Latest Natural Disasters Headlines

All the headlines from our Natural Disasters Topic Page, ordered by recency.

West Virginia Saw 5 Tornadoes Last Week, Double the Yearly Average

Apr 10 2024 // CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The National Weather Service on Monday confirmed a fifth tornado touched down during severe storms that barreled across West Virginia last week. That’s more than double the state’s...

Slow Recovery in Mississippi a Year After Tornado Ripped Town Apart

Apr 9 2024 // OLLING FORK, Miss. (AP) — As a deadly tornado barreled toward their home in the Mississippi Delta, Ida Cartlidge only had time to scoop up her 1-year-old son, Nolan, and hold him close.Cartlidge huddled with her husband...

New York City’s Skyscrapers Are Built to Withstand Most Earthquakes

Apr 9 2024 // The ground rumbled Friday beneath New York City, home to famous skyscrapers like the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center. Though buildings that can reach above 100 stories might seem especially vulnerable to...

Hurricane-Force Winds Leave 150,000 Without Power in Colorado

Apr 8 2024 // More than 150,000 Xcel Energy Inc. customers in Colorado are without electricity amid hurricane-force winds — and some may not get power back until Monday.Those affected include about 55,000 customers who had their power...

Florida Panhandle Wildfire Destroys Home, Damages 15 Others

Apr 8 2024 // PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) — A wildfire in the Florida Panhandle has destroyed a home and damaged at least 15 others.The Florida Forest Service said Friday that the blaze, which broke out Thursday near Pensacola, was now more...

East Coast 4.8 Earthquake Causes Disruption But No Injuries or Sweeping Damage

Apr 7 2024 // An unusual East Coast earthquake shook millions of people from New York and Philadelphia skyscrapers to rural New England on Friday, causing no widespread damage but startling an area unaccustomed to temblors.The U.S....

New York-New Jersey Area Shaken by 4.8 Earthquake

Apr 5 2024 // A 4.8 magnitude earthquake shook the New Jersey-New York area this morning at about 10:23 am, according to the United States Geological Survey.The earthquake’s epicenter was near Whitehouse Station, New Jersey....

Florida OIR Says Enhanced Data Reporting on Hurricane Ian Claims is Due April 17

Apr 5 2024 // The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation is reminding carriers that additional data is due April 17 on Hurricane Ian claims.All property insurers are required by law to submit the enhanced catastrophe reports, including...

Weather Forecasters Predict ‘Extremely Active’ 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season

Apr 4 2024 // Weather forecasters at Colorado State University (CSU) on Thursday predicted an “extremely active” 2024 Atlantic hurricane season because of warm sea surface temperatures and less wind shear to break up storms...

Severe Weather Spawns Tornado, Damage and One Death in South, Midwest

Apr 4 2024 // Thousands of homes and businesses were without power Tuesday as severe weather roared through several states, causing at least one death and spawning possible tornadoes.Parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Mississippi,...

Utility Company Skips Texas Panhandle Wildfire Hearings

Apr 4 2024 // AMPA — A company hired to inspect utility poles in the Panhandle declined to testify before Texas lawmakers Wednesday, as part of the state’s inquiry into the Smokehouse Creek fire — the largest wildfire in state...

States Across the US Midwest Are on Alert for Tornadoes: Weather Watch

Apr 2 2024 // Storms and tornadoes are in the forecast for states across the Midwest in the US, with further weather warnings and advisories stretching further east.There is a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms — which could bring...

Arkansas Officials Mark Anniversary of Deadly Tornado

Apr 1 2024 // LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas and local officials hailed the response from emergency workers, community groups and individuals on Friday as they marked the one-year anniversary of tornadoes that tore through the...

Bird Flu is Another Blow to ‘Cattle Country’ Following Wildfires

Mar 28 2024 // LUBBOCK — Cows in the Texas Panhandle have tested positive for the bird flu, another blow to the Texas dairy industry following historic wildfires that killed at least 7,000 livestock.The discovery, reported at three...

Accuweather Predicts Above-Average 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season

Mar 27 2024 // Accuweather meteorologists are predicting an above-average Atlantic hurricane season with as many as 20-25 named storms.The 2024 hurricane season is forecast to feature 8-12 hurricanes including 4-7 major hurricanes. This...

Subpoenas on Agencies and Officials Delay Release of Key Report into Deadly Hawaii Wildfire

Mar 27 2024 // Hawaii’s attorney general blamed a delay of the release of a key report into a deadly Maui wildfire on county agencies that forced investigators to issue subpoenas.The first phase of an independent investigation into...

Virginia Still Battling Shenandoah Valley Wildfires

Mar 24 2024 // Crews who have been battling still-burning wildfires in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley this week have gotten an assist from rain and from the state government, which has deployed new resources to the area, officials...

West Texas Ranchers Face Losses After Historic Wildfires

Mar 20 2024 // LUBBOCK — There are burned spots on Jay O’Brien’s ranch outside Stinnett that predate the Smokehouse Creek fire.Over the last several months, small fires — ones that weren’t pushed by strong winds or...

Subpoenas on Maui Agencies and Officials Delay Release of Report Into Wildfire

Mar 20 2024 // Hawaii’s attorney general blamed a delay of the release of a key report into a deadly Maui wildfire on county agencies that forced investigators to issue subpoenas.The first phase of an independent investigation into...

Midwest Tornado Outbreak Linked to Record Winter Warmth

Mar 19 2024 // This winter’s record warmth provided the key ingredient for a Midwest outbreak of deadly tornadoes and damaging gorilla hail that hit parts of the Midwest last Wednesday and Thursday, tornado experts said.At least...