Earth ChangesS


Windsock

Whole of Cuba loses power as Hurricane Rafael hits with 115mph winds

Havana resident Araselys Rodriguez makes coffee during the blackout
© ReutersHavana resident Araselys Rodriguez makes coffee during the blackout
Cuba suffered a nationwide blackout on Wednesday as Hurricane Rafael brought winds of up to 185km/h (115mph) to the Caribbean island.

The country's national energy company said strong winds had caused the shutdown of the electricity system.

At least 70,000 people were evacuated from their homes before the category three storm made landfall on Wednesday evening with warnings of storm surges, flash flooding, and mudslides.

It comes just weeks after millions were left without power for four days following a blackout caused by issues with the country's creaking energy infrastructure. The incident also coincided with Hurricane Oscar, which killed at least six people.


Tsunami

Flash floods claim 5 lives in Missouri, including 2 poll workers - record rainfall of nearly 7 inches in 24 hours for St. Louis

Floodwaters in St. Francois County,
© Bismarck Fire Protection DistrictFloodwaters in St. Francois County, Missouri.
At least five people were killed after torrential rainfall led to flash flooding in central and eastern Missouri, impacting transportation and making it challenging for some voters to reach their polling place on Tuesday.

According to the St. Louis County Police Department, preliminary investigations revealed that one of the victims, identified as an adult female, drove her car into floodwaters in the area of Interstate 55 and Bayless Avenue in St. Louis Tuesday morning as the worst of the flash flooding was ongoing.

Five other vehicles were also discovered after the flooding had subsided, but the occupants were able to escape. However, the Affton Fire Protection District confirmed another death associated with the flooding along Gravois Creek in the area.


Cloud Precipitation

Severe hailstorm destroys harvest, leaves farmers in distress in West Jaiñtia Hills, India

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Farmers in West Jaiñtia Hills district were left devastated as a severe hailstorm accompanied with heavy rain destroyed their year-long efforts in an instant, damaging paddy crops on a large scale on Tuesday evening.

The most affected villages are Mustem, Muplang, Moosakhia, Samanong, and adjoining villages where the harvest season has just begun.

Headmen of these villages informed that they have already contacted the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Thadlaskeiñ C&RD Block regarding the matter.

They also informed that they cannot estimate the extent of damage of losses yet as the storm hit in the evening. They would be able to calculate the losses on Wednesday after surveying the affected areas.

They urged the government to extend necessary assistance to the families who have been effected at the earliest.


Tsunami

Flooding in Mao, Dominican Republic due to the passage of tropical storm Rafael

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Tropical Storm Rafael has left its mark on the northwestern region of the Dominican Republic, causing severe flooding in the city of Mao, Valverde province.

Videos posted on social media showed flooded streets and damaged homes as residents tried to protect their belongings from rising water levels.

The Emergency Operations Center (COE) has issued alerts for various provinces in the country, urging the population to stay informed and follow safety recommendations.

Authorities are warning citizens to stay in safe places and avoid traveling through flooded areas.


Tornado1

Severe storms in Oklahoma injure at least 11 people and leave thousands without power

tornado in Oklahoma City on Nov. 3, 2024
© BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMANA house destroyed by a tornado in Oklahoma City on Nov. 3, 2024.
Severe storms and tornadoes battered Oklahoma early Sunday, tossing cars and ripping roofs off buildings in the middle of the night and leaving tens of thousands of homes and businesses without power. Among numerous injuries, 11 people required hospitalization, authorities said.

Much of the damage occurred in and around the state capital, Oklahoma City, near the state's center, although there were reports of damage at various points around the state and early morning storms set off tornado warnings that extended south to the Arkansas state line.

Heavy rains caused flash flooding in some areas and one lightning-sparked house fire was reported.

More than 99,000 Oklahoma homes and businesses lost power during the overnight storms. By midday that number was reduced to fewer than 34,000. No fatalities had been reported as of midday.

Richard Thompson, forecast chief for the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center in Oklahoma, said he believes six or more tornadoes hit the state overnight.


Cloud Lightning

Severe flooding in Israel amidst heavy rainfall

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As heavy rainfall continues to pummel Israel, severe flooding has ravaged the occupied territories, with alarming footage capturing the unfolding crisis in Sakhnin. The unrelenting downpours have pushed various regions, such as Nahariya in northern Israel, into a state of emergency due to flooding. Streets in Sakhnin and kafr Manda have succumbed to complete submersion under the deluge of floodwaters, amplifying the severity of the situation.

The weather chaos intensifies as heavy rain drenches Carmel and a storm engulfs the settlement of Yuval near Karmiel. Western Galilee witnesses relentless rainfall interspersed with heavy hail in Nahariya, adding to the meteorological unpredictability. Moreover, Afula experiences the onset of hail, signaling the erratic nature of the weather patterns. The storm's onset is meticulously documented from the road connecting Yuval and Ashar, providing a glimpse into the tumultuous conditions gripping the region.


Snowflake

Best of the Web: Summer snowfall in parts of Eastern Cape, South Africa

Snow has fallen on the N9
Snow has fallen on the N9
Snow started falling in some parts of the Eastern Cape on Tuesday.

The affected areas included the snow-prone mountainous route of Lootsberg Pass on the N9 between Middelburg and Graaff-Reinet, the Wapadsberg Pass, as well as the N9, between Graaff-Reinet and Nxuba (formerly Cradock).

Eastern Cape Department of Transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose said authorities are monitoring the route and might close it if snowfall worsens.

"This curious phenomenon of snowfall in November adds another damage to already challenging driving conditions in the Eastern Cape, as most areas are affected by heavy rains that have led to slippery conditions as well as poor visibility.


Tsunami

Flash floods hits the city of Santa Marta, Colombia on October 31

Several vehicles were swept
© Alter_Caribe/XSeveral vehicles were swept in the city
The Halloween celebration ended in an emergency for thousands of citizens of Santa Marta due to the torrential downpours that fell on the city.

After several hours of heavy rain, the damage caused began to be known; authorities reported flooding, problems with the city's sewage system, car slides and even some damage to homes.

The mayor of Santa Marta, Carlos Pineda, reported that neighborhoods such as San Fernando were one of the most affected sectors. In the area, several objects and vehicles were swept away by an avalanche of stones and mud, in addition to several cars that were damaged by the strong pressure of the water.


Doberman

Toddler dies in suspected wild dog attack in Semporna, Malaysia

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A boy, aged 2 years 7 months, has died in what is believed to be an attack by a pack of wild dogs in Kampung Sungai Tohok here yesterday.

Semporna district police chief Supt Mohd Sabri Zainol said they received a report about the matter from the victim's uncle at 10.33 am yesterday.

"The police also opened an investigation paper classified as sudden death, and an autopsy will be conducted today at the Tawau Hospital's forensics unit," he said in a statement here tonight.

He said that the Semporna police station would work together with the local authorities to conduct an operation regarding the wild dogs to ensure the safety of residents.

He also advised the public not to spread the video of the incident out of sensitivity to the victim's family.

Tsunami

Water up to the windows: Heavy rain in Iraq brings major cities to a standstill

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Heavy rainfall disrupted life across Iraq on Sunday, prompting authorities to close workplaces and schools nationwide.

Schools and offices were shut as severe flooding overwhelmed infrastructure in cities such as Baghdad. There were reports of water being up to some windows of homes amid downpours.

The rain, which started on Thursday, is expected to continue through the week, with forecasts predicting a drop in temperature. The Meteorological Authority said that the weather on Monday may be clear or partly cloudy in the central and northern regions, with a chance of rain and thunder.

It will probably be cloudy in the southern parts with a chance of light rains. Temperatures will drop in the central and northern areas.