Earthquakes and floods and tornadoes?? Oh my.

My heart breaks for the people who have been impacted by Tropical Storm/Typhoon Ketsana. I heard this morning that the death toll has risen into the hundreds. How horrible. Was it the inadequate structure, lack of warning to the public, or did they just have nowhere to go. There are, sadly, a few storms on the heels of Ketsana, so that already devastated region should brace themselves. How horrible.

Aside from that, earthquakes have ravaged the Pacific, especially near Sumatra, Indonesia, where a major earthquake (magnitude of 7.6) struck this morning, stirring tsunami warnings, around Indonesia. Yesterday, an earthquake with a magnitude of 8 struck the Samoa region, spawning a tsunami, crashing a mile inland, which left a wake of disaster, as well as stealing 100 lives.

List of major earthquakes over the last two days
Sept. 29: A pickup truck lies under a pile of rubble from a business structure in Pago Pago, American Samoa after tsunami waves swept ashore. A powerful Pacific Ocean earthquake spawned towering tsunami waves that hit Samoa and American Samoa, flooding and flattening villages, killing at least 99 people and leaving dozens missing.Source: AP
Sept. 29: The aftermath of a Tsunami triggered by a powerful earthquake is seen in Pago Pago village, on American Samoa. Source: AP2009
Sept. 29: People walk among a scene of devastation following a powerful earthquake in Pago Pago village, on American Samoa. The quake in the South Pacific hurled massive tsunami waves at the shores of Samoa and American Samoa, flattening villages and sweeping cars and people back out to sea while leaving scores dead and dozens missing.Source: AP2009 The people in these regions are in dire need of our prayers.

Outside of earthquakes and floods, we actually have our first severe weather set-up of the fall season taking shape for today and tomorrow in the midwest. Storm chasers are chomping at the bit after a groggy summer of blah-ness.It looks like the bulk of the threat has been shifted to tomorrow and, therefore, further east, putting Missouri and Arkansas in the bullseye for action. As it moves into Friday, it places a measly "see text" message for my neck of the woods, where they are outlining a silent slight risk for severe weather because they just don't think sufficient shear and instability will exist here on Friday for a major outbreak, but isolated severe can be expected.
For the past two mornings, I have been blessed with a couple of amazing sunrises. I want to yesterday's for sky watch, but this morning's was wonderfully spectacular, so here you go...Have a blessed day!
~Dewdrop

17" in the Philippines versus 20" in the US

No matter how tough things may get here, with Natural Disasters and what have you, I am so grateful to be in the United States for such things. I've spoken a great deal about the flooding in the Atlanta area, which was caused by up to 20" of steady rain over a short time. Yes, the statistics are tragic, 10 lives claimed, 100's diplaced, many homes, schools, roads and businesses destroyed... but then, I ponder Tropical Storm Ketsana. Tropical Storm Ketsana tore through the Philippines over the weekend, with its 53mph winds and 17" of rain in a mere 12 hours... leaving behind a horrific death toll of 140, with 32 still unaccounted for, more than 451,000 people left homeless (source)... a State of Calamity has been declared. It's a grim scene of complete chaos and loss there.
People wade through a flooded street past stalled vehicles in Malabon City, north of Manila, Philippines, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009. Non-stop overnight rain from Tropical Storm Ketsana has caused massive flooding. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)
A boy carries his brother through waist-deep waters following flooding brought about by Tropical Storm Ketsana Saturday Sept. 26, 2009, in Quezon City. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

The mayor of Cainta, also in Rizal, who was stranded atop a dump truck on a road that was neck-deep in water, told ABS-CBN television by phone that many residents climbed onto roofs to escape.

"The whole town is almost 100 per cent underwater," Mayor Mon Ilagan said.
~source

Let's be mindful in prayer for those impacted by this disaster.

~Dewdrop