Texas Braces for Tropical Storm Erin

Meanwhile, first Atlantic hurricane of the season forms

(NEWSER) - Tropical Storm Erin made landfall on the Texas coast this morning and became a tropical depression, bringing powerful rains and a risk of flash flooding to the saturated state. The governor ordered emergency vehicles to the area, northeast of Corpus Christi, but many vacationers were unconcerned. "Unless I see a shark or whale go flying by, I'm good," said one. More»

(NEWSER) - Gabrielle made a relatively tame landfall—with top winds hitting the 50 mph mark—on North Carolina's coast today at 11:45am, reports CNN. It's more a relief than a worry for the drought-stricken region, but storm surge flooding of up to 3 feet was possible. The storm was to turn northeast tonight, heading back out into the Atlantic. More»

Downgraded to tropical storm after 2nd landfall

(NEWSER) - Hurricane Dean hit Mexico again today and poured heavy rains over flood-prone regions, the AP reports. Nobody died in the onslaught, which struck as a Category 2 hurricane and weakened into a tropical storm by evening. But Dean is raising water levels and fears of mudslides and flash floods as winds continue to howl near 70 miles per hour. More»

Charges surface of preferential treatment for rich neighborhoods

(NEWSER) - New Orleans is still at severe risk from a serious flood, even though the Army Corps of Engineers has spent 2 years and $1 billion on the city's hurricane protection system. What's more, much of what's been done will benefit only wealthier neighborhoods. “We’re still with this damned patchwork quilt," says an engineering professor. The Times takes a look. More»

Floods to blame for 11 deaths

(NEWSER) - Rain continues to pelt central Texas, where 11 people have died in the flooding over the past 10 days and yesterday saw another 18 inches of precipitation on the town of Marble Falls. Some 150 National Guard troops are in the area, where rooftop rescues had to be suspended briefly because the weather grounded helicopters. More»