Tornado damages 28 homes in two villages of Demak Regency, Central Java, Indonesia
At least 28 homes and a vehicle were damaged after a tornado struck the Harjowinangun and Kebsonsari villages in Central Java, Indonesia, on May 2, 2026.
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
Floods and landslides leave 18 dead, over 60 missing across Kenya
Flooding and landslides triggered by persistent rainfall in Kenya have affected at least 39 counties as of May 3, 2026, leaving 18 people dead and more than 60 missing. Nearly 55 000 households and 34 schools have been affected by the flooding that has destroyed approximately 8 100 ha (20 000 acres) of crops. Rivers overflowed across multiple regions, while landslides in Tharaka Nithi, Elgeyo-Marakwet, and Kiambu counties displaced households and damaged infrastructure.
Flash floods leave 1 dead in San Antonio, Texas
One person died in San Antonio, Texas, on May 1, 2026, after flash floods spread across urban areas during periods of heavy rainfall. Police and fire crews recovered the victim from a drainage channel as floodwaters impacted roads and infrastructure.
Monster 18 cm (7.1 inch) hailstone sets new state record in Texas
What initially looked like a discarded gallon jug in a roadside ditch turned out to be a record-breaking hailstone, now confirmed as the largest ever documented in Texas at roughly 18 cm (7.1 inches). It was discovered near Vigo Park in Swisher County by storm chaser Val Castor and his associates on June 2, 2024. They clicked several pictures of the hailstone alongside objects to provide a visual reference of size and submitted them to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). The size of the hailstone was determined using photogrammetry and AI analysis along with the estimates from the storm chasers.
Severe drought hits North Korea, threatens crops and raises food shortage concerns
North Korea reported a severe drought affecting early-season crops across the country on April 30, 2026, prompting nationwide irrigation efforts to protect wheat and barley production. The dry conditions coincide with existing food shortages, raising concerns over agricultural output during a critical growing period.
NWS rates Mineral Wells tornado EF3 after severe storms in Texas
The National Weather Service preliminarily rated the Mineral Wells tornado in Texas as EF3, with estimated peak winds of 233 km/h (145 mph), after surveying damage from the April 28, 2026, severe weather event. NWS listed 5 injuries and 0 fatalities, while Mineral Wells officials kept a curfew in place for the affected area as cleanup and damage assessment continued.
Highway 41 Fire explodes to 2 023 ha (5 000 acres) near Everglades National Park, Florida
The Highway 41 Fire west of Miami, Florida, doubled in size to approximately 2 023 ha (5 000 acres) between April 27 and April 28, 2026, with no containment reported. Authorities have closed sections of Everglades National Park as smoke impacts travel along U.S. Route 41.
Severe storms injure two and cause widespread destruction across Mineral Wells, Texas
Severe thunderstorms struck Mineral Wells on April 28, 2026, injuring at least two people and causing widespread damage across the city. Emergency crews responded to damaged homes and debris-strewn areas, while local authorities declared a disaster and imposed a curfew.
Possible tornado causes damage in Germantown amid Midwest severe weather outbreak
A tornado was reported in Germantown, Clinton County, Illinois, on April 27, 2026, bringing down large trees and damaging homes as severe weather outbreak struck parts of the Midwest.
Extreme April rainfall floods Qinzhou after 538 mm (21.1 inches) in 12 hours, China
Torrential rainfall inundated urban districts in Qinzhou, Guangxi, southern China, on April 27, 2026, forcing more than 200 residents to evacuate after streets turned into fast-moving channels and floodwaters spread into residential areas. A reported 538 mm (21.1 inches) of rain fell in 12 hours across Qinzhou and Beihai, with peak 1-hour rainfall reaching 147.7 mm (5.8 inches).
