Salem-News.com Disaster articles Page 20

Rain Eases but Storm-Battered Pelicans Still Pouring into California Bird Centers

The Los Angeles Center in San Pedro has now received over 60 pelicans from the storms.

(LOS ANGELES) - The weekend brought Southern California its first break from relentless storms, but bird rescue experts at the International Bird Rescue Research Center are fighting to save over 100 cold, wet California Brown Pelicans, as more hypothermic birds keep coming.

Night Patrol in Cite Soleil, Haiti

Reports of looting and violent crime are up in the capital following the earthquake.

(PORT-AU-PRINCE/SALEM) - Cite Soleil is one of the poorest, most troubled neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince. The streets were controlled by warlords until United Nations peacekeepers liberated it from gangs in 2008.

The slums here are grim in the best of times, and now locals find themselves sleeping on the street. Their homes crushed from last week’s earthquake, thousands are buried beneath rubble.

Woman Rescued After Eight Days in Haiti

“After 12 hours of work we have success in saving a young lady 25 years-old and it was nervous. Because one life doesn’t have price.” - Bruno Besson, Search and Rescue Team Leader, Sauveteurs Sans Frontieres, France

(PORT-AU-PRINCE.SALEM) - Search and rescue workers continued to work through the early hours of Wednesday (20 Jan) to rescue a 25-year-old woman from the ruins of a collapsed market in Port au Prince.

Bruno Besson is Search and Rescue Team Leader with Sauveteurs Sans Frontieres in France: “We are here in Haiti, in a supermarket. We are trying to pickup a lady who is alive after seven days underground....”

Severe Storms May Bring Longer Power Outages

More severe thunderstorms and flash flooding will also affect the Southeast today, part of the onslaught of storms moving from the west.

(LOS ANGELES) - AccuWeather.com reports heavy rain and damaging winds plaguing the Southwest and Southeast are causing power outages that may take longer than usual to restore.

According to Bloomberg, Quanta Services, Inc., one of the nation's largest electrical maintenance providers, said utilities have decreased maintenance spending by as much as 50 percent.

Storms Continue Their Attack on Southern California, Southwest

The intensity of the storm now hitting the Southwest was stronger than some hurricanes with a barometric pressure under 29.00 inches of mercury Wednesday.

(LOS ANGELES) - AccuWeather.com reports the last and strongest in the train of Pacific storms will unleash a new round of flooding rain, mudslides, feet of mountain snow, damaging winds and severe thunderstorms on California and the Southwest into Friday.

It is an all out weather war being waged by the atmosphere on the Southwest.

Earthquake Refugees Flee Port-au-Prince

The exodus began shortly after the earthquake a week ago.

(PORT-AU-PRINCE/SALEM) - Port au Prince continued to experience a mass exodus today (20 Jan) as Haitians left the capital for other provinces in search of food, shelter and security. In the capital, there is an increasing lack of food, water, loss of jobs, destruction, medical care and a growing threat of crime and insecurity.

Stronger Storms Bear Down on California, Southwest

Twenty-foot waves will also batter the California coast, leading to over-wash flooding, property damage and severe beach erosion.

(LOS ANGELES) - As the magnitude of storms increases from the Pacific Ocean, the risk to lives and property will escalate into Friday over California and neighboring states. Not counting the latest storm bashing the Southwest Wednesday, one to two additional storms will slam ashore through Friday evening.

The storms will continue to pack high winds, flooding rain, feet of snow in the higher elevations, massive waves and severe thunderstorms over the region during the period.

Security Council Authorizes 3,500 More UN Peacekeepers for Haiti

The earthquake has caused the single greatest loss of life in the UN’s history.

(PORT-AU-PRINCE) - The Security Council today agreed to increase the overall force levels of the UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti to support the immediate recovery, reconstruction and stability efforts following last week’s devastating earthquake.

Following his visit on Sunday to the capital, Port-au-Prince, Mr. Ban asked the Council for an additional 1,500 police officers and 2,000 troops to reinforce the mission.

Salvation Army Relief Team to Haiti

Monetary Donations the Most Critical Need As Supplies and Personnel Are Mobilized.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Salvation Army is sending more than 44,000 lbs of pre-packaged emergency rations to Haiti and is working with other agencies to identify appropriate transportation for aide. Critical needs include bottled water, medical teams with supplies, and food.

Though there is still overwhelming need in Haiti, Salvation Army relief workers are now able to reach Port-au-Prince without dealing with massive delays or outrageous rerouting as experienced immediately following the earthquake.

More Damage, Mudslides, Serious Flooding Threaten West Coast Beaches

Episodes of strong winds will add to the danger.

(STATE COLLLEGE, Pa.) - AccuWeather.com reports Pacific storms, including one today, will continue to target the West this week. Each storm will unleash drenching rain, heavy mountain snow and strong winds. The resultant wind damage, mudslides and flooding could lead to more deadly and destructive consequences.

After Monday's pounding, another Pacific storm will slam onshore today. Two more storms will follow Wednesday into Thursday with the last potentially causing the most problems for Southern California.