Natural disasters

Lansing, Saginaw; Allegan, Eaton, Mason counties affected

June 16, 2008 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today issued an executive order activating the Michigan National Guard to assist jurisdictions operating under a state of emergency because of storms that swept the state earlier this month. The jurisdictions include the cities of Lansing and Saginaw and the counties of Allegan, Eaton and Mason.    » read more »

June 16, 2008 -- (JOHNSTON) – At a press conference today held at the Joint Forces Headquarters, Iowa Lt. Governor Patty Judge confirmed today that a flood-related fatality occurred in Louisa County bringing the death toll to five. The body of a 35-year-old man was found Sunday in flood waters.

With response efforts continuing along the Mississippi River in Davenport, Burlington and Keokuk, Lt. Governor Patty Judge told reporters today that many areas of Iowa are starting down the long road to recovery. And, she said, resources are being provided to aid individual Iowans as well as communities.    » read more »

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JUNE 13, 2008 -- As directed by Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, acting governor, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is working with the State Emergency Management Agency, federal, state and local agencies as well as the public on environmental concerns due to the flooding issues across the state.

"As we continue to monitor river levels, Missourians need to know that our state is prepared with resources and equipment to address flooding concerns," Lt. Governor Kinder said. "I encourage communities and Missouri families to take necessary steps to minimize potential flood damage and ensure their safety."    » read more »

June 15, 2008 -- JOHNSTON - Below is the latest update on flooding in Iowa.

I. AREAS OF CONCERN
*NEW* Waterloo
Due to overnight severe weather in Northeastern Iowa, there are power outages in Black Hawk County.

Des Moines
750 National Guard soldiers are currently deployed in Des Moines.

Last night a levee breach in Des Moines’ Birdland Park Neighborhood resulted in the evacuation of more than 200 homes.

North High School is flooded.

Reported numbers in shelters by American Red Cross: Harding Middle School, 40 people; Callanan School, 5 people

Coralville
Members of the Coast Guard Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) assisted with getting recreational boats and three people out of the water in Coralville.

Iowa City    » read more »

Announce creation of www.flood2008.iowa.gov as a resource for latest information on flooding

June 15, 2008 -- JOHNSTON – Today at the Joint Forces Headquarters, Iowa Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Judge announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved a Presidential Disaster Declaration for individual assistance for 6 new Iowa counties – Cedar, Jones, Louisa, Muscatine, Polk, and Winneshiek

Iowa River flooding, Amana, Iowa: Photo by BitHead (CC)    » read more »

15 June 2008 -- Chinese state meteorologists say heavy rains are likely to worsen floods that have killed at least 57 people and forced about 1.3 million others to flee their homes.

Torrential rains have battered eastern and southern China over the past week. The prosperous southern province of Guangdong has been the hardest-hit. China's official Xinhua news agency says rains have killed at least 20 people there.

Xinhua says the flooding in the Pearl River delta is the worst in 50 years. It says the rains have washed away some roads and submerged farmland across nine provinces. Many areas have been hit by landslides.

More rain is expected in the area over the next 10 days.    » read more »

15 June 2008 -- Rain-swollen rivers in parts of the central U.S. state of Iowa are beginning to recede, as residents try to get their first close-up look at devastation left behind by several days of flooding. Governor Chet Culver says the flooding has caused "massive" losses totaling in the billions of dollars.

Coast Guard assists with Iowa flooding, June 2008: Photo by Coast Guard News (CC)    » read more »

INDIANAPOLIS – With the help of an advanced counterdrug aircraft, the Indiana National Guard has received live footage of flood damage throughout the state to assist with missions and help local governments plan to repair the damage.

Reconnaissance Cargo 26B aircraft used to photograph Indiana flood damage: The 130th Airlift Wing out of Charleston, W.V., flew the Reconnaissance Cargo - 26B (RC-26B) aircraft over Indiana June 11 to provide aerial footage of flood for the public. US Army photo by Staff Sgt. Marvin Cornell    » read more »

June 10, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Barack Obama and Dick Durbin today released the following statement after Governor Rod Blagojevich directed the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to coordinate emergency response efforts along the Embarras and Wabash rivers in southeastern Illinois.

"We commend Governor Blagojevich for quickly directing state emergency personnel and resources to Lawrenceville and Westport after levees were breached early this morning.

"Our thoughts are with those families and individuals who have experienced property damage and those who were forced to evacuate. We will do everything we can to ensure these communities can recover and rebuild as soon as possible."

Source: Senators Barack Obama

June 11, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement in response to major flooding in the Midwest.

"My heart goes out to the families in Illinois and across the Midwest, who have been forced to flee their own homes, and leave their businesses and communities behind.

Rising flood waters, Appleton: Photo by lynnewu (CC)

Right now, many of them are wondering when they'll be able to return, and what they'll find when they get there.    » read more »

12 June 2008 -- Tornadoes that ripped through the central United States have killed six people, including four teenagers at a Boy Scout camp.

Officials in the central state of Iowa say the four teenagers were killed and more than 40 other people injured when a tornado smashed into their campsite Little Sioux Scout Ranch in the western part of the state Wednesday.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff toured the site Thursday, calling the deadly storm system a "tragic act of God."

In Rome today, a White House spokeswoman said President George Bush was saddened to hear about the deaths of the teenagers and sends his condolences to their families.

Witnesses say the tornado struck so quickly there was little time to react.    » read more »

09 June 2008 -- U.N. helicopters are delivering aid to Burma's Irrawaddy Delta Monday for the first time, bringing supplies to people struggling to survive since Cyclone Nargis devastated the region May 3.

A World Food Program spokesman said boats have been delivering some aid to villages cut off by flooding, but helicopters are much more efficient.

Cyclone Nargis damage, Burma: Photo by Ground Report (CC)

He said the U.N. is sending four more helicopters to Burma this week, bringing the total to 10.    » read more »

Widespread Flooding Throughout Wisconsin Causes Road Closures and Evacuations

June 09, 2008 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle tonight declared a state of emergency for 29 counties due to severe storms and flooding.

Flooding in Milwaukee area, Wisconsin, June 2008: Photo by Tracy Apps (CC)

The counties include: Adams, Calumet, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Lafayette, LaCrosse, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Ozaukee, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, and Winnebago Counties.    » read more »

27 May 2008 -- Chinese state media say aftershocks toppled more than 420,000 houses Tuesday in China's quake zone, nearly two weeks after this month's devastating earthquake.

The official Xinhua news agency reports that the two temblors, 5.4 and 5.7 magnitude, struck in China's southwestern Sichuan and neighboring Shaanxi province.

Chengdu residents sleeping in tents following China earthquake: Photo by Michal Pachniewski (CC)

An aftershock on Sunday killed at least eight people and destroyed about 70,000 homes.

The death toll from the May 12 quake is already at more than 67,000, and nearly 21,000 remain missing.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, Friday, May 23, 2008 — In response to the devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake that hit China’s Sichuan province on May 12, the American public and corporations have generously supported American Red Cross relief efforts.

“The American Red Cross is grateful for the outpouring of compassion we’ve received from individuals and corporations across the United States,” said David Meltzer, senior vice president, International Services for the American Red Cross. “Thanks to this support, the Red Cross has been able to provide immediate financial assistance to support vital relief efforts for those affected by the earthquake in China.”    » read more »