Panama Canal Closed due to Flooding

The Panama Canal has closed for the 3rd time in its 96 year history on Wednesday.  The canal closed around noon but was in hopes of reopening by nighttime.  The heavy downpour was around the Chagres River which helped cause the water at the Gatun Dam to rise.  This dam is what creates Lake Gatun, which is a very important player in the Panama Canal.  The last time that it closed was back in 1989. 

http://www.ubalert.com/a/36772

Isreal caught in flames with its largest recorded wildfire!

Just days ago a fire broke out in Israel.  This massive fire killed 43 and injured 17.  It was a long and intense struggle to put it out.  They extinguished many sections while other parts continued to burn.  The finance ministry is allocating them around 16 million dollars to aid communities affected by this terrible fire.  They had been working day and night to put out the fire from the air.  Israel mobilized 30 different planes for other countries to help with these efforts.  While the fire continued on, 17,000 people had been evacuated from close communities. 

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/12/05/israel.forest.fires/index.html?hpt=T2

More believed trapped under Colombian landslide.

Rescuers have been digging for victims of the Colombian landslide.  So far they have recovered 43 bodies.  The Red Cross National Deputy Director Jorge Ivan Nova stated that the best chances of finding someone alive is within the first 48 hours.  They believe there is still 100 people left buried due to people missing.  These torrential rains that hit Colombia has affected near to 1.6 million people.   

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/12/08/colombia.landslide/index.html?section=cnn_latest

Effects of a Tsunami and ones childs return home.

When Tsunamis strike any area they leave behind a huge impact on that community.  When a tsunami struck Sri Lanka in 2004 many children were lost and gathered into orphanages.  One small girl is now found who was thought to be dead.  She is living with a family who claims falsily to be her parents.  They are doing DNA tests on her now and will return her to her actual family.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11958312

A move to airlift Malaysians as Merapi volcano continues...

Mount Merapi continues to erupt!  The volcano began erupting 2 weeks ago and has killed at least 130 people since.  230,000 people have been forced to flee from the area.  Ash still covers much of the area such as villages in Central Java.  The ash is so bad here that many airlines stopped flying to Jakarta due to fear of ash damage.  The volcano is the most active it has been for a century and it looks as if it is not letting up.  Malaysia sent in 3 C-130 transport aircraft to collect 664 stranded people.  Many of the victims have been placed in separate wooden caskets and will be buried in a massive grave site in a green field that is in the shadow of the volcano. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11706635

Tropical Storm Tomas strengthens back into a hurricane

Tomas strengthened back into a hurricane on Saturday just hours after it was downgraded to a tropical storm.  Tomas just finished passing through Haiti where it brought extensive damage.  Six people have been killed, streets have turned to rivers, and homes have been destroyed because of Tomas.  I cant believe that all of this is happening to a nation who is still recovering from a detrimental earthquake and a current cholera outbreak.  Keep your thoughts with the people who need your help the most in such a unfortunate event. 

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/category/latest-news/weather/tropical-weather/

Land Slide in Costa Rica kills at least 20

A landslide caused by heavy rain has killed at least 20 people in a suburb outside of the capital in Costa Rica.  The rain caused the hillside to give way which sent tons of rock and earth to fall on the houses below it.  The government was considering to declare a national emergency.  In some parts of Costa Rica, they have seen 3 times the rainfall in November within 3 days.  This event occur ed on November 4th.  I truly hope that the families that were effected are taken care of so they can continue with their lives.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11699598

700 displaced from Nigeria flooding

Flooding has been striking regions of Nigeria such as Lagos.  700 people from the town Ajegunle will be relocated to a relief camp.  The flooding began last month when the Ogun River rose above its banks after the opening of a dam.  When speaking with affected residents, there were discussions of them moving completely.  They are directly on a flood plain.  What we can do now is wait and hope that the water subsides soon.  I am hoping for the best for these people. 

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/10/12/nigeria.flooding/index.html

Hungary hit with toxic spill, but whos to blame?

The CEO of the Hungarian company that was responsible for the huge toxic spill believes that he is not to blame.  Zoltan Bakonyi is the chief executive of the MAL aluminum plant.  He believes that problems that lead to this spill have been present for 25 years and that he has only been in his position for 2 years.  He will however take place in aid efforts.  Bakonyi also stated that the company had been in compliance with all Hungarian safety regulations.  He denies that idea that overproduction and improper payment of the workers had anything to do with this situation.  Since the spill 9 people have died and over 100 people have been injured.  The spill is now in the Danube and we can only hope that the damage is less than expected.  

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/10/15/hungary.sludge.ceo/

Floods in Pakistan look to reach 9.7 billion in damages

This small story is a follow up to what occurred in Pakistan this summer.  As you may know there was a huge flood that took place.  Millions of lives were effected and thousands were killed because of it.  The World Bank and Asian Development Bank just announced today that the estimated cost of the flood is 9.7 billion dollars.  What is now important is for Pakistan to step up and to becoming financially responsive and help with this crisis.  The UK, US, etc are doing their share in this aid and need Pakistan to do their job.  Gen. Ban Ki-moon stated the flood was, "The worst natural disaster the United Nations has responded to in its 65-year history."  

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/10/14/pakistan.flood.cost/index.html

Eau Claire Flooding starting to lower

In case you haven't heard, Eau Claire and surrounding areas were hit with heavy amounts of rain resulting in some major flooding.  The flooding occurred due to the build up and rise of the mighty Chippewa river.  I believe this was the 4th largest flood that has occurred in Eau Claire's history.  The water was at the 776 marking that is on the walking bridge on UWEC campus.  The river is now on the decline and people are starting to get back the their normal routines.  I saw many people on the trails along side of the river running or pushing there kids in their strollers.  These are the same trails that were under feet of water just a few days ago.  I'm happy that things are getting back to normal.  That was one heck of a week in Eau Claire! 

Topical Storm Nicole shows its self on the East Coast!

Flooding has started in cities like Jacksonville North Carolina.  Creeks are at a high and there are retention ponds there.  There are people kayaking around the streets because of the rising water.  150 streets have been closed in North Carolina and people were evacuated in Bertie County.  Mass amounts of rain fall have been pouring down on the East Coast over the past week.  Since Sunday, Wilmington North Carolina has received 22.54 inches of rain.  Vehicular traffic was completely cut of in Swansboro.  I hope that they get all of this settled as soon as possible. 

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/10/01/east.coast.rain/index.html?hpt=C1

Tropical Storm Nicole Continues to Devistate!

Since the beginning of tropical storm Nicole hit Jamaica, five people are confirmed dead and seven are still missing from being swept away by floodwater.  Mudslides swept through the area and were striking shanty towns.  Nicole broke apart late on Wednesday afternoon over the Atlantic.  This was the latest storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11448690     

Death Toll rises to 54 after Typhoon hits southern China

Typhoon Fanipai slams China's southern Guangdong Provence.  They just received the heaviest rainfall in a century beginning on Monday of this week.  Over 70,000 people were evacuated out of low lying areas and 1,000,000 people have been effected.  Meteorologists say that this is the strongest Typhoon to hit this year.  Of the 54 confirmed dead, all were from the Guangdong Provence. Subsequent flooding and landslides had destroyed more than 1,400 homes.  The economic losses have also been estimated at 298 million US dollars.   The shaded area is what has been effected by the Typhoon.  

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11395575

India: Floods in North Kill 17 and Force Evacuations-New york times

Due to heavy flood waters in Northern India, thousands of homes have been washed away and 2 million have been forced to evacuate within 24 hours.  17 people have been confirmed dead but that number will indefinitely rise.  There paramilitary troops have been working to evacuate these people to safer locations.  I wonder if much of this could have been prevented by a faster warning system? My thoughts are with these people in need.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/24/world/asia/24briefs-Indiaflood.html

Georgette ready to hit Mexico

There is potential heavy rain in the up coming days for parts of Mexico thanks to Georgette. 

Georgette is a tropical depression that is south of Guaymas, Mexico at the moment.

The Hurricane Center said Georgette could drop 4 to 6 inches of rain in parts of Mexico, and the system is expected to affect parts of the southwestern United States in the next few days.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/09/22/tropical.weather/index.html 

Hey Everybody!!

I first off want to welcome you to my blog! I will be posting news of environmental hazards all around the globe.  It is crucial that people are informed about what is happening around the world.  We can make a difference if we just stay informed.  That is the first step.  So keep up with my blog and will keep posting the news you need to know! Thanks!!