Preparedness

A predominantly agricultural state, Iowa isn't typically thought of as a high risk for wildfire, but given changing weather patterns, drought and high winds, several areas are now on par with risks in California.

The 8.8-magnitude earthquake off the Russian coast last week should serve as a wake-up call for the U.S., which is "overdue" for a similarly major earthquake at a time when federal funding for response is in question.

The 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula was the strongest worldwide since 2011 and triggered tsunami advisories across the Pacific. Four-foot waves were recorded in Hawaii, with smaller waves hitting California.

Rates of ER visits for heat-related illness in Dallas-area kids soared between 2012 and 2023. The findings mirror global trends as temperatures, particularly in the summer, increase.

A five-city tech collaboration led by Virginia Beach, Va., will connect it with four neighbors through computer-aided dispatch. It will replace manual call transfers with real-time emergency data sharing across jurisdictions.

The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program aimed to distribute billions of federal dollars to state and local governments to protect against climate-related disasters, but the administration now says it was “wasteful and ineffective.”

In light of federal plans to phase out FEMA by the end of 2025, artificial intelligence can help multiply and streamline state and local preparation for, response to and recovery from wildfires, hurricanes and floods.

Though the sheriff's office has employed drones over the past decade, this new model will be remotely launched from a substation to respond to active crimes and emergency incidents over the next year.

As extreme weather like Tropical Storm Barry — which contributed to the devastating flooding in Texas — becomes more frequent, satellite data contributes to giving forecasters the most accurate info.

Following the deadly flash floods in Texas and ahead of a flood watch in Pennsylvania, the National Weather Service and FEMA offer tips on what to do before the water rises and how to stay safe when it does.

Resilient regions and organizations require well thought out disaster plans addressing recovery and mitigation. In creating them, state officials said, collaboration with other governments and communities is essential.

A shared satellite system is at risk for closure due to military cybersecurity concerns, which would delay hurricane forecasts by hours. This is just one of several recent threats to funding for key forecasting tools.

Large portions of the state have limited or no coverage from National Weather Service radar, meaning dangerous storms can arrive without warning. Officials are working to get more low-level radars in place.

On Sunday, Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a state of emergency after extreme storms hit upstate New York and ahead of several days of temperatures forecast to break records both upstate and in New York City.

The plan would aim to set the California city up for the next 25 to 50 years and include adding another battalion chief, more engines and ambulances, and rebuilding two fire stations, as well as a major budget increase.

Palm Beach and Broward counties have been fortunate enough to miss the brunt of recent hurricane seasons, but officials are urging residents to prepare for the worst, especially those in evacuation areas.

The funding will go toward expanding the county's real-time flood warning system, part of ongoing efforts to improve flood preparedness and safeguard residents.

As hurricane season begins, Gov. Josh Stein recommended the North Carolina legislature put extra money in the rainy-day fund for hurricane relief in case the federal government stops supporting disaster recovery.