Category: Disasters and Emergencies

Hawaiian Electric Draws Scrutiny in Search for What Sparked Maui Wildfire

The main utility serving Hawaii did not pre-emptively shut off power before high winds reached Maui, and power lines fell in the windstorm.
When Tragedy Strikes in China, the Government Cracks Down on Grief

The Chinese government represses public grief, withholding information and stanching displays of mourning to tell history the way it wants it told.
Maui Fires Come at a Moment of Turmoil for the Insurance Industry

Hawaii has the nation’s lowest rates for homeowner coverage because it has not suffered many natural disasters. That may change.
Planning to Visit Hawaii? Here’s What You Need to Know About the Wildfires.

Devastating fires on Maui and the Big Island have destroyed businesses and homes, and caused at least six deaths. They are also upending tourism, leaving travelers wondering what to do.
Summer Travel and Climate Change: Will Vacation Be a Thing of the Past?

This year, everything from scorching heat to fires, floods, tornadoes and hail storms driven by climate change have disrupted the plans of travelers around the world. A summer getaway remains a powerful desire, but it’s at a tipping point.
Anger in China Over Flooding of Towns, in Part, to Save Beijing

A provincial leader set off an outcry by urging cities to serve as a “moat” for the capital, as diverted floodwaters sent scores of residents fleeing.
A Tech Checklist for the Dark Side of Summer Weather

This season has seen excessive heat, violent storms and hazardous smoke already, but you can prepare for future events with a few apps and tools.
Canada Offers Lesson in the Economic Toll of Climate Change

Wildfires are hurting many industries and could strain households across Canada, one of many countries reckoning with the impact of extreme weather.
Stress Tests Show Largest Banks Are Sturdy, Fed Says

The Federal Reserve tested banks’ ability to endure a real estate crash, high unemployment and trading turmoil.
‘Broken Spectre’: The Terrible Beauty of Richard Mosse’s Portrait of the Amazon

The artist wanted to photograph orchids but ended up making “Broken Spectre,” a film about the destruction of the rainforest — his most powerful work yet.
A $1 Trillion Borrowing Binge Looms After Debt Limit Standoff

The government has avoided default, but the effects of the debt-ceiling brinkmanship may still ripple across the economy.
Backup Power: A Growing Need, if You Can Afford It

Extreme weather linked to climate change is causing more blackouts. But generators and batteries are still out of reach of many.