Cook County issued a disaster proclamation after severe storms caused flash flooding, structural damage, transportation disruption and extensive utility outages
New activity/unrest was reported for 6 volcanoes from July 23-29, 2026. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 20 volcanoes.
More than 100 firefighters remained involved in the response to a major wildfire across Dunwich Heath and RSPB Minsmere in Suffolk on July 31, 2026, as crews reported good progress after two nights of operations. Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said conditions remained changeable, while the RSPB’s latest published area estimate placed the fire at around 100 ha (247 acres) at 14:00 LT on July 30.
Flash flooding and torrential rain prompted Putnam Valley to declare a state of emergency effective at 16:00 LT on July 29, 2026, after numerous road and bridge closures. A National Weather Service (NWS) Public Information Statement compiled rainfall reports showing up to 299.47 mm (11.79 inches) over 48 hours at Schodack, while Albany received 138.43 mm (5.45 inches) on July 29, marking its second-wettest calendar day in daily records dating to 1874.
A dangerous heatwave is forecast to intensify across the southwestern United States on Friday, July 31, 2026, and then spread into the Intermountain West and northern High Plains during the weekend, according to the Weather Prediction Center (WPC).
The death toll from the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck Japan’s Kumamoto Prefecture on July 28 has risen to 34 as of July 30, 2026. At least 123 people have been injured, while more than 267 000 residents remain under evacuation orders as authorities continue emergency response operations across the affected region.
Three Greek firefighters were killed in separate wildfire suppression operations on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, as Greece continued to battle dozens of fires amid extreme fire weather. State of Emergency was declared for the Municipality of Agios Vasileios in Rethymno, while a Very High Fire Risk (Category 4) across large parts of Greece through Thursday, July 30 and Friday, July 31.
Strombolian activity at Mount Etna’s Voragine Crater increased rapidly during the early hours of July 30, 2026, following a sharp increase in volcanic tremor. The eruption generated an ash plume reaching 7 km (23 000 feet) above sea level, prompting Etna Observatory to raise the Aviation Color Code to Red.
A 32-year-old man was killed after being struck by lightning in Monroe Township, New Jersey, on Tuesday, July 29, 2026, as severe thunderstorms swept across the state, bringing dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning, torrential rainfall, flash flooding, and widespread disruptions. The fatality occurred as another round of severe weather affected New Jersey, following multiple storm systems earlier this month that caused widespread flooding, extensive power outages, and significant damage to transportation infrastructure.
The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has issued a Moderate Risk (Level 3 of 4) of excessive rainfall for portions of the northeastern United States on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. Repeated rounds of heavy rainfall could produce significant and potentially life-threatening flooding across parts of eastern New York, western Massachusetts, southern Vermont, and adjacent areas of Connecticut.
