• Potomac Interceptor collapse among largest municipal wastewater spills in U.S. history

    ByReet Kaur

    A section of the Potomac Interceptor sewer line failed on January 19, 2026, in Montgomery County, Maryland, releasing more than 920 million liters (243 million gallons) of untreated wastewater into the Potomac River. By volume, the incident ranks among the largest documented municipal wastewater spills in U.S. history. Elevated bacterial concentrations prompted recreational advisories and shellfish closures while emergency bypass operations continued into mid-February.

  • At least 9 tornadoes reported across Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, five confirmed EF-1

    ByRishav Kothari

    Multiple tornadoes touched down across parts of the Southern Plains and the Southeast overnight on February 14, 2026. These include at least five EF-1 tornadoes that have been confirmed in Mississippi and Texas, along with others reported in Louisiana. The twisters were the result of a storm system that brought significant rainfall, localized flash floods, and widespread wind damage to the region over the Valentine’s weekend.

  • La Niña continues as NOAA forecasts transition to ENSO-neutral in February-April 2026

    ByRishav Kothari

    La Niña persisted across the equatorial Pacific in January 2026, with below-average sea surface temperatures and atmospheric patterns remaining consistent with the phase, according to the Climate Prediction Center Diagnostic Discussion issued on February 12, 2026. A transition to ENSO-neutral is expected during February–April 2026 with a 60% probability, while ENSO-neutral conditions are likely to continue through the Northern Hemisphere summer.

  • Strong M6.0 earthquake hits the Kuril Islands, Russia

    ByTeo Blašković

    A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 struck the Kuril Islands, Russia, at 15:58 UTC on February 15, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 55 km (34 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 50 km (31 miles).

  • Evacuation Warnings issued for Palisades and Eaton burn scars ahead of high-impact winter storm in California

    ByRishav Kothari

    Evacuation Warnings were issued for residents living near the Palisades and Eaton burn scar areas in Los Angeles County, California, effective from 21:00 LT (05:00 UTC) on Sunday, February 15, through 09:00 LT (17:00 UTC) on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, ahead of a winter storm forecast to bring heavy rainfall. Officials warned that debris flows and mudflows could damage property and pose life-threatening risks in recently burned areas. Winter storm warnings were also issued across parts of California and Nevada for heavy mountain snowfall and strong winds.

  • Widespread flooding and landslides affect 2 million people across northern Morocco

    ByTeo Blašković

    Severe flooding and landslides triggered by a series of Atlantic storms since late January 2026 have killed 43 people and displaced around 300 000 across northern Morocco. The hardest-hit areas include Sahel al-Gharb, Fez-Meknes, and the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra corridor, where heavy rainfall and overflowing rivers inundated 110 000 ha (272 000 acres) of farmland and damaged infrastructure.

  • Red Warning issued for heavy rain across Manawatū, Rangitīkei and Ruapehu Districts, New Zealand

    ByTeo Blašković

    New Zealand’s MetService issued a Red Warning for heavy rain covering the Manawatū, Rangitīkei, and Ruapehu Districts at 14:36 NZDT (01:36 UTC) on February 15, 2026. The highest-level alert was issued in consultation with Horizons Regional Council as a deep low-pressure system moved south along the eastern North Island, with life-threatening flooding, slips, and river surges expected overnight into February 16. A pre-emptive state of emergency has been declared for the entire Horizons Region.

  • Second eruption follows January unrest at Piton de la Fournaise, La Réunion

    ByReet Kaur

    A second effusive eruption began at Piton de la Fournaise, La Réunion, at 10:06 LT on February 13, 2026, after a new seismic crisis beneath the summit. The eruption is occurring on the south–south-east flank inside the Enclos Fouqué caldera, where fissures opened and lava flows are descending the Grandes Pentes. Authorities activated ORSEC Alert 2–1 and closed access to the caldera.

  • Heavy rainfall and severe storms forecast from Texas to the Carolinas this Valentine’s weekend

    ByRishav Kothari

    A storm moving from the Southern Plains into the Southeast will generate widespread showers, locally heavy rainfall, and severe thunderstorms across the southern and eastern United States through February 16, 2026. Slight Risk areas for Severe Thunderstorms and Excessive Rainfall extend from east Texas into the lower Mississippi Valley, with additional Marginal Risk areas across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.