Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms - Roundup of Tropical Storms:

In the North Indian Ocean: Tropical cyclone 01a (Sagar), located approximately 88 nm south-southeast of Djibouti City, Djibouti, is tracking southwestward at 07 knots. This is the final warning for this system.

The tropical cyclone formed in the Gulf of Aden between Yemen and northern Somalia on 16 May 2018. The cyclone system caused heavy rains along the coast of Puntland on 17 May. Flash flooding was reported in the Bari region, which were not limited to seasonal riverbeds. The road linking Bossaso and points south has reportedly been affected. There are also reports of some fishing boats having been washed away by waves off the coast of Sanaag region, which along with Sool are disputed between Somaliland and Puntland. The two authorities have been engaged in an armed standoff in Sool that had displaced almost 10,000 people prior to the storms arrival, further complicating an already complex humanitarian picture. By 18 May, the cyclone had gained strength, reaching tropical storm-wind levels and assigned the name Tropical Cyclone Sagar. Heavy rains are projected for the escarpment and plateau of Somaliland. Tropical Storm SAGAR will likely have transformed into a Tropical Depression when it reaches Ethiopia - expected for Sunday early afternoon. Wind speeds will reach up to 56 km/h. SAGAR is expected to cause increased rainfall when it hits.

NewsBytes:

New Orleans, USA - Heavy rainstorms pounded the metropolitan area late Friday afternoon, thrashing tents at Bayou Boogaloo and flooding streets in Orleans and Jefferson parishes. The storm pelted parts of Metairie and Lakeview with hail, cut power to more than 11,000 residents and snarled traffic in Mid-City, where at least a couple of cars drove into a large hole where the standing water had obscured road construction.

Kenya - The floods in Kenya continue as more than 500 families have been displaced from their homes after River Sondu Miriu broke its banks. There are fears of disease outbreaks since most pit latrines too have been washed away. Several houses, farms were destroyed following the flash floods as a result of the heavy rains upstream.