SHTF Test Run

     Well I know that I am not entirely prepared should something happen right now today. I don't have nearly the amount of equipment and supplies that I should have. I do however have my plan of action and so one thing that I have decided to do in the next couple of days is a test run.

     Now there are different levels of test runs and different ways you can do them but I have decided to break them down into different levels. As you go up a level the amount of role playing and reenacting the scenarios of a crisis event goes up. It is also different depending on whether or not you plan to bug in or bug out.

Food Shelf Life

    

     Something I have been working on with my prepping is food storage.  However to effectively start a store of food for when SHTF you need to know how long different types of food can be stored.  The result is that I have found out the shelf life for different types of foods that might be stored.

Food Shelf Life List:

Weekly World Risk Report 4/18 to 4/24

This week the number of earthquakes has decreased. Meanwhile the Santorini Supervolcano still has a green status, but there has been volcanic activity at the site of the volcano. Is it cause for worry?

Violence resulting from uprisings continue across the Middle East and in the Sudan region of Africa.
Meanwhile there has been a case of mad cow disease reported in California.

This is your weekly report preppers. Look for the information you need to stay safe and keep on prepping.

DIY Firestarters

     I have been looking into find easy simple DIY projects that I can add to my BOB, and this is one that I came across and wanted to give a try. It is a DIY firestarter. Basically once the firestarter has been made all you need is a match or a lighter or something to get it going. At that point it takes the place of tinder in your fire, and it is suppose to get going if it is wet or raining out as well.

     Now I dont know yet how well it will work, much less whether it will work in the rain, but I intend to give it a try as soon as I can and when I do, I will let you all know how it works.

For these firestarters you need a couple materials:

1. Small paper cups or dixie cups. I used the ketchup cups from a fast food resturaunt.

2. Twine or rope to act as a wick.

3. Scissors to cut the rope.

4. Wax. Parafin wax from the stor, from a candle or some other source. Those wax bottle candies work well after you drain the sugar water. :)

5. Woodchips, or sawdust.

6. A source of heat for melting the wax.

     So you start with your paper cups, and you drape the wicks inside. How you do this is up to you. I made a couple of U's and placed it in the cup. This allows the wick material to stand upright and it also will give me four points to light the firestarter when I use it.

     After that I filled the cups approximately halfway with wood shavings.

     For the wax, I used a hot plate and some cans which had wax in them, and used the hot plate to liquify the wax. Another way you could do this however is simply by lighting a large candle (not the long tapered kind). As the wick burns the wax will melt in a puddle around it. Then after a while you can carefully tip the candle and the wax puddle can be poured out.

     So whether your using a hot plate, burning a candle or using some other method, you pour the wax into the paper cups, over the wood shavings. The wax will drain between them, so when it dries there will be wax mixed with sawdust.

     Because I only filled the cups up halfway I then put wood shavings up to the top and filled the cup the rest of the way with wax. This is just how I did it, but you can probebly fill the cup with wood shavings all the way to the top and then just put the wax in.

     After this you let the wax in the cups dry. After it was dry I dipped the tips of the string into the wax as well, but that step is optional.

     So there we have it, your own firestarter. Like I said I will update when I get a chance to try the firestarter out. In the meantime though should anyone else make these, let me know how it goes. Even better if you get a chance to use them, just let us know how they work by posting in the comments!

     That is all for today, but look out for the Weekly World Risk Report that will be up tommorow.

~Sara

The Weekly World Risk Update 4/11 to 4/17

     Strong earthquakes have been felt in the Indonesia area, and an expert seismologist says that they increase the risks of a killer quake in the region. Meanwhile there has been a high number of strong quakes around the globe as well.

     In Haiti another cholera epidemic could be on the way, chicken pox are spreading in Florida, and a confirmed case of turberculosis in Michigan could spread to others.

     Meanwhile the Nevado del Ruiz Volcano continues to be watched for an impending eruption and evacuations are issued.

      This is your weekly report preppers. Look for the information you need to stay safe and keep on prepping.



Earthquakes

April 11
-23:56:34 USC, Magnitude 5.5 - North Indian Ocean

-22:55:11 USC, Magnitude 6.5 - Michoacan, Mexico

-22:51:59 USC, Magnitude 5.4 - North Indian Ocean

-22:42:47 USC, Magnitude 5.9 - Off the Coast of Oregon

-22:15:26 USC, Magnitude 5.0 -Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-21:36:09 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - North Indian Ocean

-19:04:20 USC, Magnitude 5.5 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-18:54:46 USC, Magnitude 5.4 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-16:04:23 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-15:46:50 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-15:09:23 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-15:06:40 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-14:54:29 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - North Indian Ocean

-14:34:19 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - North Indian Ocean

-14:20:57 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - North Indian Ocean

-14:18:45 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-14:08:41 USC, Magnitude 5.2 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-13:58:06 USC, Magnitude 5.5 - North Indian Ocean

-13:42:40 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-13:19:38 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-13:15:28 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-12:37:48 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-12:21:58 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-12:10:53 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-11:53:37 USC, Magnitude 5.7 - North Indian Ocean

-11:52:29 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - North Indian Ocean

-11:34:02 USC, Magnitude 5.4 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-11:29:00 USC, Magnitude 5.4 - South Sandwich Islands Region

-10:43:09 USC, Magnitude 8.2 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-10:36:55 USC, Magnitude 5.4 -North Indian Ocean

-10:21:16 USC, Magnitude 5.4 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-10:08:30 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-10:01:20 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-09:51:42 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-09:27:57 USC, Magnitude 6.0 - North Indian Ocean

-09:00:13 USC, Magnitude 5.5 - Andreanof Islands, Aleutian IS. Alaska

-08:38:37 USC, Magnitude 8.6 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-07:41:46 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - Banda Sea

-05:44:42 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - South Mid-Atlantic Ridge

-04:53:26 USC, Magnitude 5/2 - South Mid-Atlantic Ridge



　

April 12
-20:21:53 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-14:50:53 USC, Magnitude 5.6 - Near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan

-14:$6:28 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-13:09:49 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-11:19:59 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - Near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan

-07:43:49 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-07:34:57 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - North Indian Ocean

-07:15:49 USC, Magnitude 6.9 - Gulf of California

-07:06:01 USC, Magnitude 6.2 - Gulf of California

-07:01:47 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-02:54:45 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - North Indian Ocean



　

April 13
-13:06:28 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - Oaxaca, Mexico

-12:12:07 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan

-10:10:05 USC, Magnitude 5.4 - Oaxaca, Mexico

-10:10:01 USC, Magnitude 5.7 - Near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan

-04:15:11 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Vanuatu



　

April 14
-23:49:25 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - West Chile Rise

-22:05:26 USC, Magnitude 6.5 - Vanuatu

-20:53:55 USC, Magnitude 5.5 - South Sandwich Islands Region

-19:26:42 USC, Magnitude 5.9 - Sunda Strait, Indonesia

-15:21:55 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-15:13:11 USC, Magntiude 5.6 - Kuril Islands

-12:18:27 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-10:56:19 USC, Magnitude 6.2 - Drake Passage



　

April 15
-05:57:39 USC, Magnitude 6.2 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra



　

April 16
-18:01:20 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - Sulawesi, Indonesia

-16:05:54 USC, Magnitude 5.2 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-11:23:45 USC, Magnitude 5.5 - Southern Greece

-09:46:27 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - Off the West Coast of Northern Sumatra

-03:27:42 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Gulf of California

-02:17:50 USC, Magnitude 5.8 0 Sulawesi, Indonesia



　

April 17
-08:51:26 USC, Magnitude 5.6 - Kermadec Islands Region

-07:13:50 USC, Magnitude 6.8 - Eastern New Guinea Reg, Papua New Guinea

-04:03:17 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Offshore Valparaiso, Chile

-03:50:17 USC, Magnitude 6.7 - Offshore Valparaiso, Chile

-03:24:25 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Northern Sumatra, Indonesia





Tsunami
4-11-2012 - Magnitude 8.7 - Depth 0km - Off W. Coast of Northern Sumatra - Tsunami Watch later cancelled.

4-18-2012 - Magnitude 7.0 - Depth 202km - Eastern New Guinea Reg. P.n.g.





Volcanic Activity
Update: Volcanic Activity Continues at Nevado del Ruiz, Colombia.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/04/restless-month-continues-at-nevado-del-ruiz-in-colombia/

Update: Volcanic Activity Continues at Tungurahua Volcano, Ecuador

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/11/volcano-eruption-south-america-ecuador-5/

4-11-2012 - 3:15am - Katla Volcano - Myrdalsjokull Icecap, Iceland - Volcano Activity

4-12-2012 - 4:45pm - Mount Etna Volcano - Sicily, Italy - Volcano Eruption

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/13/volcano-eruption-europe-italy-12/

4-13-2012 - 4:12pm - Turrialba Volcano - Cartago, Costa Rica - Volcano Activity

4-16-2012 - 5:02am - Popocatepetl Volcano - State of Puebla, Mexico - Volcano Activity

4-17-2012 - 3:04am - Sangay Volcano - Northern Volcanic Zone, Ecuador - Volcano Activity

4-17-2012 - 7:21am - Shiveluch Volcano - Far-East, Russia - Volcano Eruption





Tropical Storms
No tropical storms at this time.



Status of Worldwide Supervolcanoes
Lake Taupo - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Lake Toba - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Whakamaru - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Yellowstone Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Island park Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green

La Girta Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Mount Tambora - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Baekdu Mountain - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Kikai Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Laacher See - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Aira Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Campi Flegrei - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Reporoa Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Mount Aso - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Long Valley Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Valles Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Santorini Volcano - VEI 7 - Status: Green





Drought
No drought updates at this time.



Flooding
4-13-2012 - Flooding - State of Perak, Malaysia - 1,145 evacuated from seven villages as their houses were hit by floods.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/13/flood-indonesian-archipelago-malaysia-6/



Fire
Update: Forest/Wildfire - Province of Hebei, China - 2000 evacuated as forest fire continues to rage on a mountain northeast of Beijing.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/12/forest-wild-fire-asia-china-9/

　
4-16-2012 - Forest/Wildfire - Selby-on-the-Bay, Maryland, USA - Fire fighters battle a large 4-alarm brush fire.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/15/forest-wild-fire-north-america-usa-203/

　
4-13-2012 - Forest/Wildfire - Alleghany, Virginia, USA - Statewide mutual aid requested to fight fire in the western part of the state of Virginia.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/13/forest-wild-fire-north-america-usa-201/

　
4-12-2012 - Forest/Wild Fire - Burlington County, New Jersey, USA - Another forest fire being battled in Burlington County.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/11/forest-wild-fire-north-america-usa-199/





Health
Update: Epidemic Hazard - Central Province, Zambia - Typhoid cases continue to be recorded.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/11/epidemic-hazard-africa-zambia-3/



4-17-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Toronto has reported its first case of human rabies in 81 years.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/17/epidemic-hazard-north-america-canada-26/



4-17-2012 - Biological Hazard - Meghalaya, India - Thousands of fish are dead in a river near the Indo-Bangladesh border.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/17/biological-hazard-asia-india-62/



4-17-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Zalingei Camp, West Darfur, Sudan - Health workers have reported the emergence of meningitis cases.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/17/epidemic-hazard-africa-sudan-4/



4-17-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Northville, Michigan, USA - As many as 400 student and staff at Northville High School may have come in close contact with a student who has an active case of tuberculosis.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/17/epidemic-hazard-north-america-usa-239/



4-17-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Rocky Hill, Connecticut, USA - Outbreak of influenza at the state veterans' home has sent eighteen veterns to the hospital.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/16/epidemic-hazard-north-america-usa-238/



4-14-2012 - Biological Hazard - Juneau, Alaska, USA - Three suspected cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning have been reported.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/14/biological-hazard-north-america-usa-409/



4-13-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Gladstone, Queensland, Australia - Three children have contracted the potentially deadly meningococcal disease, with two in serious condition.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/16/epidemic-hazard-australia-australia-41/



4-13-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India - There are now seventeen dead from swine flu as guidelines issued to all hospitals in the city.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/12/epidemic-hazard-asia-india-135/



4-13-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Haiti - Haiti could be on the verge of a second cholera epidemic and the country's rainy season leads to another rise in cases.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/13/epidemic-hazard-caribean-area-haiti/



4-13-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Alachua County, Florida, USA - Five new caes of chicken pox found with at least seventy infected.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/12/epidemic-hazard-north-america-usa-236/



4-11-2012 - Biological Hazard - East Java, Indoenisa - Hundreds of chickens infected with avian flu.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/11/biological-hazard-indonesian-archipelago-indonesia-13/







HAZMAT Events
4-13-2012 - Hazmat Event - El Paso, Texas, USA - 105lbs of a poisonous chemical called benzene leaked from a cooling tower at Western Refining.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/13/hazmat-north-america-usa-168/



4-13-2012 - Hazmat Event - Farifield, Connecticut, USA - Chlorine-baed chemical was released from a metal-processing business.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/13/hazmat-north-america-usa-166/



4-12-2012 -Hazmat Event - Pickering, Ontario, Canada - Second time in a week that mercury has been removed from areas where children play.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/11/hazmat-north-america-canada-20/





Nuclear Events
No nuclear events to report at this time.



Other
4-16-2012 - Enviroment Pollution - State of River, Nigeria - French oil major Total has shut down a gas plant in the Niger Delta following a leak caused by a technical incident.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/16/enviroment-pollution-africa-nigeria-8/

　

4-13-2012 - Enviroment Pollution - Apulia, Italy - 20 tons of fuel oil spilled into the sea from a freighter nearth teh southern port city of Taranto.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/13/enviroment-pollution-europe-italy-2/

　
4-12-2012 - Explosion - Warren, Michigan, USA - Six injured, one seriously after an explosion at a General Motors laboratory.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/11/explosion-north-america-usa-36/



4-12-2012 - Enviroment Pollution - Port Arthur, Texas, USA - Total Petrochemicals reports a check valve failure that led to a spill at its Port Arthur refinery.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/11/enviroment-pollution-north-america-usa-47/



War/Terrorism

April 11
-Sudan says that after a battle South Sudan controls Heglig, its largest oil field.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17672727

-A bomb on a buss kills at least two in the Phillippines.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_PHILIPPINES_BUS_EXPLOSION?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-04-11-00-02-22

　

April 12
-A ceasefire to military operations in the Syrian uprising comes into effect.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/syria-regime-promises-thursday-ceasefire/story-e6frf7lf-1226324434988

-The military of Guinea-Bissau have staged a coup against the civilian government.

http://news.yahoo.com/g-bissau-military-takes-over-ruling-party-hq-201921591.html

　

April 13
-Five killed near Skopje, the capital of the Republic of Macedonia amid simmering ethic tensions.

http://balkans.aljazeera.net/makale/revolt-gradana-zbog-zlocina-u-skoplju

-A draft UNSC resolution outlines plans to send observers to Syria to monitor compliance witha new peace plan as sever people are reported killed after Friday prayers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17698852

-The Economic Community of West African States condemns the apparent coup d'etat in Guinea-Bissau.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/04/2012412211055817993.html

　

April 14
-Anti-austerity demonstrations take place at the ruling Labour Party's centenary conference in Ireland.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/protesters-picket-labour-conference-16145013.html

-15 year old shot in the chest by police in Bahrain.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/04/201241454230727719.html

-Sudanese forces advance on the town of Heglig that is occupied by South Sudanese forces.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/04/20124131884114152.html

　

April 15
-At least 23 reported killed in violence across Syria as UN monitoring team arrives.

http://articles.cnn.com/2012-04-15/middleeast/world_meast_syria-unrest_1_local-coordination-committees-president-bashar-syrian-government?_s=PM:MIDDLEEAST

-Heavily armed Taliban insurgents launch multiple coordinated militant attacks on the British, Russian and German embassies, NATO's headquarters, military bases and the Afghan parliament in Kabul Afghanistan and other cities.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17719956

-Nearly 400 Islamist militants escape from a prison in northwest Pakistan after an attack by insurgents.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/04/nearly-400-escape-as-islamist-militants-attack-pakistan-prison/

-Sudanese warplanes bomb the border town of Heglig.

http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE83E00C20120415

-Five dead and five wounded in an aerial bombing attack on Rubkona, South Sudan.

http://articles.cnn.com/2012-04-14/africa/world_africa_sudan-violence_1_south-sudan-philip-aguer-sudanese-military-forces?_s=PM:AFRICA

　

April 16
-At least 55 people reported killed, including 26 in the city of Idib as violence increases again despite the arrival of UN observers to monitor a cease-fire.

http://articles.cnn.com/2012-04-16/middleeast/world_meast_syria-unrest_1_cease-fire-local-coordination-committees-damascus?_s=PM:MIDDLEEAST

-Military leaders and a group of political parties in Guinea-Bissau announce the formation of a Transitional National Council after the recent coup.

http://articles.cnn.com/2012-04-16/africa/world_africa_guinea-bissau-coup_1_guinea-bissau-prime-minister-carlos-gomes-portuguese-speaking-countries?_s=PM:AFRICA

-A six year old boy and is killed and two other children wounded after a militant throws a hand grenade into a co-educational school near Peshawar, northwest Pakistan.

http://articles.cnn.com/2012-04-16/asia/world_asia_pakistan-attack_1_hand-grenade-pakistan-police-official?_s=PM:ASIA

　

April 17
-Three quarters of the Palestinian inmates held in Israeli jails go on a hunger strike as Thouands in the West Bank and Gaza Strip support their action.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/04/201241781739637933.html

-Sudan continues to bomabard disputed border town seized by South Sudan.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/sudan-intensifies-bombing-disputed-town-16151981#.T4zLeqt5GSo

-Sudanese parliament declares South Sudan "an enemy" calls for the overthrow of the government of South Sudan.

http://www.timeslive.co.za/news/2012/04/17/khartoum-declares-all-out-war

-Prime Minister of Australia announces a withdrawl of Australian troops fighting the war in Afghanistan by the end of 2013.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17737592

Gone Fishing: Easy Trout Recipe



     So I thought I would add a quick recipe on here for everyone.  We're getting into summer and nothing tastes better than fresh caught fish after a day of fishing.  So I thought I would add a quick recipe for trout for you all.
This recipe can be done in the oven at home, or over a fire when you camping if you want.
Ingriedents:
-two trout fillets
-tbsp or so of olive oil
-2 tsp garlic salt
-1 tsp black pepper
-1 jalapeno sliced
-1 lemon sliced

-Preheat your oven to 400 degrees, or get your campfire going and let it burn down to hot coals.
-Rub the fish with olive oil and sprinkle the garlic salt and pepper over the top of the fish.
-Top with jalapeno slices and lemon slices.  Squeee the lemon slices over the fish first for some extra lemon taste.
-Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes or put on the hot coals for around the same amount of time. 
-Check the fish to make sure it is done, it should flake easily with a fork.

     So there we go, quick recipe if your going out fishing.  Also if SHTF, we can still probebly go fishing and it will be good to have then too.  Now if I can only see about making this recipe from shelf stable food only.  Enjoy!

~Sara

There is an extreme fire danger rating in Minnesota, Africanized bees in Tennessee, and fighting continues in Syria.

This is your weekly report preppers. Look for the information you need to stay safe and keep on prepping.



Earthquakes

April 4
-20:27:29 USC, Magnitude 5.5 - New Britain Region, Papua New Guinea

　

April 5
No reported earthquakes over magnitude 5.0.

　

April 6
-19:24:13 USC, Magnitude 5.5 - Kepulauan Mentawai Region, Indonesia

-16:15:56 USC, Magnitude 6.2 - New Ireland Region, Papua New Guinea

　

April 7
-20:37:52 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Central Mid-Atlantic Ridge

-20:09:40 USC, Magnitude 5.2 - Banda Sea

-11:58:08 USC, Magnitude 5.8 - New Britain Region, Papua New Guinea

　

April 8
-21:43:32 USC, Magnitude 5.4 - Taiwan Region

　

April 9
No reported earthquakes over magnitude 5.0.

　

April 10
-05:09:09 USC, Magnitude 5.8 - North of Acension Island





Tsunami
No Tsunami activity.





Volcanic Activity
4-9-2012, 5:51 PM - Anak Krakatoa Volcano - Sunda Strait, Indonesia - Volcanic Eruption

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/09/volcano-eruption-indonesian-archipelago-indonesia-24/



Tropical Storms
No tropical storms at this time.



Status of Worldwide Supervolcanoes
Lake Taupo - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Lake Toba - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Whakamaru - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Yellowstone Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Island park Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green

La Girta Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Mount Tambora - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Baekdu Mountain - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Kikai Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Laacher See - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Aira Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Campi Flegrei - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Reporoa Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Mount Aso - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Long Valley Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Valles Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Santorini Volcano - VEI 7 - Status: Green





Drought
4-8-2012 - Complex Emergency - Maldives - 55 islands have reported severe water shortages due to recent drought.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/09/complex-emergency-india-ocean-maldives/



Flooding
4-20-2012 - Flash Flood - Province of Cagayan, Philippines - 6000 evacuated due to flash flooding from heavy rains.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/10/flash-flood-pacific-ocean-west-philippines-30/



Fire
4-10-2012 - Forest/Wildfire - Province of Hebei, China - 2000 evacuated as a forest fire rages on a mountain northeast of Beijing.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/10/forest-wild-fire-asia-china-9/



4-09-2012 - Forest/Wildfire - South of Nimrod, Minnesota, USA - Large response needed for fire in Minnesota. Much of state under an extreme fire danger rating.



4-9-2012 - Forest/Wildfire - Harford County, Maryland, USA - Massive wildfire threatens nearby homes.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/08/forest-wild-fire-north-america-usa-197/



4-7-2012 - Forest/Wildfire - Colorado, USA - One hundred acre wildfire promts evacuation of 58 homes.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/07/forest-wild-fire-north-america-usa-196/





Health
Update: Epidemic Hazard - Northern Uganada, Uganda - Death toll from cholera has risen to 30 while many more fight for their lives.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/03/epidemic-hazard-africa-uganda-11/

　
Update: Epidemic Hazard - Fahan, Co. Donegal, Ireland - Investigation continues into the deaths of six elderly patients

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/08/epidemic-hazard-europe-ireland-5/

Update: Biological Hazard - Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, California, USA - Dead birds continue to be found from avian cholera outbreak.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/09/biological-hazard-north-america-usa-399/



4-10-2012 - Biological Hazard - Hong Kong, China - Carcacss of magpie robin confirmed H5N1 positive.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/10/biological-hazard-asia-china-23/



4-9-2012 - Biological Hazard - Monroe County, Tennessee, USA - First case of partially Africanized bees confirmed.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/09/biological-hazard-north-america-usa-407/



4-9-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - State of Madhya Pradesh, India - Chandoriya village has come down with chickpox as villagers follow faith beleifs rather than medical proffessional advice and instructions.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/08/epidemic-hazard-asia-india-133/



4-8-2012 - Epidemic - States of Jammu and Kashmir, India - Scores of people infected by outbreaks of skin and respiratory diseases.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/08/epidemic-asia-india-5/



4-8-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - West Bengal, Malda - 9 infants dead with more cases being reported at West Bengal's Malda Medical College. Hospital authority refuses to divulge details of the deaths.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/08/epidemic-hazard-asia-india-132/



4-7-2012 - Biological Hazard - Alaska, USA - Alaska polar bears have joined list of far-north species afflicted with a mystery illness.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/09/biological-hazard-north-america-usa-406/



4-6-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Trivandrum, Kerala, India - Death of five year old suspected to be scrub typhus.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/06/epidemic-hazard-asia-india-131/



4-5-2012 - Biological Hazard - Marco Island, Florida - Water quality tests detect red tide.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/07/biological-hazard-north-america-usa-402/



4-5-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Mysore, Karnataka, India - 34 cases of cholera reported.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/05/epidemic-hazard-asia-india-129/



4-4-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Kabwe, Central Province, Zambia - More than 16 cases of typhoid have been reported in Kabwe in the last three days.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/05/hazmat-asia-china-35/



4-4-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Multiple areas, Philippines - Bulletin issued by the Department of Health declares seven bodies of water around the country are currently prouducing shellfish that are not safe for consumption.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/04/biological-hazard-pacific-ocean-west-philippines-18/





HAZMAT Events
4-10-2012 - Hazmat Event - Boston, Massachusetts, USA - Six quarantined, twelve evacuated as women commits suicide using toxic chemicals.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/10/hazmat-north-america-usa-165/



4-7-2012 - Hazmat Event - Province of Pathum Thani, Thailand - 22 workers affected after a chemical leake during a transfer to storage tank.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/07/hazmat-asia-thailand-3/



4-7-2012 - Hazmat Event - Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho, USA - Federal officials are trying to figure out the source of radioactive particles at the Idaho National Laboratory nuclear reactor complex.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/07/hazmat-asia-thailand-3/



4-5-2012 - Hazmat Event - Shanghai, China - There has been a minor toxic chemical leak from a Danish container ship at Yangshan Deep-water Port.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/05/hazmat-asia-china-35/







Nuclear Events
4-5-2012 - Nuclear Event - Penly Nuclear Power Plant, Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, France - Fire crews rush to nuclear ractor after escape of smoke, but energy company says the site is secure.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/08/nuclear-event-europe-france-4/



4-5-2012 - Nuclear Event - Catawba Nuclear Power Plant, York, South Carolina, USA - Catawba nuclear power plant being monitored after offsite power was lost.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/06/nuclear-event-north-america-usa-81/



Other
No other events reported this week.



War/Terrorism
April 4
-Sudan People's Liberation Army says it shot down a Sudanese MiG-29 jet fighter in South Sudan's Unity state.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/04/world/africa/sudan-violence/index.html?eref=edition



-Suicide bomber kills at least 12 people and injures more in Afghanistan's Faryab province.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/9185161/Afghanistan-suicide-blast-leaves-at-least-12-dead.html



-A suicide bomber detonates an explosion in Somalia's national theatre in Mogadishu while a ceramony is taking place. At least ten dead.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17609047

　

April 5
-A rocket fired from Egypt's Sinai desert hits the Isreali city of Eilat but cause no injuries or damage.

http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFL6E8F504820120405

-Mali's Azawad National Liberation Movement declares an end to military activities, claiming that they have captured enough territory to form their own state.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17622760

-Syrian Army troops launch a fierce attack on the Damascus suburb of Douma.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_SYRIA?SITE=WVEC&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

-Rival militias cease fighting in the town of Zuwara in western Libya after the National Transitional Council clams a ceasefire.

http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/rival-militias-halt-fighting-in-western-libya/

April 6
No news to report on this day.

　

April 7
-Yemeni airport capital closed after forces loyal to General Mohammed Saleh al-Ahmar threaten to attack aircraft.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/04/2012479515618741.html?utm_content=automate&utm_campaign=Trial6&utm_source=NewSocialFlow&utm_term=plustweets&utm_medium=MasterAccount



-Burmese President Thein Sein meets representative from the Karen National Union, in an attempt to end one of the world's longest running civil conflicts.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17643633

　

April 8
-At least 40 people reported killed across Syria ahead of the Tuesday deadline for Syrian armed forces to withdraw from cities.

http://articles.cnn.com/2012-04-08/middleeast/world_meast_syria-unrest_1_idlib-local-coordination-committees-deir-ezzor?_s=PM:MIDDLEEAST

-Afghanistan and United States reach an agreement giving the Government of Afghanistan more control over night raids.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303772904577330980540260136.html

-Car bomb explodes in the Nigerian city of Kaduna killing dozens of people.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iAMsrdzMMtkGGO_gAjlF6R8LfRXA?docId=f9b79f15f71a4f41a18610157c5f3356

　

April 9
-Turkey claims that the Syrian Army has opened fire on a refugee camp on Turkish soil.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/turkey-says-3-wounded-after-syrian-forces-open-fire-at-refugee-camp-inside-turkey/2012/04/09/gIQAJcIS5S_story.html

-Cameraman from Al Jadeed TV station shot dead by the Syrian army at the Syria-Lebanon border.

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/Apr-09/169668-al-jadeed-cameraman-killed-on-lebanon-syria-border.ashx#axzz1rY2hfmZ9

-Authorities in Bahrain refuse to transfer jailed Shia political activist to Denmark.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/04/201248124610592469.html

-Police fire tear gas at demonstrators who defy a government ban on protesting in Tunis.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/04/201249111138604841.html

-At least 21 dead in clashes between al Qaeda militants and Yemeni Army soldiers in southern Yemen.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/09/world/meast/yemen-attack/index.html?eref=edition

-At least 11 killed and over 30 others seriously injured by bombing in Baidoa, Somalia.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17658522

　

April 10
-United nations backed deadline for withdrawl of troops and weapons in Syria comes into effect.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17661878

-Despite deadline, violence continues with the shelling of Homs and Hama.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/4/10/worldupdates/2012-04-10T091600Z_26_BRE83602D_RTROPTT_0_UK-SYRIA&sec=Worldupdates

-Four arrested in a Shiite village in Bahrain after seven policemen are injured in an apparent terrorist attack.

http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/04/10/206773.html

-Bahrain denies that jailed hunger striker's health is critical.

http://www.taiwannews.com.tw/etn/news_content.php?id=1891172

-Suicide bomber attacks a government office building in Afghanistan's Herat Province.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2012/04/201241051057363598.html

-Investigation finds no evidence against the chief minister of Gujarat, India, over anti-Muslim riots in the state in 2002.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/288307/indian-probe-clears-gujurat-leader-over-2002-riots

Will There Be Another Great Depression?

      There are many things out there that preppers are getting prepared for. Local disasters such as tornadoes and wildfires, to larger disasters like EMPs, a super volcano eruption, or nuclear war. One of the most common things that people are prepping for however, is a financial collapse, or the next Great Depression. With the way the United States and the rest of the world is looking right now, many people are afraid that this is exactly what could happen. It is also one of the things that I am prepping for as well.

       On October 29th, 1929, a day that became known as Black Tuesday, the US stockmarket crashed. The news spread quickly to every country in the world and the effects of the crash followed. The Great Depression devestated nearly every country and lasted into the late 1930's or early 1940's. It is the deepest, longest and most wide spread depression of the twentieth century.

     A multitude of factors caused the Great Depression. Some will point to a demand driven theory with says that the Great Depression was caused by an economic bubble that collapsed due to neglect by bankers and industrialists or incompetence by the government. This led to a large scale loss of confidence that resulted in the reduction of consumption and investment. This resulted in the panic and subsequent crash.

     Then there are monetarists who beleive the Great Depression was like any other recession but policy mistakes by the Federal Reserve and other monetary authorities caused a shrinking of the money supply. This worsened the economic situation turning a recession into the Great Depression.
Whatever theory you beleive in, there were no doubts about what the results of the Great Depression were. Unemployment skyrocketed, up to 25% in the United States, and even higher in some other countries around the world. International trade significantly decreased. Crop prices also dropped, and the mining and logging industries were hit hard as well, as suddenly their products were no longer needed.





     Stratford Texas, 1935

     What helped worse the Great Depression in the United States was the Dust Bowl. Farmers had spread across the bread bowl of America and started cultivating the land in large areas. Land under cultivation tripled between 1925 and 1930. The farming techniques used allowed for erosion. Fields were left bare over winter months, which is when winds are at their highest, and the remains of plants were burned robbing the soil of nutrition and again leaving the ground open to erosion.

      When severe drought struck in the 1930's, the plain's native grass was gone, and there was nothing to hold the soil in place. Soil that had become brittle and dry was easily carried away by the winds, creating massive dust storms that rolled across the country. More than 500,000 were left homeless by the dust storms, and by 1940, 2.5 million people had moved out of the plains states.

       So the big question is, can it happen again? My answer to that question is yes. Of course it can happen again. We would much prefer that it didn't and many people will say that we have learned from history so of course it couldn't happen again.

      This is something I have been looking into for a few years now I have come to believe that we will find ourselves in another deep recession if not another Great Depression by 2030. There are a few things that have made me decide this.

     First is the pattern of recessions. Before the Great Depression there were a number of small recessions, closely spaced apart. They happened with only a few years in between them, but they were less severe. As the Great Depression grew closer, there was more time in between recessions but they started to become more severe in nature, until finally you had the Great Depression.

     Looking at the recessions during the twenty first century and into the the twenty first, there seems to be a very similar pattern happening. The collapse of the housing bubble would seem to be another pattern repeating it self as well. Another thing to keep in mind is that the dust bowl exacerbated the Great Depression in the United States. Will there be another drought like that in the Great Plains?

      There very well could be. The High Plains Aquifer, also known as the Ogallala Aquifer is one of the world's largest aquifers and sits under South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas. The aquifer is used for irrigation and for drinking water. However the aquifer is being depleted, as are river systems across the western United States. Meanwhile cities like Las Vegas continue to boom, and use excessive amounts of water in a place where there would usually be almost none.

     By next year (2013) 36 states are predicted to face water shortages. Water supply crises with the high probebility of conflict are being predicted to take place in the Western United States by 2025. No one is saying the Dust Bowl, but that sounds very much like a drought to me.

      So will there be another Great Depression? There is no specific answer for that, but I say that it is very likely. What can we do to prevent this? Probebly nothing. With the way resorces are being consumed and treated today, with little effort happening to change the rate of consumption, I think it is not very likely that we will avoid another situation like the Great Depression.

     We can however begin to prepare and to become more self reliant. We must learn new skills and brush up on old ones. Start a garden in your backyard, and learn to preserve the food that you get from it. Try out some DIY projects for survival prep. Read up on some history so you know what your preparing for. Make sure your bug in and bug out plans are up to date and ready. As long as we are prepared, when the next Great Depression comes, we will be ready to face it.

~Sara

I'm not the only one who thinks we're going to find ourselves in real trouble by 2030. MIT is thinking the same thing:
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/next-great-depression-mit-researchers-predict-global-economic-190352944.html

Weekly World Risk Update (3/27 to 4/3)

The insurgency in Mali continues, there is volcanic activity at Krakatoa, and a declared epidemic in China.

This is your weekly report preppers. Look for the information you need to stay safe and keep on prepping.



Earthquakes

March 27
-23:40:14 USC, Magntitude 5.0 - Nepal-India Border Region

　

March 28
-08:54:16 USC, Magnitude 5.2 - Southern Sumatra, Indonesia

-08:25:53 USC, Magnitude 5.6 - Pacific-Antarctic Ridge

　

March 29
-00:36:41 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - Soutwest Indian Ridge

　

March 30
-22:02:10 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Northern Sumatra, Indonesia

-19:51:05 USC, Magnitude 5.2 - Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea

-18:16:14 USC, Magnitude 5.4 - Offshore Chipas, Mexico

-17:21:05 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Tonga

-10:55:25 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Off the East Coast of Honshu, Japan

-09:38:59 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - Fiji Region

-06:19:33 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Southeast of Easter Island

-04:38:32 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan

　

March 31
-17:06:44 USC, Magnitude 5.4 - Tonga

-09:04:41 USC, Magnitude 5.2 - South of the Fiji Islands

　

April 1
-22:23:50 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - Guerrero, Mexico

-21:44:02 USC, Magnitude 5.7 - New Ireland Region, Papua New Guinea

-14:04:26 USC, Magnitude 5.8 - Eastern Honshu, Japan

-13:14:32 USC, Magnitude 5.4 - Trhistan Da Cunha Region

　

April 2
-17:36:43 USC, Magnitude 6.0 - Oaxaca, Maxico

-08:17:07 USC, Magnitude 5.3 - Tonga

　

April 3
-11:52:23 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Near the East Coast of Honshu, Japan

-11:27:00 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Kepulauan Barat Daya, Indonesia

-10:42:35 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - New Ireland Region, Papua New Guinea

-07:25:08 USC, Magnitude 5.2 - Tarapaca, Chile

-04:25:53 USC, Magnitude 5.0 - Mindanao,Philippines

-03:08:09 USC, Magnitude 5.4 - Near the Coast of Northern Peru

-02:11:06 USC, Magnitude 5.1 - Offshore Valparaiso, Chile





Tsunami
No Tsunami activity.





Volcanic Activity
3-27-2012 - 3:13am - Santa Maria (Santiaguito) Volcano, Quetzaltenango - Western Highlands, Guatemala - Volcanic Activity

3-27-2012 - 3:16am - Volcan de Fuego - Sierra Madre, Guatemala - Volcanic Activity

3-29-2012 - 3:10am - Anak Krakatoa Volcano - Sunda Strait, Indonesia - Volcanic Activity

3-30-2012 - 2:48am - Cleveland Volcano, Aleuitan Islands - Alaska, USA - Volcanic Activity

4-03-2012 - 12:50pm - Ambrym Volcano - New Hebrides, Vanuatu - Volcanic Activity

　



Tropical Storms
South Pacific Ocean - Daphne - Tropical Storm - Wind Speed 93km/h - Gust 120km/h





Status of Worldwide Supervolcanoes
Lake Taupo - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Lake Toba - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Whakamaru - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Yellowstone Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Island park Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green

La Girta Caldera - VEI 8 - Status: Green

Mount Tambora - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Baekdu Mountain - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Kikai Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Laacher See - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Aira Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Campi Flegrei - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Reporoa Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Mount Aso - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Long Valley Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Valles Caldera - VEI 7 - Status: Green

Santorini Volcano - VEI 7 - Status: Green





Drought
3-31-2012 - Drought - Sahel Region, Africa - US giving $120 million in emergency aid in hopes of prevent severe hunger. Tens of thousands are believed to have been killed by famine last year.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/01/drought-multicountries-2/



3-30-2012 - Drought - Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, USA - Officials have declared a moderate drought.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/29/drought-north-america-usa-10/





Flooding
3-27-2012 - Flooding - Multiprovinces, Ecuador - 4700 evacuated, and at least 30 dead frm torrential rains, bringing with it the threat of landslides and mudslides.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/01/flood-south-america-ecuador/





Fire
3-27-2012 - Forest/Wildfire - Jefferson County, Colorad - Two dead and one missing as a large fire burns in Jefferson County.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/01/forest-wild-fire-north-america-usa-191/



3-30-2012 - Forest/Wildfire - Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota, USA - Fire grows to 546 acres, but remains partially contained.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/30/forest-wild-fire-north-america-usa-192/





Health
Update: Enviromental Pollution - Total Oil Platform, North Sea - Inspection for safety to occur before beginning work to cap a well that has leaked explosive gas for more than a week.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/02/enviroment-pollution-other-7/
　

4-3-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Egypt - 2 infected as Egypt reports the seventh and eight case of human infection with avian influenza in 2012.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/03/epidemic-hazard-africa-egypt-10/



4-3-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Central Region, Nepal - Acute and highly contagious measles has taken form at various place sin Mahottari district.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/03/epidemic-hazard-asia-nepal-8/



4-3-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Co Donegal, Ireland - Health services have begun an investigation after six elderly patients at a nursing home die from a "respiratory-type illness".

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/03/epidemic-hazard-europe-ireland-5/



4-2-2012 - Biological Hazard - Noonu and Haa Attols, Maldives - Large numbers of dead fish washing ashore.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/02/biological-hazard-india-ocean-maldives-3/



4-2-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Province of Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia - Six year old date in th eyears second H5N1 fatality.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/02/epidemic-hazard-asia-cambodia-15/



-3-31-2012 - Epidemic - Guangxi Zhuang Anatomus Region, China - 4 dead, more than 11,000 likely to be affected as Hand-foot-mouth disease sprads.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/02/epidemic-asia-china-6/



-3-31-2012 - Biological Hazard - Southern District, Isreal - 3rd case of avian flu leads to plans to slaugher over 20,000 turkeys.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/02/biological-hazard-middle-east-israel-6/



3-31-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - San Diego, California, USA - Possible case of antibiotic-resistant staph infection.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/31/epidemic-hazard-north-america-usa-235/



-3-30-2012 - Biological Hazard - Co. Cork, Ireland - Outbreak of avian flu in a flock of pheasants.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/04/02/biological-hazard-europe-ireland-5/



3-30-2012 - Biological Hazard - Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, California, USA - Avian cholera outbreak killing birds as they migrate north. More than 10,000 deaths this spring.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/29/biological-hazard-north-america-usa-399/



-3-30-2012 - Biological Hazard - Chiclayo Coastline, Peru - Over 600 dolphins mysteriously washed up on the north coast of Peru.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/29/biological-hazard-south-america-peru/



-3-30-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Croton-on-Hudson, New York, USA - Chicken pox alert.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/29/epidemic-hazard-north-america-usa-231/



3-30-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - McDonalds, Northport, Alabama, USA - Customers may have been exposed to hepatitis A virus through an infected employee. If you have visited this McDonald's at any time on the 14th of March, or during breakfast hours on the 16th of March, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/29/epidemic-hazard-north-america-usa-233/



3-29-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - New Castle County, Deleware, USA - Confirmed case of antiviral-resistant influenza.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/29/epidemic-hazard-north-america-usa-230/



3-28-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Omaheke Region, Namibia - Five dead and two more infected by what could be cases of anthrax.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/28/epidemic-hazard-africa-namibia-5/



3-28-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Bengkulu, Southwest Sumatra, Indonesia - Two bird flu suspects being treated at a hospital.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/28/epidemic-hazard-indonesian-archipelago-indonesia-32/



3-28-2012 - Epidemic Hazard - Greater Accra Region, Ghana - 33 confirmed cases of cholera.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/29/epidemic-hazard-africa-ghana-11/





HAZMAT Events
-3-31-2012 - Hazmat Event - Valleyo, California, USA - 71 sick after carbon dioxide leak.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/31/hazmat-north-america-usa-163/



3-28-2012 - Ligonier, Indiana, USA - Freight train hauling hazardous materials derailed in rural northeaster Indiana.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/28/hazmat-north-america-usa-161/



3-27-2012 - Hazmat Event - Texas City, Texas, USA - Hydrofluoric acid leaked from an alkylation unit at oil refinery.

http://c4i.me/site/2012/03/29/hazmat-north-america-usa-160/





Nuclear Events
No nuclear events to report.





Other
Update: Mysterious Booms may have been caught on tape. Seismometers and sounder sensors have been installed.

http://www.masoncountydailynews.com/news/national-news/27205-mysterious-booms-return-to-wisconsin-town

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-wisconsin-boom-town-now-has-seismometers-sound-sensors-20120330,0,209335.story





War/Terrorism

March 28
-Renewed clashes in Sabha, Libya raises the death toll to 50.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/03/27/libya-clashes-idINDEE82Q0KA20120327

-South Sudan's troops pull out of Sudan's oil-producing Heglig area, easing tensions.

http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE82R09V20120328

-Syrain forces attack central town of Qalaat al-Madiq.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17541186

　

March 29
-At least 13 killed at teh San Pedro Sula prison in Honduras.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-17557658

　

March 30
-Gunmen killed Zain-ul-Abdeen, a leader of the ethnic Pashtun Awami National Party, in Karachi.

http://www.irna.ir/News/Politic/Violence-erupts-in-Pakistan_s-Karachi-as-gunmen-kill-politician/80055658

-20 year old Palestinian killed and 13 wounded by IDF gunfire as they try and breach Gaza border fence.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/03/201233018384736481.html

-Thousands of Lebanese and Palestinians protest in Beaufort Castle.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4210157,00.html

-Amnesty Internation urges the release of imprisoned Bahraini human rights activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-17564341

　

March 31
-Tuareg rebels attack the northern Malian town of Gao a day after taking the provincial capital Kidal.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/03/2012331101518829540.html

-Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea orders troops to the Hela Province following ongoin gdisruption by illegal miners.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/8444496/troops-sent-to-png-regions

-At least eight killed by three explosions in Yala Province, Thailand.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17571133

-Around 30 killed in clashes between army and suspected Al-Qaeda militants in southern Yemen.

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=At+least+29+killed+in+Yemen+army%26sbquo%3B+Qaeda+clashes&NewsID=326199

　

April 1
-Dozens killed as Syrian army bombards the city of Homs with artillery fire.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/clashes-shelling-kill-dozens-syria-16049400

-Tuareg rebels seize the town of Gao and the largest military base in Mali.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17576263

-Tuareg rebels claim to have surrounded Timbuktu.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17576725

　

April 2
-Colombian leftist group FARC releases its last remaining police and military captives.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-17580862

　

April 3
-Thousands demonstrate in Mauritania calling for the resignation of Presient Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/03/world/meast/bahrain-activist-hunger-strike/?hpt=hp_t3

-Turkish Prime Minister accuses UN Security Council of standing by with its "hands and arms tied" while teh Syrian people are killed everyday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17602136

~Sara

Edible Flowers

     Warning!: Make sure you positively identify each flower before eating. There may be flowers that look similar, or are of the same family that are not edible or are even poisonous! Do your own research on a plant before eating it, just to be safe.

     As the season for gardens starts to roll around again, I have been thinking of creating my own small garden in pots. As a first time gardener I love the idea of being able to grow my own food. At the same time however, I also love the idea of a decorative garden as well. This led me to the idea of edible flowers.

     There are quite a few edible flowers out there that would be a great addition to a garden. They add color and beauty to a garden, as well as a being a draw from pollinating insects. This makes sure that your vegetable plants get the pollination they need to actual produce and grow whatever vegetable you are trying to get.

     Another thing that came to mind, is that because flowers are often seen as simply ornament plants, flowers can act as a colorful and decorative element to your gardens, and help give them some camoflague. People generally don't expect a garden with flowers to also contain vegetables. So if you are interested in camoflaging your vegetable gardens in plain sight, adding flowers is a great way to do that. It creates a garden that looks decorative, and can be enjoyed that way, but also has the functional elements that we want in a survival garden.

     Always use home grown flowers, not store bought flowers because of the chemicals that are sprayed on the flowers that you find in stores. With your own flowers it is still a good idea to wash them before using them.

     When picking edible flowers, it is always best to pick them in the morning, when their water conent is high to help the flower have its best taste. Also pick them on the day that you want to use them because the flower will not last. To prepare a flower to go in a dish or even just to act as a garnish you will want to remove the pistils, stamens and seeds beacuse they tend to taste quite bitter.

     With those few tips in mind, here our some of our favorite edible flowers:

Borage: With its small brilliant blue flowers, it creates a perfect decorative element to your garden. This can then be transfered to the dishes in your kitchen. With a light cucumber flavor it would work very well in salads.

Caledula: With its vibrant yellow to orange color it will stand out in your garden. Often called the poor man's saffron, it will lend its spicy, tangy peppery taste well to your food, as well as add a golden hue to your dishes.

Chamomile: This bright cheerful flower is a great one to have in your garden and can easily be created into a tea. Chamomile tea can act as a mild seditive, helping with sleep at the end of a long day, or simply as a peaceful calming drink in between hectic moments.

Dandelion: Generally considered a pesky weed, this flower is actually completely edible from its leaves to its flowers. The young buds fried in butter taste similar to a mushroom, and dandelions can be used to make a potent wine.

Gladiolus: With a sweet light flavor, these flowers can be added to salads or desserts, or used as a garnish with almost any meal. Meanwhile, in your garden they create a beautiful riot of color, in almost any shade you would like.

Roses: With their sweet aromatic flavor, these are wonderful flower to have in the garden. They are also wonderful in the kitchen, and are great in desserts. They are especially good when candied, or drizzled in honey.



Snapdragons: These beautiful plants will look magnificent in your garden and on your table. They have a bland slightly bitter taste, and so could work well in salads to add a contrasting taste to sweet lettuce.

Squash Blossoms: With beautful flowers they will look lovely in your garden. They have sweet, nectar flavor and will work well with fish and dessert. Just remember not to snip off all of those flowers so you can have squash later in the summer and fall!

Sunflowers: These instantly recognizable flowers are a great edible flower to have in your garden. The petals have a leafy, slightly bitter taste, which can be lessed by steaming if you want. The real prize of these flowers though is of course its seeds. Soaked overnight in salt water, they can be baked real quick in the oven for a great treat.

Violets: With their beautiful purple color they work wonderfully in a garden and in a dish. They have a sweet, nectar like taste.

     This is just a sample of edible flowers, that here at the Paracord Project we think would look great in your garden, and would work well on the table. Want some other varieties? Here is a full list of edible flowers:

Angelica

Anise Hyssop

Apple

Arugula

Basil

Bee Balm

Borage

Burnet

Calendula

Carnation

Chamomile

Chicory

Chives

Chrysanthemum

Citrus

Clover

Coriander

Cornflower

Dandelion

Day Lily

Dill

English Daisy

Fennel

Fuchsia

Gardenia

Gladiolus

Hibiscus

Hollyhock

Honeysuckle

Hyssop

Impatiens

Jasmine

Johnny-Jump-Up

Lavender

Lemon Verbena

Lilac

Mallow

Marigold

Marjoram

Mint

Mustard

Nasturtium

Okra

Pansy

Pea

Pineapple Guava

Primrose

Radish

Redbud

Rose

Rosemary

Runner Bean

Safflower

Sage

Savory

Scneted Geranium

Snapdragon

Society Garlic

Squash Blossom

Sunflower

Thyme

Tuberous Begonia

Violet

Yucca

     So there you are! Some beautiful flowers that can be added to gardents for a decorative element. Then add them to your table for a tasty and beautiful addition to all your other garden treats.

~Sara