Environment
Oklahoma remains clear of bat white-nose syndrome
Written by Dick Pryor Monday, 23 May 2011 16:17
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Caves in Oklahoma remain clear of a fungus that has killed more than 1 million bats and led in other states to numerous closures of caves for recreational use. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation spokesman Micah Holmes told The Oklahoman one bat tested positive for white-nose syndrome in Oklahoma last year, but far away from other areas where the disease has struck. The bat didn't develop the disease. Caves have closed in 18 states to try to stop the spread of the illness. Holmes says wildlife officers regularly check 18 caves, testing samples to see if the fungus has arrived. Oklahoma has 22 species of bats. Holmes says the agency hopes the fungus doesn't emerge, but says the state is ready if it does.
Seismologist: Okla. returning to normal levels
Written by Dick Pryor Tuesday, 17 May 2011 22:03
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A state seismologist says Oklahoma is on track to experience a high number of earthquakes this year but expects the number and intensity to be less than last year as the state returns to normal seismic levels. Oklahoma Geological Survey seismologist Austin Holland says 300 earthquakes have been recorded in Oklahoma during the first quarter of 2011. Of those, 14 have reached magnitudes where people can feel them.
In 2010, Oklahoma experienced 1,047 earthquakes. Of those, 103 were reported as felt, including a 4.7 magnitude earthquake centered near Norman. Oklahoma usually has only about 50 earthquakes per year, butHolland says the recent increase is a normal part of seismic activity. Holland says data linking injection wells to an increase in seismic activity is insufficient.
Â
NWS: NE Mississippi tornado was highest-rated EF-5
Written by Dick Pryor Friday, 29 April 2011 18:59
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - The National Weather Service says one of the tornadoes that killed hundreds in the South had winds of 205 mph and was the first EF-5 tornado in Mississippi since 1966. That's the highest rating given by the weather service for tornado damage.
Meteorologist Jim LaDue at the weather service's Storm Prediction Center says he expects many more of the tornados that killed at least 297 people will be rated EF-5 later Friday. The weather service said the tornado hit Smithville, Miss., at 3:44 p.m. EDT on Wednesday. It was a half-mile wide and was on the ground for close to three miles, killing 14 and injuring 40. The tornado destroyed 18 homes, which the weather service said were well built, less than 10 years old and bolted to their foundation.
Â
Tulane Researcher to Discuss Impact of Oil Spill
Written by Dick Pryor Tuesday, 19 April 2011 16:54
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A researcher from a New Orleans-based university will visit Oklahoma and discuss the public health implications of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Dr. Maureen Lichtveld of Tulane University's School of Public Health and Tropical Disease will deliver a lecture at noon Tuesday at the OU College of Public Health in Oklahoma City. The speech is free and open to the public. While research into the health effects of the oil spill likely will continue for decades, Lichtveld says it's critical to develop a better protocol for measuring and treating the impact of the disaster on people and animals. Her lecture will focus on how environmental threats, natural disasters and health disparities combined in the single event to affect public health.
More Grass Fires Reported in Oklahoma
Written by Dick Pryor Tuesday, 05 April 2011 20:46
ALEX, Okla. (AP) - Grass fires have popped up in south-central Oklahoma near Alex. Grady County deputy emergency management director Paulette Nicholas says fire crews were battling two blazes near Oklahoma Highway 39 at the Grady and McClain county lines Tuesday afternoon. Nicholas said she hadn't received any reports of injuries or property damage. She says there are homes in the vicinity of the fires, but no evacuations are under way. Much of western and central Oklahoma is under a fire weather watch because dry vegetation, strong winds and warmer temperatures continue to make the state susceptible to fires. Nicholas says southwest winds of about 20 to 30 mph were blowing the fires to the northeast.
