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Typhoon Kajiki Prompts Mass Evacuations in Southern China, Heads Towards Vietnam
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BEIJING – Southern China adn parts of Vietnam are bracing for impact as Typhoon Kajiki, packing sustained winds of 100 mph, churns westward. Over 20,000 residents have been evacuated from vulnerable areas in Hainan province and Guangdong province, as the storm disrupts travel and daily life.
Storm Details and immediate Impact
Typhoon Kajiki swept past Hainan island on Sunday,unleashing strong winds and torrential rainfall. ChinaS Xinhua News Agency reported the preemptive evacuation of approximately 20,000 people from potentially hazardous zones. The storm forced over 21,000 fishing crew members to return to port,prioritizing safety amidst the escalating conditions.
Dramatic footage circulating online, shared by Guangdong Radio and Television, showcased the storm’s power – snapping tree branches, violently rocking docked boats, and sending waves crashing over piers. The national Meteorological Center confirmed Kajiki’s intensification as it moved over open waters, reaching maximum sustained winds of 162 kilometers (100 miles) per hour.
Southern Hainan, including the popular tourist destination of Sanya, is forecast to receive between 10 and 14 inches (25 to 35 centimeters) of rainfall. Sanya authorities responded swiftly, shutting down businesses, suspending public transportation and shipping, and closing scenic areas. A city-wide advisory urged residents to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary.
Vietnam Prepares for Landfall
Kajiki,a Japanese term meaning “spearfish” or “swordfish,” is currently projected to make landfall on Vietnam’s central coast on Monday afternoon. vietnamese authorities are mobilizing resources and implementing preventative measures to mitigate potential damage.
In the city of Hue, farmers are working against the clock to harvest rice crops before the storm arrives. The Vietnam News Agency reports that coastal provinces have issued bans on sea travel, recalling vessels already at sea. Furthermore, authorities are reinforcing critical infrastructure, including dykes, reservoirs, and irrigation systems, to protect against flooding and potential breaches.
Typhoon Trends and the Increasing Frequency of Extreme Weather
Typhoon Kajiki arrives amidst a growing body of evidence linking increased ocean temperatures to more frequent and intense tropical cyclones. The Western Pacific, where Kajiki developed, is notably susceptible to these changes. Warmer waters provide more energy for storms, leading to rapid intensification and heavier rainfall.
According to the Intergovernmental panel on Climate Change (IPCC), we can expect to see a continued increase in the intensity of tropical cyclones globally, even if the overall number of storms remains relatively stable. This means that events like Kajiki – characterized by powerful winds and devastating rainfall – are likely to become more common.
The proactive evacuation measures taken in both China and Vietnam highlight a growing awareness of these risks and a commitment to disaster preparedness. however, the economic impact of these storms, particularly on agricultural communities and tourism-dependent regions, remains meaningful.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Sustained Winds | 162 km/h (100 mph) |
| Forecast Rainfall (Southern Hainan) | 25-35 cm (10-14 inches) |
| Evacuated Residents (China) | ~20,000 |
| Fishing Crew Returned to Port | 21,000+ |
| Expected Landfall (Vietnam) | Monday Afternoon
UNM Dorm Shooting Claims One Life, Wounds AnotherCampus Evacuated as Suspect Search UnderwayA violent shooting shattered the quiet of the University of New Mexico campus early Friday, leaving one person dead and another injured. Hundreds of students were evacuated from dormitories as a campus-wide manhunt for the suspect commenced. Incident Details EmergeThe violence erupted at the Casas del Rio housing center, where university police discovered two individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. One victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities confirmed the victims were visiting a student in the dorm but were not enrolled themselves. A shelter-in-place order was issued for the campus community while the search for the suspect intensified. Officials did not release a description of the individual at large, leaving the campus on edge.
Mikey Beck, a freshman participating in new student orientation, recounted hearing gunfire overnight. He reported seeing an injured person hiding in bushes and two other individuals fleeing a dorm window.
Mass Evacuation UnderwayUniversity buses formed a waiting line to transport students from the affected areas as part of a “staged, tactical evacuation.” Students were instructed to remain stationary until directed by campus police. The Casas del Rio complex, a large student housing facility with over 1,000 beds, was the focal point of the extensive law enforcement operation. The university, which serves approximately 23,000 students, is currently hosting weekly orientations for incoming freshmen ahead of the fall semester. Broader Context of Crime in AlbuquerqueThe shooting occurs against a backdrop of escalating concerns about violent crime in Albuquerque. The city has grappled with a significant increase in violent incidents, particularly those involving young perpetrators. District Attorney Sam Bregman has publicly urged state lawmakers to address the escalating crime crisis. His calls for legislative action come amid a series of serious violent events in New Mexico, including a fatal hit-and-run and a March shooting in Las Cruces that resulted in three fatalities and 15 injuries. In 2022, Albuquerque recorded 118 homicides, a slight decrease from the record 129 homicides in 2021, but still a significant increase from previous years, highlighting an ongoing public safety challenge (KRQE, 2022). Calls for Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to convene a special legislative session to confront the issue have been voiced by prosecutors, law enforcement, and Republican lawmakers. However, the governor has not indicated any plans to call lawmakers back to Santa Fe. 
White sage Fire Rages in Northern Arizona, Forcing Grand canyon North Rim ClosureFREDONIA, Ariz. (KUTV) – A rapidly expanding wildfire, dubbed the White Sage Fire, has scorched nearly 50,000 acres in northern Arizona, triggering widespread evacuations, road closures, and a important interagency firefighting operation. The blaze, which ignited on July 10 east of White Sage, Arizona, approximately 13 miles southeast of Fredonia, was attributed to a lightning strike by Bureau of Land Management officials. As of Tuesday, the fire had consumed 49,286 acres, with over 460 personnel engaged in suppression efforts managed collaboratively by the BLM and Coconino County emergency response teams. “The fire behavior has been really extreme because the conditions are so dry,” stated Rachel Carnahan, Public Affairs Officer for the BLM Arizona Strip District.”You have dry fuels, high temperatures, and wind gusts up to 25 miles an hour, which cause spotting, running, torching. That’s why we’ve seen so much movement on this fire.” The fire’s aggressive spread has led it to jump Highway 89A, a critical route connecting the Grand Canyon’s North Rim to southern Utah communities.Air tankers have deployed more than 179,000 gallons of fire retardant in an attempt to curb its advance. Public and firefighter safety remain the paramount concerns, with evacuations ordered for sections of the Kaibab National forest, including the Jacob Lake area. Consequently, the entire North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park has been closed to the public for the remainder of the year. “Throughout this incident,we’ve had a focus on human life and firefighter and public safety,” Carnahan emphasized. “Those evacuations with Coconino County took place early on, July 10 and 11, and included all of our visitors, campers, hunters, and residents.” While the communities of White Sage and Fredonia are not currently facing direct fire threats,the region is still recovering from the destruction of the historic Grand Canyon lodge in the Dragon Bravo Fire,which ignited just days prior,approximately 30 miles to the southeast. George McCormick, a long-time Fredonia resident and former firefighter of 63 years, expressed concern over the lodge’s loss and the firefighting strategies employed. “This is the fourth one of these on the north Kaibab,” McCormick remarked. “They’ve almost burned down the whole mountain. And you can’t manage something you can’t manage.” McCormick voiced criticism regarding what he perceives as an increasing reliance on “management” strategies that permit lightning-sparked wildfires to burn under observation rather than being aggressively suppressed. He highlighted the broader economic impact on the region, notably for communities dependent on tourism and seasonal income from the North Rim. “The people have businesses that depend on tourists,” he stated. “It’s going to affect them.The whole summer is gone. It’ll take a long time to build that back.” BLM officials confirmed that crews are continuing thier efforts to contain the white Sage Fire,with additional resources being deployed.
The provided text discusses several wildfires, with a focus on a wildfire that impacted a lodge at the Grand Canyon. Here’s a breakdown of the key data: Cause: The text doesn’t explicitly state the cause of the lodge fire,but it mentions that an original lodge burned down from a kitchen fire in 1932. White Sage Fire (North of Grand Canyon): Progress: Officials reported progress in battling this wildfire. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: A wildfire closed this national park. Correction: * The story was updated to correct the spelling of a superintendent’s last name from Keable to Keeble. 
Updated July 5, 8:18 p.m.
Officials working in Williamson County saved 26 people in 10 rescue operations after floods swept through the area July 5, according to a 7:01 p.m. news release. No deaths are confirmed, however three people are still missing, per the release. The Hope House—a home near Liberty Hill for children with disabilities—was evacuated by helicopter with assistance from Fort Hood, per the release. About 1,500 residents were notified to evacuate, and the Williamson County’s Sheriff’s Office notified 55 residents by making door-to-door contact. Drivers should avoid driving past barricades or through water flowing over a road, as the road could have washed away or might be unsafe, per the release. A total of 29 county roads were closed July 5 due to water over the roadway, per the release. The county remains under a flood watch until 10 p.m. July 5. Authorities recommend evacuated residents wait until daylight July 6 to safely return to areas that previously flooded. Posted July 5, 5:35 p.m. As high-water conditions persist, Williamson County officials said three people are missing, Director of Communications and Media Relations Connie Odom said in a 5:15 p.m. email to Community Impact. What they’re saying There have been no confirmed deaths and no Emergency Medical Services transports as a result of rescues, Odom said. Additionally, 37 dogs and 75 cats were evacuated from the Georgetown Animal Shelter to the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, Odom said. What else? Georgetown officials have issued a boil water notice for 10 neighborhoods near I-35 due to a nearby water main break likely related to the flood conditions. Find more information about which neighborhoods are affected and how to properly boil water here. Georgetown Mayor Josh Schroeder said in a 5 p.m. Facebook post the city has decided to issue a disaster declaration. This comes after Gov. Greg Abbott added Williamson County to his previously issued state disaster declaration. Communications Manager Keith Hutchinson said the city’s police and fire department have reported no water rescues or injuries as a result of the flooding. Updated July 5, 4:05 p.m. Williamson County is under a flood watch until 10 p.m. July 5, according to the National Weather Service. Due to the possibility of water continuing to rise, Williamson County officials are not recommending evacuated people to return until daylight July 6, Director of Communications and Media Relations Connie Odom said in an email to Community Impact. Anywhere from 1-3 inches of additional rainfall are possible for areas near Austin and San Antonio, with some isolated pockets receiving as much as 5 inches, according to the National Weather Service. County officials are continuing several rescue operations which began late July 4, most of which are residential, Odom said. As of 3:29 p.m. July 5, 27 county roads are closed in Williamson County, she said. The National Weather Service encourages residents to avoid flooded areas and not drive into flooded roadways. Excessive runoff could result in dangerous flash floodings by low-lying areas, rivers, creeks and low water crossings. Posted July 5, noon Williamson County Judge Steve Snell declared a local state of disaster in response to rising flood waters, according to a 11:57 a.m. press release from the county. According to the release, water rescue teams have aided up to 25 people, the majority of which were rescued from homes. There were 16 people evacuated from Hope House in Liberty Hill. The Williamson County Office of Emergency Management activated its Emergency Operations Center at 5 a.m. July 5, according to the release. The center is coordinating resources and requesting assistance from the state as additional county personnel are responding to the flooding. Original, July 5 11:50 a.m. Williamson County and city of Georgetown officials are recommending some residents in the Georgetown and Liberty Hill areas evacuate as the San Gabriel River floods and the region continues to see persistent rain. What we know The city of Georgetown is evacuating the Georgetown Animal Shelter, VFW Post, Holly Street Village and San Gabriel Crisis Center due to flooding at College Street and W.L Walden Drive, according to a 10:25 a.m. update posted to Facebook. Earlier this morning, residents of the Two Rivers, San Gabriel and Waters Edge apartment complexes were advised to evacuate, a 9:15 a.m. update stated. Emergency shelter is available at:
Animals from the shelter are being relocated to the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter. Additionally, those near the Bear Creek and CR 200 area as well as residents of the Rio Bonita RV park in Liberty Hill are advised to evacuate to Cross Tracks Church in Liberty Hill, according to a Williamson County Emergency Services Facebook post from 8:15 a.m. Residents of RV parks along the San Gabriel River east of Georgetown, including Riverside, Shady River Goodwater, and those near Heritage Hollow and FM 971 were advised to evacuate to East View High School, according to the post. Furthermore, the city of Georgetown has closed San Gabriel and Blue Hole parks as well as portions of College Street due to flooding. As of 11 a.m., the Austin Avenue bridges have also been closed to vehicles and pedestrians. The city cites concerns about the number of people stopping on the bridges as well as the potential for debris to hit the bridges as the reason for the closures. The conditions The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for southwestern and south central Williamson County—which includes portions of Georgetown, Round Rock, Leander, Cedar Park and the Jollyville area—until 1 p.m. Residents can find up-to-date road closures at www.atxfloods.com and www.drivetexas.com, according to the county. While the city of Cedar Park has seen minimal impacts of the flooding, according to a city news alert, it has dispatched Cedar Park Fire personnel to assist Liberty Hill responders with rescue operations. “The devastation from this ongoing flooding has profoundly affected us all,” Cedar Park Mayor Jim Penniman-Morin said in the release. “Our hearts go out to every family, every neighbor, and every business affected by this disaster.” The story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available. Older Posts |