Showing posts with label climate chaos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label climate chaos. Show all posts

Friday, October 9, 2026

The Floods: SoCal surf; Isaias, Rachel, Simon


The Buddha warned of four great floods
Ven. Nyanatiloka (Buddhist Dictionary) edited by Dhr. Seven, Wisdom Quarterly


Say it slowly, Awakened One, so we can hear it.
The Buddhist term "floods" (ogha) is a name for the four influxes (the Äsavas or "taints, corruptions, cankers, outflows, intoxicating biases" as in DN 16 the Mahā Parinibbāna Sutta, Paį¹­isambhidā-magga, and Vibhaį¹…ga).

What are these four great dangers? The flood or influx of:
  1. sensual craving (kāmāsava)
  2. [craving for] existence (bhavāsava)
  3. [wrong] views (ditthāsava)
  4. ignorance (avijjāsava).
I want to hear this to be free from future dangers
A list of three, omitting the influx of views, is possibly older and occurs more frequently in the sutras (e.g., in MN 2, MN 9, DN 33; A.III.59, 67; A.VI.63). The Vibhanga (Khuddakavatthu Vibhanga) mentions both this threefold and fourfold division.

The fourfold division also occurs under the name of "floods" (ogha) and "yokes" (yoga).

Through the first stage of enlightenment (the path of stream-entry), the flood of [clinging to wrong] views is destroyed.

Through the third stage (the path of non-returning), the flood of sensual craving is done away with.

Through the fourth stage (the path of arhatship, full enlightenment), the floods of craving for eternal existence (endless rebirths in samsara) and ignorance are stopped. Craving can be brought to cessation?

The SamaƱƱaphala Sutta (MN 2) shows how to overcome these four floods, namely, through:
  • insight (wisdom),
  • sense-control (restraint),
  • avoidance (adverting attention),
  • wise use of the necessities of life,
  • and so on.
Why would anyone want to awaken?
For a commentarial exposition, see Atthasālini (Tr. I, p. 63f: II, pp. 475ff.)

KhÄ«nāsava is "one whose corruptions are destroyed" or "one who is free of cankers." This is a name for an arhat, a perfected person, a Buddhist saint, completely liberated person who has awakened and experienced nirvana in this very life and lives out the remainder of life in complete certainty of liberation (moksha) and freedom (vimutti).

Can an enlightened person surf over the floods?
This state of arhatship is frequently called āsavakkhaya, "the destruction of the floods." Discourses concluding with the attainment of arhatship by those who hear them, often culminate with the words:

"During this utterance, the hearts of the [meditators, listeners, hearers] were freed from the floods through [letting go] clinging no more" (anupādāya āsavehi cittāni vimuccimsū'ti).

California coastal flood chaos! 🌊 Massive waves flood streets, vehicles stranded in Newport Beach, OC
Whatevers. I ain't afraid of no coast. Who needs it? We'll just buy more sand from Mexico.
.
No, Son, that's too dangerous! Get inside!
Storm-HQ(Storm-HQ) Southern California coastal flooding turns streets into rivers on October 9, 2026, as massive waves, swells, and unusually high tides overwhelmed ritzy Newport Beach (OC) and Long Beach (LA), battering Surf City USA in Southern California.

Floodwaters surround vehicles across the Balboa Peninsula, while powerful surf damages multimillion dollar beachfront homes and coastal defenses in Long Beach.

With Tropical Storm Rachel approaching, emergency officials warned that more dangerous flooding could follow.
Tropical Storm Rachel hits LA, OC

Three massive storms battering North America at same time: Rachel, Simon, and Isaias
Newport Beach has such a concentration of West Coast wealth that it is its own flagged island
See, God, it's just that Newport is where we park all of our rich and fancy yachts (Balboa Island)
Aerial view of the Lido Peninsula in Newport Beach, California (Don Ramey Logan)
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Balboa Peninsula, Newport Beach, OC
Newport Beach, California, became one of the hardest-hit communities as seawater surged into residential streets across the Balboa Peninsula. Flooding affected approximately 15 to 20 blocks, leaving vehicles surrounded by corrosive seawater and reaching nearby properties.

Officials reported that the morning tide rose roughly nearly two feet (20 inches) above its predicted level, creating dangerous conditions for motorists and residents.

The City of Newport Beach declared a local emergency as coastal floodwaters spread through vulnerable neighborhoods.


Emergency crews deployed pumps, opened drainage valves, and worked to rebuild protective sand barriers.

Toxic sewage about to swamp LA, OC
WARNING
: 
Residents and visitors are urged to avoid flooded streets while authorities respond to the rapidly developing coastal flooding emergency.

Long Beach, in LA County (home of the Queen Mary and Spruce Goose), are also suffering significant storm damage as massive waves batter the Peninsula and break through sections of a protective coastal barrier.

The Beach Boys and their Woody vehicle popularized the myth of a perfect, ever-sunny SoCal
.
We're fine on sunny days. Let's clean up!
Seawater flooded nearby streets, damaged beachfront properties, and threatened homes along Seaside Walk. Building inspectors declared some structures unsafe to enter, while one severely damaged beachfront home faced the risk of collapsing toward the ocean.

The destruction extends beyond flooded neighborhoods. Powerful surf is damaging the access road to San Onofre State Beach near the Orange County and San Diego County boundary.

Coastal erosion, damaged infrastructure, and dangerous waves are raising concerns across Southern California as residents prepare for additional high tides.
Hurricane Isaias hits Southeast USA
(Severe Weather USA) Hurricane Isaias landfall, power out, winds, floods

I ain't afraid of no surf!
Tropical Storm Rachel
added another threat to the California flooding emergency. The approaching Pacific storm prompted a rare tropical storm watch for coastal San Diego County, including San Diego, Oceanside, Carlsbad, and Chula Vista.

Forecasters are warning of possible strong winds, heavy rainfall, dangerous surf, and additional coastal flooding over the weekend.
  • [SoCal is suffering a massive heat wave during Indian Summer 2026, but over the weekend it'll rain before things heat up again.*]
At least mountains are safe? Not quite
Big Bear Lake in summer, Southern California
Flood watches far from the beaches also cover inland communities across San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. Palm Springs (the high desert), Coachella (site of the massive annual festival), Indio (with its inland Salton Sea), Big Bear Lake (home of Jackie and Shadow, the most famous eagles in the world), and Lake Arrowhead face the possibility of flash flooding as tropical moisture approaches desert valleys and mountain communities.

These locations are under weather alerts rather than confirmed reports of widespread flood destruction.

Hurricane Simon goes for Mexico
(Asianet News English) Hurricane Simon comes after Mexico: boats sink,
roads flood, and tourist destination Puerto Vallarta prepares for big hit

Will Trump's Iran bomb us in time?

Iran, now's a good time to bomb LA and SD
Coastal flood advisories extend north toward Malibu, Ventura, San Francisco, Monterey Bay, and Big Sur, where elevated tides and powerful waves threaten low-lying roads, beach facilities, and shoreline neighborhoods. (Goodbye, Gilroy, "Garlic Capital of the World," and your festival).


Malibu and surrounding neighborhoods, LA
Authorities warn that dangerous conditions could continue through the weekend and into the following week. This video covers the Oct. 9, 2026, California floods, Newport Beach flooding, Balboa Peninsula flood damage, Long Beach coastal flooding, Tropical Storm Rachel, massive waves, flooded streets, vehicles surrounded by water, damaged beachfront homes, coastal erosion, and severe weather across Southern California, West Coast, USA.

Post-Iran nuking weather report

Nobody saw this 'storm train' coming
The confirmed flooding and property damage described in this report occurred primarily in Newport Beach and Long Beach. Other California locations face flood watches and coastal warnings, with additional impacts dependent on changing weather conditions.

For official California flood warnings, coastal flood advisories, and tropical storm updates, follow the National Weather Service, NOAA National Hurricane Center, and local emergency management authorities. And don't say we didn't warn you. #CaliforniaFloods #NewportBeach #CoastalFlooding

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Floods 'n Fires: Nepal, Hawaii, Europe, LA

Nepal suffers devastating flash floods from Himalayan glacial lake outburst | Diginode

Nepal flooding LIVE | Roads, bridges, power projects hit | Rasuwa Flash Flood Fury
CNN-News18(CNN-News18) Started streaming Aug. 26, 2026: A powerful flash flood is unleashing widespread destruction in Nepal’s Rasuwa district near its border with Tibet, with roads, bridges, and major infrastructure being hit as floodwaters surge through the region.

The flooding along the Bhote Koshi River has disrupted connectivity and affected power infrastructure, including hydropower projects. Villages and homes are also being impacted as authorities and rescue teams assess the full scale of the destruction.

The disaster has once again highlighted the vulnerability of Himalayan communities and critical infrastructure to sudden floods, torrential rain, and extreme weather events. With damaged roads and bridges complicating access, rescue and relief operations face major challenges.


#NepalFloods #NepalFlashFlood #Rasuwa #BhoteKoshi #NepalNews #FloodDisaster #Hydropower #BreakingNews #cnnnews18. n18oc_live CNN-News18 is a trusted source for breaking news, updates, and in-depth analysis from around the world. CNN-News18 is dedicated to bringing the latest news, trends, and insights, helping viewers stay informed and up-to-date. Subscribe now and join our community of informed and engaged viewers. Follow every breaking story LIVE šŸ”“: here

Underreported rainstorms, waves, disastrous flooding in Hawaii

Why is Europe suddenly overheated and underprepared?

Hottest week of the year in Los Angeles

Thursday, August 20, 2026

Ekaterina Sky: send stories, vote SXSW


“I think I should start making art again”
The intentions and prayers for the Earth were embedded here then covered with gold leaf.
Altadena Fire Mural Project, 2026, with golden prayers and us circled in red (Ekaterina Sky)
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Channeled inspiration for artful beauty
Six months after the Los Angeles fires, we built an art wall in Altadena. There were not many walls left to paint on, so we built one on the empty lot where the vegan cafe Oh Happy Days used to be.

Over four days the foothill neighborhood came and wrote their prayers and intentions to be sealed into the golden sphere at the center of the mural, some in English, some in Spanish, some in many other languages. One was a single name. One asked for the soil to become clean again. Then we sealed every one of those prayers under gold leaf.

A gold embedded Prayer for the Earth
They are still under there, and nobody can read them. On the final Sunday of our public art project, a woman came over to tell me about her friend: Her friend had lost her home in the Eaton Fire and had not smiled once in the six months since.

Her friend was at the wall right then, with a glistening brush in her hand. She was smiling. She had just said, “I think I should start making art again.” I did not go over to her. That moment was hers.

I thought, “She has every fact about what she lost. The facts do nothing for her. A wall, a brush, and her neighbors gave her somewhere to put it, and she picked the brush back up.” That is what I've been trying to say for 20 years! To put it plainly:

“Data hands us the truth.
Beauty is what lets us carry it.”

Knowing is not the hard part. Holding it is. Beauty is what makes the weight bearable enough to keep holding and acting on.


Vote for this talk at SXSW 2027
Save the forest, save the animals
I want to argue for that position in front of a room full of people who build things rather than a room of those who already agree with me. So I proposed a talk at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, next March (2027) I am calling, “Why Beauty Moves Us When Data Doesn’t.”

DESCRIPTION: Two decades of painting murals converges on one idea: Shared beauty can hold what words cannot yet reach, a shift that decides what people go on to protect.

After the 2025 Eaton Fire in Altadena, survivors gathered at a community mural to write their intentions and prayers into the paint. A woman who had not smiled since losing her home picked up a brush. This talk lays out the method behind the shift and how to build it into a strategy that moves people.

SESSION TAKEAWAYS:
  1. Art show LA Climate Week '26
    Why aesthetic experience shifts emotional orientation faster than data or logical arguments, and what that means for building a movement or campaign.
  2. A repeatable method for designing beauty and participation into engagement strategy, instead of attaching them as decoration afterward.
  3. Real, working examples, a reforestation partnership, a global soil movement, a wildfire recovery mural, proof the method produces outcomes. More
UN Climate Summit in BelƩm, Brazil
It is about how that Sunday afternoon of the art project actually worked. Read it HERE. It is accompanied on the page by a two-minute film of me speaking at the UN Climate Summit in BelĆ©m, Brazil.

Send me your stories!
REQUEST: If a moment like that has ever happened to you, I would love to hear it. I am collecting them to inspire others.


Warmly,


Ekaterina Sky, visual artist (ekaterina-sky.com)
Organizer, Life Force Art LLC