Extreme Weather
Storms, floods, wildfires, heat, and climate-related disasters.
Wellesley Municipal Light Plant asks customers to reduce peak electric use
Wellesley Municipal Light Plant asked customers to minimize electric use during the 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. peak period on May 19 as very high temperatures were expected. The town pointed residents to heat-safety guidance and its Shave the Peak program.
Washington, DC issues first heat alert of the season
Washington, DC activated its first Heat Alert of the 2026 season on Monday, May 18, ahead of expected high temperatures. Officials directed residents to cooling centers and heat-safety resources as local forecasts called for mid-90s heat.
Simi Valley brush fire triggers mandatory evacuations
The Sandy Fire in Simi Valley burned at least 1,364 acres with 0% containment on May 18, forcing mandatory evacuations, evacuation warnings and school closures as crews from multiple agencies responded.
Flood warning issued for Chelan County
The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the Stehekin River at Stehekin in Chelan County, saying minor flooding is occurring and is forecast to continue. Company Creek Road is inundated at the north end, and other nearby impacts are being reported.
Red Cross warns of intense storms and hail threat across the middle of the U.S.
The American Red Cross issued a safety advisory warning of intense thunderstorms, large hail and possible tornadoes across parts of the central U.S. as NOAA and the Storm Prediction Center continued to flag an active severe-weather outbreak.
Sandy Fire in Simi Valley prompts evacuation orders, warnings
The Sandy Fire in Simi Valley grew rapidly on May 18, forcing evacuation orders and warnings as Ventura County officials said the blaze had reached about 2,400 acres and was moving east.
Sandy Fire Forces Evacuations in Simi Valley
The Sandy Fire burned in Simi Valley on May 18, 2026, prompting evacuation orders and warnings, sheltering efforts and school closures as crews worked to contain the fast-moving blaze.
Pepperdine monitors Sandy wildfire near Simi Valley as evacuations expand
Pepperdine said it was monitoring the Sandy Fire near Simi Valley as officials reported rapid growth, expanding evacuation orders and warnings, and damaged structures.
Two Rivers storm damage exceeds $100,000 as thousands remain without power
Severe storms that hit Two Rivers on May 17 caused more than $100,000 in damage to city-owned property and left more than 2,000 households without power, according to local reporting and city updates. Cleanup and restoration were still underway the next day.
Minnesota governor surveys Two Harbors wildfire damage
Gov. Tim Walz visited Two Harbors on Monday to survey wildfire damage after the Stewart Trail Fire burned hundreds of acres and destroyed structures in northern Minnesota.
Crow Wing County declares local emergency as Flanders wildfire continues
Crow Wing County declared a local emergency as firefighters continued battling the Flanders wildfire near Breezy Point and Crosslake. County alerts said evacuations were underway in affected areas while reports said the fire was still active and about 20% contained.
Campo evacuations lifted after wildfire crossed into Colorado
Officials lifted evacuation orders for Campo after the Sharpe Fire crossed from Oklahoma into southeastern Colorado. Later reporting said all evacuation orders in Baca County were lifted, though residents were urged to stay alert.
Benton and Lincoln counties issue wildfire-season health and evacuation guidance
Lincoln and Benton counties are urging residents to prepare for wildfire season with smoke-health precautions, evacuation planning, emergency alerts, N95 masks and indoor air filtration.
Sandy Fire burning in Simi Valley prompts mandatory evacuation orders
The Sandy Fire in Simi Valley triggered mandatory evacuation orders for multiple zones on May 18 as firefighters battled a fast-moving blaze that grew to 1,364 acres with 0% containment. Officials opened shelters and evacuation points, and schools were evacuated as crews worked to protect homes.
Severe weather alerts remain in place for Monday, May 18 in east-central Kansas
Flood watches and wind advisories were active Monday for several east-central Kansas counties, with the National Weather Service warning of damaging winds, heavy rain and possible severe thunderstorms.
Severe outbreak in 20+ states brings nighttime tornado danger
Forecasters say a multi-day severe weather outbreak is keeping a tornado threat alive overnight across parts of the Plains and Upper Midwest, with damaging winds, large hail and flash flooding also possible.
Rain returns to drought-stricken Southeast with severe storms possible through Tuesday
A cold front is bringing rain back to parts of the Gulf Coast and Southeast, with forecasters warning of locally heavy downpours and isolated severe storms through Tuesday.
Chicago-area residents asked to reduce water usage as storms approach
Chicago-area residents are being asked to cut back on water use as storms approach and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District issues an Overflow Action Day Alert. The guidance is meant to reduce sewer backups and flooding risk.
Hazen Fire grows as invasive tree slows firefighting efforts near Buckeye
The Hazen Fire near Buckeye has grown to 1,138 acres and is 45% contained, while crews say invasive salt cedar is complicating suppression.
Stormy evening could bring another severe weather threat to Chicago area
Chicago-area forecasters say another round of evening storms could bring damaging winds, hail and possibly a brief tornado risk, with a blowing dust advisory also in effect. The National Weather Service has already warned of locally severe storms near and north of Interstate 80.
Residents flee giant ash cloud after Mayon Volcano erupts in the Philippines
Mayon Volcano in the Philippines remained at Alert Level 3 on May 4 as ashfall, lava flows and pyroclastic density currents forced residents to flee nearby communities. PHIVOLCS said the 6-kilometer danger zone stays off-limits and officials reported no deaths or injuries.
Live radar: Track rain and storms across Chicago area as severe weather looms
A tornado watch is in effect across much of the Chicago area as storms move in Friday evening, with the National Weather Service warning of an elevated severe-weather risk.
Highway 41 fire grows to 8,600 acres, threatens structures in west Miami-Dade
The Highway 41 fire has grown to more than 8,600 acres in Everglades National Park and is now threatening eight structures, officials and local reports say.
Severe Weather Hits Oklahoma and Georgia
Oklahoma and Georgia are facing separate weather emergencies, with tornado damage reported near Enid and South Georgia wildfires destroying more than 120 homes.