Earth Observations taken by the Expedition 18 Crew

ISS018-E-025705 (30 Jan. 2009) --- Betsiboka River floods in Madagascar are featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 18 crewmember on the International Space Station. Between Jan. 18-20, 2009, Tropical Storm Eric swept along the east coast of the island nation of Madagascar. Rain from this storm fell in the catchment of the Betsiboka River, one of the main rivers in northern Madagascar. In an unlikely coincidence, a larger storm, Cyclone Fanele crossed central Madagascar the next day on Jan. 21, with its outer bands dropping more rain in the Betsiboka basin. By the time this image was taken on the Jan. 30, the river was flooding all along its length.