Extreme weather report - 02/04/2014

This is a cross-section of weather from around the globe

Floods in South Africa

“After heavy rainfall in Gauteng the Hennops river burst its banks, like I've never seen it before.”

Ireland: 15,000 without power amid further flooding

Several hundred businesses have been flooded in Cork city centre, while ESB Networks says 15,000 customers were without power tonight, mainly in the southwest of the country.

RTE,

5 February, 2014

Flood waters covered all of Cork city's main streets tonight after the River Lee overflowed its banks.

The flooding has been described as the worst in the city since November 2009. 

Flood waters began to recede after the high tide passed.

Part of Grand Parade, Oliver Plunkett Street, the South Mall and St Patrick's Street were under up to 60cm of water an hour after high tide.

Youghal, Cobh, Bandon and Clonakilty experienced spot flooding, but locals said it was not as bad as they had feared.

ESB Networks says over 350 separate power outages were reported.

The worst-affected areas were Cork city, Fermoy, Co Cork, Clonmel and Cashel in Co Tipperary and parts of Co Wexford.

Power was earlier restored to a further 4,000 customers.

ESB Networks says crews will continue to work on faults as long as it is safe and practical to do so.

The southeast of the country escaped serious flooding tonight as winds abated slightly just as high tides happened in a number of towns and cities.

There was some flooding in the Marshmeadows area of New Ross, Co Wexford, but not as severe as yesterday morning.

Flood protection measures appear to have worked in Poleberry in Waterford city, and in coastal villages such as Dunmore East and Passage East.

Flood waters in Clonmel, Co Tipperary have receded, but the council remains on high alert.

In Wexford, water levels have not risen any more than feared and were tonight going down.

Gardaí earlier warned motorists nationwide to travel only if necessary as high winds and heavy rain led to hazardous driving conditions.

There are reports of fallen trees blocking roads around the country.

There have been no reports of injuries.

Meanwhile, a number of Irish Ferries sailings from Rosslare to Pembroke have been cancelled due to the bad weather.

The ferry due to depart tonight was cancelled, and tomorrow morning's sailing will not now go ahead.

Intending passengers are asked to check the company's website for updates.

Iarnród Éireann has said bus transfers are in operation between Waterford and Kilkenny due to flooding. Bus transfers were put in place between Limerick and Ennis.

Gardaí in the midlands reported some local flooding in many areas, but no major incidents after heavy rain and winds battered the region this evening.

Gardaí in Athlone reported flooding in the Ballymahon Road area and in the Clonown area around Golden Island.

A number of small trees have fallen in the Longford area, but no injuries have been reported.

Water levels in the River Shannon area south of Athlone are on the increase again.

They are now close to the highs first recorded three weeks ago.

Athlone Town Council has warned that if rain and wind continue into next week there will be flooding in low-lying areas of the town.

Sandbags are already in circulation in vulnerable areas such as Deerpark Roaand Parnell Square in Athlone, with more being made available to householders who are worried about their property being flooded.

The council said there could be serious flooding before the weekend if heavy rain and strong winds continue.

Further weather warnings

Met Éireann has warned that another Atlantic storm depression is heading for Ireland. 

It has issued a status orange wind warning for Dublin, Louth, Wexford, Wicklow, Meath, Cork, Kerry and Waterford, with gusts of up to 115km/h forecast. 

A yellow wind warning has been issued for the rest of the country, with gusts of up to 100km/h expected and river flooding likely. 

The warnings are valid until 9am tomorrow. 

Up to 45mm of rain is forecast over a 36-hour period with heavy rain expected to spread from the southwest.

Gerald Fleming of Met Éireann said there will be no let up in the pattern of Atlantic weather systems bringing further heavy rain and high winds over the coming week.

BBC News -  Wet and windy weather set to continue in February

There is set to be little change in weather in February, with more rain and strong winds expected across the UK.

Exceptionally bad weather causes misery in central Europe

Amazing Scenes as Severe Storm Encases Slovenian Town in Ice

IBTImes

4 Febraury, 2014

Parts of central Europe have been devastated by blizzards and freezing rain. A quarter of homes in Slovenia have been left without electricity after heavy snow and ice caused the collapse of power lines.

The Slovenian government said that more than 40 per cent of the country's Alpine forests have been damaged. Defence Minister Roman Jakis said during an emergency government meeting that the country has been hit by "a large-scale natural disaster."

Serbian government minister Aleksandar Antic said that more than 5,000 people have been evacuated in the past few days. Authorities used a military helicopter, tanks and armoured vehicles to reach stranded people.

In the southern Austrian province of Carinthia, bordering Slovenia, up to 3,000 homes were without electricity. Two rail routes connecting Austria with Italy were closed.

In southeastern Poland, some 20 villages were cut off by snow drifts.

Meanwhile there's drought and extreme heat in Brazil - 

Record Heat In Brazil Has Coffee Prices Surging

Business Insider

4 Febraury, 2014

Coffee prices are up 7.8% to $US1.34 a pound today. A severe drought in Brazil this year has traders worried about supply constraints due to crop damage.

Brazil’s coffee largely comes from the south east — which includes Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Parana. And it’s this part of the country that has been hit some of the most severe weather. January was also the hottest month on record in parts of Brazil.

Coffee prices are up about 21% this year.

Here’s a look at the run up in coffee prices in January:

Here’s a look at the cracked ground of Jaguary dam in Braganca Paulista, about 62 miles from Sao Paulo:

I'm sure if it wasn't so hot and dry the arsonists wouldn't have such an easy time lighting their fires - 

Perth fires: arson investigation

Up to 10,000 people surrounded by snow saved in Iran

Rescue operations are underway in different parts of Iran as the heaviest snowstorm in five decades has blanketed the country’s northern provinces, leaving many people without power and running water.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society says teams have rescued over 10,000 people caught in the heavy snow in 18 different provinces.

Rescue operations are also underway in the northern provinces of Gilan and Mazandaran. Thousands of people are reportedly trapped on the roads of the two provinces.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and army troops have been sent to help people.

Water and power supplies were cut off in the remote regions, but reports say electricity is mostly restored.

Schools and universities have been shut down because of the heavy snow. There have been no official reports of casualties.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has formed an emergency ministerial team to supervise relief assistance to provinces.