Latest Disaster planning and response News

Kentucky governor says state-run disaster relief funds can serve as model for getting aid to victims

Dec. 07, 2023 17:28 PM EST

State-run disaster relief funds that funneled millions in charitable donations to tornado- and flood-stricken Kentucky can serve as models for quickly getting aid to storm victims, Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday in response to an auditor's review of the programs. The Democratic...

US touts new era of collaboration with Native American tribes to manage public lands and water

Dec. 07, 2023 14:52 PM EST

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The U.S. government is entering a new era of collaboration with Native American and Alaska Native leaders in managing public lands and other resources, with top federal officials saying that incorporating more Indigenous knowledge into decision-making can help spur...

2 bodies found in creeks as atmospheric river drops record-breaking rain in Pacific Northwest

Dec. 06, 2023 20:11 PM EST

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Authorities rescued people from raging rivers and roads submerged by high waters in the Pacific Northwest and continued to investigate the deaths of two people whose bodies were found in Oregon creeks this week as an atmospheric river brought heavy rain, flooding and...

A survivor is pulled out of a Zambian mine nearly a week after being trapped. Dozens remain missing

Dec. 06, 2023 05:09 AM EST

LUSAKA, Zambia (AP) — A man has been pulled alive out of a Zambian mine nearly a week after dozens of informal miners were trapped under landslides caused by heavy rain, rescuers said Wednesday. The 49-year-old survivor was rescued Tuesday night, according to a statement by...

Atmospheric river soaks Pacific Northwest with record-breaking rain and unusually warm temperatures

Dec. 06, 2023 02:50 AM EST

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard rescued five people from flooded areas on Tuesday as an atmospheric river brought heavy rain, flooding and unseasonably warm temperatures to the Pacific Northwest. The conditions also closed rail links, schools and roads in some areas and...

More bodies found after sudden eruption of Indonesia's Mount Marapi, raising confirmed toll to 23

Dec. 05, 2023 20:27 PM EST

BATU PALANO, Indonesia (AP) — Rescuers searching the hazardous slopes of Indonesia's Mount Marapi volcano found the last body of climbers who were caught by a surprise weekend eruption, raising the number of confirmed dead to 23, officials said Wednesday. About 75 climbers started...

State officials review mistaken payments sent by Kentucky tornado relief fund

Dec. 05, 2023 17:39 PM EST

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A report released Tuesday by state officials on the disbursement of Kentucky's tornado relief fund found that it sent out about $239,000 in mistaken payments. The review of the fund by State Auditor Mike Harmon's office was requested by lawmakers in July after...

Rescuer raises hope of survivors at a Zambian mine where more than 30 have been buried for days

Dec. 04, 2023 21:41 PM EST

LUSAKA, Zambia (AP) — A member of a rescue team raised hope Monday that there may be survivors at a Zambian mine where more than 30 informal miners have been trapped under debris for days and presumed dead after heavy rain caused landslides. Rescuers have been searching for the...

Heavy rains lash India's southern and eastern coasts as a powerful storm closes in

Dec. 04, 2023 21:29 PM EST

NEW DELHI (AP) — Heavy rains and strong winds pelted India's southern and eastern coastlines on Monday and states were put on high alert after a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a powerful storm, authorities said. Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh states in the...

3 dead, 1 hospitalized in explosion that sparked massive fire at Ohio auto repair shop

Nov. 29, 2023 15:20 PM EST

HILLSBORO, Ohio (AP) — An explosion at an auto repair shop in Ohio that killed three people and sent a fourth person to a hospital sparked a massive fire that burned for hours and spewed thick, black smoke into the air. The Tuesday afternoon blast at Jimbo’s Auto Repair in...