AI-powered, heat-seeking satellites target Aussie fires
Bushfires in the Northern Territory are among the first captured by an artificially intelligent satellite designed to detect and record danger from above.
natural disasters
Death toll rising from Texas floods, dozens missing
The death toll from the catastrophic floods in Texas has risen to 43, while dozens of children from a Christian girls' summer camp remain missing.
Grim milestone as rescuers search for US flood victims
More than 100 people are confirmed dead as rescuers continue the search for missing people after catastrophic flooding in Texas.
Cyclones, flooding drive $2b surge in insurance claims
Cyclones, rain and flooding have cost Australians nearly $2 billion in damages in the first half of the year but it could have been worse.
At least 111 dead in northern Nigeria flooding
At least 111 people have been confirmed dead in central Nigeria after flash floods submerged a market town.
Fifth death linked to floods as body found in burnt car
An elderly man's body has been found in a burnt-out vehicle at a property isolated by devastating floods, with five deaths now linked to the disaster.
Cyclone Alfred damage bill to rain on insurer’s parade
Insurance claims for damage linked to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred and earlier record flooding in north Queensland have almost reached $1.5 billion, data shows.
‘Like a bomb hit it’: disaster season damage revealed
Devastated towns are still picking up the pieces as the full extent of a state's disaster season was revealed, with the damage bill at $2 billion and counting.
Good Friday as cyclone crosses coast as a tropical low
Remote coastal communities have escaped the worst of a cyclone after it crossed Australia's northwest coast as a weakened tropical low.
Tropical cyclone to strengthen after forming off coast
Tropical Cyclone Errol is expected to intensify as it tracks towards Australia's west coast bringing very destructive winds.
Insurer profits boom to $6.1b after steep premium hikes
Insurance companies have collectively banked $6.1 billion in annual profit after raising premiums and facing fewer significant weather events.
Flood-stricken town pledges survival as locals unite
A town devastated by floods that left hundreds of people homeless is pleading not to be forgotten as the news cycle moves on during an election campaign.
Flooding impacts to persist after record rain
More flood warnings have communities across three states on high alert following days of heavy rain and, for some, the worst flooding in 50 years.
Aid rushes into Myanmar as quake death toll hits 1700
Aid teams from India, China, Singapore and Thailand are on the ground in Myanmar as the death toll from a devastating earthquake climbs to more than 1700.
Thai woman gives birth to baby girl amid quake chaos
A Thai woman went into labour as a hospital in Bangkok was being evacuated during an earthquake.
Tsunami warning lifts after 7.1 Tonga earthquake
A strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake has hit near the Pacific nation of Tonga and an initial tsunami warning was lifted hours later.
Angry cyclone victims beat a path to parliament’s door
Residents of a community battered by a tropical cyclone are blaming climate change for the extreme event as another region braces for the next big wet.
Some Australia-Bali flights cancelled as volcano erupts
Jetstar has cancelled some its flights between Australia and Indonesia's resort island of Bali because of volcanic ash.
Firefighters killed as South Korea battles wildfires
At least three firefighters have died as South Korea struggles to contain dozens of wildfires amid dry, windy conditions.
‘Feast or famine’: farmers count the cost of heavy rain
Farmers are determined to get their winter crops in the ground after flooding rain from ex-tropical cyclone Alfred inundated paddocks and swept away soil.
‘Come already’: millions bunker down ahead of cyclone
Millions of people are waiting for the full force of Tropical Cyclone Alfred which is set to cross the eastern coast of Australia on Saturday.
Growers move stock higher, bracing for Cyclone Alfred
Growers have been moving their stock and machinery to higher ground to prepare for Cyclone Alfred, as heavy rain floods paddocks and cuts off rural roads.
Locals not waiting for cyclonic rain to flee floods
Facing the prospect of another catastrophic flood, many residents did not need to be told to leave, as people prepare for a looming cyclone, and its aftermath.
‘Sick of waiting’: community relaxed before cyclone
It was hard to imagine a tropical cyclone was approaching after people at a coastal community walked their dogs, played in the park and even went to the movies.
Dozens injured after army trucks crash in flood zone
Dozens of army crew have been rushed to hospital after two trucks collided while on the ground to respond to rising floodwaters following a tropical cyclone.
Body of missing man found in floodwaters
The body of a man who went missing in floodwaters has been found as a state endures more dangerous weather from ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.
PM pushes for fixed terms amid election date talk
Questions about the timing of the federal election, as cyclone Alfred looms, have prompted the prime minister to reignite his push for fixed poll dates.
Cyclone triggers anxiety in town ‘dragged out of mud’
People still reeling from recent floods are bracing for Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which will affect a region where some are still living in temporary homes.
How to prepare for a cyclone, according to an expert
How do you prepare for a cyclone – and what do you do if it’s too late to leave?
Anger over climate assessment delays after US exit
Donald Trump's decision to halt US scientists' participation in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change may have implications for key reports.
Better water systems needed to survive firestorms
Recent fires that consumed entire Los Angeles neighbourhoods showed water utilities generally are not designed to respond to large urban fires.