NORTH AMERICA

United States (Security threat level – 2): On 26 July 2022, torrential rainfall in Missouri’s St. Louis metropolitan area caused significant flooding, making multiple roadways across the metro area impassable. A number of homes and businesses in the area sustained severe flood-related damage. Emergency crews rescued approximately 100 people, mostly motorists stranded on inundated roadways. At least one person was killed when floodwaters submerged their vehicle in the city’s Forest Park neighborhood. Meteorologists registered record rainfall of up to 10 in (25 cm) in St. Louis, while more than 11 inches of rain was registered in adjacent St. Charles County. Additional rainfall is in the forecast for the St. Louis area through the remainder of this week.

SOUTHEAST ASIA

Malaysia (Security threat level – 2): At approximately 1240 local time (0440 UTC) on 27 July 2022, widespread electricity outages occurred in the capital Kuala Lumpur and several areas throughout Malaysia after a fire broke out at a power station in the southern state of Johor. Power outages were reported throughout the states of Pahang and Penang, as well as in the Klang Valley metropolitan area. In Kuala Lumpur, blackouts caused traffic delays throughout the city and disrupted operations at the main terminal of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (WMKK/KUL). According to a statement from Tenaga Nasional Berhad — the national utility company — electricity was restored in all affected areas by 1500 local time.

Philippines (Security threat level – 4): At approximately 0845 local time (0045 UTC) on 27 July 2022, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the island of Luzon. The quake was centered nearly 14 km (9 mi) southeast of the town of Dolores — located approximately 350 km north of the capital Manila — and had an estimated depth of 10 km, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Strong shaking was reported approximately 70 km east of the epicenter in the cities of Vigan, Batac City and Laoag, whereas light to moderate shaking was reported in Metro Manila. Shaking in the Manila area prompted the evacuation of several residential and commercial buildings in Quezon City. Additionally, all services on Manila’s Metro Light Rail Transit Line 2 were temporarily suspended while maintenance teams evaluated the structural integrity of the line. Services on Metro Rail Transit System 3 and Light Rail Transit Line 1 were also suspended momentarily. No damage was reported at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (RPLL/MNL) and flight operations continued as scheduled. At least five people were killed and more than 100 others suffered quake-related injuries, mostly in the northern Abra province. Search and rescue operations are ongoing in Abra province, which appears to be the hardest-hit area. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, approximately 280 aftershocks followed the initial tremor in Abra province; disaster management officials have warned residents of the heightened risks of landslides and structural instability of buildings.

GOVERNMENT WARNINGS

Democratic Republic Of The Congo (Security threat level – 5): On 27 July 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa issued a Security Alert that reads in part as follows: “Violent protests in Goma and Butembo, North Kivu province, have or may spread to other parts of eastern DRC, including Uvira, Bunia, Bukavu, Beni, and Sake. There are confirmed reports of violence and looting against United Nations facilities and personnel, which have the potential to spread to other NGOs and foreign institutions. Civilians and peacekeepers have been killed. These protests are expected to continue in the coming days and could further spread to other locations in the DRC.”

Papua New Guinea (Security threat level – 5): On 27 July 2022, the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows: “The U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby continues to monitor the security situation throughout the country during the election cycle, which has now been extended through August 12. The Embassy has lifted restrictions imposed July 25 on U.S. government personnel movement throughout Port Moresby but continues to recommend limiting unnecessary travel during the election cycle. Tension remains high in many areas of the country, including Port Moresby and the Highlands region, particularly in Southern and Enga provinces. U.S. citizens are advised to monitor local media and exercise increased caution throughout the election cycle.”