Calamities in the United States of America

Montana: Fires

Sep-2001

Fires occur in western Montana near Glacier National Park

Northwest: Fires

Aug-2001

Nine new large fires are burning in nine western states. One new large fire was contained in Wyoming. Overall, 40 large fires are burning in nine states. Currently, more than 28,500 firefighters and support personnel are assigned to wild land fires. The Pacific Northwest remains the hotspot, with 15 large fires burning. However, favorable weather conditions helped firefighters make good progress on most of the fires in Oregon and Washington. Some evacuations remain in effect in Washington. See the National Fire News for more information.

Oregon: Drought

Aug-2001

The assignment came hours after Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber declared a drought emergency for his state Thursday (16th) and mobilized 120 National Guard troops to help battle wildfires. Oregon and Washington, suffering dry conditions and winds ranging from 15 to 35 mph, continue to have the worst blazes of the 10 Western states where wildfires are burning. The NIFC said the 42 major fires have scorched over 500,000 acres in those states. However, looking at the year to date statistics, the number of fires and total acreage burned year to date are close to the 10 year national average. See the special NOAA news story on this situation.

Northwest: Fires

Aug-2001

According to NIFC National Fire News the national level of preparedness increased to the highest point on the 16th, as more than one half million acres are burning in 42 large fires across the United States. Nearly 21,000 firefighters are working on the fire lines. Record high temperatures in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho may increase large fire activity. Predicted strong winds will challenge firefighters on the 17th. Media reports on the 16th indicate federal troops will join the 21,000 firefighters.

Northwest: Fires

Aug-2001

Lightning triggered wildfires continue to burn in many western states around mid month. The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reported that lightning activity diminished across the west on the 15th and allowed firefighters to contain four large fires in Nevada and Colorado. Efforts are now focused on Oregon and Washington, where hot and dry conditions have increased large fire activity. Currently more than 20,200 firefighters are assigned to wild land fires in the western United States. The center is on National Preparedness level four; level five is the highest. See the NIFC most recent National Fire News for the latest information.

District of Columbia: Storms

Aug-2001

Washington, D.C. officials say more than 1,500 homes were damaged by heavy rains from thunderstorms on the 11-12th. This flooding has prompted the first-ever request for federal disaster aid for residents of the nation's capital. The storms caused torrents of storm water and raw sewage to flow into hundreds of homes.

North Dakota: Storms

Aug-2001

Severe thunderstorms with associated damaging downdraft winds were observed over eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota. These storms were associated with a cold front which swept through the area and also spawned several tornadoes and hail. Many locations reported extensive damage due to strong winds. The winds at Grand Forks, ND AFB on August 8th, 2001 at 8:06 PM reported a wind gust of 114 mph (99 kts) , the sustained winds were observed at 81 mph (70 kts). See the NWS Grand Forks Severe local storm reports for more information. See the following to obtain Preliminary Storm reports for any day.

Southeast: Storms

Aug-2001

Tropical Storm Barry moved across the lower Gulf coast states of Florida and Alabama on August 6th, 2001 brought heavy rains and some flooding. Rainfall amounts of up to 8-9 inches were measured over the Florida panhandle with lesser amounts in parts of Alabama, Mississippi and southwest Georgia.

Illinois: Floods

Aug-2001

Flash flooding gripped the Chicago area on the morning of August 2nd, 2001. The floods shut down major thoroughfares at the height of morning rush hour, flooding dozens of underpasses. Manhole covers were seen floating off in some places, with 2-4 inches of rain falling in just several hours. The flash flooding began early Thursday morning when heavy rain moved through the area. Cooler temperatures associated with the system were a welcome relief from the heat which brought dangerous heat index numbers to the region in late July. The heat index is a number in degrees Fahrenheit (F) that tells how hot it really feels when relative humidity is added to the actual air temperature. Exposure to full sunshine can increase the heat index by 15 degrees F.

Ohio: Storms

Jul-2001

Heavy rains and thunderstorms struck the Ohio Valley on July 17-18, resulting in 2 deaths in Cincinnati. Over 6 inches of rain was reported in some locations.

Washington: Fires

Jul-2001

In the Cascades of Washington state, 4 firefighters were killed when a fire (believed to originate from a campfire) overtook the firefighters, due to gusty winds. Six others were injured in the blaze, which started on July 10. This was the nation's deadliest wildfire since 1994. The fire grew from its initial size of less than 10 acres early in the day to 2500 acres by late afternoon. Extremely dry weather, low humidity, and dry underbrush have reportedly made the steep, heavily forested terrain of north-central Washington especially dangerous.

South Carolina: Tornadoes

Jul-2001

The AP reported that a tornado formed over the ocean as a waterspout and moved ashore in the busy beach resort of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on July 6th. Several people were reportedly injured, mobile homes were destroyed, and buses were overturned. Damage is estimated at 8 million dollars, and power was knocked out for 4000 residences and businesses. See the NWS special report on the tornado, with numerous photos included.

West Virginia: Floods

Jul-2001

Significant flooding occurred in West Virginia and eastern Kentucky on July 8th due to a series of thunderstorms. Up to 3000 homes were damaged or destroyed by flooding or mudslides, one person was killed in southern WV, and two were killed in eastern KY. West Virginia declared a state of emergency in eight counties. The National Weather Service reported that nearly 8 inches of rain fell in Mullens, WV. As a result, the Guyandotte and Tug Fork Rivers rose well above flood stage, and the USGS said flooding on parts of the Guyandotte exceeded the 100-year flood level. In Wyoming County, 75 percent of the businesses were damaged or destroyed. Preliminary damage estimates for West Virginia are at least $20 million, but some costs have not yet been counted.

Pennsylvania: Floods

Jun-2001

As of the 18th, media reports indicate that at least four people are dead and two missing after an explosion caused a flooded apartment building to collapse and catch fire in suburban Philadelphia, where the remnants of Tropical Storm Allison dropped heavy flooding rains. The cause of the explosion has not been determined, but emergency management officials stated that given it occurred in the wake of the flooding, a gas explosion is a possibility. The remnants of Allison dumped about 3 inches of rain in most areas on the evening of the 16th, but over 10 inches was recorded in the hardest-hit areas of Doylestown and Willow Grove which are north of Philadelphia, PA.

Southeast: Drought

Jun-2001

In contrast, drought conditions are still affecting parts of the United States. Portions of the southeast continue to suffer from hydrological drought, with streams and lakes far below normal levels. Short-term soil moisture deficits have impacted many agricultural interests, such as the planting of cotton, which has been delayed or cancelled in some locations, such as the low country of South Carolina. See the latest weekly Drought Monitor report for more information on a national scale.

Southeast: Storms

Jun-2001

Flooding, lightning and tornadoes associated with the storm system have claimed at least 41 lives and left at least 13 others injured. Figures compiled by the Federal Emergency Management Agency confirm 23 deaths in Texas; 8 in Florida; 7 in Pennsylvania; and one each in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Virginia. In addition, nine people died in North Carolina in vehicle accidents that were in part blamed on the rains, bringing the total number of fatalities related to the storm to 50.

Texas: Storms

Jun-2001

The latest estimates indicate that Allison caused approximately $4.8 billion dollars in damages in the Houston area, making it the most expensive tropical storm in U.S. history. Additional damage in other states which have disaster declarations (Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, and Pennsylvania) will probably push the damage total to over $5 billion.

Florida: Fires

May-2001

Various media sources reported that the Mallory Swamp fire near Mayo in northern Florida, which was started by lightning, spread to 61,000 acres in Dixie and Lafayette counties on the 27th. Heavy smoke has reportedly caused problems for residents of nearby communities, and according to the Florida Division of Forestry, the timber loss is estimated at 10 million dollars.

Florida: Fires

Apr-2001

Media reports indicated that an 18-mile stretch of U.S. 1 - the main highway between Florida City and Key Largo - and an alternate route were closed periodically from Monday to Thursday (23rd - 26th) because smoke was causing severely reduced visibility. Through Wednesday (25th) , 2,252 fires in Florida charred 178,138 acres since January 1st. . However, much needed rainfall brought relief to parts of the state over the last several days.

Kansas: Tornadoes

Apr-2001

The AP reported that a tornado hit Hoisington, Kansas late Saturday night (20th), ripping the roof off a hospital just after it was evacuated, and damaging several blocks of homes. At least one individual reportedly died, and 32 individuals were injured, including 4 critically. See the NWS/Storm Prediction Center for preliminary tornado information for April 2001.

Iowa: Floods

Apr-2001

According to news reports, the Iowa National Guard battled to keep downtown Davenport from the advancing Mississippi River as flooding reached the city's riverfront baseball stadium. Concerns remain ahead of Tuesday's (24th) projected river crest of 22 to 22.5 feet, just short of the 1993 record of 22.63 feet. Residents, volunteers and Guard troops have labored for days, filling sandbags to protect area businesses. See the NWS Central Region - North Central River Forecast Center for the latest information.

Midwest: Tornadoes

Apr-2001

Media reports indicated that 4 individuals died, buildings were badly damaged, trees uprooted and cars overturned when numerous tornados hit the Midwest around the 11th of the month. Two individuals reportedly died in Agency, Iowa where 2 houses were destroyed and 9 others were severely damaged after a tornado touched down in the southeastern Iowa town. Three other twisters reportedly hit southern Iowa on Wednesday April 11th. See the NWS Des Moines Storm Surveys web page for more information. Other tornadoes hit parts of Oklahoma and Missouri causing several deaths.

Florida: Drought

Apr-2001

In the U.S., Reuters reported that Florida’s drought - the worst in a century in some parts - has cost farmers 574 million dollars in the last four years. Even the state’s citrus industry has suffered from the drought, losing 82 million dollars over the past 4 years. The Florida Department of Agriculture survey from this year reportedly found serious losses across the state’s farming industries. The largest losses - 295 million since 1997 - were reportedly to row crops, like corn, peanuts, cotton, soybeans and hay in northern Florida, and the panhandle.

Midwest: Floods

Apr-2001

According to media reports, as of April 17th, 2001, the Mississippi River kept residents in river basin areas on alert as it slowly swept out of its banks and threatened to become the highest flood crest on record in spots. A 403-mile stretch of the river from Muscatinem, Iowa, to Minneapolis was closed to boat and barge traffic, and nine counties in western Wisconsin were under a state of emergency. The National Guard in St. Paul needed civilian help again Monday (16th) to build up a dike protecting their headquarters at St. Paul's flooded downtown airport. More than 350 Guardsmen are on active duty in Minnesota because of flooding across the state, but most are deployed on the Red and Minnesota rivers, forcing the Guard to rely on volunteers to battle the Mississippi. The river was expected to crest at 20 to 22 feet early next week at Davenport, Iowa, where the record was 22.6 feet in 1993. It was predicted to crest near La Crosse at 17 feet Wednesday, just short of the record 17.9 feet set in 1965. See the latest NWS Minneapolis Flood statement for more information. River levels are expected to remain very high for an extended period of 2-4 weeks in the region which will place added stress on dikes and dams. Some additional Flood information and photo's are available from the NWS LaCrosse, WI web site .

North Dakota: Floods

Apr-2001

Grand Forks officials issued a new flood warning on April 8th, as the Red River rose past 36 feet there, up more than 4 feet since Saturday morning and on its way to a forecasted crest of 43 to 45 feet. However, the city had already been shoring up its dike system, which protects to a river level of 50 feet, said city spokeswoman Christine Page Diers.

South Dakota: Floods

Apr-2001

Other rivers in eastern South Dakota were still rising, including the James River, which was 6 feet over flood stage at Huron. The focus of attention Sunday was the Red River, which flows northward between North Dakota and Minnesota and caused devastating flooding four years ago in Grand Forks, North Dakota. New dikes and flood control systems are expected to spare many areas from a repeat of its Northern Plains 1997 flood.

Upper Midwest: Floods

Apr-2001

Flooding is also causing problems in parts of the Upper Midwest in the United States. The Red River and others streams across the Dakotas and Minnesota were rising fast due to rapidly melting snow and heavy rain dumped by a storm that swept across the region on April 7th, 2001. Media reports indicated that Watertown, South Dakota received 2.27 inches of rain on April 7th, and about 250 families left their homes as a precaution against high water on the Big Sioux River. They were allowed back on the 8th as the river started receding. National Guard members also had been sent to help out there.

Eastern: Storms

Mar-2001

A strong storm system hammered portions of the eastern U.S. during the first week of March, 2001. The storm dumped 9.21 inches of rain in Georgianna, Alabama in a four-day period ending at 8 AM CST on March 4th, 2001. The storm also dumped heavy snows on portions of the northeast. The heaviest snows were across interior sections of Pennsylvania, New York and New England on March 5th and 6th with 2-3 feet amounts quite common. The heavest reported amount fell at Nottingham, New Hampshire with a storm total of 40 inches. Winds also gusted to 97 MPH at Mt. Washington with areas along the New England coast gusting over 60 MPH. A cold flow behind the storm brought heavy snows across the backbone of the Appalachians from the Carolinas to Pennsylvania. Snowfall amounts in these areas ranged from 5-20 inches, with Avery county North Carolina reporting up to 18 inches of snow.

Florida: Fires

Feb-2001

A ten mile stretch of Interstate 4 which crosses central Florida reopened on the 27th, after being closed for 10 days by a wildfire. A pipeline was built from two nearby ponds so the median could be flooded for two days to put out the fire. The fire was declared contained Monday (26th), after blackening more than 10,500 acres of swamp.

Mississippi: Tornadoes

Feb-2001

A violent tornado cut a 23-mile path across Pontotoc County on Saturday night (24th), in northern Mississippi. The tornado killed five people with hundreds injured, and the storm damaged more than 360 homes. Crews using chain saws cut through toppled trees to reach homes and downed power lines, but it could be days before services are restored to the hardest-hit areas.

Florida: Fires

Feb-2001

Also, according to media reports a 10,000-acre wildfire on Monday Feb 19th  kept part of a major central Florida highway closed for a second day. A 10-mile section of Interstate 4 remained closed as heavy smoke forced drivers to make detours in traveling between Orlando and Tampa. The blaze, aggravated by drought, is centered 50 miles northeast of Tampa and 35 miles southwest of Orlando. Media reports indicated that as of mid February, over 900 fires were reported across Florida.

New Jersey: Storms

Feb-2001

A February 5-6th snowstorm dumped 1-2 feet of snow across a swath from northern New Jersey through Maine, with lesser amounts elsewhere in the Northeast and New England. Snowfall generally ranged from 12 to 24 inches, with localized totals reaching nearly three feet. Alexandria, in central New Hampshire reported 34 inches of snow. Strong winds which generated considerable blowing and drifting of the snow greatly increased the impact of the storm. See the complete list of snowfall amounts for this winter event.

California: Storms

Jan-2001

Various media sources reported that the worst storm in 3 years has dumped more than 7 inches of rain on parts of southern California. The state's emergency regulator reportedly declared a State Three power alert - the highest-level power emergency - and considered ordering scattered blackouts Thursday (11th) night as electricity reserves dropped below 1.5%. In Los Angeles nearly 4 inches of rain reportedly fell late Wednesday and early Thursday. The storm had dumped nearly 3 feet of snow in some coastal mountain areas, and the heavy rains reportedly caused mudslides and road closures along much of California's central coast. Authorities have reported one death as a result of the storm as a motorist died in a storm-related accident in San Jose.

South: Storms

Jan-2001

In the U.S., various media sources reported that approximately 70,000 people in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas were still without power on Wednesday (3rd) as the effects of the Christmas day ice storm continue to linger. At least 57 deaths have reportedly been blamed on the winter storms, including a New Year's storm that dumped up to 8 inches of snow. Northern Louisiana received up to 5 inches of snow on New Year's Eve--the deepest accumulation for some spots there in 15 years, and up to 3 inches of snow fell in Mississippi on Monday (1st). Various media sources reported that heavy snowfall brought down power lines in northeast Poland on Monday (1st), cutting electricity to some 12,000 homes. Up to 40cm (16in) of snow reportedly fell overnight Sunday into Monday morning. The greatest snowfalls occurred around the town of Suwalki.

Northeast: Storms

Dec-2000

A powerful Noreaster hit portions of the central and northern Atlantic coast region at the end of 2000. The storm brought heavy snows to portions of eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and New England. The storm dumped over 2 feet of snow in parts of interior New Jersey with many spots getting a foot of snow. This was the heaviest snowstorm in the Central Park, New York Metro area since January 1996 when 20.2 inches fell. See the media report for more information.

Southwest: Storms

Dec-2000

An upper level storm system acted in conjunction with the surface storm system to its east to produce localized but extremely heavy snowfall from eastern New Mexico across the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles from Monday into Wednesday (December 25-27). Mineral Hills, NM received 22 inches of snow and all major highways running north and west from Amarillo, TX were closed due to the heavy snowfall. At Amarillo, the storm total was 20.5 inches with a maximum depth of 15 inches on the ground.

South: Storms

Dec-2000

A devastating winter storm developed over southeastern parts of Oklahoma, western and southern Arkansas and adjacent parts of northeast Teaxas and extreme northwestern Louisiana. Ice and glaze buildup began late Christmas Eve and continued in some areas until Wednesday, December 27. Tremendous ice accumulations occurred along and 50 miles either side of the I-40 corridor through Arkansas and Oklahoma. Widespread power outages were reported, mainly south of an Okemah to Grove, Oklahoma line. Conditions were particularly bad in Pittsburg (OK), Le Flore (OK), and Sebastian (AR) Counties where total ice accumulation ranged from 1 to 2 inches, and most of Arkansas received at least an inch of ice accumulation. At the height of the storm, 300,000 people in Arkansas were left without power, 120,000 in Oklahoma, 106,000 in Texas, and about 50,000 in Louisiana. In addition to power loss, telephone and water outages were reported. Air travel became a nightmare after hundreds of flights were cancelled at Dallas on Tuesday and the Little Rock airport was shut down for three days. States of emergency were declared in 26 Arkansas counties, and Hot Springs and other towns lost use of their water treatment plants after the power failed. As of Thursday (December 28) 275,000 customers in Arkansas (and 425,000 overall) were still without electric power. As a result of the storm, President Clinton declared Oklahoma and parts of Arkansas federal disaster areas. This was the second significant ice storm to affect Arkansas this month with about 300,000 homes losing power on December 12-13. According to the National Weather Service, the two ice storms of December, 2000 have been the most widespread and damaging in Arkansas state history dating back to 1819.

South: Squall

Dec-2000

NCDC produced an infrared satellite animated gif loop showing the fatal tornadic squall lines (red area in northern Alabama and Mississippi on December 16th, 2000 between 1315z to 1915z. The Tuscaloosa F4 tornado was on the ground for a total of 18 miles, all within Tuscaloosa county. The tornado path was estimated to be 750 yards wide at it's maximum intensity. The morning after the tornadoes, temperatures dropped into the 20's in Tuscaloosa, with wind chills to near 0F.

South: Tornadoes

Dec-2000

Deadly tornadoes over the weekend of the 16th-17th affected parts of Mississippi and Alabama. Preliminary reports indicate that 12 people died in the event, 11 of those in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. According to the National Weather Service in Birmingham, the tornadoes hit five Alabama counties: St. Clair and Etowah in east-central part of the state, Limestone County in the north, Geneva County in the south and Tuscaloosa in the west.

Illinois: Storms

Dec-2000

On December11th, 2000, 8 to 14 inches of snow fell across much of northern Illinois followed by wind gusts of 30 to 45 mph during the evening...creating dangerous drifting snow and wind chills of 30 to 40 below zero. Further south across parts of Ford and Iroquois counties in Illinois and Newton...Jasper and Benton counties in northwest Indiana...a mixture of freezing rain...sleet and snow caused power outages and hazardous travel. At the Midway airport in Chicago, 14.5 inches of snow fell on December 11th which was a 24 hour period record snowfall for Midway. The previous record was 12.5 inches set in December 1960, snowfall records date back to 1928 for Midway Airport. Chicago-O'Hare is the official reporting station, and had 9.5 inches of snow....it was the 8th greatest calendar day snowfall in December for O'Hare, official snowfall records for Chicago date back to 1885. See the NWS Chicago December Snowfall Report for more information on the storm.

Southeast: Storms

Dec-2000

Parts of northeast Georgia, upstate South Carolina, the mountains and coastal plain of North Carolina, and eastern Virginia received snowfall on December 3rd. The western areas were affected by an upper level low which dropped 1 to 7 inches of snow in some locations. Eastern NC and VA were hit by a coastal storm which dropped up to 15 inches of snow on the coastal plain. See the NWS snowfall reports for the event and a NWS Snowfall Map- Western Carolina's - Dec 2/3, 2000 is also available.

New York: Storms

Nov-2000

A very intense lake-effect snowstorm hit Buffalo in late November, causing major disruptions for the area. Lake effect snows are triggered by cold air aloft passing over the warmer Great Lakes waters, causing instability and heavy snow bands. The snows are often accompanied by lightning and thunder, which was the case in this event. The snow in the Buffalo area, according to the National Weather Service, was the station's third-highest snowfall over a 24-hour period with 24.9 inches. The monthly total was 45.60 inches, a new monthly November record.

Hawaii: Floods

Nov-2000

Parts of the eastern half (windward side) of the "Big Island" of Hawaii had flooding during early November. Hilo reported 27.24 inches of rain in a 24-hour period on November 1-2--a new 24-hour record. A few spots received over 35 inches for the event. The rainfall from the thunderstorms flooded numerous homes, forcing dozens of families to evacuate. In addition, several landslides were reported on Hawaii Belt Highway, and schools and most businesses were closed.

Texas: Floods

Nov-2000

A slow moving cold front brought flooding rains to southcentral Texas on November 2-3, with some areas receiving over six inches of rain. The storms were responsible for six deaths.

Florida: Floods

Oct-2000

Abundant tropical moisture and a developing tropical system brought flooding rains to much of Miami-Dade county on October 2-3, 2000. The rain exceeded 20 inches in some locations. Nearly 6000 homes were damaged or destroyed, damages were estimated to be nearly $700 million, and three people were killed.

Florida: Storms

Sep-2000

Tropical Storm Helene followed about a week later and brought additional heavy rains of up to 10 inches across portions of the Florida panhandle, Georgia, and the Carolinas. There were no hurricane landfalls in the continental U.S. during 2000.

New Jersey: Floods

Aug-2000

The storm caused about $166 million in damage in Sussex County alone, where three dams and four concrete bridges were swept away, and numerous roads were damaged after heavy downpours dropped up to 14 inches of rain on the area around Sparta.