Drought In The South Central U.S. Expected To Persist Through October, Says Climate Experts

This summer, we’ve all felt at least a few days of scorching 100 degree heat, but nowhere in the United States has it been felt more than in the country’s south central region.

 Earlier this week, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that, “Persistent, scorching heat in the central and eastern regions of the United States shattered long-standing daily and monthly temperature records last month.

“The South climate region – Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas – had the warmest single calendar month for any region on record. Dallas exceeded 100° F on 30 of the 31 days in July. ”

While many states are beginning to feel a relieving cooling this month, experts are unfortunately predicting that states in the Texas and Oklahoma region will have to endure this roasting until mid-fall.

The U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook came out last week with data from NOAA, saying that, “Climate anomalies attributed to the Summer 2010 – Spring 2011 La Niña event prompted widespread drought development and intensification across the southern tier of the United States.

“In many locations, significant deterioration occurred, with the Great Plains experiencing the worst impacts. Apart from the relief afforded by isolated thunderstorms, or a tropical system, drought conditions are anticipated to persist over the south central states through the August – October period.”

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Foul Smelling Fumes With Dangerous Health Risks Wafting From The Yellowstone Oil Spill

A lot of people that both live and work along the banks of the Yellowstone River are reporting concerns about noxious smells coming from the water. People have noticed “a strong odor” along the river, and the backwaters near where the pipeline ruptured, says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Yellowstone River oil spill cleanup. Photo courtesy of KLS Broadcasting, Salt Lake City, UT.

“If you are smelling a gas-station-like odor, you may be smelling volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. The VOCs in oil are benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene,” says the agency. Odors from these chemicals can cause health problems including: headaches, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting.

If people smell these odors near their homes, they’re advised to immediately close their doors and windows, turn on their air conditioners (set to recirculating mode, if it’s an option), and notify local authorities to find out what other actions they can take. If people are feeling sick in any way from the fumes, they need to be taken to the nearest medical facility as soon as possible for treatment.

Also nearby residents need to be cautious of any odd smells or tastes coming from the water they drink, which can also cause symptoms including: headaches, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting.

In addition, people need to careful of their pet’s water, and make sure that when their pets are outside, that they don’t get into any contaminated areas. Also, if pets get any contaminated water on them, wash it off immediately with soap and water.

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