Landslide kills at least 13, leaves 30 missing in Burutsi village, North Kivu, DR Congo
A landslide killed at least 13 people and left 30 more missing in the Burutsi village, Kashebere area of Walikale Territory, DR Congo, on January 13, 2026.
Powerful winter storm drops 30% of monthly precipitation across Kamchatka in 24 hours
A powerful winter storm struck the Kamchatka Peninsula overnight on January 13, 2026, dropping 30% of the region’s monthly precipitation in 24 hours. Small avalanches were reported in snow-covered neighborhoods across the region. The storm added to existing accumulations from previous winter storms, one of which brought the heaviest snowfall on record to Moscow between January 8 and 9.
Rare meteotsunami causes deadly surge along Santa Clara del Mar coast, Argentina
A strong meteotsunami impacted Argentina’s Atlantic coast on January 12, generating an abrupt sea-level rise and destructive waves that struck Santa Clara del Mar and nearby beaches in Mar Chiquita Partido. The event occurred during the late afternoon, between 16:20 and 17:00 local time (19:20–20:00 UTC), while beaches were full under hot summer conditions. Witnesses…
Deadly avalanches strike the French Alps, leaving six dead in Savoie resorts
At least six people have been killed in separate avalanche incidents across the French Alps, with the latest fatalities being reported on January 11, 2026.
Multiple avalanches reported in Alaska, prompting road closures and evacuations near Juneau
Multiple avalanches have been reported across parts of Alaska, prompting road closures and evacuations near Juneau as precipitation and heightened avalanche risk continue across the region through January 13, 2026.
Strong and shallow M6.2 earthquake hits Kuril Islands, Russia
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 struck the Kuril Islands region, Russia, at 07:34 UTC on January 13, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 35.8 km (22.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 20 km (12.4 miles).
Avalanche kills 2 near Long Pass, Washington
At least 2 people were killed by an avalanche near Long Pass in Washington’s Cascade Mountains on January 9, 2026, while two others were safely rescued.
Tropical Cyclone Koji brings severe flooding across north and central Queensland, Australia
Tropical Cyclone Koji brought torrential rainfall and widespread flooding to north and central Queensland on January 12, 2026, following its landfall near Ayr and Bowen a day before. Major flood warnings are in effect for multiple river systems, with rainfall totals of up to 600 mm (24 inches) in some areas, while thousands of customers remain without power. Emergency crews have conducted rescues and evacuations as the system moves inland, continuing to produce heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Wildfires burn 15 000 ha (37 000 acres), forcing thousands to evacuate in Argentine Patagonia
At least one person has been injured by wildfires that have burned over 15 000 ha (37 000 acres) across the Chubut Province since early January 2026. On Sunday, January 11, the governor confirmed that the largest of the fires was set off intentionally, and a reward has been placed for any information on the culprits.
Arctic cold wave freezes Lapland airports, disrupts travel across northern Europe
Thousands of tourists were stranded in northern Finland on January 11, 2026, after flights at Kittilä Airport were canceled due to extreme cold that made de-icing and fueling operations impossible. Temperatures dropped to −37°C (−34.6°F), one of the lowest readings of the winter season, amid a wider Arctic cold outbreak affecting large parts of northern and central Europe.
