Washington Declares Storm Emergency

Flooding blocks roadways, strands residents

(NEWSER) - A deluge of heavy rain, wind, tornadoes, and nickel-sized hail is giving Houston-area residents a major headache today, the Houston Chronicle reports. A fast-moving storm front pummeled the city with winds reaching 60mph and up to 4.5 inches of rain, shutting part of Highway 288 and flooding a dozen other freeway intersections. Apparent twisters ripped roofs off of houses and garages in one residential area and damaged a mall in nearby Texas City, MSNBC reports. More»

Plus: Residents warned of landmines

(NEWSER) - The death toll from South Korea's massive landslides has reached 67, with at least 10 still missing, Reuters reports, and this terrifying video shows some of the destruction. In the wake of the flash flooding and mudslides, caused by the heaviest rains in a century, residents were warned to be wary of rogue explosives: Officials say about 10 landmines that were buried at a military base in Seoul during the Korean War were swept away and have not yet been recovered. Meanwhile, storms also hit North Korea; state media have not reported any damage, but experts fear landslides may have struck the country and its unstable hillsides, too. More crazy pictures here . More»

Flooding, landslides expected in 'extraordinary' weather

(NEWSER) - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in much of southern California amid “extraordinary and continuing rainfall,” CNN reports. Another in a series of storms is expected to bring more flooding and landslides; the declaration authorizes state agencies to help local ones in addressing the weather. Many areas have already seen more than 10 inches of rain over five days. More»

Storm spawns Texas tornadoes

(NEWSER) - Hurricane Alex has hit northeastern Mexico, walloping the nation's Gulf coast with winds up to 100 miles per hour and spawning tornadoes in Texas. Thousands of people have been evacuated on both sides of the border, AP reports. The storm is weakening as it moves inland, but authorities warn that the risk of tornadoes and flash floods will remain for up to 2 days. More»

(NEWSER) - Fans, ice cream, and AC were in short supply yesterday as Seattle recorded the hottest temperature in its history, a sizzling 103 degrees, and heat records melted across the region, reports the Seattle Times. Relief is still a sweaty few days away as a heat warning remains in effect for much of the state throughout the week. More»