15 dead, 8 missing after heavy rains unleash floods in Haiti
June 4, 2023 GMTPORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — At least 15 people have died and another eight are missing after heavy rains unleased widespread flooding and several landslides across Haiti over the weekend, authorities said Sunday.
Tropical Storm Mawar intensifies rains for Japan, threatens floods and mudslides in some regions
June 2, 2023 GMTNAHA, Japan (AP) — Heavy rains intensified by Tropical Storm Mawar fell on Japan’s main archipelago Friday, halting trains and triggering floods and mudslides in central and western regions where residents were urged to use caution or evacuate.
Triple-whammy of cyclones, a 1-in-200-year event, drove Italy’s deadly flooding, scientists say
May 31, 2023 GMTROME (AP) — A rare, triple-whammy of cyclones drove the deadly flooding that devastated much of northern Italy this month, but scientists said Wednesday that climate change doesn't seem to be to blame for the intense rainfall.
Housing crisis remains in Kentucky’s poor Appalachia region after flood waters recede
Delaware's low elevation mixed with crowded beaches and limited exit routes make the state particularly vulnerable to massive flooding, but officials hope an influx of federal infrastructure money will trigger future evacuation plans automatically via artificial intelligence.
Climate activists tell Vatican court they never intended to hurt ancient statue in glue protest
May 24, 2023 GMTVATICAN CITY (AP) — Two environmental activists told the Vatican’s criminal court on Wednesday they never intended to damage an ancient statue in the Vatican Museums when they glued their hands to its marble base, in one of a series of flash protests across Europe to draw attention to climate change.
ROME (AP) — A pair of bare-chested protesters smeared themselves with mud outside the Senate building in Rome on Tuesday to protest fossil fuel use and remind people of the dangers of flooding linked to climate change.
Italy’s deadly floods just latest example of climate change’s all-or-nothing weather extremes
May 19, 2023 GMTROME (AP) — The floods that sent rivers of mud tearing through towns in Italy’s northeast are another drenching dose of climate change's all-or-nothing weather extremes, something that has been happening around the globe, scientists say.
AP Week in Pictures: Europe and Africa
May 19, 2023 GMTMay 12-18, 2023
From elections in Turkey and the Champions League seminfinals, to floods in Italy and protests in Senegal, this gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published in the past week by The Associated Press from Europe and Africa.
Exceptional rains in drought-struck northern Italy kill 8, cancel Formula One Grand Prix
May 18, 2023 GMTCASTEL BOLOGNESE, Italy (AP) — Exceptional rains Wednesday in a drought-struck region of northern Italy swelled rivers over their banks, killing at least eight people, forcing the evacuation of thousands and prompting officials to warn that Italy needs a national plan to combat climate change-induced flooding.
Flooding across Alaska has inundated scores of homes, with several of them knocked from their foundations by large ice chunks, and shut one of the state's few east-west highways down to one lane.
Ice jams on the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers caused most of the damage through a large swath of Alaska, while a quick melt of the snowpack caused Moose Creek to overflow near Glennallen, causing delays for motorists on the Glenn Highway which connects Anchorage to points east, including Canada.
Mandatory flood evacuations ordered in Hailey, Idaho
May 16, 2023 GMTHAILEY, Idaho. (AP) — Authorities issued evacuation notices Tuesday for some neighborhoods in the central Idaho city of Hailey because of river flooding.
The Blaine County sheriff at the request of the Hailey Fire Department issued an order Tuesday for people living in eight homes on War Eagle Drive to leave immediately.
UN reports extensive flooding damage in central Somalia
May 16, 2023 GMTMOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Floods caused by the annual rains have left “a trail of destruction" across Somalia, a United Nations spokesman said, citing inundated homes and farmland as well as the shutdown of health facilities.
Campgrounds at California’s Yosemite National Park to close over flood threat as snowpack melts
May 14, 2023 GMTYOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — Three popular campgrounds at California’s Yosemite National Park will be temporarily closed starting Monday because of a forecast of flooding as warming temperatures melt the Sierra Nevada’s massive snowpack.
Deaths from Congo floods approach 400 as search continues
May 7, 2023 GMTGOMA, Congo (AP) — The death toll from floods in eastern Congo has almost doubled, reaching close to 400 people as of Sunday, according to a local official.
Over 200 dead, many more missing after Congo floods
May 6, 2023 GMTKALEHE, Congo (AP) — The death toll from flash floods and landslides in eastern Congo has risen beyond 200, with many more people still missing, according to local authorities in the province of South Kivu.
More than 100 killed in Congo flooding
May 5, 2023 GMTKINSHASA, Congo (AP) — More than 100 people were killed in flooding and landslides brought on by torrential overnight rains in eastern Congo's South Kivu province, a local official said Friday.
Thomas Bakenge, a regional government official gave the estimate after overseeing recovery efforts in the affected territory of Kalehe, calling the scale of destruction "enormous, beyond words ...
Today in History: May 2, Nelson Mandela claims victory
May 2, 2023 GMTToday in History
Today is Tuesday, May 2, the 122nd day of 2023. There are 243 days left in the year.
Yosemite flood risk, closures block some springtime visitors
April 28, 2023 GMTTWIN BRIDGES, Calif. (AP) — After winter storms dumped massive amounts of snow on California's mountains, visitors to the state's famed Yosemite National Park can catch a glimpse of rushing streams, scenic waterfalls and hillsides covered in white.
Despite flooding on Mississippi River, Midwest mayors upbeat
April 27, 2023 GMTDES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Upper Mississippi River will rise to near record-high levels as it flows through Wisconsin and Iowa, but officials said Thursday they expected to hold back floodwaters with a combination of flood walls, temporary barriers and wetlands, especially if dry weather continues.
Federal housing aid to help rebuild from Kentucky storms
April 26, 2023 GMTFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — An infusion of federal funding will help build hundreds of homes in Kentucky communities devastated by tornadoes and floods in 2021, Gov. Andy Beshear said Wednesday.
Four counties hardest hit by the storms — Graves, Warren, Hopkins and Breathitt — will receive 80% of the more than $123 million in housing assistance allocated by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, the governor said at a news conference.
Evacuations ordered after flooding in small Arizona town
April 23, 2023 GMTCHINLE, Ariz. (AP) — Navajo Nation officials ordered evacuations Sunday for some residents of Chinle after floodwaters filled washes and overflowed berms and dirt dams.
They said many residents are refusing to leave, however, because they want to protect their property and livestock.
UN’s weather agency: 2022 was nasty, deadly, costly and hot
April 21, 2023 GMTLooking back at 2022's weather with months of analysis, the World Meteorological Organization said last year really was as bad as it seemed when people were muddling through it.
And about as bad as it gets — until more warming kicks in.
Minnesota prepares for major flooding after snowy winter
April 19, 2023 GMTST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Most of Minnesota should escape serious flooding over the next couple weeks, emergency managers said Wednesday, but cautioned that higher-than-expected rains in the coming days or rapid snowmelt in the Red River Valley could raise the threat.
Minnesota braces for flooding on Mississippi, other rivers
April 18, 2023 GMTSTILLWATER, Minn. (AP) — The Metropolitan Airports Commission temporarily shut down flight operations for much of Tuesday at the St. Paul Downtown Airport while crews installed flood control barriers to hold back rising water on the Mississippi River.
South Floridians mop up, recall fear after historic deluge
April 14, 2023 GMTFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The water was rising around her car, and Amanda Valentine thought she was going to die. She had just gotten a warning on her phone about flash flooding, and now it was all around her.
Snowmelt spurs flooding from Southwest to Rockies, 2 rescues
April 14, 2023 GMTFLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A rapid spring snowmelt after an unusually wet winter is unleashing flooding from the Southwest to the Rockies, causing residents there and in the Upper Midwest to evacuate or stock up on sandbags amid surging creeks and rivers.
Heavy rains in Iran trigger flash floods, killing at least 2
April 13, 2023 GMTTEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Heavy rains have triggered flash flooding in northern and western Iran, killing at least two people, Iranian state television reported Thursday.
According to Pirhossein Koulivand, the head of the country’s emergency services, one fatality was reported in Qazvin province and the other in Ilam province in the past 24 hours, the state TV said.
Torrential storms batter South Florida, close key airport
April 13, 2023 GMTFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Nearly a foot (30 centimeters) of rain fell in a matter of hours in Fort Lauderdale – causing widespread flooding, the closure of the city’s airport and the suspension of high-speed commuter rail service for the Broward County region.
New floods in Burundi displace thousands of families
April 12, 2023 GMTNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A week of floods has displaced thousands of families in a part of western Burundi where a river separates the country from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a local official said Wednesday.
At least 21 dead in Somalia’s flash floods, says U.N. agency
April 5, 2023 GMTMOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — At least 21 people including six children have died in Somalia’s flash flooding over the last week, according to the U.N. humanitarian agency.
Nearly 100,000 people have been affected by the heavy rains and flash floods that hit the previously drought-stricken area in the Bardhere district of the Gedo region of southern Somalia, according to the U.N.'s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Missouri man makes harrowing rescue in flash flood
March 25, 2023 GMTAs heavy rains and flash floods doused southwestern Missouri Friday, Layton Hoyer wanted to get a closer look at the rising river levels.
Person missing after flash flooding in southwestern Missouri
March 24, 2023 GMTFORDLAND, Mo. (AP) — One person was missing Friday after flash floods in southwestern Missouri swept away a vehicle.
Heavy rain Thursday night and Friday morning caused flash flooding in parts of the state.
UN: Many African children at risk from lack of clean water
March 22, 2023 GMTABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — In Nigeria's teeming city of Lagos, children in the Makoko area swim and play in filthy water surrounded by garbage.
In Ivory Coast's largest city, Abidjan, thousands of families must fetch water from streams for their daily needs.
UN: Months after Pakistan floods, millions lack safe water
March 21, 2023 GMTISLAMABAD (AP) — The United Nations children’s agency on Tuesday warned that after last summer's devastating floods, 10 million people in Pakistan, including children, still live in flood-affected areas without access to safe drinking water.
New evacuations as storm brings California flood threat
March 19, 2023 GMTNew evacuation orders were in place Sunday near two small central California towns where a levee was breached following recent downpours, as yet another winter storm brought the threat of major flooding.
Tourists hoping to see Arizona falls forced out by flooding
March 19, 2023 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Shannon Castellano and Travis Methvin should have spent this weekend seeing world-famous waterfalls on the Havasupai Tribe Reservation in northern Arizona.
Instead, the two friends from San Diego spent Friday night along with 40 other hikers camped out on a helipad.
Locals in and around Sedona deal with flooding aftermath
March 17, 2023 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — Residents and tourists in northern Arizona tried to return to business as usual after evacuation orders triggered by rain and flooding were lifted Thursday morning.
But for some like Tatum Loll, 17, of Cottonwood, that was impossible.
Flood deaths in Turkey’s earthquake-stricken area rise to 16
March 16, 2023 GMTRescue teams on Thursday retrieved two more bodies after floods struck two Turkish provinces that were already devastated by last month’s powerful earthquake, raising the death toll in the new disaster to 16.
NY diocese facing flood of lawsuits files for bankruptcy
March 15, 2023 GMTALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The embattled Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany became the latest diocese in New York to seek bankruptcy protection Wednesday as it faces hundreds of lawsuits alleging sexual abuse.
Floods kill 14 in Turkish earthquake-battered provinces
March 15, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Floods caused by torrential rains hit two Turkish provinces that were devastated by last month’s catastrophic earthquake, killing at least 14 people and increasing the misery for thousands who were left homeless, officials said Wednesday.
Flood problems grow as new storm moves into California
March 14, 2023 GMTWATSONVILLE, Calif. (AP) — Crews rushed to repair a levee break on a storm-swollen river in California's central coast as yet another atmospheric river arrived Monday with the potential to wallop the state's swamped farmland and agricultural communities.
5th body found in Malaysia floods; over 40,000 displaced
March 7, 2023 GMTKUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian police have found the body of a young woman trapped in a car that was swept away by rushing waters, the fifth death of seasonal floods that have also forced more than 43,000 people to flee their homes.
Northern California storm eases but more snow expected
March 6, 2023 GMTTRUCKEE, Calif. (AP) — Northern California got a bit of respite Monday after a weekend of heavy mountain snow but forecasters said up to several more feet will pile up through midweek, followed by potential flood concerns.
Storms roll east after slamming South; 10 deaths reported
March 4, 2023 GMTA large storm system took aim at the Northeast on Friday, threatening heavy snow and coastal flooding after heavy winds and possible tornadoes damaged homes and buildings, left thousands without power and caused 10 deaths in a wide swath of the South and Midwest.
Over 26,000 evacuated as floods hit Malaysia again; 1 dead
March 2, 2023 GMTKUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Rescuers in boats retrieved families trapped on rooftops and hauled others to safety as villages and towns in parts of Malaysia were submerged in floodwaters, leading to over 26,000 people being evacuated as of Thursday.
Brazil floods leave cutoff survivors scrambling for supplies
February 22, 2023 GMTSAO SEBASTIAO, Brazil (AP) — Hundreds of residents of a rain-battered region in Brazil’s Sao Paulo state were scrambling to find water and daily supplies Wednesday after floods and mudslides cut off their communities and left at least 48 people dead.
Brazil deluge toll hits 44 as search continues for missing
February 21, 2023 GMTSAO SEBASTIAO, Brazil (AP) — The death toll from flooding and landslides in Brazil’s southern state of Sao Paulo reached 44 on Tuesday as searches continued for dozens still missing.
Most of the search was concentrated in the mountainous coastal municipality of Sao Sebastiao where 43 deaths have been recorded.
Brazil deluge kills 36; search continues for dozens missing
February 20, 2023 GMTSAO SEBASTIAO, Brazil (AP) — Hundreds of rescuers searched Monday for survivors of landslides and flooding that killed at least 36 people along the coast of Brazil’s southern state of Sao Paulo following a huge weekend downpour.
Maine requests disaster declaration for December storm
February 17, 2023 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Democratic Gov. Janet Mills requested a federal disaster declaration for seven Maine counties for damage from a wild December storm that left tens of thousands of people in the dark for Christmas.
Poor Pakistanis worry IMF bailout measures risk stark future
February 17, 2023 GMTISLAMABAD (AP) — Saddique Shah, a 53-year-old construction worker, sat along a sidewalk with his fellow workers on the outskirts of the capital Islamabad, his head hung low as he worried.
What if he failed to find work Friday, for the second day in a row, just as Pakistan considers a tax hike amid looming economic troubles?
New Zealand fears more fatalities after cyclone kills 4
February 15, 2023 GMTWELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A cyclone that left a devastating wake of extensive flooding and landslides in New Zealand has claimed at least four lives and police have “grave concerns” for other residents who remain unaccounted for, the prime minister said on Wednesday.
Wildfire damage prompts calls for funding water system
February 14, 2023 GMTALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Dozens of traditional irrigation systems that supply community farms, gardens and orchards in northern New Mexico won’t flow with water this spring, forcing many families to decide whether to risk planting crops this year with no guarantee of water.
Pakistan in bailout bid sharply raises natural gas taxes
February 14, 2023 GMTISLAMABAD (AP) — Cash-strapped Pakistan sharply increased taxes on natural gas Tuesday to comply with a long-stalled financial bailout, and both industrial and everyday consumers were expected to feel the pain.
IMF delays $6B bailout for cash-strapped Pakistan
February 10, 2023 GMTISLAMABAD (AP) — The International Monetary Fund delayed a $6 billion bailout for cash-strapped Pakistan over its failure to meet the terms of a previous deal, officials said Friday, as the country struggled with a worsening economic crisis and a deadly wave of violence.
Study: 15 million people live under threat of glacial floods
February 7, 2023 GMTAs glaciers melt and pour massive amounts of water into nearby lakes, 15 million people across the globe live under the threat of a sudden and deadly outburst flood, a new study finds.
Hollywood sinkhole almost swallows LAFD fire engine
February 3, 2023 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — A water main burst under a Hollywood street, creating a sinkhole that almost swallowed a fire engine and showering a home with so much water the roof collapsed, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.
Emergency lifted after New Zealand storm less than feared
February 1, 2023 GMTWELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand's Northland region lifted a state of emergency declaration Wednesday after an overnight storm didn't turn out as bad as feared.
New Zealand’s largest city braces for more rain and flooding
January 31, 2023 GMTWELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Residents in New Zealand's largest city were bracing Tuesday for another deluge and more flooding, four days after Auckland endured its wettest day on record in a storm that killed four people.