By DÁNICA COTO, JOHN MYERS JR. and EVENS SANON Associated Press
Tropical Storm Melissa is nearly stationary in the central Caribbean, with forecasters warning it could soon strengthen and brush past Jamaica as a powerful hurricane. Catastrophic flooding and landslides are likely in southern Haiti in the coming days. U.S. forecasters said the storm's slow movement will mean days of exposure to heavy rain and strong winds, which will worsen flooding and other dangers. Melissa had 60 mph winds early Friday. It could strengthen into a hurricane Saturday and a major hurricane later in the weekend. Authorities were opening shelters and making other preparations in Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
By CHRISTOPHER WEBER and HALLIE GOLDEN Associated Press
Southern California is getting hit by a rare October storm that's pummeling the region with heavy rain and heavy winds. Mudslides are possible Tuesday. Some homes have been ordered evacuated in wildfire-scarred Los Angeles neighborhoods. Flames can leave hillsides without vegetation to hold soil in place and making it easier for the terrain to loosen during storms. The evacuations covered about 115 homes, mostly in Pacific Palisades and Mandeville Canyon. As downpours moved through the region, drivers hydroplaned and some accidents were reported on flooded roads. The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings in several counties that recently had wildfires.
Meteorologists say a deadly tornado in North Dakota this summer has been upgraded to a top-of-the-scale EF5, and was the first on American soil in 12 years. The June 20 twister killed three people and at its largest was over a mile wide as it touched down for just over 12 miles. Meteorologists from the National Weather Service estimated Monday that the tornado had winds in excess of 210 miles per hour. The 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore tornado in Oklahoma holds the record of the strongest winds ever recorded in the U.S. at 321 miles per hour. Since the National Weather Service began using Enhanced Fujita scale in 2007, there have been 10 tornadoes categorized as EF5.
Residents of New Orleans are marking the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's devastating landfall on the Gulf Coast. Events from solemn memorial services to uplifting musical performances are being held in the city Friday to honor the dead, the displaced and the determined survivors who helped rebuild. A wreath-laying ceremony kicked off the day at New Orleans' memorial for dozens of unidentified storm victims. Hundreds observed a minute of silence in the Lower Ninth Ward, a majority Black neighborhood where the federal levee system was breached on Aug. 29, 2005. Residents and dignitaries also marked Katrina's anniversary in Mississippi, where hundreds more perished in the storm.
On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the U.S. Gulf Coast in southeast Louisiana, breaching levees and spurring floods that devastated New Orleans. Katrina caused nearly 1,400 deaths and an estimated $200 billion in damage.
By ROSS FRANKLIN and HALLIE GOLDEN Associated Press
Crews are cleaning up downed trees and have mostly restored power after a powerful dust storm hit the Phoenix area. The storm was what's known as a haboob. It blackened skies and knocked out electricity for 15,000 customers late Monday afternoon. Drenching rain followed. Flights were halted at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. By Tuesday afternoon things were mostly back to normal. Only about 100 customers were still without power in Maricopa County. The weather was warm and clear, with scattered thunderstorms expected to give way to hot and dry weather through the rest of the week.
By ALLEN G. BREED and JOHN SEEWER Associated Press
Strong winds and waves from Hurricane Erin have battered Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard as dangerous rip currents continue to threaten from the Carolinas to New England. But the storm is heading farther out to sea and forecasters say the unusually large hurricane will slowly weaken into the weekend. It has already dropped to Category 1 status. The menacing waves closed beaches from the Carolinas to New York City on Thursday. On North Carolina's Outer Banks, waves breached dunes in the town of Kill Devil Hills, and water and sand pooled on Highway 12. But the low-lying islands appear to have dodged widespread destruction.
