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.
natural disasters
‘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.
Death toll rises from disease linked with heavy rain
More people have died and others are suffering from a disease associated with heavy rain in a region lashed by floods and tipped to cop even more downpours.
Twin cyclone threat looms off flood-hit regions
More rain may be dumped on a flood-hit region with two cyclones a chance of forming off northern Australia in coming days just as many had begun their clean-up.
‘Super black’: warning for coast as cyclone approaches
A destructive cyclone with winds of more than 300km/h is expected to impact Australia's coast, with a "super black" sky warning of the potential danger ahead.
Regional hub spared as Cyclone Zelia brings rapid gusts
Tropical Cyclone Zelia has crossed the Australian coast, unleashing strong winds and heavy rain but a key mining hub has been spared the worst of the impact.
Towns face flood threat after escaping worst of cyclone
Residents in northwest Australia who escaped the worst of a tropical cyclone now face the possibility of being isolated by rising floodwaters.
Flooding, road closures persist after powerful cyclone
Floodwaters are not expected to subside any time soon and roads remain closed as an ex-cyclone continues dumping heavy rain and teams visit damaged stations.
At least nine dead in US amid wild winter weather
At least nine people have died in the most recent round of wild weather to pummel the US, including eight people in the state of Kentucky.
“Doesn’t get any worse’: towns brace for cyclone Zelia
Locals are preparing for Tropical Cyclone Zelia, which is being described as big, strong and unpredictable as it heads for coastal towns.
Insurance claims flood in after torrential rains
Claims have begun rolling in from a region that pays the highest insurance premiums in the country after communities were ravaged by heavy rain and flooding.
Weather on firefighters’ side in race to control blazes
Concerns have been raised about how health services deal with fire threats, as a cool change offered fire crews a chance to contain raging blazes.
Reinforcements sent after more rain, flash flooding
Heavy rain has again lashed a region on cyclone watch, prompting authorities to send reinforcements amid fears of "life-threatening" flash flooding.
Crews guard richest collection of rock art from blazes
Emergency crews are fighting to contain out-of-control bushfires from scorching a rich concentration of Indigenous rock art as hotter weather looms.
Firefighters rush to contain blazes ahead of heatwave
A few days of hot weather poses fresh risks for firefighters battling blazes and nearby communities.
Fire-ravaged state on high alert for ‘killer’ heatwave
There will be no reprieve from a summer heatwave for several days for residents of a bushfire-ravaged state as conditions fuel blazes.
Tragic disaster memories flood back for sodden city
Floodwaters that have cut power, closed major roads and destroyed a major bridge are triggering bad memories for a rain-ravaged city.
Second death rocks region as falling floods reveal body
The body of an 82-year-old woman has been found in receding floodwaters, doubling a rain-ravaged region's death toll after days of record rain.
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.
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.
LA evacuees told: stay away from home for another week
With wildfires burning for a 10th day in LA, firefighters have expressed relief over withstanding high winds without either of the two monster fires growing.
Vanuatu in Australian aid request in earthquake rebuild
Port Vila's CBD and city waterfront remains off-limits a month after a deadly earthquake, prompting frustration and anger from business owners.
Winds pick up, threatening to stoke new fires in LA
After the most destructive fires in US history, Los Angeles authorities are dreading the arrival of renewed powerful winds.
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.