Agatha slammed into Guatemala and El Salvador a week ago dropping record rain, killing at least 146 people and leaving a huge wake of destruction with thousands homeless. More than 94,000 people have been evacuated as the [...]]]> Central America is digging out from the first named storm of what promises to be a strong 2010 Pacific hurricane season.

Agatha slammed into Guatemala and El Salvador a week ago dropping record rain, killing at least 146 people and leaving a huge wake of destruction with thousands homeless. More than 94,000 people have been evacuated as the storm buried homes under mud slides, swept away a major bridge, and opened up sinkholes.

“This could be the worst hurricane season in the last 50 years,” said Paco Maldonado, coordinator for the Pan-American disaster response unit of International Federation of Red Cross in a telephone interview with Reuters. Forecasters say that as many as 14 tropical storms may form during the next five months.

Get Ready with Disaster Supplies

Be sure to plan for enough drinking water: 2 to 4 liters (that’s about 2 to 4 quarts per person per day).

For hurricanes, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recommends that your ‘disaster bag’ include the following items:

• Flashlight with spare batteries
• Battery- or crank-operated portable NOAA weather radio (and spare batteries)
• First aid kit and manual
• Prescription medicines (be sure to refill them)
• Cash and a credit card
• Cell phone with a fully charged spare battery
• Spare keys
• High energy non-perishable food
• One warm blanket or sleeping bag per person
• Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members
• Change of clothing

Take the Hurricane and Tornado Quiz (in the right-side bar) to help yourself learn how to survive. See if you’ve got what it takes to be a survivor. And make sure right now that you have supplies ready on hand when the time comes.

The Gulf Oil Spill is large enough to threaten serious effects on the environment and the economy. [...]]]> It has been clear since the late 1980s that the big oil and gas companies were dramatically destabilizing the climate. Now Gulf Coast residents get to watch a massive acceleration of the effects of big oil practices right at their shores.

The Gulf Oil Spill is large enough to threaten serious effects on the environment and the economy. Every effort needs to be spent to plug this hole.

You can use this PBS widget to estimate the size of the Gulf Oil Spill catastrophe based on various estimates. So you know, most independent scientists insist on the higher estimates.

If it keeps spilling at this rate, it will reach the eastern seaboard and well beyond.

Scientists strongly suggest rapid deployment of clean up operations — while at the same time more attempts are made to slow or stop the underwater gushing of oil.

This disaster is big and it’s only going to get a lot bigger. It needs a lot of attention ASAP.

Since this is about an oil (chemical) spill, let’s take another peak at the Bio & Chemical Hazard Quiz:

Click here for Quiz!

How many people died in the heat wave of 2003 in Europe?

The high number of deaths can be explained by the conjunction of what is usually unrelated. Most nights in France, for example, are cool, [...]]]> As summer closes in, let’s get prepared. Here’s a quick quiz question:

How many people died in the heat wave of 2003 in Europe?

Hot Nights Spell Trouble in Stone or Brick Housing

The high number of deaths can be explained by the conjunction of what is usually unrelated. Most nights in France, for example, are cool, even in summer. As a consequence, houses (usually of stone, concrete or brick construction) do not warm too much during the daytime and radiate minimal heat at night, and air conditioning is usually unnecessary. During the heat wave, temperatures remained at record highs even at night, preventing the usual cooling cycle.

The answer to the quick quiz question is that estimates range from 35,000 to more than 70,000 people died as a result of the heat wave. Seven days with temperatures of more than 40 °C (104 °F) were recorded between July and August 2003. People had never faced such extreme heat before and did not know how to react or were too impaired by the heat to make the necessary adaptations.

Heat Stroke is a Serious Medical Emergency

Heat stroke is an abnormally elevated body temperature with accompanying physical and neurological symptoms. Unlike heat cramps and heat exhaustion (two forms of hyperthermia that are less severe), heat stroke is an medical emergency that can be fatal if not properly and promptly treated.

The body normally generates heat as a result of metabolism, and is usually able to dissipate the heat by either radiation of heat through the skin or by evaporation of sweat. However, in extreme heat, high humidity, or vigorous exertion under the sun, the body may not be able to dissipate the heat and the body temperature rises, sometimes up to 106°F (41.1°C) or higher. Another cause of heat stroke isdehydration. A dehydrated person may not be able to sweat fast enough to dissipate heat, which causes the body temperature to rise.

Symptoms of heat stroke can sometimes mimic those of heart attack or other conditions. Sometimes a person experiences symptoms of heat exhaustion before progressing to heat stroke.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, headache, muscle cramps and aches, and dizziness.

Some individuals can develop symptoms of heat stroke suddenly and rapidly without warning.

Symptoms of heat stroke include high body temperature, the absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed dry skin, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, strange behavior, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, disorientation, seizure, coma. (Different people may have different symptoms and signs of heat stroke.)

How can heat stroke be prevented?

The most important measures to prevent heat strokes are to avoid becoming dehydrated and to avoid vigorous physical activities in hot and humid weather.

If you have to perform physical activities in hot weather, drink plenty of fluids (such as water and sports drinks), but avoid alcohol, caffeine, and tea which may lead to dehydration.

Your body will need replenishment of electrolytes (such as sodium) as well as fluids if you sweat excessively or perform vigorous activity in the sunlight for prolonged periods.

Take frequent breaks to hydrate yourself. Wear hats and light-colored, lightweight, loose clothes.

How do you treat a heat stroke victim?

Victims of heat stroke must receive immediate treatment to avoid permanent organ damage. First and foremost, cool the victim.

Get the victim to a shady area, remove clothing, apply cool or tepid water to the skin (for example you may spray the victim with cool water from a garden hose), fan the victim to promote sweating and evaporation, and place ice packs under armpits and groin.

Monitor body temperature with a thermometer and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to 101-102°F (38.3-38.8°C).

Always notify emergency services (911) immediately. If their arrival is delayed, they can relay to you further instructions for treatment of the victim.

Those most susceptible to heart stroke include infants, the elderly (often with associated heart diseases, lung diseases, kidney diseases, or who are taking medications that make them vulnerable to heat strokes), athletes, and outdoor workers physically exerting themselves under the sun.

If you or someone you know fits into this vulnerable group, remember these key factors:

• Drink plenty of liquids. Plenty means lots of water, juice, you name it. But cut out any alcohol or caffeine.
• Don’t go outdoors unless you absolutely must. You’re safer indoors during a heat wave. Travel to a cooler place — then stay put. If nights are hot, get help finding a cooler place.
• Relax in an air conditioned place, if you can. Find a comfortable cool location to spend most of the day. It may even become necessary to sleep there.
• Keep a watch out for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that about 1.6 million gallons of oil have spilled since the April 20 explosion that killed 11 workers. This is estimate is exceedingly low compared to the actual amount pouring into the [...]]]> The Gulf oil leak is building up to be a huge disaster of epic proportions. Let’s look at the numbers.

The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that about 1.6 million gallons of oil have spilled since the April 20 explosion that killed 11 workers. This is estimate is exceedingly low compared to the actual amount pouring into the Gulf.

The spill is more than 130 miles long and 70 miles wide, and eclipses the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, when an oil tanker spilled 11 million gallons off Alaska’s coastline.

How much oil has leaked?

BP initially estimated that the well was pumping about 42,000 gallons daily (from three different leaks) into the gulf. A few days later, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued an estimate of five times that. Scientists examining satellite photos showing the reach of the spill contended that NOAA’s estimate should be increased another fivefold— to about 1 million gallons a day.

Thirty million gallons so far and a LOT more to go, probably billions of gallons… this adds up to catastrophe of epic proportions. The Gulf can be killed by this mess.

What’s BP’s Record?

British Petroleum has a dismal record when it comes to environment. They skipped necessary safety devices to save a few dollars. Their record is dismal… recently rated the fourth worst corporation in the world.

What can be done?

First, we can hold BP liable for damages they’ve caused. I’ll talk about more things in a subsequent post. What do you think should be done to mitigate this disaster and prevent similar disasters in the future?

For example, an extreme hurricane or cyclone would be on the radar for hours or even days before it struck your area. And we’re getting [...]]]> One of the first things in a disaster, especially a mega-colossal disaster, is choosing to stay put or flee. Sometimes there are enough warnings to have time to pack essentials, sometimes not.

For example, an extreme hurricane or cyclone would be on the radar for hours or even days before it struck your area. And we’re getting better at predicting earthquakes and volcanoes and tracking tsunamis.

Many disasters, however, give little or no warning to victims.

In our modern world, the threat from chemical and biological disaster is serious and can happen in an instant. And pollution is eventually going to become critical.

Fires, slides, and floods surprise lots of victims every day.

Although the threat is possibly mitigated at this time, the threat of imminent nuclear war has hung over the world for three generations. Nuclear terrorism and nuclear meltdown are possible surprises.

Then there’s space. Comets, asteroids, rouge planets, meteorites, and aliens could rain down on us with no warning.

So, stay or flee? Only you will be able to decide for yourself at the right time. Listen to authorities closely and be prepared to shelter-in-place or evacuate.

Hoard some emergency supplies for either contingency: food, water, blankets, etc. See the lists at Basic Disaster Survival Guide.

Stick the appropriate supplies in your home, car, and office. Add a little at a time if you have to. You and yours are going to be so glad you did.

Here are the survey questions you can help me with:

What’s in your emergency kit? Anything special or different that you think others should consider adding to their own kit? Why?