Picture : U.S. Drought Status for Mid-July

"...Another week of hot and dry weather continued the deterioration of crop conditions in America’s breadbasket.  U.S. Department of Agriculture reports for the week ending July 15 indicated that 38 percent of the nation’s corn crop was in poor to very poor condition "

Source: unl.edu

Space Picture: Hurricanes Daniel and Emilia

Visible satellite imagery from NOAA showing twin storms in the eastern Pacific Ocean: Daniel and Emilia. Image Credit: NOAA

61% of US in Drought - NWS says Indianapolis in Worst Drought in 102 years

"In Indianapolis, which the National Weather Service says is enduring its longest dry spell in 104 years.

Almost two-thirds of the nation -- around 61% -- is now in a drought, the highest percentage in at least 12 years, federal climate scientists announced today."

Source: USAToday

6 yr old Scolds Power Company - Electricity has not come on, Come and fix it

A 6 year old from South Charleston West Virginia lost power on June 29 from a major storm.  After a week in a heat wave this little tiger went on the offensive to demand the electric utility fix her problem.

NASA Terra Satellite Image: Waldo Canyon Colorado Burn Scar

NASA has released a false-color image of the burn scar from the Waldo Canyon Fire, which began on June 23, 2012 and became the most destructive fire in the history of the state of Colorado.

Vegetation-covered land is shown in red.

4 Gadgets to Help Survive a Power Outage

When the power goes out after a destructive storm our digital world comes to a screeching halt.  You can be prepared with these four gadgets.

Hand Crank Radio - Its not old school when all else fails

Battery Charger - Stay plugged

Light Source - You'll need to find your way around in the dark

Power Inverter - Converts DC in AC for items we plug into a wall

 

Stay informed with the latest news on your hand rank radio

Source:  CNN Gadgets to Help you Survive a Power Outage

Hand Crank Radio: DC area Power Outage effects 1 in 3. No Phones?

A low tech Hand Crank Radio is your best and safest bet for staying informed before, during, and after a storm.  The National Weather Service broadcasts continuously during a severe event keeping you advised.

Friday Storm Damage: One in three electric customers in the Washington DC area remained out of service according to utility websites.  In Montgomery County the level of outages reached 61 percentages.  In Northern Virginia nearly 30% of customers were without power.

Utility officials report it could be more than a week before power is fully restored.

Cell phone, cable and internet services were negatively effected.  AT&T and Verizon reported the storm played havoc with their service

Stay Safe - Stay Informed - Be Prepared with a Hand Crank Radio

Source:  WTOP 

Source:  Washington Post