PDC Weekly Global Flood Survey: January 12, 2012

PDC Global Hazards Atlas displaying 7 day precipitation accumulation and PDC Integrated Active Hazards

Looking at precipitation and flooding over the last week, the Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) Global Hazards Atlas shows rainfall over the last 7 days.  As you can see, south central Africa has had widespread showers, which have become heavy as they moved offshore to Madagascar.  Southeast Asia have experienced areas of considerable precipitation.  Locally heavy precipitation has also impacted Australia, augmented by tropical cyclone Heidi, which brought heavy rains and localized flooding as it moved ashore near Port Hedland in northwest Australia recently.

According to the United States National Weather Service (NWS) Climate Prediction Center, La Niña conditions will continue in the light to moderate range through the spring season of 2012.  During a La Niña event, we can expect trade winds to pick up, pushing warm water westwards towards Indonesia and the western Pacific.  As a result, wetter than normal conditions are predicted for northern Australia and Indonesia from January – February. 

La Niña will potentially make for wetter than normal conditions across parts of southern Africa.  In South America, northern Brazil can expect wetter than normal conditions while the west coast of the continent can expect drier than normal conditions.  In the United States, La Niña events usually result in wetter than normal conditions across the Pacific Northwest and drier and warmer than normal conditions across much of the south.

PDC will be monitoring areas of high precipitation and keeping a close eye on flooding across the globe.  Currently PDC is monitoring significant flood events in:  Angola, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, England, Malaysia, Thailand, Southern Peru, Philippines, Scotland, Madagascar, Mozambique, and the United States.

For the most up-to-date information on these flood events and all-hazards, download the free PDC Disaster Alert mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

Weekly Flood Highlight: The Philippines

PDC Global Hazards Atlas displaying 7 day precipitation accumulation

This week we are taking a look at flooding in the southern Philippines, which is partly the result of Tropical Storm Washi.  Washi impacted the Philippines December 16-18, 2011 but continued rainfall has slowed recovery efforts. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of The Philippines has reported the following impacts as a result of tropical cyclone Washi as of January 12, 2012:

Total Affected Population: 120,233 families/1,141,252 persons

Dead: 1,257
Injured: 6,056
Missing: 179
Rescued: 441

Satellite image of the Philippines provided by PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) Weather Bureau show current conditions as of January 12, 2012.

See General Flood Advisories issued by The Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)