According to the CATDAT database, over 8 million deaths have been caused by natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, storms, bush-fires and volcanoes since the beginning of the 20th century. The highest amount of damage has been caused by floods while the…
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of emergency in nine counties after record-breaking rainfall on April 18 caused unprecedented flooding in the Houston area. As of 17:00 UTC (12:00 CDT), April 19, 6 people have died as a result of severe flooding. The…
Tropical Cyclone "Fantala" strengthened to a Category 5 equivalent hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. At 18:42 UTC on April 17, its maximum sustained winds reached 277.8 km/h (172.6 mph / 150 knots; JTWC) and made Fantala one of the…
A major storm has ravaged parts of the US in the period between April 15 and 17, 2016. Heavy snowfall and flash floods wreaked havoc across the affected areas, causing large traffic disruptions, power outages and evacuations. More than 0.3 m (1 feet) of snowfall was…
A strong earthquake registered by Geoscience Australia as M6.0 hit near the coast of Tanna island, Vanuatu at 13:06 UTC on April 18, 2016. The agency is reporting a depth of 64 km (39.7 miles). EMSC is reporting M5.9 at a depth of 72 km (44.7 miles). USGS is…
Powerful Tropical Cyclone "Fantala" strengthened to 240 km/h (149.6 mph) on April 17, greater than what was previously forecast. The storm is about to make a U-turn toward the southeast and slowly weaken. Strong wind warnings are in effect for Rodrigues,…
A very strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.8 (upgraded from M7.4) hit Ecuador at 23:58 (18:58 local time) on April 16, 2016. The agency is reporting a depth of 19.2 km (11.9 miles). EMSC is reporting M7.8 at a depth of 20 km (12.4 miles)….
About three million people were left without drinking water in Santiago metropolitan area, Chile on April 16 after heavy rain caused landslides that contaminated rivers supplying the city. Officials declared a red alert in the city. Severe weather in the Andean…
A very destructive tornado ripped through the southwestern Uruguay city of Dolores on April 15, 2016, killing four people and leaving more than 200 injured. The tornado hit the city about 19:00 UTC (16:00 local time), overturning cars, shattering windows and…
Tropical Cyclone "Fantala" developed into a major hurricane and is threatening portions of the Republic of Mauritius, as of April 15, 2016. The system will continue to intensify over the next two days, and strong wind warnings are in place for several…
