Dominican Republic: Tropical Storm Melissa Batters, Causing Damage and Disruptions 2

Tropical Storm Melissa swept through the Dominican Republic, toppling trees, traffic lights, and triggering small landslides. Authorities closed schools and government offices across several provinces as the storm disrupted water systems and threatened severe flooding. Melissa is expected to strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane this weekend as it lashes the Caribbean with heavy rain and destructive winds.

Indonesia: Mt. Lewotobi Erupts, Triggers Highest Alert and Spews Ash High Into Sky

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara, erupted late Tuesday, October 15, and again early Wednesday, spewing ash up to 10 kilometers into the sky. Indonesia’s volcanology agency raised the alert to its highest level after detecting deep tremors that signaled possible explosive activity.

US: Severe Weather Warning for Houston Area With Hail, High Winds, Tornado Risk

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Houston area until evening of Monday, May 5. It brought hail, damaging winds, flooding, and possible tornadoes.

US: Sunset Fire Ignites In Hollywood Hills, Triggering Mandatory Evacuation Orders

A brush fire, dubbed the Sunset Fire, broke out in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday evening, January 8, triggering mandatory evacuation orders.

Philippines: Thunderstorms Hit, Bringing Intense Rainfall To Central Regions

The regions of Visayas, Bicol, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa may experience cloudy skies with scattered rains as isolated thunderstorms hit. According to reports, heavy rainfall of 100 to 200 mm was expected in Northern Samar on Monday.

Train derails due to fallen concrete in Hokkaido

Train derails due to fallen concrete in Hokkaido

SAPPORO, Japan - A freight train partly derailed in Hokkaido on Nov. 28 after hitting a 2-ton block of concrete that had fallen off the wall of a tunnel. The photo shows the circular chunk of concrete, about 3 to 4 meters in diameter and 30 to 40 centimeters thick inside the Rebunhama Tunnel on the JR Muroran Line.

Muroran Station Area Telephoto

Muroran Station Area Telephoto

Urban area around Muroran Station on the JR Muroran Line as seen from the top of Sokuryo Mountain.

Sakimori station

Sakimori station

The exterior of Sakimori Station on the JR Muroran Line in Muroran City, Hokkaido.

Sakimori station

Sakimori station

A view from the platform of Sakimori Station, JR Muroran Line, Muroran City, Hokkaido

Freight train derails in Hokkaido, disrupts passenger transportation

Freight train derails in Hokkaido, disrupts passenger transportation

A freight train seen in this photo taken Feb. 23, 2017, derailed in Hokkaido in the early morning of that day, disrupting passenger train services connecting Sapporo and Hakodate. The driver of the train found one of its locomotives had derailed between two stations on the JR Muroran Line after noticing an unusual noise. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Train derails due to fallen concrete in Hokkaido

Train derails due to fallen concrete in Hokkaido

SAPPORO, Japan - A freight train partly derailed in Hokkaido on Nov. 28 after hitting a 2-ton block of concrete that had fallen off the wall of a tunnel. The photo shows the circular chunk of concrete, about 3 to 4 meters in diameter and 30 to 40 centimeters thick inside the Rebunhama Tunnel on the JR Muroran Line.