Arequipa, Peru-- A 5.3 earthquake hit southern Peru collapsing small buildings on October 7. The epicenter was located 27 miles northwest of Arequipa, the country's second largest city. Small landslides closed down sections of the Pan American Highway, but mild damages were reported.

Central Texas-- Following months of high temperatures and record drought, torrential rains and severe thunderstorms produced harsh environments in Texas during the week of October 18. More than 15 inches of rain fell in most areas producing flashfloods and casualties. Residential areas were hit by tornados, resulting in major damages to homes and businesses. At least 20 people were reported killed in the flooding or high winds. Thousands of residents fled the flooded areas affecting one-fourth of the state. National Guard members were called in with helicopters to help rescue victims of the flood. Twenty counties were declared disaster areas; the damage was estimated at 400 million.

Phillipines-- Two major typhoons, Babs and Zeb, struck much of Tawaiian and China killing hundreds of people and leaving over 4,000 homeless. During the week of October 14, Hurricane Zeb hit the area cancelling international flights and causing major property damages. During the week of October 22, a second storm, Typhoon Babs, left a path of havoc and destruction. Numerous incidents of mudslides and flash floods caused deaths and injuries to the residents. The winds were reported as high as 150mph. More than 20 inches of rain fell in 24 hours.

Central America-- During the week of October 27, Hurricane Mitch grew into one of the strongest storms in the Atlantic on record, striking the east coast of Central America with 180 mph winds. On October 26, the storm became a Category 5, the highest classification there is. The tourist industry along the Yucatan Peninsula sufferred as tourists were evacuated from the resort areas. Cruise ships diverted their paths away from the damaging winds and tides. At the height of the storm, the Honduran coast remained under hurricane conditions for more than a day. More than 50 rivers flooded their banks, and more than 45,000 residents were forced to flee their homes. At least 25,000 acres of crops were flooded. Major highways were consumed by mudslides. The death toll was estimated at more than 10,000. In all, 1998 proved to be the worst hurricane season in two hundred years. The American Red Cross reported $160 million was spent during 1998 for disaster relief due to hurricane, flooding, and other natural disasters.

Arkansas City, KS-- Two thousand residents were forced to flee their homes when rain swollen rivers flooded over their banks on November 3. Eight counties were declared disaster areas.

Chicago, IL-- The first snowstorm of the season struck the northern midwest on November 11. High winds snapped power lines and felled trees, both resulting in fatalities across the area. At least seven deaths were reported; more than a million people were left without power. Minnesota and the Dakotas experienced a foot of heavy snow forcing the closing of schools and businesses. Several airports were forced to close due to the blizzard conditions.

Europe-- More than sixty people died in a record blizzard which struck various European countries, November 23. Temperatures dropped in France to 6 below zero freezing fountains in Paris. Temperatures dropped in Poland likewise caused fatalities among the homeless. In southern Romania, people were stranded in their cars over the weekend due to large snowdrifts across main highways. Six people, trapped in their vehicles, froze to death. Some areas in Bulgaria were reported without power, phones, and water.

Indonesia-- On November 29, eastern Indonesia was hit by a 7.6 earthquake, killing at least five people when the roof of a plywood factory collapsed. The quake shook residential houses, causing them to slide into the sea.

Mexico-- Popocatepetl, an 18,000 foot volcano 50 miles southeast of Mexico City, erupted November 24, sending volcanic ash and rock skyward. Shockwaves were felt numerous miles away from the volcano's center. A hundred and eighty residents were forced to flee their homes located on the slopes; normally 300,000 residents live on the volcano.

Asia-- A strong quake jolted Afghanistan and Pakistan on December 12, killing five people and injuring others. The tremors were felt as far as Islamabad and the remote northwestern Chitral district.

San Francisco, CA-- A 49-mile-square-area blackout was caused on December 8 in San Francisco, leaving people trapped in elevators, stopping trains, and halting daily street traffic. Nearly 940,000 people were without power for seven hours. The blackout was triggered by a construction crew who forgot to remove a ground wire which caused a chain reaction that knocked out two generators. The city was placed under a state of emergency; however, there were no reports of looting, injury, or accidents.

St. Cloud, MN-- On December 11, a natural gas leak led to an explosion killing four people, injuring others, and levelling downtown buildings. Search dogs were called in to seek out people in the resulting rubble. The explosion is believed to have been produced by construction crews installing fiber optic cables. It is speculated they pierced a one-inch diameter pipe carrying natural gas.

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