Historic rainfall leads to deadly flooding in New Mexico: a timeline of emergency alerts
The village of Ruidoso and other parts of New Mexico have received more warnings in the past few years as catastrophic wildfires have left vast swaths of once forested land without enough vegetation to absorb and hold back storm runoff.
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White Sage Fire grows to 19,000 acres near North Rim of Grand Canyon, prompts evacuations
The White Sage Fire near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon has grown to 19,000 acres, prompting evacuations for nearby residents, according to the Bureau of Land Management. As of the morning of July 12, BLM reported the fire had spread to 19,153 acres, with no containment achieved by firefighters. The BLM reported that both ground crews and aircraft were being used to fight the fire, with approximately 230 personnel assigned to the incident. "The fire continues to exhibit extreme behavior," read a BLM news release. Crews were working to establish a secure perimeter around the fire and were set to come under the direction of a Complex Incident Management Team beginning July 13. Evacuation orders were issued on July 11, affecting multiple communities in the area, according to a news release from the Coconino County Sheriff's Office. The evacuation zone covers a large area north of the Grand Canyon, bordered by the Utah state line to the north, Grand Canyon National Park to the south, House Rock Valley Road/Buffalo Ranch Road to the east, and Kaibab National Forest to the west. The entire area is under "GO" status, meaning all residents and visitors must evacuate immediately. Firefighters have urged the public to stay clear of the area. Nearby Highway 89A has been closed at both Fredonia and Bitter Springs. CCSO had already evacuated residents near Jacob Lake and anyone in the Kaibab National Forest. According to InciWeb, the fire was sparked by lightning and intensified by strong winds and low relative humidity. It has been burning through grass, shrubs, and native pinyon-juniper trees, the BLM reported. The blaze is expected to burn within the scar of the 2020 Magnum Fire, which charred 71,000 acres of the same forest. Republic reporter Austin Corona contributed to this article. Contact reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. at rcovarrubias@ Follow him on Instagram, X, Threads and Bluesky: @ReyCJrAZ. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Wildfire near Grand Canyon grows more than 19,000 acres
Yahoo
an hour ago
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Why are flash floods so deadly? How to stay safe from their shocking power.
Flooding in Texas appeared swiftly and soon turned deadly, showing how deceptively powerful a flash flood can be. Amazingly, it only takes 6 inches of rapidly moving water to knock you off your feet. And according to water flowing at just 6 mph exerts the same force per unit area as air blowing at EF5 tornado wind speeds. Water moving at 25 mph has the pressure equivalent of wind blowing at 790 mph, faster than the speed of sound. Here's what to know about these incredible forces of nature ‒ and how you can prepare: A flash flood is a rapid rise of water along a stream or in a low-lying urban area, the National Weather Service said. Flash flooding can result from slow-moving thunderstorms, from numerous thunderstorms that develop repeatedly over the same area, or from heavy rains associated with tropical cyclones. "These floods may develop within minutes, depending on the intensity of the rainfall, the topography, soil conditions, and ground cover," the weather service said. In the July 4 flooding disaster, extreme flooding began in the Texas Hill Country around 4 a.m. as thunderstorms dumped more than 10 inches of rain on parts of the region. The relentless rain overwhelmed the Guadalupe River, causing it to surge over 26 feet in less than an hour, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said. In general, most U.S. flash flood deaths occur in vehicles when people try to drive through flooded water and eventually drown. This has prompted the well-known slogan "Turn around, don't drown" from the weather service. The national 30-year average for flood deaths is around 127 people per year, and weather service data indicates that nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are vehicle-related. The majority of victims are males, and flood deaths affect all age groups. "Once your vehicle is floating, the floodwaters become your steering wheel. If that water is moving, your vehicle could be swept away, tipped on its side, or flipped," meteorologist Jonathan Belles said in an online report. And according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency: ◾6 inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and potential stalling. ◾1 foot of water will float many vehicles. ◾2 feet of rushing water will carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickups. Cell phones or weather radios are a key part of staying informed of incoming severe weather. "Awareness of the weather can save your life in a flash flood," Belles said in an online report. In addition to apps from your favorite weather provider, such as the Weather Channel or AccuWeather, be sure you pay attention to wireless emergency alerts (WEA) on your phone, which are emergency messages sent by authorized government alerting authorities through your mobile carrier. "Government partners include local and state public safety agencies, FEMA, the FCC, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Weather Service," the weather service said. A few important tips to help you stay safe during a flash flood: ◾If you're caught in a flood, immediately head to higher ground. ◾Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters. ◾If you encounter rising water, "Turn around, don't drown." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Flash floods are shockingly powerful. Here's why they're so deadly.
Yahoo
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With sewage spill ‘fully contained,' Hopewell focuses on fixing problem that caused it
Authorities in Hopewell say the major spillage of 1.38 million gallons of raw sewage into the James River July 12 has been 'fully contained' and the electrical issue that they believe caused it has been fixed. A statement from city spokesperson Ginger Holland said Hopewell Water Renewal personnel 'successfully restored full operational capacity' to the plant on Hummel Ross Road in east Hopewell late Saturday afternoon . Working with a third-party contractor, HWR staff was able to repair the faulty wiring that led to the power failure and ultimately the spill. A permanent repair is still scheduled for July 18. Shortly before midnight Friday, July 11, authorities said the headworks where sewage enters the plant to be treated malfunctioned, causing the sewage to overflow into Gravely Run Creek, which feeds into the James River. The Virginia Department of Health estimated that between 50,000-100,000 gallons of raw sewage escaped the plant per hour. 'The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has been notified that the situation is fully contained and all systems are functioning properly,' Holland said in the statement. 'There has been no disruption to residential sewer service, and the drinking water supply remains safe.' Even though the water was deemed safe to drink, VDH issued a recreational advisory for Gravely Run Creek and both sides of the James River from City Point down to Berkeley Plantation in Charles City County. That means people should avoid swimming, wading and paddle-boating in the water. VDH said the advisory remains in effect until further notice. For questions or additional information about water concerns, contact Hopewell Water Renewal at (804) 541-2210. This is a developing story. This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Hopewell says sewage spill contained, power back on at treatment plant
