Latest Natural Disasters Headlines
All the headlines from our Natural Disasters Topic Page, ordered by recency.
FEMA Accused of Wrongly Releasing Data of California Wildfire Victims
Apr 15 2019 // The Federal Emergency Management Agency wrongly released to a contractor the personal information of 2.3 million survivors of devastating 2017 hurricanes and wildfires, potentially exposing the victims to identity fraud...
California’s Governor Proposes Wildfire Fund, Seeks PG&E Fix
Apr 14 2019 // California Gov. Gavin Newsom gave legislators just three months to address a multibillion-dollar wildfire liability problem that has forced the state’s largest power company, PG&E Corp., into bankruptcy and...
Southwestern Montana Hit with Earthquake, Aftershocks
Apr 11 2019 // An earthquake that struck Tuesday in a rural area near the Idaho-Montana border was felt as far away as Helena and was followed by multiple aftershocks, but no damage was immediately reported. The main quake struck just...
Terrorism, Populist Politics Raise Risks for European Businesses: Aon Report
Apr 10 2019 // Europe faces an increasingly complex security environment, as Islamist and far-right terrorism creates new vulnerabilities for businesses and communities, according to new research from the broker Aon. In 2019, the risk...
Insurers Oppose Premium Tax to Fund Washington’s Wildfire Prevention
Apr 9 2019 // Lobbyists for the property/casualty insurance industry are trying to prevent a $125 million jump in the state of Washington’s insurance premium tax that would fund wildfire prevention and suppression. The tax would...
Defective Electrical Panel Caused 2017 Wildfire in California’s Butte County
Apr 7 2019 // An investigation has determined that a July 2017 wildfire that destroyed more than 40 homes in Northern California was sparked by a defective electrical panel at a Butte County home. The state Department of Forestry and...
California Weighs Catastrophic Wildfire Fund as Way to Protect Utilities
Apr 5 2019 // Creation of a catastrophic wildfire risk pool is emerging as the most likely option as California lawmakers seek to protect the solvency of investor-owned utilities from record payouts for fire damages. PG&E filed for...
Here’s the ‘Unlucky 13’ Forecast for the 2019 Hurricane Season
Apr 5 2019 // There’s a lot of reasons people think 13 is an unlucky number. This year may add another. At least 13 storm systems should reach tropical strength and get a name in 2019, with five becoming hurricanes and two...
Judge Tells PG&E to Hold Dividends to Pay to Help Reduce Wildfire Risks
Apr 3 2019 // A U.S. judge said on Tuesday that PG&E Corp. cannot resume dividends and must use the money to reduce wildfire risk in California, stopping short of more costly measures he proposed earlier this year. The new criminal...
Year 2000 Fort Worth Tornado Triggered Development Boom
Apr 2 2019 // It’s been nearly 20 years since a tornado lumbered through downtown Fort Worth and experts say the deadly storm left behind more than just destruction. The March 28, 2000, twister, which caused an estimated $400...
Hurricane Michael Debris Fueling Wildfire in Florida Panhandle
Apr 2 2019 // Nearly two dozen Florida homes have been evacuated because of a 500-acre wildfire that grew rapidly overnight because of downed trees from Hurricane Michael. Authorities say the fire broke out Saturday in the Panhandle...
FEMA Accused of Wrongly Releasing Data of California Wildfire Victims
Apr 1 2019 // The Federal Emergency Management Agency wrongly released to a contractor the personal information of 2.3 million survivors of devastating 2017 hurricanes and wildfires, potentially exposing the victims to identity fraud...
U.S. Judge Finds No Liability for European Banks in Iran Terrorism Financing
Apr 1 2019 // A U.S. judge has dismissed a lawsuit seeking to hold nine large European banks liable for allegedly providing banking services to Iran that enabled militants to conduct 55 attacks against U.S. armed forces in neighboring...
Scientists Investigate Recent Earthquakes in the South
Apr 1 2019 // Scientists are sending additional sensors to south Alabama and the Florida Panhandle with aims of solving the mystery of what caused a spate of recent earthquakes. Five earthquakes have been detected in the region within a...
NOAA Retires Hurricane Names Florence, Michael
Apr 1 2019 // The names of two hurricanes that caused widespread devastation from Florida to Virginia last year have been retired. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says Florence and Michael will be replaced with...
Hurricane Michael, Other Challenges Impacting Georgia’s Timber Industry
Apr 1 2019 // Georgia’s timber industry is facing many headwinds as it seeks to recover from the severe damage wrought by Hurricane Michael late last year. The storm erased three-quarters of a billion dollars in timber, The...
Surplus Lines Windstorm/Hail Bills Move Forward in Texas Legislature
Mar 29 2019 // Legislation clarifying that eligible surplus lines insurers can provide windstorm and hail insurance, despite available coverage from the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), has moved forward in the Texas...
How One Company, AT&T, Is Using Models to Prepare for Natural Disaster Costs
Mar 28 2019 // By 2050, residents of southern Florida could become familiar with storms borne on 90-mph winds. Water levels during floods will rise by an average of 5 percent across the Southeast. And it will not be out of the ordinary...
Natural Disasters Drive £1 Billion (US$1.3 Billion) Loss at Lloyd’s During 2018
Mar 27 2019 // Lloyd’s of London reported a £1 billion (US$ 1.3 billion) loss for 2018, attributed to an above-average number of major natural catastrophes such Hurricanes Florence and Michael, Typhoon Jebi in Japan, as well as...
5th Earthquake This Month Strikes Near Alabama-Florida State Line
Mar 27 2019 // Another weak earthquake has struck near the Alabama-Florida state line. News outlets report it’s the fifth small quake in the area this month. There has been no damage or injuries. The U.S. Geological Survey said a...
