Heavy rain triggered two geological disasters in Sichuan Province, China, between August 18 and 19, 2026, disrupting National Highway G350 and prompting the pre-emptive evacuation of 21 784 people from risk areas across 64 counties. In a separate rain-related structural accident in Changning County on August 18, a rooftop parapet wall collapsed during a university-admission banquet, killing 5 people and injuring 17.
Officials confirmed one death linked to Hurricane Lala as Hawaii remained in recovery on August 18, 2026, after the storm caused severe flooding, landslides, and widespread infrastructure damage. More than 100 homes were reported damaged or destroyed on Hawaiʻi Island, while Hawaiian Electric reported 88 670 customers without power across its service territory at 18:00 HST on August 17 (04:00 UTC on August 18).
At least six people have died after severe storms and flooding spread across Indiana beginning August 11, 2026, while major White River flooding forced evacuations and rescues across several counties. The National Weather Service said widespread flooding was affecting the White River late August 15, with major flooding at Noblesville and Nora and extensive flooding around Ravenswood near and north of Indianapolis. NWS described the flooding in parts of central Indiana as catastrophic.
Tropical Storm Lala is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane by August 15, 2026, as it approaches Hawaiʻi, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Hawaiʻi Island, and the governor issued an emergency proclamation on August 13 as state and local authorities prepared for worsening wind, rainfall, and coastal conditions.
Potential Tropical Cyclone One-C was moving toward the Hawaiian Islands on August 13, 2026 with 1-minute sustained winds of 65 km/h (40 mph). The system is forecast to continue strengthening during its approach. Heavy rainfall, strong winds and dangerous surf were forecast for parts of Hawaii starting late August 14. Meanwhile Tropical Storm Hernan that formed far west of Baja California, was forecast to weaken
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency in Perry and Muskingum counties on August 11, 2026, after severe flooding left one person dead and affected communities including Roseville, Crooksville and New Lexington. Radar and rain gauges indicated 127–203 mm (5–8 inches) of rain in parts of southeastern Ohio, where numerous structures, vehicles, and roads were flooded. Forty Ohio Army National Guard members were deployed to assist local responders.
Tropical Storm Cristobal formed WSW of the Azores on August 12, becoming the third named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. At 15:00 UTC on August 12, 2026, the National Hurricane Center reported maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h (45 mph), with no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
At least six tornadoes were confirmed after a preliminary derecho swept from eastern Iowa through northern Illinois and into northern Indiana on August 11, 2026. Three EF1 tornadoes were confirmed in Delaware County, Iowa, while three additional tornadoes produced preliminary EF1-level damage in the Chicago area, with two continuing into Lake County, Indiana. The derecho produced a maximum measured gust of 160 km/h (99 mph) at Gary, Indiana.
At least two people died and more than 800 000 utility customers across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky were without power at 00:00 EDT on August 12 (04:00 UTC on August 12) after severe storms swept the Midwest and Ohio Valley on August 11, 2026. Sixteen incarcerated people were transported to hospitals for treatment after a reported lightning strike at an Ohio correctional facility. At least six tornadoes were confirmed in association with a system that the Storm Prediction Center preliminarily classified as a derecho, while additional rounds of storms brought destructive winds and flooding to Ohio.
Severe thunderstorms with radar-indicated wind gusts of up to 115 km/h (70 mph) crossed Perry County, Ohio, late in the morning of August 11, 2026, after parts of Perry and Morgan counties received 127–178 mm (5–7 inches) of rain overnight. Multiple water rescues were conducted while Flash Flood Warnings remained in effect following an overnight Flash Flood Emergency.
