natural disaster News

$60M in Settlements for Victims of Deadly Washington Landslide

Survivors and family members of people killed in the nation’s deadliest landslide have reached $60 million in settlements with the state of Washington and a timber company that logged an area above the site of the collapse. Just as opening …

Those Affected by Louisiana Flooding Continue to Get Federal Support

Federal agencies, state and local governments continue to support and assist those affected by flooding in Louisiana. Since President Obama’s major disaster declaration to 20 parishes in south Louisiana, the Federal Emergency Management Agency says more than 128,000 households have …

Iowa Governor Declares Disaster for Northeast Counties

Gov. Terry Branstad has issued disaster proclamations for two northeast Iowa counties that endured severe storms and flooding. Branstad on this week issued the proclamations for Bremer and Chickasaw counties, allowing state resources to be used to aid in recovery …

Alaska Asking for Input on Updated Tsunami Guidelines

The University of Alaska Fairbanks and the state officials are seeking public input on new guidelines for how coastal communities should respond to tsunamis. The Kodiak Daily Mirror reported that new modeling shows the potential for extreme currents and flooding …

State, Stillaguamish Tribe Argue over Liability in Washington Mudslide

The Stillaguamish Tribe is fighting off suggestions by the Washington Attorney General’s Office that it might face liability for the devastating Oso landslide, which wiped out a rural neighborhood and killed 43 people in 2014. In a lawsuit filed in …

Record Western Wildfires a Contrast in Otherwise Quiet Year for U.S. Natural Disasters

It was a relatively quiet year for natural disasters – except for those living in the Western U.S. Property data provider CoreLogic today released its annual Natural Hazard Risk Summary and Analysis. The report shows “a continued trend of fewer …

Alaska’s M7.1 Quake Puts Focus on State’s Emergency Preparedness

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Alaska’s most populous region has renewed focus on the state’s readiness to deal with a natural disaster. And it’s not just earthquakes that pose a danger across the vast state but also wildfires, floods, landslides …

19 Montana Counties Get Drought Disaster Declaration

Four more Montana counties have been designated as primary natural disaster areas due to crop losses caused by drought. The U.S. Department of Agriculture added Jefferson, Madison, Teton and Toole counties, bringing to 19 the total number of Montana counties …

Drought Designation Given to 5 Idaho Counties

Federal officials have designated five Idaho counties as natural disaster areas due to recent drought conditions. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday declared that Butte, Clark, Custer, Jefferson and Washington counties qualified for federal assistance. The designation means farmers …

Lea County in New Mexico Declared Disaster Area Due To Drought

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated Lea County a natural disaster area, making drought-stricken farmers and ranchers in the area eligible for assistance. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the designation on Tuesday, saying he and President Obama are committed …