The worst type of flood

Posted by: LED

The worst type of flood - 10/05/10 09:47 PM

This toxic flood in Hungary is as bad as it gets. Those lucky enough to make it out alive now have to worry about getting sick.

Quote:

By Tuesday, about 35.3 million cubic feet of sludge had poured from the reservoir, flooding a 16 square mile area, Environmental Affairs State Secretary Zoltan Illes told the state news wire MTI. He called the spill an "ecological catastrophe."

Dozens of villagers were burned when the caustic material seeped through their clothing. Two women, a young man and a 3-year-old child were killed, and health officials said two of the injured were in critical condition.

Because chemical burns can take days to emerge, seemingly superficial injuries can turn deadly as they penetrate deeper tissue, Dr. Peter Jakabos of Gyor Hospital told state TV.
Posted by: Dagny

Re: The worst type of flood - 10/05/10 10:33 PM

That is horrific!

Nearly the same pH as lye!


Posted by: Phaedrus

Re: The worst type of flood - 10/05/10 10:51 PM

What a horrible disaster!
Posted by: fooman

Re: The worst type of flood - 10/06/10 03:14 AM

That's just insane!
Posted by: LED

Re: The worst type of flood - 10/06/10 06:58 AM

According to the BBC they're desperately trying to stop the contaminants from reaching the Danube. The there's this:

Quote:

Mr Illes said a layer of soil 2cm deep (0.8 inches) would need to be removed from the whole of the contaminated region.


Thats 16sq. miles. eek Is that even realistic?
Posted by: MDinana

Re: The worst type of flood - 10/06/10 08:49 AM

Wow.
Posted by: Arney

Re: The worst type of flood - 10/06/10 04:55 PM

Originally Posted By: LED
Thats 16sq. miles. eek Is that even realistic?

From what I've read, the toxic flood would first flow into a small tributary which then would flow into the Danube. So the authorities are trying to dam up the tributary downstream with concrete right now to head it off at the pass, so to speak.
Posted by: ireckon

Re: The worst type of flood - 10/06/10 05:00 PM

I can't even imagine it.
Posted by: EMPnotImplyNuclear

Re: The worst type of flood - 10/07/10 11:13 AM

2010 Hungarian sludge flood image gallery

Similar event in Tennessee in 2008 sat image

more here and here

I wouldn't be surprised to see both incidents featured in this season of Modern Marvels as "Engineering Disasters 22"