Scientists are now warning Californians that the long-awaited 'big one' earthquake could be the least of their environmental concerns. Another more deadly threat awaits the West coast of America - in the form of a biblical ‘ARkStorm’, which could bring death and destruction on a scale never before seen. Walls of water 10ft high, rain falling in feet instead of inches, and nine million people’s homes flooded during a hurricane-like megastorm that could last more than month. The every-other-century event last happened in 1861 and left the central valley of California impassable. The cost was impossible to quantify - but should a similar event happen today the damage could total more than $300billion. The U.S. Geological Survey has now begun planning for the return of the ARkStorm, so named after the boat Noah used to escape the flood in the Bible. The capped-up 'A' and 'R' stand for 'atmospheric river'. (Daily Mail)
Monday, 17 January 2011
Walls of water 10ft high in a month-long mega hurricane: California told to prepare for biblical 'ARkStorm'
Scientists are now warning Californians that the long-awaited 'big one' earthquake could be the least of their environmental concerns. Another more deadly threat awaits the West coast of America - in the form of a biblical ‘ARkStorm’, which could bring death and destruction on a scale never before seen. Walls of water 10ft high, rain falling in feet instead of inches, and nine million people’s homes flooded during a hurricane-like megastorm that could last more than month. The every-other-century event last happened in 1861 and left the central valley of California impassable. The cost was impossible to quantify - but should a similar event happen today the damage could total more than $300billion. The U.S. Geological Survey has now begun planning for the return of the ARkStorm, so named after the boat Noah used to escape the flood in the Bible. The capped-up 'A' and 'R' stand for 'atmospheric river'. (Daily Mail)