Showing posts tagged weather
UPDATE: At least 51 killed as tornado tears through Oklahoma NBC News:  At least 51 people have died after a monster tornado roared through Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, destroying homes, tearing the walls off an elementary school and leaving behind mangled cars and splintered wood. “The whole city looks like a debris field,” says Mayor Glenn Lewis of the city of Moore, which appears to have been the hardest hit. Continue following updates on BreakingNews.com. View high resolution

UPDATE: At least 51 killed as tornado tears through Oklahoma

NBC News:  At least 51 people have died after a monster tornado roared through Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, destroying homes, tearing the walls off an elementary school and leaving behind mangled cars and splintered wood.


“The whole city looks like a debris field,” says Mayor Glenn Lewis of the city of Moore, which appears to have been the hardest hit.

Continue following updates on BreakingNews.com.

Tornado causes destruction in Oklahoma City area AP: A mile-wide tornado chewing through the Oklahoma City area has reduced neighborhoods to rubble and left cars and trucks stranded on the sides of highways. Follow more updates on this story at BreakingNews.com. Photo: A massive twister is spotted near Oklahoma City on Monday afternoon. (NBC News) View high resolution

Tornado causes destruction in Oklahoma City area

AP:

A mile-wide tornado chewing through the Oklahoma City area has reduced neighborhoods to rubble and left cars and trucks stranded on the sides of highways.

Follow more updates on this story at BreakingNews.com.

Photo: A massive twister is spotted near Oklahoma City on Monday afternoon. (NBC News)

Sandstorm sends Beijing pollution levels off the charts Officials are warning residents in Beijing and other parts of northern China about hazardous air pollution levels after strong winds blew in a sandstorm today. Air in the capital turned a yellowish hue and the sky turned into a noxious soup of smog and dust, NBC News reports. At 6 a.m. local time, the U.S. Embassy’s air quality index showed a reading of 516 for particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. On the American air pollution index, the air at that time and throughout much of the morning was classified as “beyond index.” Photo: This composite image shows Beijing’s skyline during Thursday’s sandstorm (top) and during good weather on Feb. 19, 2013. (Feng Li / Getty Images)

Sandstorm sends Beijing pollution levels off the charts

Officials are warning residents in Beijing and other parts of northern China about hazardous air pollution levels after strong winds blew in a sandstorm today.

Air in the capital turned a yellowish hue and the sky turned into a noxious soup of smog and dust, NBC News reports. At 6 a.m. local time, the U.S. Embassy’s air quality index showed a reading of 516 for particles less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. On the American air pollution index, the air at that time and throughout much of the morning was classified as “beyond index.”

Photo: This composite image shows Beijing’s skyline during Thursday’s sandstorm (top) and during good weather on Feb. 19, 2013. (Feng Li / Getty Images)

Winter storm slams central US NBC News: A winter storm has pummeled the central U.S. More than 11 inches of snow have fallen on the ground in Wichita, Kansas, the most in 26 years - and it’s still snowing. The Weather Channel says snow totals will be formidable. Meanwhile, Kansas and Missouri have declared states of emergency. Follow storm updates on BreakingNews.com. Photo: Stalled vehicles are seen during a blizzard as traffic backs up on a major thoroughfare in Overland Park, Kansas, on Feb. 21. (Dave Kaup / Reuters) View high resolution

Winter storm slams central US

NBC News: A winter storm has pummeled the central U.S. More than 11 inches of snow have fallen on the ground in Wichita, Kansas, the most in 26 years - and it’s still snowing. The Weather Channel says snow totals will be formidable. Meanwhile, Kansas and Missouri have declared states of emergency.

Follow storm updates on BreakingNews.com.

Photo: Stalled vehicles are seen during a blizzard as traffic backs up on a major thoroughfare in Overland Park, Kansas, on Feb. 21. (Dave Kaup / Reuters)

Tornado touches down in Hattiesburg, Mississippi AP:  Emergency officials say an apparent tornado has caused significant damage in Hattiesburg, Miss., after passing along a main road. Forrest County Fire Coordinator Chip Brown says there is major damage in Hattiesburg and Petal, including on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. He couldn’t confirm injuries. He said the damage was still being evaluated, but that the storm passed along a main Hattiesburg thoroughfare. Follow more updates at BreakingNews.com. Photo: Tornado in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. (Instagram user @j_holliman) View high resolution

Tornado touches down in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

AP: 

Emergency officials say an apparent tornado has caused significant damage in Hattiesburg, Miss., after passing along a main road.

Forrest County Fire Coordinator Chip Brown says there is major damage in Hattiesburg and Petal, including on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. He couldn’t confirm injuries.

He said the damage was still being evaluated, but that the storm passed along a main Hattiesburg thoroughfare.

Follow more updates at BreakingNews.com.

Photo: Tornado in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. (Instagram user @j_holliman)

State of emergency declared as Northeast digs out from blizzard Residents and officials are continuing to dig out from this weekend’s gusting winter storm that buried parts of the Northeast with up to 3 feet of snow.President Obama has declared a state of emergency for Connecticut, which means federal money will be used to help state and local response efforts, NBC New York reports.In Massachusetts, limited subway and bus service will resume at 2 p.m. today. Rhode Island’s public transportation is still suspended. In New York, a stretch of the Long Island Expressway has been closed through 5 p.m. in order to clear the road of snow and abandoned vehicles ahead of the Monday morning commute. Follow updates on the blizzard recovery on BreakingNews.com. Photo: The Long Island Expressway was impassable at Exit 61 on Feb. 9, 2013. (Anthony Quintano / NBC News) View high resolution

State of emergency declared as Northeast digs out from blizzard

Residents and officials are continuing to dig out from this weekend’s gusting winter storm that buried parts of the Northeast with up to 3 feet of snow.

President Obama has declared a state of emergency for Connecticut, which means federal money will be used to help state and local response efforts, NBC New York reports.

In Massachusetts, limited subway and bus service will resume at 2 p.m. today. Rhode Island’s public transportation is still suspended. In New York, a stretch of the Long Island Expressway has been closed through 5 p.m. in order to clear the road of snow and abandoned vehicles ahead of the Monday morning commute.

Follow updates on the blizzard recovery on BreakingNews.com.

Photo: The Long Island Expressway was impassable at Exit 61 on Feb. 9, 2013. (Anthony Quintano / NBC News)

Update: Small tsunami hits Solomons, other warnings ended

AP:   A powerful earthquake off the Solomon Islands generated a tsunami that has reportedly damaged dozens of homes in the South Pacific island chain. Meanwhile, authorities have canceled warnings for tsunamis on more distant coasts.

BREAKING: Tsunami warning issued for South Pacific islands after major quake

Reuters:

A tsunami warning has been issued for several South Pacific islands after a major earthquake measuring 8.0 magnitude struck off the Solomon Islands, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii says.

The warning was issued for the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, New Caledonia, Kosrae, Fiji, Kiribati, and Wallis and Futuna islands.

A tsunami watch has also been issued for the rest of the South Pacific nations, including Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia.


The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center also reports that sea level readings show a tsunami generated after the earthquake.

Follow updates on this story on BreakingNews.com

US Senate votes to approve $50.5 billion Sandy aid package Reuters: The US Senate has approved a $50.5 billion disaster aid package for victims of Superstorm Sandy, three months after the storm destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The measure goes to President Barack Obama to be signed into law. Photo: A vehicle makes its way near homes devastated by fire and the effects of Hurricane Sandy in the Breezy Point section of Queens, New York, on Jan. 15, 2013. (Shannon Stapleton / Reuters)

US Senate votes to approve $50.5 billion Sandy aid package

Reuters: The US Senate has approved a $50.5 billion disaster aid package for victims of Superstorm Sandy, three months after the storm destroyed or damaged hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

The measure goes to President Barack Obama to be signed into law.

Photo: A vehicle makes its way near homes devastated by fire and the effects of Hurricane Sandy in the Breezy Point section of Queens, New York, on Jan. 15, 2013. (Shannon Stapleton / Reuters)

Icicles cover smoky remains of massive Chicago blaze NBC News Photoblog: A massive fire ripped through a Chicago South Side warehouse on Tuesday night, as firefighters were hampered by bone-chilling temperatures so low that water froze on their uniforms. On Jan. 23, firefighters (pictured) sprayed down hot spots on the ice-covered warehouse. One-third of all Chicago firefighters had been on the scene at one point or another, trying to put out the flames. Photo credit: John Gress / Reuters View high resolution

Icicles cover smoky remains of massive Chicago blaze

NBC News Photoblog: A massive fire ripped through a Chicago South Side warehouse on Tuesday night, as firefighters were hampered by bone-chilling temperatures so low that water froze on their uniforms.

On Jan. 23, firefighters (pictured) sprayed down hot spots on the ice-covered warehouse. One-third of all Chicago firefighters had been on the scene at one point or another, trying to put out the flames.

Photo credit: John Gress / Reuters

Powerful winter storm brings snow, havoc to Mideast AP: The fiercest winter storm to hit the Mideast in years brought a rare foot of snow to Jordan on Wednesday, caused fatal accidents in Lebanon and the West Bank, and disrupted traffic on the Suez Canal in Egypt. At least eight people died across the region. Photo: A visitor climbs the steps of Baalbek’s Bachus temple as snow covers the Roman ruins of the historic town in eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley on Jan. 9, following a fierce storm that has whipped the region this week with temperatures dropping and snow falling across Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Israel. (AFP - Getty Images) View high resolution

Powerful winter storm brings snow, havoc to Mideast

AP:

The fiercest winter storm to hit the Mideast in years brought a rare foot of snow to Jordan on Wednesday, caused fatal accidents in Lebanon and the West Bank, and disrupted traffic on the Suez Canal in Egypt. At least eight people died across the region.

Photo: A visitor climbs the steps of Baalbek’s Bachus temple as snow covers the Roman ruins of the historic town in eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley on Jan. 9, following a fierce storm that has whipped the region this week with temperatures dropping and snow falling across Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Israel. (AFP - Getty Images)

NOAA: 2012 was warmest year ever for US NBC News: 2012 was the warmest year on record in the contiguous United States, according to scientists with The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.The average temperature for 2012 was 55.3 degrees Fahrenheit, 3.2 degrees above normal and a full degree higher than the previous warmest year recorded — 1998 — NOAA said in its report. It was also a historic year for “extreme” weather, scientists with the federal agency said. With 11 disasters that surpassed $1 billion in losses, including Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Isaac, and tornadoes across the Great Plains, Texas, and the Southeast and Ohio Valley, NOAA said 2012 was second only to 1998 in the agency’s “extreme” weather index.Photo: People crowd the beach at Coney Island in Brooklyn, N.Y., on June 30, 2012. (Eric Thayer / Reuters)

NOAA: 2012 was warmest year ever for US

NBC News: 2012 was the warmest year on record in the contiguous United States, according to scientists with The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The average temperature for 2012 was 55.3 degrees Fahrenheit, 3.2 degrees above normal and a full degree higher than the previous warmest year recorded — 1998 — NOAA said in its report.

It was also a historic year for “extreme” weather, scientists with the federal agency said. With 11 disasters that surpassed $1 billion in losses, including Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Isaac, and tornadoes across the Great Plains, Texas, and the Southeast and Ohio Valley, NOAA said 2012 was second only to 1998 in the agency’s “extreme” weather index.

Photo: People crowd the beach at Coney Island in Brooklyn, N.Y., on June 30, 2012. (Eric Thayer / Reuters)

UPDATE: US House of Representatives passes partial Sandy relief bill 11:35 a.m. EST: The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill to provide $9.7 billion in funding for the National Flood Insurance Program for victims of Superstorm Sandy. The bill is the 1st part of a $60 billion package that the House will finish considering on Jan. 15, NBC News reports.The bill now goes to the Senate, which plans to pass the bill by unanimous consent in an effort to send the bill to President Obama as quickly as possible. 10:27 a.m. EST: Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives are considering a partial relief bill for victims of Superstorm Sandy. A vote is expected this morning. Watch the proceedings on BreakingNews.com.Photo: Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., left, joined by other New York area-lawmakers, express their anger after learning the House Republican leadership decided to allow the previous term of Congress to end without holding a vote on aid for Superstorm Sandy’s victims in Washington on Jan. 2, 2013. (J. Scott Applewhite / AP)

UPDATE: US House of Representatives passes partial Sandy relief bill

11:35 a.m. EST: The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill to provide $9.7 billion in funding for the National Flood Insurance Program for victims of Superstorm Sandy. The bill is the 1st part of a $60 billion package that the House will finish considering on Jan. 15, NBC News reports.

The bill now goes to the Senate, which plans to pass the bill by unanimous consent in an effort to send the bill to President Obama as quickly as possible.

10:27 a.m. EST: Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives are considering a partial relief bill for victims of Superstorm Sandy. A vote is expected this morning. Watch the proceedings on BreakingNews.com.

Photo: Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., left, joined by other New York area-lawmakers, express their anger after learning the House Republican leadership decided to allow the previous term of Congress to end without holding a vote on aid for Superstorm Sandy’s victims in Washington on Jan. 2, 2013. (J. Scott Applewhite / AP)

New Jersey governor on Sandy relief bill: ‘Shame on Congress’ New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is blaming House Republicans for delaying a vote on federal funding for states affected by Superstorm Sandy.“There is only one group to blame for the continued suffering of these innocent victims: the House majority and their speaker, John Boehner,” Christie said. Christie said leaders in Washington had assured him and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo the funding votes would happen on Tuesday or Wednesday. The decision not to hold the vote was Boehner’s, he said. Read more from CNN. Follow additional updates on BreakingNews.com.Photo: Christie and Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno visit and thank first responders after touring flood damaged areas in Moonachie, N.J., on Nov. 1, 2012. (Tim Larsen / Office of the Governor) View high resolution

New Jersey governor on Sandy relief bill: ‘Shame on Congress’

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is blaming House Republicans for delaying a vote on federal funding for states affected by Superstorm Sandy.

“There is only one group to blame for the continued suffering of these innocent victims: the House majority and their speaker, John Boehner,” Christie said.

Christie said leaders in Washington had assured him and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo the funding votes would happen on Tuesday or Wednesday. The decision not to hold the vote was Boehner’s, he said. Read more from CNN.

Follow additional updates on BreakingNews.com.

Photo: Christie and Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno visit and thank first responders after touring flood damaged areas in Moonachie, N.J., on Nov. 1, 2012. (Tim Larsen / Office of the Governor)

Cyclone Evan batters Fiji NBC News: More than 3,500 people evacuated to emergency shelters in Fiji as the biggest cyclone in 20 years swept across the Pacific island nation on Monday, three days after the storm killed 4 people and destroyed thousands of homes in nearby Samoa. Photo: Local resident Pita Turgagaviti clears away branches from a tree that collapsed on top of a car shelter outside a house near Suva, Fiji, on December 17, 2012, as Cyclone Evan threatened the Pacific nation with ‘catastrophic damage.’ (Joshua Kuku / AFP - Getty Images) View high resolution

Cyclone Evan batters Fiji

NBC News:

More than 3,500 people evacuated to emergency shelters in Fiji as the biggest cyclone in 20 years swept across the Pacific island nation on Monday, three days after the storm killed 4 people and destroyed thousands of homes in nearby Samoa.

Photo: Local resident Pita Turgagaviti clears away branches from a tree that collapsed on top of a car shelter outside a house near Suva, Fiji, on December 17, 2012, as Cyclone Evan threatened the Pacific nation with ‘catastrophic damage.’ (Joshua Kuku / AFP - Getty Images)