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: Granada Hills Residents Protest Over L.A. Fire Debris Disposal Plans

Residents of Granada Hills, a suburb of Los Angeles, protested outside Van Gogh Elementary School on Tuesday, February 18, against plans to send fire debris from the LA wildfires to the nearby Sunshine Canyon landfill.

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.

Philippines: Strong Winds And Flooding Hit Luzon As Typhoon Gaemi Intensifies Monsoon 6

Severe impacts from Typhoon Gaemi, locally named Carina, were being felt in the Philippines on Tuesday, July 23, as it continued to enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing strong winds and flooding to parts of Luzon island. As of Tuesday morning, Gaemi slightly intensified and prompted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No.2 over parts of the northernmost province of Batanes. The western portion of Luzon saw major flooding since Monday.

Philippines: Strong Winds And Flooding Hit Luzon As Typhoon Gaemi Intensifies Monsoon 5

Severe impacts from Typhoon Gaemi, locally named Carina, were being felt in the Philippines on Tuesday, July 23, as it continued to enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing strong winds and flooding to parts of Luzon island. As of Tuesday morning, Gaemi slightly intensified and prompted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No.2 over parts of the northernmost province of Batanes. The western portion of Luzon saw major flooding since Monday.

Japan, U.S. to hold joint antidisaster drill

Japan, U.S. to hold joint antidisaster drill

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera (L) holds talks with Lt. Gen. Kenneth Glueck Jr. (R) of the U.S. Marine Corps, at the ministry in Tokyo on July 5, 2013. The two agreed to hold a joint antidisaster drill between Japan's Self-Defense Forces and U.S. forces in Japan as early as the fall 2013.

U.S. commanding general in Okinawa

U.S. commanding general in Okinawa

NAHA, Japan - Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, speaks to service members at Camp Foster in Chatan, Okinawa Prefectures, on Oct. 25, 2012, following a rape of a Japanese woman allegedly involving two U.S. Navy members in Okinawa.

U.S. commanding general in Okinawa

U.S. commanding general in Okinawa

NAHA, Japan - Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, speaks to service members at Camp Foster in Chatan, Okinawa Prefectures, on Oct. 25, 2012, following a rape of a Japanese woman allegedly involving two U.S. Navy members in Okinawa.

U.S. commanding general in Okinawa

U.S. commanding general in Okinawa

NAHA, Japan - Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, speaks to service members at Camp Foster in Chatan, Okinawa Prefectures, on Oct. 25, 2012, following a rape of a Japanese woman allegedly involving two U.S. Navy members in Okinawa.

Noda visits Futenma base

Noda visits Futenma base

GINOWAN, Japan - Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (C) visits the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, on Feb. 27, 2012. To the left is Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., Okinawa area coordinator and commanding officer of the III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Bases Japan.

Noda visits Futenma base

Noda visits Futenma base

GINOWAN, Japan - Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (2nd from L, front) is greeted by Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr. (3rd from L, front), Okinawa area coordinator and commanding officer of the III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Bases Japan, as the premier arrives at the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, on Feb. 27, 2012.

Defense minister in Okinawa

Defense minister in Okinawa

NAHA, Japan - Japanese Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka (L) shakes hands with Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., Okinawa area coordinator and commanding officer of the III Marine Expeditionary Force of the United States, at Camp Foster in Okinawa Prefecture on Feb. 18, 2012.

Noda visits Futenma base

Noda visits Futenma base

GINOWAN, Japan - Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (2nd from L, front) is greeted by Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr. (3rd from L, front), Okinawa area coordinator and commanding officer of the III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Bases Japan, as the premier arrives at the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, on Feb. 27, 2012. (Kyodo)

Noda visits Futenma base

Noda visits Futenma base

GINOWAN, Japan - Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (C) visits the U.S. Marine Corps' Futenma Air Station in Ginowan, Okinawa Prefecture, on Feb. 27, 2012. To the left is Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., Okinawa area coordinator and commanding officer of the III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Bases Japan. (Kyodo)

CORRECTED Defense minister in Okinawa

CORRECTED Defense minister in Okinawa

NAHA, Japan - CORRECTING NAME OF TANAKA Japanese Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka (L) shakes hands with Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., Okinawa area coordinator and commanding officer of the III Marine Expeditionary Force of the United States, at Camp Foster in Okinawa Prefecture on Feb. 18, 2012. (Kyodo)

Defense minister in Okinawa

Defense minister in Okinawa

NAHA, Japan - Japanese Defense Minister Naoto Tanaka (L) shakes hands with Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., Okinawa area coordinator and commanding officer of the III Marine Expeditionary Force of the United States, at Camp Foster in Okinawa Prefecture on Feb. 18, 2012. (Kyodo)