And it’s only March…
March 8, 2009
[Melbourne] City residents reported tremors across the metropolitan area and beyond, just days after being hit by wildfires which killed 210 people.
The United States Geological Survey said the 4.7 magnitude quake struck about 59 miles (96km) southeast of Melbourne shortly before 9pm local time at a depth of six miles (10km)
Resident Kate Bruce said: “Being so close to the fire areas and having been on alert the last two to three weeks, our only thought was ‘oh my God, what now?
“My kids thought that the roof was coming off, that’s how loud it was here.”…Seismologist Phil Cummins at Geoscience Australia, which monitors earthquake activity, said the quake “is unlikely to have caused any damage, except possibly some minor damage near the epicentre.”
Victorian State Emergency Service spokesman Allen Briggs said the service had been inundated with phone calls from the public but there had been no reports of any damage immediately after the tremor.
“It was certainly enough to rattle windows and we’ve had reports it was felt in metropolitan Melbourne and as far down as Warragul and Leongatha in Gippsland,” Briggs said.
Hat-tip to the Hoydens.
England: Closed due to Snow
February 3, 2009
… or buy a set of chains for the car.
Weather conditions forced Britain to grind to a halt today, at an estimated £1.2bn cost to the economy.
Heavy snow and freezing ice halted trains, blocked roads, shut down schools and kept millions of people away from work.
Thousands of flights were cancelled or delayed with one airport shut altogether.
Councils said they were battling “around the clock” to keep roads and pavements safe, with more snow and ice expected to keep driving hazardous tonight and tomorrow.
Channel 4 News reports.
