Finland detained a ship suspected of damaging an undersea telecommunication cable between Finland and Estonia, raising concerns over sabotage and prompting NATO to enhance protection of critical infrastructure.
A 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Taiwan near Yilan, causing minor damage and power outages, with authorities warning of possible aftershocks, as Taiwan remains prone to seismic activity due to tectonic plate movements.
A rare EF-0 tornado with winds up to 80 mph briefly touched down in Los Angeles on Christmas, damaging homes and businesses, as part of a larger storm system that caused widespread flooding, debris flows, and injuries across Southern California. The tornado was the first in LA in decades, highlighting the storm's severity and the region's vulnerability to such events.
Southern California experienced significant storm damage, including a rare EF-0 tornado in Boyle Heights on Christmas Day, causing roof and window damage, along with widespread flooding and mudslides in mountain communities. Cleanup efforts are ongoing, and evacuation orders have been lifted, with record rainfall breaking historical weather records in Los Angeles and Long Beach.
A fire in Portland's historic Old Port waterfront caused damage to buildings and boats, including sinking at least one vessel, with firefighters using a fire boat due to frozen hydrants; no fatalities reported, and investigations are ongoing.
A three-alarm fire on Portland's waterfront destroyed Maritime Antiques, damaged Sea Bags Factory Store, and caused minor boat damage, with firefighters battling icy conditions and flooding, and the cause remains under investigation.
The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-0 tornado with winds up to 80 mph touched down in Boyle Heights on Christmas, causing damage to roofs, windows, and signs, but no injuries were reported.
Severe winds reaching 114 mph caused significant damage to Lick Observatory near San Jose, including the collapse of a shutter section and structural beams, leading to a temporary closure for repairs. The historic telescope remains undamaged, but its lenses and electrical systems are vulnerable to rain. The university is assessing the damage and planning restoration efforts, marking the most serious wind-related damage in the observatory's 137-year history.
A severe windstorm swept through the Spokane region, causing nearly 100,000 power outages, record gusts at Spokane International Airport, and damage including downed trees and power lines. Utility crews are assessing damage and working to restore power, while residents are advised to report hazards cautiously. The storm is moving into western Montana, with wind gusts reaching up to 75 mph.
Washington state faces extensive flooding and damage after heavy rains and storms, with over 600 rescues, community evacuations, and significant infrastructure impacts, though the full extent of the damage remains unclear and recovery is expected to take months.
Typhoon Fung-wong struck northern Philippines, causing at least two deaths, widespread damage, and the evacuation of over one million people, with ongoing assessments and warnings of heavy rains and severe winds as the storm moves over the South China Sea.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck northern Afghanistan, causing at least 20 deaths and over 500 injuries, damaging hundreds of homes and prompting rescue efforts in affected provinces.
A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan, killing at least 20 people and injuring 260, with rescue efforts underway and damage reported in historic sites like the Blue Mosque. The earthquake's epicenter was near Khulm, and it was felt across multiple provinces, adding to Afghanistan's recent history of devastating quakes.
A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan, causing at least 20 deaths and over 640 injuries, damaging homes and historic sites, with rescue efforts underway and international aid offered. The country faces ongoing challenges in disaster response due to poor infrastructure and remote locations.
Hurricane Melissa caused extensive destruction across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, resulting in fatalities, widespread damage, and displacement, with emergency responses underway and warnings issued for Bermuda as the storm weakens.