Saturday, January 12, 2008

PerfectDisaster

Perfect disasters are storms that are larger, more dangerous and more deadly than any before them. When all the right ingredients combine, the resulting catastrophes will be "impossible" — a tornado with wind speeds that exceed those seen in a category 5, or a solar storm that causes a worldwide blackout. What would happen if one of these "super storms" crashed into a city like New York, London, Hong Kong, Dallas, Sydney or Toronto?
Episode 1: Super Tornado
At two miles wide and with wind speeds of more than 350 mph, a super tornado would reduce downtown Dallas to a war zone within minutes. Scientists say it could happen. When it does, a Dallas emergency city manager is forced to choose between making sure his family remains safe, or saving the lives of millions.
Episode 2: Solar Storm
Beneath the boiling surface of the sun lies a force that could destroy crucial technology and electrical grids, throwing the modern world back to the Stone Age. With only hours to prepare, a New York City engineer struggles to convince the mayor to take an action that may save an entire country.
Episode 3: Super Typhoon
The Pacific breeds the biggest and most powerful hurricanes in the world. So far, the 7 million inhabitants of Hong Kong have escaped a direct hit. But a slight change in weather will send an emergency coordinator scurrying through the streets to make sure her city is safe while the super typhoon sets its sights on the island.
Episode 4: MegaFlood
We saw what happened to New Orleans after the sea breached its levies. Could the same thing happen to London? The city is well protected against the power of a storm surge, but there is one weakness.
Episode 5: Fire Storm
There is a point at which a wildfire becomes unstoppable, and a phenomenon is born that can destroy anything its path. The Australian city of Sydney faces this threat every year. For the men and women working at the forefront of fire science, the nightmare is about to begin.
Episode 6: Ice Storm
It happened more than a decade ago: An ice storm brought the Canadian city of Montreal to its knees. Scientists now believe there is far worse to come. Strangely enough, the big freeze begins with a warm spell.

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