• NWS confirms EF3 tornado in Effingham County, seven tornadoes confirmed across central Illinois

    ByRishav Kothari

    The National Weather Service (NWS) Central Illinois office confirmed seven tornadoes across central Illinois following severe thunderstorms on June 17, 2026, including an EF3 tornado with peak winds of 241 km/h (150 mph) that tracked 42.2 km (26.2 miles) through Effingham County and injured two people. The surveys documented tornadoes affecting portions of Effingham, Jasper, Coles, Menard, Sangamon, Christian, Macon, Shelby, and Moultrie counties.

  • Wildfire fatality investigated after resident declined evacuation during Spokane fire

    ByReet Kaur

    What appeared to be human remains were discovered inside a home destroyed by the Upriver Fire in Spokane County, Washington, on June 17, 2026, as investigators examined a property where a resident was reported missing after allegedly declining evacuation orders. The fire destroyed at least 12 homes and forced large-scale evacuations.

  • Shallow M6.6 and M6.0 earthquakes hit near the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia

    ByTeo Blašković

    A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.6 struck near the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia, at 06:52 UTC (18:52 LT) on June 19, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth. The event followed a nearby M6.0 earthquake reported by USGS at 06:51 UTC at a depth of 28.4 km (17.6 miles). The affected area lies within the same tectonic region that produced the major M8.8 Kamchatka earthquake and Pacific-wide tsunami in July 2025. PTWC said there is no tsunami threat from today’s earthquake. 

  • 1 injured as tornadoes rip through central Illinois, emergency declaration issued in Charleston

    ByRishav Kothari

    Multiple reported tornadoes affected parts of the Midwest on June 17, 2026, causing widespread damage in Illinois. At least one person was injured in Coles County after a reported tornado touched down near Mattoon. Severe damage and gas leaks were reported in Effingham, while a Local State of Emergency was declared for Charleston due to the storm damage.