Friday Risk Watch: November 22, 2024

Stay ahead of potential risks and ensure the safety of your employees with Friday Risk Watch, a weekly newsletter curated by our Global Intelligence Team.

Expect updates on emerging risks, geopolitical developments, weather forecasts, etc. We’ll notify you of the latest incidents that could impact your organization, allowing you to make informed decisions and mitigate potential risks.

For deeper insights into the threats poised to shape 2025, explore AlertMedia's Threat Outlook Report.?

What We’re Watching

Winter Windstorm Bert to Bring Strong Winds to Ireland and the U.K.: A second named windstorm, Bert, is on the horizon for Ireland and United Kingdom, potentially bringing severe impacts through the weekend. Widespread travel disruptions are likely across air, rail, and roads due to strong winds and heavy rain.

• Two storm systems in the Northern Atlantic will merge, increasing wind and rain risks for Ireland and the U.K. this weekend. Western Ireland will face strong winds of 80-100 km/h (50-65 mph), with gusts exceeding 110 km/h Friday night into Saturday. Met éireann issued red rainfall warnings—the highest level—expecting flooding in Galway and Western Cork.
• The storm center will track north of the islands but still pose significant risks to Central and Southern Ireland and U.K. By Saturday morning, South England and Wales could see wind gusts up to 70-90 km/h (40-55 mph),?with stronger 90+ km/h gusts along the southern coast and in London. Wales may also receive 30-60 mm (1-2 in) of rain over two days.
• In northern areas, sub-zero temperatures may turn rain to snow or freezing rain. The greatest freezing rain risk is north of Glasgow, where the U.K. Met Office issued ?Level 2 amber warnings for ice and snow. Central Scotland's higher elevations could see 15-25 cm (6-10 in) of snow over two days.

Heavy Snow Slams the Northeast U.S. While California Floods Prompt Evacuations: Two major storms hit opposite U.S. coasts Friday morning. Northern California faces localized evacuation warnings due to heavy rain, while heavy snowfall has left thousands in the Northeast without power.

• A series of Pacific bomb cyclones unleashed torrential rain and mountain blizzards across Northern California. As of this morning, some areas had already received 12-14 inches of rain, with more expected through the night. Butte County, north of Chico, faces evacuation warnings due to worsening floods. Heavy showers in the Bay Area could cause isolated flooding and moderate travel delays.
• High-elevation areas in Northeast Pennsylvania and South-Central New York woke up to heavy snow this morning, with accumulations of 12-16 inches. The wet snow caused power outages for over 132,000 customers and shut down parts of I-84 and I-380. Conditions will steadily improve north to south by this evening, though heavy snow in West Virginia's mountains may persist into Saturday.

Global Demonstrations for the Elimination of Violence Against Women: Major urban areas in Europe and Latin America may face disruptions through Monday due to demonstrations marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The day also marks the start of the 16-day UNiTE activism campaign, ending on December 10 with International Rights Day.

• This weekend, major cities in Europe will see gatherings against femicide, sexual violence, and gender-based violence. On Saturday, women’s rights activists in Paris will march from Gare du Nord to Place de Bastille at 2 pm. In Italy, demonstrators will march from Rome’s Piazzale Ostiense to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II at 2:30 pm.
• On Monday, Madrid will see two separate marches, one by the Comisión 8M and the other by the Foro de Madrid, with both set to begin at 7 pm. Catalonia will also see several actions, with the main demonstration in Barcelona at the intersection of Pg de Gràcia and Av Diagonal at 6:30 pm.?
• In Costa Rica, Pan y Rosas has called for a national march on November 25, beginning at Parque Central in San Jose at 5 pm. In Bogota, Somos Un Rostro Colectivo plans to hold a sit-in outside the Attorney General's Office at 3 pm.?

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Colombia to See Anti-Government Demonstrations and Marches: This Saturday, social and civic groups in Colombia plan to hold demonstrations demanding President Gustavo Petro's impeachment. (Note: The following link is in Spanish.) They will also protest his government amid a perceived political and economic crisis.

• A main march will be held in Bogotá, at 10 am from the Parque Nacional to Plaza de Bolívar. Demonstrations and marches will be held in at least 17 other cities on Saturday, including Barranquilla, Cali, Medellín, and Pereira. Demonstrations in cities abroad, including Miami and New York City, have also been planned.?
• Large turnouts are expected at many demonstrations, with widespread online calls to action from politicians and other prominent figures. Unions, including freight transport groups, have also announced plans to protest on Saturday.

Convoys for Khan Prepare to Descend on Pakistan’s Capital: Authorities in Pakistan are ramping up security and have banned gatherings of five or more people in Rawalpindi and Islamabad to prevent disruption from a large-scale demonstration planned by the party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday.

• Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has reportedly organized convoys from various cities to Islamabad, aiming to reach D-Chowk, a major square in the government's district. ?
• In addition to banning gatherings in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, officials have reportedly placed heavy containers on roadways in the cities and intend to partially suspend internet and mobile services in the capital and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces, where the PTI has its base of support.?
• Khan has positioned Sunday's day of action as a test for the party and its leadership, stating that those that don't show up for the protest will be out of the party, meaning that the protests will likely draw significant participation. Given the orders banning protests in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, there is a heightened potential for clashes between demonstrators and police during the gatherings. Past mass demonstrations by the PTI have featured significant clashes with security.

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