NATIONAL WEATHER ONLINE - HEADLINES

SOUTH AFRICA: Storms affect 20,000 people in Cape Town

Photo: Madeleine Wackernagel/IRIN The following report is provided courtesty of IRIN News Agency: JOHANNESBURG, 15 July 2009 (IRIN) - More than 20,000 residents in 63 informal settlements in the South African port city of Cape Town have been affected by severe winter storms. Charlotte Powell, spokesperson for the city's Disaster Risk Management department, told IRIN: "The whole environment is wet." She said the city had established six emergency shelters to provide hot meals and disburse humanitarian assistance, such as blankets, non-perishable foods and baby formula, after an appeal to Cape Town's residents for donations. Unlike much of South Africa, Cape Town experiences its main rainfall during the winter months from May to September, while rapid urbanization has resulted in the establishment of informal settlements on land that is often unsuitable. Powell said people arriving in the city during the summer months, when rainfall is low, were often not aware until the winter months that they had built rudimentary shelters on water courses or wetlands, which were prone to flooding. The weather forecast for the next few days is that the rain will stop, followed by clear skies and low temperatures. go/he

FEMA: Federal Aid Programs For New York Disaster Recovery from Winter Storm

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama's major disaster declaration issued for New York.

Winter storms batter the South Coast of British Columbia

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Snow is piling on roadways in Chilliwack and Abbotsford, creating difficult and frustrating situations for drivers. February 25, 2009.

Snowfall warnings have been issued for eastern Vancouver Island, the Fraser Valley and Whistler with accumulations of five to 10 centimetres through the valley and 15 centimetres in Whistler. February 25, 2009.

Icy hand of winter looms over B.C. coast

Updated: Thu Feb. 26 2009 07:45:22

The Canadian Press

Just when South Coast residents thought it was safe to break out the spring pastels, Mother Nature is donning an earmuff and mittens.

Snowfall warnings have been issued for eastern Vancouver Island, the Fraser Valley and Whistler with accumulations of five to 10 centimetres through the valley and 15 centimetres in Whistler.

Snow is piling on roadways in Chilliwack and Abbotsford, creating difficult and frustrating situations for drivers.

Read the full article from Canada's CTV by clicking here.

Winter Misery Across Swath of Country

Snow and ice wreak havoc from the South to the East Coast, snapping power lines and shutting schools and businesses. At least 20 people have died from the weather.

Weather Woes Hammer Much of U.S.

Severe weather is being blamed for at least 15 deaths, and the National Weather Service has posted ice storm and winter storm warnings from Texas all the way into northern New England.

Winter Woes Crisscross the Nation

An ice storm is making roads treacherous in multiple states from Texas to the District of Columbia. Ice is blamed for several traffic death and dozens of accidents. The National Weather Service has posted warnings for areas across the country.