Here's what crossed the wire this week that's worth a prepper's attention. Most of it is the normal turn of the seasons: fall storms, first snow, and the tail end of fire season. Each item has a source so you can read the original, and a prep takeaway you can act on this week.
This week's items
Slow-moving storm floods parts of the Southwest and southern Rockies
Region: Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado (U.S.)
A slow-moving storm brought heavy rain, hail, damaging wind gusts, and flash flooding from Arizona and New Mexico into Colorado this past week, and AccuWeather reported major to record flooding along parts of the San Juan River in northern New Mexico. Forecasters expected more pockets of heavy rain in Colorado and New Mexico through the weekend, with recent wildfire burn scars especially prone to flash flooding and mudslides.
Source: AccuWeather
Prep takeaway: Never drive or walk into floodwater or a flooded low-water crossing. If you live near a burn scar, know your way to higher ground, and keep a weather radio or phone alerts on overnight.
First snow for the northern Plains, mountain snow in the Northern Rockies
Region: Black Hills and the Dakotas; Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana (U.S.)
As the same storm moves onto the Plains, AccuWeather expected the first snow of the season in parts of the region, with the potential for several inches over the Black Hills of South Dakota on Monday. Farther west, SnowBrains' forecast calls for two rounds of mountain snow in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana through Thursday, with up to about a foot possible at the snowiest spots in northern Idaho.
Source: AccuWeather · SnowBrains
Prep takeaway: First snow is the cue to switch your car kit to winter: a blanket, warm hat and gloves, an ice scraper, water, snacks, and a phone charger. Check tire tread and keep the tank at least half full.
Hurricane Vance weakens off Mexico's Pacific coast
Region: Eastern Pacific off southwestern Mexico; south-central Texas (U.S.)
As of 9 a.m. CST Sunday, the National Hurricane Center placed Vance about 315 miles southwest of Acapulco with maximum sustained winds near 75 mph, gradual weakening forecast, and no coastal watches or warnings in effect. The Weather Prediction Center's extended discussion issued Sunday morning expects moisture from Vance to stream into the southern Plains, with potentially heavy rain on the Edwards Plateau and in south-central Texas by Thursday.
Source: National Hurricane Center · NWS Weather Prediction Center
Prep takeaway: In south-central Texas, check the forecast midweek, clear storm drains and gutters, and know which nearby roads flood first. "Turn around, don't drown" applies every time.
Magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Xizang, China
Region: Nagqu, Xizang (Tibet), China
The USGS recorded a magnitude 7.0 earthquake on Oct 22 about 191 km east-northeast of Nagqu, at a depth of about 18 km. The British Geological Survey's event summary reports at least 16 people killed, 32 injured, and more than 300 houses destroyed or heavily damaged.
Source: USGS · British Geological Survey
Prep takeaway: Wherever you live, practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Strap the water heater and tall furniture to the wall, and keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
Storm Austen leaves thousands without power in Great Britain
Region: Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Energy Networks Association reported that by 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct 24, crews had reconnected about 235,000 customers after Storm Austen, with about 14,600 still without power. Network operators were also preparing for Storm Boelo, with an amber warning for mainland Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England into Sunday.
Source: Energy Networks Association
Prep takeaway: The outage basics travel well: a flashlight instead of candles, a charged phone and power bank, food that needs no cooking, warm layers, and a quick check on neighbors.
Santa Ana winds fan fires in Southern California; national fire activity light
Region: Southern California (U.S.); U.S. wildland fire nationwide
Strong Santa Ana winds drove several brush fires in Southern California on Oct 17, including the Norte Fire on the San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano line, which burned about 570 acres and at least six structures before evacuation orders were lifted. Nationally, the National Interagency Fire Center's Oct 21 report listed light initial attack activity and National Preparedness Level 1, the lowest on its scale.
Source: ABC7 Los Angeles · National Interagency Fire Center
Prep takeaway: Fire season isn't over where it's dry and windy. Keep a go-bag by the door, know your evacuation zone, and keep a few N95 masks with your kit for smoke days.
Fuel prices stay high
Region: U.S. nationwide
The U.S. Energy Information Administration's weekly survey for Oct 19 put the average price of regular gasoline at about $4.28 a gallon and on-highway diesel at about $6.28, roughly $1.27 and $2.66 higher than a year earlier.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
Prep takeaway: Make "half a tank is empty" a habit rather than filling extra cans. If you store fuel for a generator or stove, use approved containers, keep it away from the house, and rotate it.
One-day port strike planned in Europe on Oct 30
Region: European and Mediterranean ports
Dockworker unions in Italy, France, Greece, the Basque Country, Turkey, and Morocco have announced a one-day strike for Friday, Oct 30, and Italy's USB union has also called a general strike that day. A freight industry brief cites a union estimate that about 40,000 containers could be held up for the day.
Source: TrasportoEuropa · Forwarder News
Prep takeaway: A one-day strike overseas is a shipping delay, not a reason to rush the store. A steady pantry built a little at a time is what keeps supply hiccups from becoming your problem.
Trail Conditions: level 2, Dust on the Horizon (Watch)
We set this week at level 2. Nothing in this report calls for urgent action across a wide area, but several things are worth watching: flash flooding in the Southwest and Colorado, the first snow of the season on the northern Plains, possible heavy rain in south-central Texas later in the week, and fuel prices well above last year's. These are ordinary fall hazards, and the steady steps below are enough. If your local officials issue a warning where you live, follow them first.