I grew up in tornado alley and of course there is quite a bit of difference between the two. One major difference that keeps coming to my mind is the length of time. Tornadoes are “wham bam thank ya ma’am,” whereas Sandy (which is no longer being called a hurricane) is like the Eveready Bunny… just keeps going and going and going…. I’ll take my tornadoes.
Category Archives: Natural Disasters
TX Tornadoes Toss Semi-Trucks Like Toys | Footage and Photos 4
Incredible footage of semi-trailer trucks literally sucked up in the air and tossed around as though they are match-box toys. Footage from the tornadoes which struck Dallas-Ft Worth on Tuesday. Heavy damage, yet no casualties. Very lucky.
If you have not seen this footage, it is amazing. I am from tornado alley, and my jaw still drops when I watch this. Found a nice HD upload from the CNN coverage, so you can really see nature at work here.
Japan | Photos One Year Later 19
One year ago on March 6, 2011, a trifecta of disasters hit Japan. First was a 9.0 earthquake which caused a massive tsunami to hit the shore. A tsunami so large that the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant suffered a triple meltdown. A combination of all three killed as many as 20,000 people, left tens of thousands of homes and businesses in ruins, and turned that area of Japan into a ghost town.
Tornadoes Tear Through the Midwest | Footage and Photos 17
I am sure you have all heard by now that a powerful severe storm system moved across the United States on Friday, with a slew of tornadoes from Alabama to Indiana contributing to at least five deaths and threatening even more destruction as the day wore on.
Indiana State Fair Official Testifies About Deadly Stage Collapse 9
More Photos from the Wreck of the Costa Concordia 1
Here are some amazing photos of the Coast Concordia. It has been hard to grasp the size of this ship from most of the pictures I’ve seen, and the news coverage on TV and the internet. However, in a few of these photos, the rescuers look like tiny miniatures when photographed next to sections of the ship. These are some truly incredible pictures.
Clicking on a thumbnail will bring up the photo in full size and you may then toggle through at your own pace. More…
ExxonMobil Fracking May Have Caused Massive Landslide Dozens Dead Reply
Up to 60 people are feared killed in a massive landslide which hit villages near the ExxonMobil-led LNG project in Papua New Guinea’s Southern Highlands.
Fire, Floods, Snow and Ice Strikes the Western US | Video Photos 10
Funny weather forecast. Click to enlarge.
A state of emergency has been declared in Oregon and Washington, where a powerful winter storm brought deadly floods, heavy snows of up to 4 feet, a severe ice storm, and damaging winds Wednesday and Thursday. Heavy rains of 3 – 8 inches have fallen over a wide swath of Western Oregon since Monday, causing major to record flooding on multiple rivers and creeks. In Albany, Oregon, a family of four drove out of a supermarket parking lot and into a flooded Perwinkle Creek Wednesday night, and were swept away. Two people were rescued, but a 20-month-old boy and his mother drowned. The Marys River in Philomath rose to its highest flood on record yesterday, and will remain at major flood stage today before gradually receding tonight. The rains have tapered off over much of the region today, but renewed rains are expected later today and intermittently into early next week.
2011 in Review | Fires in the US Southwest 2
During the summer of 2011, which happens to be one of the worst droughts on record for those of us here in the United States Southwest, fires erupted all over causing mass destruction in many states. I reside in Albuquerque NM, and we were very fortunate here in the city. No large fires. A few small ones sprang up in the Rio Grande Bosque, but were quickly put out with little damage. However, Albuquerque, as well as a large part of the state, were victims from the mass amount of smoke and ash from the Arizona Wallow fires in June 2011. The first picture below is one I took from my back yard late one afternoon. No, it is not a setting sun… it is pink due to the thick smoke in the air. Ash covered everything for several days, choked our swamp coolers, and caused a large increase of asthma related problems in the hospitals. Below that are three photos I took from the north side of Albuquerque of the smoke pouring from the fires in Los Alamos (the Las Conchas fire), which threatened the nuclear lab facility there (home of the A-Bomb.) Los Alamos NM is approximately 70 miles how the crow flies. More…
2011 in Review | Extreme Weather 6
What a year 2011 was when it came to weather. Blizzards, tornadoes, flooding, droughts and hurricanes. Here is a photo journal through the extreme weather of 2011 shown in chronological order. Geologic disasters (tsunami, earthquakes, etc) will be posted in a separate article, as well as the fires in the US Southwest (in which I live.) More…
Powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake hits Turkey Reply
A powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Turkey on Sunday, collapsing dozens of buildings into piles of twisted steel and chunks of concrete. Desperate survivors dug into the rubble with their bare hands, trying to rescue the trapped and injured.
Photos of floods in Pakistan Reply
One year ago, Pakistan suffered the worst flooding in its history, a slow-moving disaster that left some 2,000 dead and another 11 million homeless. Nearly one million are still without permanent shelter, and meanwhile, the flooding has returned. Though it’s not on the same scale as last year’s flood, this summer’s damage is still significant.
High water from monsoon rains has killed more than 200 people since early August, damaging or destroying some 670,000 homes and affecting more than 5 million people, according to the government and the United Nations. The disaster has once again overwhelmed the capacity of the government to assist, and the UN has asked for $357 million in international aid. Gathered here is a handful of recent images from Pakistan, where residents are once again coping with flooding on a massive scale.
Several footages of fires in Texas. Update on Bastrop. Reply
The Insurance Council of Texas reported Monday that estimated losses due to recent wildfires in Central Texas are $250 million, by far the costliest in the state’s history.
Firefighting teams Monday worked to extinguish final stubborn flare-ups in the massive, week-old Bastrop blaze, even as gusty winds rekindled several hot spots.
Fires still raging across Texas. More photos. 1
Wildfires are raging across central Texas, compounding drought that has caused $5.2bn in agricultural losses and led ranchers in the largest cattle-producing US state to rush to slaughter.
From Texas Parks & Wildlife: Footage showing how fast wildfires spread Reply
Video shot by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department shows how quickly a wildfire is moving through Bastrop State Park. At least two-thirds of the 6,000 acre park have burned. (Sept. 6)
Hurricane Irene: Photos of before and after 2
Photos of various locations before and after Hurricane Irene struck the east coast. This first picture is not a before/after combo, but most worthy of posting which shows the tremendous power of what moved into our coasts one week ago.
Photos of Texas fires 4
Thursday, Sept. 1st, 2011
Scores of homes have been destroyed in wildfires that have devastated large parts of Texas and Oklahoma.
The Texas Forest Service said it had been the worst fire season in the state’s history, with 20,115 blazes burning a record 3.5m acres since November.
Update and photos on Hurricane Irene from North Carolina Reply
[Update 8:43 p.m.] A ninth person has died as a result of Hurricane Irene, officials said. A man in Chesterfield County, Virginia, died after a tree fell on his home, emergency officials said.
[Update 8:39 p.m.] The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for metropolitan New York. A tornado watch indicates that conditions are favorable for a tornado to form, according to the National Weather Service. No tornado has yet developed or been reported.
[Update 8:35 p.m.] Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Boston announces suspension of Sunday services due to Hurricane Irene.
[Update 8:32 p.m.] The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is now closed, the Maryland Transportation Authority said on its website. The bridge will be off-limits until high winds subside, the agency said.
[Update 8:21 p.m.] The Maryland Transit Administration said it was halting all subway and bus services at 9 p.m. Saturday – with light rail transport ending three hours earlier. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel has been closed until further notice, the state’s Emergency Management Agency reported.
[Update 8:00 p.m.] The National Hurricane Center on Saturday warned residents living in tall structures in the path of Hurricane Irene that the wind hitting upper floors will be stronger than those in most storms.
Above from CNN
__________________________________________
7.05pm ET: Time for a summary of the day’s news as Hurricane Irene carved its way up the United States’ Atlantic coast, Saturday:
• At least five fatalities have now been attributed to the storm. Three of these deaths were caused, directly or indirectly, by trees felled by high winds. In Florida, a surfer was killed while attempting to take advantage of the hurricane-powered waves.
• Approximately 1 million Americans – in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and DC – are without electricity. The mayor of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania has warned citizens that outages could last for days, even weeks. As Irene heads north, that number is likely to grow.
• Hundreds of thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate coastal and low-lying areas along the eastern seaboard. As many as 1 million people have left the Jersey shore. In New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has warned that “we are going to break down doors if we have to” to enforce the evacuation.
• Transport has ground to a virtual halt on the east coast. Some 9,000 flights have been cancelled from affected airports. In New York, all public transport has closed down until Monday.
• Despite Irene losing force, downgraded to category 1, storm surges and heavy rains are creating danger of widespread flooding. In northern New England, Vermont’s governor has declared a state of emergency, with flooding predicted in every river in the state.
With that, Matt Seaton is signing off. Matt Wells continues the service shortly. Good night, Irene.
Posting from Guardian
Abandoned beach front houses are surrounded by rising water as the effects of Hurricane Irene are felt in Nags Head on Saturday, August 27, 2011.
SHAWN ROCCO – SROCCO@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Abandoned beach front houses are surrounded by rising water as the effects of Hurricane Irene are felt in Nags Head, N.C., Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011 (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
GERRY BROOME – AP
A sea bird struggles for life in the leeward side of a dune in Frisco Saturday as Hurricane Irene pounds the coast.
CHUCK LIDDY – CLIDDY@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
A rooftop view of flooding damage Saturday, August 27, 2011 in Morehead City. Hurricane Irene, a category 1 storm, is making landfall on the North Carolina coast. TRAVIS LONG- tlong@newsobserver.com
TRAVIS LONG – TLONG@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Jon Harvey checks flooding damage in his garage Saturday, August 27, 2011 in Morehead City. Hurricane Irene, a category 1 storm, is making landfall on the North Carolina coast. TRAVIS LONG- tlong@newsobserver.com
TRAVIS LONG – TLONG@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
A sailboat sits high and dry in the Scott Marina as Hurricane force winds from Irene push the water into the Pamlico Sound Saturday morning.
CHUCK LIDDY – CLIDDY@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Ian Crossman, left, Cody Levy and Christian Van Vliet walk out onto a receded Albemarle Sound in Kill Devil Hills on Saturday, August 27, 2011. The sound had moved out due to the high winds of Hurricane Irene.
SHAWN ROCCO – SROCCO@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Ian Crossman, left, Cody Levy and Christian Van Vliet walk out onto a receded Albemarle Sound in Kill Devil Hills on Saturday, August 27, 2011. The sound had moved out due to the high winds of Hurricane Irene.
SHAWN ROCCO – SROCCO@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Boats sit in an almost empty channel as Hurricane Irene pushes the water out in to Albemarle Sound in Nags Head on Saturday, August 27, 2011.
SHAWN ROCCO – SROCCO@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Boats sit high and dry in the Scott Marina as Hurricane force winds from Irene push the water into the Pamlico Sound Saturday morning.
CHUCK LIDDY – CLIDDY@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
A vehicle avoids a downed utility pole on Woodlawn St. as Hurricane Irene hits Greenville, N.C. on Aug. 27, 2011.
CHRIS SEWARD – CSEWARD@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
This gas station convenience store in Avon lost it’s canopy as Hurricane Irene arrived Saturday morning.
CHUCK LIDDY – CLIDDY@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Waters lap at the foundation of a house along Calico Creek Saturday, August 27, 2011 in Morehead City. Hurricane Irene, a category 1 storm, is making landfall on the North Carolina coast. TRAVIS LONG- tlong@newsobserver.com
TRAVIS LONG – TLONG@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Smithfield Firefighters inspect the damage to Smithfield House at the intersection of Buffalo and Hospital Roads on Saturday afternoon after winds from Hurricane Irene pushed two trees on the building on Saturday August 27, 2011 in Smithfield, N.C.
ROBERT WILLETT – RWILLETT@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
A personal message to Hurricane Irene at the Nags Head Ocean Rescue building on Friday, August 26, 2011.
SHAWN ROCCO – SROCCO@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
A personal message to Hurricane Irene on a Nags Head House on Friday, August 26, 2011.
SHAWN ROCCO – SROCCO@NEWSOBSERVER.COM
All photos from News Observer
Ring of Fire strikes again. 7.3 magnitude quake off the coast of Japan Reply
Image below from March 11th, 2011, tsunami
A powerful earthquake struck off Japan’s northeastern coast on Sunday, July 10, 2011. Tsunami advisories were issued following the Japan earthquake, Tokyo Breaking News reported. The alert was later lifted.
According to Reuters, Fukushima nuclear plant workers evacuated to higher ground following the earthquake, with no immediate reports of injuries or damage. Tokyo Electric Power said that there did not appear to be any further damage at the nuclear plant.
In March, Japan’s earthquake and tsunami devastated the country, and wreaked havoc at the Fukushima nuclear plant.
The Associated Press reports:
The quake hit at 9:57 local time (0057 GMT), and a warning of a tsunami was issued for most of the northeastern coastline. The epicenter of the quake was in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Japan’s main island, Honshu, at a depth of about 20 miles (30 kilometers).
Japanese officials predicted the quake could generate tsunami of up to 20 inches (50 centimeters), but the initial waves were only about 4 inches (10 centimeters). The tsunami warning was lifted after the forecast arrival time of the waves
Update:
Japan’s Meteorological agency at first estimated the strength of the quake at 7.1, but later revised that to 7.3. It also revised the depth estimate from 10 to 30 kilometers.
Massive dust cloud “haboob” covers Phoenix, zero visibility. Footage. Reply
A massive dust cloud, known as a haboob, overtook Phoenix AZ yesterday reducing visibility to zero and kicking up dangerously high winds. These are caused by the high gusting winds from the monsoons in the desert southwest of the US.
The wall of dust boasted sustained winds of around 60 miles per hour, close to hurricane force. At one point, wind gusts hit 81mph in a Phoenix suburb.
Long-time residents said they have never seen anything like this hit the Arizona capital.
The powerful gusts knocked down power poles in parts of the East Valley, and led to outages affecting thousands of customers.
Reminds me of a scene out of the movie, “The Mummy.”
Haboob (Sand Storm Scottsdale AZ 2011) TIMELAPSE from Steven Esparza on Vimeo.
Los Alamos NM Labs scientist missing since day before Las Conchas fire started Reply
Mike Cannon, a high-security scientist from the Los Alamos National Labs, has been missing since June 25th, the day before the Las Conchas fire started just outside of Los Alamos, New Mexico. Mr Cannon went out for a hike this day.
Mike has worked with such organizations as the CIA. He left without his wallet and cell phone – which he has been known to leave behind when he did not want to be disturbed while hiking. He did make some unusual purchases the day before he left for his hike, including several suits from Mens Warehouse, and a gun. He does enjoy target shooting, so this is not considered abnormal for him.
Mike was last seen near Rover Park in White Rock, New Mexico. He was wearing blue jeans and a button-down shirt. He may be riding an old silver Schwinn bicycle, red helmet, and carrying a blue backpack.
Mike is 66 years old, weighs about 160 pounds, is 5′ 9″ tall, hazel eyes, glasses, and white hair with a receding hairline.
His family has asked any information to be emailed to findmikecannon@gmail.com.
Los Alamos NM residents return home Reply
Los Alamos residents start returning home after evacuations lifted on Sunday morning. All normal access points to the town are now open with the following exceptions: SR 4 remains closed west of Monterey Drive South and all access points to the Jemez Mountains remain closed.
Because the fire is not completely contained, wildfire and burnout operations will continue to produce heavy smoke.
Investigators believe the fire started after an aspen tree was blown down onto nearby power lines during a period of strong winds. The contact resulted in the line arcing, which then caused the tree to catch fire. Heat and flame caused the line to snap, which then allowed the burning tree to fall onto the ground where the fire spread into nearby vegetation.
Investigators from New Mexico State Forestry, the USDA Forest Service, New Mexico State Police and Sandoval County conducted the investigation and were on scene shortly after the fire started on Sunday, June 26. Since then, the fire has burned more than 121,248 acres. Containment currently at 11%.
Welcome home, Los Alamos.
And a special thanks to all the firefights who helped keep the town safe.
Amazing collection of dramatic photos from NM and AZ fires Reply
Amazing collection of dramatic photos from NM and AZ fires.
A firefighter walks through heavy smoke near the Los Alamos fire, June 29, 2011 JAE C. HONG AP
Flames from the Las Conchas fire burn in the hills above Los Alamos National Laboratory, a nuclear facility June 27, 2011 JAE C. HONG AP
The Las Conchas fire burns near the Valles Caldera National Preserve near Los Alamos, New Mexico, June 27, 2011 EDDIE MOORE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL ZUMAPRESS
Los Alamos, New Mexico, June 29, 2011 JAE C. HONG AP
Hotshot crew members prepare to work in the Pajarito Mountain ski area, June 28, 2011 JAE C. HONG AP
Flames consume vegetation on the Jemez Mountains, near Los Alamos, New Mexico, June 28, 2011 EDDIE MOORE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL ZUMAPRESS
Los Alamos residents leave the area on June 27, 2011, as the Las Conchas fire encroaches on the city ADOLPHE PIERRE-LOUIS ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL ZUMA PRESS
The sun shines through smoke from the Las Conchas fire burning near Los Alamos, N.M., on June 27, 2011 SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN AP
A slurry bomber flies over the Pacheco Canyon fire as it burns north of Santa Fe, N.M., on June 18, 2011 EDDIE MOORE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL ZUMAPRESS
A burned structure is seen north of Raton, N.M., on June 16, 2011 RICK BOWMER AP
A sky crane near Luna, N.M., fills up with a fire retardant on June 14, 2011 Matt York AP
Fire officials look over a map of the Wallow wildfire in Eagar, Ariz., on June 22, 2011 JOSHUA LOTT THE NEW YORK TIMES
Smoke from the Pacheco Canyon wildfire rises behind the Buffalo Thunder Casino, Pojoaque NM, June 19, 2011 BRIAN SNYDER REUTERS
These tents in Eagar, Ariz., provide an incident command center as well as a place for firefighters to sleep MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ AP
A firefighter does battle with the Wallow fire in Nutrioso, Ariz., on June 10, 2011 MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ AP
Fire-crew members sharpen their tools as they prepare for a back-burn operation to slow the spread of the Wallow fire JAE C. HONG AP
Smoke rises around the Lee Valley recreational area on June 12, 2011, as the Wallow fire continues to burn in Big Lake, AZ KEVORK DJANSEZIAN GETTY IMAGES
The sun sets behind smoke from the Wallow fire Luna, NM, June 13, 2011 Matt York AP
A roadside in Springerville, Ariz., on June 8, 2011 ERIC THAYER GETTY IMAGES
Emily Shupe comforts her 18-month-old son Jax as the family prepares to evacuate to Phoenix from Springerville, Ariz., on June 7, 2011 MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ AP
Firefighters sleep between trucks at the command post for the Wallow fire in Springerville, Ariz., on June 8, 2011 ERIC THAYER GETTY IMAGES
Police officers direct cars as residents leave Springerville, Ariz., on June 7, 2011 JOSHUA LOTT REUTERS
The fire fills the sky behind Robert Joseph, 64, Luna NM, June 6, 2011 JAE C. HONG AP
New photos of Los Alamos fires smoke July 1, 2011 Reply
Nearly 104,000 acres have been scorched as of this afternoon, July 1st, 2011. Containment is only 3%. Las Conchas Fire is now considered the largest in New Mexico history, and still growing. Santa Clara Pueblo is hard hit, and their vital watershed is not nothing but flames. Los Alamos National Labs have remained untouched – but considering the labs have been their since WWII… who knows what was buried in the canyons and mountains in decades past when radioactive waste disposal was not what it is today. After all… this is the birthplace of the A-Bomb which was dropped on Nagaski and Hiroshima….
Below are pictures I just took this evening from the north side of Albuquerque, approximately 60 miles as the crow flies to the fires.
Truly devastating.
Click on a picture below to enlarge, then continue to scroll through by clicking on the picture.
Update, new photos on Las Conchas Fire, NM; No firework ban in Albuquerque despite worst drought in history Reply
City will not ban fireworks due to fear of civil lawsuits
Apparently the city of Albuquerque will not ban fireworks due to a fear of possible civil lawsuits. How asinine is this? New Mexico is in the the worst drought in recorded history… and the city is worried about law suits?
How about this… when we lose numerous homes due to a careless firecracker, those homeowners who lost their homes should sue the city for NOT banning fireworks.
Since the city will not ban fireworks (is there money under the table here???)… then here is my personal plea to all… please, wait until next year. Wait until the monsoons have passed, and hopefully rehydrated the state…. then set your fireworks off.
I am not anti-fireworks… I grew up with a family that had annual firework extravaganzas every Fourth in our rural Indiana fields. Love them! But I favor keeping our Bosque, keeping our National Forests, and keeping our homes over fireworks any day.
The fireworks can wait.
Here is my little video pleading no fireworks. The footage of the Bosque here in Albuquerque I took today. Below the video is an update on the Las Conchas Fire, and new photos from Los Alamos National Lab’s photostream on Flickr.
Las Conchas Fire Update
For Immediate Release: June 30, 2011
Date Started: 1 p.m., 6/26/2011
Number of Personnel: Approximately 752 personnel including seven hotshot crews and 14 handcrews.
Location: Approximately 12 miles southwest of Los Alamos off NM 4 at mile marker 35
Fuels: Mixed Conifer, Ponderosa Pine. Fuel moisture is extremely low.
Cause: Unknown – under investigation
Equipment: Four dozers and 28 engines
Size: approximately 92,735 acres
Aircraft: Five helicopters
Percent Contained: 3%
Residences: 13 destroyed and 3 damaged
Commercial Property: 3 damaged
Other structures: 2 destroyed
Las Conchas Fire Burns More Than 6,000 acres of Santa Clara Pueblo Land – 6/30
Santa Clara Pueblo, NM – The Las Conchas Fire has charred more than 6,000 acres of the watershed of Santa Clara Pueblo and continues to destroy cultural sites, forest resources, plants and animals that the people of Santa Clara depend upon for their livelihood and culture.
“We are devastated to witness the destruction of our precious homeland,” said Governor Dasheno. “From time immemorial to this day our community has been stewards of this land, have fought to regain portions taken from us and have invested millions of dollars in restoring the forest and resources.”
Nevertheless, after two days of extreme fire behavior, the Las Conchas Fire entered Santa Clara Pueblo lands mid-day on June 29. In the last 24 hours the fire has exploded across the western third of the reservation. This includes the area known as “P’opii Khanu,” the headwaters of the creek, which the Pueblo regained in 2000 after 140 years of struggle.
Below: Las Conchas Fire progression map June 20, 2011
