The Last Post

As the semester wraps up, this post concludes my Worldly Environmental Hazard Happenings blog. I've truly enjoyed writing on this on a week to week basis, and I feel it has greatly contributed to my overall understanding of Environmental Hazards throughout the world. Each week, I'm searching for stories to write about on this blog. Many of those searches I wouldn't have conducted in my personal life, but I definitely feel much more knowledgeable due to them. I also feel like I am much more up to date with world news as a whole, and that's a direct reflection of this blog. It's my hope that readers gained a little knowledge out of my posts, because I certainly gained quite a bit by posting. If you haven't yet, make sure to check out the Book Review tab at the top of the page for my review: On the Dirty Plate Trail: Remembering the Dust Bowl Refugee Camps. Also, the Images and Videos page is full of images from different labs we've conducted in class. Thanks again for reading! - Austin

First Cleon, Now Dion

                       A line of semi's in Sanger, Texas caused by the snowfall of Winter Storm Dion - December 7, 2013

My last blog post was last week discussing Winter Storm Cleon hitting nearly everywhere in the United States except the East Coast. Well round two is here, and this time even the East Cost will feel the effects. Winter Storm Dion hit the West Coast Saturday, and has gradually been making it's way East. This morning there were multiple reports of school closings and estimated snowfalls of up to 6 inches throughout the East Coast. The article I read discussed mostly the damage done by the storm so far, including some 267,000 people in Texas without power. I couldn't help but think of my last blog post, as one of the main points I discussed with the potential impact Cleon could have on Dallas, Texas. There was serious concern for lost power in the city, an event that would certainly have a huge impact on the businesses and citizens in that city. I also mentioned in the last blog that there was major fear of California citrus growers that their crop would be severely damaged. Surely with Dion following Cleon, that concern has only increased, and many citrus farmers and companies could be effected in a big way. Something from this article that I found interesting was the number of truck drivers stranded in Denton, Texas. I know very rarely in Wisconsin do I see truck's not on the road in rough winter conditions. However, the article stated that many were stranded, and therefore their deliveries would be delayed. I'm wondering if an explanation is just a lack of preparation by cities for such large snowstorms. You don't generally think of Texas as a place with a lot of snow, and you would think whatever snow removal resources, like salt, that they had would have been used to clear roads from Cleon. Also, how many snowplows do they actually have in Texas? My guess would be that the cities invest in much more practical equipment that would be more related to Texas weather, now snowplows. It's pretty amazing to see two storms like these go back to back in a two week time frame. For the sake of citrus growers, truck drivers, and Texans without power, lets hope Cleon and Dion are the last of the winter storms for a while.  http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/12/07/21806037-winter-storm-heads-east-after-walloping-west?lite

Winter Storm Cleon Take Over US

Well it's that time of year again. As I write this blog, it's about 10 degrees outside, and the walk to Environmental Hazards this morning at 7:45 wasn't too much fun at about 2 degrees. With cold temperatures comes a new type of hazard never before discussed on this blog: Winter Storms. Cold temperatures, snow, and freezing ice bring all sorts of fun new hazards to deal with in regards to human effects. Here in the Midwest the hazard effects are more limited to just our everyday lives such as car accidents from iced over roads, but what about those that aren't used to these cold, snowy temperatures? Winter Storm Cleon is currently making it's way throughout the United States, starting on the West Coast and now making it's way throughout the Midwest. But states also being effected include Texas, Oklahoma, and Central California, all areas that aren't nearly as used to these hazards as we are. A perfect example of freezing temperatures, something we consider to just be part of our lives in the winter months, can be considered a hazard is in California. The article I read states that 85% of citrus crops are still on the vine in Central California, and area used to high temperatures. Throw in this winter storm, and imagine the loss that has farmers crossing their fingers that their crops can make it through these cold temperatures. To put into perspective just how cold this winter storm is, Pullman, Washington had temperatures fall below zero for the first time in nearly three years. Tuesday in Lubbock, Texas the high was 77, on Saturday morning it's estimated to be below 10. Very few cities are going to be prepared for this type of cold. Throw in the predicted mixture of snow and frozen ice, and the effects could be huge. The article states that ice in Dallas could knock out the power for the majority of the city. This goes to show the power of this storm. Think of the number of people, businesses, and schools that would be effected if the power went out in one of the largest cities in the United States. Another aspect is the size of this storm. The article points out that the only states likely to not be effected will be the East Coast. The wrath of Cleon will be felt by nearly the entire nation, a pretty eye-opening point as to the overall effects one event can have on millions of people. Overall, this could just be a storm that makes people a little colder than normal for a few days. But it also has the potential to have a life changing impact on citrus growers in California, and people without power in Dallas. The next few days will certainty be interesting, to see the power of of Winter Storm Cleon. http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/12/03/21734950-arctic-invasion-brutal-weather-system-threatens-most-of-us-with-snow-ice-wind?lite