Weekly wrap-up: Worst flooding in 45 years overtakes Elkhart, Indiana; Violent Mt. Sinabung eruption blows off top of volcano
Flooding plagued parts of the central United States this week after heavy rain and melting snow caused some rivers to exceed their banks.
In Elkhart, Indiana, the town has endured the worst flooding its seen in 45 years, according to The Elkhart Truth newspaper. Neighborhoods have been inundated after the St. Joseph River that flows through the town rose into major flood stage.
Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese said 19 people were evacuated from low-lying areas.
Flooding in Elkhart, Indiana on Wednesday afternoon near Elkhart Central High School. (Photo/@ryujas1)
In Michigan, a state of emergency was declared in the city of Lansing and Lansing Township due to flooding. In Fairplain Township in central Michigan, a 1-year-old girl was found dead in standing water in her backyard, the Associated Press reported.
A winter storm made for dangerous travel in Minnesota early this week, leading to at least two deaths.
Two people were killed in car crashes in Duluth and Ham Lake, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Ice, snow and freezing rain created messy roads across the state.
Cyclone Gita unleashed powerful winds and heavy rainfall across New Zealand early this week. The powerful storm caused travel disruptions, power outages and significant flooding.
The town of Takaka has been cut off after the only road to the town was blocked by a mudslide following heavy rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.
Mount Sinabung erupted on Monday morning, sending an ash cloud more than 5,000 meters (16,000 feet) towering into the atmosphere.
Mount Sinabung spews volcanic ash as it erupts in Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, on Monday, Feb. 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Sugeng Nuryono)
The powerful blast permanently reshaped the volcano by completely blowing off part of the mountain top. Ash from the volcano reached Lhokseumawe, located more than 162 miles (260 km) northwest of the volcano.
At least 17 people were killed on Monday after being buried by debris when heavy rain caused a large mound of garbage to collapse in Mozambique's capital.
The disaster took place at the Hulene garbage dump, the largest such facility in Mozambique's capital of Maputo, according to the AP.
The garbage dump rose up to the height of a three-story building and collapsed onto homes as heavy rain poured down, the AP reported.
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