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The LEO Network is a worldwide network of observers and experts that share their observations of environmental change.
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Observations

The Netherlands sees longest period without sunshine in 31 years
The Netherlands has seen 10 sunless days in a row and with another one expected on Thursday, it will be the longest period without sunshine since 1993.
Vreeland, Utrecht, Netherlands
IamExpat

Lions Bay mudslide tragedy leaves one dead and one person missing, local emergency declared
A mudslide in Lions Bay, British Columbia, has resulted in one death and one person missing, prompting a local emergency declaration and highlighting the area's vulnerability to debris flows due to past geotechnical oversight.
Lions Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

Snowfall causes significant power outages, most are now restored
A heavy snowfall led to power outages affecting about 3,500 homes in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, though most have now been restored.
Fairbanks, Alaska, United States
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Rain in December
Unusually warm weather in early December 2024 has led to rain in Anchorage, Alaska, marking the most December rainfall since 2018, driven by a warm air surge from the eastern Pacific.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States

Landslide above Portage Lake is on geologists' radar as tsunami threat
A landslide near the southern end of Portage Lake, Alaska, could pose a tsunami threat, with debris potentially creating waves 50 feet tall near the Begich, Boggs Visitors Center.
Portage Lake, Alaska, United States
Alaska's News Source

Newtok shuts down its critical infrastructure
Newtok, a community in Alaska, has shut down power and water services as part of a relocation effort due to permafrost deterioration and coastal erosion dangers.
Newtok, Alaska, United States
KYUK

Residents forced from homes by sinkhole hope to return within week
Residents in Pant, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales are displaced due to a sinkhole caused by heavy rain from Storm Bert. They hope to return home soon while some will not return until Christmas.
Pant, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, United Kingdom
Inverness Courier

Communities begin 'massive clean-up' after flooding from Storm Bert
After Storm Bert caused widespread flooding, communities across the UK start a massive clean-up effort, with severe damage reported in areas like Cwmtillery and Billing Aquadrome.
England and Wales, United Kingdom
Inverness Courier

Erosion from high surf and wind leave Homer Spit Road damaged
Homer Spit Road sustained damage from high tides and winds, prompting short-term repairs and highlighting the need for long-term erosion control measures.
Homer, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Tractor almost taken off the sea in storm: "Now winter is coming"
A severe storm in Finnmark led to multiple warnings for wind gusts, snow, and high water levels, causing significant damage including a tractor nearly swept to sea and a pier destroyed.
Finnmark, Norway
NRK

Death toll from Spanish floods tops 200 as shock turns to anger and frustration
The damage from the storm Tuesday and Wednesday recalled the aftermath of a tsunami, with survivors left to pick up the pieces as they mourn loved ones lost in Spain’s deadliest natural disaster in living memory. Many streets were still blocked by piled-up vehicles and debris, in some cases trapping residents in their homes. Some places still don’t have electricity, running water, or stable telephone connections.
Valencia, Valencia, Spain
Associated Press

Fall 2024 Storm Exposed Coastal Permafrost
A severe fall storm in 2024 exposed coastal permafrost in Kotzebue, revealing ice layers previously covered by clay or plants and raising concerns about increased melting and environmental contamination.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
Jacquelyn Overbeck, Alexander Kholodov, Susan Tessier, Vladimir Romanovsky, Anna Liljedahl

The Chukotka village of Rytkuchi was flooded by a surge wave due to a strong storm
Во вторник, 22 октября, в селе Рыткучи городского округа Певек из-за шторма начался подъём уровня воды. В результате подтопления двух многоквартирных домов пришлось расселить 45 человек. В целях безопасности в населённом пункте отключили электричество, сообщает ИА "Чукотка".
Рыткучи, Чаунский район, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia

Storm Submerges Kotzebue
A record storm caused extensive flooding in Kotzebue, Alaska, submerging the town and prompting community concern and relief efforts.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
Anna Liljedahl , Jacqualine Schaeffer, Richard L Thoman Jr, Gemini

Fall storm damages houses in Kotzebue and Northwest Alaska villages
A severe fall storm caused significant damage in Kotzebue, Alaska, with high winds and rising water levels leading to airport inaccessibility, disrupted flights, and emergency declarations.
Kotzebue, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Fast-growing Hurricane Milton is officially a Category 5 storm as it nears Florida
Milton grew quickly into a Category 5 storm Monday morning and is forecast to make landfall in Florida midweek.
Tampa, Florida, United States
Alaska Public Media

Extended monsoon causing flooding and landslides
Kirtipur, Central Region, Nepal

Impacts of Hurricane Helene in Watauga County
Hurricane Helene brought unexpected flooding and damage to Boone, North Carolina.
Boone, North Carolina, United States

Damage from permafrost melting in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation may exceed 10 trillion rubles
The article discusses the potential economic impact of permafrost melting in Russia's Arctic zone, estimating damages could exceed 10 trillion rubles by 2050 due to infrastructure collapse and other issues.
Norilsk, Krasnoyarskiy, Russia

Coastal Yukon River faces flood advisory as lower Kuskokwim catalogs flood impacts
Communities along the lower Kuskokwim River and coastal areas in Western Alaska assess damage from recent storms, with flooding and erosion impacting homes and infrastructure, and a new storm potentially exacerbating conditions.
Western Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media
Sage Smiley, KYUK - Bethel and Evan Erickson, KYUK - Bethel

Juneau glacial outburst flooding begins; Mendenhall Lake and River set to hit near-record levels
Minor flood stage will begin Monday morning, with flood water expected to crest sometime early Tuesday.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
KTOO

Calgary hail storm the 2nd-costliest disaster in Canadian history after $2.8B in damage
The Insurance Bureau of Canada says a severe hail storm that battered Calgary last month is the second-costliest event in Canadian history.
Northeast Calgary, Canada
Global News

St. Johnsbury, Vermont, Area Flooded
A localized round of heavy rain has wreaked havoc on the St. Johnsbury, Vermont, area, washing out some roads and damaging homes. This same area was hit hard with flooding just 19 days prior as the remnants of Beryl crossed North America. About two dozen rescues took place during the latest round of flooding and officials warned that the impacts could worsen as creeks rise further or more rain arrives.
St Johnsbury, Vermont, United States
The Weather Channel

2 Dead After Dam Collapses in Northwestern Russia
Two people were killed after a torrent of water poured over a cofferdam in northwestern Russia early Monday and flooded the surrounding area, authorities said.
Надвоицы, Сегежский район, Karelia, Russia
The Moscow Times

Crews battle wildfires across the US West and fight to hold containment lines
Wildfires across the western United States and Canada have put millions of people under air quality alerts, as thousands of firefighters battle the flames.
Cohasset, California, United States
AP News

Storms cause significant damage in Cornwall, Ont.
A severe storm in Cornwall, Ontario, caused extensive damage, including a house fire from a lightning strike and widespread power outages.
Cornwall, Ontario, Canada
Ottawa

Jasper damage map released as park’s largest wildfire in 100 years rages
Residents and businesses of the townsite inside Jasper National Park found out Saturday for certain whether or not they have anything to return to.
Jasper Park Lodge, Alberta, Canada
Global News

Downtown Juneau apartment building evacuated following landslide
A landslide in Juneau, Alaska, prompted the evacuation of an apartment building, with no injuries reported but further slides expected due to heavy rain.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

Four killed as heavy rains pound South Korea
Weather agency says the severity of the precipitation is only seen ‘once in about 200 years’.
Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea
Al Jazeera

A fire in Los Angeles County has consumed over 11,000 acres
The wildfire began Saturday afternoon in Gorman, an unincorporated community in northwestern Los Angeles County. California State Park Services evacuated 1,200 people from Hungry Valley Park, Cal Fire said. The fire was zero percent contained and had damaged two commercial properties as of Saturday evening.
Los Angeles, California, United States
CTVNews

Tornado hits Michigan, killing toddler, while Ohio and Maryland storms injure at least 13
It has been a grim spring for tornadoes in the U.S. April had the second-highest number of tornadoes for that month on record in the country. While tornadoes are not unheard of in Maryland, they are relatively rare — especially outbreaks of the volume seen Wednesday night.
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
AP News

Papua New Guinea says Friday's landslide buried more than 2,000 people and formally asks for help
A devastating landslide in Papua New Guinea buried over 2,000 people, prompting the government to seek international aid amidst challenges posed by unreliable census data and the destruction of a main highway.
AP News

Afghanistan floods devastate villages, killing 315
Northern Afghanistan devastated by flash floods, 315 dead, 1,600 injured. Thousands of homes damaged, livestock lost. Villagers lack essentials.
Nahrīn, Wilāyat-e Baghlān, Afghanistan
The Times of India

Evacuees from Fort Nelson in northeast B.C. escape raging wildfire
Residents of Fort Nelson, B.C., are urged to evacuate immediately due to a rapidly escalating wildfire, exacerbated by high winds and continuous drought conditions.
Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
CBC

Kuskokwim River breakup floods roads, impacts drinking water for some communities
The Kuskokwim River breakup has led to widespread flooding, affecting roads and drinking water in several communities, with Kwethluk experiencing significant impacts.
Bethel, Alaska, United States

10-mile Lower Kuskokwim ice jam causes flooding, high water
A 10-mile ice jam on the Lower Kuskokwim River has caused severe flooding in Tuluksak, with the area experiencing its worst flooding in over a decade.
Aniak, Alaska, United States
Evan Erickson, KYUK - Bethel and Sage Smiley, KYUK

Southern Brazil is still reeling from massive flooding as it faces risk from new storms
Southern Brazil is grappling with severe flooding, with further storms and heavy rains forecasted, causing widespread displacement and damage.
Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Up to five inches of rain brings landslide, road flooding
An East Hillcrest Ave. home was damaged in a mudslide brought by heavy rains Thursday afternoon.
Kodiak, Alaska, United States
Kodiak Daily Mirror

'Worst floods in decades' hit Kazakhstan and Russia
Unprecedented flooding strikes Kazakhstan and Russia, marking the worst in decades for the region. The worse than usual seasonal floods have been caused by melting snow. Across the border in Russia, an oil refinery in the city of Orsk, 1,800km southeast of Moscow, has stopped operations because of the floods.
Orsk, Orenburg, Russia
BBC

Strong 7.2 earthquake strikes off Hualien
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake, the largest in 25 years, struck off the coast of Hualien, Taiwan, causing nine deaths, hundreds of injuries, and significant structural damage.
Hualien City, Taiwan, Taiwan

Breaking: Eruption Begins on Reykjanes Peninsula
A new fissure eruption on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula, the third since December, began without posing immediate danger to populated areas or infrastructure.
Grindavík, Southern Peninsula Region, Iceland
Iceland Review

Southcentral Alaska cold snap and surging natural gas demand put supply in question
A cold snap in Southcentral Alaska has led to increased natural gas demand, causing Enstar to struggle with supply due to equipment failure and technical issues.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

2 found dead after residential fires in Mat-Su
Two individuals died in separate fires in Mat-Su, with one victim found outside his home after escaping the blaze, potentially succumbing to extreme cold.
Palmer, Alaska, United States
Chris Klint, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

2 Anchorage commercial roof collapses reported in 2 days
Both buildings were occupied during the collapses but everyone got out safely and no injuries were reported, according to Anchorage Fire Department spokeswoman Lexi Trainer.
Anchorage, Alaska, United States
Chris Klint, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Anchorage hits 100-inch winter snow total at earliest date on record
A storm that started Sunday and largely tailed off by Monday afternoon had dropped nearly 17 inches on the city by evening to establish the new seasonal snowfall total, according to the National Weather Service. The storm closed schools in Anchorage and Mat-Su on Monday, and contributed to a fatal collision on the Parks Highway.
Anchorage Daily News

Arrival of heavy rain means risk for structures, boats and avalanches even higher after record snow
Heavy rain forecasted after record snowfall in Juneau increases risks of structural damage, boat sinkings, and avalanches, prompting officials to urge residents to clear drains and snow from properties and vessels.
Juneau, Alaska, United States
Juneau Empire

Lingering storm may dump more than two feet of snow; avalanche, other warnings issued
Snowfall totals for the 24-hour period ending at about noon Monday were 10.4 inches at Juneau International Airport. Rain is forecast from Tuesday night through at least next Monday as temperatures hover between the mid-30s and about 40, according to NWS Juneau.
Juneau Empire

Ice storm hits Pacific Northwest as East and South face bitter cold
A power line fell on a car in Portland, killing three people and injuring a baby during an ice storm that turned roads and mountain highways treacherous in the Pacific Northwest.
Portland, Oregon, United States

Winter storms bring deep snow, high winds and delays to Nome
A series of winter storms hit Nome with deep snow and high winds, causing school closures, flight cancellations, and significant snow removal challenges.
Nome, Alaska, United States
The Nome Nugget

Storm leaves behind 29.3” of snow at airport, avalanche hazards, closed schools and state offices
A severe storm in Juneau resulted in 29.3 inches of snow at the airport, causing avalanches, road closures, and the shutdown of schools and state offices.
Juneau Empire

Fighting beach erosion on a mangrove island
Workers are using sargassum and sand to rebuild the beach, with shore retention and reef protection in mind.
Long Caye, Belize

Rural Chugach Electric customers deal with 'excessive' winter outages
Chugach Electric acknowledges the high frequency of winter power outages in Cooper Landing and Moose Pass, attributing them to heavy snowfall and considering solutions like local maintenance crews.
Moose Pass, Alaska, United States

After icy record last week, Kvikkjokk is now Sweden's warmest place
Kvikkjokk was the coldest place in Sweden last Wednesday at with a temperature reaching as low as -43.6 degrees Celsius. But warm northwesterly winds increased the temperatures by about 40 degrees in a matter of hours.
Kvikkjokk, Norrbotten, Sweden

We've been shoveling snow for over three hours
Several Agder municipalities, including Grimstad, have closed schools for the week due to heavy snowfall, with Sivilforsvaret assisting home services and residents shoveling to maintain access.
Grimstad, Agder, Norway
NRK

Powerful earthquakes leave at least 55 dead, destroy buildings along Japan's western coast
Damage was so great that it could not immediately be assessed. Japanese media reports said tens of thousands of homes were destroyed.
輪島市, Ishikawa, Japan

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