August 19, 2002 (Monday)
- Martin Strel is approaching Memphis, Tennessee, in his effort for peace to swim the length of the Mississippi River.
- Recent celebrity deaths: Al Ayyam reports that international terrorist Abu Nidal was found dead of apparent suicide.
- Extreme weather: The flooding death toll in Europe reaches 109. The Danube peaks at Budapest at a record 28.3 feet (8.6 m), mostly contained by the walls along the river. Dessau is flooded. Overall damage in the Czech Republic is expected to cost $2.8 billion.