Hurricane stories

Tropical Weather Developments on Saturday

• Tropical Storm Alpha formed in the Caribbean; the first ever 22nd named storm in an Atlantic season
• Hurricane Wilma battered Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula; the death toll rose to 16
• A hurricane watch was issued for the entire southern Florida peninsula as Wilma approached
• A mandatory evacuation was issued for the Florida Keys
• More than 500,000 people were evacuated from the western tip of Cuba before Wilma arrived

Storm Punishes Mexico's Caribbean Coast,   Hurricane Devastates Tourist Resorts,
Mexican Caribbean slammed by Hurricane Wilma,   Alpha Drenches Dominican Republic, Haiti,
Hurricane Wilma aims at Florida after Mexico chaos,   Wilma Heads for Fla. As Category 2 Storm,
In Key West, It's a Party Before the Storm,   Gulf Coast Suffers Record Hurricane Season

Mexico's Caribbean resorts were devastated by the winds and floods as Hurricane Wilma stalled for 2 days. Luxury beachfront hotels were marooned on their narrow strip of sand. One shelter housing 1,000 people had to be evacuated when its roof blew off. Troops handed out food packages inland as people looked for food and water, and there has been looting. Seven people were known to have died. There is major structural damage and flooding. Most power is down. The U.S. government has offered to donate $200,000 in hurricane aid.

On Sunday Tropical Storm Alpha reached the Dominican Republic and Haiti, which were already saturated; about 30,000 residents were evacuated as deadly flash floods and mudslides were possible.

Hurricane Wilma headed for Florida on Sunday as a Category 2 storm and was expected to pick up speed and strength, causing more damage than Hurricane Charley last year. The Florida Keys and parts of the mainland were under mandatory evacuation orders. A few people stayed and held a party. The Bahamas also issued a hurricane warning.

This is the first time that there have been so many storms - 23 - that the Greek alphabet had to be used. The hurricane season runs through the end of November. Forecasters warn that this period of heightened storm activity could last for 20 years.

Hurricane Katrina may turn out to have been the worst natural disaster in American history. More than 1,280 died across five states. Rita threatened to exceed Katrina, but then veered away from Houston. Hurricane Andrew of 1992 was the costliest hurricane. Florida's four worst 2004 storms Charley, Ivan, Frances and Jeanne came second to fifth. Galveston's 1900 storm was the deadliest.

Kashmir Earthquake stories

No casualties reported as new quake hits Pakistan

A magnitude 6 earthquake shook Pakistan Sunday near the magnitude 7.6 October 8 quake site was one of numerous aftershocks. No new casualties or damage were reported.

Momentum building to save earthquake survivors,   India, Pakistan inch toward quake aid cooperation

International aid is increasing, including a few helicopters, but much more is needed and winter is setting in, making time short. At least 53,000 are known to have died in Northern Pakistan, but many more are still buried under the rubble and many more will die of their untended injuries. More money, helicopters and tents are needed. India and Pakistan hope to open the de facto border between them in Kashmir, but they are being very slow to do it.

Bird Flu stories

UK backs call for blanket EU wild bird import ban

The British government wants the European Union to ban live wild bird imports from anywhere in the world. A parrot in quarantine died in Britain recently of suspected bird flu.

Croatia Kills Birds to Combat Avian Flu

Croatia is culling domestic birds and disinfecting in an area where six swans were recently found dead from bird flu. Russia has a new outbreak. Sweden has a confirmed case. Italy and Congo are banning poultry imports from affected nations.

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Sue [sysop in NewsForum, World Issues, All Animals forums]