• Two major earthquakes M7.2 and M7.5 strike Venezuela within 39 seconds – death toll exceeds 160

    A rare earthquake doublet struck northern Venezuela on June 24, 2026, beginning with an M7.2 foreshock at 22:04 UTC (18:04 LT) and followed just 39 seconds later by a larger M7.5 mainshock at 22:05 UTC. The USGS reported depths of 20.3 km (12.6 miles) for the foreshock and 10 km (6.2 miles) for the mainshock. EMSC reported the foreshock as M7.1 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles) and the mainshock as M7.5 at a depth of 35 km (21.7 miles). The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) said evaluation of all available data indicates that a destructive tsunami was not generated. Reports received by 12:00 UTC on June 25 mention at least 164 deaths and over 970 people injured. The death toll is expected to continue rising.

  • Extreme heat spreads across Europe as WMO warns of expanding impacts on millions

    Extreme heat continued to spread across Europe on June 24, 2026, prompting widespread red alerts and health warnings across Europe. The prolonged heatwave driven by a strong upper-level ridge is affecting much of Western, Central, and Southern Europe, with temperatures forecast to remain 3 to 10°C (5.4 to 18°F) above seasonal averages and locally exceed 40°C (104°F) through the end of June.

  • Severe storms and flash flooding forecast across the Plains, Midwest, and eastern U.S. through June 23

    A multi-day severe weather outbreak is forecast to affect large portions of the central and eastern United States through Tuesday, June 23, 2026. Forecasters are warning of scattered to widespread flash flooding in parts of Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri under a Moderate Risk of excessive rainfall, while severe thunderstorms capable of producing very large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes develop across the Plains and Midwest.

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

    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.

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

    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.