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18940263 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008%20Ireland%20floods | 2008 Ireland floods | The 2008 Irish flash floods were a series of flash floods that occurred across the island of Ireland in August 2008. The floods and related weather conditions primarily affected the following counties; Limerick, Cork, Dublin, Antrim, Carlow, Galway, Laois, Louth, Meath, Kildare, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Offaly, Sligo and Donegal. Parts of Ireland's large urban centres, including Dublin and Belfast, were submerged, whilst Carlow town has experienced some of the worst flooding in the country. One person died; 31-year-old dad-of-one Przemyslaw Jablonski. He went missing in the River Fergus, in Ennis, and was found 6 days later (on 18 August) in the same river. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Conditions before the floods
Rainfall in Cork for the month of July 2008 was the heaviest recorded since 1975. The combined total for June and July was more than twice the normal level of rainfall expected for that time period. Around the country the weather was wetter than normal for July with exceptional rainfall in County Limerick in the last 24 hours of July giving rise to this figure. Met Éireann described July as "a dull month generally". The highest average temperature recorded in July was 15.7 degrees (Shannon Airport); the same location also enjoyed the warmest day of the month at 25.2 degrees on 24 July. The lowest air temperature since the early 1970s was recorded at Mullingar during July – a figure of 3.6 degrees was recorded on the 5th. The greatest level of sunshine was in the east of the country – Dublin Airport recorded 156 hours of sunshine – whilst the lowest level of rainfall was recorded at Belmullet – 54 millimetres fell during July.
Timeline of events
1 August
County Limerick and County Cork were the first areas to be affected. On the night of 31 July/1 August, the River Blackwater in Cork burst its banks, causing severe flooding between Banteer and Mallow. Cork County Council issued a flood warning for Mallow on the morning of the 1st whilst cork council distributed sandbags. Bridge Street in Mallow was closed for a time but later reopened for motorist use. The Town Park Road in Mallow was closed for a longer period. Flood relief works had been ongoing in Mallow for six months but were not expected to finish for another 18 months. Further downstream, floodwaters reached Fermoy at around 10 pm.
In Limerick, it took several hours before electricity was restored to 3,000 homes in Newcastle West, where a major clear-up operation was underway after the River Arra burst its banks earlier in the morning. Up to 20 homes were badly affected by "freak" flash flooding overnight, with residents having to be rescued from their houses. There were few injuries; although an elderly woman was airlifted from her home and immediately diagnosed with hypothermia. Met Éireann said that the average rainfall for the last week of July was about 26mm – three times that amount dropped between 7 pm and midnighton 31 July in Newcastle West. At one rainfall station in the area, a measurement of 90.1mm was recorded in that time. Around 100mm of rain would be expected in one month. The rainfall was said to be "tropical-like in intensity". Limerick County Council issued a public drinking water notice residents of Newcastle West to boil their water before use. The areas affected by the boil notice included Newcastle West, Coolcappagh and Rathcahill and the Ballyine, Dually, Reens Kilscannell, Old Mill Road, Killoughteen and Killeline Group Water Supply Schemes.
2 August
The River Deel threatened to flood in Askeaton, County Limerick. Localised flooding occurred earlier in the day in the town. The Newcastle West Business Association called on the government to help those worst affected by the flash floods of the previous day. Spokesman Pat O'Donovan stated that many businesses were uninsured or under-insured and needed financial assistance. A huge cleanup operation continued in parts of Limerick and Cork. It was estimated that millions of euro worth of damage was caused. Met Éireann claimed that the area around Newcastle West experienced the equivalent of four weeks rain in five hours.
9 August
The record for a single 24-hour period of rain in August was almost broken in Dublin. 56mm of rain fell on Dublin Airport in 24 hours. The record (60mm) was set in August 1986, in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley. Celbridge was flooded and nearby roads were impassable. Flooding was reported between Naas and Blessington. A river burst its banks along the Ballyroan to Portlaoise road at Cashel Cross in County Laois. Only one lane of the road was open to traffic at the time. The road between Portlaoise and Timahoe was badly flooded whilst the Stradbally Village to Athy road was impassable. Other roads closed included the N3 (inbound and outbound at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre), the M1 (inbound and outbound after the Port Tunnel), the M50 (blocked at Ballymun northbound) with diversions in place. Dart services were suspended between the Malahide and Howth junctions whilst there was also disruption to Northern Commuter and Belfast rail services. Garda diversions were put in place and long delays were to be had. Dublin Airport authorities asked passengers to give plenty of time to reach the airport and, if possible, to check their route before they leave. A football match between Shamrock Rovers and Sunderland, due to be played at Tolka Park at 7.30pm that evening, was cancelled due to the flooding.
In Dublin, it was reported that one vehicle was swept down a road in a torrent of flood water. "The combination of monsoon-like rain and a high-tide" prompted a spokesperson for Dublin Fire Brigade to report that crews spent most of the night rescuing people from houses and cars. He claimed that, between 4 pm and midnight, 800 calls were taken with 600 of these flood-related, going on to say: "We’ve never had anything like that. We wouldn’t generally get that many calls on Halloween.” Hundreds of Armagh Gaelic football fans, attending the All-Ireland quarter-final at Croke Park, were stranded by torrential rain when they left the stadium to discover their cars surrounded by water. The rain prompted GAA officials in Croke Park to turn on the floodlights for the second half of the All-Ireland quarter final between Kerry and Galway in what was to be the first ever floodlight championship game in Croke park, the game was described by many as the greatest game of pure vintage football played in Croke Park in the 2000s (decade) despite the worst rain in Irish history.
10 August
A clean-up operation was underway in Dublin and Kildare following the previous day's flash flooding. Gardaí said flood water had subsided in most parts except for some areas in north county Dublin. The N3 near Blanchardstown was re-opened. On the M50 there was still severe flooding on both the northbound and southbound lanes. The M1 at Whitehall was re-opened on both sides following flood-related closures. According to Met Éireann, in the 24-hour period from midnight on 8 August until midnight on 9 August, 76.2mm of rain was recorded at Dublin Airport, a new record for the month of August. The previous record, 73mm, was recorded in August 1986.
Kildare County Council reported bad flooding in Celbridge. Eight houses in the Vanessa Close Estate were flooded with water of approximately 60 cm after the Toni River, a tributary of the River Liffey, overflowed. The Clane to Celbridge Road and Ardrass Road from Straffan to Celbridge were closed due to flooding. Flooded pumps caused sewage to flow into the streets of Celbridge, damaging some premises on the Main Street. 4,000 Scouts at Jamboree 2008 in Punchestown had to spend the night indoors after being removed by the Civil Defence to the major events centre on the site. Leixlip and Maynooth experienced flooding although no damage to property was reported.
In County Laois the Ballyroan to Portlaoise Road was flooded at Cashel Cross after a river burst its banks. In County Offaly, the Tullamore Show, due to take place that day, was cancelled for the second consecutive year due to the weather. Dublin Fire Brigade said all areas of the capital had been affected by overnight flooding, particularly in Swords and Drumcondra. Houses in the Knocklyon and Firhouse areas of south Dublin were flooded. The Civil Defence was also called in to help pump water. On the M50 a bus full of people journeying to Dublin Airport was marooned in the floods and had to be pulled free with the aid of a tractor. Racing at the Curragh was cancelled because of a waterlogged track.
12 August
Heavy rainfall in Dublin led to flooding and collisions on commuter routes. Dublin City Council described the situation as "serious". In Mulhuddart the Church Road was reported as closed at the cemetery through to the Hollystown Golf Club. Two open manholes were reported; one at the Drumcondra/Home Farm Rd junction, another outbound on the Ballymun Road outside the library, resulting in a flooded bus lane. The N3 at Blanchardstown was closed between the two exit slips which access the Blanchardstown Town Centre. Traffic was diverted around the flooded area via the Snugborough and Mulhuddart interchanges. The left lane of the M50 Southbound at J5 Finglas was closed due to flooding. There were reports of "a lot of surface water" on the M50 at J4 Ballymun in both directions. Flooding was seen at the Strawberry Beds approaching Lucan and on Tandys Lane in Lucan village, from the Old Swords Road to Coolock Lane, and at the Griffith Ave Ballymun Road junction. The flooding on River Road in Finglas was described as "heavy". Surface water and debris on the Killinarden side of the Killtipper Road at "a very bad bend" caused delays to motorists. On the Naas Road outbound there was surface water after Newlands Cross and at the Kylemore Road junction and Eglinton Road in Donnybrook was flooded. In Dublin city centre there was flooding at Westland Row, Lincoln Place. In County Louth, the R173 Carlingford to Newry Road was described as "flooded and impassable".
13 August
Several hours of heavy rainfall led to flash floods in Dublin, with the Phoenix Park's Castleknock gate closed off and the road rendered impassable by the heavy floods. Some DART services were suspended for a time in the evening. Rail services between Drogheda and Dundalk were not operating overnight due to the flooding. In County Leitrim the Dowra to Drumkeeran Road was impassable when part of the road and a small bridge was swept away in heavy flooding. There were widespread road closures elsewhere including County Meath, County Louth, County Mayo, County Sligo and County Donegal. Homes in Dublin affected by flooding included those in Finglas (a number of elderly women were rescued from a complex), Glasnevin, Clontarf and Blanchardstown – including an area around Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown. The N3 at Blanchardstown was closed for a time and there was flooding on the M50. Some lanes on the Naas Road and Carlingford to Newry Road in County Louth were also closed. In County Kerry, the main Castleisland to Killarney road was impassable in the morning due to flooding, with some cars being stranded. The Gneeveguilla Killarney road was also impassable after a river broke its banks. Ballinorig in Tralee town reported flooding whilst there was a tree down on the road to Ardfert quarries. A tree was also down on the road between Tarbert village and the ferry.
In Northern Ireland, three teenagers from County Down were rescued from the Mourne Mountains in the middle of torrential rainfall. The three girls, aged between 15 and 17, awoke at 05:00 to discover their campsite had been washed away, with a swollen river determining the need for mountain rescue. The chairman of the Mourne Rescue Service, Ed Kilgore had this to say: "If they had decided to try to get across the river it could have been nasty" and said the girls were "wet, miserable and relieved" upon rescue. The girls were met by relatives at the foot of the mountain, with dry clothes given out by the rescue team. Elsewhere in the county, a man in his early 40s was killed as a result of a two-vehicle collision near Crossgar, with heavy rain blamed for the treacherous driving conditions. Five other motorists had to be pulled from their vehicles near Moira when flood waters entrapped them.
14 August
The Irish Insurance Federation said the cost of compensating the victims of the floods could reach tens of millions of euro. Victims of a 2002 flooding in Ringsend called on the Irish Government to provide humanitarian assistance to those whose homes were devastated by the 2008 series of floods. In County Sligo, the Arigna to Geevagh Road was reported to still be blocked due to a landslide around Gleann. In County Leitrim, the Dowra to Drumkeeran road was deemed passable as were the Drumkeeran to Manorhamilton and Kiltyclogher to Glenfarne roads. In County Meath, the flooding receded on the N2 at Balrath near Kentstown making the road passable.
16 August
Severe weather conditions were witnessed across the country. The M4 between the Maynooth and Kilcock exits was closed as a result of "serious" flooding. The Clane to Kilcock Road was blocked and the Kilcock to Summerhill road was reduced to one lane due to the floods. Motorists were asked to use the M7 due to the Newbridge to Naas road being partially closed from Tuckers roundabout. The road from Rathangan to Kildare town was described as "impassable". The Clifden to Westport road near Letterfrack was blocked. In County Wicklow, Rathnew experienced what was described as "severe flooding" and the Wicklow to Rathnew and Trim to Dublin roads were impassable The Skreen to Walterstown road was closed, although the Navan/Slane road was later deemed passable. In County Tipperary, a bridge at Ballynunty collapsed following heavy rain. The Park Road in Ravensdale, County Louth was impassable. Severe flooding in County Monaghan blocked the Castleblayney to Lough Egish road at the bypass bridge whilst flooding was reported along the N54 Monaghan to Clones road and on the Carrickmacross to Ballybay road. The Tramore road in County Waterford was impassable from the Ballindud roundabout to Tramore. There were also reports of localised flooding in parts of Dublin.
A section of one of the busiest roads in Northern Ireland, the Westlink in Belfast, was closed after flooding put the new Broadway underpass under six metres of water. Five cars entered the underpass while it was under two metres of water and had to be abandoned. Northern Ireland's Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy, ordered an investigation into why the recently constructed £104 million (€132 million) underpass was flooded. It was the first time the underpass had had to cope with heavy rain. Northern Ireland's Environment Minister Sammy Wilson announced a compensation package for those whose homes were affected by the flooding.
17 August
Carlow town was the centre of the flood alerts on 17 August. Rising waters from the River Barrow led to over 100 people being evacuated from a four-storey apartment block on Centaur Street. Kennedy Street was closed off. The Civil Defence was monitoring two other apartment blocks ready to evacuate them if waters rose further. Elsewhere in the county, the road between Tullow and Rathtoe was blocked after a two-car collision in which six people were injured. The wounded were brought to St. Luke's General Hospital in Kilkenny. Gardaí reported that there was still flooding in Daingean and Edenderry in County Offaly where the canal had burst its banks. There were reports of flooding around Clonygowan. In County Laois, Mountmellick's main street was flooded, whilst the Mountmellick to Ballyfinn (R423) and Mountmellick to Derryclooney roads were both impassable due to flooding. Diversions were in place on the N77 Kilkenny to Durrow road because of flooding at Ballyragget. In County Galway the N59 on the Oughterard side of Moycullen was partially blocked after a truck overturned. In Northern Ireland, the M1 reopened inbound from Black's Road to Stockman's Lane and outbound from Saintfield Road. The M2 fully re-opened. Stena Line's fastferry sailings between Rosslare and Fishguard on the 18th were cancelled due to severe weather forecast for the south Irish Sea, causing severe passenger disruption.
18 August
Carlow town remained the worst affected area by the flash floods. Roads were flooded in County Offaly, County Tipperary, County Kilkenny, County Laois and County Galway. Parts of Carlow town were under almost two metres of flood water after the River Barrow burst its banks following heavy rainfall. Approximately 100 people spent the night in a hotel when they had to evacuate their apartment block on Centaur Street. Others were ferried to and from work in the morning by the Civil Defence. Minister for the Environment John Gormley, visited Carlow to view the crisis, and said that the contract for flood defences would proceed "as quickly as possible". Staff at Winnie Dalgarno's flooded pet store in Graiguecullen had to take animals home when electricity was switched off. Winnie said: "We have lost a few reptiles, our birds have been badly affected, we had 20 hamsters floating, I have had to put rabbits in bird cages."
In Ennis, the body of 31-year-old cook and father-of-one, Przemyslaw Jablonski was recovered from the River Fergus. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Meath County Council advised people in Athboy to boil all water they used from the mains supply. Supply was shut down as a precautionary measure after a local river burst its banks, threatening to contaminate the drinking water supply.
Eircom reported nearly 4,300 faults over the previous weekend, with 6,500 reported faults that day. The worst affected areas included Clontarf, Blanchardstown, Phibsboro, Portmarnock, Leixlip and Clane.
Flooding at Portadown caused delays of up to 90 minutes on the Dublin to Belfast train service.
19 August
Drinking water was delivered to hundreds of households in County Sligo where flood water caused problems with the fresh water supply. Sligo County Council issued notice for people to boil water before use. Boil notices were also in place in parts of County Meath – Athboy, Kildalkey and Ráth Cairn – following the bursting of a river's banks. Speaking on RTÉ Radio's News at One, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley said despite the economic downturn, money would be made available to provide flood defences for Carlow whose flood waters were subsiding (although a number of streets remained closed with dozens of residents who were forced to leave their apartments still being housed in temporary accommodation). The Office of Public Works said that contracts for flood defence systems would soon be finalised for towns such as Mallow, Ennis and Clonmel. Speaking on Morning Ireland, Tom Sherlock, principal officer of engineering services at the OPW, expressed confidence that new flood defence schemes already in place in some towns would hold for many years.
References
External links
National Flood Hazard Mapping at the Office of Public Works (OPW)
Flash floods
2000s floods in Europe
2008 floods
Floods in Ireland |
18948544 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie%20Flood | Charlie Flood | Charles William Flood (18 July 1896 – 14 November 1978) was an English footballer and first-class cricketer.
Flood played football for Plymouth Argyle, Hull City, Bolton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest, York City and Swindon Town.
During the 1920s, he played cricket for Hull, though his service with them was frequently interrupted by his football commitments.
He later played cricket with Sir Julien Cahn's XI in various matches from 1929 to 1937 and for the Combined Services in 1943. A wicket-keeper, he toured South America in the winter of 1929–30 with Cahn's XI. He was born in Newport, Isle of Wight and died in Beverley, Yorkshire.
References
1896 births
1978 deaths
English men's footballers
Men's association football forwards
Plymouth Argyle F.C. players
Hull City A.F.C. players
Bolton Wanderers F.C. players
Nottingham Forest F.C. players
York City F.C. players
Swindon Town F.C. players
Southern Football League players
English Football League players
Midland Football League players
English cricketers of 1919 to 1945
Sir Julien Cahn's XI cricketers
Sportspeople from Newport, Isle of Wight |
18994887 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The%20Flood%20%28novel%29 | The Flood (novel) | The Flood is the first novel by crime writer Ian Rankin.
Plot summary
Mary Miller has always been an outcast. As a child, she fell into the hot burn - a torrent of warm chemical run-off from the local coal mine - and her hair turned white. Initially she was treated with sympathy, but all that changed a few days later, when the young man who pushed her in died in an accident.
Now many years later, Mary is a single mother caught up in a faltering affair. Her son, Sandy, has fallen in love with a strange homeless girl - and both mother and son are forced to come to terms with a dark secret from Mary's past.
1986 British novels
Novels by Ian Rankin
1986 debut novels
Polygon Books books |
19066838 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnegie%20Floodlit%20Nines | Carnegie Floodlit Nines | Carnegie Floodlit Nines is a rugby league nines event held at Headingley Stadium in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The same stadium hosted the Headingley Sevens, rugby league sevens tournament from 1965-78. The old BBC2 Floodlit Trophy is awarded to the winner of the competition.
2008 Event
The first Carnegie Nines event was held on Wednesday August 27, 2008 in front of a crowd of 2,232 spectators. The tournament featured a mixture of professional sides from England along with representative sides from the British Army, Cumbria, Fiji Rugby UK and Leeds Metropolitan University. Rugby sevens legend Waisale Serevi played for Fiji UK. Before the main event, amateur clubs and development teams took part in an invitational junior tournament.
The full list of teams that took part in the event were:
British Army
Cumbria
Fiji UK
Hull
Hull Kingston Rovers
Huddersfield Giants
Leeds Rhinos
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
The Huddersfield Giants won the inaugural competition, defeating Hull F.C. 22-10 in the final, to reach the final they defeated Leeds Rhinos in the first round, Hull Kingston Rovers in the Semi-final.
2009 Event
The 2009 Event took place on Wednesday August 26, once again at Headingley Stadium in Leeds. Six super league clubs along with representational clubs again competed in the event. Before the main event, there was a competition to determine the fastest player in rugby league, with representatives from a number of Super League clubs hoping to compete.
Since the 2008 event, it was decided that this year's competition would have a 2 minute sin bin period for player misconduct, reduced from 5 minutes, to better reflect the length of games.
The full list of teams entered into the 2009 event are:
Jamaica
Cumbria RL
Leeds Met RL
British Army
The Royal Air Force (2009 Cheltenham Nines winners)
Blackpool Panthers (2009 Northern Rail Nines winners)
Warrington Wolves
Hull
Hull Kingston Rovers
Huddersfield Giants
Leeds Rhinos
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
2009 Fastest Man in Rugby League
Before the Nines competition, the stadium held host to the 2009 Fastest man in Rugby League competition, in which rugby league players raced over 96m in full playing kit to determine the fastest player in Rugby League. The provisional entries for the competition are as follows:
Kevin Penny (Warrington)
Jamel Chisholm (Leeds)
Jack Briscoe (Hull FC)
Peter Fox (Hull KR)
Roy Calvert (Jamaica)
Tom Lineham (York City Knights)
Luke George (Wakefield)
Amos Roberts (Wigan)
James Ford (Castleford)
The competition has been revived after it was first held in Wigan in 2005, However in the previous event the players had to run 90m while in full playing kit and carrying a ball.
The person who went on to win the race was Leeds Rhinos youth prospect, Jamel Chisholm, who won the race in a photo finish from Warrington's Kevin Penny with York City Knights Tom Lineham 3rd and Hull FC's Jack Briscoe 4th.
See also
References
External links
Official site
Rugby league nines competitions in the United Kingdom |
19069300 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floodtide | Floodtide | Floodtide is a 1949 British romantic drama film directed by Frederick Wilson and starring Gordon Jackson, Rona Anderson, John Laurie and Jimmy Logan.
The film was one of the four of David Rawnsley's films that used his "independent frame" technique, a form of back projection.
Plot
A young Scotsman becomes a ship designer instead of following the family tradition and entering farming. He works his way up the firm, marries the boss's daughter, and revolutionises shipbuilding.
Cast
Gordon Jackson as David Shields
Rona Anderson as Mary Anstruther
John Laurie as Joe Drummond
Jack Lambert as Anstruther
Jimmy Logan as Tim Brogan
Janet Brown as Rosie
Elizabeth Sellars as Judy
Gordon McLeod as Pursey
Ian McLean as Sir John
Archie Duncan as Charlie Campbell
James Woodburn as John Shields
Molly Weir as Mrs. McTavish
Ian Wallace as 1st Director
Alexander Archdale as 2nd Director
Grace Gavin as Mrs. McCrae
Critical reception
The Radio Times wrote, "the grim grandeur of the Clyde shipyards provides the setting for this lacklustre melodrama which trades on the British docudramatic tradition while dealing in potboiling clichés" ; the Oxford Times wrote, "this is a classic town-and-country saga that is spiritedly played by an exceptional Scottish ensemble" ; while Eye for Film wrote, "Industry is the real star of this film. It's full of passion for building a better future and it may well prove inspiring to engineers just starting out today."
References
External links
Review of film at Variety
1949 films
1949 romantic drama films
Films shot at Pinewood Studios
British romantic drama films
British black-and-white films
1940s English-language films
1940s British films |
19099515 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008%20Bihar%20flood | 2008 Bihar flood | The 2008 Bihar flood was one of the most disastrous floods in the history of Bihar, an impoverished and densely populated state in India. The Koshi embankment near the Indo-Nepal border (at Kusaha VDC, Sunsari district, Nepal) broke on 18 August 2008. The river changed course and flooded areas which had not been flooded in many decades. The flood affected over 2.3 million people in the northern part of Bihar.
Incident
On 18 August 2008, heavy monsoon rains and poor maintenance caused a breach in the Kosi embankment. Water passed through the breach at an estimated 3675 cubic meters per second (129,800 cusecs), flooding many villages in Nepal and hundreds of villages in northern Bihar. The flood submerged most of the Kosi alluvial fan area, which is very fertile, with a dense agrarian population.
Background
The Kosi River's upper basin in southern Tibet and eastern Nepal drains some 60,000 km2 of mountainous terrain, a region that tectonic forces are elevating by about 1 cm a year. If erosion keeps pace with geologic uplift, an estimated 600 million cubic meters of sediment would be carried downstream in an average year. However, empirical measurements of the river's sediment load have yielded estimates of 100 million cubic meters annually, indicating that the area is rising.
River gradient ranges from more than 10 meters/km for major upper tributaries in the mountains to as little as 6 cm/km as the lower Kosi nears the Ganges. As the gradient decreases on the plains, current slows and turbulence that holds sediments in suspension diminishes. Sediments settle out and are deposited on the riverbed. This process eventually raises a channel above the surrounding terrain. The river breaks out, seeking lower terrain, which it again proceeds to elevate by deposition. This creates a cone-shaped alluvial fan. The Kosi alluvial fan is one of the largest in the world, covering some 15,000 km2 and extending 180 km from the outermost foothills of the Himalayas to the Ganges river valley.
Flood waters naturally spread out over the surface of this cone. Flows over 25,000 m³/s have been measured where the Kosi exits the Himalayan foothills, enough to create a flow of water 30 km wide. At this rate, in one week enough water would accumulate to cover the entire megafan to a depth of 1.5 meters.
Preventative flood control measures include upstream reservoirs that can also serve irrigation needs and produce hydroelectric power. However, in Nepal these are mostly in the planning stages. The flood control measures mainly consist of downstream embankments meant to confine the river to a fixed channel. In theory, the faster flow along this channel would carry high flows away and keep sediments in suspension.
On 18 August 2008 one of the man-made embankments failed. The river reverted from the prescribed western channel to an old channel near the centre of its alluvial fan. The river spread out widely and flooded towns, villages, and cultivated fields on the densely populated alluvial fan. Recurrent flooding on the lower Kosi contributes largely to India's history of suffering more flood deaths than any other country except Bangladesh, and has earned the Kosi the epithet "The Sorrow of Bihar".
Affected areas
India
Flooding occurred throughout the Kosi River valley in northern Bihar, in the districts of Supaul, Araria, Saharsa, Madhepura, Bhagalpur, Khagaria and Purnea.
The flood killed 250 people and forced nearly 3 million people from their homes in Bihar. More than 300,000 houses were destroyed and at least of crops were damaged. Villagers in Bihar ate raw rice and flour mixed with polluted water. Hunger and disease were widespread. The Supaul district was the worst-hit; surging waters swamped of farmlands, destroying crops.
Nepal
It also affected six districts in Nepal. Approximately 53,800 Nepalese (11,572 households) were affected by the Koshi floods in Sunsari District, according to the Government of Nepal (GoN). Koshi Wildlife Reserve along the Koshi river was severely impacted by the floods including its wildlife and biodiversity.
Relief and Rehabilitation Work
In response to the disaster, widely reported as the region's worst flood in 50 years, Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar, met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to seek his help in dealing with the "catastrophe".
The Prime Minister declared a "natural calamity" on 28 August and earmarked US$230 million in aid for the region. Rescue operations were carried out by the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and non-government organisations. Indian Air Force helicopters dropped relief supplies in the worst-hit districts. Mumbai Fire Brigade sent a 22-member disaster management team to help in relief work.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar requested a rehabilitation package of Rs 145 billion from the central government for the flood ravaged Kosi region.
The Bihar government returned funds from Gujarat for relief work because of purported differences with the Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi.
On 1 September, describing the floods as a "disaster," the Dalai Lama gave 1,000,000 rupees to the Bihar government for relief work.
The Government of Bihar initiated Kosi Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Programme covering 30,000 affected families in Saharsa, Supaul and Madhepura district based on a pilot project implemented by ODR Collaborative, a network of organisations, supporting the Government and an owner driven reconstruction policy was formulated to support each family with Rs. 55,000 to construct their own house. After signing an agreement with the World Bank in January 2011, this programme has been upscaled to cover 100,000 families for reconstruction of hazard safe houses. The cost per house will be Rs. 55,000 ($1200) with an additional cost of Rs. 2,300 ($50) for a toilet and Rs. 5,000 ($110) for solar powered lighting. In cases where beneficiaries do not own land, the Government of Bihar will provide additional assistance of Rs. 5000 ($110) for the people to buy the land. Towards this project, the World Bank is contributing $220 million. The Government of Bihar has also partnered with ODR Collaborative and UNDP to continue the social and technical facilitation and capacity building for this 'owner driven reconstruction' programme. Technical guidelines have been brought out to enable owners to build houses with various local materials including bamboo.
The rehabilitation work has been incredibly slow. Out of a total 100,000 houses to be built by the Government in the Kosi region comprising Madhepura, Saharsa and Supaul districts, only 12,500 were built till February 2014.
Administrative lapse
Fax messages sent by engineers at the Kosi dam warning the state government of the impending disaster went unheeded as the official authorised to respond was on leave. Consequently, many residents waiting for evacuation instructions never received warning of the flood. Nitish Mishra, Bihar's disaster management minister, said, "There should definitely be some accountability," and that action would be taken.
Investigation
Bihar Government appointed a one-man inquiry commission, headed by Justice Rajesh Walia, former chief justice of Patna High Court, to probe the cause of the embankment breach. It was asked to examine all aspects related to the efforts to maintain the utility of the Kosi project since its inception in 1953 – particularly after a major landslide in 1979 pushed the Kosi towards its eastern bund – and a breach in 1991. The Commission submitted its report in March 2014.
See also
CNN-IBN 30 Minutes documentary on Bihar Floods 2008 by Marya Shakil – Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
2008 Indian floods
Flood in Bihar
Kosi River#2008 flood in Bihar
References
External links
Complete coverage of Bihar Floods 2008, 2009
Status of Bihar Floods
Satellite images of the affected area
Bihar flood
Bihar flood
Floods in Bihar
History of Bihar (1947–present)
de:Bihar#Naturkatastrophen |
19102619 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood%20Disaster%20Medal | Flood Disaster Medal | The Decoration for acknowledgement of excellent deeds performed during a flood disaster (), usually called Flood disaster Medal (), was created by royal decree on 27 March 1855 by King William III of the Netherlands. The medal is intended for those civilians who have shown zeal, courage, leadership, and self-sacrifice during the event of a flood disaster.
Orders, decorations, and medals of the Netherlands
1855 establishments in the Netherlands |
19254563 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood%20%28Baxter%20novel%29 | Flood (Baxter novel) | Flood is a 2008 work of hard science fiction by English author Stephen Baxter. It describes a near future world where deep submarine seismic activity leads to seabed fragmentation, and the opening of deep subterranean reservoirs of water. Human civilisation is almost destroyed by the rising inundation, which covers Mount Everest in 2052. Baxter issued a sequel to this work, entitled Ark, in 2009.
Flood was nominated for the British Science Fiction Award in 2008.
Synopsis
The above effects are catastrophic, and exceed current estimates of climate change-related sea level rise. In the opening chapter, four main characters (former USAF Captain Lily Brooke, British military officer Piers Michaelmas, English tourist Helen Gray, and NASA scientist Gary Boyle) are liberated by a private megacorporation called AxysCorp from a Christian extremist Catalan terrorist bunker in Barcelona in 2016, after five years of captivity. AxysCorp was hoping to save a fifth prisoner, John Foreshaw, but he was executed minutes before the rescue. Nonetheless, the corporation continues to look after the four hostages and search for Helen's daughter, Grace, who was conceived in captivity by the son of a Saudi royal and taken by his family. Helen befriends Foreign Office official Michael Thurley in the hopes of finding her daughter, and the four rescued hostages make a pact to keep in contact.
At this point, sea level changes have already submerged Tuvalu, a low lying South Pacific island, whose inhabitants have been evacuated to New Zealand. London and Sydney are prone to constant flooding. However, as a tidal surge hits London and Sydney, killing many in both cities, scientists become aware that this cannot be explained solely by the consequences of climate change. American oceanographer Thandie Jones uncovers the truth – through deep sea diving missions to oceanic ridges and trenches reveal that the seabed has fragmented, and there is turbulence that can only be attributable to the infusion of vast subterranean reservoirs of hitherto hypothesised but undetected oceanic masses of water (see below).
Over the next three decades, ocean waters rise exponentially and inundate the whole world, as the main characters struggle for survival in a vast and continuously altering environment. Lily and her sister Amanda, as well as her children Benj and Kristie experience the flooding and abandonment of London. Amanda and her children settle into a refugee resettlement in Dartmoor, but the rising floodwaters make that only a temporary respite. In 2019, a tsunami obliterates western coastal cities in the United Kingdom, killing Helen Gray and tens of thousands of others. At the same time, New York City is demolished by a storm surge, and Washington, D.C. is evacuated. For the next twenty years, Denver, Colorado becomes the capital of the steadily diminishing United States, which fragments as individual states assert their own survival needs.
By 2020, much of the eastern coast of the United States is underwater, as well as Sacramento, California, on its western coast. AxysCorp CEO Nathan Lammockson, the man who ordered the main characters' rescue and indirect friend of Lily, has a contingency plan for survival of an affluent western minority, which involves evacuation to the mountainous Peruvian Andes. Lily, Amanda with her children, and Piers tag along to the settlement, where Nathan discloses that he is aware of the extent of global inundation, which will not stop until all land on Earth is submerged. As the United States is eroded away, a contingent of refugees which includes Gary, Thandie, and Grace, heads south to meet Lily. When they reach Nathan's 'Project City' in Peru, they are swept up in a revolt that tries to seize control of the former elite settlement which results in the deaths of Amanda, Benj, and Kristie's husband, Ollantay, a self-claimed Inca descendant who leads the revolt. Gary parts ways with Lily as he hands over Grace, so they, along with Piers and Kristie board Nathan's "Ark Three", a Queen Mary sized (and shaped) ocean vessel that sets sail in 2035. By then, little of Europe, Russia, the Americas, Oceania, and Africa remain above the water.
Ark Three sails the global ocean in search of trading partners and finding higher ground, despite running into skirmishes with pirates that lead to Lily falling overboard and staying on a submarine with Thandie for a year, the survivors head for Tibet. However, when they arrive, Nepal's Maoist rulers have devastating news – Tibet is ruled by a Khmer Rouge-like regime that practices human slavery and cannibalism. Ark Three heads back out to sea but has nowhere to go, given that the floods are now lapping around the Rocky Mountains. Seaborn piracy is rife from those refugee seaborn populations who have taken to scavenging the refuse from the posthumous remains of human civilization; and after a visit to coastal Colorado, the pirates ultimately board and destroy Ark Three.
By 2048, the Andes, Rocky Mountains and elsewhere have been submerged. Tibet's regime is no more, and Australia, North America, South America, Africa, and most of Asia except for the highest mountains in the Himalayas have been flooded. As Lily, Gary, and Thandie settle into life as sea-dwelling survivors; Piers, Nathan, and Kirstie die in staggered succession since the sinking of Ark Three. The novel ends in 2052, as a group of survivors watch the submergence of the peak of Mount Everest. Lily has survived, and wonders what the grandchildren of her late-sister's family and her old hostage comrades from three decades ago will make of post-deluge Earth, now at a new environmental equilibrium, with a vast global storm system that is reminiscent of those on Jupiter and Neptune.
Civilization is virtually dead at the novel's end. Survivors continue to exist only on the rafts and some decrepit surviving former navy vessels. The children of the rafts, raised on the water, start building their own aquatic culture. By the end of the novel, extinction seems certain for humanity on Earth. However, we learn later in the book that Ark Three (the aforementioned ocean liner) was one of many projects created by AxysCorp and a few other groups. One of these (Ark One) was a starship project, which was taken over by the remnant government of the United States, and launched as Denver flooded in 2041; and at that time earlier in the novel, Lily had managed to get Grace aboard it just before it launched, and at the time she was unwillingly pregnant with the child of Nathan's snobbish and estranged son, Hammond. In 2044, a lunar eclipse occurs, just as a massive burst of light is sighted near Jupiter and the survivors realise it must be Ark One, and Grace's survival is thus ensured.
As they prepare to leave the former site of Mount Everest Lily realizes something. She sailed on Ark Three, and Ark One is a starship. In closing, she asks "What is Ark Two?" The question ends the novel, and sets the scene for Baxter's sequel, Ark, in which it is resolved.
"Hard science" basis for novel
In a short afterword, Baxter claims to have based his work on a hypothesis related to possible subterranean oceans within the Earth's mantle. His other references are cursory, although one refers to the presence of such immense reservoirs approximately below Beijing. In 2014, an ultra-deep diamond found in Juína, Mato Grosso in western Brazil, contained inclusions of ringwoodite—the only known sample of natural terrestrial origin—thus providing evidence of significant amounts of water as hydroxide in the Earth's mantle.
See also
Ark
Deluge
Flood myth
List of flood myths
Doomsday event
Greenhouse and icehouse Earth
References
External links
Flood at Worlds Without End
2008 British novels
2008 science fiction novels
British post-apocalyptic novels
Environmental fiction books
Novels by Stephen Baxter
Novels set in Barcelona
Fiction set in the 21st century
Hard science fiction
Victor Gollancz Ltd books
Apocalyptic novels
Fiction set on Jupiter |
19333014 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007%20Shandong%20coal%20mine%20flood | 2007 Shandong coal mine flood | The 2007 Shandong coal mine flood was an incident that occurred on August 17, 2007 in Xintai, Shandong, People's Republic of China, when heavy rain caused a river to burst a levee creating a flood into two mine shafts. By 8:50 am (1:50GMT), the mine was inundated underwater.
Damages and casualties
More than 200mm of rain had fallen in Xintai, causing a 50-metre breach of a levee of the Wen river. Water poured into the 860-metre deep pit at the Huayuan mine, quickly overwhelming the mine's pumps. The 172 miners were trapped in a 3,000-foot-deep mine shaft when a mine operated by the Huayuan Mining Co. Nine others were also missing, in a nearby mine run by a different company. None of the 181 miners, living or dead, were recovered from the two mines after the accident.
The Huayuan mine was flooded with an estimated 12 million cubic metres of water. If all six available pumps were used around the clock they could pump out about 120,000 cubic metres of water a day. But only four were operational. Unofficially, experts say that it would take almost 100 days to drain the water inside the mine.
Aftermath
An official at China.com.cn discussed the fact that signs of flooding had appeared in advance prior to the incident, and that the "disaster was completely avoidable." On September 6, the Shandong provincial government issued a statement citing scientists who said that none of the miners would be able to make it out alive after that amount of time underground.
See also
Coal power in China
References
Shandong mine flood
Shandong mine flood
Environmental disasters in China
2007
2007 floods in Asia
Coal mining disasters in China |
19393692 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank%20Flood | Frank Flood | Francis Xavier Flood (1 December 1901 – 14 March 1921), known as Frank Flood, was a 1st Lieutenant in the Dublin Active Service Brigade during the Irish War of Independence. He was executed by the British authorities in Mountjoy Prison and was one of the men commonly referred to as The Forgotten Ten.
Background
Flood was born at 6 Emmet Street, Dublin on 1 December 1901. He was the son of policeman John Flood and Sarah Murphy. The 1911 census lists the family living at 15 Emmet Street. He was one of eight brothers and he had one sister, most of whom were heavily involved in the Independence movement. He attended secondary school in O'Connell Schools, Dublin and won a scholarship to study engineering at University College Dublin where he was an active member of UCD's famous debating forum, the Literary and Historical Society. He passed his first and second year engineering exams with distinction. At the time of his arrest he was living with his family at 30 Summerhill Parade, Dublin.
Trial and execution
He was captured, together with Thomas Bryan, Patrick Doyle, Bernard Ryan and Dermot O'Sullivan while attacking a lorry-load of Dublin Metropolitan Police at Drumcondra on 21 January 1921. All of the men were found in possession of arms and a grenade was discovered in Flood's pocket. On 24 February 1921 Flood was charged by Court-martial, with high treason/levying war against the King, and was one of six men executed by hanging on 14 March 1921 in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin. At nineteen years of age, he was the youngest of the six.
Legacy and re-interment
Flood was a close personal friend of Kevin Barry, and asked that he be buried as close as possible to him. He had taken part in the September 1920 ambush during which Barry had been arrested and had been involved in the planning of several aborted attempts to rescue him. Flood would remain buried at Mountjoy Prison, together with nine other executed members of the Irish Republican Army known as The Forgotten Ten, until he was given a state funeral and reburied at Glasnevin Cemetery on 14 October 2001 after an intense campaign led by the National Graves Association.
Students of University College Dublin established the Frank Flood Shield, an annual debating competition, in his memory. Flood and the other five men executed on 14 March 1921 are commemorated in Thomas MacGreevy's poem "The Six who were Hanged".
The bridge over the River Tolka in Drumcondra at Millmount Avenue/Botanic Avenue was named Droichead Frank Flood on 14 March 2018. A memorial to Flood was erected by his parents in Kilbarrack Cemetery.
References and sources
Notes
Sources
External links
Transcripts of Flood's last letters to his family from CDVEC Educational Service to Prisons. (archived at WebCite)
1901 births
1921 deaths
People educated at O'Connell School
People executed for treason against the United Kingdom
The Forgotten Ten
Executed people from County Dublin |
19398929 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Here%20Comes%20the%20Flood | Here Comes the Flood | Here Comes the Flood may refer to:
"Here Comes the Flood", an episode of Grey's Anatomy (season 5)
"Here Comes the Flood", a song by Peter Gabriel on the album Peter Gabriel (1977 album)
a different version of the same song on the album Exposure (Robert Fripp album)
"Here Comes the Flood", a song by the Divine Comedy on the album Fin de Siècle |
19590706 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008%20Morpeth%20flood | 2008 Morpeth flood | The 2008 Morpeth flood occurred on Saturday 6 September 2008 in Morpeth, a town in Northumberland, northeastern England, when, following sustained heavy rainfall during the previous twenty-four hours, the River Wansbeck burst its banks and overwhelmed the town's flood defences. Nearly one thousand properties, mostly residential, were damaged.
Background
Previous flooding events occurred in 1863, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1881, 1886, 1898, 1900, 1903, 1924, 1963 and 1968 (Cotting Burn).
In 1992, a record peak water level of was recorded in the river channel. The 2008 flood level was 0.8 metres higher than this. However, there was not a flood event in 1992 as the defences successfully protected the town centre.
Meteorological history
The low pressure "Mattea" formed at the southern tip of Greenland on 3 September, deepening to approximately 980hpa as it passed to the south of Ireland on 5 September. The low then remained in place over the UK before dissipating on 9 September. An occluded front associated with this low moved slowly north across the UK producing flash flooding across the Midlands and the North. The Environment Agency recorded of precipitation falling in the Wansbeck catchment area between Friday 5 and Saturday 6 September. Figures suggest that in Morpeth alone there was of rain compared to an average of for a month.
Physical causes
The River Wansbeck Valley is narrow and steep and as a consequence has exaggerated amounts of surface runoff. Based on three storm events, a reliable flow gauge located upstream of Morpeth at the confluence of the Wansbeck and Font showed that 99.9% of rain fall is converted into surface runoff. Because the soil was already saturated as a result of the wet summer, the effect of surface runoff was greatly enhanced. Furthermore, increased urbanisation since the 1960s in Morpeth meant that most water falling on the town would have drained directly to the river channel. Other tests investigating the catchment lag time (time lapse between the midpoint of storm rainfall and peak river level) indicate that the Wansbeck has a lag time of only 8 hours. This means that any water falling in the catchment area would have been rapidly converted into channel flow by surface runoff and to a lesser extent by throughflow. This is due to the steepness of the valley and the soil composition.
Effects and responses
Social
During 6 September 2008, more than 400 residents were evacuated. Shelter was provided in the Town Hall, King Edward VI High School and County Hall. An error made by the Environment Agency's warning system meant that 198 properties in the Middle Greens area of the town did not receive a flood warning. Fire fighters, ambulance crews, the RAF, the RNLI and the British Red Cross were among the emergency services involved in rescue and recovery operations over the weekend, as well as some local nurses, GPs, a pharmacist and school staff who volunteered once the news of the flood broke out. They worked through the night attending to those affected. Many residents were forced from their homes, and lived in caravans or with relatives as rebuilding took place.
Economic
Nearly one thousand properties in Morpeth's town centre were directly affected by the flood water. Among the businesses there, the ironmongers Smails and Sons, a cornerstone of the Morpeth community for over sixty years, was left completely out of stock. Early estimates suggested that damages could be over £40 million. The actual figure was much greater, with total losses estimated at £40 million. On Sunday 7 September, Morpeth Lions Club and the Red Cross launched the Morpeth Flood Disaster Fund, which, by Wednesday 10 September, had raised over £20,000.
Environmental
At the peak of the flood, Morpeth High Street (Bridge Street) was under of water. Not since 1963 had the main street been flooded. The library suffered severe structural damage due to the heavy debris transported by the river. Such was the extent of the damage that structural engineers were required to test its safety.
Aftermath
On Monday 8 September 2008, John Healey, the Floods Recovery Minister, visited Morpeth. Official government aid was pledged to the local authority to help with costs of the disaster through the Bellwin scheme. Mr Healey was also in talks with insurance industry chiefs, discussing their plans for dealing with a large number of claims in affected areas as quickly and effectively as possible.
Discussions with the Environment Agency to bring forward proposals for new flood defences took place. An Environment Agency report published in December 2007 had suggested that the town's flood walls needed improvement. Oldgate Bridge may need some structural changes made as it has a damming effect during flood events. An upstream reservoir to hold back flood water was also proposed. If successful, improvements could be made by 2011.
Morpeth Lions Club aimed to raise £100,000 for payment to those affected by the flooding without insurance.
The Prince of Wales (now Charles III) and the Duchess of Cornwall made an official visit on Friday 12 September, during which they inspected the damage and spoke with victims of the flood.
References
External links
The Morpeth Flood project (Geoff Parkin, Newcastle University, School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences)
morpeth flood videos
morpeth herald photos today flood photos
Floods in England
Morpeth flood, 2008
Morpeth flood
Morpeth flood
Morpeth flood
21st century in Northumberland
Flood, 2008
Morpeth flood |
19847316 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October%202008%20Central%20America%20floods | October 2008 Central America floods | The October 2008 Central America floods were caused by a series of low-pressure areas including Tropical Depression Sixteen, a short-lived tropical cyclone in the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season that made landfall in Honduras. Heavy rainfall began in early October 2008 while a tropical wave passed through the region. On October 14, Tropical Depression Sixteen formed just off the northeast coast of Honduras, and at the same time a low-pressure system was on the Pacific coast. Both systems increased rainfall across the region, although the depression dropped heavy rainfall close to its center when it moved ashore on October 15. Although Tropical Depression Sixteen quickly dissipated over land, its remnants persisted for several days. Another low-pressure area interacted with a cold front on October 21, adding to the rainfall in the region.
Heavy rainfall extended from Costa Rica to southeastern Mexico, causing what was considered the worst natural disaster in the region since Hurricane Mitch in 1998. In the former country, rainfall totaled over several weeks, making the week ending October 17 the wettest in San José since 1944. Floods in Costa Rica damaged 32 bridges and roads in 174 locations, while 1,396 homes were damaged, killing seven people. In Nicaragua to the north, weeks of heavy rainfall killed 16 people and damaged or destroyed 1,333 houses. In Honduras where the tropical depression made landfall, rainfall reached in some areas, although the highest official total there related to the depression was on the offshore Roatán over six days. About 40% of municipalities in the country experienced flooding, forcing over 50,000 people to leave their homes. The floods damaged about 50% of roads in Honduras, and over 10,000 houses were damaged or destroyed. Damage totaled about 3 billion lempiras (HNL, $225 million USD), and there were 60 deaths.
In northern Guatemala, the floods damaged about of crop fields, accounting for Q128.9 million (2008 GTQ, US$16.8 million) in crop damage. There were 17 deaths and about 4,000 damaged houses in Guatemala. In neighboring El Salvador, the rains contributed to October 2008 being the third-wettest month across the country, after Hurricane Stan in 2005 and Hurricane Mitch in 1998. One person died, and hundreds were forced to evacuate their houses. In Belize, the rains flooded about 1,000 homes, forcing the evacuation of one entire town due to health reasons. The rains caused additional flooding following Tropical Storm Arthur striking the country in May, damaging a bridge that was rebuilt after Arthur. Nationwide, the floods caused BZ$54.1 million (BZD, US$27.1 million) in damage and two deaths.
Meteorological history
Widespread rainfall occurred throughout Central America in early October 2008 due to the passage of a tropical wave through the region. Later, another tropical wave approached the region, which was believed to have left the west coast of Africa on September 17. The wave developed a low-pressure area on October 10 in the southwestern Caribbean, with sporadic convection. On October 13, the system consisted of a large area of convection drifting northward offshore eastern Central America, and Dvorak classifications began, indicating gradual organization. At that time, there was another low-pressure area on the Pacific coast, and both systems were producing rainfall across Central America.
At 1200 UTC on October 14, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) indicated that Tropical Depression Sixteen developed about northeast of Cabo Gracias a Dios, a point where the border of Nicaragua and Honduras meet the Caribbean. In the hours after the depression's formation, the convection decreased, and hurricane hunters indicated that the small low-level circulation was rotating around a broader circulation. Shortly after 1200 UTC on October 15, the weak tropical depression made landfall just west of Punta Patuca in northern Honduras, with a broad and ill-defined circulation. Continuing west-southwestward over land, the circulation dissipated on October 16 over the mountains of central Honduras, although the depression's remnants continued to produce rainfall across the region for several days. On October 21, a cold front was moving through the Yucatán peninsula, interacting with a newly formed low in the Gulf of Honduras to produce additional rainfall.
Preparations
Around the time when the NHC began issuing advisories on the depression, officials issued a tropical storm warning for northern Honduras that eventually covered the country's entire coastline. A tropical storm warning was also issued for the coast of Belize. When the NHC began issuing advisories on the depression, the agency anticipated the depression would intensify into a strong tropical storm, based on low wind shear and warm sea surface temperatures; however, the agency noted uncertainty in the track. A ridge to the north was expected to steer the nascent depression westward, and two tropical cyclone forecast models predicted the storm would continue west-northwestward to strike Belize. Other models forecast a more immediate landfall, which would limit intensification. While the storm was active, officials in Honduras issued a yellow alert for seven departments where heavy rainfall had occurred. A nationwide yellow alert was also issued for El Salvador, meaning there was potential for flooding and landslides, although alerts were dropped on October 21 when the threat of rainfall diminished.
Impact
Although a weak tropical cyclone, the depression and its remnants dropped heavy rainfall across Central America for several days, spreading into Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize. In Honduras where it made landfall, rainfall peaked at on the offshore Roatán over six days. A member from Mercy Corps estimated the rainfall in October to have totaled around in some areas. On the mainland, rainfall reached at El Empalme. In El Salvador, the depression dropped heavy rainfall, mainly in the southern coastal portion, with a 24-hour peak of in Puerto Parada en La Unión. Over a period of eight days, rainfall in Belize reached at Baldy Beacon. Rainfall extended as far north as southeastern Mexico. Throughout the region, the flooding destroyed about 10,000 homes and left about 250,000 people homeless. News agencies considered the flooding the worst in the region since Hurricane Mitch in 1998.
According to Costa Rica's National Meteorology Institute, the week ending on October 17 was the wettest in San José since 1944. Over a period of several weeks, rainfall reached about . The influence between the precursor to the depression and a low-pressure area in the eastern Pacific caused flooding in Costa Rica that killed seven people. In Guanacaste Province, a landslide covered three cars, and in Monteverde, another landslide knocked over a power line that killed two people. In Parrita, an ambulance carrying four people was struck by a fallen tree, while in Puntarenas, another vehicle was struck by a tree, killing one of its occupants. Transport was disrupted in widespread areas in the north and south of the country due to landslides blocking roads. Across the country, the floods compromised roads in 174 locations and damaged 32 bridges. Flooding isolated about 6,900 people in 75 communities, and about 77,000 people were forced to leave their homes. Power outages affected 89 communities, and 424 water wells along the Pacific coast were polluted. Nationwide, the floods damaged 1,396 houses and 39 schools.
In early October, heavy rainfall began affecting Nicaragua, causing mudslides and flooding. The tropical depression added to weeks of heavy rainfall that killed 16 people, many caused by people attempting to cross swollen rivers. Toward the end of October 2008, Lake Managua overflowed, causing flooding in the capital city of Managua. Across the country, 2,273 people evacuated to storm shelters after the floods damaged or destroyed 1,333 houses. Transportation was disrupted when the floods wrecked four bridges and of highways. Classes were canceled in León and Chinandega departments. The crops in the latter department were almost entirely destroyed.
Following months of drought conditions, the heavy rainfall in Honduras caused flooding, initially in the southern and central portions, although the entire country experienced rainfall, with 40% of municipalities experiencing flooding. The rains caused widespread landslides, particularly in the western and central portions. In the capital city Tegucigalpa, the rainfall in October was estimated to have been twice the average annual total. In two locations, the Pan-American Highway was disrupted by either landslide or flooding, and widespread areas were isolated nationwide by flooded roads. According to Reuters, about 50% of the roads in Honduras were damaged during the floods, with 227 roads and 106 bridges damaged. A landslide near Corquín blocked a river and created a natural dam, forcing hundreds of nearby residents to leave. In Colón Department, the Tocoa River overflowed, while flooding in Atlántida damaged crop lands. A total of of crops were damaged, mostly in Comayagua Department. 14 water systems were damaged, and 150,000 people lost power in Olancho Department. Landslides in Tegucigalpa killed six and displaced about 500 people. In El Progreso, 375 inmates from a jail had to be evacuated to another facility. A total of 50,676 people were forced to evacuate in the country, most of whom stayed in shelters. 2,474 homes were destroyed in Honduras, with another 8,688 damaged or flooded. In addition, at least nine schools were damaged or destroyed. Nationwide, the floods killed 60 people, and damage was estimated at about 3 billion lempiras (HNL, US$225 million). The low death toll compared to Hurricane Mitch was largely due to the widespread evacuations.
Floods in Guatemala overflowed rivers and caused landslides in Izabal and Petén departments, blocking many roads. The rising rivers damaged about 175 houses, forcing hundreds of people to leave their homes. About of crop fields were damaged or destroyed, including corn, rice, and beans, and crop damage nationwide was estimated at Q128.9 million (2008 GTQ, US$16.8 million). About 2.5% of the national corn crop and 3.7% of the rice crop were wrecked during the floods. Nationwide, about 4,000 houses and 82 roads were damaged or destroyed, and 17 people died in the country from the floods. In neighboring El Salvador, floods affected the houses of about 600 families. High levels forced officials to release water from several dams, causing urban flooding. Along the coastline, the floods damaged maize and bean crops. The average rainfall across El Salvador for the month of October was . This was the third-highest for October since such record keeping began in 1971, after 2005 when Hurricane Stan struck and 1998 when Hurricane Mitch crossed the area. The tropical depression killed one person in the country.
In Belize, the rainfall in one week represented the average monthly values at some stations. Heavy rainfall from the depression caused levels to rise along rivers and creeks. A bridge that had been rebuilt following earlier Tropical Storm Arthur was flooded, prompting the Belize Defence Force to assist in crossings. This isolated much of Cayo District from the rest of the country until the bridge was repaired. On the western portion of the district, flooding along the Macal River damaged a bridge crossing into northern Guatemala, which restricted traffic only to people returning home. Levels along the Macal and the Belize River were higher than the floods of Hurricane Mitch in 1998, but less than that of Hurricane Keith in 2000. The floods caused residents to evacuate after over 1,000 homes were flooded; 311 people stayed in shelters, while the remainder stayed with families and relatives. Of the affected houses, 12 were destroyed and 802 were severely damaged. Most of the affected population was in rural areas of western Belize. One village in Orange Walk District had to be quarantined due to the health threat from the floods for 25 days. Many roads were closed, and there were widespread school closures. Overall, the floods killed two people in the country and caused BZ$54.1 million (BZD, US$27.1 million) in damage. Most of the damage was agricultural, accounting for BZ$28.2 million (BZD, US$14.1 million), or 25% of the country's agricultural gross domestic product. Other damage included BZ$11.7 million (BZD, US$6.3 million) to roads and bridges. The ongoing floods caused BZ$2.7 million (BZD, US$1.5 million) in tourism losses, due to closed facilities and water damage.
Aftermath
Following the floods in Costa Rica, the country's Red Cross opened shelters to house storm victims. The government advised residents not to drink water out of fear it could be polluted from the flooding. A state of emergency was declared on October 18 due to the effects in Costa Rica. In Nicaragua, officials deployed about 3,000 soldiers to assist in flood operations. The World Food Programme provided about 8 tons of food to families in El Salvador affected by the flooding. Then-president of Honduras Manuel Zelaya declared a national state of emergency on October 19. In Honduras, pre-positioned supplies from UNICEF quickly diminished due to the widespread distribution of blankets and medical kits, raising fears for the spread of disease. The World Food Programme provided about 58 tons of food to 5,500 families in Honduras. Residents returned home as floodwaters gradually receded. The Mercy Corps later provided corn and bean seeds to 1,300 Honduran farmers to regrow the damaged crops. In May 2009, the World Bank provided $25 million (USD) to Honduras to rebuild damaged roads and bridges. Workers in Guatemala airlifted food to storm victims due to residual flooding. The Guatemalan government provided $6.6 million to residents in the northern portion of the country, including medical supplies and seeds to regrow crops. A state of emergency was declared for Cayo District in Belize. Search and rescue teams were deployed to the district, and medical crews visited several towns, providing help to 3,000 people. The Belize National Emergency Management Organization provided meals to about 9,000 people following the floods.
Across the affected areas, the Red Cross spent about $247,000 to provide food and blankets. In the weeks and months following the flooding, various international groups provided aid totaling nearly $11 million. The United States donated $622,732 worth of assistance, mainly to help with logistical work and relief efforts. The United States military also worked to purify drinking water in Honduras. Canada donated $412,201 worth of assistance, including providing shelter in Honduras and rebuilding schools. The country of Brazil donated about $1.68 million worth of food. The Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department of the European Commission provided nearly $2.2 million for relief efforts. Other European country donations included nearly $500,000 from Ireland for hygiene and food supplies, $675,675 from the Netherlands for general relief efforts, $154,570 from Spain through the World Food Programme, $159,559 from Germany for shelters, and $892,468 from Sweden. Several Asian countries donated to the relief efforts, including $123,810 from Japan to Honduras to purchase emergency goods, $22,000 from South Korea, and $10,000 from Singapore to Honduras. Non-governmental organizations and other groups providing aid included $1.5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund, $300,000 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, $120,000 from Catholic Relief Services, and $289,000 from ACT Alliance.
In November, weeks after the tropical depression struck Honduras, Tropical Storm Paloma formed in the western Caribbean and caused additional rainfall in the region.
Notes
References
External links
Disaster and news reports from ReliefWeb
2008 Atlantic hurricane season
2008 October Central America floods
Floods
Floods
Floods
Central America
2008 Central floods |
19979130 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamela%20Flood | Pamela Flood | Pamela Ann Mary Flood (born 25 July 1971) is a former Irish television presenter and former model from Tallaght, South Dublin. She received the Miss Ireland crown in 1993.
A former employee of Raidió Teilifís Éireann, she was at one time a well-recognised face on the broadcaster's television channels, having presented Off the Rails, Marry Me and The Podge and Rodge Show. She also made an appearance in the genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are?, learning that her grandmother was an illegitimate child and that a deceased distant relative was accused of murdering her husband, but later found not guilty - over 160 years ago. She then went on to feature on Celebrity Showhouse broadcast on 29 December 2008.
Career
Flood worked as a continuity officer with national broadcaster RTÉ from 1997 to 2000, and was a presenter of Irish fashion television show Off the Rails for a number of years before receiving the axe in 2008.
Flood moved on to Marry Me, of which there were eight editions, and has presented two editions of The Podge and Rodge Show, For her research in the RTÉ series Who Do You Think You Are? she travelled through 19th-century Dublin, "taking in red light districts, millionaire solicitors, pawnbrokers, contested wills, illegitimate children and murder." She met historian David Nolan, who has written a history of Corballis House, where her granny was sent to stay and subsequently discovered she was born out of wedlock. She appeared on the front cover of the RTÉ Guide to promote the show, and on Anonymous as "Doreen Prendergast".
Flood has since found herself exposed and vulnerable at RTÉ.
Personal life
In 2008, Flood announced the recent end of her three-year relationship with Michael Sharp, the manager of Denis Desmond's Spirit nightclub in Dublin. She then began a new one with restaurateur, Ronan Ryan.
Flood and Ryan appeared in the news in 2019 following a public battle with their mortgage provider over a house in which the couple had been living in Clontarf, Dublin. It was reported that the couple had been living in the property valued at €900,000 yet had not made a mortgage payment in over 9 years. Nevertheless, the couple refused to vacate the property.
References
External links
1971 births
Living people
Irish female models
RTÉ television presenters
Miss World 1993 delegates
Miss Ireland winners
Miss Universe 1994 contestants
Beauty pageant contestants from Ireland
People from Tallaght
Broadcasters from County Dublin |
20037983 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008%20Vietnam%20floods | 2008 Vietnam floods | The 2008 Vietnam floods affected north and central Vietnam, as well as southern parts of the People's Republic of China after three days of heavy rain. The rainfall, which began October 30, was the heaviest in 24 years, a state meteorological official told the Vietnam News Agency, and were the worst floods in Hanoi since 1984. At least 66 in Vietnam and 34 in China have been killed because of the flooding. Overall, 15,000 families evacuated their homes, and almost 100 schools, 100,000 houses, 241,000 hectares of crops, and 25,400 hectares of fish farms were submerged or damaged in the floodwaters.
Vietnam
The floods killed a total of 66 people in Vietnam. In Hanoi, 20, including 3 children, were found dead after 13 more bodies were recovered. Up to one meter of water flooded the city's streets, and transportation was halted. Food prices, especially those of meat and vegetables, reached exorbitant highs in the city, as the rains ruined many crops. Schools were closed on November 3, and damage in Hanoi exceeded 3 trillion Vietnamese đồng ($US 177 million).
Elsewhere in Vietnam, 10 people, including 4 children were killed in Nghệ An Province from the floods. 17 were killed in Hà Tĩnh Province, 4 each in Quảng Ngãi Province and Quảng Bình Province, 3 in Bắc Giang Province, 2 each in Hòa Bình Province, Thái Nguyên Province, and Vĩnh Phúc Province, and 1 each in Ninh Bình Province, Phú Thọ Province, Quảng Nam Province, and Phú Yên Province. In addition water levels on the Cả River, , and the upper Ma River were very high. The Vietnamese Army and Vietnamese Red Cross using boats and amphibious Military vehicles to rescue survivors. Military helicopters delivered food and water supplies to residents of flooded villages cut off by the floods. Most roads leading to these areas had been washed away. 1,000 Vietnamese soldiers led rescue work, searching for bodies.
China
The heavy rains affected southern parts of the People's Republic of China as well, causing mudslides and floods, and killing a total of 34 there. Yunnan Province was hit the hardest, where 26 were killed and 45 remain missing. 8 were killed in Pingguo, Guangxi. Overall, 410,000 were affected in China, and 3,200 homes there were damaged or destroyed.
See also
2016 Vietnam floods
References
Vietnam floods
Floods
Floods in Vietnam
2008 disasters in Vietnam |
20082533 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mure%C8%99%20Floodplain%20Natural%20Park | Mureș Floodplain Natural Park | The Mureș Floodplain Natural Park, set aside by the Romanian government in 2005, is located in western Romania outside the city of Arad. The park covers 17,455 ha and follows the river Mureș westward from the city of Arad to the Hungarian border. The park is a typical ecosystem for wetlands, with running waters, lakes, swamps and floodplains, with forests, an important place for the passage and nesting of bird species and is subjected to periodical floods (a flood every three years). The forests (7,500 ha) in the park are made up primarily of common oak, narrow-leafed ash, black and white poplar, white willow, and American black walnut. This area is an important place for nesting and passage for nearly 200 species of birds, most of which are strictly protected internationally.
The main purpose of the Mureș Floodplain Natural Park is to protect and preserve the habitats and landscape diversity from the region. The park has been designated a Ramsar site, and under Natura 2000, the park was designated a SPA (Special Protection Area) for birds, and a SAC (Special Area of Conservation) for other species and habitats. Within the park, there are 4 strictly protected natural reserves: The Cenad Forest (310.5 ha), Big Isle of Cenad (2.1 ha), Igriș Islands (7 ha), and Prundul Mare (717.9 ha).
The park is a sister park with the Körös-Maros National Park, in Hungary. The two parks border each other and have created a cross-border protected area with a future common management plan.
Biology
The Mureș Floodplain Natural Park has an ecosystem that is typical for wetlands, with running and still waters, large forests and periodic floods (every several years).
Flora
The vegetation in the park grows in a continental climate, with warm summers and moderate winters. The annual average temperature is 10.5 degrees Celsius and the average annual rainfall is 550 mm. Many plants within the park need the periodic flooding in order to germinate and to consume the nutrients freshly dissolved in the water.
A large number of plants in the park are on "the red list of superior plants in Romania", meaning they are vulnerable or rare species. Some of these include: yarrow (Achillea thracica), water soldier (Stratiotes aloides), common corncockle (Agrostemma githago), Cirsium brachycephalum, prostrate false pimpernel (Lindernia procumbens), brittle waternymph (Najas minor), hog's fennel (Peucedanum officinale), lesser butterfly-orchid (Platanthera bifolia), Scottish dock (Rumex aquaticus), French vetch (Vicia narbonensis L. ssp. serratifolia).
Besides this, there are also three species which are strictly protected according to the Bern Convention: European waterclover (Marsilea quadrifolia), floating watermoss (Salvinia natans), water caltrop (Trapa natans).
Stands of oak (Quercus robur) and ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) are predominant in the park, together with the coppices of black and white poplar (Populus nigra and Populus alba) and white willow (Salix alba). These species are mostly found in the small forest in the Cenad area and in the 6,000-ha forest along the Mureș River between Arad and the village of Semlac (which includes the Ceala Forest).
Fauna
The fauna in the park encompasses a multitude of species, from large mammals to species living on the river bottom.
There are large populations of mammal species living within the park. Among these are: European hamster (Cricetus cricetus), European polecat (Mustela putorius), brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus), otter (Lutra lutra), European wildcat (Felis silvestris), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), red deer (Cervus elaphus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), fallow deer (Dama dama) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus).
In 1988, the area which is now the Mureș Floodplain Natural Park was designated as an Important Bird Area because of the existence of numerous bird species. Nearly all the birds living in The Mures Floodplain Natural Park are included in the annexes of the Bern Convention and the EU's Habitats Directive. Among them is the lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina), whose numbers within the park are low, but which was chosen as symbol of the natural park.
Approximately 200 species of birds live or pass through the park every year. Among these are: great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo), black-crowned night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), grey heron (Ardea cinerea), mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus), Eurasian coot (Fulica atra), little bittern (Ixobrychus minutus), little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis), water rail (Rallus aquaticus), European bee-eater (Merops apiaster).
There is also a very large number of sand martins (Riparia riparia). Nearly half of the entire population of sand martins on the Mureș River can be found within the Mureș Floodplain Natural Park.
All six of the species of reptiles and nine species of amphibians identified within the park are mentioned in the annexes of the Bern Convention and the EU's Habitats Directive. Their inclusion in these lists is due to the regress of these species, which are considered barometers for the state of an ecosystem's health. Among these are: European pond terrapin (Emys orbicularis), dice snake (Natrix tessellata), European fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina), and the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus).
For the fish species in the park, the periodic flooding of the Mureș River is a blessing; this process provides new spawning grounds, as well as generating new food and protection. The ichthyofauna in the park has a rich diversity and contains more fish species than any other section of the Mureș River. It is only in this section of the Mureș River that some species exist: white-eye bream (Abramis sapa), zarte (Vimba vimba), crucian carp (Carassius carassius), brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus), striped ruffe (Gymnocephalus schraetser), zingel (Zingel zingel).
Recreation/tourism
Because of the proximity of the park to so many municipalities, the area that is now the Mureș Floodplain Natural Park has been used for recreation for centuries. Throughout time, local citizens have depended on this area for both recreation and to sustain their lives. The creation of the park in 2005, insures this will continue in the future, but with oversight and regulations. The most visited areas of the park are the Ceala Forest (due to its proximity to the city of Arad) and the Bezdin area (widely known as the most natural section of the park).
The Ceala Forest Visitor's Center
Between 2001 and 2005, the Mureș Floodplain Natural Park implemented, at what was then the largest Phare grant in Romania (co-financed for 2.6 million Euros). Among other infrastructure projects, this grant built the park's current visitor's center.
In May 2007, the Ceala Forest Visitor's Center, just outside the city of Arad, had its grand opening. The building houses a 34-bed hotel, a conference room that seats up to 70 people, a kitchen and dining area, a laboratory, and the park's administrative offices.
Eco-tourism
The park's eco-tourism program has two components: a guided/unguided canoe trip on the Mures River from the city of Arad to the town of Pecica; and bicycle rentals to be used on the park's bicycle trail network. Both are extremely popular during the spring and summer months.
Cultural
There are three monasteries within the park boundaries. All three monasteries are owned and operated by their respective churches, but due to their proximity to the Mureș River and its important ecosystem, these lands fall under the supervision and protection of the Mureș Floodplain Natural Park.
On the northern side of the river is the Saint Paraschiva Monastery, which can be found just outside the village of Bodrogu Vechi. This is the newest monastery in the park and is accessed from the town of Pecica.
On the southern side of the river are other two monasteries. The Hodoș-Bodrog Monastery, dating from 1177, is one of the oldest monastic institutions in the Romanian Orthodox Church. The monastery is accessible from the village of Bodrogu Nou and is 17 km from the city of Arad. The monastery is active and has many monks living and working there.
The Bezdin Monastery, dating from 1539, is one of the few Serbian Orthodox monasteries in Romania which is still preserved. In comparison to the Hodoș-Bodrog Monastery, Bezdin is very isolated and is situated in what is considered the most natural part of the Mureș Floodplain Natural Park. The monastery is accessible from the commune of Munar and is 31 km from the city of Arad.
Bird watching and wildlife viewing
Because of the rich bird life within the park, the park administration constructed two structures in the Bezdin area. In 2004, the park erected a wildlife viewing tower in an area of the forest that is known to have wildlife viewing potential. In 2005, the park erected a bird watching tower near the Bezdin marsh. Both of these towers are accessible from the Bezdin Monastery and the commune of Munar.
Hunting and fishing
Hunting is allowed within the park during certain seasons and in specific areas. Fishing is also allowed, but only with a fishing license.
Environmental education
Because of the close proximity to a large city and the potentially large impact this causes the park, the park's environmental education program grew rapidly in the first three years in existence: 100 students (2006), 900 students (2007), and over 2,000 students (2008).
The park administration was trained by Outward Bound Romania on experiential education strategies in the summer of 2007. The park has the Romanian park system's first low ropes course and has received notoriety in Romanian national news and within the park system for its education efforts.
See also
Defileul Mureşului Superior Natural Park
Protected areas of Romania
Notes
References
Pîrv, Ovidiu (2004). "The Mures Floodplain Natural Park" (15).
External links
Official site
Romsilva website
Protected areas of Romania
Protected areas established in 2005
Ramsar sites in Romania
Floodplains of Europe
Forests of Romania |
20092803 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National%20Flood%20Forum | National Flood Forum | The National Flood Forum is a British charity in Bewdley, Worcestershire dedicated to assisting individuals who have been affected by flooding and to guiding legislation related to flooding. The charity's efforts include, among others, cohosting events to provide information and services to victims of flooding and conducting studies into the personal impact of flooding. It also gives out "the Golden Sandbag Award" to individuals who have provided exceptional service to victims of flooding.
History
Its first meeting was held in York in 2002. In 2005, the independent organization set up formal links with the Environment Agency to help address flooding issues in Cumbria. The Environment Agency provided funding to the forum totaling £250,000 before cutting funding in December 2007.
In late 2008, A new project was launched based on the style of the National Flood Forum, to cover Scotland. This community based project was funded by the Scottish Government and developed by the Environment Minister Mike Russell and its Founder Paul Hendy - a Community Flood Recovery Specialist with a wealth of experience in this work.
References
External links
National Flood Forum website
Scottish Flood Forum website
Charities based in Worcestershire
Flood control in the United Kingdom
Disaster management |
20131622 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prima%20Paint%20Corp.%20v.%20Flood%20%26%20Conklin%20Manufacturing%20Co. | Prima Paint Corp. v. Flood & Conklin Manufacturing Co. | Prima Paint Corp. v. Flood & Conklin Mfg. Co., 388 U.S. 395 (1967), is a United States Supreme Court decision that established what has become known as the "separability principle" in contracts with arbitration clauses. Following an appellate court ruling a decade earlier, it reads the 1925 Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) to require that any challenges to the enforceability of such a contract first be heard by an arbitrator, not a court, unless the claim is that the clause itself is unenforceable.
The case arose from a claim by a New Jersey manufacturer that a Maryland firm had misrepresented itself in a transaction and thus the contract between the two was unenforceable, precluding the arbitration agreed upon in the event of a dispute. Abe Fortas wrote for a 6-3 majority that the FAA was broad enough to require arbitration of all issues save the arbitration clause itself. Hugo Black's dissent called the majority's interpretation overbroad and at odds with Congressional intent in passing the law. He feared it would put legal matters in the hands of arbitrators with little or no legal understanding of it nor duty to follow the law.
In subsequent cases concerning the FAA, the Court has reaffirmed the separability principle and held that the FAA and this reading of it apply to arbitrable contracts under state law, even in cases where the contract is alleged to be illegal or state law provides for administrative dispute resolution. This has been seen as expanding the use of arbitration in contracts in the later 20th century, not only those between businesses but between businesses and consumers as well.
Background of the case
In the early 20th century, businessmen in New York began promoting the idea of legally binding arbitration to resolve disputes as a less costly alternative to litigation. Courts were hostile to the idea, especially in interstate commerce, so in 1925 arbitration advocates persuaded Congress to pass the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA), providing rules and a legal framework for arbitration. Among its provisions was a requirement that parties who had agreed to arbitrate do so before going to court.
The FAA made no impact on the federal courts until the 1958 Second Circuit decision in Robert Lawrence Co. v. Devonshire Fabrics, Inc., which held that the requirement to arbitrate meant that any challenge to the contract itself had to go before an arbitrator, not just disputes over possible breaches of contract. Only the arbitration clause itself could be challenged in court first.
Instant dispute
Under this framework, in 1964 Prima Paint, of Maryland reached an agreement with Flood & Conklin, a New Jersey paint manufacturer, to purchase the latter's paint business for a percentage of receipts in annual payments of up to $225,000 over a six-year period. In return, Flood & Conklin agreed that its CEO, Jerome Jelin, would personally provide consulting services for Prima and that it would not sell to any of its former customers while the agreement remained in force. Two contracts governed the transaction; both had arbitration clauses.
One week after the contracts were executed, Flood & Conklin declared bankruptcy. In 1965, shortly before the first of its annual payments was due, Prima paid its first installment into an escrow account and told Flood's attorneys that it considered the consulting agreement breached. F & C responded with a notice of intent to arbitrate. Near the end of its permitted response period, Prima instead petitioned the Southern District of New York to rescind the contracts and enjoin Flood & Conklin from arbitration. Since that company had represented itself as solvent during the negotiations only to go bankrupt shortly after signing the deal, Prima argued, the contracts had been fraudulently induced and thus the arbitration clauses by extension could not be enforced.
Litigation history
Flood & Conklin responded by denying the fraud allegations in several affidavits and noting that Prima had enjoyed the benefits of the contract for almost a year without complaint. It could not have been unaware of the bankruptcy proceedings, Flood noted, since it had been present at one of the creditors' committee meetings.
The district court, citing Robert Lawrence, rebuffed Prima and ordered the parties to arbitration. An appeal to the Second Circuit was likewise unsuccessful. Since the First Circuit had reached a different conclusion in a similar case in 1960 that the Supreme Court had declined to hear, the Court accepted Prima's certiorari petition in order to resolve the issue.
Robert Herzog and Martin Coleman argued for the parties on March 12, 1967. The American Arbitration Association filed an amicus curiae brief in favor of Flood & Conklin.
Decision
Abe Fortas wrote for the six-justice majority, and John Marshall Harlan II added a one-sentence concurrence saying that he believed Robert Lawrence was also applicable precedent. Black was joined in a lengthy dissent by Potter Stewart and William O. Douglas, who had written for an eight-justice majority in Bernhardt v. Polygraphic Co, an early reading of the Arbitration Act, which declined to compel arbitration in an employment contract on the grounds that the FAA applied only to contracts involving admiralty or commerce
Majority
After reiterating the case history, Fortas considered the case in light of Bernhardt. Since the consulting agreement was inexorably tied to the transfer of business assets from Flood to Prima, it was covered. "There could not be a clearer case of a contract evidencing a transaction in interstate commerce", he wrote, responding to the dissent's suggestion that the language should be more narrowly interpreted.
The language of Section 4 of the Act was clear, he continued, that only explicit challenges to the arbitration clause or its inducement were to be properly put before a court in the first instance. "[I]t is inconceivable that Congress intended the rule to differ depending upon which party to the arbitration agreement first invokes the assistance of a federal court." Finally, he addressed the constitutionality of the Court's holding in light of Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins, which held that the federal courts cannot create a federal common law and must defer to the prevailing state interpretations in substantive matters.
Dissent
Black's four-part dissent was longer than the majority opinion he responded to. He took issue with every aspect of Fortas's reasoning.
In his introductory paragraph, he was blunt:
He noted that Congress had explicitly not included in the FAA the language it normally used to apply to all commerce, leading him to doubt that the arbitration clause in the consulting agreement was covered by it. Nor did the Act provide as clear an answer as the majority claimed as to what sort of challenges to the formation or execution of the contract might necessarily be first heard by a court. And lastly the majority had not provided sufficient justification for its reading of Bernhardt and Erie Railroad. "The Court approves", he protested, "a rule which is not only contrary to state law, but contrary to the intention of the parties and to accepted principles of contract law — a rule which indeed elevates arbitration provisions above all other contractual provisions"
His second and third sections went into great detail about the legislative history of the FAA, quoting from Montana Senator Thomas J. Walsh's statements about it during hearings and those of the American Bar Association's lobbyists, who had helped draft and pass it, suggesting that it was not meant to be interpreted as the majority and the Second Circuit had. He noted that New York's state Arbitration Act, on which the federal law was based, explicitly provided that a claim of misrepresentation in a contract with an arbitration clause was to be heard by a judge. "Thus, 35 years after the passage of the Arbitration Act, the Second Circuit completely rewrote it", in Robert Lawrence, whose reasoning the Court was now accepting.
"If Prima's allegations are true," Black concluded,"the sum total of what the Court does here is to force Prima to arbitrate a contract which is void and unenforceable before arbitrators who are given the power to make final legal determinations of their own jurisdiction, not even subject to effective review by the highest court in the land."
Legacy
Prima Paint established in federal jurisprudence what became known as the "separability" or "severability" principle in contracts with arbitration clauses, under which a legal fiction is created that the clause itself constitutes a contract separate from the underlying, or "container", contract. This is similar to the principle of compétence compétence in international arbitration, under which the arbitrator or arbitrators are presumed competent to decide the limits of their own jurisdiction.
Starting in the mid-1980s, the Court has greatly expanded the reach of Prima Paint in later cases. Since some of these have applied to the expanded use of arbitration clauses in contracts of adhesion between companies and consumers, some consumer advocates and legal scholars have criticized the decision as the inadvertent opening wedge of an assault on the right to litigate, and a weakening of state contract law and the Erie Railroad principle of deference to state common law. Defenders of the decision have responded that it simply began bringing the U.S. more in line with international arbitration practice, helping American companies compete in a global economy. One, Alan Rau, has also argued that it is justified not just by the Arbitration Act but by general principles of contract law.
Subsequent jurisprudence
The Court would not consider a case involving the FAA for another 17 years. When it did, in Southland Corp. v. Keating, then-Chief Justice Warren Burger wrote for a 7-2 majority that not only upheld Prima Paint but held that the law applied to arbitration clauses in contracts executed under state law as well. Justices Rehnquist and O'Connor dissented, as they would in subsequent cases where the court upheld that decision.
That increased the use of such clauses, as well as legal challenges to them. In the 1990s and 2000s (decade), the Court has compelled arbitration even when the time frame to raise a claim is alleged to have lapsed, the contract has been alleged to be illegal under state law or where state law vested dispute resolution authority in a state agency. Clarence Thomas was the lone dissenter from these two opinions, believing as Rehnquist and O'Connor did that the FAA does not apply to contracts executed under state law.
When it comes to contracts where one party disputed whether it had been properly formed, rather than the validity of a formed contract, the Court has been willing to let a court decide the issue. Justice Stephen Breyer wrote for a unanimous court in First Options v. Kaplan that upheld a district-court decision reversing an arbitration award where it was not clear that the respondents had agreed to submit the arbitrability of the question to the arbitrator.
Commentary and criticism
Prima Paint attracted little analysis and commentary in its time, but as it became the foundation for the Court's expansion of the scope of the Arbitration Act and its subsequent application to contracts between consumers and businesses as well as among businesses, its reasoning has been the subject of more legal papers. Critics have reiterated Black's concerns in focusing on how the later decisions have exposed fundamental flaws in Prima Paint, while defenders have found them to reinforce its fundamental soundness.
Labor lawyer Zeb-Michael Curtin of the Minneapolis firm Dorsey & Whitney says the Court "muddied the clear language of [the FAA]" and "enabled results contrary to the intentions of the framers of the FAA" by embracing the separability doctrine. Richard Barnes of the University of Mississippi has argued that, contrary to Fortas's assertions, Prima Paint and its progeny have created fundamental problems with the Erie Railroad doctrine. "The FAA has become a substantive rule of a federal common law applied in virtually all settings and levels of the state and federal systems", he says.
Richard Reuben of Missouri law school, a longtime critic of mandatory arbitration, calls Prima Paint's adoption of the separability doctrine "a perhaps unparalleled display of judicial sophistry". He fears it can have negative consequences for society as a whole: "By denying citizens the right to a day in court, arbitration imposed through mandatory processes and separability fosters cynicism and distrust in the rule of law, undermining its legitimacy."
Defenders of the decision and separability have said that it is necessary for arbitration clauses to have any force, otherwise parties would be able to avoid them too easily by filing suits on any number of grounds. Those whose practice involves arbitrating disputes that are international in scope have credited it with bringing U.S. arbitration law closer to European norms, helping American companies compete and making the U.S. a viable venue for arbitration.
In several papers, Alan Scott Rau of the University of Texas law school has gone to a greater extent than Fortas did in grounding Prima Paint and the separability doctrine. He notes that challenges to the arbitration clause are often inseparable from the underlying claim, and that some public policy objectives may be better served by allowing the case to be heard by an arbitrator first. Conversely, he also notes that some challenges to a contract's formation necessarily include a challenge to the arbitration clause in any event, contrary to some recent lower-court decisions.
See also
List of United States Supreme Court cases, volume 388
Kompetenz-kompetenz
References
External links
United States Supreme Court cases
United States arbitration case law
1967 in United States case law
United States Supreme Court cases of the Warren Court |
20252539 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999%20Pentecost%20flood | 1999 Pentecost flood | The 1999 Pentecost flood () was a 100-year flood around the Pentecost season in 1999 that mostly affected Bavaria, Vorarlberg and Tirol. It was caused by heavy rainfall coinciding with the regular Alpine meltwater.
By late May, the annual spring meltwater from the Alps meant many Bavarian rivers were already at a high water level. On May 22 the rainstorm "Quartus" hit the northern Alps, bringing an additional 180 litres/m2, causing the Ammersee and the Amper and Isar rivers to expand and flood large areas. These flooded areas expanded quickly covering parts of the Oberallgäu on the river Iller. The flood then continued downstream to some of the more inhabited areas in Bavaria.
The water level of the Isar, which flows through Munich, was lowered by the Sylvensteinspeicher reservoir near Bad Tölz. However causeways on the Iller failed, flooding Sonthofen, parts of Augsburg and Neustadt. In Hindelang-Hinterstein the flood reached a peak not recorded in the previous 250 years.
A subsequent Alpine highwater on 23–24 August 2005 again did damage to these areas.
In the Vorarlberg area the Rhine flood affected Lake Constance damaging Hard and Bregenz.
In Tirol the village Pflach in Lechtal was flooded.
References
External links
Wasserwirtschaftsamt Freising: Pfingsthochwasser an der Amper Mai 1999
Kelheim: Pfingsthochwasser in Kelheim und Neustadt im Mai 1999
Hochwassernachrichtendienst Bayern: Pfingsthochwasser 1999 – ein Jahrhundertereignis an Iller, Ammer und Donau
Jahrhunderthochwasser in Ulm
1990s floods in Europe
1999 floods
Natural disasters in Austria
Floods in Germany
Pentecost floods
Pentecost floods
Pentecost flood
Pentecost flood
Pentecost flood |
20257727 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muddy%20flood | Muddy flood | A muddy flood is produced by an accumulation of run-off over agricultural land. Sediments are picked up by the run-off and carried as suspended matter or bed-load. Muddy floods are typically a hill-slope process, and should not be confused with mudflows produced by mass movements.
Muddy floods can damage the road infrastructure and may deposit layers of mud blanket and may also clog sewers and damage private property.
It has been referred to 'muddy floods' since the 1980s. A similar designation appeared in French ('inondations boueuses') during the same period.
Muddy flood generation
Muddy runoff is generated on agricultural land when the soil surface is exposed or sparsely covered by vegetation. Large quantities of run-off usually generated by heavy storms is needed to start such a flood.
Muddy flood occurrence
Muddy floods have been observed in the entire European loess belt. Other affected areas include Normandy and Picardy (France), central Belgium and southern Limburg, the Netherlands.
Muddy floods have also been observed in Slovakia and Poland.
Temporal evolution
An increase in muddy flood frequency has been observed during the last twenty years (e.g. in central Belgium,). This increase in their frequency may be due to a number of factors including:
Change in agricultural practices that leave field bare of crops in the autumn and winter
A shift to crops that are more sensitive to soil erosion;
land consolidation (enlargement of fields, removal of landscape buffer elements such as hedges.
construction of new houses, upstream of cropland increasing run-off volumes and intensity
increased frequency of heavy rainfall.
Control measures
Preventive measures consist in limiting runoff generation and sediment production at the source. Alternative farming practices (e.g. reduced tillage) to increase runoff infiltration and limit erosion in their fields may assist.
Curative measures generally consist in installing retention ponds at the boundary between cropland and inhabited areas.
An alternative is to apply other measures than can be referred to as intermediate measures. Grass buffer strips along or within fields, a grassed waterway (in the thalwegs of dry valleys) or earthen dams are good examples of this type of measures. They act as a buffer within landscape, retaining runoff temporarily and trapping sediments.
Implementation of these measures is best coordinated at the catchment scale.
See also
November 2010 European Windstorms
References
Flood |
20355140 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007%20Bihar%20flood | 2007 Bihar flood | The 2007 Bihar flood, in August 2007, occurred in the east Indian state of Bihar. It was described by the United Nations as the worst flood in the living memory of Bihar. Annual floods are common in Bihar, but heavier than usual rainfall during the monsoon season led to increasing water levels. By 3 August, the estimated death toll was 41 people, and 48 schoolgirls were marooned in a school in the Darbhanga district. By 8 August, the flooding had affected an estimated 10 million people in Bihar. Army helicopters delivered food packets to Bihar residents, and 180 relief camps were established. By 10 August, aid workers in Bihar reported a dramatic increase in people with diarrhea and by 11 August, flood-related deaths were still occurring. The total number of deaths recorded in the 2007 Bihar floods was more than 1,300. This was the highest death toll in the state since the 1987 Bihar floods, in which more than 2,500 deaths were reported.
Incident
The states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were the most affected due to their high population density. Nearly two million people, spread over eleven districts in Bihar, were affected by the floods. Many major rivers, including the Ganges, Punpun, Bagmati, Gandak, and Kosi, flowed above the danger mark.
More than 40 per cent of the state of Bihar was submerged due to severe flooding, which was caused by rainfall in July that exceeded the monthly average over a 30-year period by a factor of five. The town of Darbhanga and its surrounding areas were among the most severely affected locations in the state, and roads leading to other areas were rendered impassable by the flood. Many residents were forced to seek refuge on higher ground, while others were marooned and unable to access assistance.
Affected areas
The flood affected 19 districts of the state. Some of the worst affected districts were Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Saharsa, East Champaran, Supaul, Darbhanga, Patna, Bhagalpur, West Champaran, Katihar, Madhubani, Samastipur, Sheohar, Nalanda, Khagaria, Gopalganj, Madhepura, Araria, and Begusarai.
Impact
At least 4,822 villages and 10,000,000 hectares of farm land were affected. About 29,000 houses were destroyed and 44,000 houses were damaged by the floods. Thousands of people were shifted to places of safety, including relief camps.
Response
The United Nations described the flood as the worst to occur in the living memory of Bihar.
Relief work
Assistance recommended by CRF
The general recommendations suggest that a flood victim would be entitled to, a compensation of Rs. One lakh to the next of kin for every deceased person subject to certification by a competent authority. Compensation packages for fully damaged pucca house- Rs 25,000/-, Fully damaged kachcha house – Rs. 10,000/-, Severely damaged pucca house Rs 5,000/-, Severely damaged Kachcha house – Rs 2,500/-, Partially damaged pucca and kachcha house – Rs 1,500/-, Hut- Rs 2,000/- Compensation of Rs 35,000/- to any person injuring his eyes / limbs with damage between 40 and 75 per cent. Beyond that the compensation would be Rs 50,000/- compensation for grievous injury with hospitalization up to one week – Rs. 2,500/-. For hospitalization of more than a week, the compensation would be Rs. 7,500/- lost clothing and utensils Rs 1,000/- per family. Immediate sustenance – Rs. 20/- per adult per day and Rs. 15/ per child per day for 15 days. This can be extended to 30 days in case of extreme situation. Rs 2/- per day per infant for additional nutrition as per ICDS norms for a maximum period of 30 days. De-silting of agricultural land with minimum sand casting depth of 3 inches – Rs. 6,000/- per hectare for small and marginal farmers. Renovation of Fish Farm – Rs 6,000/- land lost due to changing course of rivers Rs. 15,000/- per hectare subject to establishing the ownership. An agricultural input subsidy of Rs. 2,000/- for small and marginal farmers in rain fed areas and Rs. 4,000/- per hectare in assured irrigation areas. Rs. 6,000/- agriculture input subsidy for perennial crop. These benefits are also available to other farmers with a ceiling of one hectare. Subsidy for cattle lost as under (a) Milch Cattle like buffalo, cow and camel – Rs 10,000/-, (b) Draught Animal like Camel, horse or bullock – Rs 10,000/-, (c) Calf/ Donkey and Pony – Rs. 5,000/- and (d) Sheep / Goats Rs. 1,000/-, Birds – Rs 30/ per bird. Fishermen losing their traditional craft, Partly – Rs 2,500/- +net; Fully Rs 7,500/- +Net. Similar assistance is available for other artisans like weavers etc. subject to certification from the competent authority.
Assistance implemented
Grain (38,86,896 Qtls) distributed to affected families was around 50 lakhs. For emergency expenses (Rs 20/- per adult and Rs 15/- per child) that a person is entitled for, GoB had, till August 2008, paid Rs. 84.05 Crores against a demand of Rs. 1105 Crores made to the Center. This was just about 8 per cent of the requirement.
See also
2004 Bihar flood
2008 Bihar flood
2008 Indian floods
Koshi river
Floods in Bihar
References
Bihar flood
Floods in Bihar
2007 floods in Asia
2007 in Nepal |
20377637 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008%20Santa%20Catarina%20floods | 2008 Santa Catarina floods | The 2008 Santa Catarina floods were floods in Santa Catarina, Brazil in November 2008. They occurred after a period of heavy rainfall, most significantly from 20-23 of November. The state had suffered constant rainfalls for over two months on the coast, which turned the soil wet enough to cause a landslide during the storm that hit the state in late November. It affected around 60 towns and over 1.5 million people in the state of Santa Catarina in Brazil. At least 128 people are confirmed to have been killed with over 78,700 being forced to evacuate their homes. A further 150,000 have been left without electricity, while water rationing is being carried out in at least one town due to purification problems. Santa Catarina state Governor Luiz Henrique da Silveira had earlier suggested that the final death toll was likely to be over 50, a figure that has proved optimistic. Several towns in the region have become cut off due to floodwater and landslide debris and on November 23 the Mayor of Blumenau, João Paulo Kleinübing, declared a state of emergency in the city. Water levels in the Vale do Itajaí have risen to eleven metres above normal.
Reactions
: United States government donated US$ 50,000 to help Santa Catarina buying food and water.
: German government donated €200,000 to buy food, water, hygiene material and mattress.
: Pope Benedict XVI send a message to the victims, where "want to assert spiritually in this hour of pain with the families of the victims and the thousands of evacuees and homeless this huge environmental tragedy."
: The Brazilian Federal government issued a decree on November 27, 2008 releasing US$ 854 million in aid to the State of Santa Catarina.
- : The State Governor Luiz Henrique da Silveira has suggested that "Santa Catarina is facing its worst weather tragedy of its history" and told "Blumenau has to be rebuilt entirely". He also declared that the state is per 3 days in Mourning.
Blogosphere
Soon after the floods began, various bloggers from Blumenau began reporting about the situation on Twitter, providing photos, videos, forecast conditions and river levels for other people on the internet who were isolated by the floods. A site showed up on the Brazilian blogosphere to keep people informed and offering a channel for donations.
References
External links
Blog with information, donations and live report
2000s floods in South America
Floods in Brazil
2008 disasters in Brazil
2008 floods |
20393278 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood%20Control%20Act%20of%201928 | Flood Control Act of 1928 | The Flood Control Act of 1928 (FCA 1928) (70th United States Congress, Sess. 1. Ch. 569, enacted May 15, 1928) authorized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to design and construct projects for the control of floods on the Mississippi River and its tributaries as well as the Sacramento River in California. It was sponsored by Sen. Wesley L. Jones (R) of Washington and Rep. Frank R. Reid (R) of Illinois, in response to the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.
Significance
FCA 1928 had three important effects. It increased public awareness of advances in flood control theory and practice. It put flood control on par with other major projects of its time with the largest public works appropriation ever authorized. And, FCA 1928 increased debate on local contributions to a new level.
Section 1: Mississippi River Valley project
Authorized the project for the flood control of the Mississippi River in its alluvial valley and for its improvement from the Head of Passes to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in accordance with the engineering plan set forth and recommended in the report submitted by the Chief of Engineers.
Created a board consisting of the Chief of Engineers, the president of the Mississippi River Commission, and a civil engineer chosen from civil life appointed by the President. The board was to consider the engineering differences between the project adopted by the Act (the Chief of Engineers' plans) and plans recommended by the Mississippi River Commission. The project and the changes therein are to be executed in accordance with section 8 of the Act.
Directed surveys to be made between Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Cape Girardeau, Missouri to ascertain and determine the best method of securing flood relief in addition to levees. These surveys were to be made before any flood-control works other than levees and revetments are undertaken on that portion of the river.
Directed the character of diversion works and outlets. They are to be built in a manner and of a character which will fully and amply protect the adjacent lands ensuring the same degree of protection on the east side as is afforded by levees on the west side of the river. Nothing in the Act was meant to prevent, postpone, delay, or in anywise interfere with the execution of that part of the project on the east side of the river.
Consolidated funding. All unexpended balances of previous appropriations for flood control on the Mississippi River under the Flood Control Act of 1917 and the Flood Control Act of 1923, were made available for expenditure except for work under section 13.
Section 2: Local contribution and participation
Reiterated the soundness of the principle of local contribution toward the cost of flood-control work which had been incorporated in all previous national legislation, recognizing the special interest of the local population in its own protection, and as a means of preventing inordinate requests for unjustified items of work having no material national interest.
Recognized the expenditure estimated at approximately $292 million already made by the local interests; in view of the extent of national concern in the control of these floods in the interests of national prosperity, the flow of interstate commerce, and the movement of the United States mails; and, in view of the gigantic scale of the project, involving flood waters of a volume and flowing from a drainage area largely outside the States most affected, and far exceeding those of any other river in the United States, no local contribution to the project was required, and given.
Section 3: Local entities must maintain completed projects
This section prohibited expending funds until the states or levee districts gave assurances that they would maintain all flood-control works after their completion, except controlling and regulating spillway structures, including special relief levees; would agree to accept land turned over to them, and provide without cost to the United States, all rights of way for levee foundations and levees on the main stem of the Mississippi River between Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and the Head of Passes.
Relief from liability
A key provision of FCA 1928 was that no liability of any kind would attach to or rest upon the United States for any damage from or by floods or flood waters at any place. The act also stated that, if on any stretch of the banks of the Mississippi River it was impracticable to construct levees (either because such construction is not economically justified or because such construction would unreasonably restrict the flood channel) and previously unaffected lands are subjected to overflow and damage by reason of the construction of levees on the opposite banks of the river, the government has a duty to acquire either ownership or flowage rights over such lands.
In January 2008, this liability provision played a controversial role concerning the legal cases resulting from the levee failures in New Orleans during the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005. Federal Judge Stanwood Duval, of the US District Court for Eastern Louisiana, held the US Army Corps of Engineers responsible for defects in the design of the concrete I-wall floodwall constructed in the earthen levees of the 17th Street Canal in the period following Hurricane Betsy (1965). However, he further stated that the agency could not be held financially liable due to the sovereign immunity provided by this legislation.
In April 2010, scholars with the Louisiana State Office of Historic Preservation approved the text for a Historic Plaque for the 17th Street Canal. After receiving permission from city agencies and the Corps of Engineers, the flood protection group Levees.org installed the Plaque at ground zero, on New Orleans city property, in the Lakeview neighborhood. The text of the plaque read as follows:
Section 4: Flowage Rights
Provide Federal government flowage rights for additional destructive flood waters that will pass by reason of diversions from the main channel of the Mississippi River. Provided that any benefits to property from execution of the flood-control plan would be taken into consideration in reducing the amount of compensation paid for flowage rights.
Provided a method to obtain lands to execute the plan. The Government can acquire by condemnation, purchase, or donation any lands, easements, or rights of way which are needed in carrying out this project. Provisions of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1918 were made applicable to the acquisition of lands, easements, or rights of way needed for works of flood control.
Section 5: Surveys
The Secretary of War, on the recommendation of the Chief of Engineers, could engage the services and assistance of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, the United States Geological Survey, or other Government mapping agencies, in preparing maps required for this project.
Section 6: Rights of Way
Authorized expenditure of funds up to $10 million for previously authorized flood control works on the Mississippi River, including levee work on the Mississippi River between Rock Island, Illinois, and Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and outlets and tributaries affected by the backwaters of the Mississippi. Stipulated that, between Rock Island, Illinois, and Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the States or levee districts are to provide rights of way at no cost to the United States, contribute one-third of the costs, and maintain them after completion.
Authorized emergency expenses. In an emergency, funds may be expended for the maintenance of any levee when it is demonstrated that the levee can not be adequately maintained by the State or levee district. Since Section 9 of the United States Constitution prohibits spending of public money except by the express direction of Congress, this authorization allows the Government to step in to assist local and state governments in an emergency.
Section 7: Emergency fund
$5 million was authorized as an emergency fund in rescue work or in the repair or maintenance of any flood-control work on any tributaries of the Mississippi River threatened or destroyed by flood including the flood of 1927.
Section 8: Work of the Mississippi River Commission
The Mississippi River Commission, under direction of the Secretary of War and supervision of the Chief of Engineers was to execute the project. For all other purposes, the existing laws governing the commission remained unchanged. The commission was to inspect frequently enough and hold hearings to enable it to acquire first-hand information as to conditions and problems of flood control within the area of its jurisdiction. It established that the president/executive officer of the commission is to qualifications prescribed by law for the Assistant Chief of Engineers and be given the rank, pay, and allowances of a brigadier general. It established the salaries for officers of the Commission.
Section 10: Proceed speedily and provide reports on various rivers systems
Surveys of the Mississippi River and its tributaries were to be done as speedily as practicable.
Directed the Corps of Engineers to prepare and submit reports on projects for flood control on tributaries of the Mississippi River including
The Red River and tributaries
The Yazoo River and tributaries
The White River and tributaries
The Saint Francis River and tributaries
The Arkansas River and tributaries
The Ohio River and tributaries
The Missouri River and tributaries
The Illinois River and tributaries
The reports were to include
the effect of further flood control of the lower Mississippi River through control of flood waters in tributary drainage basins by the establishment of a reservoir system
the benefits that will accrue to navigation and agriculture
capacity of local districts to receive and hold flood waters
prospective income from reservoir waters (e.g., hydropower)
use of reservoirs for public and private uses
return flow of waters, and
the stabilizing effect on stream flow to prevent erosion, siltage, and improve navigation.
This direction from Congress had the impact of forcing the balancing of competing interests when considering flood control projects.
Authorized $5 million to be used out of the appropriation authorized by the Act, in addition to amounts authorized in the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1927, to be expended for the projects authorized. Directed flood surveys to be made simultaneously with the flood-control work on the Mississippi River.
Directed that the United States Department of Agriculture and such other agencies determine how Mississippi Valley floods may be controlled by proper forestry practice.
Section 11: Previous projects below Cape Girardeau
Directed the Mississippi River Commission to examine the Mississippi River below Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where levees had previously been constructed on one side of the river and adversely affected land on the other side of the river. Directed construction of levees possible to reduce the impact if economically justified.
Concerning a recommendation by the Mississippi River Commission in October 1912 to build a levee from Tiptonville, Tennessee, to the Obion River in Tennessee, the Commission was authorized to resurvey the proposed levee and relocate the same if necessary. If such levee was found feasible and approved by the board, it shall be built out of appropriations hereafter to be made.
Section 12: All other laws inconsistent with this law are repealed
All laws or parts of laws inconsistent with FCA 1928 were repealed.
Section 13: Sacramento River flood control
The project for the control of floods in the Sacramento River, California, adopted by section 2 of the Act approved March 1, 1917, entitled "An Act to provide for the control of the floods of the Mississippi River and of the Sacramento River, California, and for other purposes," is hereby modified in accordance with the report of the California Debris Commission, provided that the total amounts contributed by the Federal Government, including previous amounts contributed, shall not exceed $17.6 million.
Section 14: Title 41 USC is applicable
In every contract or agreement to be made or entered into for the acquisition of land either by private sale or condemnation as in this Act provided the provisions contained in section 3741 of the Revised Statutes being section 22 of title 41 of the United States Code shall be applicable.
See also
For related legislation which sometime also implement flood control provisions, see the following:
Rivers and Harbors Act
Water Resources Development Act
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act of 1954
References
1928 in the environment
1928 in American law
70th United States Congress
1928
Presidency of Calvin Coolidge |
20394469 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004%20Bihar%20flood | 2004 Bihar flood | The 2004 Bihar flood was one of the worst floods in Bihar, India in a decade. 885 people and 3272 animals had lost their lives and nearly 21.299 million human were affected. 20 districts of Bihar were affected. An alarming rise in water level due to heavy rains inundated fresh areas in Bhagalpur district, Begusarai district, Katihar district, Darbhanga district, Samastipur district and Khagaria district. According to the Central Water Commission Bagmati, Budhi Gandak, Kamla Balan, Adhwara, Kosi and Mahananda rivers were flowing above the red mark at various places, while the Ganges crossed the danger mark for the first time at Farakka Barrage.
See also
2008 Bihar flood
2008 Indian floods
Koshi River
Floods in Bihar
2007 Bihar flood
References and footnotes
Floods in Bihar
Floods in India
2004 disasters in India |
20403667 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floods%20in%20Bihar | Floods in Bihar | Bihar is India's most flood-prone state, with 76% of population in the North Bihar living under the recurring threat of flood devastation. Bihar makes up 16.5% of India's flood affected area and 22.1% of India's flood affected population. About 73.06% of Bihar's geographical area, i.e. out of , is flood affected. On an annual basis, they destroy thousands of human lives apart from livestock and assets worth millions. In total, they have claimed 9,500 lives since the government started publishing figures in 1979. North Bihar districts are vulnerable to at least five major flood-causing rivers during monsoon – Mahananda River, Koshi River, Bagmati River , Burhi Gandak River and Gandak – which originate in Nepal. Some south Bihar districts have also become vulnerable to floods from Son, Punpun and Phalgu rivers. The 2013 flood affected over 5.9 million people in 3,768 villages in 20 districts of the state. 2017 flood affected 19 districts of North Bihar killing 514 people and affecting 1.71 crore people.
Reason for flooding
Geographically Nepal is a mountainous region. When heavy rains occur in the mountains of central and eastern Nepal the water flows into the major drainages of Narayani, Bagmati, and Koshi rivers. As these rivers cross into India they flow into the plains and lowlands of Bihar and break their banks. To protect the Koshi River dam as well as the Koshi Barrage Pool's embankments, Indian engineers who are in charge of the dam in Nepal, further open the dam's gates which can cause flooding down river in Bihar. In 2008 during a high flow episode a breach in the East Koshi afflux embankment above the dam occurred and the Koshi river, known as the Sorrow of Bihar, picked up an old channel it had abandoned over 100 years previously near the border with Nepal and India. Approximately 15 million people were affected as the river broke its embankment at Kusaha in Nepal, submerging several districts of Nepal and India. 95% of the Koshi's total flowed through the new course.
Embankments
A recent fact finding report for the Kosi floods of 2008, prepared by a civil society organization by various experts like Dr. Sudhir Sharma, Dr. Dinesh Kumar Mishra, and Dr Gopal Krishna, highlighted that although India has built over 3000 km of embankments in Bihar over the last few decades, the flooding propensity has increased by 2.5 times during the same time period, not to mention that embankments failed during each major flooding event.
The Fact Finding Mission recently released a report titled Kosi Deluge: The Worst is Still to Come, in which it stressed that embankments straitjacket the river. In the case of the Kosi, it found that because of siltation the river bed was in fact several feet higher than the adjoining land. The high and low lands separated by embankments have created a situation where the low lands have become permanently waterlogged. Sixteen per cent of the land mass of north Bihar is subject to permanent water logging.
In 1954, when the Bihar flood policy was first introduced, Bihar had approximately 160 km of embankments. At this time, the flood-prone area in the state was estimated to be 2.5 million hectares. Upon the completion of the system of embankments, 3,465 km of embankments had been constructed and were administered by the Water Resources Department (WRD). However, the amount of flood-prone land increased to 6.89 million hectares by 2004.
Farakka Barrage
The period has caused serious interception in the dynamic equilibrium of the river hindering the natural oscillation of the river within its meandering belt. The meandering belt of Ganges in Malda and Murshidabad is 10 km wide. The water level of the Ganges rose about 8 m upstream of the Farakka barrage. The river which flowed in a South Easterly course between Rajmahal and Farakka during early decades of this century has now formed a mighty meander loop concentration to accommodate the additional discharge accumulated due to the barrage. Due to the obstruction caused by the Barrage each year nearly 640 million tonnes of silt is accumulated in the riverbed. In the last three decades this has resulted in the accumulation of nearly 18.56 billion tonnes of silt.
Farakka barrage has led to following problems upstream of the barrage:
Interception of the flow channel/ changed from straight to oblique
Sedimentation (640 x106 metric tonnes/ year)
Reduction of the cross-sectional area
Declining slope of the long profile
Widening of the river and increasing length
Increase in flood frequency and magnitude
A Central Water Commission (CWC) report on Bihar floods in 2016 said that Farakka Barrage, even in the worst scenario can impact areas only up to about 42 km upstream, due to back water effect. Patna is located about 400 km on the Ganga's upstream. The report blamed heavy banana plantation on the river bank between Patna and Bhagalpur as one of the reasons for the floods, based on the assessment of 100 years of floods in the Ganga. CWC report stated that the sedimentation in Ganga in Bihar is basically due to huge sediment load contributed from its northern tributaries- Ghaghra, Gandak and Kosi. The flood affected area in Bihar was 25 lakh hectares in 1954 when the length of all embankments in Bihar was 160 km, but the flood affected area increased to 72.95 lakh hectares in 2016 with the construction of 3731 km of embankments.
Affected rivers
North Bihar is a play field of eight major rivers. All these rivers end up in Ganges.
Ghaghra
Gandak
Budhi Gandak
Bagmati
Kamala
Bhutahi Balan
Kosi
Mahananda
Statistics
See also
1987 Bihar flood
2004 Bihar flood
2007 Bihar flood
2008 Indian floods
2013 North India floods
2013 Bihar flood
2017 Bihar flood
Gallery
References
External links
CNN-IBN 30 Minutes documenetary on Bihar Floods 2008 by Marya Shakil - Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Rapid Response providing relief support to the affected people since 2016.
Floods in India |
20416589 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood%20Control%20Act%20of%201937 | Flood Control Act of 1937 | The Flood Control Act of 1937 (FCA 1937) was an Act of the United States Congress signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 28, 1937, as Public Law 406. The act was a response to major flooding throughout the United States in the 1930s, culminating with the "Super Flood" of January 1937, the greatest flood recorded on the lower Ohio River. FCA 1937 provided nearly $25 million for initial construction of projects selected by the Chief of Engineers from those listed in the Ohio Valley Flood Control Program (published as Flood Document No. 1, 75th congress, 1st Session). Among the numerous projects authorized, the act provided for construction of floodwalls, levees, and revetments along Wolf River and Nonconnah Creek for protection of Memphis, TN and modified the Yazoo River project to substitute a combined reservoir floodway and levee plan.
Section 2 authorized small clearing and snagging projects for flood control, limited in Federal cost per project (50 Stat. 877, 33 U.S.C. 7Olg).
FCA 1937 was subsequently amended on Many of the provisions of FCA 1937 are administered by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
24 July 1946 by Section 13,
24 September 1954 by Section 208, (these projects are customarily referred to as "Section 208 Projects")
7 March 1974 by Section 26,
17 November 1986 by Section 915(b), Water Resources Development Act of 1986, . The latter amended the Federal limit per project to $500,000.
See also
Water Resources Development Act
Rivers and Harbors Act - for related legislation which sometimes also implements flood control provisions.
References
External links
Flood Control Act of 1937. Pub. L. 75-406. 49 Stat. 1586. 28 August 1937. Library of Congress
United States federal public land legislation
1937 in the environment
1937 in American law
1937 |
20430027 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1987%20Bihar%20flood | 1987 Bihar flood | The 1987 Bihar flood, caused by high levels of annual flooding of the Kosi River (nicknamed "the sorrow of Bihar"), was one of the worst floods in Bihar, India, in a decade caused by a landslide that blocked the main route of Bhote Kosi River. This resulted from chunks of earth falling into the river; thus, building a dam approximately 1 km in length. An enormous lake formed behind the dam causing the tragic flood that held between 28 and 32 lakh cusecs of water. 1399 people and 5302 animals lost their lives and nearly 29 million people were affected in 30 districts, 382 blocks, 6,112 panchayat, and 24,518 villages. Government figures list damage to crops at an estimated 68 billion Indian rupees and damage to public property at 68 million rupees.
This particular flood is one of many floods that happen in Bihar, India. In fact, the state of Bihar has the most severe flooding as compared to other areas of the India. The Kosi River is to blame for this as it has a problematic history of flooding and changing its direction. Furthermore, this river is located at the northern part of the Bihar plains in eastern India and is an important tributary of the Ganga river system.
See also
Floods in Bihar
References and footnotes
please find the link. The previous link is dead. The new link is here.
https://web.archive.org/web/20110721163023/http://www.igovernment.in/site/Bihars-flood-of-fury-End-of-Kosi-civilisation/
Floods in Bihar
History of Bihar (1947–present)
1987 in India |
20634078 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The%20Great%20Saint%20Patrick%27s%20Day%20Flood | The Great Saint Patrick's Day Flood | The Great Saint Patrick's Day Flood is a short historical novel for children by the American writer Mildred S. Flaherty based on events of the Pittsburgh Flood of 1936 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Set in March, the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers are rising. Eleven-year-old Billy Flynn and his seven-year-old brother Tommy are happy when school is cancelled. The boys' excitement soon turns to fear and awe as the rivers overflow their banks and people are forced to flee from their homes and work. Soon they experience life as they have never known it, discovering real courage and honor along the way.
References
2004 American novels
2004 children's books
American children's novels
Children's historical novels
Novels set in Pittsburgh
Fiction set in 1936
Novels about floods
Novels set in the 1930s
Children's books set in Pittsburgh
Children's books set in the 1930s
Children's books about floods |
20640617 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When%20the%20Flood%20Comes | When the Flood Comes | When the Flood Comes is the second studio album by Australian blues/roots band, The Audreys. The album was released 18 April 2008 on Kybosh Records and distributed by Universal Music Australia.
The album debuted and peaked at number 20 on the ARIA Charts ARIA Album Charts.
At the ARIA Music Awards of 2008, the band won ARIA Award for Best Blues and Roots Album.
In an interview, Tristan Goodall explained that the majority of the album had been written in New York City. "When we found we couldn't write when we got back off the road, we were like 'What are we going to do?' Then we went back down to Nashville saw about a million bands in about five days and went back to New York and wrote some more. After that we saw what we had would be the big pick up for the album."
Track listing
All tracks written by Taasha Coates and Tristan Goodall, except where noted.
"Chelsea Blues" - 4:23
"Head So Heavy" - 3:37
"Paradise City" - 5:04
"Lay Me Down" - 4:03
"Closing Time" - 3:53
"When the Flood Comes" - 4:21
"Anchor" - 2:49
"Sally & the Preacher" - 3:43
"Small Things" - 4:07
"Here He Lies" - 4:40
"Songbird" - 4:40
"More to a Sinner" - 4:32
Charts
Personnel
Taasha Coates - voice, melodica, harmonica, ukulele
Tristan Goodall - national reso-phonic guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo
Michael Green - violin, mandolin, harmonies
Lyndon Gray - double bass, harmonies
Toby Lang - drums, harmonies
References
2008 albums
The Audreys albums
ARIA Award-winning albums |
20757019 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008%20Papua%20New%20Guinea%20floods | 2008 Papua New Guinea floods | The 2008 Papua New Guinea floods displaced roughly 75,000 people located in Papua New Guinea, prompting an international response to provide support for the region. The country was struck by large sea swells on 16 December, apparently caused by "strong storms", which affected over eight provinces and caused at least one death.
Response
The United Nations dispatched a six-member disaster assessment team after determining that there was a high possibility of water-borne diseases spreading throughout the populace. According to early government estimates, 60,000 people had been displaced, while 35,000 were in need of "immediate aid", according to the United Nations. The tides destroyed crops and carried away farming implements. U.N. spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs stated that displacement rates were high, with as many as "half the population of Manus Island" being displaced. Byrs also said that, "The Government of Papua New Guinea has declared a state of national disaster", adding that "a team of [UN] experts should arrive on Wednesday to examine [Papua New Guinean] needs." Byrs concluded by stating that, "The affected islands are scattered and the never-ending nature of the tidal waves makes the evaluation of the situation very difficult."
Australia pledged A$1 million in support, and had already started flying food and supplies to affected areas; the relief flights were troubled, with multiple planes sustaining damage from birds. A C-130 Hercules taking off from the PNG province of New Ireland on 16 December aborted after a bird hit one of the plane's propellers. The second attempt, four hours after the first, met the same fate, with another bird hitting the aircraft while it was taxiing, causing serious engine damage to the left-hand propeller and forcing the RAAF crew to be grounded for a week while waiting for a replacement engine.
New Zealand also pledged $300,000 in support for the Red Cross relief effort in PNG. A New Zealand councilman, Shane Bayley, flew out with the United Nations disaster assessment team, later reporting that "a lot of the food gardens in the coast villages having been destroyed; that is their local supply of food, so it's also ensuring they have a means of distribution for food supplies."
References
Papua New Guinea floods
Natural disasters in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea Floods, 2008
2008 disasters in Papua New Guinea |
20863929 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridgeton%20flood%20of%201934 | Bridgeton flood of 1934 | The Flood of 1934 was a natural disaster that hit the town of Bridgeton, New Jersey on August 2 and 3, 1934. Over the course of three days, storms brought of rain to the region, swelling Sunset Lake and other local interconnected waterways. At the time, there were two earthen dams holding the water back at Sunset Lake and Mary Elmer Lake. Eventually the pressure was too much and the dams gave way sending a torrent of water down the Cohansey River as well as tributaries connected to the Lakes. The wall of water surged down through the banks of the Cohansey, emptying the lakes and the Raceway and flowing into and through downtown Bridgeton, which straddles the river. All the bridges that connected the east and west sides of the town were destroyed. Also damaged was Tumbling Dam Park, where the dam that held the water of Sunset Lake was located. An estimated $1 million (equivalent to $ million in ) in damage was caused by the flooding.
Aftermath
In the aftermath of the flood, residents had no way of crossing the Cohansey River from one side of the town to the other. To go around the river meant a detour. The citizens were given short term relief when a Troop of Sea Scouts (associated with the Boy Scouts of America) used a donated lifeboat to set up a temporary ferry service by stringing a rope across the river and pulling the boat back and forth, earning $85 by charging a five-cent fare for an estimated 5,000 passengers. Later, the United States Army Corps of Engineers came in and set up a temporary pontoon bridge. In the photographs taken at the time, the pontoon bridge appears to be very flimsy. In fact it was very stable, and one could drive a car across it.
Due to the surge of water during the flood, much debris was deposited in the Cohansey River, making navigation of the waterway dangerous. The city hired a hard-hat diver to help in the removal of the debris.
References
1934 in New Jersey
1930s floods in the United States
1934 natural disasters in the United States
Bridgeton, New Jersey
Natural disasters in New Jersey
August 1934 events |
20913655 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood%20control | Flood control | Flood control (or flood mitigation or flood protection or flood alleviation) methods are used to reduce or prevent the detrimental effects of flood waters. Flood relief methods are used to reduce the effects of flood waters or high water levels. Flooding can be caused by a mix of both natural processes, such as extreme weather upstream, and human changes to waterbodies and runoff. A distinction is made between structural and non-structural flood control measures. Structural methods physically restrain the flood waters, whereas non-structural methods do not. Building hard infrastructure to prevent flooding, such as flood walls, is effective at managing flooding. However, increased best practice within landscape engineering is to rely more on soft infrastructure and natural systems, such as marshes and flood plains, for handling the increase in water. To prevent or manage coastal flooding, coastal management practices have to handle natural processes like tides but also the human cased sea level rise.
Flood control and relief is a particularly important part of climate change adaptation and climate resilience, both sea level rise and changes in the weather (climate change causes more intense and quicker rainfall), means that flooding of human infrastructure is particularly important the world over.
In environmental engineering, flood control involves the management of flood water movement, such as redirecting flood run-off through the use of floodwalls and flood gates, rather than trying to prevent floods altogether. It also involves the management of people, through measures such as evacuation and dry/wet proofing properties. The prevention and mitigation of flooding can be studied on three levels: on individual properties, small communities, and whole towns or cities.
Terminology
There are a number of similar terms that are all used interchangeably: Flood control, flood mitigation, flood protection and flood alleviation are all terms that mean "the detention and/or diversion of water during flood events for the purpose of reducing discharge or downstream inundation". They include methods that are used to reduce or prevent the detrimental effects of flood waters.
A distinction is made between structural and non-structural flood mitigation:
Structural flood control is the reduction of the effects of a flood using physical solutions, such as reservoirs, levees, dredging and diversions.
Non-structural flood control include for example land-use planning, advanced warning systems and flood insurance. Further examples for this type of flood control are: "zoning ordinances and codes, flood forecasting, flood proofing, evacuation and channel clearing, flood fight activities, and upstream land treatment or management to control flood damages without physically restraining flood waters".
Flood management (or flood risk management) is a broader term that includes mitigating and preparing for flooding disasters, and providing risk analysis for example through the practice of flood risk assessment. In the context of natural hazards and disasters, risk management involves "plans, actions, strategies or policies to reduce the likelihood and/or magnitude of adverse potential consequences, based on assessed or perceived risks".
Causes of flooding
Purposes
Reducing the impacts of floods
Flooding has many impacts. It damages property and endangers the lives of humans and other species. Rapid water runoff causes soil erosion and concomitant sediment deposition elsewhere (such as further downstream or down a coast). The spawning grounds for fish and other wildlife habitats can become polluted or completely destroyed. Some prolonged high floods can delay traffic in areas which lack elevated roadways. Floods can interfere with drainage and economical use of lands, such as interfering with farming. Structural damage can occur in bridge abutments, bank lines, sewer lines, and other structures within floodways. Waterway navigation and hydroelectric power are often impaired. Financial losses due to floods are typically millions of dollars each year, with the worst floods in recent U.S. history having cost billions of dollars.
Protection of individual properties
Property owners may fit their homes to stop water entering by blocking doors and air vents, waterproofing important areas and sandbagging the edges of the building. Private precautionary measures are increasingly important in flood risk management.
Flood mitigation at the property level may also involve preventative measures focused on the building site, including scour protection for shoreline developments, improving rainwater in filtration through the use of permeable paving materials and grading away from structures, and inclusion of berms, wetlands or swales in the landscape.
Protection of communities
When more homes, shops and infrastructure are threatened by the effects of flooding, then the benefits of protection are worth the additional cost. Temporary flood defenses can be constructed in certain locations which are prone to floods and provide protection from rising flood waters. Rivers running through large urban developments are often controlled and channeled. Water rising above a canal's full capacity may cause flooding to spread to other waterways and areas of the community, which causes damage. Defenses (both long-term and short-term) can be constructed to minimize damage, which involves raising the edge of the water with levees, embankments or walls. The high population and value of infrastructure at risk often justifies the high cost of mitigation in larger urban areas.
Protection of wider areas such as towns or cities
The most effective way of reducing the risk to people and property is through the production of flood risk maps. Most countries have produced maps which show areas prone to flooding based on flood data. In the UK, the Environment Agency has produced maps which show areas at risk. The map to the right shows a flood map for the City of York, including the floodplain for a 1 in 100-year flood (dark blue), the predicted floodplain for a 1 in 1000 year flood (light blue) and low-lying areas in need of flood defence (purple). The most sustainable way of reducing risk is to prevent further development in flood-prone areas and old waterways. It is important for at-risk communities to develop a comprehensive Floodplain Management plan.
In the US, communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program must agree to regulate development in flood-prone areas.
Strategic retreat
One way of reducing the damage caused by flooding is to remove buildings from flood-prone areas, leaving them as parks or returning them to wilderness. Floodplain buyout programs have been operated in places like New Jersey (both before and after Hurricane Sandy), Charlotte, North Carolina, and Missouri.
In the United States, FEMA produces flood insurance rate maps that identify areas of future risk, enabling local governments to apply zoning regulations to prevent or minimize property damage.
Resilience
Buildings and other urban infrastructure can be designed so that even if a flood does happen, the city can recover quickly and costs are minimized. For example, homes can be put on stilts, electrical and HVAC equipment can be put on the roof instead of in the basement, and subway entrances and tunnels can have built-in movable water barriers. New York City began a substantial effort to plan and build for flood resilience after Hurricane Sandy. Flood resilience technologies support the fast recovery of individuals and communities affected, but their use remains limited.
Climate change adaptation
Structural methods
Some methods of flood control have been practiced since ancient times. These methods include planting vegetation to retain extra water, terracing hillsides to slow flow downhill, and the construction of floodways (man-made channels to divert floodwater). Other techniques include the construction of levees, lakes, dams, reservoirs, retention ponds to hold extra water during times of flooding.
Dams
Many dams and their associated reservoirs are designed completely or partially to aid in flood protection and control. Many large dams have flood-control reservations in which the level of a reservoir must be kept below a certain elevation before the onset of the rainy/summer melt season to allow a certain amount of space in which floodwaters can fill. Other beneficial uses of dam created reservoirs include hydroelectric power generation, water conservation, and recreation. Reservoir and dam construction and design is based upon standards, typically set out by the government. In the United States, dam and reservoir design is regulated by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Design of a dam and reservoir follows guidelines set by the USACE and covers topics such as design flow rates in consideration to meteorological, topographic, streamflow, and soil data for the watershed above the structure.
The term dry dam refers to a dam that serves purely for flood control without any conservation storage (e.g. Mount Morris Dam, Seven Oaks Dam).
Diversion canals
Floodplains and groundwater replenishment
Excess water can be used for groundwater replenishment by diversion onto land that can absorb the water. This technique can reduce the impact of later droughts by using the ground as a natural reservoir. It is being used in California, where orchards and vineyards can be flooded without damaging crops, or in other places wilderness areas have been re-engineered to act as floodplains.
River defenses
In many countries, rivers are prone to floods and are often carefully managed. Defenses such as levees, bunds, reservoirs, and weirs are used to prevent rivers from bursting their banks. A weir, also known as a lowhead dam, is most often used to create millponds, but on the Humber River in Toronto, a weir was built near Raymore Drive to prevent a recurrence of the flood damage caused by Hurricane Hazel in October 1954.
The Leeds flood alleviation scheme uses movable weirs which are lowered during periods of high water to reduce the chances of flooding upstream. Two such weirs, the first in the UK, were installed on the River Aire in October 2017 at Crown Point, Leeds city centre and Knostrop. The Knostrop weir was operated during the 2019 England floods. They are designed to reduce potential flood levels by up to one metre.
Coastal defenses
Coastal flooding has been addressed with coastal defenses, such as sea walls, beach nourishment, and barrier islands.
Tide gates are used in conjunction with dykes and culverts. They can be placed at the mouth of streams or small rivers, where an estuary begins or where tributary streams, or drainage ditches connect to sloughs. Tide gates close during incoming tides to prevent tidal waters from moving upland, and open during outgoing tides to allow waters to drain out via the culvert and into the estuary side of the dike. The opening and closing of the gates is driven by a difference in water level on either side of the gate.
Flood barrier
Self-closing flood barrier
The self-closing flood barrier (SCFB) is a flood defense system designed to protect people and property from inland waterway floods caused by heavy rainfall, gales, or rapid melting snow. The SCFB can be built to protect residential properties and whole communities, as well as industrial or other strategic areas. The barrier system is constantly ready to deploy in a flood situation, it can be installed in any length and uses the rising flood water to deploy.
Temporary perimeter barriers
When permanent defenses fail, emergency measures such as sandbags or inflatable impermeable sacks are used.
In 1988, a method of using water to control flooding was discovered. This was accomplished by containing 2 parallel tubes within a third outer tube. When filled, this structure formed a non-rolling wall of water that can control 80 percent of its height in external water depth, with dry ground behind it. Eight foot tall water filled barriers were used to surround Fort Calhoun Nuclear Generating Station during the 2011 Missouri River Flooding. Instead of trucking in sandbag material for a flood, stacking it, then trucking it out to a hazmat disposal site, flood control can be accomplished by using the on site water. However, these are not fool proof. A high long water filled rubber flood berm that surrounded portions of the plant was punctured by a skid-steer loader and it collapsed flooding a portion of the facility.
In 1999, a group of Norwegian engineers patented a transportable, removable, and reusable flood barrier which uses the water's weight against itself. This removable flood panels protect cities and public utilities.
Other solutions, such as HydroSack, are polypropylene exteriors with wood pulp within, though they are one-time use.
Non-structural methods
There are several methods of non-structural flood control that form part of flood risk management strategies. These can involve policy that reduces the amount of urban structures built around floodplains or flood prone areas through land zoning regulations. This helps to reduce the amount of mitigation needed to protect humans and buildings from flooding events. Similarly, flood warning systems are important for reducing risks. Following the occurrence of flooding events, other measures such as rebuilding plans and insurance can be integrated into flood risk management plans. Flood risk management strategy diversification is needed to ensure that management strategies cover several different scenarios and ensure best practices.
Flood mapping
Flood mapping is a tool used by governments and policy makers to delineate the borders of potential flooding events, allowing educated decisions to prevent extreme flooding events. Flood maps are useful to create documentation that allows policy makers to make informed decisions about flood hazards. Flood mapping also provides conceptual models to both the public and private sectors with information about flooding hazards. Flood mapping has been criticized in many areas around the world, due to the absence of public accessibility, technical writing and data, and lack of easy-to-understand information. However, revived attention towards flood mapping has renewed the interest in enhancing current flood mapping for use as a flood risk management method.
Flood modelling
Flood modelling is a tool used to model flood hazard and the effects on humans and the physical environment. Flood modelling takes into consideration how flood hazards, external and internal processes and factors, and the main drivers of floods interact with each other. Flood modelling combines factors such as terrain, hydrology, and urban topography to reproduce the evolution of a flood in order to identify the different levels of flooding risks associated with each element exposed. The modelling can be carried out using hydraulic models, conceptual models, or geomorphic methods. Nowadays, there is a growing attention also in the production of maps obtained with remote sensing. Flood modelling is helpful for determining building development practices and hazard mitigation methods that reduce the risks associated with flooding.
Stakeholder engagement
Stakeholder engagement is a useful tool for flood risk management that allows enhanced public engagement for agreements to be reached on policy discussions. Different management considerations can be taken into account including emergency management and disaster risk reduction goals, interactions of land-use planning with the integration of flood risks and required policies. In flood management, stakeholder engagement is seen as an important way to achieve greater cohesion and consensus. Integrating stakeholder engagement into flood management often provides a more complex analysis of the situation; this generally adds more demand in determining collective solutions and increases the time it takes to determine solutions.
Flood risk assessment
Flood risk management (FRM) aims to reduce the human and socio-economic losses caused by flooding and is part of the larger field of risk management. Flood risk management analyzes the relationships between physical systems and socio-economic environments through flood risk assessment and tries to create understanding and action about the risks posed by flooding. The relationships cover a wide range of topics, from drivers and natural processes, to models and socio-economic consequences.
This relationship examines management methods which includes a wide range of flood management methods including but are not limited to flood mapping and physical implication measures. FRM looks at how to reduce flood risk and how to appropriately manage risks that are associated with flooding. Flood risk management includes mitigating and preparing for flooding disasters, analyzing risk, and providing a risk analysis system to mitigate the negative impacts caused by flooding.
Flooding and flood risk are especially important with more extreme weather and sea level rise caused by climate change as more areas will be effected by flood risk.
Costs
The costs of flood protection rise as more people and property are to be protected. The US FEMA, for example, estimates that for every $1.00 spent on mitigation, $4.00 is saved.
Examples by country
North America
Canada
An elaborate system of flood way defenses can be found in the Canadian province of Manitoba. The Red River flows northward from the United States, passing through the city of Winnipeg (where it meets the Assiniboine River) and into Lake Winnipeg. As is the case with all north-flowing rivers in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, snow melt in southern sections may cause river levels to rise before northern sections have had a chance to completely thaw. This can lead to devastating flooding, as occurred in Winnipeg during the spring of 1950. To protect the city from future floods, the Manitoba government undertook the construction of a massive system of diversions, dikes, and flood ways (including the Red River Floodway and the Portage Diversion). The system kept Winnipeg safe during the 1997 flood which devastated many communities upriver from Winnipeg, including Grand Forks, North Dakota and Ste. Agathe, Manitoba.
United States
In the United States, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the lead flood control agency. After Hurricane Sandy, New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) initiated multiple flood barrier projects to protect the transit assets in Manhattan. In one case, the MTA's New York City Transit Authority (NYCT) sealed subway entrances in lower Manhattan using a deployable fabric cover system called Flex-Gate, a system that protects the subway entrances against of water. Extreme storm flood protection levels have been revised based on new Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines for 100-year and 500-year design flood elevations.
In the New Orleans Metropolitan Area, 35 percent of which sits below sea level, is protected by hundreds of miles of levees and flood gates. This system failed catastrophically, with numerous breaks, during Hurricane Katrina (2005) in the city proper and in eastern sections of the Metro Area, resulting in the inundation of approximately 50 percent of the metropolitan area, ranging from a few inches to twenty feet in coastal communities.
The Morganza Spillway provides a method of diverting water from the Mississippi River when a river flood threatens New Orleans, Baton Rouge and other major cities on the lower Mississippi. It is the largest of a system of spillways and floodways along the Mississippi. Completed in 1954, the spillway has been opened twice, in 1973 and in 2011.
In an act of successful flood prevention, the federal government offered to buy out flood-prone properties in the United States in order to prevent repeated disasters after the 1993 flood across the Midwest. Several communities accepted and the government, in partnership with the state, bought 25,000 properties which they converted into wetlands. These wetlands act as a sponge in storms and in 1995, when the floods returned, the government did not have to expend resources in those areas.
Asia
In Kyoto, Japan, the Hata clan successfully controlled floods on the Katsura River in around 500 A.D and also constructed a sluice on the Kazuno River.
In China flood diversion areas are rural areas that are deliberately flooded in emergencies in order to protect cities.
The consequences of deforestation and changing land use on the risk and severity of flooding are subjects of discussion. In assessing the impacts of Himalayan deforestation on the Ganges-Brahmaputra Lowlands, it was found that forests would not have prevented or significantly reduced flooding in the case of an extreme weather event. However, more general or overview studies agree on the negative impacts that deforestation has on flood safety - and the positive effects of wise land use and reforestation.
Many have proposed that loss of vegetation (deforestation) will lead to an increased risk of flooding. With natural forest cover the flood duration should decrease. Reducing the rate of deforestation should improve the incidents and severity of floods.
Africa
In Egypt, both the Aswan Low Dam (1902) and the Aswan High Dam (1976) have controlled various amounts of flooding along the Nile River.
Europe
France
Following the misery and destruction caused by the 1910 Great Flood of Paris, the French government built a series of reservoirs called (or Great Lakes) which helps remove pressure from the Seine during floods, especially the regular winter flooding.
United Kingdom
London is protected from flooding by Thames Barrier, a huge mechanical barrier across the River Thames, which is raised when the water level reaches a certain point. This project has been operational since 1982 and was designed to protect against a surge of water such as the North Sea flood of 1953.
In 2023 it was found that over 4,000 flood defence schemes in England were ‘almost useless’ with many of them in areas hit by Storm Babet.
Russia
The Saint Petersburg Dam was completed in 2008 to protect Saint Petersburg from storm surges. It also has a main traffic function, as it completes a ring road around Saint Petersburg. Eleven dams extend for and stand above water level.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands has one of the best flood control systems in the world, notably through its construction of dykes. The country faces high flooding risk due to the country's low-lying landscapes. The largest and most elaborate flood defenses are referred to as the Delta Works with the Oosterscheldekering as its crowning achievement. These works in the southwestern part of the country were built in response to the North Sea flood of 1953. The Dutch had already built one of the world's largest dams in the north of the country. The Afsluitdijk closing occurred in 1932.
New ways to deal with water are constantly being developed and tested, such as the underground storage of water, storing water in reservoirs in large parking garages or on playgrounds, Rotterdam started a project to construct a floating housing development of to deal with rising sea levels. Several approaches, from high-tech sensors detecting imminent levee failure to movable semi-circular structures closing an entire river, are being developed or used around the world. Regular maintenance of hydraulic structures, however, is another crucial part of flood control.
Oceania
Flooding is the greatest natural hazard in New Zealand (Aotearoa), and its control is primarily managed and funded by local councils. Throughout the country there is a network of more than 5284 km of levees, while gravel extraction to lower river water levels is also a popular flood control technique. The management of flooding in the country is shifting towards nature based solutions, such as the widening of the Hutt River channel in Wellington.
See also
Disaster risk reduction
Flood barrier
Flood wall
Flood Control Act of 1936 (in the US)
Coastal management
Hydrosacks
Tidal barrage
Weir
References
External links
Flood articles – BBC News
Control
Water management |
20915441 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The%20Year%20of%20the%20Flood | The Year of the Flood | The Year of the Flood is a novel by Canadian author Margaret Atwood, the second book of her dystopian trilogy, released on September 22, 2009, in Canada and the United States, and on September 7, 2009, in the United Kingdom. The novel was mentioned in numerous newspaper review articles looking forward to notable fiction of 2009.
The book focuses on a religious sect called God's Gardeners, a small community of survivors of the same biological catastrophe depicted in Atwood's earlier novel Oryx and Crake. The earlier novel contained several brief references to the group. The novel is told through the perspective of protagonists Ren and Toby, with the main characters of Oryx and Crake, including Jimmy and Crake having minor roles. Atwood continues to explore the effect of science and technology that has caused this plagued world, focusing on the theme of religion through the environmentally focused religious movement of God's Gardeners.
It answers some of the questions of Oryx and Crake, develops and further elaborates upon several of the characters in the first book, and reveals the identity of the three human figures who appear at the end of the earlier book. This is the second of Atwood's trilogy, with the final book being MaddAddam. Although, Atwood sees them as 'simultaneous' with the three novels all taking place at the same time and not in sequence.
Plot
The Year of the Flood details the events of Oryx and Crake from the perspective of the lower classes in the pleeblands, specifically the God's Gardeners who live in a commune at the Edencliff Rooftop Garden. God's Gardeners are a religious sect that combines some Biblical practices and beliefs with some scientific practices and beliefs. They are vegetarians devoted to honoring and preserving all plant and animal life, and they predict a human species-ending disaster, which they call "The Waterless Flood". This prediction becomes true in a sense, as Crake's viral pandemic destroys human civilization. God's Gardeners have their own set of saints, all honoured for their environmental activism, such as Saint Dian Fossey and Saint Rachel Carson.
The plot follows two characters, Toby and Ren, whose stories intertwine with each other and, at points, with major characters from Oryx and Crake. Much of the story is told through flashbacks with the two main characters separately surviving the apocalypse described in the previous novel, each reminiscing about their time in the God's Gardeners religious movement and the events that led to their current situations. Atwood uses third-person narration for Toby's accounts and first-person narration for Ren's.
Toby is a young woman who loses her parents under tragic circumstances that may or may not be due to the corporations and is forced to live off of the grid in a shady meat burger joint working as a meat barista at SecretBurgers. She soon encounters the unwelcome attentions of Blanco, the psychopathic manager of the chain, who has a reputation for sexually assaulting and murdering the women in his employ. Toby is able to escape when a group of God's Gardeners arrive at the restaurant. She follows them to the rooftop garden, where she finds her former colleague Rebecca.
The leader of God's Gardeners, Adam One, is admired as a charismatic holy man within the group, but he is perceived by outsiders as a cult leader. The novel is filled with sermons and hymns Adam One gives to the religious sect. Although she is skeptical, finding it difficult to follow the theology and follow the religious traditions, Toby becomes an influential member of the gardeners. She even rises to the official position of an Eve. Within the sect Toby encounters Ren, a child member of the gardeners.
Ren joined the God's Gardeners when her mother, Lucerne, left her HelthWyzer scientist husband after falling in love with Zeb, a member of the sect. Ren grows up in the religious sect, befriending Amanda, until Lucerne decides to go back to the Compounds. Ren goes to school, where she meets Jimmy (Snowman) and Glenn (Crake), who is particularly interested in the God's Gardeners. Later, Ren enrolls in a Dance Calisthenics courses at the Martha Graham Academy, until Lucerne is unable to pay and she drops out. Eventually, Ren becomes a sex worker and trapeze dancer in the sex-club Scales and Tails, part of SeksMart. Here, Ren happens to be locked in a bio-containment unit in the club called the Sticky Zone when the pandemic occurs. Amanda rescues Ren from the club.
Blanco is able to find out where Toby is and raids the Gardeners. Toby is able to flee, relocating to the AnooYoo spa. In fear, she changes her outward appearance through cosmetic surgery to hide from Blanco. Toby barricades herself in the luxury spa as the plague spreads, utilizing the skills of foraging she learned with the God's Gardeners to survive.
Blanco participates in the televised game Painball, where teams of criminals try to kill each other in the surrounded arena. Blanco and three companions escape the Painball forest to find Toby at the spa. They capture and torture Ren and Amanda. Toby is able to shoot one of the criminals and free Ren, but the others escape with Amanda. Both Toby and Ren come together to search for Amanda. Toby poisons Blanco, and she and Jimmy incapacitate the two criminals. The novel ends much like the ending of Oryx and Crake, with the remaining survivors witnessing an unknown group approach, carrying torches and playing music.
Main characters
Ren, a trapeze dancer and sex worker who works at the brothel Scales and Tails, who survives the plague by being isolated in the club's biohazard containment chamber. She had grown up with the God's Gardeners and is rescued by her childhood friend Amanda. She previously dated and fell in love with Jimmy (Snowman) in school.
Toby, a God's Gardener who goes into hiding, escaping a dangerous stalker by working in a high-end spa, which she locks herself in to survive the plague.
Blanco, known as the 'Bloat', is the manager of the SecretBurgers that Toby works at, where he attempts to force her into sexual slavery. He participates in Painball, as a condemned criminal, surviving the plague by staying in the enclosed arena. After this he tries to have his revenge against Toby, searching and abducting her.
Adam One, the founder and leader of the God's Gardeners, giving sermons throughout the novel and cautioning the 'Waterless Flood'. Throughout, he professes the theological practices and beliefs of the religious sect, particularly in songs from 'The God's Gardeners Oral Hymnbook'.
Minor characters
Lucerne, mother of Ren. She leaves her husband, a HelthyWyzer scientist, to join the God Gardener's and follow her lover Zeb.
Amanda, best friend of Ren. Helps her escape the sex-club Scales and Tails, and is captured by the group of criminals including Blanco.
Zeb, lover of Lucerne. He is the least committed to the creed of the God's Gardeners so becomes part of MaddAddam with other defectors like Crozier and Shackleton.
Crake (aka Glenn), friend of Ren's at the high school in the HelthWyzer Compound. He is a friend of Pilar, staying in contact with the God's Gardeners. He is connected to and has much knowledge surrounding the religious sect. Whilst working at Scales and Tails, Ren meets him once again. The God's Gardeners inspire the Crakers, the humans that Crake makes, and his plague directly resembles the 'Waterless Flood'.
Jimmy (aka Snowman), a lover of Ren's, during their time at school. Oryx, Crake (aka Glenn) and Jimmy (aka Snowman), the main characters of Atwood's first book in the series Oryx and Crake, appear in minor roles over the course of the book, with the protagonists Ren and Toby unaware that these characters are responsible for the pandemic. While the first book in the series, Oryx and Crake, is told from the perspective of Jimmy/Snowman, The Year of the Flood is told from the point of view of two women, Ren and Toby.
God's Gardeners
Pilar, Eve Six ("the Fungus") – Instructor: Bees and Mycology (Mushrooms)
Nuala, Eve Nine ("the Wet Witch") – Seamstress; Instructor: Little kids, Fabric Recycling, Buds and Blooms Choir
Rebecca, Eve Eleven (“the Salt and Peppler”) – Cook; Instructor: Culinary Arts
Adam One – the charismatic leader of the cult
Zeb, Adam Seven ("the Mad Adam") – Instructor: Urban Bloodshed Limitation, Predator-Prey Relationships, Animal Camouflage
Burt, Adam Thirteen ("the Knob") – Bernice's father; Veena's husband; in charge of Garden Vegetables; Instructor: Wild and Garden Botanicals
Bernice – Veena and Burt's daughter
Shackleton (Shackie) – (oldest brother) – named after explorer Ernest Shackleton
Crozier (Croze) – (middle brother) – named after explorer Francis Crozier
Oates – (youngest brother) – named after explorer Lawrence Oates. He is murdered by Blanco following an ambush in Heritage Park at the end of the novel.
Lucerne – Ren's mother
Katuro (“the Wrench”) – Water Systems Maintenance; Instructor: Emergency Medical
Philo (“the Fog”) – Shackleton, Crozier, and Oates’ stand-in father; Instructor: Meditation
Surya – Instructor: Sewing
Mugi (“the Muscle”) – Instructor: Mental Arithmetic
Marushka Midwife (“the Mucous”) – Instructor: Human Reproductive System, former gynecologist
Stuart (“the Screw”) – Furniture maker
Veena – Bernice's mother; Burt's wife
Amanda – Pleebrat that Ren brought home to live with her; Ren's best friend
Themes
Science and Technology
In this hyper-capitalist society, scientists work for and answer to the global corporations, creating products upon which the citizens become dependent. Any ethical concern or moral practice is disregarded, only considering the potential consumerist profits. Consumerism replaces any idealist principles. The advancement of technology has only further expanded the capitalist framework and materialistic attitudes within the class hierarchy. It is the developed cosmetic procedures which allow Toby to completely change her appearance, in order to hide from her stalker Blanco. This includes a 'Mo'hair' transplant.
In this way, nature is seen only as a means to exploit and profit from. Consequently, the entire ecosystem is corrupted, with many animal species rapidly becoming extinct. Instead of trying to reduce their environmental impact, scientists only continue experimenting on these animals. They keep on trying to splice animals together, creating a new animal through this mix between natural animals, such as the 'Liobam' (a blend of lion and sheep). Many of these new animals are formed and utilised for their by products, including a combination of goat and spider to yield silk bulletproof vests and 'Mo'Hairs', which are colourful sheep to make better, natural wigs. Science lacks any restraint in their pursuit of new commodities.
Religion
Using the primary religious sect of the God's Gardeners, Atwood presents an environmentally focused religious movement. Adam One, the religious leader, leads the God's Gardeners in a pacifist and greener life style. The novel is littered with his sermons and hymns, where the religious sect revere environmental activists in their own calendar of special saints, such as Saint Euell Gibbons, Saint James Lovelock and Saint Jane Jacobs, amongst others. As a result, the Gardeners do not eat meat, having taken 'Vegivows', and are horrified by the carnivorous lifestyle.
The MaddAddam Trilogy
The Year of the Flood is the second novel in the MaddAddam Trilogy, after Oryx and Crake and before MaddAddam. In this novel, the middle of trilogy, Atwood gives us more detail surrounding the childhood of Crake, highlighting his connection with the God's Gardeners that inspired his plague, and the conception of the MaddAddam group. The Year of the Flood uses alternative perspectives than that of Snowman in Oryx and Crake, though the character has a minor role. Atwood explains who the people that Snowman had seen at the conclusion of Oryx and Crake are, with it being Toby, Ren, Amanda and the criminals they incapacitate. At the end of The Year of the Flood these survivors, similar to the end of the previous novel, listen and see a passing group of people coming towards them, wondering who they could be.
Promotion
Atwood's tour to promote the book included choral performances of 14 religious hymns that appear in the book. They were also released as a CD.
Naming rights
For both Oryx and Crake and The Year of the Flood, Atwood donated naming rights to characters in the novel to charity auctions. One of the winning bidders was journalist Rebecca Eckler, who paid $7,000 at a benefit for the magazine The Walrus. "Amanda Payne" and "Saint Allan Sparrow" were also named by auction winners.
Critical reception
The novel was generally well-received; reviewers noted that while the plot was sometimes chaotic, the novel's imperfections meshed well with the flawed reality the book was trying to reflect. The Daily Telegraph commented that "Margaret Atwood is genuinely inventive, rather than merely clever".
In 2010, the novel was longlisted as a candidate for the 2011 International Dublin Literary Award, and shortlisted for the 2010 Trillium Book Award.
The novel was selected for inclusion in the 2014 edition of CBC Radio's Canada Reads, where it was defended by Stephen Lewis.
See also
Doomsday cult
References
External links
Official Website
2009 Canadian novels
Canadian science fiction novels
2009 science fiction novels
Environmental fiction books
Biopunk novels
Dystopian novels
Post-apocalyptic novels
Satirical novels
Novels by Margaret Atwood
Bloomsbury Publishing books
McClelland & Stewart books
Climate change novels |
20922073 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynthia%20Flood | Cynthia Flood | Cynthia Flood (born September 17, 1940) is a Canadian short-story writer and novelist. The daughter of novelist Luella Creighton and historian Donald Creighton, she grew up primarily in Toronto. After attending the University of Toronto and the University of California, Berkeley she spent some years in the United States, where she married Maurice Flood before moving to Vancouver, British Columbia in 1969.
She has been active in many socialist, feminist, anti-war, and environmental groups, and in the faculty union while an English instructor at Langara College (1971-2001). Maurice came out as gay in the 1970s, and was a prominent organizer with the Gay Alliance Toward Equality. In 1973, both Maurice and Cynthia actively campaigned to have the federal New Democratic Party more explicitly include gay rights in its platform. She and Maurice separated in 1981. Cynthia continued activity in the NDP and in the women's movement for years after that. As a member of Women Against the Budget, she participated in Vancouver's Solidarity movement (1985). As the 80s went on, she began to focus on her writing.
After retirement, she briefly taught creative writing in Simon Fraser University's writing and publishing program.
Flood's first three books of short fiction are The Animals in Their Elements, My Father Took a Cake to France (Talonbooks, 1987 and 1992), and The English Stories (Biblioasis 2009). The title story from My Father Took a Cake to France won the Journey Prize in 1990, and she has also won awards from Western Magazines and Prism International. Her work has been widely anthologized, and has been repeatedly included in Best Canadian Stories. Her novel Making a Stone of the Heart (Key Porter, 2002) was nominated for the City of Vancouver Book Award that year.
Her collection, The English Stories was published in April 2009 by Biblioasis. These short fictions are set in 1950s England. One, "Religious Knowledge," won the National Magazine Gold Award in 2000, after its publication in PRISM International. Another, "Learning to Dance," is included in Best Canadian Stories 2008, edited by John Metcalf.
Flood's 2013 collection, Red Girl Rat Boy (Biblioasis), was chosen by January Magazine and Quill & Quire as one of 2013's notable books. It was shortlisted for the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize from BC Book Prizes, and long-listed for the Frank O'Connor Short Story award. Her work appears regularly in literary magazines, e. g. Fireweed, Queen's Quarterly, A Room of One's Own, Wascana Review, and in "Best Canadian Stories".
In 2017 Biblioasis published her fifth book of short fictions, "What Can You Do." As with her other books, many of the stories appeared first in literary magazines.
Most recently, a Selected book of Cynthia Flood's stories has appeared, titled "You Are Here" (Biblioasis). This book contains 20 of Flood's best stories from her five collections.
References
External links
Cynthia Flood
Records of Cynthia Flood are held by Simon Fraser University's Special Collections and Rare Books
1940 births
Living people
20th-century Canadian short story writers
21st-century Canadian novelists
Canadian women novelists
Canadian women short story writers
Writers from Toronto
Canadian feminist writers
Canadian anti-war activists
Canadian environmentalists
Canadian women environmentalists
Canadian socialists
Canadian LGBT rights activists
Langara College people
20th-century Canadian women writers
21st-century Canadian women writers
21st-century Canadian short story writers
Women civil rights activists |
20938282 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008%20Namibia%20floods | 2008 Namibia floods | The 2008 Namibia floods took place in early February 2008, a rapid onset of heavy rains triggered floods in northern Namibia, leading to one of its worst floods in 50 years. The floods had killed 42 people by early March and an estimated 65,000 people were affected, primarily in the regions of Omusati, Oshikoto, Oshana, Ohangwena and Caprivi. 40,000 people were assisted by the Namibian Red Cross with 4,600 in relocation camps. Over-crowding and insanitary conditions caused health concerns in relocation camps and an outbreak of cholera was announced in March. On 14 March, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs triggered the International Charter for "Space and Major Disasters". Staple crops were devastated and 52,000 people from flood-affected areas were considered in need of immediate of assistance to cover their basic food needs. Deputy Prime Minister Libertine Amathila declared that the government would spend 65 million Namibian dollars to assist the displaced. Long-term impacts included damage to farmland, housing, schools, roads and infrastructure across the region. The floods reduced the resilience of the population who were left vulnerable to further flooding which occurred in 2009.
Background
The floods hit the northern Namibian regions of Omusati, Oshikoto, Oshana, Ohangwena, and Caprivi. These regions are the most densely populated in the nation with an estimated 859,975 people, almost half of the total population. Northern Namibia has a semi-arid climate with high temperatures. The rain patterns are unpredictable, with varying amounts and timing, although the rainy season tends to fall from November to April. The majority of the people living in the rural areas of northern Namibia rely on subsistence farming, but the poor soil, largely composed of clay and sand mixture, is not ideal for crop production. This results in high levels of chronic food insecurity in these regions. These threats are exacerbated by poor health outcomes, as large swaths of the population do not have access to adequate medical services. HIV/AIDS is especially prevalent in the area, with an estimated 23% of Namibians aged 15 to 49 testing HIV-positive.
Impact
Health and well-being
An estimated 65,000 people were affected by the floods. 71 casualties were reported by March 2008 of which there were 42 deaths. Deaths were predominantly children and the elderly who drowned crossing oshonas (flood plains) at night. Wounds resulting from walking in water were a problem in Caprivi. Outreach clinics in rural areas were cut off by the flooding.
Relocation camps were set up in the Engela District and Oshana Region and housed over 4,600 of the displaced. Camps had limited or no access to latrines, waste disposal and clean tap water, and some camps were overcrowded. An outbreak of cholera at Engela in the Ohangwena Region was announced in March. An assessment undertaken 19–20 March by the World Health Organization (WHO) identified that the case fatality rate (CFR) for cholera may be under recorded and reported common acute diseases in the under fives to include malaria, diarrhea and respiratory infections. Cholera cases were also reported at Odibo and Okatope.
By the 16th of April, 958 cases of cholera, including four deaths, had been reported. Engela Hospital, which was inaccessible by road, opened a cholera treatment centre. WHO figures for cholera in Namibia for 2008 were 3,496 with 38 deaths (1.09% CFR) compared to 14 cases in 2007 with 0 deaths (0% CFR).
Food security
The floods significantly reduced yields of mahangu, the staple cereal food for the majority of the population in the Northern Central regions. The household stocks of mahangu were not expected to last beyond next the harvest, forcing the household to use savings to purchase food. As low-income households could not easily compensate by lowering already minimal non-food expenditure, they were likely to shift food consumption towards lower calorie and less nutritious foods or simply reduce their food intake.
The European Food Safety Authority mission estimated that compared to the previous agricultural season, there was an average 59% drop in production in the North Central Regions and 46% in affected areas of Caprivi. As a result, 16.4% of the flood affected households in the Northern Central regions were food insecure rising to 32.5% in Caprivi, an area with a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. These households were unable to meet their daily nutritional requirements. The population affected by the floods went from chronically food insecure to acutely food insecure. An estimated 52,000 people were in immediate need of assistance to cover their basic food needs in flood-affected areas.
Response
The Namibian government declared a state of emergency on 5 March 2008 and appealed to international community for assistance. Working jointly with humanitarian agencies including UN, the government assessed damage extent and established critical needs in the affected areas. The government of Namibia provided food supplies worth N$221,000 and non-food commodities worth N$5.3 million and pledged N$65 million to assist the displaced. The Emergency Management Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister delivered necessary food items to the affected regions using helicopters following roads damage. Flood victims were evacuated to relocation centres in the Engela District and Oshana Region.
The Namibian Red Cross supported over 40,000 people, who were moved back to their homes by end of August 2008. The Red Cross distributed blankets, hygiene kits, water makers, mosquito nets, bar soaps in North-western regions. In partnership with the Swedish Red Cross the Red Cross also provided agricultural items such as millet, sorghum, goats and chicken to improve food security among the most vulnerable in Ohangwena region.
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs triggered the International Charter "Space and Major Disasters" to help the country battle against floods and the subsequent cholera outbreak that ravaged the country. UNICEF trained community health activists, produced radio messages on cholera prevention and distributed water purification tablets in the affected areas.
Aftermath
Since 2008, when the first serious Namibia floods disaster occurred, they have become a devastating, almost annual event that finds most households hardly recovered from the previous flood. The communities in the rural areas of North and Central Namibia were most affected by the floods. Their livelihoods are dependent on subsistence farming and the floods increased livestock and household vulnerability of the farmers.
Water logging and retention due to the floods was associated with the loss of land productivity and soil degradation. The declining quality of soil affected the farming of major staple crops, sorghum and mahangu, which escalated food prices in the region furthering household food insecurity.
Livelihoods were affected after livestock died from drowning in large numbers, whilst the poor prevailing conditions made those remaining susceptible to diseases and parasites such as Lumpy skin disease and the African swine fever. Other impacts were on public infrastructure like roads, bridges, sewerage system, health facilities, market places and schools which were damaged extensively. Rehabilitation work in flooded areas went beyond repairs to include the elevation of roads and improvements to the drainage system. The cost of this was 5.5 times the value of replacing damaged structures. Unfortunately, the area and the population had not yet recovered and were still vulnerable when flooding occurred in 2009.
References
Floods
Natural disasters in Namibia
2000s floods in Africa
2008 floods
2008 disasters in Namibia
February 2008 events in Africa
March 2008 events in Africa |
21027927 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List%20of%20deadliest%20floods | List of deadliest floods | This is a list consisting of the deadliest floods worldwide with a minimum of 60 deaths.
List
Floods by year
Only floods having caused 10 fatalities or more in 21st-century are listed.
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
Notes
1.Some reports list as many as 12,000 dead.
See also
List of floods
List of flash floods
List of natural disasters by death toll
References
External links
Global Active Archive of Large Flood Events, Dartmouth Flood Observatory
Deadliest
Floods |
21386684 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%20Flood%20in%20Baath%20Country | A Flood in Baath Country | A Flood in Baath Country () is a Syrian documentary film by the director Omar Amiralay. The film was ranked #45 on the Dubai International Film Festival's 2013 list of the top 100 Arab films.
References
External links
Grand Prix du long métrage documentaire - Festival du film arabe à Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris.
Free Syrian Translators: Flood in Baath Land (with English subtitles)
2000s Arabic-language films
2003 films
Syrian documentary films
Films directed by Omar Amiralay
2003 documentary films
Documentary films about politics
Documentary films about Syria |
21441724 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1982%E2%80%9383%20Paraguay%20floods | 1982–83 Paraguay floods | The 1982–83 Paraguay floods refers to major flooding that primarily affected the Paraná River basin in the La Plata Basin of Paraguay in the fall of 1982 and beginning of 1983. The flooding was caused by El Niño and also affected parts of Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia. Although only 170 were killed as a direct result of the floods, 600,000 people were evacuated from their homes and in the end the damage rose to around $3 billion. Affecting an estimate of 85,000 people solely in Paraguay, the flood waters had risen from an average of 2.6 meters to above 9 meters. This resulted in several national along with international voluntary agencies donating over $70,000.
The floods caused a great deal of damage to housing, prompting a structural redesign in building in Paraguay in the aftermath. Houses were constructed, designed to provide safe shelter, even if the floods submerged single story houses.
References
Natural disasters in Paraguay
20th-century floods in South America
1980s floods
1982 natural disasters
1983 natural disasters
1982 disasters in Paraguay
1983 disasters in Paraguay |
21827803 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973%20Saint%20John%20River%20flood | 1973 Saint John River flood | The 1973 Saint John River flood in late April 1973 was the most significant flood ever recorded on the Saint John River. The flood inundated many parts of the city of Fredericton, New Brunswick and its surrounding farmlands killing at least one person and causing nearly 12 million dollars (78 million adjusted to 2008 dollars) in damages.
The flood was created by a combination of heavy rain in the watershed and snow melt.
"Flooding occurred in several places along the St. John that spring—among them, Edmundston, Grand Falls, Perth-Andover, Hartland, Woodstock and parts of Maine. But by far the most dramatic effects were in the lower valley. In Fredericton, the river level reached 28.3 feet, or 25 feet above its normal summer level. Water spilled into older residential areas, lapped against newer subdivisions, and welled up around public buildings."
References
Natural disasters in New Brunswick
Saint John
1973 disasters in Canada |
21831520 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood%20Control%20Act%20of%201939 | Flood Control Act of 1939 | Flood Control Act of 1939 (FCA 1939) (ch. 699, 53 Stat. 1414), enacted on August 11, 1939, by the 76th Congress, authorized construction of flood control projects across the United States. The Act authorized the transfer of ownership of local and state dams to the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The Act was also instrumental in establishing the Federal policy of cost-benefit analysis, the standard by which the government determines whether or not a project provides sufficient benefits to justify the cost of expending public funds. It specified the standard that "the benefits to whomever they accrue [be] in excess of the estimated costs.
See also
Other flood control provisions enacted in 1939 can be found under:
the Omnibus Flood Control Act, which authorized 35 preliminary flood control surveys; declared the Alamorga Dam and Reservoir on the Pecos River, New Mexico, authorized for the purpose of controlling floods; and in other ways promoted the project of flood control.
the State-Justice-Commerce Appropriation Act (approved June 29), which authorized projects on the Rio Grande.
the Military Appropriation Act (approved April 26), which granted $305,188,584 for the civil functions of the War Department. The largest items here were $133,000,000 for general flood control work; $96,000,000 for the preservation and maintenance of existing river and harbor works; $39,000,000 for flood control along the Mississippi River and its tributaries and $24,774,924 for the Panama Canal and the Canal Zone.
References
External links
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Printable copies of legislation including this Act.
1939 in the environment
1939 in American law
76th United States Congress
United States federal legislation articles without infoboxes
1939 |
21920289 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ready%20for%20the%20Flood | Ready for the Flood | Ready for the Flood is an album by former Jayhawks bandmates Mark Olson and Gary Louris, released in Europe on December 1, 2008, and in the US on January 29, 2009. It was their first collaboration since Olson had left the band in 1995.
The songwriting and recording sessions for the album resulted from a visit by Louris to Olson's home in California in late 2001. The duo asked Chris Robinson to produce the recording. They briefly toured to support the album.
Reception
Writing for Allmusic, music critic Mark Deming called the album "...unlikely to disappoint fans of their old band. But while they mine a thoughtful country-folk vein that's not far removed from Jayhawks territory, Olson and Louris take a somewhat softer, more acoustic-based, balladic approach here than they did in the Jayhawks days, lending Ready for the Flood a warm, honeyed glow."
Track listing
All songs by Mark Olson & Gary Louris
"Rose Society" – 3:12
"Bicycle" – 3:52
"Turn Your Pretty Name Around" – 4:51
"Saturday Morning on Sunday Street" – 3:53
"Kick the Wood" – 4:04
"Chamberlain, SD" – 3:42
"Black Eyes" – 4:25
"Doves And Stones" – 3:22
"My Gospel Song for You" – 3:44
"When the Wind Comes Up" – 3:39
"Bloody Hands" – 3:25
"Life's Warm Sheets" – 2:47
"Trap's Been Set" – 4:08
US Bonus Tracks:
"Precious Time" – 3:26
"Cotton Dress" – 2:58
Personnel
Mark Olson – vocals, acoustic guitar, Fender Rhodes, Melodeon
Gary Louris – vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, harmonica
George Reiff – bass
Jimi Hey – drums
Chris Robinson – harmonica, backing vocals
Jason Yates – Hammond B-3 organ
Ben Peeler – banjo, dobro
Production notes
Michael Nieves – executive producer
David Gorman – executive producer
Chris Robinson – producer
Beau Raymond - engineer
Joe Gastwirst – mastering
References
External links
Jayhawks Mark Olson and Gary Louris Talk New Album, Paste Magazine
2008 albums
New West Records albums
Gary Louris albums
Albums produced by Chris Robinson (singer)
Mark Olson (musician) albums
Collaborative albums |
21946493 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floodplain%20mussel | Floodplain mussel | Velesunio ambiguus, the floodplain mussel, or the billabong mussel (South Australia), is a species of freshwater bivalve in the family Hyriidae.
There are four other cryptic species in the genus Velesunio (which all look similar to Velesunio ambiguus) in Australia.
Distribution
Australia: Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, where it is known as the billabong mussel.
Biotope
Static waters.
Life cycle
The lifespan of this mussel is over 20 years.
It can survive temperatures from around 4 °C to over 30 °C.
Human uses
Velesunio ambiguus serves as a food for Australian Aborigines, although its flesh is tough.
This species can also be used in fish ponds to filter microscopic algae out of the water.
References
Hyriidae
Bivalves described in 1847
Bivalves of Australia
Endemic fauna of Australia
Taxa named by Rodolfo Amando Philippi |
21983943 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floodgate%20Entertainment | Floodgate Entertainment | Floodgate Entertainment was an American video game developer founded by Paul Neurath in 2000. Many of the company's employees are former Looking Glass Studios employees.
Floodgate co-developed Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide alongside BioWare and Dark Messiah of Might and Magic alongside Arkane Studios. In 2006, they signed a deal with Sony BMG Music Entertainment to distribute their game Mo-Pets. On March 24, 2011, Floodgate was acquired by Zynga and merged with Zynga Boston.
References
Zynga
Privately held companies based in Massachusetts
Defunct companies based in Massachusetts
Companies based in Boston
Video game companies established in 2000
Video game companies disestablished in 2011
Defunct video game companies of the United States |
22056098 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%20Angola%2C%20Namibia%20and%20Zambia%20floods | 2009 Angola, Namibia and Zambia floods | The 2009 Angola, Namibia and Zambia floods was a natural disaster which began in early March 2009 and resulted in the deaths of at least 131 people and otherwise affected around 445,000 people. The floods affected seven regions of Namibia, three provinces of Zambia, two regions of Angola and part of Botswana. The floodwaters damaged buildings and infrastructure and displaced at least 300,000 people. A state of emergency was declared in northern Namibia and there were fears that a disease epidemic would ensue. The Red Cross agencies and governments of the two countries responded to the disaster, and aid was distributed be the World Health Organization.
Causes
The border regions of Angola, Namibia and Zambia are dominated by small rivers which flood regularly during the rainy season from December to April. Floods in 2008 lasted from February to March and affected 250,000 people in Namibia with 42 people losing their lives. The floods this year have primarily been caused by heavy rain; more rain has fallen on the region since December than fell in the entire five-month rainy season of last year. As a result, the flooding this year has been worse than that usually experienced. It has been reported that the floods could be the worst in the area for four decades. The Angolan National Institute of Meteorology has placed the cause of the heavy rain with a large equatorial depression which is expected to remain over the country until April when it will start to move southwards. One report has blamed the continuing heavy rain on the effects of the meteorological phenomenon La Niña.
Effects
Angola
Angola has been affected by floods within two of its provinces: Cuando Cubango and Cunene.
The worst affected province has been Cunene, which lies on the Cuvelai River. Within Cunene alone 125,000 people have been affected by the flood and 25,000 have lost their homes. Across the country more than 30,000 people have been made homeless by the floods. There are fears that the floods could exacerbate diseases already present in the area, particularly cholera and malaria. Three cases of cholera have also been reported in Ondjiva, the capital of Cunene region, and local officials expect that number to increase. The Red Cross reports that so far there have been 19 deaths attributable to flooding in Angola.
Botswana
Botswana has been affected by the rising height of the Okavango River has risen to 8.62 m, the second highest depth recorded and the highest since 1969. The Okavango terminates in Botswana at the inland Okavango Delta and the Botswana government has issued an alert to those living alongside the river to move to higher ground. The government has evacuated 63 families amid concerns that flooding will worsen, particularly in the Chobe District. More than 400 people have been displaced as a result of the floods and the Botswana Defence Force is working to help those affected.
Namibia
Seven regions of Namibia have been affected by the flood: Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshana, Oshikoto, Zambezi, Kavango and Kunene. The worst affected regions have been Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshana and Oshikoto which lie on the Cuvelai River. In the Zambezi Region floodwaters have reached areas up to 20 km from where the river normally flows. Up to 300,000 people have been affected by the floods in Namibia which have displaced around 276,000 people. The floods have destroyed crops, houses, schools, medical centres and roads in the country whose president, Hifikepunye Pohamba, has said could be experiencing one of the worst natural disasters in living memory. Gravel roads have been particularly affected with up to 85% of those in affected areas being damaged and cutting people off from assistance. People and livestock have been washed away and there have been cases of crocodiles and hippopotamuses swimming in the flood water, attacking and killing people. There was a pre-existing cholera outbreak in the Kunene Region and the floods have worsened this by overwhelming sanitation infrastructure and reducing supplies of clean drinking water. Malaria cases have also increased, with 2,000 known to have contracted the disease of which 25 have died. The Namibian government has stated that 112 people have died so far as a result of flooding.
President Pohamba has stated that a food shortage could follow the floods and the United Nations has estimated that crop production in Namibia will fall by 63% in the next year and that up to 500,000 people could be affected by a food shortage. Local food prices have already risen by 37% because of the disaster.
Zambia
Zambia has experienced flooding in the Western, North-Western and Southern Provinces. The damage to infrastructure alone totals more than $5 million and one district, Shangombo, remains cut off from outside help completely. The floods have affected 20,000 households and destroyed 5,000 homes in the Southern Province alone.
Elsewhere
Although this particular flood event has been worse than previously experienced in Namibia and Angola, there have been lower levels of flooding elsewhere in the region, such as on the Zambezi River, and the rainy season is expected to last just four more weeks. It is expected that the Kariba Dam in Zimbabwe and the Cahora Bassa Dam in Mozambique will protect countries on the lower Zambezi from flooding caused by rainwater in the upper river. The Red Cross is also keeping watch on Severe Tropical Storm Izilda which is heading for Mozambique's east coast and could cause further flooding there.
Reactions
President Pohamba has declared a state of emergency across six northern districts, and has requested international assistance. The Namibian state relief fund has been active in the region delivering water, food, tents and other supplies to flooded areas by helicopter and motorboat. However it is hindered by a shortage of both aircraft and boats, and is running out of funding. The Red Cross agencies in both Angola and Namibia have responded to the disaster. The Angola Red Cross is distributing mosquito nets, water purification tablets and rehydration sachets and the Namibia Red Cross Society has been distributing chlorine tablets and promoting hygiene in the affected areas. The World Health Organization has also responded with the delivery of five tonnes of health care kits and supplies of drinking water. There are fears that the financial crisis of 2007–2008 may limit the effectiveness of aid agencies who are already over-stretched across Africa. Displaced persons camps have been established in Oshana, Oshikoto, Ohangwena and Omusati in Namibia and currently hold around 4,500 people although they are said to be overcrowded and lacking in fresh water and sanitation provision. The World Health Organization has sent several healthcare teams into the area to train emergency personnel and to provide expertise in disease prevention. The floods coincided with a visit to Angola by Pope Benedict XVI, who expressed solidarity with the flood victims and encouraged reconstruction efforts. The Namibian national power company, NamPower, has donated food worth N$50,000 to those who have lost their homes in the areas near to Ruacana Hydro-electric Power Station which accounts for 70% of the country's electricity needs. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched an appeal for $1.3 million to fund relief operations to assist 20,000 people in Namibia.
See also
2008–2009 Zimbabwean cholera outbreak
2008 Namibia floods
References
2000s floods in Africa
2009 floods
Floods
Angola, Namibia And Zambia Floods, 2009
Floods
Angola, Namibia And Zambia Floods, 2009
Natural disasters in Angola
Water in Angola
Natural disasters in Botswana
Natural disasters in Namibia
Natural disasters in Zambia
Water in Zambia
Angola, Namibia and Zambia floods
Angola, Namibia and Zambia floods |
22058185 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%20Red%20River%20flood | 2009 Red River flood | The 2009 Red River flood along the Red River of the North in North Dakota and Minnesota in the United States and Manitoba in Canada brought record flood levels to the Fargo-Moorhead area. The flood was a result of saturated and frozen ground, spring snowmelt exacerbated by additional rain and snow storms, and virtually flat terrain. Communities along the Red River prepared for more than a week as the U.S. National Weather Service continuously updated the predictions for the city of Fargo, North Dakota, with an increasingly higher projected river crest. Originally predicted to reach a level of near at Fargo by March 29, the river in fact crested at at 12:15 a.m. March 28, and started a slow decline. The river continued to rise to the north as the crest moved downstream.
Background
Geology
The Red River flows from the United States into Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada. Since it flows northward, into colder climates, melting snow and river ice, as well as runoff from its tributaries, often create ice jams, which cause the river to overflow. The valley is essentially flat, leading to overland flooding, with no high ground on which to take refuge.
Climate
Ground which was already saturated when it froze at the onset of winter, melting snow which could not be absorbed by the frozen ground, and additional precipitation from high winter snow fall, a rain storm on March 22 and a later snowstorm, high temperature snow melt rate, are reasons for the serious flooding.
A low-pressure area caused the rain storm on March 22 and by March 25 a total of fell in the Winnipeg area, and in southern Manitoba. In northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota, around 8 inches of snow accumulated from the same storm.
Predictions and preparations
Fargo-Moorhead
Warnings for the 2009 flood occurred as early as March 9 when the National Weather Service warned that the Fargo-Moorhead area could see a significant flood of between . As preparations began for the flooding on March 16, North Dakota Governor John Hoeven declared a statewide disaster in anticipation of flooding across the state. On March 19, the National Weather Service raised the predicted flood level in the Fargo area to between . The city began filling sandbags on March 20. In anticipation of a rain and snow storm, the predicted crest level was raised on March 22 to a range from .
Volunteers continued preparing sandbags, with 560,000 bags filled by late March 22, out of an expected 1.5 million to 2 million needed. By March 24, residents in Fargo-Moorhead had filled over 1 million sandbags and were attempting to fill a total of 2 million by the 26th. A levee in Georgetown, Minnesota was raised another two feet, and emergency dikes were being built in Fargo, Moorhead, Harwood, Grafton and Richland County. The predicted flood crest was raised again on March 26, changed to between by March 28, with a possibility of .
In addition to the sandbags, the construction of the dikes protecting the city required large amounts of clay. Clay had been brought from several places in and around the city, including the soccer field at Centennial Elementary School and around Discovery Middle School.
Wahpeton-Breckenridge
Elsewhere along the river, early predictions for the Wahpeton-Breckenridge area saw a predicted level of at least . By March 24, the National Weather Service predicted the crest in Wahpeton and Breckenridge not to top , below the cities' levees.
Grand Forks
In the Grand Forks, North Dakota area, flood predictions released February 27 predicted a possibility of a flood crest between . The snowstorm that struck March 9–10 raised the predicted levels between prompting the city to declare a state of emergency. On March 22 the predicted crest level was changed to .
Manitoba
In Manitoba, the 2009 flood was the second worst on record since 1826. The Red River Floodway was not initially opened, due to the Red River being full of ice, which can lead to damage of the floodway and the flooding of Selkirk. The Red River Floodway was opened in early April once the ice jams cleared. Several towns and R.M.s declared a state of emergency due to the ice jams built up in places along the Red. Flooding in Manitoba was not expected until the second week of April. The CPR Line from Winnipeg to Emerson closed.
The floodway was opened around 1 p.m. on April 8 due to a crest expected to hit the city of Winnipeg. Highway 75, a major artery between Winnipeg and the U.S. border, was closed between April 7 and May 13. This closure cost Manitoba trucking companies thousands of dollars in additional travel costs and severely hurt the economy of the town of Morris.
An eight-year-old boy fell into the river on Thursday,
April 9 on the Westroc Hutterite Colony which is near Portage la Prairie. Samuel Gross came out of his 13-day coma after being under icy cold water for 20 minutes. The team under Murray Kesselman, director of the Health Sciences Centre pediatric intensive care unit, worked on Gross's heart for two hours before it started to beat on its own and he began to recover. Walter Imbeck, 68 years old, went missing since April 11 when friends and neighbours thought he was trying to clear a broken drain behind his home, which was along the riverbank. As of April 13, several communities north of Winnipeg had to be evacuated due to flash flooding and ice jams on the Red River. It was predicted to be the third worst flood, next to the floods of 1950 and 1997. A 79-year-old woman, Mary, died, and her 82-year-old husband, Glen Silverthorn, went missing Easter Sunday after their car was swept into the Woody River. A search commenced, and his body was found on May 19.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper toured the flooded area on April 14, 2009. Damages were expected to be in the millions. On April 15, 2009, Winnipeg declared a local state of emergency due to several of the rivers, which flow into the Red River, swelling extremely fast. On April 16, 2009, the Red River crested in Winnipeg at before retreating. If Winnipeg had not had any flood protection, the city would have been submerged. The crest from North Dakota was expected to hit either April 19 or April 20 and forced 28,000 evacuations. are under water at some places wide as reported April 18. 740 people were evacuated from the Peguis First Nation, which is located north of Winnipeg. Peguis Chief Glenn Hudson said "either build a dike, or a floodway around ... I think we have to do something," Steve Ashton, minister responsible for the emergency measures organization, said that Disaster Financial Assistance was doubled to $200,000. The Federal Government was expected to assist with up to 90% of the relief, and 100% on reserves.
The province assessed whether homeowner buyouts would be voluntary or mandatory. "We'd look at voluntary buyouts as the first option, but the municipalities have raised this ...they're the ones that have to send in first responders and rescue crews," said Steve Ashton, the province's Emergency Measures Minister. Mayor Sam Katz reported an estimated $5 million for sandbag flood prevention costs, which included making and setting into place the sandbags and patrolling them, and then removing them after the river went back down. Some roads and bridges were also damaged as a result of flooding. Peguis Chief Glen Hudson estimated the evacuation and dike construction for the first nation reserve was pegged at approximately $3 million. A water quality warning went into effect, and residents who remained were advised to boil water before use. Free water analysis was provided by the Manitoba government until July. On April 20, the total amount of land submerged was upgraded to , and the river crest was still south of Winnipeg.
Flooding
At 7:15 p.m. CDT on March 26, 2009, the river exceeded the 1997 crest of at Fargo, which was the previous second-highest crest. The projected crest was above flood stage and higher than the record-setting floods in 1997 and 1897.
At 2:30 a.m. CDT on March 27, the National Weather Service offices in Grand Forks issued a Flash Flood Warning for extreme east-central Cass County due to a levee breach in Fargo on Lindenwood Drive. With the river more than above flood stage, there appeared to be a growing sense in Fargo that despite best efforts, it might not be possible to build dikes high enough to hold back the river. The Manitoba government upgraded the 2009 flood as the second highest to hit southern Manitoba over the last 150 years, just lower than the 1997 Flood of the Century. The highest level in 2009 was , and in 1997 it was . However, without flood control measures such as the Red River floodway, Portage Diversion and Shellmouth dam, the peak would have been , which is higher than the 1950 peak of in Winnipeg. The Red River showed signs of receding April 23, however the Souris river was expected to crest towards the end of the month of April.
Ice jams
On March 25, an ice jam formed north of Winnipeg, causing the municipalities of St. Andrews, St. Clements, East St. Paul and West St. Paul to declare a state of emergency. Flooding from the ice jam necessitated the evacuation of about thirty homes. While the jam was broken, it reformed near Lower Fort Garry, causing the water to rise in 2 hours. On March 31, a state of emergency was declared for the city of Selkirk due to concerns over ice jams.
Dominion City was the first town in Manitoba to declare a state of emergency on Monday, March 23. Government officials handed out evacuation alerts to 850 residents. Forty homes north of Winnipeg were evacuated, while dozens of homes were flooded due to ice jams. On Thursday, March 26, some 95 elderly and special needs people were evacuated from the Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation. An engineering firm detonated charges downstream of Bismarck, North Dakota to clear an ice jam which was causing flooding in the city causing an evacuation of 1,700 persons. There were three million sandbags, rolls of poly film Hesco bastion flood walls, and water pumps sent out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to North Dakota. Both North Dakota and Manitoba used backhoes from the river bank and from bridges, but these machines had a reach for a river. A Chinook helicopter was deployed with a concrete weight to try to break up an ice jam, but only small pieces of ice broke away. The North Dakota National Guard used of C-4 plastic explosives on the ice placed into 80 holes. The ice was then coated with road salt to hasten melting. The Army Corps of Engineers also resorted to using sand, salt, chemicals and drilling to alleviate the ice jams. The Manitoba government chose not to use dynamite, as explosives work well on large ice sheets but not as well on broken and fused ice. To set the dynamite, holes need to be drilled in the ice, which would require someone to hang suspended from a helicopter. The result of dynamite forms a hole centrally in the ice without loosening up the ice jam blockage to allow water to flow past. Manitoba purchased five new certified emergency response trailers (CERTs), which are tubes with 60 compartments which can be filled with water and used to build dikes. These tubes take 10 minutes to fill up and provide the same protection as 500 sandbags. Volunteers created over 600,000 sandbags to shore up defences against the Red River and unpredictable flows caused by ice jams. Dikes were placed along the shoreline within the city to protect neighbourhoods against ice jam flooding. Over 1,600 volunteers came out since April 1 to assist with creating sandbag dikes which were built high. Frozen culverts and sewer inlets were cleared to allow runoff from meltwaters and floodwaters.
Amphibex excavator icebreakers were at work breaking up ice flows on the Red River. Ice breakers and backhoes were to be strategically placed along the Red River Floodway, which might have needed to be opened before the ice was fully melted. Officials examined past ice jams and provided contingency plans if the Floodway jammed upstream of bridges or on tight corners. On Easter Sunday, April 12, Winnipeg was clear of ice blocks and ice jams. Sightseers traveling by car, boat, kayak and anyone ignoring road closures were being ticketed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as they were hampering ice clearing operations.<ref></</ref> Residents of the rural municipalities of St. Andrews and St. Clements were given evacuation alerts on Good Friday. Some chose to remain behind, and rescue efforts commenced for them over the Easter week-end. Homes were smashed in and knocked off their basements and footings by sheets of ice.
Devils Lake and Stump Lake
There was a 6% chance Devils Lake and Stump Lake would rise to historic levels, which could have caused problems in the Sheyenne River Valley.
Flooding and ice jam mitigation considerations
Structural adaptations to the river channel or the placement of dams and ice booms would control where ice jams would form. Hairpin curves and bridges are problem areas for the jamming of ice. Following the 1997 Red River flood, Grand Forks and East Grand Forks smoothed out some of the river curves in those cities. Rural municipality reeves have approached the Canadian government with a CA$288,000 plan which would use the province of Manitoba's existing Amphibex ice-breaking excavators to dredge the Red River between Selkirk and the mouth of Lake Winnipeg.
See also
Red River Flood (disambiguation)
Red River Floodway
Notes
External links
National Weather Service – River Gauges for the Red River Valley
USGS Real-Time Water Data for Red River of the North at Fargo ND, including gage height and discharge rate
Boston.com Big Picture series
Midwest Spring Floods of 2009
Red River Flood Extent: April 14, 2009 12:40 UTC Satellite photos
North Dakota State University's Fargo Flood website
Red River flood
Floods in Canada
Natural disasters in Manitoba
Red River Flood, 2009
Red River Flood, 2009
Red River Flood, 2009
Red River floods
2009 floods in the United States |
22076802 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood%20%28Headswim%20album%29 | Flood (Headswim album) | Flood is the 1994 debut full-length album by the English rock band Headswim. Its original title was going to be Precipity Flood. The album included three singles, "Gone to Pot", "Soup", and "Crawl".
Critical reception
David Sinclair of Q said, "Headswim have harnessed a big, abrasive rock guitar sound and produced a debut of some promise".
Track listing
"Beneath a Black Moon" finishes at 3:36, and a hidden track begins at 11:05.
References
1994 albums
Headswim albums
Albums recorded at Rockfield Studios |
22136496 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%20North%20Dakota%20floods | 2009 North Dakota floods | The US State of North Dakota experienced significant flooding in its major river basins in 2009, following abnormally heavy winter snows atop saturated and frozen ground.
Background
Ground which was already saturated when it froze at the onset of winter, melting snow which could not be absorbed by the frozen ground, and additional precipitation from a rain storm on March 22 and a later snowstorm, are reasons for the serious flooding. Heavy snowfalls fell in the state toward the end of March, adding to the existing snowpack.
Flooding
Beulah and Hazen were affected by the Knife River and Spring Creek floods. Linton was affected by Big Beaver Creek floods. Barlow, Carrington, Napoleon was affected by overland flooding from heavy snowmelt. Mott was affected by the Cannonball River floods. Wells County, Foster County, and Stutsman County was affected by Pipestem river. Eddy County, Foster County, Stutsman County, La Moure County, and Dickey County was affected by James River.
Ice jams
Explosives had to be used blow up an ice jam on the Missouri River North Bismarck, North Dakota in Double Ditch. It was successful. Flooding would cause problems south of the Bismarck Expressway and west of Washington Street.
Souris River
Red River
The 2009 Red River flood along the Red River of the North in North Dakota and Minnesota in the United States and Manitoba in Canada brought record flood levels to the Fargo-Moorhead area. The flood is a result of saturated and frozen ground, Spring snowmelt exacerbated by additional rain and snow storms, and virtually flat terrain. Communities along the Red River prepared for more than a week as the U.S. National Weather Service continuously updated the predictions for the city of Fargo, North Dakota with an increasingly higher projected river crest. Originally predicted to reach a level of near at Fargo by March 29, the river in fact crested at at 12:15 a.m. March 28, and started a slow decline. The river continued to rise to the north as the crest moved downstream.
Predictions and preparations
Wahpeton
Early predictions for the Wahpeton area saw a predicted level of at least . By March 24, the National Weather Service predicted the crest in Wahpeton and Breckenridge not to top , below the cities' levees.
Fargo area
Warnings for the 2009 flood occurred as early as March 9 when the National Weather Service warned that the Fargo-Moorhead area could see a significant flood of between and . As preparations began for the flooding on March 16, North Dakota Governor John Hoeven declared a statewide disaster in anticipation of flooding across the state. On March 19, the National Weather Service raised the predicted flood level in the Fargo area to between and . The city began filling sandbags on March 20. In anticipation of a rain and snow storm, the predicted crest level was raised on March 22 to a range from to .
Volunteers continued preparing sandbags, with 560,000 bags filled by late March 22 out of an expected 1.5 million to 2 million needed. By March 24, residents in Fargo-Moorhead had filled over 1 million sandbags and were attempting to fill a total of 2 million by the 26th. A levee in Georgetown, Minnesota was raised another two feet, and emergency dikes were being built in Fargo, Moorhead, Harwood, Grafton and Richland County. The predicted flood crest was raised again on March 26, changed to between and by March 28, with a possibility of .
In addition to the sandbags the construction of the dikes protecting the city has required large amounts of clay. Clay has been brought from several places in and around the city, including the soccer field at Centennial Elementary School and around Discovery Middle School.
At 7:15 P.M. CDT on March 26, 2009, the river exceeded the 1997 crest of at Fargo, which was the previous second-highest crest. The projected crest is above flood stage and higher than the record-setting floods in 1997 and 1897.
Grand Forks
In the Grand Forks, North Dakota area, flood predictions released February 27 predicted a possibility of a flood crest between and . The snow storm that struck March 9–10 raised the predicted levels between and prompting the city to declare a state of emergency. On March 22 the predicted crest level was changed to .
At 2:30 A.M. CDT, the National Weather Service offices in Grand Forks issued a Flash Flood Warning for extreme east-central Cass County due to a levee breach in Fargo on Linden Avenue. With the river now more than 6 meters (20 feet) above flood stage, there appears to be a growing sense in Fargo that despite best efforts, it may not be possible to build dikes high enough to hold back the river.
See also
Red River Flood (disambiguation)
Notes
External links
National Weather Service – River Gauges for the Red River Valley
USGS Real-Time Water Data for Red River of the North at Fargo ND, including gage height and discharge rate
Boston.com Big Picture series
A wiki which has been set up to facilitate information exchange during the flood
FEMA North Dakota Flooding Response Page
North Dakota
Floods in Canada
North Dakota
Floods
Natural disasters in North Dakota |
22208146 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red%20River%20floods | Red River floods | The Red River floods refer to the various flooding events in recent history of the Red River of the North, which forms the border between North Dakota and Minnesota and flows north, into Manitoba.
Around 16% of the Red River basin, excluding the Assiniboine basin, is located in Canada; the remainder is within The Dakotas and Minnesota.
List of floods
Notable floods include the:
1826 Red River flood — the largest known in the Red River Valley.
1852 Red River flood
1861 Red River flood
1882 Red River flood
1897 Red River flood
1916 Red River flood
1945 Red River flood
1950 Red River flood — the largest flood in the Red River Valley since 1861. Major flooding took place in Winnipeg and the Red River Valley in April, May, and June.
1966 Red River flood
1969 Red River flood
1970 Red River flood
1974 Red River flood
1978 Red River flood
1979 Red River flood — represented the first major test of the Red River Floodway.
1987 Red River flood
1989 Red River flood
1996 Red River flood
1997 Red River flood — most severe flood in Manitoba's Red River Valley since 1852.
1997 Red River flood in the United States
1998 Red River flood
1999 Red River flood
2001 Red River flood
2006 Red River flood
2009 Red River flood — fourth highest flood on the Red River in Manitoba, since 1826.
2010 Red River flood
2011 Red River flood
2013 Red River flood
2015 Red River flood
References
Floods in the United States
Former disambiguation pages converted to set index articles
Floods in Canada
Floods
2015 disasters in Canada
2013 disasters in Canada
2010 disasters in Canada
2006 disasters in Canada
2001 disasters in Canada
1999 disasters in Canada
1998 disasters in Canada
1996 disasters in Canada
1989 disasters in Canada
1978 disasters in Canada
1969 disasters in Canada
1966 disasters in Canada
1979 disasters in Canada |
22237169 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1897%20Red%20River%20flood | 1897 Red River flood | The 1897 Red River flood took place in April 1897, along the Red River resulting in significant damage to the city of Fargo, North Dakota. The conditions which led to the flood of 1897 were similar to the conditions behind the 2009 flood, however the 1897 flood was different in terms of the human response to it. Although the river gauge was not installed on the Red River until 1901, other sources indicate that the crest of the 1897 flood at a site downstream from the present Fargo gauge would have been 40.10 ft (with a discharge rate of 25,000 ft3/s) according to the present datum.
Until the 2009 flood, the 1897 flood was the highest water recorded in the Fargo-Moorhead area and has since served as the benchmark for which many other floods of the Red River were measured against.
Causes
In the spring of 1897 R.M. Probesfield took a measurement of of snow on the ground in an area which was free from drifting; a value higher than one taken prior to the 1861 flood. Due to the level of measured snowfall a flood in the spring was expected.
River crests
External links
Photographs of Flooding in the Fargo–Moorhead Region: 1897–1996
Red River’s last record crest – 1897
References
19th-century floods in the United States
1890s floods
Natural disasters in North Dakota
Red_River_flood, 1897
Red_River_flood, 1897
Red River floods
Red River flood |
22279636 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross%20Flood | Ross Flood | Aaron Ross Flood (December 28, 1910 – May 23, 1995) was an American wrestler who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics. In 1936, he won a silver medal in the freestyle bantamweight (56 kg) competition. Flood was born in Braman, Oklahoma and died in Stillwater, Oklahoma. In 1978, Flood was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member.
References
External links
Olympic Profile
1910 births
1995 deaths
Wrestlers at the 1936 Summer Olympics
American male sport wrestlers
Oklahoma State Cowboys wrestlers
Olympic silver medalists for the United States in wrestling
People from Kay County, Oklahoma
Medalists at the 1936 Summer Olympics
20th-century American people |
22339376 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floods%20of%20Fear | Floods of Fear | Floods of Fear is a 1958 British thriller film directed by Charles Crichton and starring Howard Keel, Anne Heywood and Harry H. Corbett.
Plot
During a flood, prison convict Donovan escapes while helping build a barrier for an impending flood. He gets swept away in the waters, along with his prison guard, Sharkey, and a fellow prisoner, Peebles. They wash up at a farm house of Dr Mathews, who is away helping victims of the flood.
The trio are alone until Dr Mathews' daughter Anne arrives. Conflict ensues which results in Donovan leaving with Anne and Peebles fleeing Sharkey.
Donovan and Anne fall in love. He reveals that he framed for murdering the wife of his former business partner, Jack Murphy, and is seeking revenge against Murphy.
Cast
Howard Keel as Donovan
Anne Heywood as Elizabeth Matthews
Cyril Cusack as Peebles
Harry H. Corbett as Sharkey
John Crawford as Jack Murphy
Eddie Byrne as Sheriff
John Phillips as Dr. Matthews
Mark Baker as Watchman
James Dyrenforth as Mayor
Jack Lester as Businessman
Peter Madden as Banker
Guy Kingsley Poynter as Deputy Sheriff
Gordon Tanner as Lt-Colonel
Robert Mackenzie as Police Captain
Vivian Matalon as Farmer
Gordon Sterne as Farmer
Bill Edwards as 1st Deputy
Graydon Gould as 2nd Deputy
Kevin Scott as 3rd Deputy
Ed Devereaux as Sergeant
Production
The film was made at a time when the Rank Organisation starred a lot of non-English actors in their films with a view to appealing to the international market.
Filming started in London on 23 April 1958.
Howard Keel recalled the filming in his autobiography Only Make Believe: My Life in Show Business: "All the flood scenes were filmed on one of the large stages at Pinewood Studios. The water had to be both dirty and cold, and it was. They couldn't heat it for fear it might get rancid. That was another tough picture. Anne Heywood never once protested about the water. [Charles] Crichton, who had a great sense of humor, had directed some very funny pictures. Cyril Cusack and I were good friends. We had a little contest over Anne. He was a real cutie, as well as a hell of an actor, but I won out."
Crichton said he was "not proud of the picture" but was proud of the fact "that it looks like the Mississippi in flood and it was all shot in the studio at Pinewood." He said he had to make the film "because I wanted money" and that he had to rewrite the whole film.
Critical reception
Variety called it:
One of Britain’s most determined Attempts to woo the U.S. market. Not only does it have Howard Keel as its male star, but the meller is unabashedly set in the U.S. The film has a novel setting, but an old idea, and corny dialog doesn’t help the character® to develop overmuch. However, there is some sound acting and the production quality is tops. It adds up to reasonable entertainment, but it is one of those annoy¬ ing pix that should—and could— have been much better. It is questionable whether its marquee value is sufficiently strong to lure Yank patrons.
TV Guide wrote, "Heywood is a joy to watch as she stands up to the impending aquatic doom" ; while the Radio Times wrote, "well performed by an able cast Dallas star Howard Keel, Steptoe and Son's Harry H Corbett, Cyril Cusack and, in particular, damsel in distress Anne Heywood this is typical, and unremarkable, British 1950s B-movie fare."
References
1959 films
British thriller films
1950s thriller films
Films directed by Charles Crichton
Films based on American novels
Flood films
1950s English-language films
1950s British films |
22385332 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979%20Easter%20flood | 1979 Easter flood | The 1979 Easter flood was one of the most costly and devastating floods to ever occur in Mississippi, United States, with $500–700 million in damages ($ billion in 2020 dollars). It was the result of the Pearl River being overwhelmed by severe rain upstream. Floodwaters sent the Pearl River 15 feet above flood stage. More than 17,000 residents of Jackson, Flowood, Pearl, Richland, and other settlements in the Jackson metropolitan area were forced from their homes. The flooding of the Pearl River placed most of the streets of Jackson, the state's capital city, under several feet of water.
This flood resulted from a storm system that was the same storm system that, just a few days earlier, produced the Red River valley tornado outbreak that is particularly well-known because of the devastating Wichita Falls, Texas tornado that killed 42, injured over 1,700, left an estimated 20,000 homeless, and caused, in 1979 dollars, approximately $400 million in damages.
The river
The Pearl River is 490 miles long. It begins in Winston County, Mississippi and ends at the Mississippi Sound. Northeast of Jackson, the man-made Ross Barnett Reservoir is formed by a dam in the Pearl River. It flooded due to abnormally high rainfall in the preceding months (up to 150% more than usual). The water level reached a record-setting 43.28 feet on April 17, 1979.
Present
Flood stage at Jackson in 1979 was considered to be 18 feet (relative to the gauge datum on Pearl River), but as of 2004, this stage was set as 28 feet.
External links
NBC News Update Easter 1979 broadcast which includes coverage of the 1979 Easter flood.
National Weather Service Forecast Office: Jackson, MS
WLBT Archive: Flood of 1979
Lessons of the 1979 Easter Flood
References
Easter
Natural disasters in Mississippi
1970s floods in the United States
1979 natural disasters in the United States
Easter Flood, 1979
Easter Flood
Easter flood |
22515841 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice%20Age%20Floods%20National%20Geologic%20Trail | Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail | The Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail is a network of routes connecting natural sites and facilities that provide interpretation of the geological consequences of the Glacial Lake Missoula floods of the last glacial period that occurred about 18,000 to 15,000 years ago. It includes sites in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. It was designated as the first National Geologic Trail in the United States in 2009.
History
The National Park Service (NPS) commissioned an environmental assessment, which concluded that creation of a "National Geologic Trail—designating the Floods pathways managed by the National Park Service, with an Interagency Technical Committee representing the federal, tribal, and state agencies and a Trail Advisory Committee to assist the Trail Manager and staff" was the preferred option. Subsequently, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 authorized establishing the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail in parts of Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon and established NPS administration of the Trail.
Geologic basis for the trail
At the end of the last Ice Age (the Wisconsonian Ice Age), a branch of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet moved out of Canada into the Idaho panhandle region. There it formed a -high ice dam that blocked the mouth of the Clark Fork River, creating glacial Lake Missoula, which impounded greater than of water. The lake extended up the valleys eastward for over . The periodic rupturing of the ice dam resulted in the Missoula Floods – cataclysmic floods that swept across Idaho and Eastern Washington, and then down the Columbia River Gorge approximately 40 times during a 2,000 year period. The flood front swept in a wave across Idaho and Washington at speeds approaching , and Glacial Lake Missoula drained in periods as short as 2 days.
The Columbia River channel downstream was blocked by the Okanogan lobe of the Cordilleran, impounding water in Glacial Lake Columbia. As a result, the floods could not continue down the Columbia River, being forced instead to flood over the highlands of Eastern Washington, vastly transforming the landscape by forming the Grand Coulee, Moses Coulee, the Channeled Scablands, Dry Falls, Palouse Falls and many similar features. The cumulative effect of the floods was to excavate of loess, sediment and basalt from the channeled scablands of eastern Washington and to transport it downstream. Over a period of 2,000 to 2,500 years, the repetition of ice dam failure and flood was repeated 40-60 times, leaving a lasting mark on the landscape.
There are a number of characteristic features that illustrate the effect of these ice dams and power of the resulting floods:
Large portions of the scabland region of Eastern Washington were stripped bare of topsoil and left as the base basalt rock.
The landscape is extensively eroded, with deep sheer-walled canyons in the Grand Coulee, Moses Coulee, the Wallula Gap, and the Columbia River Gorge.
There are giant ripple marks high and gravel bars over long and high, which would have required extreme currents to form.
There are erratic boulders which originated in Canada and Montana, found well up valleys such as the Willamette River valley far south of any evidence of glacial activity; these boulders were ice rafted in and deposited as the ice was stranded & melted in backwaters of temporary lakes.
The scablands formed include deep kolks formed by local turbulence, which plucked basalt boulders out and excavated pits in the middle of relatively smooth plains.
Backwaters of temporary lakes formed during the floods show extensive & periodic deposits of silt and sand.
Trail features
The trail comprises routes throughout the Pacific Northwest where the Ice Age Floods left a lasting impact. Regions and featured sites include
The Glacial Lake Missoula region in Montana in which the waters were initially impounded
The Lake Coeur d'Alene area and Clark Fork river of Idaho through which the flood waters periodically flowed
Farragut State Park
Lake Pend Oreille
The Waterville Plateau in Washington state where the Okanagon lobe impounded Glacial Lake Columbia and diverted the flow through Moses Coulee, Grand Coulee and Dry Falls
The Withrow Moraine and Jameson Lake Drumlin Field
Boulder Park
Sims Corner Eskers and Kames
Erosion features from the floods such as the Channeled Scablands, Drumheller Channels, Crab Creek, Corfu Slide and Palouse Falls in Washington
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
Lyons Ferry State Park
Steamboat Rock State Park
Temporary lakes such as Lake Lewis in Washington as well as Lake Condon and Lake Allison in Oregon and the evidence for these temporary lakes as seen in the ice rafted erratics and in the deposits of the Touchet Formation
Yakima Sportsman State Park
Bellevue Erratic
Erosion features such as the Wallula Gap through the Horse Heaven Hills in southern Washington, the Columbia River Gorge on the border between Oregon and Washington and Alameda Ridge in Portland.
Columbia Hills State Park
Beacon Rock State Park
Multnomah Falls
Portland Women's Forum
Vista House
Several museums in the region feature local aspects of the natural history of the floods.
See also
Ice Age National Scientific Reserve
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
References
External links
Ice Age Floods Institute
Official National Park Service site
Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail Long-range Interpretive Plan
Resource Study of Alternatives
National Trails of the United States
Protected areas established in 2009
Historical geology
Ice ages
Protected areas of the United States |
22521594 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St.%20Peter%27s%20flood | St. Peter's flood | St. Peter's flood (Dutch: Sint-Pietersvloed, German: Petriflut) refers to two separate storm tides that struck the coasts of Netherlands and Northern Germany in 1651. During the first storm tide, on 22 February, the East Frisian island of Juist was split in two. During the second disaster, on 4–5 March, the city of Amsterdam was flooded.
In the past, the two storm tides were thought to have been a single event. The two disasters were confused with each other because two different calendars were in use at the time. The Julian calendar was still in use in Northern Germany and some parts of the Netherlands, while the Gregorian calendar had already been adopted in Holland, Zeeland and other parts of the Netherlands.
The year 1651 was something of an annus horribilis for flooding, with many disastrous floods in Europe. In the Netherlands, for instance, another storm tide that struck during the night of 25–26 February broke through a number of dikes and flooded large parts of the eastern Netherlands.
The storm tide on 22 February 1651
The storm tide on 22 February struck the North Sea coast in Northern Germany, including the German Bight. Thousands were drowned; according to some accounts the disaster claimed 15,000 lives.
The storm tide broke through the dunes of the islands Juist and Langeoog and split Juist in half. Only in 1932 would the two halves of Juist be reunited. The western half of the island of Buise disappeared, leaving only the eastern half, now known as Norderney. According to some sources, however, the western half of Buise did not disappear until 1690. The foundations of Juist's church were undermined by the floodwaters, causing the church to collapse in 1662.
The coastal towns of Dornumersiel, Accumersiel, and Altensiel were devastated by the storm tide. The floodwaters reached the church mound (terp) of Fulkum; many corpses were buried on the mound. The flood even reached the Altes Land, south of the city of Hamburg, leaving the lake of Gutsbrack.
The storm tide on 4–5 March 1651
The storm tide during the night of 4–5 March 1651 primarily struck the Dutch Zuiderzee coast. In the Netherlands, it was considered the heaviest storm tide to hit the shores in 80 years.
The dikes protecting the east of Amsterdam broke in a number of places, flooding the Watergraafsmeer polder and much of the city of Amsterdam. Two gaps struck in the left two ponds in what is now the Indische Buurt neighbourhood of eastern Amsterdam. The Groote Braak ("Great Break") or St. Jorisbraak ("St. George's Break") was filled in 1723 and the smaller Braak was filled in 1714. The storm tide also left a small lake, the , which was never filled in and is still in existence.
In the Watergraafsmeer polder, five people were killed. After the disaster, the dikes were restored and the floodwater was pumped out again and on 15 July 1652, the inhabitants of the Watergraafsmeer paraded through their polder to celebrate that it was dry once again.
The storm tide also struck elsewhere in Holland. In Scheveningen, Katwijk and Den Helder, houses were carried away by the waves. The newly constructed dike between the cities of Amsterdam and Haarlem was breached, flooding the area around Haarlem. A dike was also breached at Edam.
The northern provinces of Friesland and Groningen were affected as well. In Friesland, the storm tide broke through the dikes surrounding the (a canal connecting Dokkum to the sea), leaving a small, round pond, the or Sint Pitersgat, which is still in existence. The disaster spurred plans to close off the Dokkumer Grootdiep from the sea with sluice gates. In Groningen, the Dollart bay was struck by the storm tide.
References
External links
Amsterdam.nl – Overstroming in de Watergraafsmeer (Dutch)
J.H. Kruizinga, "Dijken bij Diemen en Houtewael breken door", De Digital Meerbode (Dutch)
Floods in Germany
Floods in the Netherlands
17th century in Amsterdam
1651 natural disasters
Juist
Langeoog
Norderney
History of East Frisia
European windstorms
Storm tides of the North Sea
1651 in the Dutch Republic
1651 in the Holy Roman Empire
17th-century floods |
22575871 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronan%20Flood | Ronan Flood | Ronan Flood has been the caddie of professional golfer Pádraig Harrington since 2004. He is a former assistant bank manager for AIB and played to a two handicap. He and Harrington have been close friends since childhood and are married to sisters Caroline and Suzie Gregan.
References
Caddies
Living people
Year of birth missing (living people)
Place of birth missing (living people) |
22648207 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floodplain%20%28Kronos%20Quartet%20album%29 | Floodplain (Kronos Quartet album) | Floodplain is a studio album by the Kronos Quartet released in 2009. All twelve compositions were written or arranged for the quartet.
Concept
The Kronos Quartet have a long record of commissioning compositions and of collaborating with musicians from around the world. The compositions for this album, all written or arranged for the quartet, hail "from cultures based in areas surrounded by water and prone to catastrophic flooding," ranging from Egypt and Serbia in the west to India in the east; from Central Asia in the north to Ethiopia in the south. According to Nonesuch Records, "The album was inspired by the idea that floodplains...will experience new life after a catastrophe, just as cultures that undergo great difficulty will experience creative fertility."
Compositions
Floodplain contains twelve compositions, some newly written for the quartet, such as "Tashweesh," a collaboration with the Ramallah Underground and the long piece by Serbian composer Aleksandra Vrebalov that concludes the album, "...hold me, neighbor, in this storm..." Other compositions are older pieces arranged for the quartet, such as "Nihavent Sitro," by Tanburi Cemil Bey; "Mugam Beyati Shiraz," arranged by Azeri composer Rahman Asadollahi from a song perhaps 700 years old; and "Lullaby," a traditional song from the descendants of slaves and Arab traders who inhabit Iran's southern coast. "Raga Mishra Bhairavi: Alap" is modeled after a recording of sarangi player Ram Narayan's interpretation of the alap of the popular raga Bhairavi.
Instrumentation
For these twelve compositions, the quartet and guest players employed a variety of instruments often traditional to the culture of the compositions. Besides the usual violin, viola, and cello, the album includes such instruments as the riq (heard on track 1), the shruti box (on track 5), the electric sitar (played by Wu Man on track 5), the tambura (played by Terry Riley on track 5), a scordatura violin (on track 8), the darbukka (on track 9), and the gusle and tapan (on track 12). Ramallah Underground provides "electronics" on track 2.
On "Getme, Getme," the quartet is accompanied by the Alim Qasimov ensemble, an Azeri group whose bardic vocals are supported by daf and tar (a long neck stringed instrument), balaban (a double-reed wind instrument), kamancheh (a bowed string instrument), and nagara (a folk drum).
The most unusual instrumentation is found on "Tèw semagn hagèré (Listen to Me, My Fellow Countrymen)," a song by Alèmu Aga, the Ethiopian singer and composer who is also the master of the begena, an Ethiopian 10-string lyre. The quartet had instruments built by Walter Kitundu, a MacArthur fellow, inventor and builder of "phonoharps" and the "Kronos Instrument Builder in residence." Inspired by the begena, he built an instrument he called the "Beguèna Maridhia," which is played by Jeffrey Ziegler, while Hank Dutt plays a modified viola suggestive of Aga's voice.
Reception
Floodplain entered the Billboard Top World Albums chart in the week of June 6, 2009, on position six. The album received positive reviews. David Stabler, writing for The Oregonian, notes that "'Floodplain' has a wildness about it that is especially impassioned and unpredictable. It feels unusually current, even politically current, with music from parts of the world we often only
read about"; he recommends it highly.
Track listing
Personnel
Musicians
David Harrington – violin
John Sherba – violin
Hank Dutt – viola
Jeffrey Zeigler – cello
Production
Recorded August 2007 – October 2008 at Architecture, Los Angeles
Scott Fraser – engineer
Dann Thompson – assistant engineer
Jeanne Velonis – editing assistant
"Getme, Getme" recorded live at the Ramadan Nights Festival at the Barbican Centre, London, England, on 26 September 2008
Adam Whitford – engineer
"Raga Mishra Bhairavi" drone (cello, electric sitar, shruti box, and tambura) recorded at Skywalker Sound, Nicasio, California, August 2006
Judith Sherman – producer
Scott Fraser – engineer
Dann Thompson – assistant engineer
"Tèw semagn hagèré" recorded at Whip Records, Berkeley, California, October 2008
David Landon – assistant engineer
See also
List of 2009 albums
References
2009 albums
Kronos Quartet albums
Nonesuch Records albums |
22658559 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%20Brazilian%20floods%20and%20mudslides | 2009 Brazilian floods and mudslides | The 2009 Brazilian floods and mudslides were a severe natural disaster principally affecting five northeastern states of Brazil. As a result of heavy rains, fourteen people were reported dead over a period of one month and at least 62,600 others had been left homeless as of 2 May 2009. Nineteen people were dead by 5 May 2009, with a significant increase in homeless people being reported, estimated at 186,000. The death toll by 8 May was thirty-nine and 270,000 people were reported homeless.
The state of Santa Catarina in the South of the country has also been damaged. A total of seven states have been affected across the country. Maranhão was the worst affected state, with at least six deaths and at least 40,700 homeless people occupying shelters.
The Amazon River Basin suffered its second-heaviest flood in one hundred years during this period. These are already the worst floods Brazil has experienced in over twenty years.
Reconstruction from the floods and mudslides are expected to take 3–5 years.
Developments
Heavy rain in Brazil began in early April 2009, affecting 40,000 people. 13,000 people were immediately left homeless and there were two quick deaths in Maranhão's state capital, São Luís, both as a result of mudslides. The homeless were half in shelters and half in the care of relatives. Thirteen of the state's municipalities had declared state of emergency.
On 23 April, it was reported that the disaster had already killed three people, including a one-month-old child from Salvador, the capital of Bahia, who was suffocated by a mudslide. Over 33,000 people had been made homeless at that stage; 30,000 of these were in Maranhão and 3,400 were in the adjacent state of Bahia.
At least 3,000 people lost their homes in Santa Catarina, whilst one died. The governor of Amazonas, Eduardo Braga, initiated a state of emergency in every one of his state's sixty-two municipalities. Fourteen people were reported dead within one month and at least 62,600 others were left homeless by 2 May 2009.
Nineteen people were dead by 5 May 2009, as a sharp rise in homelessness occurred. Homeless totals have been estimated at 186,000 individuals. Images of citizens travelling around in boats and barely visible rooftops were broadcast on television. Emergency shelters were said to be "packed" with homeless people. At least six major highways were closed in Maranhão. A railway used to transport iron ore and 1,300 people each day was also shut down. The governor of the state of Piauí declared state of emergency in nineteen of the state's towns and cities, and requested help from the military in rescuing people from the floods.
By this time, over 186,000 people were homeless. The death toll by 6 May was reported at twenty-nine.
The death toll by 8 May was thirty-nine and 270,000 people were reported homeless.
By 10 May, it was being reported that over 300,000 people were homeless and 44 had been killed.
Reaction
President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, inspected the damage by air and brought food to those displaced by the disaster. He commented: "We need to look more seriously into the climate situation these days. Something is changing and we still have time to fix it." (i.e.: Mass De-Forestation?) Brazil's Health Ministrer José Gomes Temporão has promised to deliver medical supplies to Maranhão.
See also
2009 Messina floods and mudslides
2009 El Salvador floods and mudslides
2010 Northeastern Brazil floods
2020 Brazilian floods and mudslides
References
2000s floods in South America
Floods in Brazil
2009 floods
April 2009 events in South America
Landslides in 2009
Landslides in Brazil
May 2009 events in South America
2009 disasters in Brazil |
22715050 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%20Alaska%20floods | 2009 Alaska floods | The 2009 Alaska floods were a series of natural disasters taking place in the United States state of Alaska during April and May 2009. The floods were a result of heavier-than-normal winter snowfall and above-average spring temperatures that resulted in rapid melting of the winter snowfall. The resulting high water levels were magnified in places by the development of ice dams which caused catastrophic flooding. The record-breaking flood that affected Eagle, Alaska in early May is the best example of an ice dam causing flooding beyond the norm.
Causes
The winter of 2008–2009 brought unusually heavy snowfall to much of Alaska. Kotzebue, on the Bering Sea coast, received a record 102 inches of snowfall—more than double the average of about 40 inches. In other locations, winter snowfall did not set records but still was heavier than average. Fairbanks, Alaska's second-largest city, received 71.5 inches of snow and experienced unusually cold temperatures for the first three months of the year, preventing early melting of the snowpack. Snow also fell heavily in Lake Minchumina and the Alaska Range. At Eagle, the ice on the Yukon River was 55 inches thick—over 40 percent greater than normal.
By mid-April, concerns were raised that the heavy snowpack would pose a problem if it melted quickly. "There's plenty of snowpack out there to cause problems this year," warned a National Weather Service meteorologist at the time.
In Fairbanks and most of Interior Alaska, temperatures remained below freezing for most of April and temperatures did not hit 50 degrees until April 26. After that date, temperatures rose rapidly. By April 28, the snowpack at Fairbanks International Airport had melted, leaving only snow berms and piles. The next day, Fairbanks recorded a record high temperature of 74 degrees. On April 30, Fairbanks set an all-time high temperature for the month of April when the thermometer reached 76 degrees. Record high temperatures also were recorded at Eagle, Delta Junction, and other towns in central Alaska. In less than one week, central Alaska residents went from skiing to swatting mosquitoes. The warmup was so rapid that on May 1, the Alaska Division of Forestry issued its first wildfire alert of the year. By that date, however, rivers across central Alaska were already flooding.
Tanana Valley
The Tanana River valley was the first area of Alaska to experience spring flooding. On April 28, the ice on the Salcha River broke up, flowed into the Tanana River, and formed an ice jam. The jam partially dammed the river, flooding low-lying areas of the town of Salcha. High temperatures during the following couple of days added to the ice jam, and several families were forced from their homes by the rising water. Fairbanks North Star Borough officials set up a self-serve sand bag station at the Salcha Fairgrounds, and residents near the river erected impromptu levees. The Salcha ice jam broke loose on April 30, causing flood levels to decline dramatically. Record-high temperatures that day caused jams to form on other rivers in the area, however.
On the Chatanika River, a jam caused a flood that threatened several homes before the ice broke loose and dropped water levels to near normal. By May 1, almost the entire Fairbanks North Star Borough was directly threatened by some sort of flooding. In Fox, small-stream flooding caused a house to be evacuated. Flooding was reported in North Pole and in rural areas of the borough. On May 2, high water on the Chena River swept through Fairbanks, causing flooding in low-lying areas. The high water caused the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to consider closing the floodgates at the Chena River Lakes Flood Control Project, a structure built to protect Fairbanks from flooding. The high water registered just below the threshold to close the gates, however, and they remained open throughout the flood. By May 5, the water receded in Fairbanks and the surrounding area as the Tanana River drained floodwater into the Yukon. The draining high water ripped a barge away from its moorings in the Tanana River near Nenana, causing it to float down the Yukon River until it was arrested by a helicopter.
Kuskokwim River
On May 6, multiple ice jams formed on the Kuskokwim River near the villages of Upper and Lower Kalskag. These jams caused the snowmelt-bolstered river to flood areas around both villages, forcing residents to take action. After the jams broke and flowed downriver, they re-formed near Akiak. The resulting flood caused the evacuation of more than 10 percent of the town's residents to nearby Bethel, while many of the remaining residents sought shelter in the local school.
Susitna River
On May 3, an ice jam formed on the Susitna River, causing flooding that washed out the tracks of the Alaska Railroad. Large chunks of ice also were pushed onto the tracks, making work difficult for crews assigned to repair the rail line. The incident severed rail traffic between Fairbanks and Anchorage until May 7, when track repairs were completed and the railroad resumed service.
Yukon River
Eagle and Eagle Village
On May 3 and May 4, ice on the Yukon River near the Alaska/Canada border began to break up. Open water was seen near the town of Eagle, which is just west of the border. On May 4, a large ice jam developed about 10 miles downriver of Eagle. The high-flowing Yukon, fueled by snowmelt from the high temperatures of the previous week, soon flooded the town. Large chunks of ice were carried over the town's riverbank retaining wall and smashed into stores and buildings. The Alaska Native settlement of Eagle Village was severely flooded and virtually destroyed by marauding blocks of ice. In Eagle itself, floodwater lifted buildings off their foundations and caused havoc for the town's 120-plus residents.
Middle Yukon
The high water released by the break-up of the Eagle ice jam reached Circle, the next significant town downriver from Eagle, in early May.
The river surge hit Fort Yukon on May 7 and early in the morning of May 8. Although the flood reached above flood stage, it did not top the town's Yukon River levee. Areas outside the levee received minor flooding, and some residents were evacuated to the village school and to Fort Yukon Air Force Station.
Lower Yukon
The surge of water released from the Yukon River near Eagle in the first week of May reached the lower Yukon villages of Grayling, Holy Cross, and Nulato by May 16.
Response
Initial responses to the flooding were organized by people and organizations closest to the separate disasters. Most efforts were focused on assisting residents of Eagle, but notable help was given to other affected communities, including Akiak and Stevens Village.
On May 3, National Park Service employees from the headquarters of the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve in Eagle moved to support residents of the town who had been flooded out of their homes. Supplies of food and water were delivered to old Eagle Village on May 5, and the next day, officials from the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management arrived to manage the response from a headquarters set up at Eagle's school. By Thursday, May 7, National Park Service helicopters were airborne, checking on people in isolated homesteads near and within the preserve.
On May 6, Governor Sarah Palin declared the drainages of the Yukon, Kuskokwim, Kobuk, and Susitna rivers to be disaster areas. The next day, she canceled a trip to attend the White House Correspondents Dinner in order to survey the damaged communities.
In Fairbanks, private citizens donated more than of supplies to Eagle residents. The amount of donations was so great that the airline that volunteered to fly the supplies to Eagle was overwhelmed. By May 7, the total amount of private donations exceeded .
By May 10, larger amounts of government aid began reaching affected areas. Akiak on the Kuskokwim River received diesel fuel, potable water, food, and other items, while four 400-gallon (1,514-liter) water tanks were sent to Eagle to alleviate problems caused by contaminated wells.
References
Floods
Natural disasters in Alaska
Yukon River
May 2009 events in the United States
2009 floods in the United States |
22751872 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008%20Benin%20floods | 2008 Benin floods | The 2008 Benin floods struck the nation of Benin between July and October 2008, and affected the other West African nations of Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Togo. According to the Red Cross of Benin, the flooding in Benin initially affected almost 7,000 people, including the displacement of 1,560 children. and by 19 August 2008 the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that the flooding had displaced at least 150,000 people. Some 500,000 people in total were at risk of additional flooding.
Flooding
The Mono River and Ouémé River which flows down through central Benin into the economic capital of Cotonou on the coast in particular was a problem. Weeks after the initial flooding in July 2008, many areas of Cotonou were still not drained, posing a serious risk to health given that the flooding affected many densely populated areas and some 10% of the nation's population live in the city. Representatives from the municipal council of Cotonou, WHO’s Cotonou office and the Benin’s Ministry of Hygiene, Public Health and Social Affairs, urged on 15 August 2008 that an evacuation and relocation plan was required given that heavier storms were expected in September and October.
On 15 September 2008 reports broke out that the commune of Adjohoun had been seriously affected by the flooding of the Ouémé River. The area, which is a fertile agricultural valley, threatened the livelihoods of some 57,000 people. The flooding had begun as in other places in late July but storms in early September struck the region worse. More than 25,000 hectares of crop land was inundated, killing some 30,000 animals and flooding 18,000 homes in the commune. Approximately 2,000 people were displaced in the communities of Azowlissé, Dèmè, Gangban, Kogé and Togbota with the exception of Awonou, located further away from the river. According to one council official, while Benin often experiences flooding, notably in 1995 and 2007, the floods of 2008 were particularly devastating on the livelihoods of the Beninois people, "People cannot even eat three times a day now. Even to find food once a day is a headache. Normally, agricultural products are bought and sold here at decent prices. But now things have changed." The regional mayor of Adjohoun, Gerard Adounsiba, requested a national funding appeal to provide food and medical in what was according to him, "the largest humanitarian crisis in the region to date." The situation was made worse by the fact that the hospitals in the area were affected by flooding. Livelihoods of local fisherman which depend upon the river were also severely affected.
Response
Part of the problem with the flooding was that few who succumbed to the flooding were unwilling to evacuate their homes in Cotonou. The district of Vossa was completely inundated in flood water and a disaster relief team from WHO had to be sent into Ayelawadje district of the city whilst UN agencies collaborated with the Cotonou government to pump out water and clear roads in the capital. Since 30 July 2008 the World Health Organization reported 192 cases of cholera in Cotonou and helped fund US$20,000 towards the government’s cholera treatment efforts. According to Dr. Eric Laroche, Assistant Director-General of WHO, "West Africa's annual floods bring with them not only the threat of vector-borne and communicable diseases, but it further endangers the lives of people already malnourished by the food price crisis." The flooding increased the risk of Meningitis and yellow fever as well as posing a threat to an estimated 5 million people living with HIV/AIDS in West Africa. Malaria, diarrhoeal and respiratory infections, and malnutrition posed a threat to the population living along the river basins.
References
2000s floods in Africa
2008 floods
2008
2008 disasters in Benin |
22980662 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood%2C%20British%20Columbia | Flood, British Columbia | Flood is a rural community in the District of Hope, British Columbia, Canada, located west of the town of Hope on the south bank of the Fraser River in the far eastern end of the Fraser Valley region. It is primarily agricultural in nature. Its official name is Floods, though it is usually referred to by its post office name in the singular, Flood.
See also
Hope Aerodrome
References
Lower Mainland
Populated places in the Fraser Valley Regional District
Populated places on the Fraser River |
22993421 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost%20in%20the%20Flood | Lost in the Flood | "Lost in the Flood" is a song by Bruce Springsteen. It was released on his debut album, Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. in 1973.
Music and themes
"Lost in the Flood" is a sparse, piano-driven song, seemingly about a Vietnam War veteran. This is the first of many epic Springsteen songs that elicit strong emotions, usually of despair, grief, and small glimpse of hope. The treatment of veterans in the United States has always been a sore spot for Springsteen. The lyrics tell a loose story, invoking a series of images that tell three different stories for each of the three verses.
Lyrics
The first verse is about a "ragamuffin gunner" and has a recurring theme of religion, including references to the "hit-and-run" pleading for "sanctuary" and hiding beneath a "holy stone", while "breakin' beams and crosses with a spastic's reeling perfection" and "nuns run bald through Vatican halls, pregnant, pleading Immaculate Conception". Finally, "everybody's wrecked on Main Street from drinking unholy blood".
The second verse is about a "pure American brother", "Jimmy the Saint", perhaps the same person as the "ragamuffin gunner" from the first verse. This is the beginning of Springsteen's use of automobile themes (along with "The Angel"), as the pure American brother "races Sundays in Jersey in a Chevy stock Super Eight" and "leans on the hood telling racing stories". Eventually, Jimmy the Saint gets into some sort of accident (described as running "headfirst into a hurricane") and presumably dies since "there was nothing left but some blood where the body fell".
The third verse concerns a series of people on the streets of a city, presumably New York. They include "Eighth Avenue sailors in satin shirts", "some storefront incarnation of Maria", "Bronx's best apostle", "the cops", "the whiz-bang gang" and "some kid" who gets shot in the ensuing gun fight and holds "his leg, screaming something in Spanish".
Personnel
According to authors Philippe Margotin and Jean-Michel Guesdon:
Bruce Springsteen – vocals
Vini "Mad Dog" Lopez – drums
Garry Tallent – bass
David Sancious – keyboards
Steven Van Zandt – explosion sound effect through amplifier in the beginning. (Uncredited)
References
1973 songs
Bruce Springsteen songs
Songs written by Bruce Springsteen
Song recordings produced by Mike Appel |
23023332 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You%20Who%20Will%20Emerge%20From%20the%20Flood | You Who Will Emerge From the Flood | You Who Will Emerge From The Flood is the world's first underwater opera.
It premiered at the Victoria Baths in Manchester, U.K. in May 2009. It was created by performance artist and opera singer Juliana Snapper and composer Andrew Infanti. It has been performed worldwide up to 2017.
References
Juliana Snapper's website page about her work: https://www.julianasnapper.com/?pg=work-you-who-will-emerge-from-the-flood
Operas
2009 operas |
23395637 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%20European%20floods | 2009 European floods | The 2009 European floods were a series of natural disasters that took place in June 2009 in Central Europe. Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Turkey were all affected. The heavy rains caused overflowing of the rivers Oder, Vistula, Elbe and Danube. At least 12 people were killed in the Czech Republic and one in Poland.
The floods were the worst natural disaster in the Czech Republic since floods in 2002, which had killed 17 people and caused billions of dollars of damage in Prague. Those same floodwaters from the Czech Republic also affected Germany, with Dresden being hit by its worst flooding for over a century and three thousand people evacuated from areas where water was said to be waist-deep. Austria also experienced its heaviest rainfalls in half a century.
Weather
June 2009 was one of the rainiest months of June for Austria since weather records have been kept. After a very dry April, May had already been wet, and in the middle of June, low pressure areas and thunderstorms followed. Quinton Low ensured strong rainfall in the Eastern Alps, the southern Carpathians, and from the middle of the Balkan Peninsula to the Crimea and Baltic Sea regions between 20 and 30 June. It moved slowly over the Adriatic Sea toward the Black Sea forming an upper low – despite the typical muggy movement from the southeast and build-up of precipitation from the east and northeast, a classic flood situation that was missing the Genoa low of a ground low core.
The Quinton Low formed from 20 to 22 June, through constriction of an upper low over the Alps towards the southeast. An Atlantic infusion of cold air had brought heavy precipitation with snowfall down to elevations of 1500m. The separated upper low shifted over the mid-Adriatic on 20 and 21 June and the central Balkans on 22 June. Its front system, which was occluded from the east and then was guided to the northeast towards Central Europe, drove from 22 to 24 June from the Lower Inn Valley to the Vienna Basin with heavy precipitation of over 100mm/48h, with 207mm/48h in Lunz am See. Locally, this phase was similar to the 2005 European floods, although in that year there was a faster rise.
Starting on 25 June, the low moved over the Black Sea. On 25 and 26 June, the precipitation was concentrated in the area around Belgrade and Southern Hungary. In Austria and the Czech Republic, the situation eased. On 27 and 28 June, a front moved towards Southern Poland and the Baltic states, and further precipitation-heavy air masses once again struck the Czech Republic, Austria, and Serbia, as well as Central Bulgaria and Moldova on 29 June.
The stable and stationary weather situation did not disintegrate until after 29 June. However, the air mass over Central and Eastern Europe remained extremely moist and unstable such that heavy thunderstorms repeatedly drove further local floods in the following days. Local areas of heavy rain of up to 50mm in a few hours were recorded across Central Europe until the first two weeks of July. The end of the weather phase did not occur until the passing of the low Rainer over England and the North Sea and low Steffen over Southern Scandinavia, which the slowly advancing weather system surrounded from 3 to 9 July.
By country
Austria
On Tuesday 23 June, the strong rise began to impact the tributaries that lead from the south to the Danube, and flood warnings were triggered on the night of 24 June in many places in the Upper and Lower Austrian Prealps. The state warning centers were reinforced. By the morning of 24 June, about 4,000 firefighters were already operating in Upper Austria and Lower Austria. Armed Forces helicopters were also in use.
In Upper Austria, the Krems and Traun rivers partially came together at the banks. The level of the tributaries was rising while the Danube was steady. Seven districts in Lower Austria were already affected. The rivers Ybbs, Melk, Erlauf, Traisen, and Perschling were especially flooded. Ybbsitz had been closed off from the outside world since 3AM. At the Danube (Strudengau, Wachau), the available mobile flood prevention equipment was assembled as much as possible. In Styria, only individual actions were reported, mainly pumping operations but also elimination of mudslides.
By 25 June, the persistent rainfall was over. Instead, increasingly short heavy rains with large masses of water were recorded. Since the ground was no longer receptive to water, the aftereffects of these precipitations were similarly devastating. In Upper Austria, the situation calmed because the level of the tributaries was slowly falling towards normal levels. In Steyr, the level had sunk to the quay, 1.4m less than the previous day. The Danube had reached its highest level of 6.9m overnight in Mauthausen and also sank slowly. The center of the flood shifted towards Wachau as the precipitation itself moved towards the east. 253 of the 326 fire departments in Burgenland were called on for flood operations within 24 hours. The Albertina Museum in Vienna evacuated 950,000 artworks by artists such as Monet and Renoir.
On 26 June further floods affected areas stretching from Mostviertel to Burgenland, particularly in the Güssing District where whole tracts of land were under up to a meter of water, while Strem was surrounded by masses of water. The Armed Forces assisted the fire departments with 200 men. In the Lower Austrian Klingfurth near Wiener Neustadt, homes threatened by a landslide had to be evacuated. The Adria-Wien Pipeline, which lies in the affected hillside, had to be turned off for security reasons. In Styria, in which about 400 landslides were recorded since the beginning of the storm, the situation calmed a bit as the day turned to evening.
On Saturday 27 June, two dams of the Leitha river in Bruck an der Leitha District were broken open, allowing water to flow into an uninhabited area so as to relieve the river. On Sunday night, a fatality was reported.
Further installments of rain were encountered after the weekend. The assistance of the Armed Forces concentrated on the areas around Feldbach District and Fürstenfeld District. Upper Styria was also increasingly affected. The village of Radmer was without power and completely inaccessible after heavy mudslides. Floods and obstructions also surrounded Mariazell and Hieflau. The situation at the Enns intensified again. On the afternoon of Monday 29 June the level of the Steyr was again over 4m. Wachau also went into another flood warning. On the night of 30 June the Alpine railway station was flooded for the second time in the span of a few days after the strongest-ever measured rainfall in St. Pölten. The ÖBB again closed down the operation of the Mariazellerbahn.
On Tuesday, further landslides were able to be stopped with the help of Czech hedgehogs. Nevertheless, numerous buildings could still not be cleared as habitable. Due to scattered storms in Graz-Umgebung District, there were also frequent lightning strikes.
On Friday 3 July Wachau was affected by the storm for the second time within two weeks. Spitz, which had been previously flooded by the Danube, was flooded this time by the usually only 30 cm deep Spitzerbach, which swelled to 4m after thunderstorms. An 81-year-old man who was swept away was not found until 12 July in the Danube. Also, in Waldviertel and Steyr-Land District, severe thunderstorms occurred with heavy precipitation, which again required the use of over 2,000 firefighters.
On Monday 6 July the strongest rainfall in 200 years began in the afternoon hours. Parts of Lower Austria, Vienna, and Northern Burgenland were especially affected. St. Pölten was again declared a disaster area, as large parts of the metropolitan area were flooded. The Nadelbach flooded the cadastral communities Nadelbach and Hafing. The surroundings of the Alpine Railway Station were yet again under water. Areas that had never before had to suffer through flooding were also unexpectedly under water on 6 July. Europaplatz and Schießstadtring in St. Pölten had to be closed off; a 7m-wide stream had carved itself out leading from the Alpine Railway Station to the center of the city. The regional court and the prison were also threatened by high water. A further danger existed at the EVN Group substation as the water level had almost brought power production to a halt. The B1a tunnel under the government Landhaus district was blocked due to the flood. The Western Railway had to be closed down for two hours in the evening. Additional problems arose due to the rise of the groundwater level associated with the flooding, which also reached a historical peak.
Severe weather warnings were issued on Thursday 7 July that were similar in scope to the days before. This time however, the storm affected the Upper Austrian area more, where especially extensive damage had been done by hail in agricultural areas in Gmunden, Vöcklabruck, and Wels. In Dürnstein in Wachau, there were rockslides at Vogelbergsteig, which blocked both the Danube Highway and the Danube Railway. The B3 became once again freely passable on 10 July, after explosions that removed loose rock from the wall. However, the Danube Railway required longer repair work.
On 10 July the situation in Styria again took a turn for the worse. There was further rainfall, especially in Feldbach District. There were about 600 landslides in Styria around this timeframe.
Precipitation in Austria
From 7:00AM on 22 June to 7:00AM on 24 June, several places in Austria received over 150L/m2 of rainfall. Below is the total monthly precipitation for June 2009 – from Upper Austria to Northern Burgenland, 200-300% of the average monthly precipitation totals were recorded, with Spitzenwert in St. Pölten at 388%, almost four times the normal amount.
The precipitation persisted even into the first half of July. Spitzenwerte was reached on 6 July. Places where the level reached over 50L/m2:
Damage and relief efforts
Damage estimates were first released after two weeks. The damage in Burgenland amounted to over €2,500,000. In Lower Austria, about 3,000 claims were registered with a total claim amount of about €60,000,000. Because of this, the assistance for Lower Austria was increased from an estimated €2,500,000 to €10,000,000. In Upper Austria, damage claims were expected to be about €20,000,000. In Styria, the amount was about €10,000,000. The other federal states did not report damage totals.
Since disaster management in Austria takes place mainly at the federal state level, figures for all of Austria are not readily available. Countrywide figures were only released for the Armed Forces. 137,000 relief hours were worked in the assistance operation from 23 June to 9 July. On average, about 700 soldiers were deployed at any time countrywide. 311,000 relief hours were worked by firefighters and disaster assistance services in the largest federal state Lower Austria alone. The Austrian Red Cross also helped with many volunteers and crisis intervention teams. Likewise, Team Austria volunteers were put to work in the relief effort.
The fact that at the beginning of August in Lower Austria alone twelve streets and three railways were obstructed shows how extensive the infrastructure damage was. The repair work took weeks.
Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, persistent heavy rainfall beginning on 22 June led to the rise of smaller Vltavan tributaries in the Bohemian Forest and the Nové Hrady Mountains. A flood warning was issued for the South Bohemian Region. The highest level was reached in the rivers Malše, Blatnice, and Černá. České Budějovice was also affected by the warning. In the evening, the Rožnovská Bečva rose about 1.2m in Valašské Meziříčí and its water level at the estuary in the Bečva rose to ten times normal. The Vsetínská Bečva also swelled and several streets were flooded in Vsetín, Valašské Meziříčí, and Rožnov pod Radhoštěm. In Zubří, numerous cars were overcome by the water. There were fatalities in Černotín and Valašské Meziříčí. In Český Krumlov, the Vltava reached six times the normal water amount, with 63 m3/s. Near Větřní, a dinghy containing three occupants capsized, one of which drowned.
The floods in North Moravia and Silesia took on a different character. In the span of two hours on 24 June, strong rainfall brought flash floods with up to 80L/m2 of rain at the streams Jičínka and Zrzávka. The level of the Jičínka swelled to 5.5m and thereby exceeded the 1997 Central European flood by 2m. In Jeseník nad Odrou, the brook Luha rose to 2m in the span of a half-hour; four people died in that community, three by drowning. People also died in Nový Jičín, Bernartice nad Odrou, Životice u Nového Jičína, and Kunín. The floods also created extensive damage in districts of Nový Jičín such as Bludovice, Žilina, Hodslavice, and Mořkov.
Other rivers temporarily rose over their banks after strong local rainfall. In Bohemian Switzerland, the Kamenice flooded parts of Janská on the evening of 1 July. On 6 July sudden thunderstorms hit Ústí nad Labem Region, where a state of emergency had to be called in some places. West and South Bohemia were also severely threatened in places like Tábor. The authorities feared a burst of dams of artificial lakes and considered evacuating the affected villages.
Parts of West and South Bohemia as well as Central Moravia were also greatly affected by the flood. In the region, dams of a series of artificially created lakes threatened to break. The authorities considered the evacuation of more villages on Tuesday night.
Overall, fourteen people died in the Czech Republic due to the impact of the flooding. The Olomouc Region and the Moravian-Silesian Region were particularly affected in the drainage basins of the Oder and the Morava where numerous streets and rail lines were disrupted.
In the first estimates, the total damage was estimated to be 5-6 billion Czech koruna (about €230,000,000).
Hepatitis vaccinations were commenced for children in severely affected areas in order to prevent an outbreak of the disease.
On 24 July the lowest flood warning level was lifted in Nový Jičín Region. Criticism of the speed of response by firefighters and municipalities was prevalent, as citizens were not informed about impending floods. The Environmental Minister Ladislav Miko confirmed that the meteorological internet server broke down at a critical time.
Precipitation in the Czech Republic
Further Precipitation Peaks
Germany
By 23 June the first warnings in Bavaria had already come, as precipitation amounted to 70L/m2 in 24 hours. In the mountains, snowfall was observed. On the Zugspitze, 60 cm of new snow fell. The first floods came at the Inn. Altötting, Berchtesgadener Land, Cham, and particularly Traunstein were affected by the flooding owing to rising tributaries.
On Thursday night, 25 June, the level of the Danube rose in Passau, such that the warning level reached 3 (definition: individual built-up properties or basements are flooded, blocking of local transport channels, or isolated use of water or dam defense is required). On Thursday, the flooding of the Danube and the Isar moved the warning level to 2 (definition: agriculture and forestry land is flooded or light traffic delays on main traffic roads and local roads). Throughout Thursday, the water level sank in Passau, however the recession was slow.
Hungary
The first flood notifications in Hungary came on 25 June. The Rába reached the highest ever measured level in Szentgotthárd on Thursday morning. This was about 30 cm higher than in a large flood in 1965. Due to the temporary expansion of flood protection and because the high water level did not persist, there was no expected risk. The Hungarian Western Railway still had to close down operation between Szentgotthárd and Jennersdorf because the rails were undermined in numerous places. In Komárom-Esztergom County, the first flood warning level was called. The Leitha in Hungarian territory was not affected.
On 26 June a cautious all-clear was announced for the Danube between Esztergom and Budapest because the water levels remained lower than had been feared. The peak was expected on the night of 27 June into the 28th and was estimated to be 40–50 cm deeper than in the devastating floods of 2006. Nevertheless, precautions were taken in numerous important locations, such as Szentendre Island.
On the morning of Sunday 28 June the Danube reached its high point, which was 25% less than the floods in 2006. Flood warnings were in effect for a stretch of 528 kilometers of the Danube in Hungary. In Nagymaros, the level rose 5.33m, while the level in Budapest rose 6.96m. The increase had been expected to be 7.04m for a short time. In the upper Danube areas, the level sank noticeably around this time. In Budapest alone, the floods led to the blockage of the two quays.
On 2 July there were alerts along 853 kilometers. 36 kilometers of third degree alerts near the river Lajta, second degree on the Danube at Dunakiliti, Győr, Komárom, Esztergom, Budapest and on the river Rába at Sárvár, first degree alerts from the Ipoly river mouth to the southern border of Hungary.
Poland
On 23 June smaller rivers rose in the area of Rzeszów and in Lower Silesian Voivodeship. After strong rain fell in the Owl Mountains (at the rate of 60mm/h in Walim, for example), flood warnings were called for the Piława at Mościsko (Faulbrück) and the Bystrzyca Świdnicka at Lubachów (Breitenhain). In Świdnica, Bystrzyca Street flooded. Further damage was seen in Wałbrzych and Jelenia Góra.
The Polish National Security Center stated that rivers exceeded warning levels in forty-three areas, whilst alarm levels were exceeded in a further twenty places. A total of fifty families were evacuated in Kraków. Water submerged a railway station in Upper Silesia.
Romania
Flood warnings were issued for 22 and 23 June for 21 counties. Amidst rain and hail, warnings were also issued for the Buzău and Ialomiţa rivers for 29 and 30 June.
Serbia
Serbia was also hit with heavy rainfall by the storms. Places like Belgrade and Novi Sad in the north of the country were mainly affected, but Valjevo was also affected 90 km southeast.
Slovakia
Flood warnings were issued for parts of Northwest and far West Slovakia on 24 June and extended to the Danubian Lowland on the 25th. They became effective on 26 June for the entire length of the Danube and at the Morava. In Čirč in the Prešov Region near the Polish border, two people had already been killed on 23 June. A brother and sister drowned as the sister tried to rescue her brother.
In Devín, a suburb of Bratislava, the level of the Danube was 8.3m on 26 June. Alongside Devín, Petržalka, Šariš, and Dunajská Streda were affected by a storm.
On 27 and 28 June the flood shifted to Bardejov, Tvrdošín, and Námestovo. The communities of Rabča and Oravská Polhora were particularly at risk as two bridges had been destroyed. On the 29th, Kežmarok, Spišská Belá, Ľubica, Stará Bystrica, and Radôstka were affected by landslides and flooding and there were additional storms in Senica and Skalica.
A 20-year-old Slovak drowned in the Ružín reservoir. A Czech died as a tourist raft sank in the border river Dunajec. One person also died in Stará Ľubovňa near the Polish border.
Turkey
A flash flood in Istanbul started on 9 September. Heavy rains caused water levels to rise six feet, flooding a major highway and commercial district in the city's Ikitelli district. Hundreds of people climbed onto rooftops, and many desperate motorists struggled to escape their vehicles and run to safety. Others drowned in their own vehicles. Many people taking refuge on rooftop of them were airlifted to safety by rescue helicopters. Rescue workers using inflatable boats also travelled through the flooded streets, picking up survivors. Some rescuers used ropes to drag people across the torrent to safety. Four helicopters and eight boats were used for rescue work. Istanbul firefighters recovered seven bodies at a truck parking lot littered with upended trucks. The bodies of seven women were found in a van outside a textile factory. The van had been taking them to their jobs, when the flood hit. Police were deployed throughout the city to prevent looting. Two other people died in Istanbul's Catalca suburb and six others were swept away by the flood. 20 people died, 8 were listed as missing, and 20 were injured.
Further storms
Storms followed this series of floods that had no connection with the weather referenced above but mostly affected the same areas.
On the night of 23 July a storm front moved from Germany into Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland that arose due to previously prevalent unusually high temperatures. It impacted the area through hail and storms and partially also through heavy rainfall. In Lower Austria, where such fronts usually dissipate, the front strengthened and the storms hit the Vienna metropolitan area. The population was completely unprepared when the storm struck because it did not appear in any weather models. People were injured or even killed mainly by uprooted trees. Agriculture was also hit hard with damages. Widespread power outages were recorded. The Austrian insurance companies faced damages of around €20,000,000 in the agricultural industry alone. The Austrian hail insurance companies also faced the largest single event in the last 60 years from a cost of damages perspective. On 25 July the emergency personnel of firefighters and the Armed Forces was still engaged in partially repairing an estimated 500 destroyed houses in the Flachgau Region in order to achieve renewed rainfall resistance.
In Poland, eight people were killed and 34 people were injured by uprooted trees. Two people were also killed in the Czech Republic. Power was still not completely restored by 25 July in the surrounding areas of Liberec and Bohemia.
References
External links
European Floods, 2009
European Floods, 2009
Genoa lows
June 2009 events in Europe
Floods in Turkey |
23544666 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floodwood%20River%20%28Minnesota%29 | Floodwood River (Minnesota) | The Floodwood River is a tributary of the Saint Louis River of Minnesota, United States, joining the Saint Louis at the city of Floodwood.
Floodwood River was so named on account of driftwood frequently forming dams which caused the river to flood.
See also
List of rivers of Minnesota
References
Minnesota Watersheds
USGS Hydrologic Unit Map - State of Minnesota (1974)
Rivers of Minnesota
Rivers of St. Louis County, Minnesota |
23587395 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1929%20Tasmanian%20floods | 1929 Tasmanian floods | The most deadly floods on record in Tasmania's history occurred in April 1929 when 22 people were killed and 40 injured.
They became known as the "great" floods and the generosity from other states in relief funds and work was invoked for some time after.
The floods helped to prompt the construction of flood levees in Launceston, Tasmania's second-largest city and an important economic centre in the north of Tasmania.
Flooding was predicted by barometers: "Barometers are now falling, due apparently to the southward movement of the depression, and further rain is to be expected, with the probable flood falls in the north-east."
A deep low-pressure cell over Victoria at 9am, Thursday 4 April 1929 produced north-easterly winds across Tasmania. Rain intensified throughout the day, with the highest rainfall totals coming in the north-eastern corner of the state, but the effects were also felt across the north of the state directly affecting Burnie.
Hobart paper, The Mercury reporting about the flood in Derby (a north-eastern mining town) below a failed dam:
The floods and their impact were widely reported.
Notes
References
1929 in Australia
1929
Launceston, Tasmania
1920s in Tasmania
1929 disasters in Australia
1929 natural disasters |
23602334 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern%20China%20flood%20of%201991 | Eastern China flood of 1991 | In the summer of 1991, continuous, heavy rainfall in Eastern China caused rivers and water loggings to overflow and flood the area, leading to the Chinese government requesting international aid.
Background
Large amounts of rainfall beginning on 18 May quickly led areas of eastern China to begin overflowing with water; however, flooding reports in the area had begun to be officially addressed around late June. Specifically, the Huai, Chu, and Yangtze rivers are credited with the main flooding that resulted in the Anhui, Jiangsu, and Henan provinces taking the most damage. The Chinese government initially sent out soldiers and troops to help with evacuation and flood relief efforts, but with the number of homes and acres of crops destroyed increasing steadily, the Chinese government turned to other countries, requesting for aid in flood relief.
On September 3, 1991, the UN Department of Human Affairs (now known as the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) announced that the death toll was 556 in the Anhui province, 260 in the Jiangsu province, and 94 in the Henan province. In late January of the next year, the New York Times reported that the death toll was approximately 3,000.
References
1991
1990s floods in Asia
1991 floods
1991 disasters in China
May 1991 events in Asia
June 1991 events in Asia
July 1991 events in Asia
Disasters in Anhui
Disasters in Jiangsu
Disasters in Henan |
23607536 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watershed%20and%20Flood%20Prevention%20Operations%20Program | Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program | The Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program, a program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), includes Watershed Operations (under the Flood Control Act of 1944, P.L. 78- watershed projects to distinguish them from larger downstream projects built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and by the Bureau of Reclamation.
References
United States Department of Agriculture |
23639812 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shalan%20Town%20flood%20of%202005 | Shalan Town flood of 2005 | The Shalan Town Flood of 2005 was a severe flood which occurred in Shalan Town in the afternoon on 10 June 2005. A severe flood and mudslide took place in Shalan Town located in Ning'an, which was in Mudanjiang area in Heilongjiang Province, a province in the People's Republic of China. Shalan Town Central Primary School was submerged by floodwater, killing 117 people, 105 of which were students.
References
2005 Shalan
2000s floods in Asia
2005 floods
2005 disasters in China |
23664243 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%20Karachi%20floods | 2009 Karachi floods | The 2009 Karachi floods () in Pakistan's financial centre, Karachi, have killed at least 26 people. The death toll is expected to rise, and more than 150 people have been injured in a series of related incidents. The floods are the result of the heaviest rains in the region in thirty years.
Hundreds of homes were also damaged. Those killed either drowned, were electrocuted or died under collapsing roofs. A bit of a building's sixth floor collapsed in Ramswami—debris dropping onto a nearby house, killing four members of a family and injuring 10. Several others were injured as a result of a roof collapse in the Orangi area and two people died in a similar incident. Eleven people were injured after a house wall fell through in Manghopir. Seven people were electrocuted in separate sections of Karachi. One resident reported the death of his neighbor's son to Reuters, saying he drowned in a drain and his body was pulled out. Knee-deep water stranded several thousand people in their homes for several hours. Commercial markets were waterlogged and several hundred vehicles were trapped on the city's roads.
Most of Karachi had no electricity on the night of 18 July 2009. Relief efforts are ongoing as water is removed from residential areas.
According to Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry, the country's chief meteorologist, Pakistan's commercial hub received 14.7 cm (6 in) of rain between the evening of 17 July and the morning of 19 July. However, the rains began around two weeks later than usual and thus are expected to lead to a 30% reduction in rainfall for the 2009 season.
But then another monsoon system was expected to lash the city which was to generate very heavy rains and the citizens were still recovering from the last monsoon rains which broke the record of 1977 rain in Karachi, which was of . However it only dumped rain and the system dissipated quickly on 26 July. Then on August 30 and 31 sudden heavy rains started to lash the city which dumped rain, Thus again Karachiites were forced to spend the night sleepless due to power breakdown and thousands were forced to end their fasting in traffic jams, as it was the holy month of Ramadan.
See also
Climate of Karachi
Climate of Pakistan
2009 India floods
2017 Karachi floods
References
External links
35 more killed in Karachi rain-related incidents - The News
Floods in Karachi - The City-sized Waterpark - artsyHANDS
Karachi Floods, 2009
Floods in Pakistan
Karachi Floods, 2009
2000s in Karachi
History of Sindh (1947–present) |
23672670 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%20India%20floods | 2009 India floods | The 2009 India floods affected various states of India in July 2009, killing at least 36 people in Orissa and 13 in Kerala. The most affected states were Karnataka, Orissa, Kerala, Gujarat and North-East Indian states.
Floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains killed at least 36 people in the eastern Indian state of Orissa alone and inundated half a million homes. On 13 July, seven people were killed and many others missing when a bus fell into a rivulet after being swept away by flood waters in Nayagarh district in Orissa. Nayagarh is 87 km from the Orissa state capital, Bhubaneswar. The world-famous Sun Temple at Konark is also water-logged, causing hardship for tourists. The most flood affected districts in Orissa are Nayagarh, Cuttack, Ganjam, Keonjhar, Koraput and Kandhamal.
Several parts of Kerala were affected with the torrential rains with losses amounting to crores of rupees. At least 13 people in Kerala state are reported dead due to floods in the state. The most affected districts of Kerala are Kannur, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Kollam Thrissur, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kasaragod and Alappuzha districts. A number of relief camps are opened throughout the state. The Revenue Minister of Kerala state, K. P. Rajendran at Kozhikode has convened a meeting on 20 July 2009 to review the damage caused by rain. District Collectors and officials of the various departments of Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Palakkad districts are likely attend the meeting.
Over three lakh people have been hit after incessant rains in Assam and other north eastern states of India.
At least 10 people, including four children and two women, were killed and nine others injured on 27 July 2009 when a wall collapsed due to heavy rains in the satellite township Noida of the national capital of Delhi.
Losses and damage
References
India Floods, 2009
Floods in India
India Floods, 2009 |
23702067 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manggahan%20Floodway | Manggahan Floodway | The Manggahan Floodway is an artificially constructed waterway in Metro Manila, Philippines. The floodway was built in 1986, with the cost of 1.1 billion pesos, in order to reduce flooding along the Pasig River during the rainy season, by diverting the peak water flows of the Marikina River to Laguna de Bay, which serves as a temporary reservoir. In case the water level on the lake is higher than the Marikina River, the floodway can also reverse the flow.
By design, the Manggahan Floodway is capable of handling 2,400 cubic meters per second of water flow, although the actual flow is about 2,000 cubic meters per second. To complement the floodway, the Napindan Hydraulic Control System (NHCS) was built in 1983 at the confluence of the Marikina River and the Napindan Channel of the Pasig River to regulate the tidal flow of saline water between Manila Bay and the lake, and to prevent the intrusion of polluted water into the lake.
It has a fully gated diversion dam at its head and was designed with a width of . Over 40,000 households are situated along the floodway's banks and these shoreline slums have reduced its effective width to . Kangkong is cultivated extensively in the floodway as well.
The Manggahan Floodway was supposed to function together with the proposed Paranaque Spillway Project, a spillway that would direct flood waters from Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay. However the spillway project was cancelled in 1977 due to budget issues. Ever since the onslaught of 2009's Typhoon Ketsana (Ondoy), and consistently-reoccurring flooding in the metropolis, the Paranaque Spillway project is now being revived, together with the proposed Marikina Dam.
Bridges
The floodway has only 4 bridges. The 3 bridges within Pasig are Manggahan Bridge (near Marikina River), Ortigas Bridge (carries Ortigas Avenue Extension) and F.B. Legaspi Bridge. Barkadahan Bridge is the last and only nearest bridge to the lakeshore of Laguna de Bay located at Taytay, Rizal.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar is proposing to build 2 bridges connecting the east and west bank sides along the floodway. The 2 proposed bridges are both located at the area of Pasig-Rizal Province boundary.
Environmental concerns
By carrying flood waters to Laguna de Bay, the Manggahan Floodway lessens flood conditions in Metro Manila but contributes to flooding of the coastal areas of Taguig, Taytay, and other towns in Laguna and Rizal along the lake. Incidents of severe floods became more frequent and lasted longer in these areas since its construction. An unusual large flood occurred in October/November 1986, lasting for 2 months and resulting in high mortality and morbidity rates due to gastroenteritis and other water-borne diseases.
Furthermore, pollution and sediments carried by the floodway will jeopardize the existing and potential uses of the lake. The sedimentation rate of the lake is estimated at 1.5 million m³/year with the Marikina River as a major contributor of silt to the lake through the Manggahan Floodway. Additional pollution and siltation come from the shoreline settlers, living in slums up to 5 rows deep, whose waste goes directly into the floodway.
Tropical Storm Ketsana (Ondoy)
On September 26, 2009, at about 6:00 pm PST, the 50-mph "Tropical Storm Ketsana" (called "Ondoy" in the Philippines) hit Metro Manila and dumped one month's rainfall in less than 24 hours, causing the Marikina River system, including the Manggahan Floodway, to burst its banks very rapidly. It is thought that blocked pipes and a poorly maintained sewer system, along with uncollected domestic waste, were major contributory factors in the speed with which the flood waters were able to engulf the surrounding area. The illegal settlers especially were blamed for flooding since their houses reduce the effective width and blocked the flow of the floodway. The flooding was exacerbated by cancellation of the Paranaque Spillway Project that should have dumped excess water in Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay.
During the height of the storm, the Marikina River had a flow of about 3000 m³/s (106,000 ft³/s), and the head of the UP National Hydraulic Research Center stated that the floodway could have handled this flow without overflowing if there were no settlers on its banks.
Consequently, in February 2010, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo revoked Proclamation 160 that reserved 20 parcels of land along the floodway for 6700 urban poor families, and ordered the forcible relocation of the illegal settlers whose houses were blocking the waterway to Laguna de Bay.
References
External links
Geography of Metro Manila
Flood control in the Philippines |
23710525 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natkusiak%20flood%20basalts | Natkusiak flood basalts | The Natkusiak flood basalts are a sequence of Neoproterozoic continental flood basalts of the Franklin Large Igneous Province on Victoria Island, Canada. The flood basalts were erupted about 720 million years ago after uplift began three to five million years prior to the flood basalt volcanism. This uplift and flood basalt volcanism was caused by a mantle plume. This flood basalt sequence is related to the Franklin magmatic event.
See also
Volcanism of Northern Canada
References
Large Igneous Provinces and the Mantle Plume Hypothesis
Nature and timing of Franklin igneous events, Canada : implications for a Late Proterozoic mantle plume and the break-up of Laurentia
Volcanism of the Northwest Territories
Neoproterozoic volcanism
Flood basalts
Hotspot volcanism
Sturtian glaciation |
23861651 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%20Kentuckiana%20flash%20flood | 2009 Kentuckiana flash flood | On August 4, 2009, a flash flood occurred and impacted Louisville and portions of the surrounding Kentuckiana region as a cold front and mesoscale convective system moved across the Midwestern United States. The National Weather Service estimated that between of rain fell across the city in less than one hour, breaking all previous one-hour rainfall records in the area. Most of the downtown area was underwater, with the deluge reaching deep in places.
The University of Louisville and the Louisville Public Library's main branch each sustained millions of dollars in damage. On August 12, Governor of Kentucky Steve Beshear requested the federal government declare all of Jefferson County, Kentucky a major disaster area.
Meteorological synopsis
A slow-moving cluster of thunderstorms descended from central Indiana into south-central Indiana and north-central Kentucky. As the storm moved into the Louisville Metropolitan Area, it continued to strengthen as a torrential downpour inundated the area. Downtown Louisville, New Albany, Jeffersonville, and Clarksville were particularly hard-hit with water depth surpassing four feet in some areas, resulting in the first-ever flash flood emergency being issued for those areas. Creeks and streams quickly flooded many neighborhoods, and flash floods rendered numerous streets and areas impassable. Severe lightning and wind that accompanied the storm led to more widespread damage. Rain continued throughout the day and ended in the afternoon hours of August 4.
Impact
In the morning hours of August 4, a severe thunderstorm watch was issued for far northern Kentucky, including Louisville, and central Indiana as a mesoscale convective system moved towards the Louisville area. The National Weather Service also issued a flash flood warning for the city and surrounding areas for several more hours due to new and heavy bands of thunderstorms entering the area.
The Louisville International Airport was closed and flights were diverted to Lexington, Kentucky until 1 pm EDT. Northbound Northwest Airlines flight 2871, traveling from Knoxville to Minneapolis, passed through the storm over Louisville and experienced severe turbulence, injuring two passengers and forcing the plane to make an emergency landing at Lexington. Several city parking garages were completely underwater, submerging numerous vehicles. TARC, the city's public transportation system, was paralyzed with most buses abandoning their routes.
Debris, numerous automobile accidents, and abandoned vehicles caused I-71, I-64, I-65, and portions of I-264 and I-265 to shut down. Surrounding cities, including New Albany, Jeffersonville, and Sellersburg, Indiana were also affected. Additionally, most city streets were rendered impassable and several other important roadways were closed for hours. Across both Indiana and Kentucky, the massive amount of water entering the cities' underground viaducts caused a pressure build-up, blowing off a number of man-hole covers, which created dangerous road hazards.
The WDRB television news studio had water rise into the building during its newscast, prompting a makeshift water barrier to be erected during the broadcast. Lightning struck an apartment complex in the Hurstborne neighborhood, starting a fire that consumed most of the sixteen unit building. A second apartment in the west-end of Louisville was struck by lightning and destroyed by the fire caused by the strike.
The University of Louisville was among the worst hit, sustaining over $45 million in damages. The main branch of the Louisville Public Library was under three of water, destroying tens of thousands of books and destroying dozens of computers which caused over $1 million in damage. The main branch sustained just over $5 million in damage and was closed for a month of repairs, outlying branches also sustained damage but to a lesser extent.
Numerous other buildings went underwater and had to be evacuated including the Cancer Society, Churchill Downs and horse barns were under three feet of water at various points. The trackside barns remained above the water level and 35 horses were moved there. Water rose so high on the south side of Louisville that most cars parked on the street were completely submerged. Three local animal shelters were flooded killing at least nine animals.
Most of downtown New Albany was under of water. Water rescues occurred in the city.
Response
Police and emergency responders began rescuing people trapped in cars and homes. No deaths or injuries were confirmed, and emergency responders from around the region were called in to assist in the relief efforts.
Over two hundred people were rescued from their cars during the course of the day, with about fifty people being rescued from their homes. Most people were able to escape rising waters to higher ground without emergency help. Assistance was also provided to the downtown area to help tens of thousands of people in leaving.
Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear requested Jefferson County be declared a major disaster area by the federal government on August 12, and also requested federal financial assistance. United States president Barack Obama approved federal assistance for flood victims.
References
External links
August 2009 Flood Collection - A selection of digital images of the August 4, 2009 flood, documented and donated by community members to the University of Louisville (Louisville, Ky.)
History of Louisville, Kentucky
Natural disasters in Kentucky
Natural disasters in Indiana
2009 floods in the United States
2009 in Indiana
2009 in Kentucky
Floods in the United States |
24062638 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood%20%28Keren%20Peles%20album%29 | Flood (Keren Peles album) | Flood (Hebrew: מבול, Mabul) is the second album by Israeli singer-songwriter Keren Peles. By September 2008, it sold more than 20,000 copies, making it her second gold album in Israel.
Track listing
"Mabul" (Flood) מבול
"Ma SheBe'emet" (What Really) מה שבאמת
"Ratza HaBaita" (She Ran Home) רצה הביתה
"Sex 'Im Ha'Ex" (Sex with the Ex) סקס עם האקס
"El Ishekh Shtiqatekh " (Don't Silence Your Man) אל אישך שתיקתך
"Pizho 92" פיז'ו 92
"BeMekhonyt Leyad HaYam" (In a Car Next to the Sea) במכונית ליד הים
"Sof HaRegesh" (The End of the Feeling) סוף הרגש
"Hu Mitqasher Elai" (He Is Calling Me) הוא מתקשר אליי
"Soni Etzel Shoni" (Sonny's at Shoni Place) סוני אצל שוני
"Tqufa Shel Shinuyim" (A Period of Changes) תקופה של שינויים
"Po Leyad HaYarkon" (Here Next to the Yarkon) פה ליד הירקון
"Shana Khad Sit'rit" (One Way Year) שנה חד סטרית
Keren Peles albums
2008 albums |
24236226 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%20West%20Africa%20floods | 2009 West Africa floods | The 2009 West Africa floods are a natural disaster that began in June 2009 as a consequence of exceptionally heavy seasonal rainfall in large areas of West Africa.
Several rivers, including the Pendjari, Niger, Volta and Senegal rivers, broke their banks, causing destruction of houses, bridges, roads and crops. The floods are reported to have affected 940,000 people across 12 countries, including Burkina Faso, Benin, Ghana, Niger, Senegal, Guinea, and caused the deaths of at least 193 people. In Burkina Faso, one of the most affected countries, 150,000 people fled their homes, mostly in the capital Ouagadougou where rainfall in one day was equal to 25% of normal annual rainfall for the whole country.
Seasonal rainfall
Countries in West Africa and the southern Sahel get most of their annual rainfall during the boreal summer months from June to September. This rainy season, also known as the West African monsoon, is associated with a seasonal reversal of prevailing winds in the lower atmosphere, where moist air is blown in from the Atlantic Ocean and released over the continent.
The exceptionally heavy rainfall experienced in West Africa during the 2009 monsoon season is associated with the periodic warming of the Pacific Ocean, a phenomenon known as El Niño, which affects weather worldwide.
Damages and victims
Benin
220,000 people have been affected, mostly in coastal areas, and 7 people are reported to have died.
Burkina Faso
150,000 persons displaced and 8 were killed following the heaviest rainfall seen in the country's capital Ouagadougou in 90 years. An estimated 110,000 people were displaced after a dam break of the Loumbila reservoir located in the center of Ouagadougou.
In the south of the country, the Bagre Dam had to open its main gate as water reached maximum safety levels on 4 September. The resulting increase in water flow is threatening large areas along the shores of the Volta river in southern Burkina Faso and northern Ghana.
Gambia
In Gambia 15,617 people were affected by floods.
Ghana
139,790 have been affected, and at least 24 killed.
139,709 have been affected by flood
Guinea
40,000 people have been affected in the capital Conakry and the towns of Kindia and Siguiri.
Ivory Coast
Torrential rains, causing mudslides and floods, killed at least 19 people in the capital Abidjan and affected around 2000 people.
Liberia
In Liberia 584 people were affected by floods, leaving 2 deaths.
Mali
In Mali 18,902 people were affected by the floods.
Mauritania
3,000 persons were left homeless due to floods in the city of Rosso, located on the banks of the Senegal river. An estimated total of 9000 people were affected in the country.
Niger
Flash floods, following 4 days of intense rainfall in Niger's northern Aïr Mountains affected 3,500 homes in Agadez and surrounding areas, causing 2 deaths, and losses in livestock and crops. The total number of affected people has mounted to 79,129 and 3 deaths.
Senegal
30,000 households have been affected by floods in the capital Dakar and other parts of the country, with an estimated 264,000 affected and 6 deaths.
Sierra Leone
Floods caused by two weeks of heavy rainfall in August, left 15 deaths and 425 displaced in Freetown. Crops were washed away in six villages in the Kambia District. The total number of affected people in the country is reported to be 1,455 with 103 deaths.
See also
2007 African floods
2010 Sahel famine
2010 Nigerien floods
References
2000s floods in Africa
2009 floods
Floods
Natural disasters in Burkina Faso
2009
Natural disasters in Niger
Natural disasters in Senegal
Floods in Ghana |
24269895 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine%20flood%20of%201987 | Maine flood of 1987 | The Maine flood of 1987 was a pair of spring storms in March and April 1987, which combined with snow-melt, resulted in heavy flooding in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
History
Preconditions
In the days before the first storm, weather throughout New England was mostly clear and dry. Except in higher-elevation areas, much of southern New England's snow-pack from December and January had disappeared.
However, snow-packs in Maine were just beginning to melt. A five to six-inch snow/water equivalent was not uncommon, with some measurements of ten inches recorded at the end of March.
A storm that had affected the midwest with heavy snow and winds spun off a slow moving low-pressure system that moved across New England. The southeasterly winds produced significant orographic lift in the mountains of Maine and New Hampshire, causing significant precipitation on the east side of these mountain ranges. The highest recorded rainfall accumulations were 8.30 inches at Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire and 7.3 inches at Blanchard, Maine.
Flood
The first storm mainly focused on Maine. The Kennebec River basin was most severely impacted with record flows on the mainstem and its primary tributaries—the Carrabassett River, Sandy River (Kennebec River), and Sebasticook River. The Piscataquis River experienced flows 50% greater than any measured before.
Many other rivers in Maine—Penobscot, Saco and Androscoggin—also experienced significant flooding; however, flows were generally below records. Moderate flooding occurred within the Merrimack River and Connecticut River basins.
Results
Independent sources reported one and five deaths resulting from the flood.
Other damage included:
2,100 homes flooded; 215 destroyed, 240 with major damage
400 small businesses impacted
Roads and bridges destroyed or damaged
Fort Halifax (Maine) historic site in Winslow, Maine, washed away
Losses estimated at over
References
1987 natural disasters in the United States
1987 in Maine
1980s floods in the United States
March 1987 events in the United States
April 1987 events in the United States
Natural disasters in Maine
Natural disasters in New Hampshire
Natural disasters in Massachusetts
1987 in Massachusetts |
24286657 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%20Turkish%20flash%20floods | 2009 Turkish flash floods | The 2009 Turkish flash floods were a series of flash floods that occurred on 9 September 2009 in and around Istanbul, Tekirdağ, and the rest of the Marmara Region of Turkey. The floods led to the death of at least 31 people and the cost of damage has been estimated as being in excess of $70 million.
Background
The floods followed a two-day period of heavy rainfall, the worst the country had seen for 80 years, which had begun on 7 September. During the evening and night of 8 September the rain became increasingly strong leading to flash floods across the city early on the morning of 9 September, with low-lying areas to the west of the city being the worst affected. Turkey's Minister of Environment and Forests, Veysel Eroğlu, described the rain as the "worst in 500 years". The floods were created by the Marmara sea, an inlet of the Mediterranean sea.
Impacts
At least 31 people were killed across the region and dozens were stranded in cars or on rooftops and an unknown number remain missing. Three of the deaths occurred in western suburbs of Istanbul on 8 September, 21 people lost their lives in Istanbul on 9 September and seven more in neighboring Tekirdağ Province, where two further people are missing. Muammer Güler, governor of Istanbul, said 20 people were injured by the floods. Officials and experts have blamed the high death toll on unplanned urbanization in Istanbul, which has seen buildings constructed in river beds, and an inadequate infrastructure system.
In some places the water reached a metre (3 ft) in height, cutting access to Istanbul's main airport and the highway running to Bulgaria and Greece. According to state-run news agency Anatolia Agency, one building collapsed, although there were no reported casualties. Police were deployed to prevent looting from abandoned shops and factories, although the press has recorded instances of looting from vehicles. In north-west Turkey two bridges on the Bahçeköy–Saray highway were also destroyed by floods at the same time. More than 200 cars have been washed into the Marmara Sea and dozens of trucks damaged.
Emergency response
Since the floods began on Tuesday, more than 1,000 people have been rescued by emergency services. Turkish officials have also stated that more than 900 firefighters and rescuers are working in the affected areas, backed up by a fleet of more than 200 vehicles and 30 dinghies. Interior Minister Beşir Atalay has pledged to compensate residents of Istanbul affected by the floods. The Red Crescent Society has dispatched tents, blankets, food and personnel to the area to help survivors.
International reaction
– Greece is "ready to send any kind of aid" to the area according to the Greek ambassador to Turkey and according to the Greek Foreign Minister "to extend every type of assistance to the Turkish people and officials", but made no note to tourists.
See also
List of deadliest floods
References
External links
Drought-stricken İstanbul hit by floods
Turkish Flash Floods, 2009
Turkish Flash Floods, 2009
Turkish Flash Floods, 2009
Marmara Region
2009 disasters in Turkey
Floods in Turkey |
24330963 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floodline | Floodline | Floodline is the flood warning and information service used in the United Kingdom to issue flood alerts and warnings to the public, emergency organisations and businesses.
The system uses observed data from rain, river and coastal gauges, combined with weather forecasts to accurately predict the likelihood and timing of flooding. When flooding is predicted within an area, a message is issued through the Floodline service. The service is accessed online or by the dedicated phone line, 0345 988 1188.
There are different messages the Floodline gives depending on the situation:
FLOOD ALERT
Flooding is possible, be prepared.
The Environment Agency endeavour to issue this message up to 24 hours in advance of expected river and coastal flooding, but warning time may be as little as 2 hrs.
Flooding of low-lying land is expected.
Flood Alerts are early warning messages about possible flooding. They prompt you to remain alert and vigilant and provide people with time to make early preparations for potential flooding.
Flood Alerts are issued for geographically representative areas, usually matching Local Authority boundaries.
They are generally 9am-5pm, 7 days a week. In exceptional circumstances, alerts may be issued outside these hours.
FLOOD WARNING
Flooding is expected, immediate action required.
The target for these to be issued is 3–6 hours in advance of expected flooding. It may not be possible to give 3 hours’ notice in areas prone to rapid flooding or when water levels have escalated quicker than expected.
Flooding is imminent.
Immediate action is required, take measures to protect yourself and your property.
They are issued 24 hours a day.
SEVERE FLOOD WARNING
Severe flooding, danger to life.
These are issued whenever severe flooding is likely to cause significant risk to life, destruction of properties or local communities.
Flooding is imminent and could pose a risk to life and cause significant disruption to essential services, such as water and electricity supplies.
Prepare to evacuate and co-operate with the emergency services.
These are issued 24 hours a day.
NO LONGER IN FORCE MESSAGES
These are issued to notify you when warnings and alerts are no longer in force.
No further flooding is currently expected for your area.
Flood waters may still be around but you can start the clean up process.
24 hours a day.
It is operated by:
The Environment Agency, in England
Natural Resources Wales
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency
References
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Emergency communication
Emergency management in the United Kingdom
Emergency population warning systems |
24398406 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landeros%20v.%20Flood | Landeros v. Flood | Landeros v. Flood was a 1976 court case in the state of California involving child abuse and alleged medical malpractice.
In 1971, Gita Landeros, a minor, was seen in the emergency room by Dr. A. J. Flood for injuries inflicted by her mother and the mother's common law husband. Dr. Flood failed to diagnose "battered child syndrome" and also did not report the injuries to proper civil authorities in violation of California law. The child was released to the custody of her mother and the mother's common law husband, where she experienced further injury at their hands. The parents fled the state, but were apprehended and convicted of criminal child abuse. Gita Landeros brought a civil suit in tort for damages against Dr. Flood. The trial court dismissed her case as a matter of law. The case was appealed and decided in 1976 by the California Supreme Court.
Overview
Gita Landeros Appellant, a minor, sought review of a judgment of the Superior Court of Santa Clara County (California), which sustained general demurrers and dismissed her medical malpractice action against appellees, a physician and a hospital, for injuries sustained when they failed to properly diagnose and treat the condition from which she was suffering.
Appellant minor argued trial court error in sustaining the demurrer of appellees, doctor and hospital, to her malpractice suit against them, because issues existed as to whether they had a duty to recognize a case of battered child syndrome that was to be reported to authorities, and whether their conduct proximately caused appellant's injuries. The court agreed, noting first that appellant was returned to parental custody after having been treated for injuries not appearing to be accidental, and that she then was traumatically abused. Because it was unclear whether treating physicians should have recognized the syndrome for treatment purposes, appellant was entitled to prove by expert testimony the standard of care against which appellees were to be held. And as appellees could not escape liability if it was foreseeable that appellant would suffer further injury, appellant was entitled to prove that appellees' conduct proximately caused her injuries, even if the parent's intervening act was the actual cause. Finally, appellant was entitled to show that appellees failed to exercise due care in not reporting her injuries to authorities who would have shielded her from further harm.
Issues
Is there a duty for a physician to recognize a case of battered child syndrome (child abuse) and report it to the appropriate authorities?
Does medical standard of care dictate recognition of child abuse?
Should the appellant (Landeros) have been allowed to introduce expert testimony concerning standard of care in her malpractice action?
Was further injury from child abuse foreseeable?
Did the appellant's actions of allowing Landeros to return to the care of her abusive parents proximately cause her subsequent injuries, even if the parent's intervening actions in harming her were the actual cause of her injuries?
Did the appellants fail to show due care by not reporting Landeros' injuries to authorities who could have prevented further injury?
Holdings
It is established standard of care for physicians to suspect, work-up and diagnose child abuse when such a case presents in the emergency room or physician's office.
California statutory requirements obligate the physician to report suspected cases of child abuse to the proper civil authorities. Failure to do so is a violation of law.
The summary dismissal of the complaint and allegation that the failure to diagnose child abuse and report it alleging this to be the proximate cause of the plaintiff's subsequent injuries was reversible error by the trial court.
The failure to allow the plaintiff to introduce expert testimony was reversible error.
The issue of foreseeability in negligence cases is a question for the jury under California law, and this applies to the actions of third parties.
Facts and background
Plaintiff brought the action by her guardian ad litem against A. J. Flood, a physician, and The San Jose Hospitals & Health Center, Inc. (hereinafter called the San Jose Hospital). The amended complaint purports to allege four "causes of action." of recovery alleged in support of a single cause of action for compensatory damages for personal injuries caused by defendants' negligence in failing to properly diagnose and treat the condition from which plaintiff was suffering; the fourth "cause of action" merely adds a claim for punitive damages on allegations that defendants' conduct in this respect was wilful and wanton. Defendants filed general demurrers. The court sustained the demurrers as to the first and second "causes of action" with leave to amend, and as to the third and fourth "causes of action" without leave to amend. Plaintiff elected to stand on her complaint as previously amended, and a judgment dismissing the entire action was therefore entered. On this appeal plaintiff has expressly abandoned her claim of punitive damages.
The material factual allegations of the amended complaint are as follows. Plaintiff was born on May 14, 1970. On repeated occasions during the first year of her life she was severely beaten by her mother and the latter's common law husband, one Reyes. On April 26, 1971, when the plaintiff was eleven months old, her mother took her to the San Jose Hospital for examination, diagnosis, and treatment. The attending physician was defendant Dr. Flood, acting on his own behalf and as agent of the defendant San Jose Hospital. At the time, the plaintiff was suffering from a comminuted spiral fracture of the right tibia and fibula, which gave the appearance of having been caused by a twisting force. Plaintiff's mother had no explanation for this injury. Plaintiff had bruises over her entire body. In addition, she had a non-depressed linear skull fracture which was then in the process of healing. Plaintiff demonstrated fear and apprehension when approached. Inasmuch as all plaintiff's injuries gave the appearance of having been intentionally inflicted by other persons, she exhibited the medical condition known as the battered child syndrome.
It is alleged that proper diagnosis of plaintiff's condition would have included taking X-rays of her entire skeletal structure, and that such procedure would have revealed the fracture of her skull. Defendants negligently failed to take such X-rays, and thereby negligently failed to diagnose her true condition. It is further alleged that proper medical treatment of plaintiff's battered child syndrome would have included reporting her injuries to local law enforcement authorities or juvenile probation department. Such a report would have resulted in an investigation by the concerned agencies, followed by a placement of plaintiff in protective custody until her safety was assured. Defendants negligently failed to make such report.
The complaint avers that as a proximate result of the foregoing negligence plaintiff was released from the San Jose Hospital without proper diagnosis and treatment of her battered child syndrome, and was returned to the custody of her mother and Reyes who resumed physically abusing her until she sustained traumatic blows to her right eye and back, puncture wounds over her left lower leg and across her back, severe bites on her face, and second and third degree burns on her left hand.
On July 1, 1971, plaintiff was again brought in for medical care, but to a different doctor and hospital. Her battered child syndrome was immediately diagnosed and reported to local police and juvenile probation authorities, and she was taken into protective custody. Following hospitalization and surgery she was placed with foster parents, and the latter subsequently undertook proceedings to adopt her. Plaintiff's mother and Reyes fled the state, but were apprehended, returned for trial, and convicted of the crime of child abuse.
With respect to damages the complaint alleges that as a proximate result of defendants' negligence plaintiff suffered painful permanent physical injuries and great mental distress, "including the probable loss of use or amputation of her left hand."
The second and third "causes of action" are predicated on defendants' failure to comply with three related sections of the Penal Code. Section 11160 provides in relevant part that every hospital to which any person is brought who is suffering from any injuries inflicted "in violation of any penal law of this State" must report that fact immediately, by telephone and in writing, to the local law enforcement authorities. Section 11161 imposes the identical duty on every physician who has under his care any person suffering from any such injuries. Section 11161.5 deals specifically with child abuse, and declares in pertinent part that in any case in which a minor is under a physician's care or is brought to him for diagnosis, examination or treatment, and "it appears to the physician" from observation of the minor that the latter has any physical injuries "which appear to have been inflicted upon him by other than accidental means by any person," he must report that fact by telephone and in writing to the local law enforcement authorities and the juvenile probation department. All three sections require the report to state the name of the victim, if known, together with his whereabouts and the character and extent of his injuries; and a violation of any of the sections is a misdemeanor (§ 11162).
Among such laws are the statutes penalizing child abuse.
The statute imposes the same duty on certain other health care professionals, school officials and teachers, child care supervisors, and social workers.
The trial court did not allow Gita Landeros to present expert testimony supporting her allegations of negligence against Dr. Flood. The trial court also dismissed the complaint of Gita Landeros as a matter of law. The decision is appealed to the California Supreme Court.
Opinion
Opinion written by Chief Judge Mosk: By means of allegations phrased largely in the statutory language plaintiff undertakes to charge defendants with a duty to comply with section 11161.5 (second "cause of action") and sections 11160 and 11161 (third "cause of action"), and avers that they failed to make the reports thus required by law. Her allegations of proximate cause and damages on these counts are essentially identical to those of the first count.
We have found no case directly in point, but the issues may be decided by reference to well settled principles. Succinctly stated, the rules governing our consideration of this appeal are "that a general demurrer admits the truth of all material factual allegations in the complaint [citation]; that the question of plaintiff's ability to prove these allegations, or the possible difficulty in making such proof does not concern the reviewing court [citations here omitted]; and that plaintiff need only plead facts showing that [may be shown to be relevant during the trial.]
The standard of care in malpractice cases is also well known. With unimportant variations in phrasing, we have consistently held that a physician is required to possess and exercise, in both diagnosis and treatment, etc. In this medical malpractice action plaintiff Gita Landeros, a minor, appeals from a judgment of dismissal entered upon an order sustaining general demurrers to her amended complaint. As will appear, we have concluded that the complaint states a cause of action and hence that the judgment must be reversed.
Plaintiff brought the action by her guardian ad litem against A. J. Flood, a physician, and The San Jose Hospitals & Health Center, Inc. (hereinafter called the San Jose Hospital). The amended complaint purports to allege four "causes of action." of recovery alleged in support of a single cause of action for compensatory damages for personal injuries caused by defendants' negligence in failing to properly diagnose and treat the condition from which plaintiff was suffering; the fourth "cause of action" merely adds a claim for punitive damages on allegations that defendants' conduct in this respect was wilful and wanton. Defendants filed general demurrers. The court sustained the demurrers as to the first and second "causes of action" with leave to amend, and as to the third and fourth "causes of action" without leave to amend. Plaintiff elected to stand on her complaint as previously amended, and a judgment dismissing the entire action was therefore entered.
On this appeal plaintiff has expressly abandoned her claim of punitive damages. It is alleged that proper diagnosis of plaintiff's condition would have included taking X-rays of her entire skeletal structure, and that such procedure would have revealed the fracture of her skull. Defendants negligently failed to take such X-rays, and thereby negligently failed to diagnose her true condition. It is further alleged that proper medical treatment of plaintiff's battered child syndrome would have included reporting her injuries to local law enforcement authorities or juvenile probation department. Such a report would have resulted in an investigation by the concerned agencies, followed by a placement of plaintiff in protective custody until her safety was assured. Defendants negligently failed to make such report.
The complaint avers that as a proximate result of the foregoing negligence plaintiff was released from the San Jose Hospital without proper diagnosis and treatment of her battered child syndrome, and was returned to the custody of her mother and Reyes who resumed physically abusing her until she sustained traumatic blows to her right eye and back, puncture wounds over her left lower leg and across her back, severe bites on her face, and second and third degree burns on her left hand.
On July 1, 1971, plaintiff was again brought in for medical care, but to a different doctor and hospital. Her battered child syndrome was immediately diagnosed and reported to local police and juvenile probation authorities, and she was taken into protective custody. Following hospitalization and surgery she was placed with foster parents, and the latter subsequently undertook proceedings to adopt her. Plaintiff's mother and Reyes fled the state, but were apprehended, returned for trial, and convicted of the crime of child abuse.
With respect to damages the complaint alleges that as a proximate result of defendants' negligence plaintiff suffered painful permanent physical injuries and great mental distress, including the probable loss of use or amputation of her left hand. The second and third "causes of action" are predicated on defendants' failure to comply with three related sections of the Penal Code. Section 11160 provides in relevant part that every hospital to which any person is brought who is suffering from any injuries inflicted "in violation of any penal law of this State" n4 must report that fact immediately, by telephone and in writing, to the local law enforcement authorities. Section 11161 imposes the identical duty on every physician who has under his care any person suffering from any such injuries. Section 11161.5 deals specifically with child abuse, and declares in pertinent part that in any case in which a minor is under a physician's care or is brought to him for diagnosis, examination or treatment, and "it appears to the physician" from observation of the minor that the latter has any physical injuries "which appear to have been inflicted upon him by other than accidental means by any person," he must report that fact by telephone and in writing to the local law enforcement authorities and the juvenile probation department. All three sections require the report to state the name of the victim, if known, together with his whereabouts and the character and extent of his injuries; and a violation of any of the sections is a misdemeanor.
Among such laws, of course, are the statutes penalizing child abuse. The statute imposes the same duty on certain other health care professionals, school officials and teachers, child care supervisors, and social workers. By means of allegations phrased largely in the statutory language plaintiff undertakes to charge defendants with a duty to comply with section 11161.5 (second "cause of action") and sections 11160 and 11161 (third "cause of action"), and avers that they failed to make the reports thus required by law. Her allegations of proximate cause and damages on these counts are essentially identical to those of the first count.
We have found no case directly in point, but the issues may be decided by reference to well settled principles. Succinctly stated, the rules governing our consideration of this appeal are "that a general demurrer admits the truth of all material factual allegations in the complaint; that the question of plaintiff's ability to prove these allegations, or the possible difficulty in making such proof does not concern the reviewing court; and that plaintiff need only plead facts showing that he may be.
The standard of care in malpractice cases is also well known. With unimportant variations in phrasing, we have consistently held that a physician is required to possess and exercise, in both diagnosis and treatment. The first question presented, accordingly, is whether the foregoing standard of care includes a requirement that the physician know how to diagnose and treat the battered child syndrome.
It appears from the literature that the battered child syndrome was first tentatively identified and reported to the medical profession in the early 1950s. Further surveys and analyses of the syndrome followed, culminating in a landmark article published in 1962 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Since that date numerous additional studies of the condition have been undertaken, and their results and recommendations publicized in the medical journals. A typical article in the field recites case histories of child abuse, points out the distinguishing signs and symptoms of the battered child syndrome, and advises the practicing physician how to detect and treat the condition. For a detailed survey of the medical literature on the topic from its beginning until 1965, A selection of the later articles is cited in Grumet, The Plaintive Plaintiffs: Victims of the Battered Child Syndrome
While helpful, the foregoing general history of the battered child syndrome is not conclusive on the precise question in the case at bar. The question is whether a reasonably prudent physician examining this plaintiff in 1971 would have been led to suspect she was a victim of the battered child syndrome from the particular injuries and circumstances presented to him, would have confirmed that diagnosis by ordering X-rays of her entire skeleton, and would have promptly reported his findings to appropriate authorities to prevent a recurrence of the injuries. There are numerous recommendations to follow each of these diagnostic and treatment procedures in the medical literature cited above.
For example, the leading article by Kempe et al., op. cit., supra, states that "A physician needs to have a high initial level of suspicion of the diagnosis of the battered-child syndrome in instances of subdural hematoma, multiple unexplained fractures at different stages of healing, failure to thrive, when soft tissue swelling or skin bruising are present, or in any other situation where the degree and type of injury is at variance with the history given regarding its occurrence . . . ." (Id., at p. 20.) Of the different types of fractures exhibited, an arm or leg fracture caused by a twisting force is particularly significant because "The extremities are the 'handles' for rough handling" of the child by adults. (Id., at p. 22.) The article also contains numerous recommendations to conduct a "radiologic examination of the entire skeleton" for the purpose of confirming the diagnosis, explaining that "To the informed physician, the bones tell a story the child is too young or too frightened to tell." (Id., at p. 18.) Finally, on the subject of management of the case it is repeatedly emphasized that the physician "should report possible willful trauma to the police department or any special children's protective service that operates in his community" (id., at p. 23) in order to forestall further injury to the child: "All too often, despite the apparent cooperativeness of the parents and their apparent desire to have the child with them, the child returns to his home only to be assaulted again and suffer permanent brain damage or death." (Id., at p. 24.)
Inasmuch as the "common knowledge" exception to the foregoing rule does not apply on the facts here alleged, the trial court could not properly conclude as a matter of law that defendants' standard of professional care did not include the diagnostic and treatment procedures outlined in the complaint. Plaintiff is therefore entitled to the opportunity to prove by way of expert testimony that in the circumstances of this case a reasonably prudent physician would have followed those procedures. Whether the physician would have followed the procedure of reporting plaintiff's injuries to the authorities, however, is not solely a question of good medical practice. The above-cited reporting statutes (Pen. Code, § 11160- 11161.5) were in force in 1971. They evidence a determination by the Legislature that in the event a physician does diagnose a battered child syndrome, due care includes a duty to report that fact to the authorities. In other words, since the enactment of these statutes a physician who diagnoses a battered child syndrome will not be heard to say that other members of his profession would not have made such a report. The same is true of each of the persons and entities covered by this legislation. Accordingly, although expert testimony on the issue of a duty to report is admissible, it is not mandatory.
The statute also lays to rest defendant Flood's concern that if he were required to report his findings to the authorities he might be held liable for violation of the physician-patient privilege. Section 11161.5 specifically exempts the physician from any civil or criminal liability for making a report pursuant to its terms.
Defendants complain that the first "cause of action" is nevertheless fatally defective because it assertedly fails to allege certain specific facts, i.e., that Dr. Flood negligently treated plaintiff's leg fracture, that proper treatment of that fracture or the bruises on plaintiff's back included taking an X-ray of her skull, and that Dr. Flood negligently failed to ask plaintiff's mother for an explanation of the cause of the fracture. None of these allegations is necessary, however, because they are irrelevant to the gist of the complaint. Plaintiff's theory is that in the circumstances of this case the fracture, the bruises, and the lack of an explanation offered by her mother are themselves indicia of the underlying battered child syndrome of which plaintiff was the victim, and it was that condition which defendants negligently failed to diagnose and treat. For the reasons stated, the complaint adequately alleges the facts necessary to support such a theory. A third person may act in a particular manner is the hazard or one of the hazards which makes the actor negligent, such an act whether innocent, negligent, intentionally tortious, or criminal does not prevent the actor from being liable for harm caused thereby."
As we recently observed with respect to a determination of duty, however, "foreseeability is a question of fact for the jury." The same rule applies when the issue is whether the intervening act of a third person was foreseeable and therefore did not constitute a superseding cause: in such circumstances "The foreseeability of the risk generally frames a question for the trier of fact" Restatement the fact that the risk eventuates does not relieve him of responsibility.
Accordingly, the trial court in the case at bar could not properly rule as a matter of law that the defendants' negligence was not the proximate cause of plaintiff's injuries. Plaintiff is entitled to prove by expert testimony that defendants should reasonably have foreseen that her caretakers were likely to resume their physical abuse and inflict further injuries on her if she were returned directly to their custody. Again defendant Flood presses only a technical point of pleading, claiming the allegation of proximate cause is fatally defective because the foreseeability of the intervening conduct of plaintiff's mother and Reyes is not specifically set forth. It is asserted that under the case law such an allegation is mandatory if the foreseeability of the intervening act does not clearly appear from the pleaded facts of negligence and injury. As shown above, however, here the occurrence of the intervening act is the precise hazard to which defendants' conduct is alleged to have negligently exposed plaintiff, and the injuries pleaded are those which a reasonably prudent physician would have foreseen as likely to ensue from that negligence. In these circumstances "The allegations of the complaint are sufficient to present the issue" of proximate cause.
Pursuant to our duty to liberally construe pleadings with a view to achieving substantial justice we therefore treat the second and third "causes of action" as alternative counts setting forth plaintiff's theory of statutory liability. The purpose of that theory is manifestly to raise a presumption that by omitting to report plaintiff's injuries to the authorities as required by law, defendants failed to exercise due care—a presumption now codified in Evidence Code section 669. Defendant Flood correctly concedes that the complaint alleges facts showing compliance with the first, third and fourth of the conditions specified of rebutting that presumption.
Insofar as relevant here, section 669 provides:
"(a) The failure of a person to exercise due care is presumed if:
"(1) He violated a statute, ordinance, or regulation of a public entity;
"(2) The violation proximately caused death or injury to person or property;
"(3) The death or injury resulted from an occurrence of the nature which the statute, ordinance, or regulation was designed to prevent; and
"(4) The person suffering the death or the injury to his person or property was one of the class of persons for whose protection the statute, ordinance, or regulation was adopted.
"(b) This presumption may be rebutted by proof that:
"(1) The person violating the statute, ordinance, or regulation did what might reasonably be expected of a person of ordinary prudence, acting under similar circumstances, who desired to comply with the law; . . ."
A number of recent commentators support this theory of liability.
Finally, defendants raise two questions of statutory interpretation. They contend that even if plaintiff may rely on Penal Code section 11161.5 in this case, she cannot invoke sections 11160 and 11161 because the latter are "general" statutes which have assertedly been superseded by the former as a "special" statute on the same topic. But such supersession occurs only when the provisions are "inconsistent" which is not here the case. Sections 11160 and 11161.5 are directed to different classes of persons, and hence are not inconsistent but complementary. Sections 11161 and 11161.5, on the other hand, are duplicative of each other to the extent that the former deals with physical injuries unlawfully inflicted on minors and the latter deals with the observation of such injuries by a physician. But inasmuch as the same penalty is provided for a violation of each section they do not present an irreconcilable conflict requiring one to give way to the other. There is nothing to prevent the Legislature from imposing a reporting requirement on physicians in two separate statutes, even if their coverage apparently overlaps.
Defendants next contend that plaintiff can rely on section 11161.5 only if she can prove that Dr. Flood in fact observed her various injuries and in fact formed the opinion they were caused by other than accidental means and by another person—in other words, that his failure to comply with the reporting requirement of the statute was intentional rather than negligent. We first note that the complaint in effect so alleges, thereby mooting the issue at this pleading stage. For the guidance of the court at the trial, however, we briefly address the point of proof. The provision of section 11161.5 is ambiguous with respect to the required state of mind of the physician. It has been suggested that for the purposes of a criminal prosecution "the more reasonable interpretation of the statutory language is that no physician can be convicted unless it is shown that it actually appeared to him that the injuries were inflicted injuries and formed the opinion they were intentionally inflicted on her.
By parity of reasoning, the same rule will apply if plaintiff elects to rely at trial on sections 11160 and 11161 as well.
This does not mean, of course, that plaintiff can meet her burden only by extracting damaging admissions from defendant Flood. "The knowledge a person may have when material to an issue in a judicial proceeding is a fact to be proven as any other fact. It differs from physical objects and phenomena in that it is a state of mind like belief or consciousness and cannot be seen, heard or otherwise directly observed by other persons. It may be evidenced by the affirmative statement or admission of the possessor of it. If he is silent or says he did not have such knowledge, it may be evidenced in other ways," i.e., by circumstantial evidence and the inferences which the trier of fact may draw therefrom. Plaintiff will therefore be entitled to introduce proof of facts alleged in her complaint as circumstantial evidence that defendant Flood possessed the requisite state of mind, and any conflict between such evidence and direct testimony of defendant Flood will be for the trier of fact to resolve.
The judgment is reversed.
Judges Wright, C. J., McComb, J., Tobriner, J., Sullivan, J., Clark, J., and Richardson, J., concurred.
Discussion
A diagnosis of battered child syndrome essentially means that serious injuries inflicted on a child were done by another person, by other than accidental means, and it had become an accepted medical diagnosis by the early 1970s. Many states have enacted penal statutes prohibiting child abuse, and many have enacted statutes of a general nature, or specifically applicable to cases of child abuse, imposing reporting requirements on physicians, and others in a professional position to recognize abuse.
The decision in Landeros v. Flood was the first time that a cause of action was established to exist in favor of a battered child against a physician who negligently failed to diagnose the battered child syndrome or to comply with an applicable reporting statute. Such failure was found to be the cause of further similar injury to the child. The causal chain was not broken by the fact that the subsequent injury was inflicted by the same third persons, namely the child's mother and her common-law husband who were responsible for the original injuries. The court held that no physician could be convicted for failure to make the necessary reports to the civil authorities as required by California statute, unless it was shown that it actually appeared to him that the injuries were inflicted on the child, so that his failure to report was intentional and not merely negligent. If the child wished to satisfy the requirements of the statute, it would be necessary to persuade the trier of fact that the physician actually observed her injuries and formed the requisite opinion that they were intentionally inflicted on her. The court also held that even if the trial court found the child experienced further beatings at the hands of her mother and the latter's husband, it constituted an "intervening act" and not a "superseding cause", thereby relieving the defendants of liability. This was predicated on the finding (at the trial court level) that the foreseeability arose directly from the risk created by the original negligence. This would be the risk created by the original failure of the physician to diagnose and report the injuries. This was a question of fact for the jury, and could not be dismissed by the trial court as a matter of law.
Child abuse, or battered child syndrome was first reported in the medical literature in 1946 by Caffey. By the 1960s, the medical literature was rife with reports and discussions of both the syndrome, and the need for health care professionals to report it when diagnosed or suspected.
Similarly, there was copious discussion of the problem of child abuse in the sociological literature of the day.
It became apparent that before social and legal institutions can improve the home environment of a physically abused child, or remove the child from the harmful environment where necessary, the child must be identified. It is generally recognized that the physician is the primary means of identifying the abused child. Despite existing legislation requiring, as a matter of law, the reporting of suspicious cases, many physicians remained reluctant to report cases to civil authorities. Physicians reluctance to report has been traced to these factors :
The lack of standard definition, especially in the reporting statutes, as to what constitutes child abuse.
Uncertainty that the diagnosis of "battered child syndrome" is correct or appropriate in individual cases.
Reluctance to breach doctor–patient confidentiality.
Fear that reporting will cause parents not to bring injured children for medical attention.
Fear of criminal or civil penalties for incorrect diagnoses.
General eschewing of legal and social welfare agencies.
Lack of knowledge of procedures involved with reporting.
Landeros v. Flood was a landmark case in which tort law was used to purposely change the behavior of physicians and encourage them to report suspected child abuse. Otherwise, they would face the threat of civil action for damages in tort proximately flowing from the failure to report the suspected injuries.
References
United States tort case law
California state case law
Child abuse case law
Emergency medicine
Medical lawsuits
Medical malpractice case law
History of Santa Clara County, California
1976 in United States case law |
24439654 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%20Southeastern%20United%20States%20floods | 2009 Southeastern United States floods | The September 2009 Southeastern United States floods were a group of floods that affected several counties throughout northern Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas. The worst flooding occurred across the Atlanta metropolitan area. Continuous rain, spawned by moisture pulled from the Gulf of Mexico, fell faster than the local watersheds could drain the runoff.
Initial damages from around the state were estimated at $250 million. On September 26, Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine raised the estimated cost to $500 million with the potential for it to rise. Some 20,000 homes, businesses and other buildings received major damage and 17 Georgia counties received Federal Disaster Declarations. The flood is blamed for at least ten deaths.
The floods were historic, breaking records that went back more than a century in some locations. The Chattahoochee River, the largest river in the region, measured water levels at a 500-year flood level.
Beginnings
Rain began falling on the Atlanta area on September 15, 2009, with the National Weather Service reporting only 0.04 inches that day at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Additional rain fell throughout the week, with only a trace amount recorded for September 18. However, a large rain event began to inundate the area on September 19. The official NWS monitoring station at the Atlanta airport recorded of rainfall from daybreak to 8pm (more than doubling the previous record for rainfall on that date), while outlying monitoring stations recorded of rainfall in a 13-hour period. Flooding began in one neighborhood that day, with the remainder of the area placed under a flash flood watch for the rest of the weekend.
Effects
Hundreds of people were rescued by boat from their homes, and at least ten people died, mostly in their cars by driving where water crossed the road, which motorists were repeatedly warned against on local radio and TV. The American Red Cross started emergency shelters in each county affected by the floods. Most Atlanta area school districts were closed September 21, due to floodwaters and the difficulty for school buses to get around the hundreds of closed roads.
Chattahoochee River
The Chattahoochee rose to the highest levels since Buford Dam was built. Water levels along the river rose over the 0.2 percent chance exceedence (500-year) flood at the gage location. The River reached its second-highest level ever in Vinings at Paces Ferry Road, and would have surpassed its 1916 record were it not for the impoundment built in the 1950s. Along the river in both Vinings and Roswell, a one percent chance exceedence (100-year flood) level was measured.
Peachtree Creek topped its stream gauge and the bridge itself at Northside Drive, but remained just below its 1916 record. Nancy Creek, however, did reach a record level, destroying the Peachtree-Dunwoody Road bridge. Peachtree-Dunwoody Road bridge reopened March 23, 2010. Both Peachtree Creek and Nancy Creek are tributaries of the Chattahoochee River.
The western side of the Interstate 285 beltway crosses the Chattahoochee River. This section of the interstate was completely underwater for several days. Many of the roller coasters and rides at Six Flags Over Georgia were partly underwater, with at least 80% of Great American Scream Machine submerged by the Chattahoochee River.
Located along the Chattahoochee River in west Atlanta, the R.M. Clayton sewage treatment plant, the largest in the Southeastern U.S., was swamped with four feet of water as the river rose by twelve additional feet. Millions of gallons of untreated sewage were released into the rising waters. Other plants in Cobb and Gwinnett counties experienced similar spills. Also located near the Chattahoochee, a Kellogg Company food plant was flooded, resulting in the closure of the plant and a subsequent national shortage of frozen waffles.
Lake Lanier and Lake Allatoona
Lake Lanier rose quickly, while Lake Allatoona soared to more than ten feet or three meters over full pool, using its flood reserve capacity for the first time after years of the 2006–2009 Southeastern U.S. drought. Lake Allatoona reached its highest level since 1990.
Sweetwater Creek
On Monday, September 21, Sweetwater Creek rose to its highest level ever. On September 22, The United States Geological Survey measured the greatest flow ever recorded on Sweetwater Creek, at . The flooding from the creek was met with water from the swollen Chattahoochee River, which blocked Interstate 20 west of Atlanta for two days. Many homes and businesses in the area were completely submerged.
Cherokee County
Interstate 575 was heavily blocked by Noonday Creek, which also blocked several other roads including Georgia State Route 92. The Little River also caused major problems in the same area, blocking the original parallel route of Georgia 5 (which was replaced by I-575 in the 1980s), and Arnold Mill Road, north and east of Woodstock. Commuters trying to get back home to Cherokee county found it took hours due to the numerous road closures and unmarked detours, extending the September 21, 2009 rush hour until after 9:00pm as people sat in gridlocked traffic.
Cobb County
Kennesaw State University in Cobb County received significant flooding on several parts of campus including the east parking deck. Several buildings and dormitories along Campus Loop Drive were flooded from a nearby creek and lake. Water rushing into the Social Science building reportedly rose up to the bottom of the hand-rail of the first floor stairs. Classes were cancelled at 1:00pm on Monday, September 21 for the remainder of the day and again on September 22 and 23 while damage was assessed and clean-up began.
Pope High School was surrounded by water, which receded in time to let the students leave. Clarkdale Elementary School was flooded to the roof. Students were evacuated early September 21, while waters were ankle-deep. The Cobb County School District, wary of rising waters, let middle school students leave before elementary and high schools. Though because of heavy rainfall in Legacy Park subdivision, 3 buses had to return to Awtrey Middle School. Powder Springs Park and parts of Brownsville Road were completely submerged by floodwaters.
City of Atlanta
Inside the city limits of Atlanta, several neighborhoods were underwater, including Peachtree Hills. The Downtown Connector, a section where Interstate 75 and Interstate 85 run concurrent with each other and one of Georgia's busiest expressways, was submerged by the floodwaters. Several cars were swept into the water before police could redirect traffic.
Appalachian Mountains landslides
As a result of the flooding rains, many parts of the southern Appalachian Mountains became saturated, causing a number of landslides and rockslides, including one in October 2009 on Interstate 40 in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina that closed the highway for several months.
Another rockslide occurred on U.S. Route 64 in Tennessee, in November 2009. This section, known as the Ocoee Scenic Byway, was closed for several months. The rockslide was captured in a dramatic video, which aired on many television news outlets.
A rockslide also occurred in February 2010 on U.S. Route 129. It closed the section known as "The Dragon", along the Tennessee/North Carolina border, until summer.
Government response
The governor of Georgia, Sonny Perdue, declared a state of emergency, and requested a disaster declaration from the U.S. government for 17 counties in Georgia. The counties were Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, and Rockdale counties around Metro Atlanta, Catoosa, Chattooga, and Walker counties in far northwest Georgia
and Stephens County in northeast Georgia. While state military assets, including elements of the Georgia National Guard and the Georgia State Defense Force, were placed on a heightened state of alert immediately following Governor Perdue's declaration, there were no reports that any military personnel were fielded in significant numbers.
Beginning on September 24, President Barack Obama approved a Federal disaster declaration for all 17 Georgia counties requested by Governor Perdue.
In the wake of these floods, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency made strides to increase flood preparedness in Georgia through its Ready Georgia campaign.
See also
January 2013 Southeastern United States floods
July 2013 Southeastern United States floods
References
2009 in Georgia (U.S. state)
Southeastern United States floods
Atlanta metropolitan area disasters
Great Smoky Mountains
2009 in Atlanta
Natural disasters in Georgia (U.S. state)
Southeastern United States floods
Southeastern United States floods
Southeastern United States floods
Southeastern United States floods |
24497543 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iloilo%20Flood%20Control%20Project | Iloilo Flood Control Project | The Iloilo Flood Control Project (IFCP) is a project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Iloilo City, Philippines. The project aims to reduce flood damage, which has been an almost yearly occurrence. Financed by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), the project is being implemented in two stages. The first stage is being handled by China International Water & Electric Corp., the second by Hanjin Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. of Korea.
Flood control projects
History of Iloilo City
Flood control in the Philippines |
24553044 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%20Messina%20floods%20and%20mudslides | 2009 Messina floods and mudslides | The 2009 Messina floods and mudslides occurred in Sicily on the night of 1–2 October, mainly along the Ionian coast in the Province of Messina. They also affected other parts of northeastern Sicily and killed a total of at least 31 people, some of whom were swept out to sea. More than 400 people were left homeless, as many houses collapsed.
The places which suffered the most damage were Giampilieri Superiore, a small south of the city of Messina, which was buried in mud; the of Scaletta Zanclea and the two of Altolia, Briga Superiore.
To avoid casualties, when the Messina region received heavy rains in February 2010, the government evacuated one-third of the population most at risk. A mudslide caused property damage, but no casualties.
Storm and mudslide
On the night of 1–2 October 2009, a sudden downpour of rain, accompanied by strong winds and lightning, caused large mudslides through the valleys of the northeastern coast. The extreme nature of the weather gave people little time to flee buildings or vehicles; mud rapidly swept down from the surrounding hills and cliffs, clogging the streets of these towns with debris and grime, and carrying away people, cars, and dwellings. Officials reported that of rain fell in the space of three hours. In some areas, the mud was deep.
The slide hit so quickly that rescuers later found many people trapped in cars and dwellings. Rail lines were covered with mud and major roads into the area were blocked. One man was found dead in his automobile, which was submerged in mud and water. Another drowned in the flooded cellar of his country home. A man choked to death after taking in mud in when the main piazza was flooded in a suburb of the city of Messina.
A survivor recounted his escape: "I was driving home when suddenly all this stuff came down on top of me and hit me full on. I managed to climb out of the car. It was a terrible experience". Cars were swept along by the mud. Many buildings collapsed; some were partially submerged by mud, and engulfed by water and debris. Some people were washed away into the Ionian Sea. At least 100 people evacuated their houses following mudslides.
As of 8 October, seven people were still missing, and at least 450 inhabitants of the were left homeless by the extreme weather. 40 wounded people were hospitalised; at least two of these were said to have serious injuries. Messina has been surrounded by mud and standing rainwater. Parts of Sicily were inaccessible for days.
The Italian government declared a state of emergency to mobilize emergency rescue and recovery forces. It was the worst landslide disaster in Italy since 1998 during which 137 people died in Sarno, near Naples. The death toll was expected to rise. The Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, said that it could be as high as fifty.
Aid
Many survivors fled to rooftops, where a helicopter lifted them to safety. The first batch of evacuees escaped aboard boats; they were taken to the mainland or safe areas by rescue helicopters. Emergency crews dug through mud and used search dogs in an effort to find survivors. The mud covered roads and disrupted assistance efforts, as many rescue crews had to enter areas on foot. Medical teams were rushed to the scene. Bulldozers were also deployed.
One rescue worker described it as "hell". Many survivors sought refuge in a convent. The railway line connecting Messina to the resort town of Taormina was blocked by debris and mud.
Damage extended to the capital Palermo, where a hospital was partially flooded, and people were found trapped in their vehicles.
Giampilieri Superiore, a small south of the city of Messina, was totally buried in mud; the of Scaletta Zanclea; and the of Briga Superiore also suffered extensive, irreparable damage.
Reactions
An investigation into the "culpable disaster" was quickly underway. The origins of this environmental disaster are believed to result from a lack of forestation in the hills and lower valleys, caused by annual summer brushfires. In addition, according to Guido Bertolaso, director of the Italian Civil Protection Service, illegal construction without permits and in defiance of zoning regulations is widespread in Sicily; many lost homes were built illegally too close to or blocking known torrent beds, creating drainage problems.
Residents accused the local administration for having failed to secure the nearby hills from the risk of landslides, following mudslides that occurred in October 2007. These had caused property damage but no casualties.
President Giorgio Napolitano said: "We need a serious investment plan to increase safety – rather than grandiose public works – in this part of the country, or else tragedies like this one will happen again".
Aftermath
As of 4 October, many bodies still have not been recovered from the mud and debris. Some of the victims were small children. Silvio Berlusconi visited the afflicted areas on 4 October and met with some of the people left homeless by the disaster. The scenes have been described by a Rai Uno news reporter as "apocalyptic". As of 6 October, Director of the Civil Defence Guido Bertolaso amended the number of missing people from 37 to nine. Officials thought some bodies of victims might never be recovered.
On 10 October 2009, a state funeral was held for the victims at the Cathedral of Messina. It was televised so that the nation could bear witness.
When heavy rains struck the region of Messina in February 2010, the government evacuated one-third of the population most at risk by 14 February. A large mudslide destroyed some houses, but caused no casualties.
Images
See also
2009 Brazilian floods and mudslides
2009 Salvador floods and mudslides
References
External links
In pictures: Italy mudslide rescue at the BBC News website.
2009 floods in Europe
2009 natural disasters
2009 Messina
Disasters in Sicily
Events in Messina
2009 disasters in Italy |
24627987 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%20Luoding%20flood | 2009 Luoding flood | The 2009 Luoding flood () was a major flood that occurred in Luoding, Guangdong in the People's Republic of China on the week of September 17, 2009. The water level increased due to rain from Typhoon Koppu. The storm slammed into South China causing torrential rain, mudslides and an oil spill.
Dam flood order
The town most seriously affected was Chuanbu (船步). Some sources pointed out that the township government was ordered by Guangdong provincial authorities to flood the countryside around Chuanbu to ease the water levels at the Shandong dam. More than 100 people stormed the government offices three times, they were not allowed in. A resident said township officials refused to meet with the villagers.
Tolls and damages
Sources vary on the damages and tolls. Some sources listed the death toll at seven dead and six missing, while others listed three dead and four missing. More than 100,000 residents had to be evacuated and direct economic losses totaled two billion yuan.
References
Luoding Flood, 2009
Floods in China
Luoding Flood, 2009
Yunfu |
24711767 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David%20Flood | David Flood | David Flood (born 22 February 1969) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon in the Victorian/Australian Football League (VFL/AFL).
Flood, a Nhill recruit, struggled with injuries during his time at Essendon. He was primarily a key forward but was used often as a defender. After playing under-19s football with Essendon, Flood made his league debut in 1986 and kicked two goals on debut against St Kilda at Windy Hill. As the club had won the previous two VFL premierships, Flood found it difficult to establish a place in the team and managed only 15 games in his first four seasons. He played his most regular senior football in 1991 and 1992 with 27 appearances. In 1993, despite participating in the Semi Final and Preliminary Final wins, Flood was omitted from the winning Grand Final side.
Following the end of his career with Essendon, Flood played briefly with South Australian National Football League (SANFL) club Central District.
Returning to Essendon in 1999, Flood became the club's Development and Welfare Coordinator. In 2004 he left Essendon to accept the senior coaching job at Coburg, vacated by Paul Spargo. He was coach for two seasons and then coached the Calder Cannons to the 2007 TAC Cup premiership. In 2008 he was appointed as a development coach at Hawthorn.
References
Holmesby, Russell and Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers. 7th ed. Melbourne: Bas Publishing.
1969 births
Living people
Essendon Football Club players
Coburg Football Club coaches
Nhill Football Club players
Central District Football Club players
Australian rules footballers from Victoria (state) |
24784421 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood%20Control%20Act%20of%201946 | Flood Control Act of 1946 | The Flood Control Act of 1946 was passed by the United States Congress on July 24, 1946; to authorize 123 projects including several dams and hydroelectric power plants like Old Hickory Lock and Dam in Tennessee and the Fort Randall Dam in South Dakota. It also allowed bank adjustments and re-directions for several rivers. The plan authorized the Secretary of War to regulate the surveillance of flood control and other improvements as well as the ability to call for a review of said surveys. The Secretary of Agriculture and the Department of Engineers were also charged with conducting surveys relating to their respective fields.
Budget
The plan allocated $1,427,097,038 for the projects. The act also allotted a maximum of $1,000,000 annually to be used for removing debris and clearing channels, $2,000,000 to be used for rescue and repair of levees damaged by flooding, and $957,000,000 to be used for other miscellaneous actions.
Significant Projects
Flood protection in the Potomac River Basin and the construction of the Savage River Dam
The construction of a reservoir in Rappahannock River Basin
The construction of the Falling Spring Dam and a reservoir on the Jackson River
The construction of four reservoirs in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin
Extensive improvements and the construction of levees on the tributaries of the lower Mississippi River
Allocation of for irrigation storage in the Canton reservoir on the North Canadian River
The construction of the West Fork Reservoir on the West Fork River
The construction of the Belton Reservoir and the allocation of to be reserved for irrigation storage
The construction of the Lucky Peak Reservoir on the Boise River
References
http://www.industcards.com/hydro-usa-tn.htm
http://www.industcards.com/hydro-usa-ks-ne-dakotas.htm
https://web.archive.org/web/20090109143345/http://www.swt.usace.army.mil/library/Omnibus%20Acts%20from%201938%20to%202000/acts.htm
1946 in the environment
1946 in American law
1946 |
24962600 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood%20Control%20Act%20of%201948 | Flood Control Act of 1948 | The Flood Control Act of 1948 was passed by the United States Congress on June 30, 1948, giving the Chief of Engineers the power to authorize minor flood control projects without having to get Congressional approval. It also authorized several larger flood control projects and amended the budget set forth in the Flood Control Act of 1946.
Budget
The estimated cost of the projects approved in the bill was $110,450,000. The bill also increased the maximum annual expenditure on repair and maintenance from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 with no more than $100,000 being spent on any one location. $62,000,000 was allotted to the Secretary of the Army to make improvements and $10,000,000 was allotted to the Army and Department of Agriculture to conduct surveys and examinations. Lastly $25,000,000 million was allocated as emergency funding for flood control.
References
1948 in the environment
1948 in American law
1948 |
25016714 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%20El%20Salvador%20floods%20and%20mudslides | 2009 El Salvador floods and mudslides | The 2009 El Salvador floods and mudslides occurred November 6–9 affecting areas including San Salvador, La Paz, Cuscatlan, Usulutan and San Vicente. The disaster was triggered by a low-pressure system from the Pacific, and flooding from heavy rains caused mud and rock slides that killed approximately 130 people and left 60 missing.
Meteorological history
In early November, an area of low pressure formed in the Pacific Ocean west of Central America. The low pressure system in the Pacific moved closer to the coasts of El Salvador and Guatemala triggering light to moderate rainfalls beginning on November 6 and continuing through November 7. 355 mm of rain accumulated in 24 hours, and the total amount of rainfall reached approximately 483 mm near the Saint Vincent Volcano and between 75 mm and 350 mm in other parts of the country.
Damage
A total of 108 landslides occurred causing 209 buildings to be destroyed and damaging 1,835 more. The floods and mudslides accounted for 130 deaths and 60 people missing. The most affected regions were La Libertad, San Salvador, San Vicente, Cuscatlan and La Paz. Verapaz was also heavily affected by a landslide from the Chichontepec volcano which damaged 300 homes. Several rivers rose above flood levels, and 18 bridges were affected. The United Nations World Food Programme reported the floods washed entire harvests and up to 10,000 people were in need of food assistance.
See also
2009 Brazilian floods and mudslides
2009 Messina floods and mudslides
References
External links
http://blogs.agu.org/landslideblog/2009/11/09/el-salvador-landslide-disaster/
2009 in El Salvador
2009 floods in North America
2009 natural disasters
Natural disasters in El Salvador
Water in El Salvador
Landslides in North America
El Salvador floods and mudslides |
25025033 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1934%20flood%20in%20Poland | 1934 flood in Poland | 1934 flood in Poland () was the biggest flood in the Second Polish Republic. It began with heavy rains in the Dunajec river basin, which took place between 13 and 17 July 1934. In the following days, the flood spread to the basins of the Raba, Wisłoka, and Skawa, all of which are tributaries to the Vistula. The disaster took the lives of 55 people and caused damages estimated at 60 million interbellum zlotys.
The flood
The first heavy rains took place on 13 July 1934, and it continued during the coming days, with more than of rain noted on 14 and 15 July. Peak of the rainfall was marked on 16 July, with heaviest rains ever recorded in the Dunajec basin. On that day, of rain fell in the village of Witów, and in Kuźnice—. On the same day, Polish record of rainfall was broken in Tatras valley of Hala Gąsienicowa, where were recorded. Even though the Dunajec basin was the most affected, heavy rain was also recorded in the basins of the Skawa, and the Wisłoka. Combined rain of two days (16 and 17 July) amounted in some locations to more than . According to contemporary sources, some areas looked like giant seas, with only the chimneys of houses peeking above the water.
Levels of the rivers which have their sources in the Tatras and the Gorce Mountains rose immediately, and on 19 July the flood wave, swollen by excessive waters of the tributaries, appeared on the Vistula near Sandomierz. Due to pressure of the water, levees were broken, and thousands of acres of fields were covered in water. At the same time, this caused the flood wave to decrease, and by the time it reached Warsaw (22 July), it was much smaller than expected, and did not inflict much damage in Poland's capital.
Effects
Altogether, the water flooded , killing 55 people. Damaged or destroyed were 22,059 buildings, of roads, and 78 bridges. The damages were estimated at , or more than 60 million interbellum zlotys. As a result of the catastrophic flood, two reservoirs were constructed on the Sola, and the Dunajec. The Porąbka dam was finished in 1936, but the engineers didn't complete the Rożnów dam before the outbreak of World War II; the dam was completed by the Germans in 1941.
References
External links
Photo gallery of the 1934 flood in the area of the village of Czorsztyn
Second Polish Republic
20th-century floods in Europe
1930s floods
1934 natural disasters
Natural disasters in Poland
History of Lesser Poland
July 1934 events
1934 disasters in Poland |
25029204 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonneville%20flood | Bonneville flood | The Bonneville flood was a catastrophic flooding event in the last ice age, which involved massive amounts of water inundating parts of southern Idaho and eastern Washington along the course of the Snake River. Unlike the Missoula Floods, which also occurred during the same period in the Pacific Northwest, the Bonneville flood happened only once. It is believed to be the second-largest flood in known geologic history.
Cause and events
About 14,500 years ago (radiocarbon dating, 17,400 years ago calendar, "calibrated" dating), pluvial Lake Bonneville in northern Utah reached its highest water level since its formation. The lake occupied the present-day basin of the Great Salt Lake, and was far larger, covering about . As it rose the lake level caused seepage at, then breached, the ancient level of Red Rock Pass, a mountain pass at the headwaters of the Portneuf River, a tributary of the Snake River above present-day American Falls Reservoir. Ancient Red Rock Pass was the site of two alluvial fans descending from opposite sides of the notch, forming a natural dam. When the dam collapsed, it released a flood crest down the Portneuf River valley, also spilling into the neighboring Bear River valley. When it reached the Snake River, it eroded away a lava dam that had been at the site of the present-day American Falls, releasing a lake, American Falls Lake, that had formed behind the natural dam.
At the peak of the flood, approximately poured over the Snake River Plain at speeds of up to and deposited hundreds of square miles of sediments eroded from upstream. The flood scoured the Snake River Canyon through the underlying basalt and loess soil, creating Shoshone Falls and several other waterfalls along the Snake River. It also carved and increased in size many other tributary canyons, including those of the Bruneau River and Salmon Falls Creek. The flood then entered Hells Canyon, significantly widening the gorge. Its waters eventually reached the Pacific Ocean via the Columbia River.
A 2020 theory presented evidence that Lake Bonneville achieved a stable outflow for possibly a thousand years leading up to the Bonneville Flood and then a massive, multi-segment earthquake on the Wasatch Fault caused surging and tsunami in Lake Bonneville with a surge wave over high. This surge carried up into the Cache Valley and resulted in the failure of the natural dam at the Zenda threshold just north of Red Rock Pass.
Legacy
Although the peak of the flood lasted a few weeks at most, erosion at Red Rock Pass continued for a few years before water ceased to spill over. The flood drained the top of Lake Bonneville, which constituted about of water, and lowered the lake level to a stage known as the Provo shoreline. The flood transformed the Snake River Plain into a series of channeled scablands resembling the Columbia Plateau. Also left by the flood were the many "melon" boulders distributed throughout the canyons in the Snake River Plain. According to some geologists, the total volume of the Bonneville flood was actually greater than any individual one of the Missoula Floods, although the Missoula floods released more water as a whole, and at least one had a much higher peak flow rate.
Much of the sediment scoured by the flood was deposited near the mouth of the Snake River. It now lies beneath about 20 layers of Missoula Floods deposits.
See also
Outburst flood
Altai flood
References
Floods in the United States
Snake River
Megafloods
Pleistocene events
Pleistocene United States
Quaternary Idaho
Quaternary Utah |
25094540 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake%20Chad%20flooded%20savanna | Lake Chad flooded savanna | The Lake Chad flooded savanna is a flooded grasslands and savannas ecoregion in Africa. It includes the seasonally- and permanently-flooded grasslands and savannas in the basin of Lake Chad in Central Africa, and covers portions of Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria.
Geography
Lake Chad is a large shallow lake, lying at the center of a large closed drainage basin, with no outlet to the sea. The Lake Chad basin has an area of . The northern portion of the basin is arid or semi-arid, and the southern portion has a seasonally-dry savanna climate.
The flooded savannas surround the lake. The Chari and Logone rivers, which drain northwards from the highlands along the basin's southern edge, supply 95% of Lake Chad's freshwater. The Yobe River, which flows eastwards into the lake's northern end, contributes 2.5% of the lake's inflow.
Despite having no outlet, Lake Chad has relatively low salinity. The saltier waters sink to the bottom of the lake, and drain northwards via underground conduits. The southern portion of the lake, which receives far more river inflow, is generally less salty than the northern portion.
The ecoregion also includes the Hadejia-Nguru wetlands in northern Nigeria. These seasonal wetlands form at the confluence of the Hadejia the Jama'are rivers, part of the Yobe River system lying west of the lake. These wetlands expand to 6,000 km2 during the rivers' late-August peak, with a water surface area of 2,000 km2.
The Lake Chad portion of the ecoregion is surrounded by the Sahelian Acacia savanna ecoregion, a belt of dry savanna which runs east and west across Africa south of the Sahara Desert. The Hadejia-Nguru wetlands are bounded by the West Sudanian savanna ecoregion.
Climate
The climate is tropical and dry, with 320 mm of annual rainfall on the lake. Rainfall is concentrated during the June through October rainy season. March to June is hot and dry, and the November through February winter months are dry and cooler. Evaporation exceeds precipitation during most months.
Flora
The lake includes areas of open water and shallow-water reed beds. Common reed bed plants in the southern lake include Cyperus papyrus, Phragmites mauritianus, and Vossia cuspidata. Phragmites australis and Typha domingensis are more common in the saltier northern lake. Nile lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) is a floating plant that occasionally forms large beds across open-water areas.
Vegetation in seasonally-flooded areas varies with the depth and duration of seasonal flooding. Yaéré grasslands are found in frequently-flooded areas at the southern end of the lake. Characteristic plants include Echinochloa pyramidalis, Vetiveria nigritana, Oryza longistaminata, and Hyparrhenia rufa. Where seasonal flooding is shallower and shorter duration, Trees and shrubs are present, ranging from savannas to woodlands, locally known ‘karal’ or ‘firki’. Acacia seyal is the predominant tree, with Acacia nilotica around depressions. An understory of grasses and shrubs grows 2 to 3 meters high, and includes Caperonia palustris, Echinochloa colona, Hibiscus asper, Hygrophila auriculata, Sorghum purpureosericeum, and Schoenfeldia gracilis.
Fauna
The flooded grasslands and savannas are important habitat for water birds, including Palearctic migrants that over-winter here. The river prinia (Prinia fluviatilis) and rusty lark (Mirafra rufa) are resident birds which inhabit the Lake Chad flooded savannas and other wetlands in the Sahel.
Threats
The lake has shrunk considerably in recent decades, becoming much shallower and smaller in extent.
Protected areas
A 2017 assessment found that 14,732 km2, or 46%, of the ecoregion is in protected areas.
External links
References
Afrotropical ecoregions
Lake Chad
Ecoregions of Cameroon
Ecoregions of Chad
Ecoregions of Niger
Ecoregions of Nigeria
Flooded grasslands and savannas
Wetlands of Cameroon
Wetlands of Chad
Wetlands of Niger
Wetlands of Nigeria |
25143422 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zambezian%20coastal%20flooded%20savanna | Zambezian coastal flooded savanna | The Zambezian coastal flooded savanna is a flooded grasslands and savannas ecoregion in Mozambique. It includes the coastal flooded savannas and grasslands in the deltas of the Zambezi, Pungwe, Buzi, and Save rivers.
Geography
The Zambezi, Pungwe, Buzi, and Save rivers drain extensive areas of interior Southeast Africa. Rainfall in the region is highly seasonal, and the volume of water carried by these rivers varied with the wet and dry cycles of the year. The flooded savannas are found in low-lying coastal lowlands at the river mouths, on deposits of recent fluvisols deposited by the rivers.
They Zambezian coastal flooded savannas cover an area of 19,346 km². The Zambezi flooded savannas cover the largest area, extending nearly 200 km along the Indian Ocean coast and extending up to 120 km inland. To the south are the adjoining floodplains of the Pungwe and Buzi, which create a flooded savanna of 4500 km². The smaller Save River flooded savannas lie further to the south. The East African mangroves lie between the flooded savannas and the coast in areas of brackish or salt water.
The Southern Zanzibar-Inhambane coastal forest mosaic ecoregion occupies the coastal uplands adjacent to the flooded savannas. The drier Zambezian and mopane woodlands occupy the inland river valleys.
Flora
The plant communities include flooded grasslands, flooded savannas, and freshwater swamp forests, which vary with soils and the duration of flooding. Reed swamps of Phragmites australis and Typha capensis are common in permanently-flooded areas. The grasses Hyparrhenia, Ischaemum, and Setaria predominate in seasonally-flooded areas with clay soil. Trees and shrubs of the flooded savannas include Parinari curatellifolia, Uapaca nitida, and Syzygium guineense. There are areas of Borassus aethiopum palm savanna. Swamp forests grow at the edges of rivers, lakes, and lagoons, and characteristic trees include Barringtonia racemosa, Ficus verruculosa, and the palm Phoenix reclinata.
Fauna
Large mammals in the ecoregion include hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius), African buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer), waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus), southern reedbuck (Redunca arundium), plains zebra (Equus quagga), Nyala (Tragelaphus angasi), blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), steenbok (Raphicerus campestris), and common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus). Mammal predators include the lion (Panthera leo), leopard (P. pardus), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), side-striped jackal (Canis adustus), Cape genet (Genetta tigrina), African civet (Civettictis civetta), serval (Leptailurus serval), African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis), spotted-necked otter (Hydrictis maculicollis), banded mongoose (Mungos mungo), white-tailed mongoose (Ichneumia albicauda), and bushy-tailed mongoose (Bdeogale crassicauda).
Some large mammals migrate seasonally between the flooded savannas and the grasslands, forests, and woodlands of the neighboring uplands. Common eland (Taurotragus oryx) migrates to the seasonal wetlands at the start of the rainy season to browse on the young grasses. Populations of Lichtenstein’s hartebeest (Alcelaphus lichtensteinii) and sable antelope (Hippotragus niger) live in the flooded savannas during the dry season, and migrate to the uplands at the start of the rainy season.
The flooded savannas are home to large populations of resident and migratory water birds, including African openbill stork (Anastomus lamelligerus), saddle-billed stork (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis), lesser flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor), great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus), great snipe (Gallinago media), and African skimmer (Rynchops flavirostris).
Conservation and threats
The construction of large dams on the Zambezi – Kariba Dam, completed in 1959, and Cahora Bassa Dam, completed in 1974 – altered the ecology of the Zambezi, reducing the annual wet-season flooding of the lower Zambezi and the overall volume of both water and sediment coming into the flooded savannas. Other threats include poaching and over-hunting. Wildlife was decimated during the Mozambican Civil War, and the African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) and black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) were extirpated.
Protected areas
A 2017 assessment found that 6,212 km², or 32%, of the ecoregion is in protected areas. Protected areas include Marromeu National Reserve in the southwestern Zambezi delta, and the adjacent coutadas or hunting areas. Gorongosa National Park protects a portion of the northern Pungwe floodplain.
External links
References
Afrotropical ecoregions
Ecoregions of Mozambique
Flooded grasslands and savannas
Zambezian region |
25143854 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%20Great%20Britain%20and%20Ireland%20floods | 2009 Great Britain and Ireland floods | The 2009 Great Britain and Ireland floods were a weather event that affected parts of Great Britain and Ireland throughout November and into December 2009. November was the wettest month across the United Kingdom since records began in 1914 and had well above average temperatures. The worst affected area in Great Britain was the English county of Cumbria. The Irish counties of Clare, Cork, Galway and Westmeath were among the worst affected areas of Ireland.
European windstorms bringing heavy rain and gale-force winds caused damage and flooding to the south of Great Britain on 13–14 November. Unsettled weather continued across the south and later to the north. On 19–20 November, many towns and villages in Cumbria and Dumfries and Galloway were affected. A number of bridges collapsed, one of which led to the death of a police officer, who was standing on the bridge when it collapsed. Another death occurred on 21 November as a canoeist was trapped against a tree near Poundsgate, on Dartmoor in Devon. In Powys, there were two deaths, at Newtown and Talybont-on-Usk.
Among the many places severely flooded was the Republic of Ireland's second largest city, Cork. For more than ten days, 40 per cent of its population were without running water after a treatment plant was affected by several metres of flood water. University College Cork was damaged and at least a week of lectures was cancelled. Courts were also disrupted, with some eventually being moved to a hotel. At the time, Taoiseach Brian Cowen described the situation in Ireland as an "ongoing emergency" that was going to get worse.
Event
Before the severe gales affecting the United Kingdom on 13 November, unsettled weather had been affecting all of the United Kingdom since 12 November.
On 13 November an area of low pressure developed to the south-west of Ireland. It moved north-eastwards across the Irish Sea and west Scotland on 14 November. Weather fronts bringing heavy rain swept across the west and south of the United Kingdom. of rainfall in three hours was recorded in some parts of Sussex and Hampshire. The wind, coming from the south, reached gale to severe gale strength on 13 November; gusting between and in some areas. On 14 November, strong winds and showers affected southern Great Britain, with winds gusting up to and on the coast. A tornado was reported to have occurred in the east of England on 14 November.
Over the night of 19–20 November 2009, a forecast depression tracked northwest over Ireland, the Isle of Man, Cumbria and Dumfries and Galloway. Rainfall in a 24-hour period was recorded at at Shap and at Keswick. At Seathwaite Farm, Borrowdale, rainfall was recorded at in a 24-hour period which the Met Office state is provisionally a UK record for any single location. At Penrith a multi-agency co-ordination centre was established. The floods were described as "the worst in 55 years". The Met Office reported that at Eskdalemuir, the amount of rainfall recorded in a 24-hour period exceeded the previous record set in 1931.
Heavy rain across Devon on 21 November caused the River Dart on Dartmoor to swell. A group of canoeists on the river were treated for hypothermia and one of the members died after being trapped against a tree at Poundsgate.
Damage
1–12 November
The Met Office predicted that an area of low pressure would "explosively deepen close to the UK on Sunday 1 November," which resulted in heavy rain across the country. Thirteen people were rescued from homes and vehicles in more than 100 flooding incidents across Wales.
In Scotland on 1 November, Angus and Aberdeenshire were badly hit by flooding, causing transport disruption, burst pipes and the evacuation of hundreds of homes. The coastal town of Arbroath was one of the worst affected, being virtually cut off by severe flooding
In Northern Ireland, villages near the County Tyrone-County Londonderry border were hit by heavy rainfall the night of 4 November causing several families to be evacuated, and more than a dozen homes flooded.
Sligo was heavily flooded on 9 November. Passage West in County Cork was subjected to a thirty-minute flash flood on 12 November, causing an estimated €100,000 worth of damage and wrecking ten cars and several homes.
13–15 November
The area of low pressure affecting southern Great Britain on 13–14 November caused some surface water flooding and damage from gales. Surface water flooding affected Devon and Cornwall. The gale-force winds across the counties brought down trees, branches, power cables and roofs. Local authorities and the Highways Agency were strained in maintaining traffic flow. Dorset reported coastal flooding as severe gales occurred during high tide. Some residents across the Welsh counties of Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire were rescued by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. Flooding was widespread in the Conwy Valley, with homes in Betws-y-Coed, Llanrwst and nearby villages affected. Twelve people were rescued from a coach trapped in floodwater at Haverfordwest.
The Environment Agency issued 110 flood warnings prior to the storm reaching Great Britain on 13–14 November. Peak gusts reached at The Needles lighthouse, Isle of Wight. A tornado developed in Benfleet, Essex, damaging 60 homes. Another tornado in Lowestoft, Suffolk brought down a tree trapping a woman in a car. In Haywards Heath, West Sussex, people were rescued from units on an industrial estate which was deep in water.
18–25 November
Great Britain
In Lancashire, firefighters had to rescue schoolchildren trapped in a bus stranded by floodwater at Sawley, and flooding occurred in Barnoldswick, Blackburn, Burnley and Rossendale. Workers at Kippax Mill in Crawshawbooth were evacuated when the building was hit by a landslide as the hill collapsed under the weight of water.
Many properties were flooded in Ambleside, leaving the main road impassable for most vehicles. Over 200 people in Cockermouth were rescued from their homes by the emergency services. About 75 people were accommodated overnight in Cockermouth School and the Shepherds Hotel (known locally as the Sheep & Wool Centre). Search and rescue helicopters from RAF Valley, RAF Boulmer and RAF Leconfield rescued approximately 50 people, with the remainder being rescued by boat, particularly by the RNLI, and HM Coastguard. A Coastguard helicopter was deployed to the area from Stornoway to supplement the military SAR assets. Water levels in the town centre were reported to be as high as , resulting in the collapse of Lorton Bridge, and over 1,200 properties losing their electricity supply. Coniston Water burst its banks and submerged roads, fields and local premises. Electricity supply was lost to 349 properties in Keswick. About 50 people were accommodated overnight in Keswick's Convention Centre, as well as the Skiddaw Hotel and St Joseph's School. Several homes were also flooded in the town after the River Greta burst its banks, rising above normal.
In south Ulverston, a number of residents had to be evacuated – around 80 homes were flooded on North Lonsdale Road and the surrounding areas, with many accommodated at Ulverston Victoria High School. A number of A roads in the surrounding area had to be closed off and some train services were disrupted.
In Workington, the Northside Bridge over the River Derwent collapsed. The bridge carried the A597 and its collapse cut off gas supplies to the town. Bill Barker, a police constable, died in the bridge collapse, following a called-off lifeboat search. The replacement for Northside Bridge has been finished in 2015.
The Southwaite Footbridge on the trackbed of the dismantled Cockermouth and Workington Railway collapsed.
The bridge over the River Cocker in Low Lorton was also destroyed. Its replacement opened on Monday 31 January.
On Windermere in the Lake District approximately 20 boats sank due to the floods. The boats were all moored to a fixed pier, and could not rise with the rising water.
Also in Workington, Calva Bridge was reported on 22 November to have dropped by about . Police warned that it could collapse too. The bridge was later condemned, leaving residents in Northside a journey to get into Workington. Calva bridge had been built in 1841 by Thomas Milton. It was designed by Thomas Nelson. The bridge is a Grade II listed building. Although badly damaged, it was decided that the bridge could be repaired, as work carried out in 2005 to waterproof the deck had strengthened the bridge too. The contract for the repair work was awarded jointly to Balfour Beatty and Mouchel. Engineers warned that there was a 50% chance that the bridge could collapse during repairs. Two-thirds of the central pier's foundations had been washed away during the flood.
The Dock Bridge, which carries the railway line linking Workington Docks and the steelworks, was badly damaged. Photographs show that at least one of the concrete trestles has been washed away, dislodging the rails on the bridge.
Newlands Beck Bridge, Braithwaite, near Keswick, collapsed, as did Camerton footbridge near Workington. A suspension footbridge over the River Eamont at Dalemain also collapsed.
The Whitesands area of Dumfries was affected by flooding when the River Nith burst its banks. Five people were rescued by firefighters, and another two were rescued by boat from a stranded car. In the Scottish Borders several homes were flooded in Ettrick and Yarrow.
In Wales, a woman was reported missing in Brecon on 21 November, having apparently fallen into the River Usk after crossing a bridge that had a gap in the railings. Dyfed-Powys Police and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service started a search which was called off overnight. It was resumed the next morning. A body was recovered from the River Usk at Talybont-on-Usk on 24 November. At Newtown, Powys, the body of a pensioner was found on the banks of the River Severn on 23 November. She had been reported missing on 21 November.
In Shropshire flood defences were deployed along the Severn Valley and some minor roads were closed due to flooding.
Isle of Man
On the Isle of Man, there were power cuts in Ballaragh and Laxey but Manx Electricity restored power to all affected properties by the afternoon.
Ireland
In the Republic of Ireland; a family of five were winched to safety by helicopter in County Galway, and damage was caused to the Lake Hotel at Killarney in County Kerry. About 40 families at Ballinasloe in County Galway had to be evacuated by boat after the River Suck burst its banks. The centre of Cork was flooded by the River Lee to a depth of , and the nearby towns of Bandon, Clonakilty, Dunmanway and Skibbereen were inaccessible. University College Cork sustained widespread damage, prompting it to cancel all lectures for at least one week.
Thousands of homes across the country were left with boiled-water notices, and over 40,000 homes were left without any water supply. In Cork City, over 18,000 homes on the city's north and inner south-sides were left without water for up to ten days. This was as a result of flood damage to the city's water treatment plant. The Irish Army was deployed to deal with rising floodwaters at Ennis, County Clare, Athlone, County Westmeath and Clonmel, County Tipperary. Electricity supplies were cut off in Bandon, Cork and east County Galway. The house of one old lady in Athlone was even reported to have been the victim of flooding. A lorry driver had to be lifted from his vehicle in County Roscommon after it became struck in water beneath a bridge. Many homes and apartments in Athlones westbank were evacuated as the river levels of the Shannon rose.
The floods affected a nationwide pre-planned strike action, with members of trade unions SIPTU, IMPACT and the TEEU postponing the unrest it had scheduled for County Cork, County Clare and County Galway on 24 November so that they could assist with giving as much relief as possible.
In Northern Ireland, the low-lying areas around the River Bann in County Armagh as well as the Strabane, Ards, Cookstown, Lisburn and Magherafelt districts were affected by flooding. County Fermanagh sustained the worst levels of flooding, with water levels on Lough Erne at their highest since first being recorded in 1956, owing to 35 consecutive days of rain. The floods affected many areas close to the shore of the lough including Lisnaskea and the county town, Enniskillen.
25–29 November
The plight of Athlone, County Westmeath came to light at this time when water levels at the town's lock reached around 50 centimetres above the previous record water level, six of these centimetres occurring during one night. Farms and housing estates were isolated, with the west side experiencing some of the worst flooding and a school being forced to close for several days. Some residents were cautiously evacuated from Limerick's Ardnacrusha district and eight homes were evacuated in Clonlara, County Clare. Farmland between Ballina and Foxford in County Mayo was flooded. Waterways Ireland claimed on 25 November that the water level of the River Shannon (Ireland's largest river) had become "unmanageable", with 33 per cent of the usual annual rain dropping in November alone.
The water level of Lough Derg had broken all previous records by 26 November. This caused the purposeful release of more water downstream which subsequently flooded these areas by around 10 more centimetres of water. Further evacuations took place in County Clare and the city of Limerick. The Irish Army continued to patrol Ennis. Waters continued to rise in County Galway as well at this time.
On 28–29 November torrential downpours and heavy winds spread across Devon and Cornwall, causing flooding and damage. Four people were rescued by firefighters from cars across Devon. Street-water levels reached near Exeter and near Sparkwell. Properties were flooded across the City of Plymouth and Ivybridge. Winds brought down an electricity pole in Millbrook, Cornwall.
Ireland's flooding shifted to the east of the country on 29 November. Dublin's River Liffey burst its banks on 29 November, flooding several areas. Towns in County Kildare which were near the Liffey, were damaged by floods, including Ballymore Eustace, Kilcullen, Newbridge, Clane, Celbridge, Naas and Leixlip. A Clane nursing home was evacuated.
Courts scheduled for Cork and Skibbereen were adjourned for several days due to flooded courthouses. Circuit court cases scheduled for Cork were moved to a hotel and High Court cases were moved to Clonmel.
30 November – 4 December
On 30 November, firefighters had to pump water from one estate in Sallins from which 104 families were subjected to an emergency evacuation. The River Liffey was still impassable at Strawberry Beds.
On 1 December, there was more torrential rain in the west, with drinking water supplies to 6,000 buildings in Galway reported to have been contaminated by human faeces and water undrinkable in more than 500 homes in Clare and Limerick.
On 2 December, thousands of acres of Irish farmland remained underwater, floodwaters were still rising in some Galway villages and roads in Clare and Galway were still impassable.
Transport disruption
13–14 November
The Gloucester to Newport Line through Wales and England was closed at Chepstow after heavy rain caused a rockslide on 13 November. Several roads across Cornwall were flooded under of water. The Tamar Bridge connecting Devon and Cornwall was closed to bicycles, motorbikes and high-sided vehicles. Ferries between England and France were cancelled during the storm and the Port of Dover was closed during part of 14 November.
18–23 November
Services on the West Coast Main Line were temporarily suspended after a landslip between Carlisle and Penrith. Services resumed by midday on 20 November.
Services between Glasgow and Dunblane were suspended. The West Coast Main Line was flooded between Carlisle and Carstairs and was closed as a result. Services were reduced between Edinburgh and Glasgow and also Edinburgh and Dunblane.
The Cambrian Line was closed between Newtown, Powys and Machynlleth as a result of severe flooding on the River Dyfi. Replacement buses were provided by the service's operator, Arriva Trains Wales.
In the Republic of Ireland, Iarnród Éireann rail services were suspended between Galway and Athlone; Limerick and Ennis; Carrick-on-Shannon and Longford; Dublin and Maynooth; and Wicklow and Gorey.
On 18 November, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company cancelled the morning ferry service from Douglas to Heysham and consequently the return service was also cancelled. The first service from Heysham was cancelled on 19 November. Services resumed with the 08:45 sailing from Douglas to Heysham.
In Kent, ferry services from Dover were affected by strong winds on 18 November. Services operated by LD Lines, Norfolkline, P&O Ferries and Seafrance were subject to delay. Kent Police implemented phase one of Operation Stack, using the M20 to park lorries on until they could be accommodated on a ferry.
On 21 November, Irish Ferries cancelled all sailings due to have been performed by HSC Jonathan Swift on the Dublin – Holyhead route. Passengers were accommodated on .
In Workington, the collapse of Northside Bridge carrying the A597 road and the condemnation of Calva Bridge carrying the A596 resulted in a journey from Northside to the town centre. Network Rail constructed a temporary railway station, Workington North, to help Northside residents get into and out of town. The Royal Engineers from 170 (Infrastructure Support) and 3 Armoured Engineer Squadron are to install a temporary footbridge upstream of Calva Bridge, scheduled to open on 5 December 2009.
In County Fermanagh, high water levels on Lough Erne resulted in the closure of most bridges that link the east and west sides of the county. Diverted traffic was thus forced to pass through the county town of Enniskillen, itself sited on an island in the lough, causing major delays. Away from the lough, the town of Lisnaskea as well as the villages of Derrylin and Boho also saw severe flooding, resulting in several road closures.
24–29 November
25 November saw fierce winds rattle Dublin Airport leading to the diversion of ten Aer Lingus, Delta Air Lines, Etihad Airways and Ryanair aircraft—seven aircraft to Shannon Airport and three aircraft to Manchester Airport. Some of the affected aircraft were transatlantic flights from destinations such as Chicago and New York.
Sports disruption
All horse races scheduled for Naas racecourse on 25 November were cancelled because of waterlogging. A horse race scheduled for 28 November at Wexford was cancelled four days earlier as the course was waterlogged. The Naas and Wexford events were rescheduled for 3 and 7 December respectively.
Reaction
On 21 November, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited Cumbria Police headquarters, near Penrith, to meet members of the emergency services before travelling to Cockermouth where he met people who had been evacuated from their homes. He pledged an additional £1,000,000 would be made available in aid for the affected areas when it was noted that the damages could well run into £50 million to £100 million mark. During his visit, Gordon Brown ordered checks to be made on all 1,800 bridges in Cumbria. It was feared that Calva Bridge in Workington would also collapse. Bridge inspections will be carried out by the Highways Agency and the Department for Transport.
Cockermouth MP Tony Cunningham said that the buildings in Cockermouth may be broken, but the people were not. Following the death of the police officer, Cumbria Constabulary stated that over 10,000 people had signed a tribute on its Facebook page. The Queen praised emergency workers for the support they had provided. The ABI stated that the cost of the floods in Cumbria and Scotland could exceed £100,000,000.
In Republic of Ireland, the Taoiseach Brian Cowen stated that the Government's priority was the provision of shelter and safe drinking water for those affected by the flooding. He chaired two sessions of the Emergency Response Co-Ordination Committee on the weekend following the outbreak of the floods.
Brian Cowen embarked on the first of his visits to Ireland's flood-affected areas on 23 November when he visited Clonmel, Cork, Ennis and Ballinasloe. The Taoiseach, taking a further half-day trip around Galway, Offaly, Roscommon and Westmeath to inspect flood-affected regions on 26 November, was confronted by the angry residents of Athlone who said he was using their plight as a "publicity stunt". Cowen refused to visit some of the most badly flooded areas of Athlone despite being offered a pair of waders and even a rowing boat.
On 27 November, the Prince of Wales (now Charles III) visited the areas of Cumbria affected by the flooding, where he expressed "nothing but the greatest possible sympathy" for the victims of the flooding.
On 21 December, President Mary McAleese embarked on a two-day visit of flooded areas, praising the "utterly selfless" acts of those who were assisting.
Aftermath of UK floods
As a result of the loss of all road and footbridges in Workington, it was announced that a new temporary railway station, Workington North, would be built on waste land leased for two years from Allerdale Council. The station opened on 30 November with services provided by Northern Rail. and remained open for a year.
Construction work began in late November on Barker Crossing, a temporary footbridge, constructed by the British Army's Corps of Royal Engineers involving over two hundred soldiers. The bridge was expected to take ten days to complete. It was constructed to provide a link across the River Derwent after the Northside Bridge collapsed and the Calva Bridge was condemned. The replacement bridge is long, and weighs about . It was prefabricated at Halton Camp, near Halton-with-Aughton and was erected on-site in early December. The bridge was opened to pedestrians on 7 December 2009.
On 26 November, three vehicles were observed driving over the closed Calva Bridge, Workington. The bridge had been closed by the use of temporary barriers. As a result of the incident, more substantial barriers were installed to prevent vehicles accessing the bridge.
Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral of PC Bill Barker in Egremont on 27 November 2009. Barker died after the collapse of a bridge in Workington.
In December 2009, Tesco built a new temporary store in north Workington. People living in that part of town were finding it difficult to access the main store, which lies south of the River Derwent.
On 22 October 2012, Princess Anne opened the new permanent road bridge on the site of the original Northside Bridge almost three years after its collapse. There had been calls to name the new bridge after PC Bill Barker however after the Town Council ran a local poll it was discovered that the residents would rather have it reverted to the old bridge's name, Northside Bridge. The final decision was then taken to PC Barker's widow who let the people of Workington decide.
Relief effort in Ireland
An initial emergency relief fund of €10 million plus an extra €2 million especially for farmers was announced by the Irish government on the afternoon of 24 November. In Ireland's Budget 2010, delivered by Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan on 9 December 2009, a further minimum amount of at least €70 million was put towards those affected by the floods and to the prevention of similar disasters in future.
The Irish Red Cross stated that it expected to raise €1 million for survivors of the flooding and that it was starting to take applications for assistance from them on 12 December 2009. The organisation announced it had reached this total on 10 January 2010. The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul had two warehouses in Galway to collect aid for survivors. The Cork Flood Appeal Benefit Night was one fund-raising event which was held on 15 December 2009. Home Athlone was another event held on 21 December 2009.
See also
List of natural disasters in Britain and Ireland
UK rainfall records
February 2009 Great Britain and Ireland snowfall
Climate of the United Kingdom, Climate of Europe
Effects of global warming, Physical impacts of climate change
Global storm activity of 2009, Global storm activity of 2010
Winter of 2009–2010 in Europe
2009 Workington floods
References
External links
Video of the Camerton Bridge collapsing (YouTube)
Article on the heavy rainfall on 19 November 2009 by Met Éireann
A round-up of the counties most severely hit by the flooding—The Irish Times
Gallery: Flooding Images at RTÉ
Video of flooded Stock Ghyll waterfall in Ambleside (YouTube)
2009 floods in Europe
2009 in Ireland
2009 in the Isle of Man
2000s floods in the United Kingdom
2009 disasters in the United Kingdom
2009 meteorology
Environment of the Isle of Man
2009
2009
Water in the Isle of Man
November 2009 events in Europe
December 2009 events in Europe
November 2009 events in the United Kingdom
December 2009 events in the United Kingdom |
25205935 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FloodSim | FloodSim | Floodsim is a flash-based serious game created by Norwich Union in cooperation with Playgen in 2008 in order to raise awareness of the dangers that flooding present to the United Kingdom. The goal of the game is to protect the people of the United Kingdom from floods that damage the economy and lives of the people through an assortment of realistic means over a time span of three years.
Key themes
In order to help raise awareness of the problem of flooding, Floodsim highlights:
Long term strategy and creating targets for flood prevention
The importance of better flood planning
The importance of getting communities involved in flood prevention
Finding new ways to reduce surface water flooding by promoting better drainage
The option of flood resilient measures for houses and businesses.
Gameplay
FloodSim is a turn-based strategy game using a drag and drop interface. A play session is broken into three years, each with different success requirements. Each year ends when either the player has run out of money or chooses to advance the game forward.
Reactions
The project also has received backing from the then Environment Minister Phil Woolas who said “The floods of 2007 show just how serious flooding can be, and I am glad to see that this project has been developed to enable people to have a greater understanding of the risk of flooding. A number of decisions need to be taken when we look at managing the risk of flooding – including our annual spend on flood defenses, where and how we build new houses, and the emergency response procedures we have in place for times of flood. This game gives the game player the opportunity to make informed decisions about all of these policy areas.”
In 2009 a paper was presented at SIGGRAPH Symposium on Video Games regarding the societal impact of FloodSim.
References
External links
[dead link that points to a spam site containing a dangerous download]
Environmental education video games
Floods in the United Kingdom
Humanitarian video games
Video games developed in the United Kingdom |
25212957 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%20Jeddah%20floods | 2009 Jeddah floods | The 2009 Saudi Arabian floods affected Jeddah, on the Red Sea (western) coast of Saudi Arabia, and other areas of Makkah Province. They have been described by civil defence officials as the worst in 27 years. As of 3 January 2010, some 122 people had been reported to have been killed, and more than 350 were missing. Some roads were under a meter (three feet) of water on 26 November, and many of the victims were believed to have drowned in their cars. At least 3,000 vehicles were swept away or damaged. The death toll was expected to rise as flood waters receded, allowing rescuers to reach stranded vehicles.
More than 70 millimetres (2.76 inches) of rain fell in Jeddah in just four hours on 25 November. This is nearly twice the average for an entire year and the heaviest rainfall in Saudi Arabia in a decade. The flooding came just two days before the expected date of the Eid al-Adha festival and during the annual Hajj pilgrimage to nearby Mecca. Business losses were estimated at a billion riyals (US$270 million). The poorer neighbourhoods in the south of Jeddah were particularly hard hit, as was the area around King Abdulaziz University. The university was closed for vacation at the time of the floods, preventing even higher casualties.
Geography and hydrology of Jeddah
The city of Jeddah is situated on the Red Sea coast, beneath the northern escarpment of the Red Sea Rift known as the Jabal al Hejaz, which reaches in the region. The population of the city is about 3.4 million (2009 estimate) in an urban area of , giving a population density of . The climate is arid, with most rainfall occurring between November and January, usually as thunderstorms.
At least eleven wadis converge on the city, and localised flooding is common after rain. The municipality is currently investing 1 billion riyals (US$270 million) in storm drains, but the cost of a full system is estimated at an additional 3 billion riyals (US$800 million). In November 2009, only some 30% of the city was protected against flash flooding and then, often with only one-inch (25-millimetre) pipes.
2009 Hajj pilgrimage
25 November was the first day of the annual four-day Hajj pilgrimage to Islamic holy sites in and around Mecca, for which Jeddah is the main entry point for foreign pilgrims arriving by air or sea. The number of foreigners, as well as Saudi citizens, was slightly lower than in previous years, possibly because of health fears due to the pandemic of H1N1 influenza. However, over 1.6 million are still believed to have made the hajj, with 200,000 coming from Indonesia alone.
According to the Saudi Interior Ministry, none of the flood victims were taking part in the pilgrimage. However, the main Haramain expressway between King Abdulaziz International Airport and Mecca was closed on 25 November, stranding thousands of pilgrims. Parts of the highway were reported to have caved in, and the Jamia bridge in eastern Jeddah partially collapsed. The highway remained closed on 26 November amid fears that the bridge would collapse completely.
Rain was unusually heavy in Mecca on 25 November, as well as in nearby Mina, where many pilgrims stay in vast tent cities. The weather had improved by 26 November, and pilgrims had to face "scorching heat" on the plain of Mount Arafat for the second day of the Hajj. Hassan Al-Bushra, an epidemiologist at the Cairo office of the World Health Organization, said "there is no evidence" that the rain would worsen the spread of the H1N1 flu virus, a view shared by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
References
External links
Jeddah flood video on YouTube
Compilation of photos, news articles and videos on the Jeddah Flood 2009
See also
2022 Saudi Arabia floods, also hit Jeddah
Jeddah
2009 Jeddah
History of Jeddah
2009 disasters in Saudi Arabia
Jeddah floods |
25332988 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993-01-27%20The%20Flood%20Zone%2C%20Richmond%2C%20VA | 1993-01-27 The Flood Zone, Richmond, VA | 1993-01-27 The Flood Zone, Richmond, VA is a live album by Dave Matthews Band, and is the tenth volume in the band's DMBlive series of download-only concert recordings. (The releases are not given unique album titles.) The album was recorded at The Flood Zone in Richmond, Virginia, on January 27, 1993. It is notable for being the first official release to include original DMB keyboardist Peter Griesar. It is also the first official release of the song "Spotlight". Dave Matthews has previously noted his distaste for that song.
Track listing
References
Dave Matthews Band live albums
2009 live albums
Self-released albums |
25654425 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January%202010%20Rio%20de%20Janeiro%20floods%20and%20mudslides | January 2010 Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslides |
The January 2010 Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslides was an extreme weather event that affected the State of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil in the first days of January 2010. At least 85 people died, with at least 29 people in the Hotel Sankey after it was destroyed by landslides, and many more have been injured. More than 4,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes.
The worst affected municipality was Angra dos Reis, about southwest of the city of Rio de Janeiro. At least 35 people were killed at a resort on Ilha Grande: about forty people were staying in the hotel which was buried under a mudslide, and the death toll is expected to rise further. Brazil's only functioning nuclear power plant, Central Nuclear Almirante Álvaro Alberto, is also located within the municipality: plans were made for a temporary shutdown, as blocked roads would make any evacuation difficult or impossible in the event of an incident at the plant.
In Rio Grande do Sul, at least seven people died and 20 went missing after a bridge collapsed due to heavy rains.
Around 60 tons of dead fish washed up in a lagoon in Rio de Janeiro beginning in January, possibly as a result of local ocean anoxia caused by algal blooms triggered by increased eutrophication from the excess run-off produced by the flooding.
See also
2010 Machu Picchu floods
April 2010 Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslides
Cyclone Catarina
El Nino
January 2011 Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslides
References
Further reading
.
.
External links
In pictures: Brazil's mudslide tragedy, picture gallery from BBC News
2010 disasters in Brazil
2010 floods
2010s floods in Brazil
Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslides 01
Rio de Janeiro 2010.01
January 2010 events in South America |
25659499 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond%20Flood%20%28cricketer%29 | Raymond Flood (cricketer) | Raymond David Flood (21 November 1935 – 13 March 2014) was an English first-class cricketer active in the late 1950s and beginning of the 1960s.
Cricket career and life
Flood made his first-class debut for Hampshire against Essex at the Portsmouth during the 1956 County Championship, one of two first-class matches he played that season. He did not feature for Hampshire in 1957, while in 1958 he played just once against Derbyshire. Flood found his first–team appearances limited with the established presence of Roy Marshall, Jimmy Gray and Henry Horton limited his appearances, in what was a strong Hampshire side for the time.
He made his breakthrough into the Hampshire first-team in 1959, making twenty first-class appearances in a season characterised by good weather and an early experiment with covered wickets. He scored 780 runs in 1959, averaging 25.16 and made his only first-class century, an unbeaten 138 against Sussex at Hove. With the emergence of Dennis Baldry and Danny Livingstone, and with Mike Barnard's move from The Football League to playing for Hampshire on a full-time basis, Flood's career did not survive much longer; he made one further appearance, in 1960 against Oxford University. After a serious knee injury, he was released by Hampshire prior to the 1961 season.
His batting strengths were described by John Arlott in 1959 Cricket Journal, with Arlott remarking "His strength lies in two strokes... a truly bucolic swing to, or over, mid-wicket and the archaic square-cut off the front foot”. Following his retirement from first-class cricket, Flood lived in the New Forest, working as a window cleaner and playing club cricket for Lyndhurst for thirty seasons. He was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2013 and died six months later on 13 March 2014 in Lyndhurst. His brother, John, was a footballer who played 129 matches for Southampton.
References
External links
1935 births
2014 deaths
Cricketers from Southampton
English cricketers
Hampshire cricketers
Deaths from cancer in England
Deaths from liver cancer |
25761019 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010%20Rio%20de%20Janeiro%20floods | 2010 Rio de Janeiro floods | 2010 Rio de Janeiro floods may refer to:
January 2010 Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslides, an extreme weather event in the State of Rio de Janeiro in January 2010.
April 2010 Rio de Janeiro floods and mudslides, an extreme weather event in the State of Rio de Janeiro in April 2010. |
25776588 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953%20Northern%20Kyushu%20flood | 1953 Northern Kyushu flood | The 1953 North Kyushu flood was a flood which hit Northern Kyushu, Japan (Fukuoka Prefecture, Saga Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture and Ōita Prefecture) in June 1953. The flood was caused by cloudbursts and prolonged rain from the Meiyu rain front which dropped 1,000 mm (3.3 ft.) of rain over Mount Aso and Mount Hiko. This downpour resulted in the overflow of many of the surrounding rivers, such as the Chikugo River.
The flood was a major disaster with 771 people dead or missing, 450,000 houses flooded, and about 1 million people affected. Due to the severity of the disaster, flood control measures along rivers in Northern Kyushu were fundamentally revised, with many of the changes still in place.
The flood was not given an official name by the Japan Meteorological Agency which has resulted in it being referred to differently in a variety of sources. In Kumamoto Prefecture, or are usually used. In Kitakyushu city, they tend to use .
Causes
The flood was the result of a combination of meteorological and geological factors that contributed to large amounts of precipitation as well as topographical features which exacerbated the effects of the precipitation.
Meteorological
Early June the Meiyu rain front had briefly come to a standstill over north-central Kyushu, raining over the city of Fukuoka and Nagasaki at the start before latter bringing rains over Kumamoto. Later the front moved south over Amami Ōshima before fluctuating between Amami Ōshima and Yakushima. Meanwhile from the south, the Pacific High in the area around the Philippines began to grow in strength and push the rain front into the Tsushima Strait. At the same time a mobile anticyclone from China began pushing the rain front back towards Yakushima. Trapped between these two competing forces the rain front became stabilized over Mount Aso around June 23. Moist, warm air from the high pressure areas stimulated the rain front while low pressure waves that would have normally passed through were instead redirected through the Tsushima Strait. Working in tandem these meteorological conditions generated the cloudbursts and prolonged rain that led to the unprecedented amount of precipitation over northern Kyushu.
Precipitation
Geographical
In addition to the heavy precipitation, geographical factors contributed to and exacerbated the flood. Mount Aso, one of the largest active volcanoes in the world, has produced throughout the surrounding area a lava cap of andesite which is poorly permeable to water. Additionally, deforestation during and after the Second Would War had decreased the local water retention capacity. These factors combined to allow the precipitation to quickly flow unimpeded into nearby waterways which subsequently exceeded their capacities. Furthermore, just two months prior on April 27, Mt. Aso had erupted and deposited 5.16 metric tons of ash which combined with the rain water to produce a debris flow.
Topographically, the rivers in northern Kyushu tend to follow steep grades which cause them to flow rapidly downstream. Additionally the river systems in the area have larger drainage basins upstream than middle- and downstream with the Shirakawa River and Chikugo River having drainage basin ratios of 80% and 70% respectively between their upstream and downstream systems. These topographical features resulted in the upstream systems quickly accumulating and transporting water in amounts that the lower stream systems couldn’t handle.
Flood
Flood in Kumamoto, 6.26 Great Flood
In Kumamoto Prefecture, the central river Shirakawa flooded most severely, and people remember it by the name of 6.26 Suigai (flood). The factors of the 6.26 flood were: heavy rain in the Aso district (in Kurokawa mura), the rainfall reached 888.4 mm in 5 days, another factor being the soil of the areas; it contained layers rich in yona (volcanic ash) over lava; which easily liquefies on heavy rain.
A similar event was seen in 1993 Kagoshima Heavy Rain.
On April 27, Mount Aso erupted and a great amount of volcanic ash which fell was mixed with rain; producing peculiar debris flow in the Kurokawa river and Shirakawa river merging into Shirakawa into Kumamoto.
The third factor was the Kumamoto city; the river Shirakawa was the so-called tenjo-kawa, or a ceiling river, namely, the river bed is higher than its surroundings such as Shimotori. These factors worsened the damage of the flood.
70% of the then Kumamoto city was flooded, except the Kyomachi Hills and Kengun area. The central areas of Kumamoto City were 2.5 meters to 3 meters deep in muddy water. 15 bridges out of 17 in the city were carried away except Taiko Bridge and Choroku Bridge. Kokaibashi was carried away with 40 inhabitants.
The disposal of 60 billion tons of muddy soil presented big problems; 116 areas including a moat of the Kumamoto Castle were used. The Kumamoto city gave subsidies to clean up the streets; ¥2,000 for bicycle trailers, ¥4,500 for 3-wheel cars and ¥10,750 for a truck; producing many small enterprises with trucks.
A house for the aged was destroyed and 52 people were killed.
The damage amounted to ¥17.3 billion (¥121.93 billion now)
Even in the southern part of Aso gun, the dead and missing amounted to 66.
Flood in Fukuoka Prefecture: Chikugogawa Area
The Chikugo River (筑後川, Chikugo-gawa) flows through Kumamoto, Oita, Fukuoka and Saga prefectures in Japan. With a total length of 143 kilometres (89 mi), it is the longest river on Kyushu. It flows from Mount Aso and empties into the Ariake Sea. The river is important to industry, with twenty electrical power plants located along its banks, as well as the major city of Kurume in Fukuoka Prefecture.
147 people were killed in the areas of Chikugo River; all areas of Tsukushi plain were flooded, and the Yoake dam which was under construction, the bank of Kasegawa, and the bank of Yabegawa, the area of Homan Gawa were also flooded. 80 percent of Kurume city was flooded; in the center of the city, water was 1 meter deep, 3 meters deep at the deepest. This flood is called one of the three worst floods, including that of 1890 and that of 1921.
The total damage amounted to ¥79.3 billion, which was equivalent to twice the yearly budget of Fukuoka Prefecture.
Damage
The Japanese Government took appropriate measures comparable with those took for typhoons in 1948. The 5th Yoshida Cabinet (Government) placed "Nishinihon (West Japan) flood countermeasure center" in Fukuoka City. Not only National Safety Forces(which later became Land Force), but also American soldiers helped. The people in the flooded areas greatly appreciated the supply of free food and water, while they thought the flood was a natural disaster and could not be helped.
Estimates published by the National Regional Police Fukuoka Center
Countermeasures
1953 was the year of great disasters; the heavy rain in the south Kishu area, Wakayama Prefecture, with 1,046 people dead and missing and in the Minami Yamashiro area (105 people were killed). The causes were attributed to reckless deforestation, and the lack of water control after the second world war. The damaged Yoake Dam was investigated but the inadequate water control of the upper river was found to blame. The Japanese Government decided to follow America and its Tenessey Valley Corporation and started to build many dams such as, Matsubara Dam, Shimauch Tsutsumi (Chikugo River), Shimouke Dam (Tsue River), Ōishi, Harazuru, Sennenbunsuiro (Chikugo River), Chikugoooseki, Terauchi Dam (Sata River), Ishiharagawa Dam, Ōishi Dam, Jouharagawa Dam, Hyugakami Dam, Masubuchi Dam, Aburagi Dam, and Jin-ya Dam. In 2009, the countermeasures were again under review in view of the global warming and heat island phenomenon and the outbreaks of heavy rainfall in Northern Kyushu in 2009.
See also
History of Kumamoto Prefecture
Notes
References
References
Kuniaki Sonoda, 1953 Great Flood Data and Photographs園田国昭 昭和２８年大水害写真資料展
建設省九州地方建設局筑後川工事事務所『筑後川五十年史』：1976年
建設省河川局監修・財団法人ダム技術センター編『日本の多目的ダム 直轄編』1990年版：山海堂。1990年
建設省河川局監修・財団法人ダム技術センター編『日本の多目的ダム 補助編』1990年版：山海堂。1990年
園田国昭 「昭和28年西日本大水害」の概況：九州大学附属図書館。2003年 - 水害写真展
内閣府政府広報室 西日本水害に関する世論調査
北九州市 昭和28年の北九州大水害
災害伝承情報データベース 昭和28年西日本水害
西日本新聞 ワードBOX 昭和28年水害
熊本県 熊本県の災害要因と被災状況
新聞に見る世相熊本 昭和編 6.26水害 熊本を襲う 熊本日日新聞社 熊本. p. 178
6.26 白川水害50年(2003) 熊本日日新聞 熊本
The records of the 6.26 great flood, in New Kumamoto City History(1995), Volume 8, p236-250.
Floods in Japan
Weather events in Japan
North Kyushu Flood, 1953
North Kyushu Flood, 1953
20th-century floods in Asia
1950s floods
1953 disasters in Japan |
25889698 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fizzle%20Like%20a%20Flood | Fizzle Like a Flood | Fizzle Like a Flood was the moniker Doug Kabourek chose for his one-man recording project. Kabourek drummed in an early version of what would eventually become The Faint, and for Iowa City's Matchbook Shannon. His first solo-artist-under-a-band-name project was The Laces, which released two albums.
Starting yet another DIY project, Kabourek took the name Fizzle Like a Flood from a Tripmaster Monkey song on the album Practice Changes. In 2000 Fizzle Like a Flood released Golden Sand and the Grandstand, a concept album about the Ak-Sar-Ben Race track in Omaha, NE. The album was recorded at home on a computer, and made use of many overdubs for a lush sound.
Two years later, Golden Sand . . . was followed up with the far more stripped-down Flash Paper Queen (The 4-Track Demos). Much of the album was recorded live onto a cassette boom box, then transferred to computer. Although billed as an album of supposed demos, it was a completed work.
The self-titled EP which appeared in 2004 was a return to the more lush production of the first album. It was recorded in Kabourek's spare bedroom.
In 2005, Ernest Jenning offered a (re-)mastered reissue of Golden Sand and the Grandstand with all-new artwork by Frank Holmes (who was the artist for the 1966 Beach Boys album Smile).
Fizzle Like a Flood recorded another album, tentatively titled Love (not to be confused with the single of the same name), which has never been released.
In 2009 the song "Something More" was used in the feature-length movie, April Showers.
Although Kabourek recorded alone, he would often take to the stage in Omaha and Lincoln with a variety of musicians including: Travis Sing, Matt Bowen, James Carrig, Bob Carrig, Jesse Otto, and Anthony Knuppel of Shelter Belt.
Kabourek is currently the singer/drummer in the rock trio At Land, and has another solo project called The Dull Cares.
Band members
Doug Kabourek — vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, percussion (2000–2006)
Discography
Albums
Golden Sand and the Grandstand (2000 • Unread Records)
Flash Paper Queen (The 4-Track Demos) (2002 • Ernest Jenning)
Golden Sand and the Grandstand (2005 • Ernest Jenning remastered reissue)
Singles and EPs
Love (2001 • Sideone Records)
Fizzle Like a Flood s/t EP (2002 • Ernest Jenning)
Soundtracks
"Something More" April Showers, 2009
Compilations
"Don’t Go" NE vs. NC (2002 • Redemption)
References
External links
http://www.myspace.com/fizzlelikeaflood
Interviews
http://www.timmcmahan.com/fizzle.htm
http://www.timmcmahan.com/fizzle2.htm
http://www.timmcmahan.com/postal.htm
http://www.ink19.com/issues/may2002/interviews/fizzleLikeAFlood.html
Musical groups from Omaha, Nebraska
American drummers |
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