A modern-day Hurricane Andrew would cost an estimated US$80-100 billion in economic damage, up dramatically from the US$26.5 billion cost in 1992 dollars, according to a new report from Swiss Re. The hurricane in August 1992 destroyed more than 25,000…
JOHN’S, N.L. – A massive, fast-moving fire at a public housing complex has forced about 35 people out of their homes in a blaze that sent large plumes of smoke billowing above St. John’s, N.L. Fire platoon Chief Brian Tucker…
EDMONTON – A report into the Fort McMurray wildfire cites critical communications breakdowns as the fire swept into the municipality and forced thousands to flee. Independent consultants that produced the report for the province noted that in the early days…
JOHNSONS LANDING, B.C. – A tiny British Columbia community where four people were killed in a landslide almost five years ago has been warned of another possible slide. An evacuation alert has been issued for residents of Johnsons Landing on…
NEW ORLEANS – Brittany Ross remembers she was savoring the smell of her aunt’s simmering white beans when the storm that injured about 40 people in southeastern Louisiana hit. “The place started shaking, kind of twisting,” she said Tuesday as…
The severe storms that have struck the southern United States have prompted the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) to issue a “high risk” outlook in the month of January for the first time in nearly two decades, Risk Management Solutions, Inc.…
Georgia’s insurance commissioner is estimating US$100 million in property damage from storms and tornadoes that devastated parts of the state and resulted in at least 15 deaths. Commissioner Ralph T. Hudgens said in a press release issued Wednesday that “hundreds”…
RENO, Nev. – Firefighters in Nevada were hoping to stop a wind-driven wildfire, which has already destroyed 22 homes north of Carson City, from jumping any major roads Saturday. The blaze between Reno and Carson City was only 5 per…
BEULAH, Colo. – A wildfire that has forced hundreds of evacuations in southern Colorado destroyed at least eight homes, but firefighters took advantage of calmer weather Tuesday to get a handle on the blaze. Three helicopters and three air tankers,…
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – An unpredictable wildfire that destroyed more than a dozen houses filled skies north of Los Angeles with smoke Monday after driving thousands from their homes. Some evacuees were about to return home Sunday when unexpected winds…