CitizenSugar -- Breaking News, Together.

The South Needs Some Serious Gas Relief After Hurricanes

LibertySugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Fallout from Hurricane Ike and Gustav has spiraled into massive gas shortages in the Southeast. Drivers in Nashville, TN, where the problem is the worst, wait in long lines and some follow tankers around in hopes of being the first to fill up before a station goes dry.

In western North Carolina local governments have been forced to cancel programs, since there's not much gas to travel to activities. One city canceled athletic events, and another county has limited all municipal travel to emergency vehicles for the past few weeks. Many workers in the region have been told to work four 10-hour days, or telecommute.

In Atlanta, one of the nation's largest commuter cities, many stations have run out of gas, and they have no idea when more will come. Once residents find a station with fuel, they often must dole out $5 a gallon, and wait in 40-car lines. What would you do if your city ran out of gas?

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Haitian-American Wyclef and All-American Matt Help Haiti

LibertySugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 06:00:57 -0700

Haitian-born Wyclef Jean and Matt Damon arrived in Cabaret, Haiti on Saturday to distribute food aid to residents hit by tropical storms. Matt and Wyclef organized the food distribution for the victims of the severe weather and floods, and called on the UN to raise $100 million for 800,000 desperate Haitians.

Four tropical storms hit Haiti in less than a month. Matt said the flooded streets, muddy homes, and cries of hunger, left him speechless, and Wyclef said that "no human should be living like this" in what he called inhumane conditions.

While we know Wyclef is quite the pal of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Matt Damon is not so much a fan of Sarah Palin, they both seem like generous friends of troubled Haitians.

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Front Page: Haiti Faces Weather Catastrophe, Ice Sheet Breaks Loose, Gas Explosion Kills Miners in China

CitizenSugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:00:02 -0700

Haiti Faces Weather Catastrophe:
After being hit by three storms in less than 21 days, killing 170 people and causing thousands to flee their homes, Haiti's president says the country is facing a "catastrophe." The latest storm, Hanna, could cause more destruction than the one in 2004 that killed 3,000 people. The Haitian leader is holding emergency talks with donor countries appealing for aid.

Ice Sheet Breaks Loose:
A chunk of ice shelf almost the size of New York City has broken away in Canada's northern Arctic. Scientists say it's a dramatic indication as to how much warmer temperatures are. The 19-square mile shelf is part of the 4,500-year-old Markham Ice Shelf and is now adrift in the Arctic Ocean.

Gas Explosion Kills Miners in China:
A gas explosion has killed 23 and trapped four others in a mine in China's northeast. A spokesman confirmed the explosion but would not say more. China's coal mines are among the world's deadliest with fires, floods, and other disasters killing an average of 13 miners a day.

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Front Page: Bush Arrives in Seoul, Storm Hits Coast, Food Shortages for Nepal

CitizenSugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 06:53:56 -0700

Bush Arrives in Seoul:
President Bush arrived in Seoul, Korea today for talks aimed at communist North Korea — and instead of the large anti-US rally that was expected, a huge crowd of support gathered in the city center. Amid a background of gospel music, the pro-US rally attracted about 15,000 people for what is thought to be Bush's last trip to the country as president. One of those gathered said, "I came to pray for the country to come together and with President Bush coming, for his visit to go smoothly." There was little sign of the tension that sparked huge anti-government protests over the ending of the ban of US beef imports. 20,000 police has been mobilized for protests that never really materialized.

Storm Hits Coast:
Tropical Storm Edouard has made landfall on the Texas coast east of Galveston and is expected to plow inland as the day goes on. Texas and Louisiana have made declarations of disaster and statewide emergency pending the storm with 65 m.p.h winds. No evacuation edicts have been issued.

Food Shortages For Nepal:
The UN and the government of Nepal announced that hundreds of thousands of Nepalese are facing severe food shortages. Efforts to get food aid to those in need are being delayed by fuel shortages and strikes. The price of rice has risen 50 percent in the last year. Meanwhile, the EU has pledged $4.6 million to Haiti to help with the crushing hunger crisis there.

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Texas Says Hello (Hurricane) Dolly!

LibertySugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:42 -0700

Yesterday, Hurricane Dolly made landfall in Southern Texas in the town of South Padre Island, with 120 mph winds ripping roofs off homes, pouring down rain, and sending residents looking for shelter. Contact with land brought the winds down from category 2 speeds to category 1, and now flooding along the Rio Grande has become the main concern over the next few days, thanks to Dolly's "sluggish nature."

Over 3,000 residents of low-lying areas by the river and the coast went to crowded schools for shelter. One school had 800 evacuees, including children and babies. Insurance experts estimate the Dolly's insurance company price tag to be $1.2 billion. Damage caused in Mexico will be about a quarter of that. While avoiding the valuable oil rigs in the Gulf, the heavy rain and wind most likely destroyed the cotton fields in the region.

Meteorologists see indications that the rest of this year's hurricane season could be very active — so hold on!

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Front Page: Hurricane Dolly Hits Texas, China to Allow Protests, Iran Says No Concessions

CitizenSugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:56:59 -0700

Hurricane Dolly Hits Texas:
Hurricane Dolly arrived on the Gulf Coast early Wednesday with heavy rain and winds ramping up before the center of the storm hits towns on the Texas-Mexico border later today. The hurricane will bring up to 15 inches of rain, threatening local levees that gave way 41 years ago in Hurricane Beulah. The National Hurricane Center said Dolly could approach Category 2 strength when it makes landfall today.

China to Allow Protests:
China has announced that protests will be allowed in three specific city parks during the upcoming Olympics. To protest, one has to apply for permission from the city government and police, and stay within the parks. The director of the Beijing committee said the parks are "close to the city proper and the Olympic venues," but didn't know how the application process would work "at this time."
Iran Says No Concessions:
The president of Iran says the country will not back down in its nuclear activities. The US, UN, and EU have instructed Iran to give an answer on the issue within two weeks or face sanctions. President Ahmadinejad responded in a televised speech, "the Iranian people are steadfast [they] will not retreat one iota in the face of oppressing powers."

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Should Insurance Rates Be Raised With Climate Change Risk?

LibertySugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:00:24 -0700

Insurance companies have incorporated climate change assumptions into their disaster probability calculations, thus withdrawing coverage or charging staggering rates on parts of the US East and Gulf coasts. According to the Wall Street Journal, there is a scientific consensus about rising sea temperatures, and practically a consensus that the temperature is tied to greater hurricane activity. But, science has not definitively concluded how or if this will impact the US coastal area now facing rising premiums. Even so, insurers are adjusting their coverage plans in reaction to the horrific 2004 and 2005 hurricane season. The article reports that companies are treating disasters like Katrina and Rita as the norm, not the exception.Should insurance companies wait for science to make a unanimous connection between climate change and increased risk in these specific regions before they raise the rates?Source

Should Insurance Rates Be Raised With Climate Change Risk?

Yay! Responsible insurance companies must adjust now to changing climate risks.

Nay. Insurance companies are just using uncertain science to make a profit.

Forget science! High rates might convince people to stop living in dangerous places.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Democrats Want to Nationalize Hurricane Insurance

LibertySugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:37 -0700

Congressional Democrats, Florida lawmakers, and major insurance companies are teaming up to significantly nationalize hurricane insurance just in time for hurricane season.

Under the plan, taxpayers would finance a backup insurance plan that would aid insurance companies, and thus policyholders, in case of widespread disaster and a shortage of funds.

Both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton support the insurance plan, under which all Americans would help Floridians avoid $500 in hurricane premiums each year. This sounds like a savvy appeal to a crucial swing state.

While it's important to make sure the insurance system can operate during a time of crisis, for economic and humanitarian reasons, some worry that the bailout would make it easier for people to build homes and businesses in irresponsible locations.

Should there be a national solution to a regional issue?

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