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PAGASA Warns of Potential Typhoon Development Before End of 2026 Amid El Niño Conditions

PAGASA Warns of Potential Typhoon Development Before End of 2026 Amid El Niño Conditions

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has indicated that at least one more tropical cyclone could enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) before the end of 2026. This potential cyclone could intensify into a typhoon or super typhoon, according to PAGASA climatologist Ana Liza Solis, who spoke at a Quezon City Journalist Group Inc. (QCJI) forum on November 10. Solis noted that conditions remain favorable for tropical cyclone development, even as the year draws to a close. Historically, tropical cyclones that form under El Niño conditions tend to intensify due to warmer ocean temperatures. While a new cyclone is possible, PAGASA clarifies that its entry into PAR does not guarantee landfall in the Philippines. The weather bureau defines a typhoon as having maximum sustained winds of 118 to 184 kilometers per hour, and a super typhoon as having winds of at least 185 kph. So far in 2026, 19 tropical cyclones have entered PAR, with Typhoon Samuel (int...
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G20 Science Academies Recommend International Cooperation and Data Sharing for Natural Disaster Management

G20 Science Academies Recommend International Cooperation and Data Sharing for Natural Disaster Management

The G20 science academies have issued recommendations emphasizing the critical role of international cooperation and advanced technologies in managing natural disasters more effectively. Led by the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and including the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the academies highlight that while natural disasters cannot be prevented, better preparedness and rapid response can save lives. They advocate for enhanced data collection, linkage, and analysis, stressing the need for equitable international access to various data types, including geodata (weather, satellite images) and vulnerability data (infrastructure, supply chains, socio-economic conditions). A common data standard is proposed to facilitate cross-border data processing and utilization. The recommendations also underscore the importance of local data usability, ensuring accessibility even during power and network disruptions, and providing international support to countries unable to make necessary invest...
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Philippines Faces Ongoing Environmental and Livelihood Crisis One Year After Wastewater Spill

Philippines Faces Ongoing Environmental and Livelihood Crisis One Year After Wastewater Spill

One year after a significant wastewater spill from an ethanol plant on the Philippine island of Negros, communities in Bais Bay continue to grapple with ecological and economic devastation. On October 26, 2025, an embankment holding waste effluent from Universal Robina Corporation’s (URC) ethanol distillery collapsed, releasing 255 million liters of toxic wastewater into the bay. This spill, equivalent to about 100 Olympic-sized swimming pools, spread across 17 coastal villages, killing fish and other marine life. Scientists observed that nine months post-spill, nearly 70% of coral in affected areas of Bais Bay were dead, and seagrass beds in northern parts of the bay were deteriorating. Residents report that their livelihoods, heavily dependent on fishing and seaweed farming, have been severely impacted, and they have received minimal support from the company responsible. Locals also question the company's and authorities' preparedness for heavy rains, a common occurrence in the Philippines, which URC cit...
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Philippines Among Four Nations to Receive First Grants from International Climate Loss and Damage Fund

Philippines Among Four Nations to Receive First Grants from International Climate Loss and Damage Fund

The Philippines is one of four countries whose projects have been approved to receive the initial grants from an international fund established to assist developing nations in recovering from climate-related losses and damage. The Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage is slated to award a total of $92 million in December, with projects in Jamaica, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Haiti also receiving grants ranging from $5 million to $20 million each. This decision follows a board meeting in July in the Philippines, where 176 requests totaling $2.8 billion were submitted. While wealthy countries have pledged $822 million to the fund since its inception at COP27 in 2022, no money has been disbursed until now. The fund's co-chair, Camila Minerva Rodriguez Tavarez, clarified that it is not an emergency response fund but aims to support longer-term recovery efforts, acknowledging that current resources are significantly less than the billions needed by vulnerable countries.
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IFRC Pilots Anticipatory Action Protocols for Tropical Cyclones in Barbados and Belize

IFRC Pilots Anticipatory Action Protocols for Tropical Cyclones in Barbados and Belize

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), in collaboration with the Barbados Red Cross and Belize Red Cross, is piloting new Early Action Protocols (EAPs) for tropical cyclones in Barbados and Belize. This initiative, part of the Anticipatory Action for Small States (AA4SS) project, aims to enhance community resilience and preparedness by linking meteorological forecasts with pre-agreed financing. The protocols are designed to enable Red Cross teams and communities to protect homes, secure safe water, and receive early warnings before a cyclone makes landfall. This pilot program seeks to adapt the EAP tool to the specific challenges and resources of small island states, which are highly vulnerable to recurrent tropical cyclones, flash floods, and droughts. The Caribbean region, identified as one of the most disaster-prone areas globally by Shivanie Mahase, Programmes and Operations Officer for the IFRC, faces significant logistical hurdles in pre-positioning relief suppli...
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Newport Beach Resident Develops Flood Simulation Tool to Aid Community Preparedness

Newport Beach Resident Develops Flood Simulation Tool to Aid Community Preparedness

Chad Huntley, a Newport Beach resident with a background in software engineering, has developed an online tool called 'Newport Beach Flood Simulation' to help his community prepare for potential flooding. This initiative comes as the region anticipates higher tides, particularly during Thanksgiving week and an estimated nine-foot tide on Christmas Eve, exacerbated by what scientists are calling 'Super El Niño' conditions. Huntley's simulation indicates that many areas on Balboa Peninsula and most of Balboa Island would experience flooding in a worst-case scenario. The City of Newport Beach is also actively preparing, including raising seawalls by a foot, distributing over 50,000 sandbags, and ordering extra pumps. Newport Beach Utilities Director Mark Vukojevic emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that the city is learning from past El Niño events, such as in 1983, to enhance its readiness.
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Typhoon Samuel Enters Philippine Area of Responsibility, No Landfall Expected

Typhoon Samuel Enters Philippine Area of Responsibility, No Landfall Expected

Typhoon Samuel, internationally known as Cempaka, is set to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) today, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). As of yesterday afternoon, the tropical cyclone was located 1,600 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon. It is currently moving west-northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour, with sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 150 kilometers per hour. Despite its entry into PAR, Typhoon Samuel is not expected to make landfall in the Philippines and will not significantly affect the country's weather conditions. PAGASA forecasts that the typhoon will recurve and exit PAR by tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country are expected to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, influenced by the easterlies. Additionally, three areas—Catarman in Northern Samar, Borongan in Eastern Samar, and Zamboanga City—ar...
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Hurricane Erin Reaches Category 5 Status in 2025 Atlantic Season, U.S. Air Force Documents Eye Penetration

Hurricane Erin Reaches Category 5 Status in 2025 Atlantic Season, U.S. Air Force Documents Eye Penetration

Hurricane Erin, the fifth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, escalated to become the first major hurricane and the first Category 5 hurricane of that year. The U.S. Air Force 403rd Wing documented the storm's intensity by releasing video footage of one of its planes entering the eye of Hurricane Erin. ABC News Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee provided updates on the storm as it tracked parallel to the East Coast, initially as a Category 2 hurricane. The storm's progression and significant intensification highlight the severe nature of the 2025 hurricane season.
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Camp Fire Remains California's Deadliest Wildfire Eight Years Later, Highlighting Persistent Risks

Camp Fire Remains California's Deadliest Wildfire Eight Years Later, Highlighting Persistent Risks

Eight years after its ignition on November 8, 2018, the Camp Fire in Butte County, California, remains the state's deadliest and most destructive wildfire. The fire resulted in 85 civilian deaths and destroyed 18,804 structures, making it the top event on CAL FIRE's lists for both fatalities and structural damage. The fire burned 153,336 acres and was fully contained 17 days after it started. CAL FIRE attributes the cause to power lines. Crucially, a Red Flag Warning for strong winds and very dry air was issued two days prior to the fire, with an update an hour before ignition forecasting north to east winds of 15 to 25 mph, gusts up to 45 mph, and up to 60 mph on exposed ridges, alongside humidity as low as 10 to 15 percent. This pre-existing hazardous weather condition underscored the extreme risk present in the region.
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Millions of Homes at Risk of Flooding Beyond FEMA Maps

Millions of Homes at Risk of Flooding Beyond FEMA Maps

Recent research highlights that approximately 14.6 million properties in the United States are at risk of flooding, significantly more than indicated by FEMA's 100-year flood maps. These maps, often outdated and based on historical data, fail to account for future risks and do not assess individual home vulnerabilities. Factors such as flood depth, building age, construction quality, and insurance coverage play a critical role in determining the actual risk to properties. A study conducted in Houston revealed that homes within the same neighbourhood could have vastly different flood vulnerabilities, depending on their specific characteristics and location within the area.
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Nevada Division of Water Resources Promotes 13th Annual Flood Awareness Week

Nevada Division of Water Resources Promotes 13th Annual Flood Awareness Week

The Nevada Division of Water Resources is observing its 13th annual Nevada Floods Awareness Week from November 8-14, 2026. This initiative aims to educate Nevadans on the importance of preparing for floods, which are identified as one of the state's most common and costly natural disasters, affecting both urban and rural areas. Floods in Nevada are increasing in frequency and severity due to extreme weather events. The awareness week encourages residents to take proactive steps to develop flood-resilient communities and protect their families and homes. Key recommendations include visiting NevadaFloods.org, checking flood hazards via FEMA's Map Service Center, preparing an emergency kit, and purchasing flood insurance, as standard home insurance does not cover flood damages.
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Typhoon Champaka Intensifies, Threatens Ogasawara Islands with Rapid Strengthening

Typhoon Champaka Intensifies, Threatens Ogasawara Islands with Rapid Strengthening

Typhoon 32, named Champaka, was located south of Japan on November 9, 2026, at 9 AM, moving northwest. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported its central position at 23 degrees 40 minutes North latitude and 135 degrees 10 minutes East longitude, with a central pressure of 980 hPa, maximum sustained winds of 35 m/s, and maximum instantaneous winds of 50 m/s. The typhoon is expected to rapidly intensify, reaching a central pressure of 960 hPa and maximum instantaneous winds of 60 m/s by the morning of November 10. Following this intensification, Champaka is forecast to significantly alter its course eastward, maintaining its strong intensity as it approaches the vicinity of Chichi-jima in the Ogasawara Islands by November 11. By November 14, it is projected to weaken and transition into a tropical low-pressure system near Minamitorishima.