Global Warming Makes Storms Worse: Study

Storm expected to reach Bahamas today

(AP) - The National Hurricane Center has upgraded Hanna to a hurricane as it brings waves, rain, and blustery winds to the Turks and Caicos islands, the AP reports. Hurricane warnings—meaning the storm is expected to arrive within 24 hours—were issued for the island chain and the central and southeastern Bahamas today, and forecasters warned that the storm could strike the US mainland. More»

Country grapples with drought, wildfires, and heat

(NEWSER) - Pummeled by drought, wildfires, and heat, Australia may be offering the world a preview of what’s to come as the planet warms, experts say. “Australia is the harbinger of change,” says a paleontologist. Many say climate change has already taken a human toll in the 173 killed by wildfires and 200 who died in a heat wave—to say nothing of a string of suicides among struggling farmers. The Los Angeles Times reports from a continent in transition. More»

(AP) - Tropical Storm Hanna accelerated toward the New England states today after the storm's whipping winds and rain did not linger long enough over the Southeast to cause much more than isolated flooding and power outages. Hanna moved quickly inland after cruising ashore overnight with winds of around 50 mph. But as Hanna cleared out, eyes turned to Hurricane Ike—a Category 3 storm with winds of nearly 115 mph that was expected to strengthen as it approached Cuba and southern Florida by Monday. More»

Hurricane may bring 115 mph winds, tornadoes, flash floods

(NEWSER) - With Tropical Storm Hanna looking to be relatively benign when it makes landfall tomorrow, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has called another state of emergency for his state in anticipation of Hurricane Ike, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. Ike is bearing down on the peninsula’s southeast end, and is forecast to hit Tuesday. More»

Survivors stranded on rooftops beyond reach of aid workers

(NEWSER) - Impoverished Haiti is reeling from the devastation of a series of tropical storms and hurricanes, with refugees starving on rooftops in flood-ravaged areas, reports the Guardian. Faced with washed-out roads and winds too strong for helicopters, UN aide workers are using inflatable boats to reach at least some survivors. The storms have killed 136 in Haiti and left thousands homeless. More»