Latest Disaster planning and response News

Landslide in Ecuador kills at least 7, with dozens missing

Mar. 28, 2023 01:13 AM EDT

ALAUSI, Ecuador (AP) — A huge landslide swept over an Andean community in central Ecuador, burying dozens of homes, killing at least seven people and sending rescuers on a frantic search for survivors, authorities said Monday. Earlier in the day, officials had reported 16 deaths,...

Death toll in Tennessee crash updated to 4 youths, 2 adults

Mar. 27, 2023 18:32 PM EDT

PLEASANT VIEW, Tenn. (AP) — Authorities on Monday revised the number of youths killed over the weekend in a Tennessee highway crash, saying that four girls ages 1 to 12 died instead of the six they originally reported. Emergency crews found a car upside down with extensive damage...

All 7 Pennsylvania chocolate factory explosion victims found

Mar. 27, 2023 06:45 AM EDT

WEST READING, Pa. (AP) — All seven bodies have been recovered from the site of a powerful explosion at a chocolate factory in a small town in eastern Pennsylvania, officials said. West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag said in a statement Sunday night that none of the victims will be...

Freeway crash kills 6 youths thrown from car in Tennessee

Mar. 26, 2023 19:52 PM EDT

PLEASANT VIEW, Tenn. (AP) — A car crash killed six young people, including a 1-year-old infant, after they were ejected from their vehicle early Sunday on a freeway in middle Tennessee, authorities said. Two adults were injured, one of them critically. Emergency crews found a car...

Churches provide solace in tornado-ravaged Mississippi Delta

Mar. 26, 2023 19:46 PM EDT

ROLLING FORK, Miss. (AP) — As a deadly tornado tore through the lower Mississippi Delta, the Rev. Mary Stewart clung to a door in the hallway of her Rolling Fork home, shielding herself from the branches and chunks of debris that came flying through her shattered windows. Friday's...

Group says Libyan coast guard fired shots over rescue ship

Mar. 26, 2023 14:24 PM EDT

CAIRO (AP) — Libya’s coast guard fired warning shots over a humanitarian vessel as it attempted to rescue a rubber boat carrying migrants off Libya's coast, a sea rescue group said. The coast guard went on to return some 80 Europe-bound migrants to Libyan soil. The incident...

'There's nothing left': Deep South tornadoes kill 26

Mar. 25, 2023 22:16 PM EDT

ROLLING FORK, Miss. (AP) — Rescuers raced Saturday to search for survivors and help hundreds of people left homeless after a powerful tornado cut a devastating path through Mississippi, killing at least 25 people, injuring dozens, and flattening entire blocks as it carved a path of destruction...

Yemen rebels restrict humanitarian flights arriving in Sanaa

Mar. 25, 2023 16:01 PM EDT

CAIRO (AP) — The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen said they were imposing severe restrictions starting Saturday on U.N. and other humanitarian flights arriving in the capital, Sanaa. The Houthi-run Civil Aviation Authority said no humanitarian flights would land in Sanaa between...

Court blocks COVID-19 vaccine mandate for US gov't workers

Mar. 24, 2023 09:35 AM EDT

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — President Joe Biden’s order that federal employees get vaccinated against COVID-19 has been blocked by a federal appeals court. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, in a decision Thursday, rejected arguments that Biden, as the nation’s chief...

Blais, Hofer lead Blues to 4-3 win over Red Wings

Mar. 23, 2023 22:53 PM EDT

DETROIT (AP) — Sammy Blais scored the go-ahead goal, Joel Hofer made 27 saves and the St. Louis Blues held off the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 on Thursday night. Alexey Toropchenko, Brayden Schenn and Jake Neighbours also scored for St. Louis, which avenged a loss to Detroit on Tuesday...