Disasters

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]

Nicaragua: Evacuations Ordered After Volcanic Eruption

Date: January 2nd, 2013 |

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Authorities evacuated hundreds of people when San Cristobal, the country’s highest active volcano, began erupting Dec. 25. The red alert was downgraded a step to yellow alert a few days later, but U.S. Peace Corps volunteers were still being evacuated as a precaution, and the U.S. Embassy in Managua was recommending that Americans avoid the [read more]

Ecuador: Quito on Orange Alert After Tungurahua Volcano Eruption

Date: December 20th, 2012 |

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The Tungurahua volcano, located near the tourist community of Baños, 85 miles southeast of Quito, began to erupt last week and remains in a state of heightened activity. People living on the slopes of the mountain had to be evacuated after a series of loud explosions sent a plume of smoke and ash up from [read more]

Colombia: Deadly Volcano Erupts Outside Bogota

Date: November 14th, 2012 |

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The Nevada del Ruiz volcano, located in a national park about 80 miles west of Bogota, erupted Nov. 9 with a six-mile column that dropped a layer of ash over the Tolima and Caldas regions. The government has placed surrounding communities on red alert, although no evacuations have been ordered at this time. The volcano, [read more]

China: Three Tourists Die at Great Wall During Blizzard

Date: November 7th, 2012 |

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A blizzard took Beijing by surprise Nov. 4, dumping the heaviest snowfall the city has seen since 1951 and killing three elderly tourists who became trapped at the Great Wall of China. The three Japanese nationals who died were part of a small group touring an unrestored section of the Wall in Huailai province when [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]

Sri Lanka: Flash Flooding Kills 42, Displaces Thousands

Date: December 26th, 2012 |

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Severe flooding and landslides have claimed at least 42 lives and displaced thousands in the north, central and southeast portions of the island nation since mid-December. Although floodwaters were beginning to recede in some areas, Colombo remained on flood watch and many roads were closed, including some main highways. The continuous heavy rains and gale [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]

Italy: Four Dead as Flash Flooding Swamps Tuscany and Umbria

Date: November 14th, 2012 |

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Four people died and at least 100 had to be evacuated from their homes when severe flash flooding hit central and northern Italy, including popular tourist destinations in Tuscany and Umbria. The heavy rains combined with an unusually high tide in Venice left more than 70 percent of the historic city underwater, with water levels [read more]

Spain: Severe Flooding Kills 10 in Southern Provinces

Date: October 3rd, 2012 |

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Severe flash flooding took the southern regions of Andalucía and Murcia by surprise and killed at least 10 people. Several more, including a British tourist, were reported missing. Sudden heavy rains began Sept. 28 and unleashed torrents of water in the drought-ridden area, submerging roads and rail lines, washing away cars and bridges, and destroying [read more]

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