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Western wildfire season is getting longer and costlier

Sep 7, 2017
The costs are mounting for battling dozens of wildfires now burning in the Western United States, including some threatening popular national parks. Specifically, Glacier National Park in Montana and Yosemite National Park in California.  Click the audio player above to hear the full story.

A hurricane like Irma could cause serious damage in Tampa Bay

Sep 6, 2017
Darryl Fears discusses his piece for the Washington Post, "Tampa's Coming Storm."
Residents work together to fill sandbags for each other at Bobby Hicks Park as residents prepare for Hurricane Irma on Tuesday in Tampa, Florida. 
Brian Blanco/Getty Images

After Harvey, Houston's faith community develops plans for aid

Sep 1, 2017
Local congregations know the neighborhoods and have a built-in system for collecting and distributing donations.
A flooded street is seen after the area was inundated with flooding from Hurricane Harvey on August 31, 2017 in Port Arthur, Texas. 
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Fires at flooded Arkema chemical plant in Texas worry residents

Aug 31, 2017
“I’m just worrying about what we’re gonna be breathing,” one local resident told us.
A Harris County Sheriff vehicle blocks access on the Crosby Dayton Road which leads towards the Arkema Chemical Plant in Crosby, Texas on August 31, 2017.
MANDEL NGAN / Getty Images

Houston plans aid for medically fragile as Harvey pounds on

Aug 29, 2017
As Harvey continues to pummel Houston, the city is using call lists and maps to help community health workers keep in touch with thousands of people. Some are in wheelchairs, others may need oxygen, ventilators or other medical devices that rely on electricity. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.

Harvey adds to the mounting debt of federal disaster aid

Aug 29, 2017
As the devastation continues to mount in Texas, so does the heavy debt owed by the National Flood Insurance Program. The program, which is managed by FEMA, already borrowed nearly $25 billion, most of it to cover claims from Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy. The program was supposed to effectively manage the cost of flood […]

Where to house people during a natural disaster?

Aug 28, 2017
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and officials in Texas don't want to use massive structures to house people, but sometimes that is the best option.
Flood victims gather for food at a shelter in the George R. Brown Convention Center during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey today in Houston.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

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Houston's infrastructure could be making the floods worse

Aug 28, 2017
Every expert she's talked to says regulations for building in the city's flood plains are insufficient, says Texas-based reporter Neena Satija.
People view the flooded highways in Houston yesterday as the city battles with Harvey, downgraded to a tropical storm, and resulting floods.
THOMAS B. SHEA/AFP/Getty Images

No date set for Texas refineries to get running again

Aug 28, 2017
Louisiana, another critical area for oil plants, is watching Harvey's path.
Flood waters rise today by the refinery section of the Houston Ship Channel. The city is battling Harvey, now a tropical storm, and flooding.
THOMAS B. SHEA/AFP/Getty Images

As Hurricane Harvey bears down on Texas, oil refineries are shutting down

Aug 25, 2017
It's a long process that starts 48 hours before the storm makes landfall. Starting back up can take even longer.
A local resident photographs the beach as Hurricane Harvey approaches in Corpus Christi, Texas, today.
MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images