‘Houses that are totally gone’: 4 dead as Tropical Storm Laura exits Louisiana, leaving wake of destruction

One of the strongest hurricanes ever to strike the U.S. pounded the Gulf Coast with wind and rain early Thursday morning, but Laura rapidly weakened and was downgraded to a tropical storm by afternoon.

Hurricane Laura captured in stunning pictures from space

NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy has photographed Hurricane Laura from his vantage point on the International Space Station.

All hands on deck: Linemen, Cajun Navy volunteers prepare to assist as Hurricane Laura bears down

Hundreds of volunteers, from linemen to boat crews to chainsaw crews, were assisting local governments and first responders to prepare to provide relief in the wake of the hurricane’s destruction.

Wind Advisory issued for much of DC region until Monday evening

Severe weather that moved across the area Monday placed much of the D.C. region under a Tornado Watch and briefly triggered a Tornado Warning for parts of the area. Now, a Wind Advisory is in effect until 6 p.m.

Easter storms rips through South, killing at least 18 people

Severe weather has swept across the South, killing at least 18 people and damaging hundreds of homes from Louisiana into the Appalachian Mountains. Many people spent part of the night early Monday sheltering in basements, closets and bathroom tubs as sirens wailed to warn of possible tornadoes.

Tennessee tornado death toll rises to at least 22

Tornadoes ripped across Tennessee as people slept early Tuesday, shredding at least 140 buildings and killing at least 22 people. Authorities described painstaking efforts to find survivors in piles of rubble and wrecked basements as the death toll climbed.

Farm building obliterated, massive trees downed in Frederick’s Friday morning storm

Multiple near-death experiences is how neighbors described the storm Friday morning that downed several massive trees and destroyed part of a family farm in Frederick County.

Death toll rises to 11 as storms sweep across southern U.S., Midwest

Severe storms sweeping across southern portions of the U.S. and up into the Midwest were blamed Saturday in the deaths of at least 11 people, including two first responders, as high winds, tornadoes and unrelenting rain battered large swaths of the country.

Smoke from Australian bushfires reaches South America, UN reports

The fires have caused hazardous air quality in major cities throughout Australia and part of New Zealand, and now the smoke has drifted thousands of kilometers across the Pacific Ocean, first reaching Argentina and Chile Monday.

Baby girl born in Rowlett laundry room during Sunday night’s tornado

“Baby girl born in our laundry room with the tornado sirens going off, a tornado on the ground half a mile away, and no electricity…..by candle light!! Welcome to the world beauty!” the center said on Facebook.