Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current active tropical storm systems.

NewsBytes:

South Africa – The death toll has risen to 14, with at least 100 people still missing. The floods have caused widespread damage to homes and businesses, and many people have been left homeless. The floods began on Monday, June 13, and have continued to batter the Western Cape province. The heavy rains have caused rivers and streams to overflow, and roads and bridges have been washed away. The floods have also caused landslides, which have further damaged infrastructure and homes. The South African government has declared a state of disaster in the Western Cape. Citrusdal has been cut off from the rest of the world after heavy floods caused a sinkhole on the R303 close to the Olifants River. The damage to power lines has left various areas without electricity and water infrastructure is also said to be under severe pressure, leaving little to no water in some areas, while hundreds of people are said to be displaced.

Greece – Streets and houses were flooded, trees fell and cars were swept away in Thessaloniki as the city was afflicted by bad weather on Saturday, June 17. Stormy weather hit most of the country, in the latest wave of unseasonable weather witnessed in Greece this summer. A Romanian tourist lost his life in the sea on Lefkada island and a canyoning instructor was recovered dead from a gorge on Mount Olympus.

Brazil – A winter storm slammed the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul with torrential rain on Friday, killing 11 people, leaving 20 missing and prompting a helicopter search and rescue for victims wading in flooded neighborhoods, the authorities said. The storm system that struck the country was an extra-tropical cyclone. Such storms have cold air at their core and are typically associated with cold fronts, meteorologists with the National Weather Service said.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are no current tropical storm systems.

NewsBytes:

Brazil – Heavy rain since 21 April has caused flooding and landslides in the south of Bahia State in Brazil, forcing thousands to leave their homes. 26 municipalities in Bahi have been impacted by the heavy rainfall. The worst of the damages have occurred in the municipalities of Santa Cruz Cabrália, Ilhéus, Belmonte, Porto Seguro and Itapebi. All five local authorities have declared a state of emergency. Several houses have been destroyed, leaving 74 people homeless, the state government said. A further 9,261 people have been displaced and 9,348 others affected. landslide debris and floodwaters have closed at least 6 major roads.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 17s (Herman), located approximately 738 nm northwest of Learmonth, Australia, is tracking east-southeastward at 09 knots.

Newsbytes:

Kenya – At least 12 people have lost their lives and hundreds have been displaced from their homes in Kenya after storms, heavy rain and flooding affected several regions of the country over the last week. One person died, hundreds of homes were destroyed and families were displaced after heavy rain caused damage and flooding in the capital Nairobi and surrounding areas on 23 March 2023. More recently, heavy rain triggered flash flooding in Gilgil in Nakuru County on 27 March. Seven bodies have been recovered and 5 people were injured and transferred to a local hospital.

Brazil – Rising levels of the Acre River along the borders of Acre state in northwestern Brazil and Pando Department in northern Bolivia. Heavy rain and the overflowing Acre River flooded wide areas of the city of Rio Branco, the capital of the state of Acre in Brazil, on 23 March 2023. The city recorded 124.4 mm of rain in 24 hours to 23 March 2023, according to figures from Brazil’s Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (INMET). The Acre River at Rio Branco jumped from around 8 metres to 15.80 metres in 24 hours. The flood level here is 14 metres.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are currently no active tropical storm systems.

Newsbytes:

Bolivia – Flooding has affected thousands of people after the Acre River broke its banks in the northern Pando Department of Bolivia. Further south, the Pirai and Rio Grande rivers have caused flooding in parts of the Santa Cruz department. One person died in the Pirai river in Limoncito in El Torno municipality and another in the Pirai river north of the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Flooding was reported in the city after heavy rain on 23 March. Authorities in Pando Department have helped evacuate at least 150 families living close to the Acre River in the departmental capital, Cobija.

Brazil – More heavy rain caused flooding and landslides in areas of Manaus, the capital of the state of Amazonas in Brazil, on 25 March 2023. The city government reported 172 families lost their homes. Manaus City Hall reported more than 135 incidents of flooding and landslides across the city as a result of the heavy rainfall on 25 March. Around 113 mm of rain fell in the east of the city in a few hours. Numerous homes were swept away by flood water. Many others were damaged or destroyed by landslides.

Mississippi, USA – A massive tornado that was nearly a mile (1.2 kilometers) long has killed at least 26 people and injured dozens more after devastating parts of western Mississippi on Friday (March 24) night. The storm is the deadliest in over 50 years in Mississippi. It hit several small towns with violent, 166 to 200 mph (267 to 322 km/h) gusts of wind, and has received a preliminary rating of EF4 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are currently no active tropical storm systems.

Newsbytes:

Brazil – Thousands of people have evacuated their homes after flooding and landslides in several northern states of Brazil. At least 6 people have lost their lives in the state of Maranhão and 3 in in the state of Ceará. Authorities in the state of Maranhão report that multiple municipalities in the state have declared a state of emergency in response to the recent heavy rainfall. Around 800 households have been displaced. The municipalities of Marabá and Itupiranga in Pará State, Brazil, declared an emergency on 21 March 2023 due to rising levels in the Tocantins and Itacaiúnas rivers. Local authorities in Marabá said more than 400 households were displaced. The two rivers have been rising for some time in the state but reached danger levels over the last few days.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are currently no active tropical storm systems.

Newsbytes:

Brazil – At least 5 municipalities in Ceará State in northeastern Brazil have declared a state of emergency after days of heavy rain triggered flooding and landslides. Dozens of people have been displaced and at least 3 fatalities reported. Three people from the same family died after heavy rain triggered a landslide which destroyed their home in Aratuba on 16 March 2023. A further 15 homes were damaged or deemed unsafe by authorities, forcing around 50 people to evacuate. Elsewhere in the state, over 30 families were pre-emptively evacuated from homes in neighbourhoods of Itapipoca City on 17 March due to flood and landslide threats.

California, USA – Swaths of California still saturated by ruthless storms will get walloped by another atmospheric river, spawning fears of renewed flooding and forcing some residents to flee. The state has already been hammered by at least 11 atmospheric rivers this season. An atmospheric river is like a fire hose that carries saturated air from the tropics to higher latitudes, dumping relentless rain or snow. The last, which struck California last week, left soil overly saturated and vulnerable to new flooding and rapid runoffs, the National Weather Service said. The next atmospheric river is expected to slam California from late Monday night through Wednesday.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

There are currently no active tropical storm systems.

Newsbytes:

Malawi and Mozambique – As many as 190 people have now died in Malawi as a result of floods, mudslides and strong winds brought by Tropical Cyclone Freddy. Meanwhile the search for 37 people still missing continues. Over 4,000 people have been displaced from their homes.

Colombia – Days of heavy rain triggered severe flooding in parts of the Cesar Department in Colombia where hundreds of homes have been damaged. Heavy rainfall from 08 March caused flooding in the municipality of Curumaní on 11 March. The Animito, San Pedro, and Palmar rivers and the San Ignacio and the La Cubana streams all broke their banks. More than 600 homes have been severely damaged in affected areas. Many residents have lost material possessions. Wide areas of crops have also been damaged. Heavy rainfall has caused flooding and landslides in other parts of Colombia in recent days.

Turkey – Disaster authorities in Turkey report at least 1 person has died and 4 are still missing after torrential rain caused flash flooding in parts of the southeastern Şanlıurfa and Adıyaman provinces. Flooding struck on 15 March 2023 following heavy rain. According to figures from Turkey’s General Directorate of Meteorology, in a 24-hour period to 15 March, Karaköprü in Şanlıurfa recorded 104.5 mm of rain and Çelikhan in Adıyaman recorded 125.6 mm Areas of neighbouring Malatya Province also recorded very heavy rain, with Doğanşehir recorded 151.4 mm during the same period. Local media reported the rivers broke their banks in Adiyaman Province. Severe flooding was also reported in the city of Urfa (officially Şanlıurfa) and areas of Şanlıurfa Province. On 15 March authorities warned residents of several districts of the city to evacuate their homes.

Brazil – Heavy rains in areas of the state of Amazonas in northwestern Brazil on 12 March triggered deadly landslides in the state capital Manaus. At least 11 houses were destroyed after a landslide in the Jorge Teixeira neighbourhood. Eight bodies were located under the rubble and debris. Three people were rescued alive. Around 130 houses have been deemed at risk or unsafe in the Jorge Teixeira neighbourhood, forcing dozens of families to evacuate.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical Cyclone 11s (Freddy) is located approximately 119 nm north-northwest of Europa Island, is tracking northwestward at 07 knots.

Newsbytes:

Brazil – Severe flooding struck in northern parts of Rio Grande do Sul State in Brazil after heavy rain that began around 05 March 2023. One person died after a vehicle was swept away by the flooding of the Três Forquilhas river in Terra de Areia. Homes, roads and bridges were damaged or destroyed. Classes have been suspended.

Ecuador – At least 3 people died after heavy rain caused flooding and landslides in the Manabí Province of Ecuador on 07 March 2023. The worst of the flooding struck in Chone city and areas of Chone canton after several small rivers and streams – tributaries of the Chone River – broke their banks. Flood water, mud and debris swept through parts of Chone city and the parishes of Santa Rita, Canuto, Ricaurte and San Antonio. Dozens of homes were severely damaged or destroyed. Meanwhile, the heavy rains triggered several landslides in the area which blocked several roads. A landslide caused the collapse of a house in Santa Rita parish. Two people died in the event.

Ghana – A heavy downpour lasting several hours caused flooding in parts of Accra, the capital of Ghana, on 07 March 2023. Roads were swamped severely disrupting traffic in a city regularly impacted by flooding. Two young children died after a building collapsed in the Ngleshi Amanfro neighbourhood in the west of the city.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical Cyclone 11s (Freddy) is located approximately 175 nm southeast of Europa Island, is tracking westward at 01 knot.

Newsbytes:

Brazil – Dozens of houses were damaged and hundreds of people were displaced after severe flooding swept through the municipality of Bandeirantes in the north of the state of Paraná, Brazil. Flooding struck in the early house of 05 March 2023 following torrential rainfall. The municipal government reported over 150 mm of rain in a short period. The volume and intensity of the rain caused rivers to break their banks, flooding wide areas of Bandeirantes. Around 250 homes were damaged and over 700 people were displaced. Roads are impassable and schools have been closed.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 11s (Freddy), located approximately 138 nm south-southwest of Antananarivo, Madagascar, is tracking westward at 14 knots.

Tropical cyclone 14s (Fourteen), located approximately 436 nm south-southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking west-southwestward at 10 knots.

Newsbytes:

Brazil – At least 44 people have now lost their lives after torrential rain caused floods and landslides in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, on 19 February 2023. 18 adults and 5 children have received hospital treatment for injuries. Of this total, six are in a serious condition while 13 were described as stable. Large-scale rescue and relief efforts are ongoing. The accumulation of rain in the cities of the North Coast of São Paulo was the highest recorded in Brazil’s history. In 24 hours to 19 February, 682 mm of rain fell in Bertioga.

Tree Defence, UK – Thousands of trees are to be planted as part of a flood defence project in northern England. England’s Environment Agency said 7 hectares of woodland and over 5km of hedgerow are to be created as part of a large ‘aquagreen’ project that will store floodwater and reduce flood risk.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 11s (Freddy), located approximately 227 nm east-northeast of Port Louis, Mauritius, is tracking west-southwestward at 17 knots.

Newsbytes:

Paraguay – Overflowing rivers in the department of Amambay in northeastern Paraguay have damaged roads and bridges and affected 700 indigenous families in the area. The Aquidabán river in Amambay Department broke its banks on 16 February. Several people had to be rescued by helicopter. Photos showed floodwater up to roof height. The flooding caused significant material damage and many residents have lost all their belongings, local media reported.

Brazil – The governor of São Paulo state in Brazil has declared a state of emergency after torrential rain triggered flooding and landslides in areas of the north coast of the state. Authorities said that as much as 683 mm of rain fell in Bertioga in a 24-hour period to 19 February 2023. As of 20 February, 36 deaths were confirmed, including 35 in São Sebastião – 31 in Barra do Sahy, two in Juquehy, one in Camburi, one in Boiçucanga – and one in Ubatuba. Flooding and landslides have damaged homes across the region and 566 people have been displaced or made homeless.

New Zealand – Police in New Zealand report that over 6,000 people are still reported as uncontactable following the devastation left by floods, strong winds and high waves brought by Cyclone Gabrielle. As of 19 February, there have been 6,431 reports of uncontactable people registered and 3,216 reports from people registering that they are okay. Between 12 and 14 February, parts of New Zealand recorded rainfall amounts of 300-400mm, wind gusts of 130-140km/h and waves as high as 11 metres along some coasts.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 11s (Freddy), located approximately 1000 nm east-southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking westward at 14 knots.

Tropical cyclone 13s (Dingani), located approximately 1187 nm south of Diego Garcia, is tracking southwestward at 18 knots.

Newsbytes:

Brazil – Heavy rain caused flooding and landslides in the municipality of São Gonçalo in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 13 to 14 February 2023. Municipal authorities declared a state of emergency after torrential. São Gonçalo City Hall reported 192.4 mm of rain fell in 24 hours in the Gradim neighbourhood of the city. Around 143 incidents of flooding and landslides were reported across the municipality.

Malawi – Severe flooding struck the city of Blantyre and surrounding areas in southern Malawi on 12 February. Authorities report 4 people have lost their lives and 3 are still missing. Government authorities have provided relief assistance to 16,607 affected households, including food, tents, housing units, kitchen utensils and plastic sheets for temporary roofing.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 11s (Freddy), located approximately 530 nm northwest of Learmonth, Australia, is tracking westward at 08 knots.

Tropical cyclone 12p (Gabrielle), located approximately 367 nm west-southwest of Noumea, New Caledonia, is tracking southeastward at 22 knots.

Tropical cyclone 13s (Dingani), located approximately 854 nm southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking westward at 13 knots.

Newsbytes:

Australia – Stormy weather brought heavy rain and flooding to parts of New South Wales in Australia on 09 February 2023. Over 20 people had to be rescued. Bellambi, a suburb of Wollongong in the Illawarra region recorded 96mm in 1 hour.

Brazil – Storms and flash flooding struck the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Region in Brazil on 08 February 2023. Two people died in the storm, while dozens were rescued from flood waters. Flooding has also occurred in the Greater São Paulo Region in recent days. Authorities report one fatality and one person missing. Rio de Janiero reported 30.4 mm of rain in 15 minutes and 67.4 mm in 1 hour at the Jardim Botânico weather station. Over 30 landslides were also reported in the city. Around 20 schools have been closed.

Bolivia – Over 5,500 families have been affected by flooding across La Paz, Beni and Santa Cruz Departments in Bolivia over the last few days. Two fatalities were reported, and dozens of homes and wide areas of crops have been damaged or destroyed. At least 20 homes were damaged or destroyed in Mapiri. Camps were set up to accommodate families who lost their homes.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 08s (Cheneso) reconstituted briefly after making landfall in Madagascar, bring more heavy rain to the northern parts of the island.

Tropical cyclone 10p (Ten), located approximately 204 nm west of Noumea, New Caledonia, is tracking southeastward at 12 knots.

Newsbytes:

Brazil – Stormy weather over the last 2 days has caused fatalities and material damages in the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The state government said 26 municipalities have reported losses due to the storms of recent days and the cities of Rio Negrinho and Ascurra have declared a state of emergency. Emergency rescue teams using sniffer dogs are searching for two people who are still missing in a landslide in Rodeio. Three bodies were recovered from the site earlier on 19 January. Around 190 people have been displaced and the municipal authorities have set up an emergency shelter. Rodeio recorded 173.1 mm of rain in 12 hours to early 18 January 2023.

Hungary – Unusually heavy rains this month have caused flooding on several waterways in northern Hungary, with the water authority raising the alert as more rains, sleet and snow is expected for the weekend.

Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms – Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the Southern Hemisphere: Tropical cyclone 05s (Darien), located approximately 1148 nm east-southeast of Diego Garcia, is tracking west-northwestward at 07 knots.

Newsbytes:

Brazil – Heavy rainfall caused flooding and landslides in the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil on 20 December 2022. State Civil Defence reported incidents of rain damage, flooding or landslides in the 6 municipalities of Jaraguá do Sul, Ilhota, Itapema, Porto Belo, Penha and Camboriú. In total, almost 190 people have been displaced from their homes. The municipality of Camboriú is among the worst affected areas. About 60% of the municipality’s territory is flooded.