Sandy's Economic Effects

The effects from super storm Sandy has created a bull whip effect for many industries across the nation and even across seas.  Industries have been put to a halt and shut down due to the conditions that have resulted. This places current employees at a risk of possibly not having a job in the future, delay in receiving important information, and lost of time.  There has been an estimated lost of 30-50 billion dollars in economic activity according to IHS Global Insight.  A rough estimate of infrastructure damages totaled 20 billion dollars, but it is very difficult to actually put a price on Sandy's damages at this point and will require months or even years to get to the actual number.  It is tough to see the country go through a disaster at this time because of how the slow the economic recovery phase has been during the past decade.

Although Sandy has damaged and destroyed many homes the opportunity for new jobs has also been created.  The construction industry will probably be projected to have an increase in productivity and increase in employment opportunities.  Private companies will probably hired for cleanup. 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/31/economists-sandy-damage-us-recovery

Sandy, A Lot Like Uh-Hi-Oh!

In the heat of the 2012 political elections in the United States, Hurricane Sandy's destructive force is also a tool of leverage.  After heavy rainfall and strong winds damage the East Coast, President Obama's public speech to warn that the storm is not yet over and to follow instructions may just have provided him a hunch in the presidential race.  Preparations were handled professionally and effectively prior to the storms contact.  With ensuring that a repeat of Katrina will not happen again has allowed Obama to get into his shining armor and save a disaster from becoming a chaotic disaster.  This has become an advantage for the Obama campaign as they high step into the end zone pounding their way through with every power possible to find a solution for Sandy's destruction. 

So, is FEMA going to get shut down? No, not yet at least.  This once hot topic in the Presidential Debate has been cooled by Sandy and Ohio may not be the best swinger this year.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/30/obama-red-cross-hurricane-sandy_n_2044111.html



 

Satellite image of Jelawat. Provided by AccuWeather.com

 

 



Japan is still in a mode of reconstruction after what seems like endless disasters.  On Sunday, mainland Japan was hit with yet another disaster; this time a typhoon.  Typhoon Jelawat had winds gusting up to 126 kilometers per hour with an expected 500 millimeters of rain over 24 hours.  There is a report of 104 people being injured and 158,000 homes are without power.  Prior to this, Okinawa was hit on Saturday.  As a result 50 people were injured there and 300,000 homes were without power.  Regions in the Pacific at this time are facing multiple tropical storms that have triggered floods in countries that have been hit. 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444138104578027861153031402.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Flooding in Spain

Photograph: Carlos Barba/EPA

Wildires set the tone in the summer, but fall has it pouring down rain, too much rain.

With heavy rainfall over the weekend in Spain, a devastating flood killed 10 people and injured 35.  The total rainfall that fell on Friday alone was 9.6 inches.  Along with dangerous winds, tornados broke out as well; causing multiple power outages.  Houses and bridges were damaged from the floods as thousands were evacuated from the area.

Southern regions of Spain were most impacted by this disaster.  Farmers reported seeing their whole livestock completely swept by the floods.  With southern Spain at an unemployment rate of 30% and local businesses such as dairy producers, grocery stores, and other small markets will be hit hard in their pockets due to the disaster and the damage it has caused.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/sep/29/flash-floods-spain-torrential-rain