Tornadoes Kill 5, Dozens Injured

A severe weather outbreak happened Monday in Kansas and Oklahoma with baseball-sized hail, large tornadoes, and strong winds. The main cause of destruction was the tornadoes which killed 5 and injured 58. Many reports of tornadoes were reported throughout Oklahoma and Kansas Monday evening. In Seminole, Oklahoma the towns airport was badly damaged with several planes destroyed. At least 37 tornadoes were reported.

Tornadoes and Flooding

Thunderstorms brought heavy flooding and tornadoes to Mississippi and Tennessee over the weekend and through the week with deadly tornadoes killing 12 in Tennessee, 6 in Mississippi, and 3 in Kentucky. Major flooding has effected many areas in the Southeast including Nashville, Tennessee with record level flooding.

Tornadoes Across the Southeast

Rescuers spread out Sunday to scour neighborhoods of splintered homes and twisted debris in Mississipi, a day after a devastating tornado sliced through the state killing ten people. Roofs were torn off businesses, homes were splintered, vehicles were overturned, and roads were blocked by toppled trees. Mississipi Emergency Management Agency spokesman Greg Flynn said five people were killed in Choctaw County, four people in Yazoo County, and one in Holmes County. The tornado slammed Yazoo County, then headed notheast to Holmes County before striking Choctaw County. More then 15 other counties were damaged. Thousands across the state were left without electricity and power lines blocked roads. Tornadoes were also reported in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Alabama and the severe weather continued to track eastward.

Update on What's Happened

It's been a little while since I last posted because of computer problems so this is what's happened so far:

An Iceland volcano erupted last week causing airports all over Europe to close down. Thousands of flights were canceled. Luckily the volcano has calmed down and airplanes are beginning to fly again.

Last week a 7.1 earthquake occured in China. Death toll so far is 2,192 people with 78 people still missing.

Also for a while severe storms will batter the southern U.S. with damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes.

Earthquake Shakes Mexico/S.California and Arizona

At 3:40 P.M. Paciffic Daylight Time a 7.2 magnitude earthquake was triggered in Baja California on Sunday. The initial depth of the earthquake is 20.1 miles deep. Shaking was felt as far as Pheonix, Arizona. Skyscrapers were seen shaking in San Diego and in Los Angeles Disneyland was evacuated for safety precautions. Power outages and minor damage have been reported across the wide area it was felt. The earthquake is not expected to trigger a tsunami. No major damage or injuries have been reported. Aftershocks continue throughout the day. Also 4.1 and 4.4 earthquakes were felt in N California.

Major Flooding in the Northeast

The second record storm that socked the Northeast this month was reduced to drizzle as it was winding down Wednesday, but the worst of widespread flooding was yet to come, forecasters said.Rivers from Maine to New York were expected to crest later Wednesday or Thursday. And in Rhode Island, officials were bracing for what was expected to be the most severe flooding to hit the state in more than 100 years.None of us alive have seen the flooding that we are experiencing now or going to experience," Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri said Tuesday night. "This is unprecedented in our state's history."Interstate 95, a major East Coast thoroughfare, was closed for about a quarter-mile in Warwick, R.I., because of flooding and down to one lane in other areas of Rhode Island. Officials on Wednesday warned that it could remain closed for days as the water recedes and to allow time for safety inspections.Nonessential state employees were given the day off in Rhode Island, schools were urged to close and state officials asked drivers to stay off the road.President Barack Obama issued an emergency declaration late Tuesday for the state, ordering federal aid for disaster relief and authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate relief efforts.The rain came as residents were still recovering from a storm two weeks ago that dumped as much as 10 inches on the region. Business owners in the flood zone are still grappling with the impact of lost income."It's definitely devastating," said liquor store owner Maria Medeiros, whose family-owned business in Providence now abuts raging rapids of water and streets barricaded by the police. "Situations like this, what can you do?"

Tornado Safety Tips

Earlier this week severe weather season began with a bang with several tornadoes and other severe storms. Here are some tips for outlasting natures most ferociuos windstorm:

1) One of your best bets for surviving a tornado is to riding it out in a basement. They are one of the safest areas of the house to take refuge during a tornado, away from flying debris and the flowing winds of a tornado.

2) If you don't have a basement take refuge in an interior room away from windows because of flying glass and other furniture.

3) If you are in a car when a tornado is coming get out of the car IMMEDIATELY. Fleeing in a car from a tornado is very dangerous. Sometimes the tornado may be hidden in rain so you might not know where it is. If you are in a town go into buildings that will be safe to take refuge in. MOBILE HOMES ARE NOT SAFE DURING A TORNADO. If you are in the midle of nowhere take shelter in a low lying ditch.

If your area is subject to tornadoes always have an emergency kit.

Tornadoes in Arkansas

Yesterday several tornadoes were reported among other severe weather in the southern US. 4 people were injured and 1 person was killed in Arkansas due to tornadoes. There were 2 EF1 tornadoes and 1 EF2 tornado. The picture above shows the damage reports from the tornadoes to hit Arkansas. There is still a slight threat of severe weather today but not as much as yesturday.

Severe Weather across the Southeast

Thunderstorms are erupting across parts of the southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley.Many storms will turn severe producing tornadoes, large hail, and damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph. Go to weather.com for the latest on the storm over the South and for the latest weather alerts.

Earthquake Strikes Turkey, Dozens Killed

Early Monday morning a 6.0 magnatude earthquake occured in Turkey killing 51 people. This region is no stranger to earthquakes though. One of its most dangerous quakes was one that occured in 1999 killing 17,217 people. With this earthquake among the quakes in Taiwan, Chile, and Haiti, could there be a connection between them?

6.5 quake shakes Sumatra

A 6.5 quake struck Sumatra near the area where in 2004 a 9.3 magnatude earthqauke caused the widely known Indian Ocean Tsunami. No causualties reported.

Earthquake in Taiwan

Earlier today a 6.4 magnatude earthquake struck the country of Taiwan. Only 12 injuries have been reported. One major fire has so far been reported as well. Many communications networks have been disrupted by the quake as well as damage. No loss of life yet reported.

Earthquake Safety Tips

After the destruction caused by the quake in Haiti and the recent quake in Chile, here are some tips just in case you get caught in an earthquake.

Quake Tips for Inland Quakes

1) If you are indoors during an earthquake seek shelter under a desk or doorway to avoid getting hurt by falling debris (bricks, stone, furniture, etc.).

2) If you are outside during an earthquake seek shelter in an open area away from skyscrapers, trees, power lines and other objects that may collapse.

Tips for Coastal Quakes

( For Very Strong Coastal Quakes)

1) After the quake has passed, go inland for their may be the possibility of tsunamis which are giant waves caused by earthquakes. Also if you see the ocean receeding quickly head inland as fast as you can. This is a warning sign a tsunami is about to strike.

-Disasterman