Oceania

Australia: Severe Flooding Devastates NSW, Queensland

Date: January 30th, 2013 |

Tropical Cyclone Oswald hit the eastern seaboard and unleashed severe flooding through New South Wales and Queensland, killing at least four people and affecting tens of thousands more. Floodwaters had begun to recede Jan. 29 after days of torrential rain, and authorities were working to clean up debris. Military trucks and helicopters were used to [read more]

Fiji: Thousands Evacuated, Tourists Stranded by Cyclone Evan

Date: December 20th, 2012 |

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About 2,000 tourists were stranded when Cyclone Evan battered the archipelago Dec. 17 with torrential rain, flash flooding and winds up to 125 mph. The storm hit the northwestern islands hardest, especially the west side of Viti Levu, the main island. With the airport closed, more than 8,000 people had to be evacuated to shelters [read more]

Australia: “Red Tide” Shuts Down Sydney Beaches

Date: November 28th, 2012 |

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Tourists venturing to Bondi and other popular Sydney beaches on Nov. 27 were met by blood-red seas and large signs warning them to stay out of the water. No shark sightings were reported, but a rare and massive algae bloom had occurred overnight, changing the color of the water. The natural phenomenon, known as a [read more]

Australia: Surfer Killed by Shark in West Coast’s “Deadliest Water”

Date: July 18th, 2012 |

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A great white shark killed a 24-year old surfer July 14 near Wedge Island, off the coast of Western Australia. A man on a jet ski witnessed part of the attack and tried to help the victim, but was unable to reach him. Although authorities conducted an intensive search, neither the shark nor the body [read more]

Australia: Deadly Flooding in New South Wales

Date: March 7th, 2012 |

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Vast areas of New South Wales—Australia’s most populous state—are almost completely submerged after heavy rains flooded 16 river systems. At least 13,000 people have been evacuated across the state, with Wagga Wagga—an important agricultural, military and transport hub and the state’s biggest inland city 295 miles southwest of Sydney—facing the worst flooding in 150 years. [read more]

Australia: Thousands Flee Wildfires in Tasmania

Date: January 9th, 2013 |

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Raging wildfires that began Jan. 4 created a state of emergency in Tasmania, forcing 700 tourists and thousands of locals to evacuate as 140 “bush fires” burned out of control. Extreme heat, drought conditions and high winds have all contributed to a “catastrophic” bush fire season, officials reported. Wildfire warnings were in place for Tasmania [read more]

Australia: Life-Threatening Error Found in Apple Maps

Date: December 12th, 2012 |

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Police in Mildura, Victoria are warning visitors not to rely on Apple Maps for directions to their city, pointing out a system flaw that could be “life-threatening” to those unfamiliar with the area. A search for Mildura on Apple Maps is sending drivers into a national park desert area 45 miles away. There is no [read more]

New Zealand: Volcano Activity Surprises Scientists, Disrupts Travel

Date: August 7th, 2012 |

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Mt. Tongariro, a North Island volcano dormant for more than a century, spewed smoke and ash over the northern side of the mountain August 6, causing domestic flight cancellations and road closures throughout the area. The eruption, which came as a surprise to geologists as well as residents, occurred at Te Mari Craters near the [read more]

New Zealand: Temporary Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch

Date: April 18th, 2012 |

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As Christchurch continues to recover from February’s deadly earthquake, New Zealand’s Anglican church has announced that it will build a temporary cathedral made of cardboard. The church’s 131-year-old cathedral was destroyed in last year’s quake, and the cardboard cathedral is a stand-in as a permanent replacement is planned and constructed. The transitional cathedral is largely [read more]

New Zealand: Christchurch Still Rocked by Aftershocks

Date: December 28th, 2011 |

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A series of strong earthquakes hit Christchurch on Friday, Dec. 23, reminding residents of the Feb. 22 earthquake that left nearly 200 dead and the city in virtual ruins. Buildings rattled and items fell from shelves, but no tsunami warning was issued and no serious damage was reported. Christchurch International Airport and buildings in the [read more]

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