High Radiation Levels Found in Rice in Japan

Japanese authorities have stopped the shipment of rice from farms located 36 miles northwest of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant after high radiation levels were found in the rice.  The rice was found to have radioactive levels 25% higher than government regulations allow.  Although officials said there is a slight possibility for long term risk to human health, they said that the level of radioactivity would pose no immediate threat to health.  This shipment of rice is the latest of other produce and livestock that was contaminated after the earthquake that caused the plant to spew radioactive particles into the environment.  To deal with the contamination in the environment, workers are scraping off up to two inches of topsoil.  

http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/17/world/asia/japan-fukushima-rice/index.html?iref=allsearch

Worsening Floods in Bangkok

Thailand continues to experience dangerous flooding.  Flood waters north of the city are slowing draining and passing through Bangkok on its way to the sea.  So far, over 500 people have died from the floods, and approximately one-third of the city has been evacuated.  The water has reached the outskirts of the inner city, and more water pumps are being ordered to try and prevent the water from reaching the heart of the city.  The situation could continue to get worse if communities living among the increasingly dirty water experience health effects.  The flooding is also shutting down many industrial centers, putting people out of work for the time being.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15615876

http://www.thaitravelnews.net/thailand-floods/bangkok-floods-flood-monitoring-centre-set-minburi/

Deadly Mudslides in Columbia

Columbia has been experiencing one the wettest rainy seasons in recent memory.  These heavy rains have forced over 250,000 to be evacuated, and were responsible for triggering two mudslides in western Columbia on Sunday.  The mudslides buried 18 homes and have killed 24 people.  Officials said that there are 30 people missing, and rescue crews are searching for them.  The heavy rains are expected to continue for the next month or two, meaning that more mudslides can be expected.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15613951

Early Snow Storm on the East Coast

An early snow storm hit the east coast of the United States, bringing up to 30 inches in some areas.  The storm has left more than three million people without power for an extended amount of time, and has been responsible for as many as 23 deaths.  Due to the mild October temperatures, the snow was of a heavier consistency.  The snow caused a large number of tree branches to break, leading to more damage and clean up.  The unusual storm was caused by an area of high pressure over southeastern Canada funneled cold air south towards the US.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15523992
http://iphone.france24.com/en/20111030-weather-rare-october-snowstorm-hits-usa-northeast-NY

Sever Flash Floods in Italy

Northern Italy received an estimated 20 inches of precipitation in the past 24 hours.  The downpour has led to flash flooding and mudslides in the region, anywhere between six and nine people dead, and many others still missing. The rain and floods have blocked roads, swept away bridges, and caused large amounts of damage to cities.  People were being evacuated from coastal cities by the Coast Guard.  I believe that if this amount of flooding occurred in a lesser developed country, the death toll would have been much higher.  Italy's government was able to warn people about the flooding, and evacuate others to safety.

http://hypervocal.com/news/2011/severe-flash-floods-in-italy-kill-at-least-six-destroy-cinque-terre-villages/

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E90-9f2OOg4

Earthquake in Eastern Turkey

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit eastern Turkey, leading to many deaths and extensive amount of damage.  An estimated 279 people have died, while another 1,300 have been injured.  It was also estimated that almost 1,000 buildings were damaged.  Because eastern Turkey is among the poorest areas in the country, these people were more susceptible to experience extensive amounts of damage and casualties from a hazard.  The structures in this area were probably not built very well, or are built to withstand earthquakes.  Immediately following the earthquake, people were subject to near freezing temperatures, making survival before rescue workers arrived even that more challenging.                

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/24/world/europe/turkey-quake/index.html?iref=allsearch

Hurricane Rina

The newest hurricane in the Caribbean is Hurricane Rina. The hurricane has grown into a Category 2 storm as it heads towards Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.  The storm is expected to become a major storm in the next few hours, and should hit the coast of Mexico on Thursday.  Warnings have already been issued for the area, including the popular tourist city of Cancun.  The hurricane formed off of the coasts of Honduras and Nicaragua.  The hurricane's path moved away from other Central America countries that have already experienced huge amounts of rain and flooding.  This relates to the Swiss Cheese Model discussed in class.  These countries are very lucky that the hurricane is not going to be affecting them because of the extensive damage that they have already experienced.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15443540