ACCUWEATHER GLOBAL WEATHER CENTER – Hurricane Harvey, which has wreaked havoc in Texas, is predicted to be the most costly natural disaster in United States history.
"This will be the worst natural disaster in American history,” said Dr. Joel N. Myers, founder, president and chairman of AccuWeather, and sometimes called the "father of commercial meteorology.”
“The economy's impact, by the time its total destruction is completed, will approach $160 billion, which is similar to the combined effect of Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. This represents a negative impact on the economy of 8/10 of one percent of the gross national product or GDP. The GDP is $19 trillion currently,” said Myers.
Myers said business leaders and the Federal Reserve, major banks, insurance companies and others should begin to factor in the negative impact this catastrophe will have on business, corporate earnings and employment.
“The disaster is just beginning in certain areas. Parts of Houston, the United States' fourth largest city will be uninhabitable for weeks and possibly months due to water damage, mold, disease-ridden water and all that will follow this 1,000-year flood,” he said.
The worst flooding from Harvey is yet to come as rivers and bayous continue to rise in Texas with additional levees at risk for breaches and failures, according to forecasters.
"The meteorologist forecasting community as a whole did a very good job in warning people about this storm. Public officials were slow, in some cases, to react or to know what to do, which affected too many people and caused the loss of property and damage and destruction. This was unfortunate because when a natural disaster threatens, minutes and hours count and preparation and risk avoidance is imperative,” Myers said.
Myers said the negative impact from the storms are far from over. “There will be more flooding, damage, fatalities and injuries. We urge all citizens near the path of Hurricane Harvey to remain vigilant and be prepared to take immediate action if flood waters rise."
How to help: Donate to assist Harvey victims reeling from the storm's catastrophic damage
If you would like to help those affected by the storm, here's what you should keep in mind.
Monetary donations
Food, clothing and supplies might be the first thing people think to donate; however, cash donations are the best.
When items are donated, volunteers have to divert their attention to separating, distributing and storing.
"Monetary donations are the most flexible and can be used immediately in response to a crisis," Divisional Communications Director of the Salvation Army Dulcinea Kimrey said.
It allows the organization to purchase exactly what is needed, when it is needed, Kimrey said.
"Cash gives relief organizations the means to procure supplies near the affected area, which cuts down on transportation time and cost," Kimrey said.
Make sure to send money to a reputable charity. Check if the charity is trustworthy by contacting the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance.
Donations made through www.AccuWeather.com are going to United Way of Greater Houston to help Hurricane Harvey victims in Houston and outlying areas. Donations facilitated through Centre County United Way.
Give blood
During emergencies and disaster situations, the blood supply might run low due to the increased quantity needed. Donating blood helps to save lives in the emergency room.
The Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood or platelets to help ensure life-saving blood products are available for trauma patients and others with serious medical needs.
Chaffin Mitchelle is a staff Writer for AccuWeather.com.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport’s Library Park was lit up with candles and memories on Tuesday night as the community came together to remember the Lake County Sheriff’s deputy who died last week in the line of duty.
The Tuesday night tribute marked exactly one week since 50-year-old Deputy Rob Rumfelt died, becoming the fourth law enforcement officer in Lake County’s history to die while on the job.
Rumfelt died in Lakeport following a struggle with a domestic violence suspect and a subsequent crash in his SUV patrol vehicle while clearing the scene of the incident.
The District Attorney’s Office is leading the investigation into Rumfelt’s death and what led to it, with officials so far suggesting it may have been a medical emergency such as a heart attack that caused the crash. However, preliminary autopsy results haven’t made the circumstances any clearer.
As evening turned into night, a large crowd assembled in Library Park to honor Rumfelt, with local officials including Sheriff Brian Martin, District Attorney Don Anderson, Rumfelt’s cousin and District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon, and many members of local law enforcement and fire agencies among them.
“He was not just another cop,” said sheriff’s Chaplain Terry Cara, who led the service.
On Tuesday night, Rumfelt was recalled as a larger-than-life figure, friendly, adventurous, kind, concerned about not just his family and friends but strangers. Cara said Rumfelt also was a humble man.
“All this for Rob? He’d be embarrassed, I think,” said Cara.
Friend and fellow law enforcement officer Frank Gudmundson called him irreplaceable, a man who showed up and did his job with heart, and who loved Lake County.
Simon, his voice coming close to breaking, called his cousin “a real-life hero” who served in the US Marines before he returned to Lake County to serve in law enforcement.
Simon also recalled their mutual love of football and how his cousin used his police dog to playfully intimidate him.
The vigil was brought to a close by a powerful rendition of “Amazing Grace” sung by California Highway Patrol Officer Nick Powell as those gathered held up candles, cell phones and blue lights.
In the week since Rumfelt’s death, there has been powerful and moving signs of support across Lake County not just for his family but for law enforcement, as evidenced in events like Tuesday’s vigil.
On Thursday, hundreds of Lake County residents lined the route of the procession that brought his body home from Napa County – where it had been taken for the autopsy central to the investigation into the nature of his death – to Lakeport.
Cal Fire personnel participated in the vigil for fallen Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Rob Rumfelt on Tuesday, August 29, 2017, in Library Park in Lakeport, Calif. Photo by John Jensen/Lake County News. Sentiments, remembrances and condolences to his family have sprung up across social media as well as spots across the county.
One of those tributes is a handmade sign sitting in front of the “Welcome to Lucerne” sign that says, “Just Missing Rob, Our Hero,” and accompanied by a string of small American flags. The tribute was reportedly made by a woman who he had befriended, and who he checked on regularly during his passes through the town.
Tuesday night’s vigil illustrated how deeply Rumfelt connected with people around the community in his many roles – family man, friend, deputy, coach, mentor, big-hearted authority figure.
It also offered a reminder of how precious every life is, and the strength of connection amongst Lake County’s residents.
For the men and women in law enforcement and public safety jobs, Rumfelt’s sudden death on the job is a sharp, painful reminder of an unsettling reality – that their chosen profession is inherently dangerous, and even in a rural community it comes with no guarantees of going home safely to one’s family at the end of the shift.
A Lakeport Police officer looks on during the vigil for fallen Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Rob Rumfelt on Tuesday, August 29, 2017, in Library Park in Lakeport, Calif. Photo by John Jensen/Lake County News. As a result, debriefing and counseling have been taking place for first responders and law enforcement officers, a process assisted by the sheriff’s chaplain team.
In the midst of dealing with their grief and doing their day-to-day work, there are other events to prepare for as they bid their friend and coworker goodbye.
A public viewing is scheduled for noon to 8 p.m. Friday at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, located at 1625 N. High St. in Lakeport.
The sheriff’s office and Rumfelt’s family also are gearing up for his memorial service, to be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Don Owens Field at the Lakeport Unified School District Campus.
Officials are estimating several thousand people could be in attendance, with law enforcement agencies from around the United States and Canada expected to send representatives to show their respect.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Forecasters said that the remainder of this week and Labor Day weekend will see temperatures that are among the highest of the summer.
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch that is in effect from noon on Thursday through 8 p.m. Monday in Lake County and most of the rest of Northern California.
The forecast said that the very hot weather across the region from late this week and into next week will be maintained by strong high pressure.
The excessively high temperatures will bring with them the increased risk for heat-related illnesses for people exposed to the hot weather – particularly sensitive groups such as the elderly, children and those who are ill – as well as pets and livestock, the National Weather Service reported.
The specific Lake County forecast calls for temperatures to peak on Friday and Saturday, with highs on Saturday expected to top the week – possibly as high as 108 degrees – before rolling back into the high 90s by early next week.
Nighttime highs are expected to range around 70 degrees, based on the forecast.
The National Weather Service urges people to drink plenty of fluids, use air conditioning when possible, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
COBB, Calif. – A Cobb boy was flown out of county on Tuesday morning after he crashed his dirt bike into a vehicle.
The California Highway Patrol said Philip Mount, 12, was injured in a collision that occurred just before 7 a.m. Tuesday.
Mount was riding a 2000 Honda XR80R dirt bike west on Hoberg Drive, east of Hoberg Drive South at an unknown speed, the CHP said.
The CHP said the boy turned to his left onto Hoberg Drive South where 32-year-old Jesse Merritt of Santa Rosa was in a 2003 Toyota Tacoma that was stopped at the intersection.
As he was making the turn, Mount’s dirt bike struck the Toyota’s bumper, throwing him over the handlebars, the CHP said.
Mount, who was wearing a helmet, suffered major injuries and was flown to UC Davis Medical Center for treatment, according to the report.
The CHP said Merritt was not injured.
No drugs or alcohol are considered factors in the wreck, the CHP said.
The crash was the second in less than 24 hours involving a juvenile who sustained serious injuries when colliding with a vehicle.
On Monday afternoon a Lucerne boy rode his bicycle into the path of a car and was struck, and also was flown to UC Davis Medical Center, as Lake County News has reported.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LUCERNE, Calif. – A 10-year-old Lucerne boy was seriously injured on Monday afternoon after he rode his bicycle into the path of a car.
The California Highway Patrol reported that Ashton Kruenegel suffered moderate injuries in the crash, which occurred shortly before 4:30 p.m. Monday.
The CHP said the boy was riding a black Hyper bicycle in a southeasterly direction in the intersection of Country Club Drive and 14th Avenue.
At the same time, 56-year-old Chris Sorenson of Lucerne was driving a white 1999 Dodge Neon in an easterly direction on Country Club Drive west of 14th Avenue at 35 miles per hour, the CHP said.
According to the report, the boy rode his bicycle directly into the vehicle’s path, colliding with the Neon’s left front bumper.
The impact caused the child to be thrown from the bicycle. He then hit the car’s windshield before landing on the roadway, the CHP said.
The CHP said Kruenegel was transported via REACH air ambulance to UC Davis Medical Center for treatment.
Sorenson was not injured, the CHP said.
CHP Officer Kory Reynolds said the CHP did not have an update on Kruenegel’s condition.
Neither alcohol nor drugs are suspected to have been factors in the collision, Reynolds said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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