Latest Natural disasters News
As atmospheric river soaks California, farmworkers await flood aid promised in 2023
After flood waters from heavy rainstorms deluged two small farmworker towns in January 2023, California set aside $20 million each for the communities to rebuild. Nearly two years later, four-fifths of that aid has not yet been distributed to flood victims of Planada in Merced...
In a board game, climate experts work to save the world, which diplomats at COP29 try in real life
BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — Activists and experts who are pushing world leaders to save an overheating planet learned it's not so easy, even in a simulated world. The Associated Press brought the board game Daybreak to the United Nations climate negotiations in Baku, Azerbaijan....
Climate change goosed hurricane wind strength by 18 mph since 2019, study says
BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — Human-caused climate change made Atlantic hurricanes about 18 miles per hour (29 kilometers per hour) stronger in the last six years, a new scientific study found Wednesday. For most of the storms — 40 of them — the extra oomph from warmer oceans made...
FEMA head sounds the alarm over disaster funding after double hurricanes
WASHINGTON (AP) — The money available to help communities hit by disasters has shrunk after back-to-back hurricanes Helene and Milton, and the funding problems might jeopardize the government's ability to respond to new emergencies in the future, the Federal Emergency Management Agency chief said...
Safer buildings vs more housing: How new building codes may impact Hawaii
A month after wildfires ravaged Maui in August 2023, Gov. Josh Green issued an emergency proclamation to postpone the adoption of any new building codes that might exacerbate a housing shortage that had just gotten worse. The governor’s office is now moving to fast-track adoption...
Southern China suspends ferry services as storm brings winds, high waters to coastal regions
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Parts of coastal southern China suspended ferry services as a major storm passed into the South China Sea, bringing high winds and heavy waves to much of the region. The storm was downgraded Wednesday from Typhoon Man-yi, which left seven dead in the...
Maui Invitational returns to a Lahaina still grappling with raw emotions left by deadly wildfire
HONOLULU (AP) — Three generations of TJ Rickard’s family lost their homes in the deadly Maui wildfire more than a year ago, and he and his extended family still have not rebuilt. That leaves Rickard, a high school basketball coach, conflicted about next week's return of the storied Maui...
The White House's Christmas tree is a symbol of resilience for hurricane-hit North Carolina farms
NEWLAND, N.C. (AP) — The Cartner family had known since last year that one of their farm’s Christmas trees would be headed to the White House this winter. But then Hurricane Helene struck, unleashing a deadly deluge across western North Carolina, including Avery County, where...
Spain’s royals return to flood disaster zone for 1st time since being pelted by mud
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain’s royal couple returned Tuesday to the area devastated by last month’s catastrophic flooding for the first time since enraged survivors pelted them and top elected officials with mud on their first visit to the disaster zone. King Felipe VI and...
Typhoon Man-yi leaves 7 dead in Philippines and worsens crisis from back-to-back storms
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Typhoon Man-yi left at least seven people dead in a landslide, destroyed houses and displaced large numbers of villagers before blowing away from the northern Philippines, worsening the crisis wreaked by multiple back-to-back storms, officials said Monday. ...
