Flood of Reptiles

Crocodiles and snakes crawled into neighborhoods and streets in the flood-ravaged city of Villahermosa on Mexico’s Gulf Coast, looking for places to rest and sun themselves. Witnesses reported that the crocodiles have even occasionally blocked traffic. The reptiles have been forced out of their usual habitats by the severe flooding and mudslides that struck vast areas of southeastern Mexico last month, killing at least 381 people.

Tropical Cyclones

At least 82 people were killed and thousands of others left homeless in the wake of tropical cyclone 04B, which battered India’s east coast before dissipating over land.

* Minimal hurricane Irene drenched much of the Florida peninsula before unleashing more flooding across already hurricane-weary North Carolina. The storm later lost force over the Northern Atlantic.

* Tropical storm Eve made landfall along the Vietnamese coast near the port of Da Nang, packing maximum winds of 52 mph.

* Islands of the northeastern Caribbean were buffeted by high winds and heavy rains as hurricane Jose skirted the region.

Earthquakes

The magnitude 7.1 Hector Mines earthquake struck California’s Mojave Desert, derailing an Amtrak train, cracking highways and awakening hundreds of thousands of people. The quake caused a long, visible rupture across the desert floor along a fault line previously thought to be inactive. Earth movements were also felt in southern Arizona, the Alaskan Panhandle, northern and eastern Japan, Taiwan, the northern Philippines and northwestern Turkey.

Eruptions

Ecuador’s resort community of Banos became a ghost town after tens of thousands residents and tourists fled under the threat of a volcanic eruption. The evacuation occurred after the nearby Tungurahua Volcano spewed lava and ash, threatening a major eruption.

* Sicily’s Mount Etna erupted again with thick streams of lava oozing down its slopes and a plume of smoke that soared high above the Mediterranean island. Experts said the renewed activity did not present any immediate risk, but they were ready to evacuate residents in nearby towns if necessary.

Canine Mystery Hero

A frantically barking small dog awakened 25 people in China’s southwestern Jiangsu province, saving them from an impending flood caused by a rupture in a huge underground water pipe. The Beijing Morning reported that one of the potential victims woke up in the predawn hours when the dog, which had somehow gotten into his home, began tugging his quilt off the bed toward the door. The man opened the door as flood water gushed into the house. He was able to pick up his pregnant wife and carry her to safety while the little dog ran to awaken other neighbors just before their home was leveled by the force of the water. Once the flood subsided, the dog could not be found.