A significant severe weather outbreak is forecast to impact millions across the Central United States, starting on May 6, 2024. Meteorological conditions indicate potential for long-track tornadoes, large hail, and hurricane-force wind gusts, posing increased risk to regions still recovering from recent extreme weather events.
A powerful atmospheric river began affecting Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil on April 29, 2024, resulting in massive flooding across the region. By early May 6, 2024, the storm affected 334 of the state’s 496 cities, including the capital Porto Alegre, claimed at least 75 lives, left over 100 people missing, and impacted more than 1 million residents. This severe weather event is described as the most disastrous in the state since 1941, surpassing previous records in terms of both scope and damage.
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit Seram, Indonesia at 18:33 UTC on May 5, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 12.1 km (7.5 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
On May 5, 2024, Indonesia’s volcanology agency, PVMGB, released aerial footage of the Ruang volcano following a series of powerful eruptions that have dramatically reshaped the landscape and forced nearly 10 000 people to evacuate permanently.
At least 13 people have lost their lives in northern Haiti over the past couple of days due to floods and landslides triggered by severe rainfall that has also left thousands of homes destroyed or severely damaged. The most significant impact was felt in Cap-Haïtien, where a landslide caused by torrential rains demolished multiple homes.
The Indonesian government has decided to permanently relocate 9 800 people living within 7 km (4.3 miles) of Ruang volcano, North Sulawesi, following a series of significant volcanic eruptions that began on April 16, 2024.
Southeastern Texas experienced severe flooding this week, affecting areas from College Station to Houston. The flooding has led to the overflowing of rivers, including the Trinity and San Jacinto, causing significant disruptions and leading to urgent evacuations. Heavy rain and flooding continued into Friday, May 3, 2024.
Tropical Cyclone “Hidaya” formed on May 1, 2024, north of Madagascar, Comoros, and Mayotte as the 9th named storm of the 2024/24 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season. The cyclone peaked around 00:00 UTC on May 3 at 148 km/h (92 mph) but is now starting to come down, albeit slowly. Widespread heavy rainfall is forecast in Tanzania, starting this evening, May 3, and continuing until Sunday morning, May 5. Severe flooding is likely.
A large landslide destroyed a significant portion of the Meizhou-Dabu Expressway in Meizhou City, Guangdong Province, China, at around 02:10 local time on May 1, 2024. The collapse caused 23 vehicles to plummet down a steep slope, igniting some in flames and resulting in 48 fatalities and 30 injuries as of May 2, 2024.
New activity/unrest was reported for 6 volcanoes from April 24 – 30, 2024. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 22 volcanoes.
