Earth Changes

Two people struck by lightning at Nashville elementary school

Natalie Neysa Alund
Nashville Tennessean
Wed, 18 Aug 2021 11:25 UTC

Two people were struck by lightning at a Nashville elementary school on Wednesday, the Nashville Fire Department confirmed.

According to Metro Nashville dispatch officials, at 11:37 a.m. two adults reported they were hit at Hickman Elementary School at 112 Stewarts Ferry Pike.

Fire spokesman Joseph Pleasant said crews did not take anyone to the hospital from the scene but the adults told officials they planned to go on their own.

As of 12:20 p.m. the scene had cleared, a dispatcher said.

So far, no one else in the area reported being struck.

This is a developing story.

98 rescued, 35 missing in North Carolina floods after rain from Tropical Storm 'Fred'

Richard Davies
Floodlist
Thu, 19 Aug 2021 11:01 UTC

Officials said 10 to 15 bridges in Haywood County have been damaged or destroyed. This is a bridge in Cruso on the East Fork of Pigeon River, North Carolina,

© NCDOT West
Officials said 10 to 15 bridges in Haywood County have been damaged or destroyed. This is a bridge in Cruso on the East Fork of Pigeon River, North Carolina,

As many as 35 people are reported missing or unaccounted for after flash floods in North Carolina brought by torrential rainfall from Tropical Storm 'Fred'. Governor Roy Cooper issued a State of Emergency on 18 August to activate the state's emergency operations plan.

In a statement, the governor said nearly a foot of rain (300 mm) has fallen over the past three days in some areas of Western North Carolina from the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred and the rains that preceded it, and record flooding is occurring. More than 98 people have been rescued from floodwaters in western counties.

"This state of emergency will allow our first responders to get into our affected communities quickly to save lives, restore power, remove debris and bring supplies," said Governor Cooper. "North Carolina is strong and resilient, and we're committed to helping people and businesses recover as quickly as possible."

Deadly flash floods in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - at least 7 killed

Richard Davies
Floodlist
Thu, 19 Aug 2021 10:30 UTC

Flash Floods in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 17 August 2021.

At least 7 people have died in flash floods that struck the city of Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia on 17 August 2021.

Several neighbourhoods of the city were inundated after heavy rain on 17 August 2021. Roads were submerged, cars stranded and buildings damaged. Rescue services said many had to flee their homes and images showed people taking refuge on the roofs of houses. Local media reports said dozens of people were injured and taken to various hospitals in the city. Visiting affected areas, Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie said the efforts of disaster prevention workers have saved thousands of lives.

Record rainfall causes flash floods in burn areas of Flagstaff, Arizona - 3 inches of rain in an hour

Richard Davies
Floodlist
Wed, 18 Aug 2021 19:01 UTC

Flood debris in Flagstaff Arizona, July 2021.

Officials in Coconino County, Arizona, reported record rainfall fell on burn scar areas on 17 August 2021, causing more severe flooding in areas around the city of Flagstaff.

In a statement of 17 August, Coconino County said rain began around midday, falling over the burn scar of the large 2019 Museum Fire near Flagstaff.

"By the time the large storm system moved out of the area, the entire burn area was saturated, resulting in the largest rainfall event to date," the statement said. An hourly rate of 3.07 inches (77.98 mm) was recorded in the south of the burn scar area.

"In addition, the rainfall was intense with over 1.14 inches recorded in at the south and west gauges in 15 minutes and 1.06 inches recorded at the east gauge. Not only was significant rainfall experienced on the burn scar itself, but also in the Sunnyside neighborhood. In an hour, 1.22 inches fell at Linda Vista and 1.5 inches was recorded downstream in neighborhoods. The rainfall recorded at the south gauge equates to a 200- to 500-year rainfall event," Coconino County said.

Waterspout comes ashore rips through buildings in southern Russia

Talkz De Cultura
NewsFlare
Sun, 08 Aug 2021 18:49 UTC

A waterspout swirled ashore and ripped through a small building in Novorossiysk, southern Russia.

Footage from August 8 shows the column of swirling wind whip up parts of a beach kiosk as it makes it way onto the beach.

Southern Alps in New Zealand receive up to a metre of snow in 24 hours

Mountain Watch
Wed, 18 Aug 2021 18:40 UTC

Deep wind-drifts in Mt Hutt yesterday after 40cms

As the storm clears today, many are looking at webcams of places they would rather be as the deep fresh snow coincides with the yesterday's news of New Zealand's snow resorts plunging into level 4 lockdown for three days.

Thanks to the storm earlier this week we have just seen great snow accumulations around the country, offering some of the best conditions so far this season. Ohau reported a metre up top in 24 hours to Tuesday morning and other locations around the Southern Alps reporting around the half a metre mark in the past 48 hours. However, other than this storm and a couple of earlier snow falls, it has been quite warm around the country with the NIWA (National Institute of water andAtmospheric Research) research showing that New Zealand has just experienced its warmest June and July on record.

Alberta's Kananaskis region just got some summer snow

Laine Mitchell
DH News
Tue, 17 Aug 2021 18:07 UTC

In most places, August usually means sunshine and warm temperatures; however, Alberta's weather can be a bit of a wild card.

The province lived up to its reputation on Tuesday, when the Kananaskis region experienced snow.

Locals took to social media to express their surprise, and maybe even happiness, that Alberta's K-country got some of the white fluffy stuff.

Posts showed snow in the region, with some dusting to mountain peaks to the fluffy stuff coating trees and grass.

Tsunami warning issued after Pacific island of Vanuatu is rocked by 6.8 magnitude earthquake

DAVID AVERRE
Daily Mail
Wed, 18 Aug 2021 13:15 UTC

The quake was triggered at a depth of 56 miles (91 km) and was about 12 miles (19 km) north-west of Port-Olry, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS)

An earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck near the coast of Port-Olry, Vanuatu, Wednesday morning, triggering a tsunami warning for nearby areas.

The quake was triggered at a depth of 56 miles (91 km) and was about 12 miles (19 km) north-west of Port-Olry, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said hazardous waves were possible for coasts located within 300 km of the epicentre.

USGS had initially put the magnitude at 7.1 and the depth at 51 miles, but these figures were later revised.

Massive waterspout off Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Michael Morrison
YouTube
Fri, 13 Aug 2021 12:55 UTC

Massive waterspout off Fort Walton Beach this morning ran us off our fishing trip. Thanks to captain and crew of Inn Keeper for getting us out safely.

Waterspout towers over Florida's Lake Okeechobee

Yahoo! News
Wed, 18 Aug 2021 12:40 UTC

A waterspout was spotted towering over Florida's Lake Okeechobee on August 16 2021.

This footage by Rod Hummel shows the watery vortex extending from a patch of dark cloud looming above the lake. Credit: Rod Hummel via Storyful