Floods wreak havoc in Malaysia, southern Thailand with over 30 killed, tens of thousands displaced

KOTA BARU, Malaysia (AP) — Severe floods caused by monsoon rains killed more than 30 people and displaced tens of thousands in Malaysia and southern Thailand, officials said Tuesday, with both countries preparing shelters and evacuation plans in anticipation of more heavy rain. ...

PHOTO COLLECTION: Malaysia Floods

Greek islands Rhodes and Lemnos declare state of emergency after deadly storm wreaks havoc

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Authorities on the Greek islands Rhodes and Lemnos declared a state of emergency Monday after storms battered the islands, leaving two dead and widespread damage. Rescue teams, assisted by the military and local authorities, rescued many older residents in...

Regional Spanish leader who botched flood response faces another big march demanding his resignation

VALENCIA, Spain (AP) — Tens of thousands of Spaniards marched on Saturday in the streets of Valencia a month after devastating floods to demand the resignation of the regional officials who bungled the emergency response. The protest was the second major march of its kind asking...

New Jersey is using buyouts and barriers to battle flooding

New Jersey is using a mix of buyouts and barriers to tackle flooding in two vulnerable locations. Officials this week announced funding to buy and demolish homes in flood-prone sections of Cranford, a Union County community about 20 miles (32 kilometers) southwest of New York. ...

3 dead and over 90,000 displaced as Malaysia prepares for its worst floods in a decade

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia is preparing for its worst floods in a decade after heavier-than-expected monsoon rains caused severe flooding that killed three people and displaced more than 90,000. The National Disaster Command Center online portal said Friday that 94,778...

Santa's annual train visit delivers hope and magic to one corner of coal country

ON BOARD THE SANTA TRAIN (AP) — Since 1943, the people of Appalachian Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee have looked forward to Santa's arrival. Not in a sleigh on their rooftops, but on a train. The Santa Train marks its 82nd running this year, bringing presents and joy to small...

Landslide triggered by rain in Indonesia's Sumatra island kills 9 people in a tourist bus

SIBOLANGIT, Indonesia (AP) — Rescuers recovered two more bodies from a tourist bus hit by a landslide triggered by torrential rains on Indonesia’s Sumatra island, bringing the death toll to nine, officials said. At least 20 people have died in other landslides and floods in the...

From disaster to hope: A Vermont family thankful for community support after flood destroyed home

PEACHAM, Vt. (AP) — The last thing John and Jenny Mackenzie saw as they fled their Vermont home with their daughters, dog and two guinea pigs last summer was their cars upended and propelled away by rushing flood waters. Minutes earlier they had abandoned their 19th-century...

More sand is in sight for a Jersey Shore resort town's deteriorating beaches

NORTH WILDWOOD, N.J. (AP) — A decadelong conflict over the condition of a New Jersey resort town's beaches, involving tens of millions of dollars in litigation and fines, could come to an end soon. Patrick Rosenello, the mayor of North Wildwood, says his town has reached an...