Hacker News with Generative AI: Natural Disasters

How dangerous is Africa's explosive Lake Kivu? (nature.com)
An unusual lake in central Africa could one day release a vast cloud of greenhouse gases that suffocates millions of people. But it’s not clear whether the threat is getting worse.

Africa, Environment, Climate Change, Natural Disasters

6 points by dest 10 days ago | 0 comments

Feds spend $2.1M per homeowner in bailout of one of LA's richest burbs (latimes.com)
The federal government plans to give Rancho Palos Verdes $42 million to finance buyouts for the homeowners hardest hit by the ongoing landslides in the Portuguese Bend area, with the properties eventually converted into lower-risk open space.

Government Spending, California, Natural Disasters, Real Estate

8 points by doctorpangloss 11 days ago | 0 comments

At least 62 killed in flooding in Spain (elpais.com)
At least 70 people are reported to have died as a result of flooding in Spain, which mainly affected the province of Valencia, according to the Integrated Operational Coordination Center of the Ministry of Interior, which compiles information from various security and emergency agencies.

Natural Disasters, Spain, Weather

18 points by crbelaus 22 days ago | 5 comments

Dead bodies found after torrential rain brings flash flooding to Spain (theguardian.com)
Several dead bodies have been recovered by emergency workers after torrential rain caused flash floods in southern and eastern Spain, shutting roads and high-speed train connections.

Natural Disasters, Spain, Weather, Emergency Response

6 points by wslh 22 days ago | 0 comments

The Rip in the World (longreads.com)
An unquiet bowl of orange rock-soup, filmed from above by a drone, played continuously on the sole television screen in the lobby. Standing in line with our luggage, we took in the boisterous sloshing of the lava, our wide eyes tracking each plume of gas against the soggy North Atlantic sky. It was a vision almost too dramatic to believe.

Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Natural Disasters, Travel

20 points by diodorus 23 days ago | 0 comments

Scientists are mapping landslide risk in Alaska (nytimes.com)
Deadly landslides are increasing around the world. But in parts of Alaska, maps of the hazards remain controversial.

Science, Climate Change, Alaska, Natural Disasters

26 points by bookofjoe 26 days ago | 6 comments

Russia amplified hurricane disinformation to drive Americans apart (abc7chicago.com)
Russia has helped amplify and spread false and misleading internet claims about recent hurricanes in the United States and the federal government's response, part of a wider effort by the Kremlin to manipulate America's political discourse before the presidential election, new research shows.

Disinformation, Russia, Politics, United States, Natural Disasters

105 points by wumeow 26 days ago | 64 comments

After the Deluge: Appalachia's "Climate Haven" Myth Unravels (salvationsouth.com)
When Hurricane Helene roared across Appalachia on September 27, it pummeled a region that academics and journalists in recent years had labeled a “climate change haven.”

Climate Change, Appalachia, Natural Disasters, Environmental Issues, Geography

12 points by speckx 28 days ago | 5 comments

What if you can't afford to flee a hurricane? (vox.com)
Even when a life-threatening hurricane is headed your way, there are many reasons why you might stay put. You might have dependent family members who can’t leave due to disabilities or other health-related reasons; you might not have reliable transportation to get to a safer area, and what’s more, no gas to get there. Sometimes, you simply refuse to leave your home and everything you own behind.

Hurricanes, Natural Disasters, Social Issues, Poverty

21 points by lr0 40 days ago | 24 comments

How the 'Waffle House Index' Shows the Impact of Hurricane Milton (investopedia.com)
It takes a lot for a Waffle House to close. If the "Waffle House Index" is flashing red ahead of an impending storm, you might want to think twice about staying put.

Hurricane Milton, Weather, Natural Disasters, Business

7 points by boilerupnc 43 days ago | 1 comments

Climate change makes hurricanes more destructive (edf.org)
As our climate warms, we’re experiencing stronger winds, higher storm surges and record rainfalls during hurricane season — which is also why these storms are becoming more destructive and costly.

Climate Change, Hurricanes, Natural Disasters

14 points by LopRabbit 43 days ago | 4 comments

Through Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Amateur Radio Triumphs When All Else Fails (wired.com)
While some residents in hurricane-impacted areas can’t send texts or make calls, amateur radio enthusiasts are helping communicate requests for help and messages between loved ones.

Amateur Radio, Natural Disasters, Communication, Technology

22 points by 8bitsrule 43 days ago | 2 comments

Hurricane Milton explodes into a powerful Cat 5 storm as it heads for Florida (theconversation.com)
Hurricane Milton went from barely hurricane strength to a dangerous Category 5 storm in less than 24 hours as it headed across the Gulf of Mexico toward Florida.

Weather, Hurricanes, Florida, Natural Disasters

44 points by gnabgib 44 days ago | 25 comments

Helene ravaged the NC plant that makes 60% of the country's IV fluid supply (arstechnica.com)
Hospitals nationwide are bracing for a possible shortage of essential intravenous fluids after the cataclysmic storm inundated a vital manufacturing plant in North Carolina.

Natural Disasters, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Supply Chain

16 points by pkilgore 47 days ago | 4 comments

Helene Should Trigger a National Rethink of Home Insurance (newrepublic.com)
As people across the Southeast continue to pick up the pieces from Hurricane Helene, many will continue to face a rude awakening: that they—or their landlords—don’t have flood insurance.

Natural Disasters, Insurance, Politics

41 points by howard941 48 days ago | 24 comments

Elon Musk Claims Subsidizing Starlink Would Have Saved Hurricane Helene Victims (techdirt.com)
I know I’ve argued that not every Elon Musk brain fart warrants its own news cycle, but this one is particularly gross given recent events.

Elon Musk, Starlink, Natural Disasters, Internet Access, Public Policy

6 points by speckx 48 days ago | 10 comments

Hurricane Helene Insurance Losses Expected to Reach $6.4B (bloomberg.com)
The destruction from Hurricane Helene is expected to cost insurers roughly $6.4 billion, according to an early estimate from catastrophe modeling firm Karen Clark & Company.

Hurricane Helene, Insurance, Natural Disasters, Financial Losses

9 points by shinryudbz 48 days ago | 0 comments

Starlink offering free internet access for 30 days for Hurricane Helene victims (starlink.com)
Starlink aims to enable anyone impacted by a natural disaster to be able to access internet connectivity.

Natural Disasters, Internet Access, Telecommunications, Disaster Relief

237 points by ohjeez 49 days ago | 352 comments

Satellite messages provide lifeline to iPhone users in Hurricane Helene fallout (9to5mac.com)
Hurricane Helene has caused massive damage and taken over 100 lives across several US states. Many thousands of people are without power and/or cell service. But in the wake of the storm, reports have surfaced about a key iOS 18 feature that has been a lifeline for survivors: Messages via satellite.

Natural Disasters, Technology, iPhones, Mobile Communications

20 points by alwillis 50 days ago | 2 comments

Hurricane devastates quartz mines critical for semiconductor manufacturing (tomshardware.com)

Hurricanes, Semiconductors, Mining, Natural Disasters

3 points by geuds 51 days ago | 1 comments

Essential node in global semiconductor supply chain hit by Hurricane Helene (hntrbrk.com)

Hurricane Helene, Semiconductors, Natural Disasters

21 points by impish9208 51 days ago | 2 comments

Essential node in global semiconductor supply chain hit by Hurricane Helene (npr.org)
A tiny town in North Carolina that’s just been devastated by hurricane Helene could end up severely disrupting the global supply chain for microchips and solar panels.

Semiconductors, Supply Chain, Natural Disasters, North Carolina

234 points by notamy 52 days ago | 71 comments

We're only beginning to understand the historic nature of Helene's flooding (arstechnica.com)
As of Monday morning, if one wanted to grasp the historic nature of flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Helene in western parts of North Carolina and the surrounding areas, the logical place to begin is at the National Climatic Data Center.

Weather, Climate Change, Natural Disasters, North Carolina

52 points by rntn 52 days ago | 37 comments

Greenland landslide caused freak wave that shook Earth for nine days (newscientist.com)
Seismologists were mystified by a strange signal that persisted for nine days in 2023 – now its source has been identified as a standing wave caused by a landslide in Greenland

Earthquakes, Science, Greenland, Natural Disasters

99 points by DougN7 69 days ago | 14 comments

An explosive California wildfire looked like a bomb went off from space (cnn.com)

Wildfires, California, Space, Natural Disasters

7 points by LinuxBender 70 days ago | 1 comments

Landslides are destroying multimillion-dollar homes in CA, and are getting worse (cnn.com)
Landslides are destroying multimillion-dollar homes in California, and they’re getting worse

Natural Disasters, California, Climate Change, Housing

19 points by rntn 74 days ago | 9 comments

Giant underwater avalanche decimated Atlantic seafloor 60k years ago (livescience.com)

Geology, Oceanography, Natural Disasters

29 points by Brajeshwar 83 days ago | 15 comments

Millions told to evacuate as typhoon Shanshan batters Japan (bbc.com)