Disaster (Flood News

At Least 55 Died in Hawaii Fires, Thousands of Structures Exposed

Wildfires on Maui have killed at least 55 people and wiped out a historic town, exposing thousands of structures in a disaster that could end up exceeding early damage and loss estimates of more than $8 billion. The Associated Press …

Tornadoes Wipe Out Parts of Mississippi Towns, Leave 25 Dead

A powerful tornado tore through the Mississippi Delta on Friday night, killing at least 25 people, injuring dozens and causing widespread property damage. The weather system produced hail the size of golf balls and left entire blocks of towns virtually …

California Earthquake False Alarm Offers a Lesson for Crisis Communicators

An earthquake false alarm nearly four years ago can teach disaster and emergency planners – and any crisis communicators, including insurers – a thing or two about communicating to the public during and after a crisis. In May 2019, an …

‘Community Lighthouses’ to be Powered by the Sun and Volunteers

Enthusiastic church volunteer Sonia St. Cyr lost something she treasures during the blackout caused by Hurricane Ida — her independence, afforded her by the electric wheelchair she expertly maneuvers over bumpy city sidewalks. “After Ida I was housebound,” said St. …

What if California Faces a Disaster During The Pandemic?

California has evacuation plans for earthquakes, floods, mudslides and, of course, wildfires, but what if one of those disasters occurs as the state is dealing with the coronavirus outbreak when everyone is being urged to stay home? State and local …

California Earthquake Authority Board Votes to Sponsor Resilient Homes Initiative

The California Earthquake Authority’s governing board has voted to sponsor and support the Resilient Homes Initiative, a bill aimed at helping Californians prepare for earthquakes by restructuring the CEA to strengthen its long-term financial sustainability and increase the number and …

Families Remember Deadly North Texas Tornado

Kenneth and Natasha Briggs and their four children had avoided the area near the Bush Turnpike and Interstate 30 in spite of, and because of, what it had done to form their family. This week, however, Natasha sat front and …

Washington Governor Wants Coordinated Earthquake, Tsunami Response Plan

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is directing several state agencies to work together to prepare for a coordinated plan in case of a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami. Friday’s directive creates a subcabinet group of the Washington Military Department’s Emergency Management Division …

Record Western Wildfires a Contrast in Otherwise Quiet Year for U.S. Natural Disasters

It was a relatively quiet year for natural disasters – except for those living in the Western U.S. Property data provider CoreLogic today released its annual Natural Hazard Risk Summary and Analysis. The report shows “a continued trend of fewer …

California Draws $10M From Reserves to Remove Wildfire Debris

California Governor Jerry Brown last week directed $10 million from the state’s budget reserve to help pay for the removal of huge amounts of burned debris left in the wake of two massive wildfires, the administration said. In a letter …