Health Care
Climate Disasters Are Worsening a U.S. Blood Shortage
This summer’s floods, hurricanes and wildfires have prevented blood collection at a time when U.S. hospitals are already low on supply
Natural Disasters779 articles archived since 1845
Natural Disasters
A Record Number of Billion-Dollar Disasters Show U.S. Isn't Ready for Climate Change
The U.S. has already seen a record number of disasters costing at least $1 billion in 2023, which underscores how unprepared the nation is to withstand climate-driven catastrophe
Natural Disasters
FEMA Needs More Money to Keep Up with Disasters. Instead It Faces a Potential Government Shutdown
A government shutdown could force the Federal Emergency Management Agency to curtail all disaster activities at a time when it is already short of cash to respond to crises
Natural Disasters
How Climate Change Made Libya’s Flooding Even More Devastating
Climate change, civil war and international sanctions all contributed to the devastation caused by some of Libya’s worst flooding ever, researchers say
Natural Disasters
Dams Worldwide Are at Risk of Catastrophic Failure
Here’s why disasters like Libya’s dam collapses happen and how to prevent them
Weather
Why Hurricane Lee Is Growing Bigger
Hurricane Lee is no longer a Category 5 storm but has grown in size as it has trekked farther north
Natural Disasters
How Fires, Floods and Hurricanes Create Deadly Pockets of Information Isolation
Telecommunications grids are vulnerable to worsening climate disasters—which highlights the importance of one age-old survival system
Weather
How Hurricanes Jova and Lee Rapidly Exploded into Category 5 Storms
Within days of each other, Hurricane Jova in the Pacific and Hurricane Lee in the Atlantic rapidly ballooned into Category 5 storms
Natural Disasters
What’s in Floodwaters?
Floodwaters from hurricanes, sea-level rise, a burst dam or other causes can contain a nasty mix of pathogens, chemicals and debris
Climate Change
New Air-Conditioning Technology Could Be the Future of Cool
Standard AC units cool buildings but contribute to global warming. New technology aims to change that
Natural Disasters
How Archaeological Methods Are Helping Identify Victims of the Hawaii Wildfires
Identifying wildfire victims through DNA is difficult, but archaeological methods can help
Climate Change
Some Surprising Places Are at Risk of Devastating Urban Wildfires like Maui’s
Hundreds of communities across the U.S.—many in unexpected places—are at risk from an urban wildfire like the one that tore through the Hawaiian town of Lahaina
Pollution
How to Protect Yourself from Smoky Wildfire Air
As giant plumes from fires in Canada billow over the U.S., experts explain what smoke does to your health—and how to protect yourself
Natural Disasters
Americans Have Breathed More Wildfire Smoke in Eight Months Than in Entire Years
Smoke from wildfires that have been exacerbated by climate change is complicating the picture of air pollution in the U.S.
Natural Disasters
The Dangers of Wildfire Smoke
Climate change is making wildfires more likely and more intense, exposing more people to dangerous wildfire smoke. Scientists are continuing to learn how much damage that smoke can do to the environment and human health...
Natural Disasters
A Defiant Volcanologist Survived 5 Eruptions while Living on Mount Vesuvius
Luigi Palmieri, at times reckless, persevered on Vesuvius for 40 years, solidifying the nascent field of volcanology
Natural Disasters
Why a Banyan Tree Damaged in the Maui Wildfire Was So Beloved
This 150-year-old tree has been a cultural hub for Hawaii’s town of Lahaina for centuries
Natural Disasters
Wildfires Are Becoming Increasingly Devastating in Hawaii
More traditional land use and better data dissemination could help to prevent future tragedies
Natural Disasters
How Wildfires Kill People
The deadly wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, has killed dozens of people so far. Here’s how fires threaten human health
Climate Change
Maui’s Deadly Wildfires Are a Reminder of Growing Risks
Human exposure to wildfires in the U.S. more than doubled in the past two decades. A climate scientist looks at who is at risk and why
