• Lightning strike triggers fire in three natural gasoline tanks at Explorer Pipeline facility in Glenpool, Oklahoma

    ByRishav Kothari

    A suspected lightning strike triggered a fire involving three natural gasoline storage tanks at the Explorer Pipeline facility in Glenpool, Oklahoma, at approximately 08:33 CDT (13:33 UTC) on August 17, 2026, prompting evacuations and shelter measures around the site. No injuries were reported. Officials said the fire was no longer actively burning by 20:30 CDT (01:30 UTC on August 18), and the response transitioned to cleanup and recovery on August 18.

  • Hurricane Lala leaves one dead, more than 100 homes damaged or destroyed in Hawaii

    ByRishav Kothari

    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).

  • El Niño forecast to reach historic strength ahead of winter 2026–27

    ByRishav Kothari

    NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has raised the probability of a very strong El Niño during late 2026, increasing the likelihood of characteristic El Niño impacts across the United States during winter 2026–27. Current seasonal guidance favors wetter-than-normal conditions across much of the southern tier and drier conditions across parts of the Northwest and northern United States, while above-normal temperatures are favored across much of the West, northern tier and parts of the East.

    The probability of a very strong El Niño during October–December rose from 81% in CPC’s July assessment to 95% in August, with a 69% chance that the Relative Oceanic Niño Index (RONI) will reach at least +2.5°C (+4.5°F), a level that would exceed previous El Niño events in NOAA’s record dating to 1950. The strength and location of tropical Pacific warming and convection will influence how closely winter 2026–27 follows established El Niño patterns.

  • At least six dead as severe storms and historic flooding hit Indiana

    ByTeo Blašković

    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.

  • Hurricane Warning issued for Hawaiʻi Island as Tropical Storm Lala strengthens

    ByRishav Kothari

    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 moving toward Hawaii, heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous surf forecast

    ByRishav Kothari

    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

  • State of Emergency declared in Perry and Muskingum counties after flooding leaves one dead, Ohio

    ByRishav Kothari

    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.

  • At least six tornadoes confirmed after derecho sweeps through Iowa, Illinois and Indiana

    ByRishav Kothari

    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.

  • Severe storms leave at least two dead, spawn at least six tornadoes, and cause flooding across the Midwest and Ohio Valley

    ByRishav Kothari

    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.