Latest News in Weather
Belfast Telegraph
27 minutes ago
- Climate
- Belfast Telegraph
Swiss village destroyed by landslide in ‘major catastrophe'
Video on social media and Swiss TV showed the mudslide near Blatten, in the southern Lotschental valley, with homes and buildings partially submerged under a mass of brown sludge. 'What I can tell you at the moment is that about 90% of the village is covered or destroyed, so it's a major catastrophe that has happened here in Blatten,' Stephane Ganzer, the head of security in the southern Valais region, told local TV channel Canal9. The regional government said in a statement that a large chunk of the Birch Glacier located above the village had broken off, causing the landslide which as well as covering the village had also buried the nearby Lonza River bed, raising the possibility of dammed water flows. Mr Ganzer said it was not immediately clear whether anyone was injured, and that the army had been mobilised after earlier indications that the movement of the glacier was accelerating. 'There's a risk that the situation could get worse,' he told Canal9, alluding to the blocked river. In recent days the authorities had ordered the evacuation of about 300 people, as well as all livestock from the village, amid fears that a 1.5 million cubic metre glacier above the village was at risk of collapse. Local authorities deployed across the area to assess the damage and whether there has been any casualties, Jonas Jeitziner, a spokesman for the Lotschental crisis centre, told The Associated Press by phone. In 2023, residents of the village of Brienz, in eastern Switzerland, were evacuated before a huge mass of rock slid down a mountainside, stopping just short of the settlement. Brienz was evacuated again last year because of the threat of a further rockslide.
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Grant County burn ban to begin Sunday
May 28—"Every year, we face increased fire danger during the summer months. The burn ban is not just a rule; it's a vital step in protecting our homes, farmland, and natural landscapes from devastating wildfires. We're asking everyone to be vigilant and do their part." — Grant County Fire District 3 Chief David Durfee MOSES LAKE — As temperatures rise and vegetation dries out, Grant County is about to start its annual burn ban beginning June 1, a measure designed to minimize the risk of wildfires during the summer months. The ban will continue until Sept. 30, encompassing all unincorporated areas of the county. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, more than 85% of wildfires in the United States are caused by human activity, highlighting the significance of preventative measures. This year, local officials are particularly concerned about the forecasted increase in wildfire activity due to hotter and drier weather conditions. "Every year, we face increased fire danger during the summer months," said Grant County Fire District 3 Chief David Durfee. "The burn ban is not just a rule; it's a vital step in protecting our homes, farmland and natural landscapes from devastating wildfires. We're asking everyone to be vigilant and do their part." The burn ban prohibits all outdoor burning of natural vegetation, including yard waste, debris piles, and the use of burn barrels. Additionally, it forbids the combustion of prohibited materials such as garbage, treated wood, or construction debris. Residents caught violating these regulations may face significant fines and other repercussions. However, recreational fires in approved fire pits or rings are still permitted, provided they are no larger than three feet in diameter and located at least 25 feet from any structure. Fire pits must also be attended at all times, with adequate water or extinguishing tools readily available. Gas and propane appliances, including barbecues, may continue to be used but must be operated safely. "The burn ban is not just punitive; it focuses on proactive measures," said Mike Ganz, Interim Fire Administrator for the Moses Lake Fire Department. "When people don't burn, we don't have any problems. Typically, the most common challenges we face are uncontrolled burns that another individual started." Grant County Fire District 13, according to a statement from the department, responded to two fires this Sunday that started as controlled burns but got out of hand, quickly threatening property and buildings. To ensure safe burning practices, residents are advised to have a charged water source ready on-site and to keep combustible materials far from any active burn. Durfee emphasized the importance of monitoring weather conditions when planning burns. "If it's windy, don't burn," he said. "It is very easy for fire to spread to adjacent vegetation and (fires) will 'run' in the wind. This story is predictable." Failing to act quickly can exacerbate fire situations. "If your fire becomes uncontrolled, don't delay in calling 911," Durfee said. "This may be the difference between preventable damage and extensive loss." As the community prepares for what experts predict to be an above-normal wildfire season, both officials and fire departments are calling for public cooperation. Residents are encouraged to create defensible space around their properties, especially in areas where urban development interfaces with wilderness. Additionally, violators of the burn ban can face fines. The first offense is $150; the second offense is $300, and the third subsequent offense is $500. "We've seen increased fires and large incidents in prior years," Durfee said. "This helps mitigate some of the damage we see." For a comprehensive overview of the burning regulations and updates about the burn ban, residents can visit for more information. In preparation for the upcoming season, residents are encouraged to take proactive steps to safeguard their homes and community. "Community cooperation is crucial in times like these," said Ganz. "We have to work together to avoid tragedies that can arise from neglecting these essential fire safety practices."
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Red Mountain Pass to close Thursday
OURAY COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) – The Colorado Department of Transportation announced it will close Red Mountain Pass Thursday morning to perform safety-critical helicopter operations. CDOT said the closure on U.S. Highway 550 will be between mile points 81 and 90.9. The highway will close at 7:30 a.m. There's no exact time when it will reopen. Maintenance crews are using the better weather conditions to perform routine maintenance on several avalanche mitigation units above the highway, according to CDOT. The closure is important for motorist safety during helicopter operations. The traffic impacts include: Northbound travelers will encounter a closure about 10 miles north of Silverton near the summit of Red Mountain Pass, mile point 81. Southbound travelers will notice a closure at the Bear Creek Overlook, approximately 3 miles south of Ouray, at mile marker 90.9. If operations allow it, flaggers might guide motorists through the closure points, but lengthy delays should be expected. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wichita Falls concrete repairs to impact northbound I-44 lanes
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — The Texas Department of Transportation will begin concrete repairs in Wichita Falls on Thursday, May 29. According to a press release from the organization, Northbound I-44 from the elevated freeway (US 287) to the Scotland Park exit will see an increase in traffic as the two left lanes will be closed through the construction site. Repairs are expected to begin around 7 a.m. on Thursday, and the closures will remain in place around the clock until the concrete cures, hopefully by Friday, May 30. Rain chances could extend or postpone the work. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
3 tornadoes confirmed in Coweta, Carroll counties during Tuesday storms
The National Weather Service has confirmed three tornadoes touched down in metro Atlanta on Tuesday afternoon. The NWS confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Coweta County on Tuesday afternoon. The NWS says the tornado had maximum winds of 90 miles per hour. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The NWS also confirmed two EF-0 tornadoes in Carroll County. They say one was in the southern part of the county and the other in the far western part of the county. Those storms had maximum winds of 75 miles per hour and 85 miles per hour. On Tuesday, several tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings were issued across metro Atlanta as storms moved through. TRENDING STORIES: Did you get a text like this? GA Dept. Of Drivers Services warns it's a scam Teen caught during attempted contraband drop at GA prison, officials say Trump to pardon Todd and Julie Chrisley: What are the next steps? Earlier this week, several tornadoes touched down in Gordon and Chattooga counties. Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Brad Nitz says there have been 23 tornadoes in the Channel 2 Action News viewing area so far this year. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
