The oil spill disaster unfolding off the coast of Orange County, California, is just the latest example of the damaging effects of offshore drilling. The spill, estimated by officials to be at least 144,000 gallons, is devastating to birds, fish, marine mammals and other wildlife, as well as to beaches and coastal wetlands. For those of us lucky enough to live near this iconic stretch of coastline, the sight of it awash in oil is heartbreaking. [Source]
A potentially historic flood event is taking shape across Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, and portions of coastal Georgia, including near Savannah, as water levels will be at heights usually found in powerful hurricanes.
Tropical Storm Nicholas is making its way toward Texas and Louisiana, threatening to pour rain on the region for much of the week and leave some communities flooded.
When Ida makes landfall -- likely Sunday-- a dangerous storm surge of 10 to 15 feet is expected from Morgan City, Louisiana, to the mouth of the Mississippi River, according to the National Hurricane Center.
