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.
natural disasters
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.
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.
LA races to contain fires before extreme winds return
The death toll from wildfires in the Los Angeles area has reached 24, while more than 100,000 people have been ordered to evacuate.
Hollywood Hills burn as LA engulfed by ‘the big one’
A fast-moving blaze has broken out in the Hollywood Hills, threatening Los Angeles' famed showbiz spots as the city battles the worst wildfires in its history.
LA blazes devour thousands of homes, at least 10 dead
Relief from fierce winds has been short-lived for Los Angeles crews battling five destructive wildfires that have burned 10,000 structures and killed 10 people.
Countdown to election day as aftershocks rattle Vanuatu
Still reeling from aftershocks, campaigning has begun for a very challenging election in Vanuatu after many polling booths were hit in December's deadly quake.
Heavens open, bringing relief from heat and fires
Wet and cooler conditions across much of southeastern Australia have provided relief from the heat and a bushfire burning for three weeks.
Town braces for more flooding after heavy downpours
The clean-up has begun at a rain-hit town after flooding caused "massive damage" to roads while another community is bracing for rising water levels.
Flooding threat lifted, storms ahead for rain-hit area
A rain-soaked community has been warned a flooding threat may return with more storms on the horizon after an emergency alert was cancelled, capping a wet week.
Families prepare aid after cyclone rips through Mayotte
Authorities in the French overseas territory of Mayotte have confirmed 31 deaths from Cyclone Chido amid fears of thousands of fatalities.
Cyclone Chido death toll rises to 94 in Mozambique
The death toll from Cyclone Chido in northern Mozambique has risen to 94, as authorities continue to assess the damage caused by the devastating storm.
Australian story: PM remembers 50 years of Tracy
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reflected on how Cyclone Tracy impacted the nation on the eve of the 50th anniversary of Darwin being flattened.
Kids in Vanuatu struggle with mental health after quake
Aid workers want urgent mental health support for children in Vanuatu as they face fear and anxiety a week on from the devastating earthquake.
Rescuers race to find cyclone survivors in Mayotte
Hundreds of people are presumed dead on the French territory of Mayotte after Cyclone Chido hit the Indian Ocean archipelago, an official says.
Reef coral battling after bleaching, natural disasters
Coral cover on the Great Barrier Reef continues to struggle following extensive bleaching events which are increasing in frequency amid climate change.
Home lost, people told to flee Great Ocean Road towns
Tourists have been evacuated and people in Great Ocean Road towns have been told to leave immediately as Victoria's bushfire emergency claims at least one home.
More troops head to Spain flood zone as anger mounts
Thousands more soldiers are joining search and recovery efforts in eastern Spain as officials trade blame and local anger rises over the historic disaster.
Building bans and buybacks floated for flood zones
A federal investigation into flood insurance failures urges an end to building in high-risk areas and government intervention to stop skyrocketing premiums.
Biden tours Florida’s storm-hit streets after Milton
US President Joe Biden has toured communities in Florida after the second major storm in as many weeks pounded the region.
New Pacific rapid disaster response team for Brisbane
A group of defence ministers from Australia and Pacific nations have agreed to form a rapid response team for national disasters in the region.
AI-powered satellites to search for Aussie bushfires
A satellite constellation powered by artificial intelligence and machine-learning technology will launch from next year, watching the world for small fires.
Be prepared: north told to brace for spring bushfires
After recent above-average temperatures, the national council for fire and emergency services is predicting a risky spring fire season in northern Australia.
Disaster insurance claims driven by Queensland events
Insurers paid out $2.2 billion in claims related to extreme weather events in 2023/24, in line with the previous year, new figures show.
One dead as Greek wildfire burns in Athens suburbs
A wildfire continues to burn in suburbs close to the centre of Athens as hundreds of people are forced to relocate.
How a mother’s death from tsunami birthed an activist
Listening to local elders after a tsunami in Samoa killed her mother, Steph Hodgins-May went from environmental lawyer to senator to fight for climate justice.