First major hurricane of the season intensifies to Category 5
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Yahoo
5 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Will the black moon be visible in Wisconsin? What to know about rare Aug. 23 lunar event
A rare lunar phenomenon will occur this weekend, just weeks after August's Sturgeon Moon lit up the Wisconsin night sky. A black moon is expected Aug. 23. It's a special kind of new moon that only happens every few years. But will the black moon be visible in Wisconsin? Here's what to know: What is a black moon? A black moon is an extra new moon, according to The lunar phenomenon is defined in two different ways, USA TODAY reported. A monthly black moon is the second new moon in a calendar month, while a seasonal black moon is the third new moon in an astronomical season with four new moons. When will the black moon appear? The black moon will occur Aug. 23. Will the black moon be visible in Wisconsin? No, you can't actually see anything when a black moon happens. Just like other new moons, the unlit side of the moon will be facing Earth, making it invisible, says. But even though you won't be able to see the moon itself, the night sky will be ideal for stargazing — and looking for objects that are hard to see when the moon is shining bright, the website notes. The moon will reappear as a thin crescent on Aug. 24 and 25, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. More: You can't see it, but a rare 'black moon' is due this week. How it happens. How often do black moons occur? Black moons are pretty rare. They only happen once every 33 months, according to When was the last black moon? says the last black moon happened on May 19, 2023. When will the next black moon occur? The next black moon won't occur until Aug. 31, 2027, says. This will be a monthly black moon, when there are two new moons in one month. What are the best places in Wisconsin to watch the night sky? Even though the black moon won't be visible, it's worth noting that some spots across Wisconsin offer the best view of the night sky: Newport State Park, Ellison Bay Driftless Region, Wisconsin Harrington Beach State Park, Belgium Kettle Moraine State Forest, Eagle Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan Parnell Tower, Plymouth James Powel and Jenna Prestininzi of USA TODAY contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What is a black moon? What to know about the rare Aug. 23 lunar event Solve the daily Crossword
CNET
6 minutes ago
- CNET
Will Your Home Be Safe in a Hurricane? Here's How to Protect It
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season was one of the slowest to start in recent years, but it's gotten dangerous very quickly. Hurricane Erin intensified rapidly over the past week and is now hitting the coast of Virginia and North Carolina. The storm quickly advanced from a Category 1 hurricane (winds at 74-95 mph) to Category 5 (winds above 157 mph) in less than 24 hours over this past weekend. While the massive storm is not predicted to hit land, it is expected to result in coastal flooding and very strong winds, especially near beaches. Hurricane season starts in the spring, but September and October are the most likely months for hurricanes, according to Eastern Pacific: May 15 to Nov. 30 Atlantic: June 1 to Nov. 30 Central Pacific: June 1 to Nov. 30 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted a 60% chance of an "above normal" hurricane season in 2025. NOAA If you live near the Atlantic coast or are just concerned about hurricane weather and your house, we've rounded up a few steps you can take to prepare for extreme weather to help protect your family and home. For more disaster preparedness tips, check out our guide on how to prep for hurricanes, wildfires, storms and other natural disasters, 11 things to do to prepare for a blackout and how to save the food in your fridge if the power goes out. Create an emergency plan One of the most important steps to preparing for hurricane season is creating your family's emergency plan, including your evacuation route. First, know ahead of time how your family will communicate during a hurricane and how you'll receive emergency alerts. Know where you'll shelter in place but also the evacuation route you'll take, if necessary. Your plan should also include any special measures necessary to care for children, pets or family members with mobility issues. Additionally, make a plan for any household members who require special medication or medical equipment. Before hurricane season, make sure everyone in the family understands the plan, including children. Secure your home As hurricane season approaches, take steps to secure your property against potential hurricanes and high winds. A few steps you can take include: Trim trees to remove weak branches Install hurricane-proof doors Install storm shutters to windows Replace exterior glass with tempered glass Have a plan for outdoor furniture, potted plants and toys Prepare an emergency kit The last thing you want to do when a hurricane is approaching is rush around to find everything you may need for the coming days. Instead, have an emergency kit or go bag on hand that you can turn to. Your emergency kit can include: Nonperishable food Bottled water Flashlights Extra batteries Portable radio First-aid supplies Prescription medication Pet food Cash Blankets Phone chargers Basic hygiene items Check your insurance policies Before hurricane season each year is a good time to double-check your insurance policies and make sure you're fully covered in case there's an incident. First, you should ensure that your current coverage is enough to rebuild your home and replace all of your personal property in the event of a personal loss. You should also make sure you have the types of coverage specifically needed for hurricanes: flood insurance and windstorm insurance. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, make sure you have the necessary coverage. Understand your deductible and keep enough in a savings account to cover it in case there's a loss. Keep an inventory of your belongings If you live in an area prone to hurricanes and are at risk of your home being damaged, be sure to keep a running inventory of your personal property. If there's a storm and you have to file a homeowners insurance claim, you'll have to provide an inventory of items that were destroyed. The quicker you can provide this information to the insurance company, the quicker it can settle your claim and you can start to recover. To create your inventory, simply go room by room and add each item to a spreadsheet. Include the value of each item in case you have to file a claim. For valuable items, you can also include photos or purchase receipts. Be sure to store your inventory digitally -- there are apps that will help you do this. You should also update it each year before hurricane season. Keep important documents somewhere safe If you're storing important documents in your home in paper form, it's time to find a new strategy. First, make sure that every important document is in a waterproof and fireproof safe in your home. Next, make sure that each document has a digital copy so that if your home is destroyed and your safe can't be recovered, you still have copies of everything. (We've also got advice on how to recover important documents after a natural disaster). Important documents to keep safe include: Birth certificates Marriage certificates Social Security cards Military service records Insurance policies Tax statements Health records Financial records Keep a hurricane checklist on hand When a hurricane hits, the fear and adrenaline can make it easy to forget what steps to follow. Before hurricane season arrives, make a checklist of exactly what you'll do and what you'll pack if a hurricane hits. That way, if there is a storm, you can refer to your list rather than trying to remember every important step yourself. Be safe with generators and fuels Generators and heaters can be lifesavers when a storm knocks the power out, but they can also be deadly if not used carefully. Make sure you're using any device that burns fuels properly: Don't use a portable generator, grill or camp stove inside. The fumes and carbon monoxide can be deadly. Operate grills, camp stoves and portable generators outside and at least 20 feet away from a building opening like a door or window. One alternative to a fuel-powered generator is a portable power station, which can be recharged with portable solar panels.
CBS News
7 minutes ago
- CBS News
Here's how Hurricane Erin could impact Maryland
Hurricane Erin is not expected to make landfall in the U.S., but Maryland could see some impacts as the storm travels parallel to the East Coast this week. As of Wednesday, several Maryland beaches have prohibited water access due to dangerous conditions, and some state agencies are preparing for possible flooding and debris. Erin is currently a Category 2 storm as of Wednesday afternoon with maximum sustained winds of 111 mph. It is expected to maintain its strength into the weekend. On Wednesday, Maryland experienced gloomy, wet weather as a cold front brought showers to the region. These showers are not from Erin, and the cold front is keeping Erin offshore, according to WJZ's First Alert Weather Team. Additional thunderstorms are expected on Wednesday evening, before the front moves on, leaving cooler, breezy conditions on Thursday. Maryland will feel most of the impacts from Hurricane Erin on Thursday as the storm passes offshore. The hurricane is nearly 7 miles across, and it will send gusty winds to the region. Gusts along the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland beaches could reach 30 to 35 mph, prompting a wind advisory for the coastline. Dry conditions and sunshine will return on Friday as the wind dies down. The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) said Tuesday that it was preparing for potential flooding on roadways near the Eastern Shore and southern parts of the state. MDOT SHA crews have cleared drainage inlets of debris buildup, checked to make sure generators are working, prepared high water signs and ensured chainsaws and chippers are ready to be deployed if needed. Officials are reminding drivers to "Turn Around, Don't Drown" during flooding events. The agency also offered the following recommendations: Find real-time traffic updates here. As of Wednesday afternoon, the beaches at Assateague Island and Ocean City, Maryland, were closed to swimmers due to the dangerous rip current and high surf. According to the First Alert Weather Team, Erin is expected to bring massive waves with 9 - 14 inch swells to the beaches in Maryland and Delaware. The storm is also causing 30- to 50-foot waves offshore, along with high tides and beach erosion, which will continue into the weekend. The highest tides are expected on Thursday evening. A High Surf Advisory is in effect in Ocean City, and public access to the water is prohibited. Ocean City Beach Patrol said lifeguards will remain on duty to remind visitors not to enter the water. Officials have not yet indicated when the beach will reopen. The National Park Service closed several parts of the beach on Assateague Island, which includes parts of Maryland and Virginia. As of Wednesday, all Oceanside Beaches are closed, the parking lots at Chinconteague Beach are partially closed, and more closures are possible as Erin continues to cause high wind speeds and tidal surges, NPS said.
