Japan Wires the Ocean with an Earthquake-Sensing ‘Nervous System’
Japan’s new earthquake-detection network lengthens warning times, and researchers in Wales have harnessed nuclear blast detectors to gauge tsunami risks. But the U.S. lags in monitoring the massive Cascadia megathrust fault
Texas Flood Forecasts Were Accurate but Not Sufficient to Save Lives
The National Weather Service issued timely alerts, meteorologists say, but few were listening in the hours before the early-morning flash floods along the Guadalupe River
When the Sun Becomes a Red Giant, Will Any Planet Be Safe?
The future is bright—too bright—for life as we know it once the sun transforms into a red giant star
How a Passing Star Could Oust Planets from the Solar System
Close stellar encounters could change the structure of our planetary system, potentially dooming Earth or other worlds to oblivion
Trump Says FEMA Overhaul Will Come after Hurricane Season
States will continue to get FEMA federal disaster aid this year but may see less assistance after changes made in 2026
Disaster-Struck States Waiting for Weeks for Trump’s Sign-Off on FEMA Aid
States and cities struck by deadly tornadoes and floods are begging the Trump administration for disaster aid
Larger, More Dangerous Hail Is Becoming More Common—Here’s Why
The largest hail tends to form in “supercell” thunderstorms and seems to be becoming more common as climate change continues
Why Storm Surge Is Dangerous—And Becoming More Frequent
How hurricanes push water onto shore in deadly storm surges, and why storm surges are getting worse
Tornadoes Expected to Strike Multiple States This Weekend in One of the Worst Seasons This Decade
Tornadoes are predicted across swaths of the U.S. in the coming days, likely adding to this year’s already high tally of such storms
Disasters Displaced a Record 46 Million People Last Year
In 2024 disasters displaced a record number of people both globally and in the U.S. About 11 million U.S. residents had to relocate to another part of the country because of hurricanes, floods and wildfires
Trump Aims to Cut Program Used to Help Hospitals Evacuate during Disasters
The Hospital Preparedness Program helps hospitals and emergency managers save lives in wildfires, tornadoes, pandemics and other mass-casualty events. The Trump administration has proposed cutting it
Congress Counters Trump with Massive FEMA Restructuring Plan
A bipartisan group in Congress is drafting a sweeping bill to overhaul the Federal Emergency Management Agency—in some cases, expanding its work