Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Biological Hazard - State of Florida, Ocala [Lowell Correctional Institution, Northwest Gainesville Road]

Earth Watch Report  -  Biological Hazards


Image Source  :  Pathogenesis of Viral Respiratory Infection
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 Biological HazardUSAState of Florida, Ocala [Lowell Correctional Institution, Northwest Gainesville Road]Damage level Details
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Biological Hazard in USA on Sunday, 28 July, 2013 at 05:38 (05:38 AM) UTC.

Description
A mysterious illness has led officials to restrict the movements of more than 150 inmates at the Lowell Correctional Institution in northern Marion County while the state Department of Corrections and state Department of Health investigate. Misty Cash, a spokeswoman for the DOC, said some inmates at the women's prison are experiencing "flu-like symptoms." Because the problem has not been diagnosed, Cash said 156 inmates have been restricted in R Dorm. That does not mean all 156 have contracted the unknown illness. An inmate from R Dorm, Yvonne Eugena McBride, 26, died Wednesday from what family members were told was pneumonia. Cash confirmed McBride's death, but because of federal privacy laws could not disclose if the woman's death was connected to the mystery illness. She would only say that McBride died Wednesday at Ocala Regional Medical Center. Eugene McBride said he received a call on that day from a prison chaplain informing him of his daughter's death. McBride said he asked about the cause of death and was told it was pneumonia. He said he hasn't heard anything from Lowell officials. Cash said the sickness was detected on Tuesday after someone reported being sick. Craig Ackerman, a spokesman for Florida Department of Health in Marion County, said his office was notified about the condition at Lowell on Wednesday and is assisting the DOC with the investigation. Ackerman described it as an "influenza-like illness." He said officials await laboratory results.
Biohazard name:Unidentified respiratory illness (influenza-like illness)
Biohazard level:3/4 Hight
Biohazard desc.:Bacteria and viruses that can cause severe to fatal disease in humans, but for which vaccines or other treatments exist, such as anthrax, West Nile virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis, SARS virus, variola virus (smallpox), tuberculosis, typhus, Rift Valley fever, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, yellow fever, and malaria. Among parasites Plasmodium falciparum, which causes Malaria, and Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes trypanosomiasis, also come under this level.
Symptoms: 
Status:suspected
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Mystery illness at Lowell; one prisoner has died

Published: Friday, July 26, 2013 at 6:36 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, July 26, 2013 at 6:36 p.m.
A mysterious illness has led officials to restrict the movements of more than 150 inmates at the Lowell Correctional Institution in northern Marion County while the state Department of Corrections and state Department of Health investigate.
Misty Cash, a spokeswoman for the DOC, said some inmates at the women’s prison are experiencing “flu-like symptoms.”
Because the problem has not been diagnosed, Cash said 156 inmates have been restricted in R Dorm. That does not mean all 156 have contracted the unknown illness.
An inmate from R Dorm, Yvonne Eugena McBride, 26, died Wednesday from what family members were told was pneumonia.
Cash confirmed McBride’s death, but because of federal privacy laws could not disclose if the woman’s death was connected to the mystery illness.




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Flash Floods - State of North Carolina, [Counties of Catawba, Hickory and Newton] , Winston-Salem / State of Utah, Cedar City

Earth Watch Report  -  Flooding

 photo flashfloodUtahjuly282013_zps6e4f22e8.jpg
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 Flash FloodUSAState of North Carolina, [Counties of Catawba, Hickory and Newton]Damage level Details
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Flash Flood in USA on Sunday, 28 July, 2013 at 04:22 (04:22 AM) UTC.

Description
Catawba County, Hickory and Newton declared a state of emergency on Saturday after heavy rainfall, according to multiple news reports. WSOC reported that rain caused widespread flooding, downed trees and power lines in Catawba County, resulting in road closures and detours. Officials also said the area along U.S. 321 Business in Newton is open, but will need to be repaired. The flooding caused various roads in Catawba County to close, including Old Farm Road, Mull Road and Grace Church Road. Catawba County saw more than 10 inches of rain in certain spots and more rain is expected, according to WBTV. Crews responded on Saturday to at least one water rescue and various reports of people needing assistance.
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 Flash FloodUSAState of North Carolina, Winston-SalemDamage level Details
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Flash Flood in USA on Sunday, 28 July, 2013 at 04:36 (04:36 AM) UTC.

Description
Winston-Salem police reported about 2 p.m. Saturday that several roads were flooded and recommended that motorists avoid Reynolda Road from the 3200 block west to Transou Road, Yadkinville Road from the 3600 block west to Grandview Drive, and Shattalon Drive from Reynolda Road to University Parkway. In addition, the exit and entry ramps from University Parkway to U.S. 52 were flooded. Driving should be avoided in these areas, police advised. Police officials said that many other secondary roads may flood or have standing water. Bethabara Park Boulevard was also reported closed because of flooding. Motorists should not attempt to drive through standing water, police warned. Areas threatened by flooding include Pfafftown, Clemmons and Stanleyville.
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 Flash FloodUSAState of Utah, Cedar CityDamage level Details
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Flash Flood in USA on Sunday, 28 July, 2013 at 04:39 (04:39 AM) UTC.

Description
As cities throughout southern Utah recovered from flooding over Friday night, others endured another round of thunderstorms that turned streets into rivers on Saturday. Cedar City Police Sgt. Jerry Womack said police responded to calls of debris in the roads, missing manhole covers and a few flooded homes. Womack said he saw water running through Center Street. The rain stopped about 8 p.m. The National Weather Service reported Saturday that the Cedar City airport recorded 2.25 inches of rain inches of rain. In the first 45 minutes, the total rainfall was already 2 inches. It was an all-time, one-day record for the city, breaking the 2.1 inches recorded in September 1967. Rocky Mountain Power reported that as much as 5,700 Cedar City homes and businesses were without power. By 8 p.m., that number went down to about 2,900. The weather service issued a flash flood watch through late Saturday night as thunderstorm conditions continued to prevail in south central and south west Utah. Forecasters also issued a flash flood warning for Cedar City and Central Iron County near Bryce Canyon National Park, meaning flooding was either imminent or had already happened in those areas. The weather service warned of torrential rains could overwhelm local drainages and damage homes in low-lying areas. The town of Washington also braced for more rain Saturday after their streets turned to rivers Friday night. According to Mayor Ken Neilson, about 10 to 15 houses in the city’s north end were flooded and damaged. Emergency workers worked through the night filling sandbags and delivering them to residents who wanted them.Neilson said in some areas, it looked like someone could go tubing through the streets if they wanted to.
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Heavy rains cause flooding, state of emergency in Catawba Co.

CATAWBA COUNTY—Catawba County officials declared a state of emergency Saturday after heavy rains caused flooding that left damage for miles.
"Houses back in there that you can't even get to for the water, cars flooded, homes damaged, definitely,” said Tina Huggins, a Newton resident.
County officials said 50 roads and bridges were washed out or impassable. Many residents can't get out of their neighborhoods.
"I've never seen this in all the years I've lived here. I never expected it to ever be like this,” Huggins said.
Huggins has lived in newton for 30 years. She, like many other residents, drove around town to take photos of the damage.
Southside park was one of the worst-hit areas.
"I was shocked you know because you just don't expect water to cover up a park to cover up everything,” she said.
Everything from tree trunks to volleyball courts.


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Heavy rain floods southern Utah towns (video)

Weather » Rainfall in Cedar City set a new one-day record.

First Published Jul 27 2013 09:41 am • Last Updated Jul 27 2013 10:10 pm
As cities throughout southern Utah recovered from flooding over Friday night, others endured another round of thunderstorms that turned streets into rivers on Saturday.
Cedar City Police Sgt. Jerry Womack said police responded to calls of debris in the roads, missing manhole covers and a few flooded homes. Womack said he saw water running through Center Street.
"It was running like a river," he said.
The rain stopped about 8 p.m.
The National Weather Service reported Saturday that the Cedar City airport recorded 2.25 inches of rain inches of rain. In the first 45 minutes, the total rainfall was already 2 inches. It was an all-time, one-day record for the city, breaking the 2.1 inches recorded in September 1967.




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Monday, July 29, 2013

Seven people died yesterday on a series of beaches in the south of France which are hugely popular with British tourists.

Earth Watch Report  -  Extreme Weather

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Seven people drown in seas off France's Mediterranean coast after 80mph winds and unpredictable currents cause treacherous conditions

  • Another three in 'serious condition' after escaping from the sea
  • Four  victims died on the beaches, while three others died in hospital
By Peter Allen
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High winds which reached speeds of up to 80mph and unpredictable currents were blamed for the so-called ‘Black Sunday’ in the Herault department, which is on the Mediterranean coast.
At least three other people were tonight in a ‘serious condition’ after escaping from the sea.

Tragedy: Seven people drowned at a number of resorts across the Mediterranean coast of France yesterday, including at Carnon (file picture)
Tragedy: Seven people drowned at a number of resorts across the Mediterranean coast of France yesterday, including at Carnon (file picture)

Popular: Another victim died at the Palavas Les Flots beach, a resort that is often chosen by British tourists
Popular: Another victim died at the Palavas Les Flots beach, a resort that is often chosen by British tourists
Like the deceased, they had been enjoying high summer temperatures on the beaches of  Palavas-les-Flots, Carnon, La Grande-Motte, Valras  and Vendres. 
‘Conditions were hugely treacherous, yet many people did not seem aware of this,’ said a spokesman for the local lifeguards. 
‘Swimmers who ventured out too far found themselves swept further out by high winds and big waves.’


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Arizona : Tour bus flipped and swept downstream in raging flood waters

Earth Watch Report  -  Flooding

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Raging flood flips tour bus in Arizona and sweeps it 300 yards downstream after driver tries to cross submerged roadway

  • All the passengers and the driver escaped the bus without injury
  • The driver could be cited under Arizona's 'stupid motorist law'
  • Arizona is in the middle of its monsoon season, which is known for causing flash floods and stranding motorists
By Daily Mail Reporter
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A group of tourists on their way back from sightseeing at the Grand Canyon are lucky to be alive after their tour bus was swept away by flood waters in northern Arizona this afternoon. The water then carried the bus 300 yards before it flipped onto its side in the flooded wash.

In all, 33 people were on the bus when it flipped. Thankfully, none of them were injured.
A spokesman for the Northern Arizona Consolidated Fire District said the incident happened just before 2 p.m. He said the bus approached a low-lying area and was swept away by a flash flood.

Swept Away: A flash flood in Arizona swept this tour bus 300 yards downstream before flipping it over
Swept Away: A flash flood in Arizona swept this tour bus 300 yards downstream before flipping it over

Lucky: nobody was hurt when this bus flipped over after get swept away by a flash flood
Lucky: nobody was hurt when this bus flipped over after get swept away by a flash flood
The passengers and the driver managed to escape the bus by climbing through windows and swimming to dry land.
By the time the passengers had escaped, the water had risen to 8 feet in some areas.
Arizona is in the middle of its monsoon season, when flash-floods are common in some of the low-lying areas and mountain passes. 


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Fukushima : Nuke Plant Groundwater Contamination: No One Fully Knows Exactly Where Trenches and Ducts Are Located, How They Are Connected

EXSKF


Sunday, July 28, 2013


#Fukushima I Nuke Plant Groundwater Contamination: No One Fully Knows Exactly Where Trenches and Ducts Are Located, How They Are Connected

Tokyo Shinbun has a pictorial showing the locations of the known trenches along the seawall. I think it is more helpful than TEPCO's pictorial, which does not show the embankment which is clearly created artificially. It also nicely summarizes the entire article.
It shows the possibility of seawater and groundwater mixing beneath the sea level. If the highly contaminated water in the trenches from the turbine buildings to the water intake along the embankment bordering the open culvert are leaking somewhere, they will go to the layers of crushed stones underneath the trenches (standard construction method) and leak to the surrounding soil
From Tokyo Shinbun (7/26/2013, English labels are by me):
Tokyo Shinbun's article itself has some misunderstanding:
何より問題なのは、建屋の地下だけで七万五千トンにのぼる高濃度汚染水がトレンチに流れ込んでいることだ。
The biggest problem is that highly contaminated water is flowing into the trenches from the [turbine building] basements which hold 75,000 tonnes of such water.
No it isn't. Tokyo Shinbun doesn't know or forgot to check the density of radioactive materials found this time from the seawater pipe trench for Reactor 2. The density is one order of magnitude GREATER than the density of contaminated water inside the Reactor 2 turbine building, indicating the water in the trench is the same water that leaked into the ocean in April 2011.


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