told The Associated Press.
"We had about 82 people that we assisted because of flooding in specific areas," said Duncan, with the local emergency management agency for the city and the county. "We had 12 rescues and 250 assists. Everybody's safe and we had no injuries."
The drenching rainstorms were part of a cold front sweeping the area late Saturday, prompting flash flood warnings for more than two dozen counties in and around Louisville and parts of southern Indiana. Some of the watches remained in effect early Sunday.
Louisville Metro officials listed several streets and thoroughfares that were at least partly closed off because of flooding. Photographs posted on social media sites showed floodwaters partly submerging cars and at least one swollen creek swirling with dark brown waters.
On Sunday, flood victims were surveying the flood damage.
"Our carpet is wet. Whatever furniture is touching the floor is wet. We've got blankets in the hallway soaked," Santrelle Varner told WHAS-TV in Louisville.
Tornadoes in the Midwest
The mile-wide tornado was more than a mile wide, according to reports, and devastated the area.
According to the Weather Channel, there were 17 tornadoes across Nebraska, South Dakota, and Iowa on Friday. Reports claim that numerous buildings were destroyed and at least 15 injuries were suffered.
In Iowa, Woodbury County Sheriff's Lt. Tony Wingert reported that many buildings were destroyed by the tornado. The sheriff described that the powerful tornado threw vehicles around, causing extensive damage to the area.
Wingert said: "It's a mess… We have more than 30 rural homes destroyed, farms destroyed. We don't have a number for the number of cars destroyed."
In Nebraska, Wayne was also slammed by another tornado, and at least 10 buldings were destroyed, and five others were very badly damaged.
Jay Collier, a spokesman for Wayne State College said: "The tornado ripped through the east side of town… We are doing everything we can to assist the city."
According to the Weather Channel, there were 17 tornadoes across Nebraska, South Dakota, and Iowa on Friday. Reports claim that numerous buildings were destroyed and at least 15 injuries were suffered.
In Iowa, Woodbury County Sheriff's Lt. Tony Wingert reported that many buildings were destroyed by the tornado. The sheriff described that the powerful tornado threw vehicles around, causing extensive damage to the area.
Wingert said: "It's a mess… We have more than 30 rural homes destroyed, farms destroyed. We don't have a number for the number of cars destroyed."
In Nebraska, Wayne was also slammed by another tornado, and at least 10 buldings were destroyed, and five others were very badly damaged.
Jay Collier, a spokesman for Wayne State College said: "The tornado ripped through the east side of town… We are doing everything we can to assist the city."
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Typhoon Witup
Seventy-two people are missing after three Chinese fishing boats sank in the South China Sea amid stormy weather caused by a typhoon, state media reported.
Two of the vessels foundered Sunday afternoon as they battled gales about 330 kilometers from the Chinese island of Hainan, the state-run news agency Xinhua reported. The third one sank Monday morning, it said.
As of Tuesday morning, rescuers had retrieved 16 survivors, the state-run China News Service reported, citing the Hainan government. Rescue operations have been hampered by strong gales and rough seas.
A total of five fishing boats with 171 crew aboard had been caught in the storm, the Hainan Maritime Search and Rescue Center said, according to Xinhua. The two other vessels managed to survive the
harsh conditions.
All three boats that sank were from the southern Chinese province of Guangdong.
President Xi Jinping urged local authorities to do their utmost to find the missing or stranded and minimize casualties," state media reported.
Xi also ordered the armed forces and central government departments to help in the rescue effort.
The storm, Typhoon Wutip, made landfall in central Vietnam late Monday. Authorities there relocated tens of thousands of people from areas at risk as the storm approached.
Typhoon Fitow
Fitow has strengthened into a typhoon and is expected to drift northward then turn west to northwest over the weekend.
This track will take the storm across the southern Ryukyu Islands then just north of Taiwan with a landfall expected in eastern China by later Sunday or Monday.
The Korean Peninsula is not out of harm's way from this storm as a trough to the north will pull much of Fitow's moisture across the Korean Peninsula after the storm makes landfall. This will bring a high flooding potential to the region.
Fitow will continue to slowly strengthen during the next day or two as it churns north to northwestward over the warm waters of the Philippine Sea.
Maximum sustained winds within Fitow should peak at around 145 to 160 kph (90 to 100 mph, equal to that of a strong Category 1 or minimal Category 2 hurricane) Friday night or Saturday local time.
This track will take the storm across the southern Ryukyu Islands then just north of Taiwan with a landfall expected in eastern China by later Sunday or Monday.
The Korean Peninsula is not out of harm's way from this storm as a trough to the north will pull much of Fitow's moisture across the Korean Peninsula after the storm makes landfall. This will bring a high flooding potential to the region.
Fitow will continue to slowly strengthen during the next day or two as it churns north to northwestward over the warm waters of the Philippine Sea.
Maximum sustained winds within Fitow should peak at around 145 to 160 kph (90 to 100 mph, equal to that of a strong Category 1 or minimal Category 2 hurricane) Friday night or Saturday local time.
Seattle Tornado
A rare tornado damaged industrial buildings south of Seattle as an unseasonable September storm dumped record amounts of rain and temporarily knocked out power for thousands in the Pacific Northwest.
The tornado at 7:20 a.m. Monday hit the industrial area of Frederickson, tearing a hole in the roof of the Northwest Door factory, blowing out car windows at a nearby Boeing factory, and damaging a building where sections of a downtown Seattle tunnel project were being assembled.
There were no injuries at those buildings or at nearby homes, where trees also fell.
A team from the National Weather Service office in Seattle went to the scene and confirmed the tornado from eyewitness accounts, meteorologist Johnny Burger.
The Weather Service classified the tornado as an EF1, with a maximum wind speed of 110 mph.
The damage, including a jagged 40-by-40-foot hole in the roof at Northwest Door, stopped work at the factory that makes garage doors. About 100 workers evacuated.
"It looked from the inside like a wave going along. You could actually see the roof flexing," Northwest Door President Jeff Hohman said.
The tornado at 7:20 a.m. Monday hit the industrial area of Frederickson, tearing a hole in the roof of the Northwest Door factory, blowing out car windows at a nearby Boeing factory, and damaging a building where sections of a downtown Seattle tunnel project were being assembled.
There were no injuries at those buildings or at nearby homes, where trees also fell.
A team from the National Weather Service office in Seattle went to the scene and confirmed the tornado from eyewitness accounts, meteorologist Johnny Burger.
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Searching Through The RubbleThe damage, including a jagged 40-by-40-foot hole in the roof at Northwest Door, stopped work at the factory that makes garage doors. About 100 workers evacuated.
"It looked from the inside like a wave going along. You could actually see the roof flexing," Northwest Door President Jeff Hohman said.
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