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.

Australia: Record Flooding Batters Northern NSW After Heavy Rainfall 2

Flooding has battered cities and towns across the Mid-North Coast and the Hunter Region in northern New South Wales, leaving many residents stranded or forced to evacuate after days of heavy rainfall. In the city of Taree, the Manning River surpassed its 1929 record of six meters and was still rising as of Wednesday morning, May 21. Authorities have issued 13 emergency-level alerts.

Australia: Record Flooding Batters Northern NSW After Heavy Rainfall 3

Flooding has battered cities and towns across the Mid-North Coast and the Hunter Region in northern New South Wales, leaving many residents stranded or forced to evacuate after days of heavy rainfall. In the city of Taree, the Manning River surpassed its 1929 record of six meters and was still rising as of Wednesday morning, May 21. Authorities have issued 13 emergency-level alerts.

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.

2 and a half years after quake

2 and a half years after quake

SENDAI, Japan - Combination photos from a Kyodo News helicopter show an area in the town of Yamada, Iwate Prefecture, on March 23, 2011 (L), after the March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake, and about two and a half years later on Sept. 6, 2013 (R). The building (front in the former) for JR Rikuchu-Yamada Station is not in the latter.

Yamada soon after quake, now

Yamada soon after quake, now

TOKYO, Japan - Photos taken from a Kyodo News helicopter show an area in the town of Yamada, Iwate Prefecture, on March 23, 2011 (L), shortly after the area was devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and the same location on March 1, 2012 (R), in which the building (front) for JR Rikuchu-Yamada Station has been removed.

Yamada soon after quake, now

Yamada soon after quake, now

TOKYO, Japan - Photos taken from a Kyodo News helicopter show an area in the town of Yamada, Iwate Prefecture, on March 23, 2011 (L), shortly after the area was devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and the same location on March 1, 2012 (R), in which the building (front) for JR Rikuchu-Yamada Station has been removed. (Kyodo)

Recovery from 2011 quake, tsunami disaster

Recovery from 2011 quake, tsunami disaster

Compilation photo shows Yamada in Iwate Prefecture on March 23, 2011, as seen from a Kyodo News helicopter (upper) less than two weeks after a massive tsunami swept through the town in northeastern Japan, and on Feb. 23, 2018, with shops in business and reconstruction of the JR Rikuchu-Yamada Station under way as seen from a drone. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo