Month: June 2012

Really strong storms have caused deaths and the loss of power for millions.

It will be a dangerous situation unfolding in DC today with power outages and more brutal heat.

It’s not over yet.. While the past few days have been ugly and life threatening, the heat will continue and another costly and violent derecho is set to hit some of the same places it did yesterday.. Widespread multi day power outages are expected–just as the heat continues to soar to extreme levels..

Millions around the United States are now without power

If you watch any given weather service, you will be convinced of this: No one quite knows where Debby is going in the end..

But tonight we know this: Florida has declared a state of emergency and low lined areas are affected with flooding. Tornadoes are popping up and almost 40,000 are without power.

Tourists are gone.. all that’s left are the residents. Not sure whether to board up windows or get sand bags… developing weather story and a conundrum for even the most seasoned of weather veterans..

So you think the swine flu outbreak a few years back was laughable? If you believe the latest news from the Lancet Infectious Disease Journal (no, I don’t subscribe but someone must) then you will be a little alarmed with just how many people the publication say perished from the virus: A quarter if a million lives.

No health care decision today from the Supreme Court. Thursday will be the date.. 

While it’s clear that earth changes are occurring, it is not yet clear what long term ramifications await the world. Theories abound on food and water shortages, along with the fears of entire island nations soon being underwater relics of the time when the earth was a few degrees Celsius cooler.

Now comes this: News that sea rises will hit the East Coast of the United States disparately higher than the global average..

The US Geological Survey concludes that the East Coast is more in danger of flooding than other coastal areas around the earth. According to their report, the Atlantic Ocean is rising at a rate three times faster than the global average–these numbers since 1990.

And finally, their numbers estimate that by 2100, sea levels globally could be about 3.3 feet higher than now.. The East Coast will be 8 to 11 inches even greater in rise, according to the USGS.

• The Colorado wildfire continues to rage–over 200 homes have been destroyed and vacation spots are being evacuated as the fires advance. At one point on Sunday one fire was 0% contained.. now the race is on to get more planes to fight the blazes.. 
• Tropical Storm Debby has already taken a life in Northern Florida. There are tropical storm warnings all along Florida’s west coast, and there are even watches all the way down to Ft. Myers. Several weather services have speculated on where Debby will go. And at this point, all forecasts are simply speculation. Numerous forecast models have Debby doing Dallas. Others show it advancing up the East Coast. What is clear, though, is that it will develop slow and potentially strong as it churns near a land mass in the warm Gulf waters. And state along the Gulf Coast should be prepared.
• The Supreme Court may make history today, or punt the ball. All eyes are watching the hallowed halls of the nine justices to see what way they will decide on President Obama’s health care law. Will Scalia vote that it’s legal!? Will Ginsburg overturn the individual mandate!? I think we can predict a few votes, but some toss ups are the reason why people won’t go out on a limb and predict how in the world the Supremes have decided the issue. The decision will come this week–and it may even come this morning.
• Tension increases in the wake of Syria shooting down a Turkey jet. And now according to Turkish reports, several high ranking military officials from Syria have fled to Turkey..
• Are you on Facebook this morning? If so, you may be enjoying your posting session as much as you would be ennjoying sex. A study finds it comparable.  So .. is commenting on a post just watching?
• If you want a defense for your drinking habits, look no further to a new study which seems to suggest that two glasses of wine simply makes life better. According to research, it improves the quality of life for middle-aged people.  Perhaps what this all boils down to is this: Studies all seem to suggest that people who do drink coffee, wine, and eat fats in moderation all are happier. Maybe the real study should be done on people who do things in moderation. Maybe doing things in moderation in itself is what accomplishes the task of having a good quality of life. Just my unscientific theory.
• Some new links being added to Earth Informer today: Gang Activity map, Amber Alert Map, forest fire map.. all these courtesy of and linked to the very good folks at  GlobalIncidentMap.com ..
• And finally, here’s one for those who think (or hope) the world will end in December 2012. You’re not alone. Michael Luckman thinks it is all almost over, too. Something tells me Mr. Luckman and company are completely wrong. We will see on December 22, 2012 who is still standing.

• The entire law could be upheld
• Insurance mandate struck down
• Mandate and two related provisions struck down but law stays
• The entire law struck down