Texas flood-warning systems tested after new Hill Country flooding
Flooding in the Texas Hill Country on July 16 put warning systems and emergency preparations into use after deadly floods the previous year.
Environment & Weather
Weather, climate, pollution, air and water quality, conservation, wildlife, natural resources, and environmental policy.
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Brunswick County Keeps South Brunswick Under Stage 3 Water Restrictions Amid Exceptional Drought
Mandatory Stage 3 water restrictions remain in effect in Brunswick County, limiting automated outdoor irrigation to once a week and increasing fees as drought conditions worsen.
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Flooding Kills at Least 82 Across India, Pakistan and Afghanistan as Assam Impact Widens
At least 82 people died during a week of heavy rain and flooding across India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Assam authorities reported 36 deaths and more than 650,000 people affected across 11 districts.
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Typhoon Bavi Makes Landfall in China on July 11 After Affecting Japan and Taiwan
Typhoon Bavi made landfall in Zhejiang province on July 11 after bringing strong winds and rain to Japan’s southern islands and Taiwan. More than 1.7 million people were evacuated in Zhejiang, while Taiwan lifted its land and sea warnings the next day.
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Prolonged western heat wave continues as drought risk expands across the Great Plains and Corn Belt
A NOAA outlook identifies persistent western heat and rising rapid-onset drought risk in parts of the Great Plains and Corn Belt through Aug. 10.
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WMO Warns El Niño Could Rapidly Strengthen to Strong Levels by Late 2026
The World Meteorological Organization says El Niño is developing in the tropical Pacific, with an 80% chance of emergence by late summer and a possible strong phase later in 2026.
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EPA Proposes Removing Minimum Federal Public-Participation Rules for Minor-Source Permits
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to streamline permitting for minor pollution sources by eliminating minimum federal requirements for public participation, leaving states and localities to determine how their programs operate.
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Lynn, Swampscott Continue King’s Beach Bacteria Testing
Lynn and Swampscott are testing culverts, sediment, drainage flows and wet-weather conditions to guide future cleanup at King’s Beach.
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Durham Water Restrictions Continue as Reservoirs Reach Half Capacity
Durham’s Stage 2 water restrictions remain in effect as reservoirs sit at about 50% capacity, with 119 days of estimated supply and Stage 3 still possible.
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Corpus Christi remains under Stage 3 water restrictions
Corpus Christi remains under Stage 3 water restrictions, with reservoirs at 26.6% combined capacity and a possible Level 1 emergency projected for September.
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43 Mediterranean Countries Begin Work on the Region’s First Climate Action Plan
The Union for the Mediterranean launched development of a regional climate action plan on July 1, focused on adaptation, resilience, finance and natural-resource management.
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Venezuela Reports 3,811 Dead From June 24 Earthquakes as Delcy Rodríguez Seeks Sanctions Relief
Venezuelan authorities said 3,811 people had died and 16,740 were injured by July 8 after twin earthquakes struck the country on June 24. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez called for access to blocked overseas assets to help pay for reconstruction.
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Paint Rock posts July 21 council and budget-workshop agendas amid nitrate concerns
Paint Rock has posted agendas for a July 21, 2026, city council meeting and budget workshop as regional planning records continue to document winter nitrate concerns in the Concho River near the town.
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Redway water district imposes mandatory Stage II conservation as Eel River flow falls to half normal
Mandatory Stage II water conservation took effect for Redway Community Services District customers after Eel River flow fell to about half its seasonal median. A new storage tank remains under construction.
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EPA says East Palestine cleanup is complete and has shifted to monitoring
The EPA says site-wide cleanup and restoration in East Palestine were completed by January 2026, but the response now includes monitoring after groundwater data-quality problems were found.
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UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell Warns Escalating Disasters Are Straining Lives and Economies
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell warned July 28 that increasingly frequent, intense and costly heatwaves, floods and storms are putting lives and economies worldwide at risk.
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Ann Arbor Ends Local Tornado Emergency as Recovery Continues
Ann Arbor ended its local tornado emergency July 6 after the April 15 EF-1 tornado, but insurance claims remain for damage at two city facilities.
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Fayetteville activates voluntary Stage 1 water restrictions
Fayetteville’s Public Works Commission activated voluntary Stage 1 water restrictions July 19, asking customers to cut nonessential treated-water use.
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New Hampshire reviews old septic order tied to Ossipee-area Wabanaki Campground
DES said it will review whether all structures at Wabanaki Campground have operational septic approvals before deciding whether to release a decades-old administrative order.
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Fox Fire Closes I-84 Near Baker City as Oregon Mobilizes Home-Protection Task Force
The Fox Fire reached Interstate 84 near Baker City on July 27, prompting highway closures and a state task force focused on homes and critical infrastructure.
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NJDEP lists Lake Hopatcong water-level plan update as park swimming area sets July closure
A New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection page lists a July 17 update to the Lake Hopatcong Water Level Management Plan and a July 24-26 closure of the Hopatcong State Park swimming area.
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Channahon offers residents up to two free replacement parkway trees after removals
Channahon residents can request up to two free parkway trees per property under a new first-come, first-served village program.