Latest Disaster planning and response News
Congress unveils funding deal with more than $100 billion in disaster aid
WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional leaders have unveiled a stopgap spending bill that will keep the federal government funded through March 14 and provide more than $100 billion in emergency aid to help states and local communities recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and other natural...
California got millions to train workers in disaster relief, but it’s leaving money on table
In January 2023, and continuing throughout the spring, rain swelled many of California’s reservoirs and creeks, engulfing homes and businesses and killing 21 people. One federal estimate says it cost the state nearly $5 billion. Now, nearly two years later, it’s Alexis...
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake shakes Chile but there are no reports of damage
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — A 6.4 magnitude earthquake shook central Chile on Friday but there were no immediate reports of damage and a tsunami was ruled out. The United States Geological Survey said the quake occurred at 7:38 p.m. local time (23:38 GMT) at a depth of 110 kilometers....
When fire threatened a California university, the school says it knew what to do
MALIBU, Calif. (AP) — The wildfire alert came in the middle of the night as some college students in Southern California were cramming for final exams and others were woken up in their dorms. But rather than run away from the impending blaze, some 3,000 students at Pepperdine...
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...
Russian plane catches fire after landing in Turkey but passengers and crew are safely evacuated
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The engine of a Russian plane with 95 people on board caught fire after landing at Antalya airport in southern Turkey on Sunday, Turkey’s transportation ministry said. All passengers and crew were safely evacuated. The Sukhoi Superjet 100 type aircraft run...
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...
FEMA administrator says she supports investigation of alleged Trump bias in relief efforts
WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency told lawmakers Tuesday she has encouraged the agency's inspector general to review whether an employee was acting alone when directing workers helping hurricane victims not to go to homes with yards signs supporting...
Biden seeks nearly $100 billion in emergency disaster aid after Hurricanes Helene and Milton
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is requesting nearly $100 billion in emergency disaster aid after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and other natural disasters, telling lawmakers that the money is “urgently needed.” The letter Monday to House Speaker Mike Johnson comes as...
Western North Carolina’s water system is finally back online after Helene
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — More than 100,000 residents in western North Carolina were allowed to drink and bathe using water from their home faucets on Monday, nearly two months after Hurricane Helene destroyed much of the local water system. Clay Chandler, a spokesman for the city of...
