• Tropical Cyclone Chido ‘spares nothing’ in Mayotte, thousands feared dead

    Tropical Cyclone Chido, the strongest storm to impact Mayotte in 90 years, struck the island on Saturday, December 14, 2024, claiming at least 21 lives, injuring over 830 people, and leaving one-third of the island’s 320 000 residents homeless. Authorities fear the death toll could rise to several hundred or even thousands as the full extent of the devastation becomes clear.

  • Subtropical Storm Biguá hits Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

    Powerful winds and torrential rains produced by Subtropical Storm Biguá wreaked havoc across the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul since its formation on Saturday, December 14, 2024. The storm toppled trees and power lines, and damaged homes, buildings, and infrastructure, leading to at least two injuries in Butiá.

  • Public urged to avoid Malibu at all costs as Franklin Fire threatens thousands, California

    The Franklin Fire has rapidly engulfed 1 233 ha (3 049 acres) in Malibu, California since its start late Monday night, December 9, 2024, prompting mandatory evacuations for thousands and leaving firefighters battling zero containment as of Tuesday morning, December 10, 2024. The blaze is currently threatening around 18 000 citizens along with over 8 000 structures. Authorities are urging the public to stay away from the Malibu area at all costs.

  • Strong East Coast atmospheric river forecast to bring heavy rain and snowmelt to Northeast

    A strong atmospheric river (AR) is set to impact the Southeastern and Northeastern U.S. this week, bringing anomalously high moisture levels and the potential for heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt. Forecasts indicate the system will strengthen between December 10 and 11, driven by a plume of tropical moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and a cold front.