Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Earth Signs: Quakes In Diverse Places, Freak Hailstones Kill 13, Deadly Floods And Landslides

M3.7 earthquake in northwest Tennessee shakes New Madrid Seismic Zone up to Kentucky, Missouri and Arkansas - Largest quake to hit the Fault in more than a year


A M3.7 earthquake hit Wednesday morning at 5:54 a.m. seven miles north-northwest of Dyersburg, Tennessee at a depth of nearly nine miles. It’s the largest earthquake to occur in the New Madrid Seismic Zone in more than a year. A 3.6 magnitude earthquake occurred in January 2018 just outside Caruthersville, Missouri.

An earthquake in northwest Tennessee this morning could be felt all across the eastern part of the state. The tremor could be felt as far east as Jackson and in parts of Kentucky, Arkansas and Missouri.
The quake was originally reported as a 3.6 before being upgraded to a magnitude 3.7 by the U.S. Geological Survey.
More than 1000 people reported feeling the quake on the USGS homepage. A woman in Covington, Tennessee explained that it shook enough to wake her up.
You can clearly see the signal of the quake (green) on the seismometer of the NWS Memphis:
There is no report of injuries or damage following the earthquake in the New Madrid Fault Line.
The New Madrid Seismic Zone , sometimes called the New Madrid Fault Line, is a major seismic zone and a prolific source of intraplate earthquakes (earthquakes within a tectonic plate) in the southern and midwestern United States, stretching to the southwest from New Madrid, Missouri.


Earthquakes that occur in the New Madrid Seismic Zone potentially threaten parts of eight American states:Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Mississippi.






13 people have been killed and 100 others have been injured following a heavy rain and hail storm in Buyende district, Uganda. The unusual weather ravaged the villages of Kabugudo, Nabweyo, and Nakabembe between 8:00 pm and 10:30pm on Sunday, April 21, 2019. Most of the deceased were swept away by floods into nearby swamps where they drowned.


The storm swept away 300 homes and residents have found refuge at Kidera health centre IV. Survivors were transferred either to Kidera health centre IV or Kamuli general hospital respectively. 
A victim explains she decided to lock herself in her house. However, in no time, she saw her rooftop shaking and on her way out, it felt on her head.
Another injured man explained his three sons and wife had been transferred to Kamuli hospital after sustaining injuries. 
I was not at home when the storm struck, but I came back only to find the entire house flooded, and my wife together with the children were almost drowning, so I rushed them to Kamuli general hospital for further management,” he said. 
Abdul Mulawa, the Buyende district police commander, says that the search is on to recover bodies of missing persons in the three villages. Mulawa further advised residents to shift from lake shores which have proven to be prone to heavy storms. Robert Musoke, the member of parliament for Budiope West, has asked the government and all volonteers to come and help rescuing the affected residents.





Heavy rain in South Africa has caused flooding in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape Provinces. Floods and mudslides in the South African city of Durban and the wider KwaZulu-Natal province have killed at least 60 people, officials say. Further heavy rain has been forecast. Oribi Gorge in southern KwaZulu-Natal recorded 234mm of rain in 24 hours to early 23 April, according to weather services provider, Africa Weather. Port St Johns recorded 189mm of rain and Durban 165mm during the same period.
Schools and roads have been closed after widespread flooding in the coastal city of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal province. More than 1,000 people have been displaced after the Umgeni River overflowed

At least five people have died and dozens others have been injured after buildings collapsed during flooding and mudslides in different parts of the city.

South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reported that hundreds of people have evacuated their homes in Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape province of the country after flooding on 22 April, 2019. 

SABC said that flash floods affected the low lying areas as the major Mzimvubu River burst its banks. Green Farm in Port St Johns is one of the worst hit areas, where flooding has damaged homes and property. Flood victims have been taken to a town hall and churches for temporary shelter. 


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