Natural disasters around the world are occurring at an alarming rate in 2018.  Every few weeks, we hear about earthquakes that demolish whole cities, wildfires that burn thousands of acres, and cyclones and windstorms that cause mass flooding and property damage.

On January 9, 2018, there was a huge mudslide in Southern California which damaged over 300 homes.

In mid January, Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland and part of UK were affected by Windstorm Friederike.  Many buildings and trees were destroyed.

In February, earthquakes happened around the world.  Taiwan was hit by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake, Mexico was hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, and Papua New Guinea was hit by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake.

In March, there were cyclones in New England and Fiji.

In May, there was a dust storm in Western and Northern India that killed 125 people.

The Mount Kilauea eruption started at the beginning of May, followed by 2 earthquakes. Hundreds of homes have been destroyed.  There is a great deal of uncertainty over whether Kilauea volcano will stop erupting as activity still remains high on Big Island.

Florida was hit with a hurricane at the end of May, affecting over 10,000 Floridians.

In June, there was a volcanic eruption in Guatemala, affecting 2 million people.

During the first week of July 2018, heavy rains in southwestern Japan led to devastating floods and mudslides.  2 million people have evacuated.  The death toll is over 100, and is rising.

Such devastating news happened one after the other.  So many people have lost their homes or their loved ones.  I can’t even imagine what these people are going through.  I hope these disasters will stop.