Earth ChangesS

Cloud Lightning

Hong Kong town cut off after severe floods


Terra Daily
Sun, 08 Jun 2008 20:54 UTC
An isolated town in Hong Kong remained cut off Sunday, a report said, a day after torrential rain lashed the territory, killing two people.

All roads to the fishing town of Tai O, well-known for its houses propped up on stilts above the water, were blocked following landslides caused by the downpour, local broadcaster RTHK said.

The town's telephone links were cut off and there was no access to fresh water, the report said. Authorities have dispatched a tanker filled with fresh water to supply the town, which is on the outlying island of Lantau.
Read More...
Cloud Lightning

One dead, one missing in flooding in Indiana


Terra Daily
Sun, 08 Jun 2008 20:51 UTC
One person died and another was missing as flooding inundated central Indiana, forcing evacuations and numerous boat rescues, a state official said.

"We have one confirmed casualty," John Erikson, spokesman for the midwestern state's Department of Homeland Security told AFP, saying he did not have more details about the victim.

He also said one person was missing as flood waters swamped areas south and west of Indianapolis on Saturday.
Read More...
Cloud Lightning

Lightning strike at Connecticut park injures 5


Associated Press
Sun, 08 Jun 2008 19:59 UTC
MADISON - Five people are in the hospital after lightning struck a pavilion at a Connecticut state park.
Read More...
Umbrella

Iowa City at risk for flooding


Chicago Tribune / Associated Press
Sat, 07 Jun 2008 17:58 UTC
Officials warn that the Coralville Reservoir could top its spillway and flood Iowa City by Tuesday.

Levels for the Iowa River are predicted to be similar to those seen in the flood of 1993. Officials say that people whose property was affected in 1993 should assume that situation will repeat itself.
Read More...
Cloud Lightning

India: Six killed, 2 injured by lightning


The Telegraph
Sat, 07 Jun 2008 17:01 UTC
At least six women were killed and two injured due to lightning strikes at several villages in Dumri block on Saturday evening.

Among the casualties were three women and three girls. The incident took place around 4pm.

The two girls have been identified as Rinki (8) and Punam (6). They were collecting berries at Kasma-Kurma when the lightning struck.
Read More...
Hourglass

Caribbean Monk Seal Gone Extinct From Human Causes, NOAA Confirms


Science Daily
Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:56 UTC
After a five year review, NOAA's Fisheries Service has determined that the Caribbean monk seal, which has not been seen for more than 50 years, has gone extinct - the first type of seal to go extinct from human causes.

Caribbean Monk Seal
©U.S. National Museum
Scientific Sketch of a Caribbean Monk Seal.
Read More...
Bizarro Earth

Aftershock rocks China lake, creates landslides

Cara Anna
news.yahoo.com
Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:45 UTC
QINGLIAN - A magnitude 5.0 aftershock shook a brimming, earthquake-formed lake and sent landslides tumbling down surrounding mountains Sunday, underscoring the persistent threat of flooding to more than 1 million weary refugees downstream.

Hongshihe quake-formed lake
©AP Photo/Color China Photo
Workers widen a sluice channel at the Hongshihe quake-formed lake at Qingchuan County in southwest China's Sichuan province, Saturday, June 7, 2008. Soldiers blew up wooden houses and other debris Sunday in a lake formed by China's deadly earthquake to speed the flow of water into a diversion channel and ease the threat of flooding for more than 1 million people in the sprawling disaster zone.

No new evacuations were ordered and the lake's dam of unstable mud and rocks did not collapse, said Hu Peng, a media officer at the disaster relief headquarters of the lake. He had no additional details.

More than 250,000 people downstream have been evacuated in recent weeks.

Read More...
Cloud Lightning

US: Authorities say 3 drowned in Midwest flooding


Associated Press
Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:20 UTC
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana - A possible tornado toppled trees in Nebraska and record flooding chased people from their Indiana homes early Sunday as the Midwest braced for still more violent weather.
Read More...
Cloud Lightning

Worst rainstorms in 50 years hit southeast China


Reuters
Sun, 08 Jun 2008 14:20 UTC
The heaviest rainstorms in 50 years drenched parts of Guangdong province over the past two days, killing at least 1 student and causing widespread flooding, local media reported on Sunday.
Read More...
Target

Update: Greece Hit by Earthquake; Two People Dead

Maria Petrakis
Bloomberg
Sun, 08 Jun 2008 14:09 UTC
Greece was hit by an earthquake classified as "strong'' on the Richter magnitude scale around 3:25 p.m. local time, the U.S. Geological Survey and Greek scientists said.

The death toll stands at two, said a spokeswoman at the Interior Ministry in Athens, who commented on condition she not be identified by name in accordance with departmental policy.
Read More...