September 18, 2015

What happened this week?

Chile: Earthquake 8.3-magnitude quake strikes off coast: At least five people were killed and 1 million evacuated from affected areas, when a powerful 8.3-magnitude earthquake struck Chile Wednesday... Read More

Peru, Tarabamba: Soil creep. 24 families are homeless after their homes collapsed on last Sunday, the National Civil Defense Institute (INDECI) reported. An education institution, bridge, and temple were also damaged. In addition, two km of irrigation canals and 60 hectares of crops were destroyed. Those affected have received humanitarian aid as well as shelter, as the Province Municipality of Sihuas recommended those affected not to return home as slippage is still continuing in the area... Read More

Ecuador: 

• Azuay Province, Andes Municipality. Wildfire. 517 hectares have been burned in Cajas National Park... Read More
• Pichincha Province and parts of La Floresta and Guapulo. A wildfire that began on September 15, on Auqui hill destroyed three homes and threatened many others. 100 people were evacuated. The COE of Pichincha declared an emergency for the hills of Quito, Pedro Moncayo, Rulinahui, and Mejia. The wildfire affects 12 provinces in Ecuador... Read More

United States of America: 

• Utah-Arizona border. Flash floods, 16 people were killed and four are missing, after heavy rains caused the flash floods... Read More

• Wildfire Summary: 

1. California: Butte Fire (Calaveras, Amador Counties), 1,500 people evacuated; 6,400 homes threatened and 408 homes destroyed. The fire has burned 71,780 acres and is 40 percent contained... Read More
2. Valley Fire (Lake, Napa, Sonoma counties), 15,807 people evacuated; 7,800 homes threatened; 600 homes destroyed; 1 fatality and 4 injuries. The fire has burned 67,200 acres and is 30 percent contained... Read More
3. Washington:Horse thief Butte fire (Klickitat County); 125 homes threatened and 5 homes destroyed. The fire has burned 3,200 acres and is 98 percent contained... Read More
4. Dry Gulch fire (Baker County); 166 homes threatened. The fire has burned 18,272 acres and is 55 percent contained... Read More

Interesting Facts

A Weather Tracking Black Hole Is Helping Uncover the Mysteries of Tornadoes. Researchers are trying to identify which climatological factors are most likely to cause a tornado and build computer models that can predict tornado frequency in a given area, seasons in advance... Read More

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

Following earthquake, UN says Chile’s investment in disaster risk reduction paid off. The head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) today lauded the Chilean Government’s successful efforts to reduce disaster risk and minimise the number of casualties from the 8.3-magnitude earthquake and tsunami... Read More