New World Climate

First tornado on record hits downtown Atlanta

According to the Washington Post, $150 to $200 million worth of damage was caused on Friday by downtown Atlanta's first tornado on record. Several buildings were badly damaged including the Georgia World Congress Center, and CNN's headquarters.

Less than 24 hours later, two people were killed by severe storms near the Alabama-Georgia border.

Australian capital sets heat record

Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, has beaten Perth's previous heat record after its 11th consecutive day of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) or hotter temperatures. According to news.com.au, "No Australian capital city has ever been hotter for longer than Adelaide."

Meteorologists say they have at least 6 more days of heat and no rain to endure.

Lack of snow forces the permanent relocation of the Iditarod dog sled race in Alaska

According to the Washington Post, the starting line of the famous Iditarod dog sled race in Alaska has been permanently moved due to a lack of snow. Since 2003, the old starting line hasn't had enough snow to accommodate the dog sleds. After repeatedly moving the starting line, the race organizers finally made the change permanent.

During the Iditarod's ceremonial beginning in Anchorage, snow had to trucked in from more remote locations in order to cover the streets.

5.9 million Chinese face drinking water shortages

As the Yangtze river hits its lowest water levels in at least 140 years, the figures of Chinese who face drinking water shortages has doubled from 2.43 million to 5.9 million. According to state media, the cause is severe winter drought as rainfall is down 70% this year.

Because of the low water levels in the Yangtze River, more than 40 ships have run aground since October, and the number of livestock without sufficient drinking water hit 5.67 million.

Sources include Inquirer.net and Chinaview.

Hundreds of tons of fish freeze off the coast of Taiwan

Hundreds of tones of fish are freezing to death off the coast of Taiwan due to an unusual cold front. The marine environment is being disturbed by the decaying fish on the ocean floor, and some local fish farmers have lost up to 80% of their stocks.

The BBC story is available on YouTube.

Chicago runs out of money for snow removal

The City of Chicago has already spent $20 million on snow removal this winter, $1.5 million over its $18.5 million snow removal budget. The city has gotten 88% more snow this year than last.

A city spokesperson has said that it will use money from its corporate fund to get through the winter if it has to. Details can be found at the Chicago Sun Times.

The same has happened in Aspen and Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and other parts of the country, as well.

Georgia attempts to appropriate a portion of Tennessee in order to secure more water during historic drought

A historic drought (PDF) in Georgia has prompted state legislators to attempt to appropriate a portion of Tennessee in order to give Atlanta residents access to water from the Tennessee River. In 1818, the border between Georgia and Tennessee was drawn incorrectly due to primitive surveying equipment. Now that Atlanta residents are facing water shortages, the state legislators wants to move the state line 1.1 miles north which would allow Georgia to draw water from the Tennessee River.

Tennessee officials and residents have said they will fight the measure by whatever means necessary.

More details available at the Washington Post.

Deadly tornadoes sweep across the southern US

82 confirmed tornados swept across Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee killing a total of 59 people and destroying hundreds of homes.

According to Wikipedia, "The outbreak was the deadliest in the U.S. since the May 31, 1985 outbreak that killed 76 across Ohio and Pennsylvania."

67 million people are affected by China's worst snow storm in 50 years

At least 129 people have died from China's worst snow storm in 50 years, according to Forbes. 1.7 million people have been displaced, and 485,000 houses were damaged.

According to CNN, 14 different provinces were affected, and damages are expected to reach as much as $3 billion.

Ice storm in Oklahoma prompts eighth disaster declaration this year

Governor Brad Henry of Oklahoma made his eighth disaster declaration request in 2007 after a massive ice storm damaged or destroyed thousands of trees, knocking out power for over a week and contributing to the deaths of 32 people.

Henry said the storm "has been nothing short of catastrophic" and "was of historic proportion."

More details are available at The Dallas Morning News.

According to FEMA's disaster search, in addition to winter storms, other disaster declarations were related to severe flooding and tornados.