Daily Disaster News Update

Cold snap breaks May temperature records across Victoria

A strong cold outbreak gripped southeastern Australia on May 20, 2025, causing widespread frost and record-breaking low temperatures across Victoria and parts of South Australia. Coldstream dropped to -5.5°C (22.1°F), Morwell reached -3.9°C (25.0°F), Kanagulk -4.1°C (24.6°F), and Ballarat -3.0°C (26.6°F) during the state’s coldest morning so far this year.Coldstream dropped to –5.5°C (22.1°F), Morwell reached –3.9°C (25.0°F), Kanagulk –4.1°C (24.6°F), and Ballarat –3.0°C (26.6°F) during the state’s coldest morning so far this year.

Tornado destroys Blanco Fire Department and homes in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma

A tornado destroyed the Blanco Fire Department and at least 10 homes in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, on Monday, May 19, 2025. The event was part of a broader outbreak that produced over a dozen tornado reports across Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Nebraska, leading to widespread structural damage and power outages affecting more than 30 000 customers.

Strong M6.4 earthquake hits near the coast of Papua New Guinea

A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.4 hit near the coast of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea at 15:05 UTC. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.

Flood emergency in New South Wales after extreme rainfall triggers rescues and power outages

Heavy rain caused severe flooding across New South Wales’ Mid North Coast and Hunter region on May 20, 2025, leading to evacuations and multiple flood rescues. Rivers rose above flood levels, forcing residents in towns like Taree, Coopernook, and Wingham to evacuate. Thousands of homes lost power as emergency services responded to hundreds of incidents.

Tornadoes strike Oklahoma, Arkansas and Nebraska, damage reported in Greenland and Pittsburg

Over a dozen tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Nebraska on Monday, May 19, 2025, destroying multiple homes and leaving over 100 000 customers without power as it downed trees and power lines in the affected areas.

West Papua landslide leaves 6 dead and 14 missing, Indonesia

A landslide triggered by heavy rain struck a remote gold mine in West Papua on May 16, killing six and leaving 14 missing. Rescue efforts were delayed by the site’s inaccessibility and were halted again on May 19 due to damaged roads and continued rainfall.

Landslide in Guangdong’s Pingtougang kills three, leaves one missing

Heavy rain triggered a landslide in the Gaozhou region of Guangdong on May 18. Three people died and one remains missing. Rescue teams continue searching as the region remains under a yellow alert.