Latest Disaster planning and response News
Noem: South Dakota gets presidential disaster declaration
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said Wednesday that President Joe Biden had granted the state's request for a presidential disaster declaration to aid the recovery from May storms that included over a dozen tornadoes. Gov. Kristi Noem requested the...
Taliban and US officials to meet amid quake relief efforts
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Afghan finance and central bank officials from the Taliban-led government departed for Qatar on Wednesday to meet with U.S. officials, the Taliban said. The meeting follows last week’s deadly earthquake, which brought into focus how relief and emergency aid efforts have...
Northern California wildfire threatens 500 buildings
BRIDGEPORT, Calif. (AP) — A wildfire that erupted in Northern California forced evacuations as it threatened about 500 homes and other buildings Tuesday, authorities said. The Rices Fire erupted at around 2 p.m. near the Yuba River in Nevada County and had spread to more than 500...
WA wildfire prompts evacuations for people in 50 homes
SOAP LAKE, Wash. (AP) — People in about 50 homes near a wildfire in central Washington were told by law enforcement to leave their homes immediately on Tuesday afternoon. The Grant County Sheriff’s Office said at about 2:45 p.m. that people living on certain streets east of Soap...
China reduces quarantine for people arriving from abroad
BEIJING (AP) — China on Tuesday announced an easing of its quarantine requirement for people arriving from abroad but stopped short of lifting what remains a stringent COVID-19 policy compared to most other countries. Anyone coming from outside the country will be required to stay...
North Korea works to prevent flood damages amid COVID crisis
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Koreans were working intensively to protect crops, factory equipment and other assets from potential damage from days of heavy rainfall, state media said Tuesday, as outside observers worry any flooding could aggravate the country’s economic hardships amid its...
US makes more wildfire recovery aid available for New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday authorized an increase in funding for debris removal and other emergency measures being taken as a result of a historic wildfire season in New Mexico that stemmed partly from missteps by federal forest managers in starting a prescribed...
Destruction everywhere, help scarce after Afghanistan quake
GAYAN, Afghanistan (AP) — When the ground heaved from last week’s earthquake in Afghanistan, Nahim Gul’s stone-and-mud house collapsed on top of him. He clawed through the rubble in the predawn darkness, choking on dust as he searched for his father and two sisters. He doesn't...
Deadly quake a new blow to Afghans reeling from poverty
GAYAN, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan’s deadly earthquake this week struck one of the poorest corners of a country that has been hollowed out by increasing poverty. Even as more aid arrived Saturday, many residents have no idea how they will rebuild the thousands of homes destroyed in villages...
Emotional Freeman given ovation, ring in return to Atlanta
ATLANTA (AP) — Freddie Freeman expected to be emotional during his anticipated return to Atlanta. He wasn't prepared for the flood of feelings — and tears — that came before his first game back as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night. A rush of...
