Fears lightning to strike twice as fire threat lingers
The danger isn't over in fire-hit areas now threatened by new lightning strikes, with emergency crews backburning as a cool change sweeps in.
Disaster and Accident
‘It came in hot and fast’: lucky locals count blessings
Residents and firefighters are still on edge as weather conditions are forecast to heighten bushfire dangers as many grateful locals escape serious damage.
Crews race to prepare as blazes rage ahead of hot spell
Fires continue to burn out of control on the western flank of a national park, with people urged to leave or monitor conditions while crews work on containment.
Extreme fire risk as wind, dry lightning spark alerts
Bushfires in two states have triggered warnings as extreme weather conditions place authorities on high alert as temperatures soar and winds increase.
Heatwave temps plummet as winds and hail roll in
Australia's east coast has sweltered through one of its hottest days of summer, topped off with an evening hail and thunderstorm.
Bushfires rage as town takes stock after major scare
A tourist lodge and buildings have been destroyed as uncontrolled bushfires continue to burn and a town breaths a sigh of relief after a frantic evacuation.
Second child dies after birthday house fire tragedy
A family, community and first responders are reeling after a tragic house fire killed two sisters, sparked during the elder's birthday celebrations.
Storm declared ‘natural disaster’ as cyclone builds
Almost 35,000 people remain without power and an iconic beach has expanded as fresh storms sweep the east coast and the west bunkers down for a cyclone.
Cyclone off WA, flood search in NSW as Qld dams spill
Wild weather is threatening regions around Australia as a tropical cyclone impacts exports, amid fears for the occupants of a car swept away by floodwaters.
Baby girl dead, another child critical after house fire
A baby girl has died and another young child is fighting for life after a house fire in a suburban town.
Major warnings issued for more severe thunderstorms
Emergency services are urging people to be ready for more storms along Australia's east coast after a man in his 80s was killed by a falling tree.
More insurance pain possible following LA fires
Insurance premiums are already rising in Australia and destructive fires in the United States may help keep costs high.
Relief no one died in landslip, alert over storm risk
Crews at the site of a landslide at a popular holiday spot remain onwith storms forecast, as the owners of a collapsed house expressed relief no one was killed.
Bushwalker’s tale of survival a ‘miracle’, rescuer says
The rescue of bushwalker Hadi Nazari in the Australian Alps after an almost two-week search has been described as a "miracle" by one of the men who found him.
Severe storms trigger floods, rescues along east coast
Severe storms have triggered heavy rain, flash floods and rescues along Australia's east coast, with warnings conditions could worsen across the weekend.
Wild weather slams tennis, as fans brace for more rain
A sudden downpour wreaked havoc on the roads and caused chaos at the Australian Open, as storms lashed eastern Australia with more wild weather still to come.
Three hurt, others unaccounted for after seaplane crash
Three people are seriously injured and several others are unaccounted for after a seaplane crash near a world-famous holiday island.
Seaplane owners: we’re devastated by fatal crash
A seaplane company has expressed its "heartbreak" after one of its aircraft crashed off a popular island, killing three people and injuring three others.
Man in court over $1m heritage racecourse stand fire
An alleged firebug has faced court after being charged with nine offences following a blaze that damaged a $1 million heritage-listed racecourse stand.
Day 10: search for hiker intensifies as more help sent
Another 50 rescue specialists have joined the 10-day search for missing hiker Hadi Nazari in Kosciuszko National Park's "bloody tough" terrain.
Home destroyed, emergency declared in fire-hit state
Firefighters are continuing to battle a blaze that has destroyed a home and is threatening other properties as another emergency looms in a fire-hit state.
Police still hold hope after nine-day search for hiker
Rescuers are being winched into dense bushland in a desperate bid to find missing hiker Hadi Nazari as a major search operation continues.
Bushwalker found dead as search for student continues
The family of a student missing in a national park say they are praying for his return, while another bushwalker has fallen to his death from a dangerous peak.
Man dead, another seriously injured after plane crash
The pilot of a light plane has died while his passenger is fighting for life in hospital after their plane crashed in the NSW northern rivers region.
Bushfire threat finally eases but warnings to last days
An emergency alert has been downgraded for a bushfire that has had communities on edge but the blaze is expected to keep burning for days.
No methanol or illicits detected in cocktail, Fiji says
Forensic testing of cocktail ingredients at a Fijian resort where seven people fell ill with suspected poisoning has found no evidence of methanol.
More Aussies heading home after deadly Vanuatu quake
Two more RAAF planes are set to bring home Australians stranded in Vanuatu following a 7.3 magnitude earthquake, as rescue and recovery efforts continue.
More Australians on the way home from quake-hit Vanuatu
Two more defence flights will bring stranded Australians home from quake-hit Vanuatu as rescue efforts continue amid severe damage and looming cyclone threats.
Evacuations as fires rage in nation’s east
Evacuation orders are in place for an out-of-control fire in Victoria as blazes and sweltering temperatures begin Australia's bushfire season.
Blazes force evacuations amid rising risk of Xmas fires
Firefighters are working around the clock to prepare for sweltering Boxing Day conditions as warnings for several major blazes are downgraded.
Four-year-old boy dies in WA house fire
A heartbroken Western Australian family is mourning the death of a four-year-old boy who died in a house fire just days before Christmas.