**Freedom is the greatest fruit of self-sufficiency.**
Epicurus
LARGEST QUAKES so far today -
5.1 KEPULAUAN BARAT DAYA, INDONESIA
Yesterday, 3/15/14 -
6.4 NEAR COAST OF NORTHERN PERU
6.2 NEAR COAST OF CENTRAL PERU
5.1 OWEN FRACTURE ZONE REGION
5.5 LIBERTADOR O'HIGGINS, CHILE
5.2 NORTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA
5.1 PHILIPPINE ISLANDS REGION
5.2 KEP. MENTAWAI REGION, INDONESIA
3/14/14 -
5.1 TONGA REGION
5.4 SOUTH OF AFRICA
5.1 CARLSBERG RIDGE
5.1 SOUTHEAST OF EASTER ISLAND
5.2 VOLCANO ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION
5.4 NICOBAR ISLANDS, INDIA REGION
5.1 SERAM, INDONESIA
TROPICAL STORMS -
No current tropical storms.
New Zealand - [What's left of] Tropical Cyclone Lusi is poised to hit Wellington with vengeance today and Monday, with 120kmh northwesterly gales predicted to hit the capital on Sunday night and through in to Monday morning.
Northwesterly winds would strengthen throughout the day on Sunday reaching galeforce winds on Sunday night. The storm is expected to move down the western side of New Zealand tonight and then cross over the South Island. That means Wellington will get rain as the system passes through - and then severe northwesterly gales once it is south of the capital tomorrow. And is likely Cyclone Lusi will turn back for a second blow.
Wellington Electricity and Kapiti and Horowhenua lines company Electra are on high alert. While equipment is built to withstand wild weather, both companies have extra staff on call this weekend in case lines are blown down. Motorists are being asked to check road conditions before travelling. Particular caution is advised on the Desert Road, Rimutaka Hill Road and the Haywards Hill section of State Highway 58.
Across the rest of New Zealand - The Fire Service has responded to about 40 incidents in the northern region today, as the storm makes its way down the country. Most were in Northland but calls were coming in from the Mahurangi and Rodney areas. There have been more than 2000 power outages, as well as landslips, rockfalls, trees down and flooding around the region.
There were reports of roads being flooded near Auckland Airport and several boats broke their moorings in the city's habour.The largest recorded wind gust in the Auckland area was registered at 122kmh on Channel Island in the Hauraki Gulf. Northern Auckland was worst hit by rain with 40mm falling today as of 11am. "We are expecting bad sea conditions which may cause erosion of beaches and nearby low-lying areas. "People should stay out of the water and off those beaches for the rest of today."
Hurricane facts: Florida hit more often in even years.
HEAVY SNOW / EXTREME COLD -
U.S. - Winter not yet done, more snow for parts of US. Spring is just days away but winter is not leaving quietly. Much of the East Coast enjoyed spring-like temperatures Saturday. That’s expected to change by Monday with the arrival of another late- winter storm.
The National Weather Service says snow is expected from the Central Appalachians to the Jersey Shore. Parts of Virginia and West Virginia could receive up to 10 inches of snow. Rain and thunderstorms are expected in the Southeast, some of which could be strong. Authorities are investigating whether straight line winds or a tornado led to a building collapse Sunday morning in Atmore, Alabama. Atmore police say no injuries were reported.
'GLOBAL WEIRDNESS' / CLIMATE CHANGE -
+ February 2014 Global Weather Extremes Summary - February featured a number of extreme weather events. Among the most notable were the floods affecting the U.K., severe ice storms in Slovenia, heavy snowfalls along the shores of the Caspian Sea and in the Tokyo area, and bitter cold in the north-central portion of the U.S. (Highlights with maps at link.)
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