Breaking Tweets » Natural Disasters

Hurricane Ida causes deadly mudslides, floods in El Salvador

Lindsey Drakert — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:16:59 +0000

CNN reports that heavy rains from Hurricane Ida on Sunday caused floods and mudslides in El Salvador that left at least 130 people dead and about 60 people still missing by Monday afternoon. El Salvador’s government Web site said there were 108 landslides, 209 destroyed buildings and another 1,835 damaged ones.

Even though there weren’t many Twitter users to be found on the scene, the Twitter scene had an international reaction:

kishanmunroe (Bahamas) Condolences to all those who lost loved ones as a result of the flood disasters in El Salvador. 09 Nov 2009 from web

cheverexYO (Buffalo, NY) Just found out about the flood situation in El Salvador… nowhere near my familys place thankGod but my prayers are with everyone out there 09 Nov 2009 from web

LeilariTirado (Atlanta, GA) LA just declared a state of emergency & Atlanta is under a flood watch. 91 dead in El Salvador. Hurricane Ida is no joke!! 09 Nov 2009 from Tweetie

omarilu (Savannah, GA) So sad Thoughts are with the people RT @guanabee: Blog Post:Mudslide Buries The Entire Town Of Verapaz In El Salvador http://bit.ly/V6Vvz 09 Nov 2009 from web

andrealathrop (Undisclosed) Pray for El Salvador-91 dead, 7K homes destroyed, 60+ missing in flooding & mudslide disaster. 09 Nov 2009 from Echofon

TheNiteRain (Atlanta, GA) Please pray for those affected by Hurricane Ida. El Salvador was hit very badly. along with other central American countries 09 Nov 2009 from web

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Another earthquake hits Samoa

Lindsey Drakert — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 06:26:57 +0000

AP reports that another earthquake has shaken the Pacific Samoa Islands Wednesday, Oct. 14. With a magnitude of 6.0, this earthquake will not cause a tsunami like the 8.3 magnitude earthquake on Sept. 29. The tsunami caused more than 180 deaths.

Twitter helped spread the news:

inglesantonio (Philippines) Samoa earthquake is less than two weeks after the Pacific islands were hit by a series of tsunamis sparked by a powerful 8.0 earthquake. 15 Oct 2009 from web

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Many Twitterers were caught by surprised at this second natural disaster so close to the last:

callie57 (Plymouth, MA) Samoa hit by yet another earthquake this afternoon! My gosh those poor people. Let’s keep them in our thoughts and prayers… 14 Oct 2009 from web

marfnz (Florida) magitude 6.0 earthquake hits off SAMOA again!!!! 14 Oct 2009 from web

uribez (Undisclosed) Earthquake in Samoa………..Again? Lord have mercy 14 Oct 2009 from Snaptu

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Other Twitterers talked about the situation:

A_hunkin89 (Undisclosed) At LAX gett’n ready 2k head out samoa, just heard a 6.9 earthquake hit samoa, lord guide us as we make out way out there! 14 Oct 2009 from Sidekick

Fanua (Undisclosed) Been watchful about today’s 6.0 magnitude earthquake in Samoa Islands region about 2hrs ago, 6.0+ quakes have been happening there for weeks 14 Oct 2009 from Power Twitter

myrugbystats (New Zealand) Another earthquake in Samoa! I think the world is very angry at the moment, so many natural disasters! http://bit.ly/2RdzwY 14 Oct 2009 from bit.ly

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And others joked about the reoccuring natural disasters in the Pacific:

jeffmorg (Boerne, Texas) Another mag 6.0 earthquake near Samoa? Stay tuned for the volcano. 14 Oct 2009 from Seesmic

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TwitPics: Typhoon Melor hits Japan

Bryan Simpson — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:03:40 +0000

The Associated Press reports that typhoon Melor struck Japan’s main island of Honshu Thursday, damaging buildings, disrupting businesses, and delaying flights and train service.

BBC News adds that one person is reported dead and more than 20 are reported injured.

Twitterers in Japan have been posting TwitPics of the typhoon and its aftermath. Some even mentioned and showed how much conditions improved afterwards:

“The typhoon is approaching to Aquapolis of Kobe Now.” per @yfvelocity:

“The typhoon today.” per @e2gma:

“Tokyo train torpor thanks to typhoon” per @ingulsrud:

“The street outside my apartment. Water past my ankles. Not raining right now tho, and barely windy. Pussy typhoon! #typhoon18 #melor” per @mullenkedheim:

“Stuck in totsuka now. Kind of beautiful day in the end. Typhoon turned into just wind. have a look:” per @zan_chan:

“What a beautiful day 2 hours after the typhoon. Heading for lunch now.” per @jecjec81:

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TwitPics: Sheep fire in Wrightwood, California

Anam Khan — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 04:22:18 +0000

According to the Examiner, 4,000 to 6,000 residents were evacuated from areas in Wrightwood, California due to a 7,500-acre Sheep fire. The fire destroyed three homes in remote areas.

Firefighters were able to contain 20 percent of the fire after the winds slowed down late Sunday. Calmer winds are expected in the upcoming days which will help firefighters keep the fire from reaching Wrightwood.

Twitter users tweeted these pictures of the fire (click to enlarge):

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TwitPics: Earthquake aftermath in Padang, Indonesia

Gracie Casella — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:07:48 +0000

The Associated Press reports that an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.9 has hit western Indonesia in the city of Padang, less than 24 hours after an earthquake devastated the American Samoa.

According to the Guardian, at least 75 people have been confirmed dead and thousands more are trapped under rubble from collapsed buildings. Jamil hospital and many hotels in Padang have been destroyed.

Twitter user @Marcellodecaran has been sending pictures of the aftermath via Twitter.

The earthquake aftermath. fire's everywhere

Gempa di padang (earthquake in padang)

Rubuh akibat gempa di padang (Collapsed due to earthquake in the desert)

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TwitPics: Earthquake hits American Samoa

Tony Valdivieso — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:33:29 +0000

According to CNN, 17 people have been killed and hundreds left injured in Samoa following a magnitude 8.0 earthquake. Reuters is reporting the earthquakes have may have killed as many as 100 people.

American Samoa Gov. Togiola Tulafono told CNN international “two or three villages have been damaged badly.”

Vindell Hsu, a geophysicist with the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, told CNN the earthquake generated three separate tsunami waves, the largest being 5.1 feet high

Twitterers in the effected Samoan villages (Pago Pago and Leone) have started to post pictures of the damage:

Pago Plaza with DDW on the first floor - Ardieroque

The old Soli and Mark's reduced to rubbles - Ardieroque

Devastation in Pago! - Ardieroque

Leone Village - American Samoa. From a relative. - Gpatnava

Development Bank of American Samoa - ardieroque

Mike from Hawthorne Machinery in PagoPago sent me this picture of #Samoa #tsunami carnage. - Tunasupport

GHC Reid Vaimalu Water Bottling Plant - ardieroque

Pago Plaza and Vaimalu Bottling Plant - ardieroque

A meeting house (fale) in Leone village - ardieroque

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Strong earthquake hits Samoan Islands, causes 10-foot tsunami

Fahad Zuberi — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:14:44 +0000

A preliminary-magnitude 7.9 earthquake hit the American Samoan Islands Tuesday afternoon. Later reports revised the number to an 8.3 quake.

According to BNO News, the massive earthquake hit the South Pacific and generated a 10-foot tsunami. Tsunami warnings have been in effect throughout the region, but there is no word on any damages or casualties.

Twitter users in American Samoa quickly reacted:

nazzy_wazzy (American Samoa) @nerelle there is a tsunami!!!! i cant still feel after shocks! 29 Sep 2009 from web

OhReezy (American Samoa) Samoa hit by an earthquake. Now there is a Tsunami warning. Everybody making there way to higher ground! 29 Sep 2009 from web

miss_alosina (South Pacific Islands) OMG just got woken up by a massive earthquake… 29 Sep 2009 from web

nazzy_wazzy (American Samoa) EARTHQUAKE!!!!!! that was the longest ever. i agree with @nerelle. i thought it was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 29 Sep 2009 from web

nerelle (American Samoa) Wow. That was like thee longest and strongest earthquake American Samoa has ever felt, praying hard… 29 Sep 2009 from web

Other Twitterers in the South Pacific region immediately offered up prayers and urged each other to be safe during this torrid time.

adamontherun (Hawaii) @SteveCase thanks for the heads up on the Tsunami… little spooky in Honolulu right now. 29 Sep 2009 from TweetDeck in reply to SteveCase

Mommy_Nikki (Hawaii) Me too Nans! RT @Nansayy This tsunami warning is freaking me out!!! Everyone please be safe out there! 29 Sep 2009 from twidroid

tooty_fruity88 (Auckland, New Zealand) Please don’t give us a TSUNAMI http://bit.ly/GLda 29 Sep 2009 from web

Im_Ara (Wellington, New Zealand) Formal tsunami warning declared in New Zealand. I’m sure we’ll be fine. 29 Sep 2009 from web

tvdisko (Wellington, New Zealand) Everyone in Wellington bracing for the tsunami? 29 Sep 2009 from Twidget

Some are gathering supplies to be prepared if the tsunami does reach where they live.

OnOahu (Hawaii) Regarding this Hawaii tsunami watch business.. is it time to go out and buy toilet paper and bottled water yet ??? 29 Sep 2009 from web

laurelrinkya (Hawaii) filling up my water bottles to be prepared, my fellow Hawaiians check news for tsunami updates http://tw0.us/28Y 29 Sep 2009 from web

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6.8 Yogyakarta earthquake keeps people awake

Craig Kanalley — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:21:28 +0000

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck in the middle of the night off the southern coast of Indonesian island Java, near the town of Yogyakarta, according to the Jakarta Globe.

The quake took place at 11:12 local time Monday night, keeping people awake and inspiring tweets.

In wake of this most recent earthquake, several Indonesian Twitter users made religious references and noted the increase in seismic activity, as a 7.3 quake hit West Java on Sept. 2.

leonagustine (Jakarta-Bandung, Indonesia) Dear God I wish you had a twitter account, I want to ask a huge favor, please take care of my family, and all my friends. from earthquake. 07 Sep 2009 from UberTwitter

splitmonkey (Bandung, Indonesia) last earthquake in jogja,an hours ago ! god,is it your command or what?! 07 Sep 2009 from web

guedanar (Indonesia) I agree with this. RT @monsterikan dudes, seriously. earthquake is earthquake. nothing to do with your so-called sins 07 Sep 2009 from web

angelicdentist (Yogyakarta, Indonesia) Oh god’s sake! Im sleepy but scared to hv a deep sleep.i wish the would b no more EARTHQUAKE tonyt.im so f* scared.please no Earthquake. 07 Sep 2009 from mobile web

siska_chan: (Bandung, Indonesia) wha~?! another earthquake? i ain’t gonna go to sleep 2nite..nuh-uh, i won’t close my eyes..no..i..zzz.. 07 Sep 2009 from mobile web

angelicdentist (Yogyakarta, Indonesia) Im okay my dear @aga83 .still kinda scared.the Earthquake juz took lez than 1 minute.but it’s Huge!dat i could feel my bed’s shackin.oh god. 07 Sep 2009 from mobile web

justirine (Jakarta, Indonesia) pray before i sleep: hope no more earthquake and please keep our family safe. God i love you 07 Sep 2009 from web

ervilinesie (Jakarta, Indonesia) There was an earthquake in Jogja & Bali around an hour ago. Heard it was 7 Ritcher. Scary. Caused panic at nite. 07 Sep 2009 from mobile web

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Los Angeles suburb burns in uncontained brush fire

Molly Horan — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 01:58:21 +0000

Another natural disaster makes Twitter an emergency responder as the Los Angeles suburb of Ranchos Palos Verdes has engulfed in a brush fire the L.A. Times reports.

As of 11:21 p.m. local, Pacific Coast time, six houses were incinerated in the fire with 500 or more evacuees ordered to flee the uncontained path of the fire.

The fire began near the Trump International Golf Club located near Ocean Drive and Ranchos Palos Verdes Drive.

Craig M @csmjr91090, an aspiring firefighter, has been tweeting updates while the news engulfs the microblog, with some using the hasthag #lafires…

snakewicked Fire is in Ranchos Palos Verdes right near Trump Nat’l and Portuguese Bend. Some homes already up in flames and looks to be spreading. 28 Aug 2009 from Tweetie

albertoslopez Ranchos Palos Verdes is ON FIRE in L.A County NOW. I know people who live ACROSS THE STREET from that fire. That must be hell. #LAFIRES 28 Aug 2009 from Twitterrific

AnnaBellzzz The Ranchos Palos Verdes fire is super close to my Aunt and Uncle’s house. Fingers crossed! 28 Aug 2009 from TwitterFon

californiaboyz Palos Verdes fire is number one priority in L.A. County because of close proximity to homes…per fire chief to FoxLA 28 Aug 2009 from web

karasw Holy moly. #lafires RT @writepudding Oh my god. Fire spreading this is behind my house http://twitpic.com/fqm5l 29 Aug 2009 from web

Cajun_Mama Thinking of hubby & wearing his vintage LSU tee tonight. Hope he stays safe while on detail. #lafires #wildfire 29 Aug 2009 from web

EffieDelimarkos Week after Athens blazes, LA now in fire danger. Prayers to those in area and firefighters http://tinyurl.com/mrb9pd #LAfires 29 Aug 2009 from TweetDeck

SCHA_losangeles RT crackmac Plume from #lafires. http://twitpic.com/frimr from St Monica Blvd across from Plummer Park 29 Aug 2009 from web

@theartofprofit posted this TwitPic with the caption, “I’m fascinated and freaked out at the same time. #lafires”

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East Asia recovering from earthquakes, typhoons

Craig Kanalley — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 06:21:55 +0000

Per Xinhua, typhoon-related heavy rains resulted in mudslides and other issues, as 13 people died in Japan. More than 600 villagers were reportedly buried in a mudslide in Taiwain, adds the New York Times.

A pair of earthquakes also devastated Japan, while a tsunami alert failed to materialize, according to Worldfocus.

How bad were the storms? Damage varied by location, but a number of Twitterers across East Asia shared their aftermath thoughts.

nyirendac (Tokyo, Japan) @coryc17 I see. BTW, I am hearing that a 2 foot tsunami has already hit some of the coastal areas, which is small by tsunami standards. 10 Aug 2009 from TwitZap

photo_journ (Bangkok, Thailand) Not unsurprisingly NO alert was issued of a potential tsunami to residents of Phuket. 10 Aug 2009 from TweetDeck

semipro (Tokyo, Japan) @ppmartin They were just a good alarm clock for me but it was a lot rougher down south about 50-80km 10 Aug 2009 from web in reply to ppmartin

BillPerrin (Osaka, Japan) @etabke all OK here. I’m just far enough away from the epicenter to have any real damage. Can’t swim in the ocean though because of tsunami. 11 Aug 2009 from TweetDeck in reply to etabke

ppmartin (Hong Kong) “Natural” alarm clock RT @semipro They wr [earthquake & tsunami] just a gd alarm clock 4 me but it was a lot rougher down south abt 50-80km 11 Aug 2009 from Seesmic

bangkokbronnie (Bangkok, Thailand) According to this morning’s papers the Tsunami warning system at the beach don’t work..luckily there was SMS 11 Aug 2009 from web

sheliatj (Yunnan, China) see the news about these Natural disasters,typhoon,earthquake,tsunami…feel so bad..all my friends,are you ok? 11 Aug 2009 from TwitZap

FUCHSIAs (Tokyo, Japan) Typhoon 9 is coming soon and we had a strong earthquake this early morning. We got the double whammy!!! 11 Aug 2009 from web

bpraneeth (Hyderabad, India) media spreading/creating tsunami hysteria 11 Aug 2009 from TwitterFox

nancygandhi (Chennai, India) A small earthquake last night. My cook Mary says earthquake + swine flu = the End of Days is coming soon. It all started with the tsunami. 11 Aug 2009 from web

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