Blog

A 15,000-acre wildfire near Wheeler, Texas has destroyed at least 8 homes and 26 outbuildings, which include barns. Only 25% of the fire has been contained so far. 1,300 residents were evacuated this weekend, but were later allowed to return home.

Residents of North Dakota affected by the severe winter storms and flooding after March 13, 2009 can register to receive assistance by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling FEMA’s toll-free telephone number (800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585).

A small kitchen fire at Stanford Law School’s faculty kitchen was quickly taken care of, but the sprinkler system that went off as a result of the fire cause extensive water damage. The fire started when a small kitchen appliance ignited cardboard boxes full of tea. The sprinkler system is what mostly put the fire out in the kitchen.

Motorists and residents left stranded in heavy flood waters had to be rescued with motorboats on Friday as heavy rains poured down on the north eastern part of Oklahoma. More than a dozen roads have been closed off as seven inches of precipitation fell over the counties of Cherokee, Delaware, Rogers, and Mayes. Roads with closures included U.S. Highway 412, U.S. 69 and State Highways 28 and 29.

As many as 30,000 residents in Santa Barbara, California were evacuated this week in lieu of wildfires that broke during the later part of week on the Santa Ynez Mountains. The fires, fed by the infamous “sundowner” winds in the region, burned an estimated 80 homes down. However, many people were given the green-light to go home today as firefighters were able to better contain the fires because of more favorable weather.