Natural Disasters
LA fires spread, forcing new evacuations as death toll rises
The largest of the blazes has spread toward previously untouched neighborhoods, forcing new evacuations and dimming hopes the disaster was coming under control.
From flooding rain to unmitigated wildfire: Why California is ground zero for disasters
Southern California was underwater less than a year ago. Now, the weather pendulum has swung the other way. Audio
Whangarei Scrubfire burning across 20 hectares
FENZ says 20 hectares are still burning near Whangarei, and two helicopters have been dispatched to work on the fire. Crews were called to the fire just after midday yesterday. Operations Manager… Audio
More on Los Angeles' fire
Ferocious winds are fuelling the fires in California and there are now multiple fires burning in different parts of Los Angeles Residents say it's like nothing they have ever seen. LA correspondent… Audio
"Apocalyptic" scenes in Los Angeles as wildfires keep burning
More than a hundred thousand people have been evacuated from their homes as the most destructive wildfires in the history of Los Angeles continues to spread. So far, five people are confirmed to have… Audio
California wildfires could be costliest in US history
At least two people have been killed in California as wildfires force the evacuation of tens of thousands Just one of those fires, in Pacific Palisades has already destroyed at least 1-thousand… Audio
Australia correspondent Peter Ryan
Veteran ABC business journalist Peter Ryan joins Anna to update us on matters across the ditch, including a resurgence of test cricket in Australia, tech solutions to the dreaded bushfire season, and… Audio
West Coast better prepped than ever before for the big one
The region has come a long way in the past couple of years, in terms of planning and resources for a major event.
Vanuatu rescue team welcomed back to NZ
The team missed Christmas with their families to help, and showed "ultimate professionalism", leader says.
'It's a nightmare': Man with disability still in motel nearly three months on from floods
A Dunedin man with a learning disability is spending Christmas Day cooped up inside a motel, as the date to move back into his flood-damaged house keeps being pushed back. Video
Warnings issued to landslide-prone areas around Vanuatu capital
New Zealand's Urban Search and Rescue says impending bad weather for Port Vila is now the most significant post-quake hazard.
Out-of-control bushfire in Australia will burn for days, warn officials
An uncontained bushfire raging in Australia's Victoria state that has prompted an evacuation order for hundreds of residents will burn for several days, officials said on Sunday.
Vanuatu earthquake: Last repatriation from Port Vila, water in short supply
Boarding has started for New Zealand's last repatriation flight from Port Vila. Audio
Quake-shocked children repatriated from Vanuatu
"Children were falling to the ground, everyone was falling all around, it was panic" when the earthquake struck, group supervisor says.
'They're struggling': The 3300 Ni-Vanuatu in New Zealand
"They're putting a bright face on things, but they're struggling," the owner of a Cromwell vineyard says. Audio
Midday Report Essentials for Friday 20 December 2024
In today's episode, New Zealand's High Commissioner to Vanuatu says the hunt for survivors continues, after 93 people were evacuated via aircraft last night, Police are warning people to drive… Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Friday 20 December 2024
On today's episode, New Zealand search and rescue crews in Vanuatu are still hopeful they can find survivors in Port Vila's collapsed buildings, Liam Lawson will be racing for the Red Bull Formula 1… Audio
'We cannot allow an economic disaster': Vanuatu business leader's plea to tourists
The leader of the Vanuatu Business Resilience Council says only a few buildings in Port Vila are affected and on most of the island visitors would not even know a quake had occurred. Audio
NZ rescuers still hopeful of finding survivors of Vanuatu earthquake
An Urban Search and Rescue crew is painstakingly clearing the rubble of a pancaked building, searching for survivors layer by layer.
'An amazing, beautiful soul': Tributes flow for woman killed in Vanuatu earthquake
Valerie Kalkoa, a single mother who only returned home two days ago, leaves behind a three-year-old son.
