Tropical Cylones and Flooding!

This week flooding has been observed in many places around the world! Weeks of persistent flooding continue to impact parts of Africa, including Nigeria, Cameroon, and Somalia. Threats of flooding remain for these countries, in addition to southern Ethiopia and eastern Kenya, as heavy rains continue to be forecast (NOAA/CPC). Flooding events were also observed in South Africa, Turkey, France, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Honduras.

PDC Global Hazards Atlas displaying PDC Integrated Active Hazards, 3 day precipitation accumulation, and forecast positions and track for Hurricane Sandy (NHC Advisory 14)

All eyes in the Caribbean were on Hurricane Sandy this week, which is currently making its way across The Bahamas (Advisory 14). Sandy became a Tropical Storm in the southwestern Caribbean Sea on Monday (October 22), and reached hurricane strength just prior to impacting Jamaica on Wednesday. The hurricane continued on a northeastern course, impacting Cuba earlier today. According to the latest forecast, Hurricane Sandy is carving a course through The Bahamas, and is predicted to make landfall in the eastern coast of the United States next Tuesday.

Flooding has been reported in many communities in eastern Jamaica, as well as in Haiti and The Bahamas (CDEMA).

Below, let’s take a look at the recent flooding event in Papua, Indonesia.

Precipitation & Flooding: Papua, Indonesia

PDC Global Hazards Atlas centered on Papua, Indonesia, displaying PDC Integrated Active Hazards and 3 day precipitation accumulation

Papua, Indonesia was severely impacted by flash flooding on Sunday night. In the village of Eranouli, more than 1,000 people sought shelter at higher elevations after becoming displaced by the flooding. Additionally, more than 200 houses were damaged. (RSOE EDIS)

The latest forecast for Indonesia shows areas with continued precipitation.

Other Flooding Events

Some additional flooding events that occurred this week are:

• Pakistan
• Ongoing Flood Situation
• Over 5 million people affected
• Over 190,000 houses partially damaged and over 274,000 fully damaged (PRCS)
• France (French Pyrenees)
• Widespread Riverine Flooding
• 1,000 people stranded (RSOE EDIS)
• South Africa (Southeast)
• Heavy Rains, Flooding
• More than 1,000 people evacuated and at least 8 killed
• Extensive damage to homes (ReliefWeb)
• India (Chungthan)
• Heavy Rains, Flash Flooding
• At least 9 people killed and 15 missing (RSOE EDIS)
• Turkey (Luleburgaz)
• Heavy Rains, Flash Floods
• At least 3 people killed (RSOE EDIS)

PDC is currently monitoring flooding events in: Bangladesh, Cameroon,Chad, Dominican Republic, England, Ethiopia, France, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Africa, and Turkey.

Looking Ahead

Over the next week, PDC will continue to monitor tropical cyclone activity, as well as other areas of high precipitation, and keep a close eye on flooding across the globe. Want to find the most up-to-date information on flooding and other hazards occurring in your neighborhood or around the world? Then be sure to download PDC’s free Disaster Alert mobile app available for your iOS or Android devices today! Also be sure to continue to monitor PDC Twitter, Facebook, and Global Hazards Atlas.