July 31, 2015

What happened this week?

Brazil: 

• Floods. Declaration of public disaster in three municipalities of the Amazon and Santa Catarina... Read More

• The National Integration Ministry acknowledged an emergency due to drought; storms and floods in the states of Bahia, Minas, Gerais, and Rio Grande do Sul... Read More

Mexico, Sonora, Nogales Municipality: Flash floods. One woman is dead and four other people, including two children are missing after the heavy rains that took place on Tuesday in Nogales, Sonora... Read More

Paraguay, Asuncion: Floods, 4 schools north and south of the capital are flooded due to the flooding of the Paraguay River, affecting around 2000 of the 2,255 students who are enrolled in schools in those areas... Read More 

United States, Lake County, Nevada County: California Meanwhile, the Lowell Fire has burned over 2,300 acres threatened 1,550 structures, destroyed one, and injured six people. The fire is now 50% contained and evacuations have been lifted. Multiple other fires continue to rage across the U.S. including Alaska, Arizona, Oregon, Montana, Washington, Idaho, and New Mexico... Read More 

Interesting Facts

3-hour Canadian tornado likely one of world's longest. The massive tornado that roared across the Canadian province of Manitoba late Monday was on the ground for nearly 3 hours — likely one of the longest-lasting on record in Canada and perhaps the world... Read More

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

California Says Water Use Fell by 27 Percent in June. California's unprecedented system of mandatory conservation imposed on cities got off to a strong start with water use plunging 27 percent in June, regulators said Thursday... Read More

Four West Coast universities funded for earthquake early warning system. The U.S. Geological Survey announced $5 million in funding that will allow the University of Washington and three other institutions to help transition the prototype ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system, under development since 2005, into a public-facing tool... Read More

'Knowledge for Life' – UN launches search for communities good at managing the risk of disasters. The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) today launched a search for communities that demonstrate excellence in managing disaster risk in order to draw attention to the importance of local knowledge, traditions and customs in the struggle against extreme weather events, climate change and earthquakes... Read More

July 24, 2015

What happened this week?

Paraguay: Due to of the flooding of the Paraguay river there are currently close to 26,000 affected people. Rains from recent days can worsen the situation... Read More

Peru: Low temperatures.  A state of emergency has been declared in some of the regions of Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, Lima, Moquegua, Pasco, Puno and Tacna.  The measure will last 45 days... Read More

Barbados: Seismic activity: In the past five days, over 20 earthquakes have struck to the northeast of Barbados.  Most recently, three earthquakes with magnitudes of 4.3, 4.5, and 4.0 came last night within a 15 minute span of each other.  So far, no damage or injuries have occurred and the seismic research center does not find it likely that the high number of recent earthquakes is hinting at something more menacing coming... Read More

Colombia:  A landslide occurred in the municipality of Gameza, Boyaca.  This affected a pipeline which carries potable water to more than 2,800 villagers from Corrales in the Sugamuxi province.  It is expected to take 15 days to get running water back to the village... Read More

Guatemala: Rain and hailstorms in the capital have collapsed main roads causing gridlock.  The Roosevelt Hospital experienced flooding in the basement, laboratory areas, and general service areas... Read More

Brazil: Municipalities Sao Borja and Uruguayana in the State of Rio Grande do Sul.  Flooding occurred in the Uruguai River.  The ministry of National Integration has increased its federal government support to areas affected by the rains and flooding... Read More

Ecuador: Baños, Tungurahua. Landslides. The Baños-Puyo route was closed to traffic due to three landslides that covered the road in La Merced, San Jorge, and Cadenilla. Removal of debris is in process... Read More

Uruguay: Artigas. There is a risk of flooding in the northern coast of the country. The Uruguay River has exceeded its safety level in Artigas. At the moment, 21 people are displaced due to the floods... Read More

Interesting Facts

Your idle computer could help scientists study the drought. Your idle computer could help scientists run a program that'll shed light on the factors behind the drought... Read More

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

Earthquake app launched for Costa Rica.  The University of Costa Rica’s National Seismological Network (RSN) released a free smartphone app this month to alert people about earthquakes and volcanic activity in Costa Rica... Read More

July 17, 2015

What happened this week?

Bolivia:  The municipalities of Buenavista and Fernandez Alonzo in the department of Santa Cruz have declared an emergency due to heavy rain and flooding caused by "El Niño".  Four other municipalities were affected by the rains.  About 400 people are isolated in Brecha III and in the process of being rescued. The departmental Emergency Operations Center (COED) was activated and a declaration of emergency for the department is being contemplated.  The communes of Okinawa, San Juan El Torno, and San Julian also reported damages.  The event is accompanied by a severe drop in temperature, especially in Santa Cruz and Cochabamba... Read More

Paraguay: The levels of the Paraguay and Parana rivers continue to rise due to heavy rains causing displacement and damage. 32,000 people have been affected so far. The rivers surrounding the city of Villa Ygamiti, Canindeyù are overflowing.  A district emergency has been declared and the assistance of the central government is necessary to meet basic needs... Read More

United States: Midwest to Southeast.  Approximately 47,000 residents remain without power.  15 injuries, 4 fatalities and 2 still missing reported in Kentucky.  Two shelters are open housing 12 occupants.  In the Midwest, five shelters are open housing 95 occupants. The Kentucky and West Virginia have declared a State of Emergency... Read More

Interesting Facts

5 ways nanotechnology can tackle climate change. CO2-neutral and CO2-negative technologies could bring huge economic benefits. But for that to happen, there must also be the right social and political support for such innovations... Read More

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

India Working With 27 Countries on Earthquake Early-Warning System. India is working on an ambitious project with scientists, geophysicists, and seismologists of 27 countries to develop an early-warning system for "prediction" of earthquake... Read More

July 10, 2015

What happened this week?

Brazil: Eight municipalities of five states are in state of emergency due to weather damages: Francisco Sá (MG), Guaraciama (MG), Vitória da Conquista (BA), Barra de São Francisco (ES), and Monte Azul (MG) have been affected by drought; Alenquer (PA) and Içara (SC) are facing flooding while Mafra (SC) was hit by a windstorm... Read More

Mexico:

• Chihuahua, Mexico: At least five municipalities - Jimenez, Chihuahua, Parral, Balleza, and Boycona – were affected by heavy rains, resulting in flooding and 216 damaged houses across the five municipalities. A state of emergency has been requested by the Governor, Cesar Duarte for these areas... Read More
• San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas: A tornado accompanied by hail affected 11 settlements in the municipality on Friday, July 3. Resources such as sheets, blankets, medicines, and food will be distributed to those in need... Read More 

United States: Idaho. A total of 1,200 acres have burned since the start of a wildfire on Sunday, July 5, near Bayview, Idaho. Six homes were destroyed and 281 are threatened.  As of now, the fire is yet to be contained. A mandatory evacuation is in place for 300 people, as the fire is moving towards Bayview... Read More

Bolivia: Okinawa Municipality of San Pedro.  40 families of the northern San Lorenzo community and 50 in rural areas were affected by flooding of the New Pirai River.  In the valley areas, landslides caused roads to be blocked...  Read More

Guatemala: Huehuetenango. Hail struck the town of Todos Santos where serious damage was caused to six homes, government infrastructure, and crops.  A damage assessment was carried out by CONRED... Read More

Honduras: The government of Honduras declared an Emergency for the municipalities affected by El Niño and the drought.  A total 146 municipalities, representing 161,403 families were affected.  A Budget of $11.72 million US dollars is required to implement the plan of action for food security in a drought... Read More

Panama: Heavy rains and strong winds that occurred in Panama Monday afternoon left trees falling and damaging homes. SINAPROC reported that four people were saved from landslides that had occurred. Following this report, SINAPROC staff has begun monitoring the metropolitan area... Read More

Costa Rica: Even though rain has decreased, the people affected rose to 1600, 3 weeks after the event. A red alert remains in effect in the Caribbean Slope for Sarapiqui and Turrialba.  A yellow alert is in effect for the Northern Zone including San Miguel and San Mateo de Alajuela while a green alert remains for the Central and South Pacific... Read More

Nicaragua: Port au Prince and New Guinea.  Residents remain on alert due to flooding of the Cano Chiquito River from three days of rain.  The Municipal Disaster Prevention Commission (COMPUPRED) evacuated about 30 families on Tuesday... Read More

Interesting Facts

The 97 Percent Scientific Consensus on Climate Change Is Wrong—It’s Even Higher.  97 scientists who support evidence that humans are causing global warming to argue with three climate skeptics... Read More

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

Brinco App. Brinco analyzes the data and alerts you, your family and friends of incoming earthquakes and other natural disasters... Read More

Proceedings of the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. Proceedings highlight the five days of deliberations, discussions and presentations held at the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) held at Sendai City, Japan in March 2015... Read More

July 3, 2015

What happened this week?

Canada. Kamloops, British Columbia: Due to heavy rain, the city of Kamloops has declared a local state of emergency and ordered the evacuation of 60 homes. Roads were also closed on Tuesday due to the rain. Flooding occurred in southern Calgary, as well, where multiple areas reported losing power... Read More

El Salvador. A drought is affecting the country at two different intensities (weak to strong). The most affected areas are the eastern and coastal paracentral areas. 16 consecutive dry days have been recorded... Read More

Guatemala. 

• Fuego Volcano activity. Last night, there was an eruption with pyroclastic flows 150 meters wide, light can be seen from 250 meters away, and the ash clouds are 5000 meters high. The situation was a cause for concern, but no alert was declared for evacuations... Read More
• San Jose Las Pilas, Retalhuleu: Heavy rains. The rains will continue to at least Thursday. Rainfall and strong winds generated problems in the village of San Jose La Pilas, Retalhuleu, where 40 people were affected and 8 homes show signs of minor damage... Read More

Mexico. La Prensa City, Mexico: Heavy rain Wednesday afternoon caused bus shuttle service to shut down and even stranded the patrols of the Ministry of Public security. In some places, water reached more than 50 cm forcing drivers to abandon their cars while waiting for help... Read More

Paraguay, Pilar: Flooding, from recent rain, has affected 85 families. Authorities are working to remove the water... Read More

Interesting Facts

A Smart Sensor to help farmers save water in a drought. A package of sensors and software designed to help farmers determine precisely how much water to use in different parts of their fields, increasing yields and saving water and other resources by ensuring that no part of the field receives too much or too little water... Read More

What's new in Disaster Risk Reduction?

Twitter Could Shape Flood Disaster Response. The tweets made for compelling retweets and news reports, but Dutch researchers have also figured out another use for the tweets: real-time flood maps... Read More

Early Warning System Needed for Flood-prone Punchana, Peru. Peru, one of 13 countries recently surveyed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) ahead of World Humanitarian Summit regional consultations for Latin America and the Caribbean, is highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and droughts... Read More

Here’s How IBM Is Helping Towns Predict Disasters. IBM's new prediction tool marries live weather forecasts with a hyperlocal map, painting in yellow and red the damages to come... Read More