Impressive snowfall totals in California ahead of new winter storm
A powerful atmospheric river impacted the US West Coast from February 29 through March 3, 2024, dropping massive amounts of snow to the Sierra Nevada.
Drone footage captures dramatic cliff collapse at Centerville Beach, California
A significant landslide event occurred at Centerville Beach near Ferndale in Humboldt County, California, on Saturday, February 24, 2024, dramatically altering the landscape as a large portion of land, including parts of the Fleener Creek Trailhead parking lot, slipped into the ocean.
Smokehouse Creek Fire becomes largest wildfire in Texas history and second-largest in U.S.
On Thursday, February 29, 2024, the Smokehouse Creek Fire expanded beyond 404 686 ha (1 million acres) in Texas, marking it as the largest wildfire in the state’s history. The blaze, which also extended into Oklahoma, has claimed the lives of at least two individuals and continues to pose a significant threat to homes, cattle, and livelihoods in the Texas Panhandle.
Powerful atmospheric river expected to produce extremely heavy snowfall in Sierra through March 3
An atmospheric river (AR) and low-pressure system are forecasted to bring widespread precipitation, including heavy snowfall in the Sierra Nevada and potential flooding along the US West Coast, from February 28 through March 3, 2024.
Series of devastating wildfires hit Texas Panhandle, causing evacuations, temporary closure of critical nuclear weapons facility, U.S.
A series of out-of-control wildfires swept through the Texas Panhandle on February 27 and 28, 2024, prompting tens of thousands of residents to evacuate, causing widespread power outages, and forcing the temporary shutdown of the Pantex Plant, a critical nuclear weapons facility. The disaster, affecting numerous homes and prompting a disaster declaration in 60 counties, saw the Smokehouse Creek Fire rapidly grow to Texas’ 2nd largest wildfire in history.
Largest winter snowfall since 1975 and severe cold leave nearly 668 000 livestock dead in Mongolia
Mongolia has experienced its heaviest snowfall since 1975 this winter, with the government reporting one fatality and the loss of nearly 668 000 livestock due to severe cold and blizzards. Disaster relief efforts were initiated on February 19, focusing on providing essential aid, including food, fuel, and livestock feed, to affected communities.
Large tornado hits West Java, damaging hundreds of homes and injuring 30 people, Indonesia
A large and destructive tornado swept through four districts in Sumedang and Bandung Regencies of West Java, Indonesia on February 21, 2024, affecting more than 60 homes and injuring at least 22 people.
Massive power outages hit Victoria during violent thunderstorms, Australia
Violent thunderstorms struck Australia’s east coast on February 13, 2024, leading to significant damage and disruptions. The storms caused the shutdown of AGL’s Loy Yang A power station in Victoria, leaving approximately 590 000 homes and businesses without electricity. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) was forced to cap electricity prices at A$16,600 per megawatt hour, a significant increase from the usual A$200. Efforts to restore power are ongoing, with some customers already reconnected.
California braces for another storm after historic atmospheric river claims 9 lives
California, still reeling from a historic atmospheric river that left nine people dead and hundreds of mudslides, faces a new threat from a fast-moving storm.
Historic snowstorm paralyzes central and eastern Nova Scotia, Canada
A dangerous winter snowstorm brought Nova Scotia to a standstill over the weekend, with record snowfall exceeding 80 cm (31 inches) in many areas, leading to local emergency declarations and widespread travel disruptions.