A pilot and one crewmember were killed when a helicopter under contract to the U.S. Forest Service crashed during operations on Utah’s Widemouth 2 Fire on August 7, 2026. By August 8, the fire had burned approximately 43 079 ha (106 450 acres), was 24% contained and continued to show extreme fire behavior, with evacuations and closures still in effect.
A dangerous heat wave is peaking across the Western U.S. this weekend, with Extreme Heat Warnings covering parts of Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah. Mojave Desert temperatures are forecast to reach 43.3–48.9°C (110–120°F), while Reno and Salt Lake City have already set daily high-temperature records on August 7.
Two walls of dust crossed southern Arizona late on August 5 and early on August 6, 2026, reducing visibility to approximately 400 m (0.25 miles) across parts of Pima and Pinal counties. Winds above 97 km/h (60 mph) accompanied the stronger wall in central Pima County, creating dangerous travel conditions along several state highways and sections of Interstate 10.
Flash flooding struck McCaysville, Georgia, and northeastern Surry County, North Carolina, from late August 1 into August 2, 2026, prompting water rescues and emergency declarations in both states. The NWS issued a Flash Flood Emergency for the Mount Airy area, while flooding in McCaysville impaired the municipal drinking-water system and inundated homes, businesses and public buildings.
Cook County issued a disaster proclamation after severe storms caused flash flooding, structural damage, transportation disruption and extensive utility outages
Flash flooding and torrential rain prompted Putnam Valley to declare a state of emergency effective at 16:00 LT on July 29, 2026, after numerous road and bridge closures. A National Weather Service (NWS) Public Information Statement compiled rainfall reports showing up to 299.47 mm (11.79 inches) over 48 hours at Schodack, while Albany received 138.43 mm (5.45 inches) on July 29, marking its second-wettest calendar day in daily records dating to 1874.
A dangerous heatwave is forecast to intensify across the southwestern United States on Friday, July 31, 2026, and then spread into the Intermountain West and northern High Plains during the weekend, according to the Weather Prediction Center (WPC).
A 32-year-old man was killed after being struck by lightning in Monroe Township, New Jersey, on Tuesday, July 29, 2026, as severe thunderstorms swept across the state, bringing dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning, torrential rainfall, flash flooding, and widespread disruptions. The fatality occurred as another round of severe weather affected New Jersey, following multiple storm systems earlier this month that caused widespread flooding, extensive power outages, and significant damage to transportation infrastructure.
The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) has issued a Moderate Risk (Level 3 of 4) of excessive rainfall for portions of the northeastern United States on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. Repeated rounds of heavy rainfall could produce significant and potentially life-threatening flooding across parts of eastern New York, western Massachusetts, southern Vermont, and adjacent areas of Connecticut.
Former hurricane Fausto weakened to a tropical depression as it tracked north of the Hawaiian Islands late Tuesday, July 28, 2026. Dangerous surf generated by it is building across exposed east-facing shores of the Hawaiian Islands and is expected to remain hazardous through Wednesday, July 29, as the weakening cyclone passes north of the state. Forecasts indicate the strongest winds and heaviest rainfall will stay north of the islands. There are no coastal watches or warnings currently in effect.
