Category: damage

Hurricane Ian Poised to Rank Among Most Costly Storms in US History

Hurricane Ian is poised to become one of the most expensive hurricanes in U.S. history. The economic losses and damage in Florida could total $45 billion to $70 billion, according to Chuck Watson, a disaster modeler and director of research and development at Enki Research. That would rank as the sixth most expensive hurricane on record. In the coming…


Death Toll From Saturday’s Storm Hits 10 as Communities Survey Damage

As the death toll related to the powerful storm that swept Ontario and Quebec on Saturday reached 10 on Monday, some of the hardest-hit communities were still working to take stock of the damage. “It’s probably easier for us to count the homes that have no damage than the ones that have damage,” said Clarence-Rockland…


AirPods Ruptured Child’s Eardrums, Lawsuit Filed Against Apple Alleges

Apple, Inc. is facing a lawsuit over an unintended consequence of its AirPods. Parents of a minor boy, identified as B.G., alleged in a complaint filed with the U.S. District Court of Northern District of California that defective AirPods worn by B.G. in his right ear produced ear-shattering sound levels that ruptured his right eardrum…


Severe Storms Ease in South-East Queensland, but Further Storms Still a Risk

Severe storms affecting south-east Queensland (QLD) have abated for the moment, but the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has warned that further storms remain a risk throughout Thursday, with the potential for flash and localised flooding. This comes as floods have devastated the southeast of the state and northeast of New South Wales over the past…


Natural Disasters Caused $145 Billion in Damages Across US in 2021

By Brian K. Sullivan From Bloomberg News Natural disasters killed 688 people across the U.S last year and caused more than $145 billion of losses, the third-highest tally in records going back to 1980, a government report showed. There were twenty disasters that exceeded $1 billion of losses each, according to the National Centers for…


Southern Storms Damage Homes, Buildings, Power Lines

WINFIELD, Ala.—Homes and buildings were damaged and trees were blown down as a line of intense thunderstorms rolled across several Southern states, authorities said. There were no immediate reports of injuries. In the west Alabama town of Winfield, Wednesday’s storms damaged buildings in the downtown area, authorities said. Building walls collapsed and roofs were lying…


Homes Still Without Power after Sydney’s Tornado-Like Storm

Thousands of homes remain without power on Sydney’s Northern Beaches on Tuesday after a brief but devastating tornado-like storm tore through the area on Sunday afternoon. New South Wales (NSW) State Emergency Service (SES) reported that the storm caused significant damage to properties, trees, and powerlines. One fatality occurred in the suburb of Narrabeen when…


Key BC Highway Reopens to Truck Traffic After Severe Flood Damage

VANCOUVER—A major highway linking Metro Vancouver and southern British Columbia to the rest of the province has reopened about a month after severe flooding damaged the route in several areas. The B.C. government says in a release the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt reopened just after 8:30 a.m. on Monday to commercial traffic and…


Damaged Parks, Reduced Holiday Travel Among Impacts of Flood on BC Tourism

VANCOUVER—Parts of British Columbia’s tourism industry are facing another uphill battle with an uncertain recovery horizon after this year’s damaging storms. Some attractions and landmarks were seriously damaged by flooding in November, while highways mangled by mudslides mean some operators will go without the typical holiday bump to their bottom line. Walt Judas, CEO of…


BC Reopens Major Section of Flood Damaged Trans Canada Highway in Fraser Valley

VICTORIA—A major section of the Trans-Canada Highway in British Columbia that was under floodwater since last week reopened Thursday, easing traffic congestion and helping connect the Lower Mainland to the province’s Interior. Transportation Minister Rob Fleming said the section of Highway 1 between Abbotsford and Chilliwack was cleared to reopen, which provides a vital artery…