in tackling poverty and reducing hunger
is money.**
Gro Harlem Brundtland
LARGEST QUAKES -
This morning -
5.4 BONIN ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION
Yesterday -
8/15/11 -
5.2 VOLCANO ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION
5.3 NEW IRELAND REGION, P.N.G.
5.7 ECUADOR
VOLCANOES -
INDONESIA - The seismic activity of the Papandayan volcano has subsided and the villagers do not have to be worried for any kind of eruption soon.
TROPICAL STORMS -
Tropical Depression Six-E was located about 1690 mi / 2715 km WSW of the southern tip of Baja California.
Tropical Storm Gert was located about 250 mi / 400 km NE of Bermuda. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
AUSTRALIA - There has been a 40 per cent drop in the number of Ross River virus infections [spread by mosquitos] in the Townsville area in north Queensland this year. Cyclone Yasi may be a factor. "There has been a lot of changes in the environment that's been going on and THE ENTIRE SYSTEM APPEARS TO BE CHANGING AS A WHOLE and that could be something that's underlying what we're seeing. Such high levels of rainfall and flooding due to Yasi, it's possible that all the floodwaters washed all the mosquito sites out, everything was flushed out and there actually wasn't suitable habitat for the mosquito."
SEVERE RAIN STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES -
U.S. - Flooding hits Baltimore a day after record-breaking rain in New York. A sudden downpour in Baltimore shut down Amtrak train service Monday morning and brought reports of flash floods that isolated emergency vehicles and caused at least one neighborhood evacuation. The morning's heavy rain locked commuters in flooded intersections, stalling their vehicles as well as those of rescuers. Amtrak reported more than a foot of water over railroad tracks in spots, disrupting service between Boston and Washington.
The downpour came a day after the New York City area was pounded and flooded Sunday by what the National Weather Service said was DOUBLE THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF RAINFALL FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF AUGUST. Lido Beach, on Long Island, recorded the highest amount, 10.87 inches, while John F. Kennedy International Airport, with 7.8 inches, smashed its record for rainfall in any 24-hour period. It was 0.98 inches above the record for August 14, set in 2008. The weather forced UNUSUAL delays along bus, train and subway routes amid widespread detours and suspensions caused by flooding and signal problems. Power disruptions were minimal.
HEALTH THREATS -
RECALLS & ALERTS:
-Fresh Food Concepts, Inc. of Buena Park, CA is recalling various Layer Dip products containing guacamole because the avocado has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
-Miss Bonnie's Gourmet Recalls Classic Cheddar Cheese Spread because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product is packaged in 8 ounce glass jars and was distributed to Kroger Stores in Roanoke, Virginia; Cincinnati, Ohio; Louisville, Kentucky; and Memphis, Tennessee.
-Merrick Pet Care, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas is recalling a single lot of its Doggie Wishbone pet treat because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
