Record-breaking rainfall left at least two people dead and several others unaccounted for in parts of New Zealand on January 21, 2026. The event produced multiple rainfall records and damaging winds, marking the 20th Red Warning weather event since the alert level was introduced in May 2019.
At least 5 people have been reported dead after the heaviest rain in over 70 years struck parts of Tunisia, dropping over 200 mm (8 inches) of rainfall since Monday, January 19, 2026. A Red Alert (the highest warning level) was issued for the Grand Tunis area as well as the Nabeul and Monastir provinces as rainfall and floods continued through Tuesday into Wednesday, January 20-21.
Heavy rain and severe thunderstorms swept across New South Wales and southeast Queensland between Saturday and Monday, January 17 and 19, 2026, forcing evacuations around Sydney’s Narrabeen Lagoon and causing one death at Macquarie Pass. The storm system brought flash flooding, landslides, and dozens of rescues as the NSW State Emergency Service continued operations across inundated coastal suburbs.
More than 200 people have died in weeks of torrential rain and severe flooding across southern Africa, with Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe bearing the worst impacts. The prolonged La Niña pattern has intensified the region’s rainy season, leaving widespread damage to homes, roads, crops and public infrastructure.
Multiple flash flood warnings were issued early on January 10, across southeastern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, and central Alabama as thunderstorms produced intense rainfall exceeding 75 mm (3 inches) in several locations.
The death toll from flash floods in North Sulawesi rose to 16 after floods and landslides affected several Indonesian provinces between January 5 and 7, 2026, destroying hundreds of homes and affecting more than 4 000 people, BNPB reported.
Deadly flash floods swept across the Sitaro Islands Regency in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi Province on January 5, 2026, displacing over a hundred people and leaving at least 17 injured.
Severe flooding struck Málaga Province, southern Spain, through Sunday and Monday, January 4 and 5, 2026, as Storm Francis brought torrential rainfall, dropping totals of up to 200 mm (8 inches) in parts of the Guadalhorce Valley and Costa del Sol. A Red Alert was issued for parts of the region as rivers overflowed, prompting evacuations and emergency rescues across Cártama, Alhaurín de la Torre, and Málaga city.
Flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall and snowmelt have killed at least 17 people and left 11 injured across Afghanistan since January 1, 2026. Over 1 800 homes and structures were destroyed in Herat, Badghis, and Faryab provinces, with authorities warning of continuing risk as moderate rainfall persists in western regions.
At least three people have been killed by severe floods and landslides in Spain between December 28–29, 2025.
