Latest Natural disasters News
New California wildfire strands Fourth of July revelers
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters in Northern California were battling a fresh wildfire that broke out Monday east of Sacramento at a recreation area packed with Fourth of July revelers and forced a number of evacuations. As the fire quickly spread, 85 to 100 people...
Hurricane Bonnie steams westward off Mexico's Pacific coast
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Hurricane Bonnie strengthened while moving roughly parallel to Mexico’s Pacific coast Monday, after crossing over Central America from the Caribbean and dropping heavy rain and contributing to two deaths. Forecasters said they expected the hurricane, now a...
Drought emergency declared for northern Italy, frees up aid
ROME (AP) — The Italian government on Monday declared a state of emergency for much of the rain-parched north amid a drought, freeing up 36.5 million euros (about $38 million) in funds for the heavily agricultural regions. The aid was approved at a late evening Cabinet meeting. ...
Alpine avalanche leaves 7 known dead, 13 missing in Italy
CANAZEI, Italy (AP) — Thunderstorms hampered Monday the search for more than a dozen hikers who remained unaccounted for a day after a huge chunk of an Alpine glacier in Italy broke off, sending an avalanche of ice, snow and rocks down the slope. Officials put the known death toll at seven. ...
Searchers rescue 4th person from China ship, 12 bodies found
HONG KONG (AP) — Rescue teams searching for missing crew members from a Chinese engineering ship that sank over the weekend saved a fourth person on Monday and recovered 12 bodies, Chinese maritime authorities said. Officials said the crew member rescued by a Chinese navy ship on...
Alpine glacier chunk detaches, killing at least 6 hikers
ROME (AP) — A large chunk of an Alpine glacier broke loose Sunday and roared down a mountain in Italy, sending ice, snow and rock slamming into hikers on a popular trail on the peak and killing at least six and injuring nine, authorities said, warning that the toll might climb. A...
An ‘MRI’ for trees helps save live oaks on Mississippi Coast
OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (AP) — Before a developer starts construction on a new project in downtown Ocean Springs, he ordered root scans of two century-old oak trees on the property to show him where to build. “We plan to build luxury townhouses with parking and a pool,” said...
Tropical Storm Colin brings rain to Carolinas, weakens
MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Colin formed along the South Carolina coast on Saturday morning, bringing rain and winds, though the storm later weakened and conditions are expected to improve by Monday's July Fourth celebrations. The National Hurricane Center in Miami warned of the...
Greece gets European assistance for summer wildfire season
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece is receiving European assistance for the summer wildfire season, with the first group of firefighters arriving in Athens. The 28 Romanian firefighters were welcomed Saturday by Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Christos Stylianides and the...
US testing new fire retardant, critics push other methods
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — U.S. officials are testing a new wildfire retardant after two decades of buying millions of gallons annually from one supplier, but watchdogs say the expensive strategy is overly fixated on aerial attacks at the expense of hiring more fire-line digging ground crews. ...
