At least 74 deaths have been attributed to the recent flooding. 100,000 are homeless. On Monday authorities reported nearly 18 inches of rain fell over an 18 hour time period near Nelspruit, South Africa. The problem-no snow this winter. The culprit- that stingy La Nina pattern.
Farmers claim conditions are now drier than they have seen in a generation.
Rain is predicted later this week but the long term trend calls for below normal precipitation over the Midwest. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced yesterday that starting this year all typhoons and tropical storms originating in the Western Pacific and South China sea will receive new names. First on the list, Typhoon Darmey which means 'elephant' in Cambodian. 19 Dead Natural disaster hit northern sections of South Africa Monday as torrential rains washed away bridges and roadways. Authorities reported that 18 inches of rain fell during an 18 hour time period.