Storms and Floods

Tropical Storms

In the Eastern Pacific:

Tropical Storm Amanda is located approximately 455 mi (735 km) SSW of the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula and is moving east near 7 mph (11 kph).

The storm’s maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 35 mph (55 kph).

Hurricane Amanda unexpectedly regained strength briefly Tuesday, before resuming a predicted weakening far off Mexico's Pacific coast where it posed no threat to land. The hurricane's maximum sustained winds were about 105 mph (165 kph) Tuesday afternoon, after rising to 120 mph (195 kph) Tuesday morning. Weakening should continue and Amanda is likely to become a tropical storm by Thursday.

Tsunami Debris

Three years after the Japan tsunami, suspected bits of debris arrive on Washington shores. The disaster's aftermath is still being felt in ways large and small, far and wide. On a beach in southern Washington, approximately 4,500 miles across the Pacific Ocean, debris that may be from the tsunami is washing ashore. Experts have yet to confirm the debris, which includes small fishing boats, foam blocks, and water bottles are all a direct result of the tsunami. However, many of the water bottles and assorted items of trash appear to have originated in Japan.

There are portions of the beach that look like a dump truck just emptied a huge pile of trash. Washington state has been keeping track of the debris that is confirmed to be from the tsunami. Items include boats, portions of docks, and volleyballs have all washed ashore over the past three years. Alaska, California, and Oregon have also been monitoring their coasts.

The most recent series of debris began to arrive on beaches on Friday. Authorities are investigating to see if the boats and other items can be identified. They will also be checked for invasive species. In addition to the mass destruction and thousands of deaths, the earthquake that caused the tsunami altered the spin of the planet, according to reports.