Natural Disasters

In many catastrophic events, the death toll had no reason to be that high. Author Michael Bond asserts that people usually have the physical ability to escape, but are impaired in the moment of disaster. Minimizing the death toll in a disaster requires great cooperation and a conscious effort by the…

The tropical storm Usman hit the Philippines on December 31st, causing heavy rains that resulted in flooding and landslides. Sixty-eight fatalities have been accounted for so far, which is expected to increase as the damage is assessed.  Usman was not strong enough to be considered a Typhoon, so…

Officials are shocked after twenty tornado touchdowns struck central Illinois in December, which is typically not part of tornado season. With over 21 individuals injured and hundreds of homes damaged, the consequences were immense. Government officials are encouraging insurance companies to become…

Officials have begun to lift evacuation orders across parts of Paradise, California, nearly one month since the Camp Fire devastated this region of Northern California. Although the fire was officially contained ten days ago, officials have warned against further dangers, including high levels of…

Independent: At least 26 people have died as a result of the devastating flooding, landslides, and shelter collapses caused by monsoon rains in southern India. More than 15,500 people are taking shelter in government shelters. Read more about it here.

— BBC NEWS Sydney has had the heaviest rainfall this November than it has had in the last decade. This substantial rainfall has caused flash floods, traffic disorder, and power outages. Hundreds of flights have been canceled or delayed in response to the rainfall. As of now, 2 individuals have died…

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Image of Woolsey Fire from Wikipedia

CNN: San Francisco, Stockton, and Sacramento, all located in northern California, were the most polluted cities in the world as of the morning of November 16th. Due to the wildfires, the air in these areas has high levels of particulate matter, which is a common result following a wildfire. Public…

The Guardian: Officials worry that residents will be more likely to ignore evacuation orders as wildfires become more routine. For example, Butte County, California has been evacuated at least five times in two years. As evacuations become more frequent, people may be desensitized and become less…

Minutes before California's Camp and Woolsey fires began, local utilities companies reported problems with electricity lines, in the same vicinity at the origin of the fires. These reports of equipment malfunctions are helping officials piece together the narrative of the cause of the two…

The Krakatoa volcano, which erupted in 1883 and killed 36,000 people, is now erupting again to a lesser extent. Supposedly it has been producing its own lightening, using a specific form of chemistry that was not well understood until recently. Read more about the volcano here.

Weather: A California mud geyser in Imperial County moved 60 feet in one day, threatening nearby railroad tracks and a highway. This mud pot has existed since 1953, but recently has progressed faster than expected. Read more about it here.

Independent: On Sunday night, three strong earthquakes over 6.0 in magnitude struck the Canadian province of British Columbia. Because this area is part of the Ring of Fire, it is at high risk for these natural disasters. Read more about it here.