National

Utility Pacific Gas & Electric agreed Monday to pay $55 million in penalties and costs to settle civil cases over two massive wildfires that affected six Northern California counties.

Why it matters: Investigators found PG&E's ageing, faulty utility equipment sparked the 2019 Kincade Fire and the 2019 Kincade Fire. But the agreement means the nation's largest utility will avoid criminal prosecution for the blazes, per a statement from the company.

PG&E must undergo five years of independent oversight as part of the deal.

The big picture: Under the agreement, PG&E will strengthen wildfire mitigation plans and pay impacted residents, along with the six affected counties: Butte, Lassen, Plumas, Shasta, Tehama and Sonoma.

Flashback: The Kincade Fire razed more than 77,000 acres, destroyed 374 structures and caused the largest-ever evacuation in Sonoma County.

The Dixie Fire was the second-largest wildfire ever recorded in California, burning across more than 963,300 acres in the five other counties affected by the settlement and destroying over 1,300 structures.

By the numbers: Most of the settlement will go to nonprofits — with over $35 million distributed to groups including "Fire Safe Councils, volunteer fire departments, local schools and community groups such as Rotary Clubs, Chambers of Commerce and organizations serving veterans and the homeless," per PG&E's statement.

"PG&E will pay a $7.5 million civil penalty to Sonoma County related to the Kincade Fire and a $1 million civil penalty to each of the five North Valley counties related to the Dixie Fire," the statement added.

Worth noting: PG&E did not admit wrongdoing in the settlement, but it's still facing criminal charges for the Zogg Fire — which killed four people in Shasta County, Northern California, in 2020.

What they're saying: Sonoma County district attorney Jill Ravitch said in a statement that although criminal charges over the Kincade Fire were dismissed as part of the settlement, "the level of punishment and oversight provided by this judgment is greater than could be achieved against a corporation in criminal court."

Butte County district attorney Mike Ramsey said in a statement that the settlement "avoids both a bankruptcy and inordinate delay for the Dixie Fire homeowners and renters – particularly those without insurance."

PG&E CEO Patti Poppe said in the company's statement that the utility was "committed to doing our part, and we look forward to a long partnership with these communities to make it right and make it safe."

California utility PG&E to pay $55 million over 2 massive wildfires

The deal means the nation's largest utility will avoid criminal prosecution for the blazes.

 A back fire set by fire fighters burns a hillside near PG&E power lines during firefighting operations to battle the Kincade Fire in Healdsburg, California on October 26, 2019. 

A backfire set by firefighters burning at a hillside near PG&E power lines during firefighting operations to battle the Kincade Fire in Healdsburg, California, in October 2019. Photo: Philip Pacheco/AFP via Getty Images

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)

Extreme weather

Ominous forecasts about the impact of climate change serve as the backdrop for the world — led by U.S. lawmakers and companies — to debate big action on the problem, which could upend energy systems and our way of life.

Energy & Environment

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

A look at the scientific breakthroughs changing the world, explorations in space and in worlds beyond our own and the threats posed to us by our own planet, both out of our control and of our own making.

Science

After a record economic expansion, the coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy into a recession as unemployment soared to staggering heights. The country now faces urgent questions about how much stimulus is needed for reeling consumers and businesses, and what a recovery might look like.

Economy & Business

Axios Generate

California January to March average precipitation

Reproduced from NOAA; Chart: Axios Visuals

California is entering the dry season with its water resources in a precarious position, having seen its driest start to the year on record. A heat wave last week sent temperatures soaring into the 90s and even triple-digits in some locations, as the paltry Sierra Nevada snowpack shrunk even further. 

Why it matters: Water and wildfire woes lie ahead for the nation’s most populous state, as spring runoff into reservoirs slows to a trickle, and forests dry out unusually early in the year. 

Context: While some mountain snow and valley rain is likely during the next two weeks, it will not be sufficient to pull the Golden State out of this particularly deep rut — which itself is happening in the context of a longer-term, climate-change related megadrought. 

Threat level: The most recent snow survey, conducted April 1 by the state’s Department of Water Resources, found the snow depth at Phillips Station, near Lake Tahoe, was a meager 2.5 inches, with a snow water equivalent of one inch. 

This was 4% of average for the date, the department reported, and statewide the snowpack was just 38% of average on April 1, and has further declined since. 

Typically, the snow would be at its seasonal peak at this location on April 1, with about 5 feet on the ground. 

The intrigue: The paltry snow cover is particularly cruel right now since the wet season started out with blockbuster snowstorms in December, which raised hopes for some drought recovery.

How it works: California relies on its mountain snow cover to provide about 30% of its water supplies, with runoff flowing into rivers and reservoirs throughout the warm season. 

The third-straight year of exceptionally below average snowfall means that there is a greater likelihood of water restrictions. “Water conservation will remain our best tool in the face of this ongoing drought and the statewide impacts of a warming climate,” stated DWR Director Karla Nemeth, in a statement. 

“All Californians must focus on conserving water now,” Nemeth said.

The dry conditions portend another potentially devastating wildfire season as well. Already, the National Weather Service’s Sacramento office had to issue its earliest-ever red flag warning, at a time of year when it typically issues advisories for heavy snow. 

Wildfires in California and other western states have been getting more frequent and severe as the climate has grown hotter and drier overall. In California, for example, only two of the top 20 largest wildfires in state history occurred prior to the year 2000. 

The big picture: While California has seen its driest January through March period on record by far, drought currently covers a record extent across the West, according to data released last week by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 

The California drought is occurring in the midst of a broader Southwestern "megadrought" that a recent study pegged as the most severe in at least 1,200 years. The study, coupled with conclusions from previous findings published in 2020, found that human emissions of greenhouse gases account for about 42% of the drought's severity.

Part of the reason for the megadrought is that climate change is leading to hotter droughts, which in turn exacerbate the drier conditions. 

What’s next: It’s likely that some rain and mountain snow will fall in California during the next two weeks, as a series of weather systems swings through parts of the state. But none of these will be blockbuster storms, and it’s simply far too late to make up for the precipitation shortfall. 

Go deeper: Extreme weather whiplash hits California with record heat and wildfires

California's driest start to the year sparks water, wildfire concerns

December's prolific snowfall turned was followed by the driest January through March period.

Climate change

Just as the spring tornado season kicks into high gear, the National Weather Service is facing shortages in key gases it uses to fill weather balloons.

Why it matters: Weather balloons are usually launched twice daily at about 100 locations nationwide and provide vital information for weather forecasting, from the temperature profile of the atmosphere to the winds aloft. They can help anticipate severe thunderstorms, for example.

But several balloon sites have had to limit launches because of supply chain shortages of helium, plus a contract dispute concerning a supplier of hydrogen gas.

Context: With extreme weather events on the rise both in number and severity, due in part to human-caused climate change, America's weather forecasting infrastructure is showing signs of strain.

Meteorologists have complained for years about NWS telecommunications glitches that have delayed the relay of life-saving warnings and hobbled the NWS website.

In addition, a vital communications link known as NWS Chat that ties together meteorologists, emergency managers and the media is constantly crashing when it's needed most — during severe weather events.

Driving the news: On March 29 the NWS sent a bulletin announcing the reduction in frequency of weather balloon launches due to a "global supply chain disruption of helium" and a "temporary issue with the contract" of a hydrogen supplier. Most NWS weather balloons use hydrogen rather than helium. 

According to the notice, about 9% of the 101 upper air observation sites were affected by the gas shortage and contract problem, with more disruptions expected.

The statement downplayed the implications of the disruption. "This temporary adjustment will not impact weather forecasts and warnings," it stated. However, meteorologists disputed this.

Details: According to NWS spokeswoman Susan Buchanan, as of Tuesday, the hydrogen contract has been resolved, but deliveries of the gas may take up to six weeks to arrive.

In addition, the number of helium balloon sites affected has declined to three from the original five. They are Albany, Tallahassee and the New York City forecast office located in Upton, Long Island.

"This is an evolving situation that changes daily," Buchanan said.

What they're saying: Buchanan said the public statement, which has drawn scrutiny from forecasters, "could have been better worded."

"Upper air soundings are a critical observation tool for weather forecasts. Because of the vital importance of this data, we have been doing everything we can to resolve supply issues," she said via email.

What's next: The NWS has received significant increases in funding in the past few years to boost its supercomputing power, but other core capabilities may need upgrading in an era when climate change is putting more strains on the agency.

National Weather Service faces helium shortage for weather balloons

The shortage is hitting at a vulnerable time.

Illustration of helium gas tanks falling over like dominos. 

extreme weather

Heavy rains in eastern Australia prompted fresh evacuation orders Tuesday for thousands of people still reeling from deadly flooding earlier this month.

Driving the news: The first round of flooding killed at least 21 people and ravaged buildings across the states of New South Wales and Queensland. Already, two people have died after being swept away in floodwaters in Queensland, per state police.

Threat level: New South Wales emergency services minister Stephanie Cooke told a news conference Tuesday that moderate to major flooding was expected in the town of Lismore, where floodwaters killed several people earlier this month.

"It's a rapidly evolving weather and flooding situation," Cooke said.

Context: Scientific studies show human-caused climate change has increased the likelihood and intensity of heavy rainfall, which can lead to flooding.

Heavy rains are more likely in eastern and northeastern Australia during La Niña years, as is the case now. But this month's rains have exceeded what's expected from La Niña-related trends alone, Axios' Andrew Freedman notes. 

One of the firmest conclusions of climate change research is that hydrological extremes, both heavy rain and drought, are worsening around the world —including in Australia, which has endured drought, heat waves, wildfires and flooding in recent years, per Freedman.

Australia's second round of flooding this month triggers fresh evacuations

Heavy rains are hitting areas inundated with floodwaters earlier this month in eastern Australia.

 Flooded farm buildings and crates on March 29, 2022 in Ballina, Australia.

Flooded farm buildings and crates in Ballina in New South Wales, Australia, on Tuesday. Photo: James D. Morgan/Getty Images

Australia

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

World

More than 1,000 residents were evacuated on Saturday after the Philippines' Taal volcano spewed a 1.5-kilometer plume, Reuters reports.

Driving the news: The Taal volcano, located approximately 45 miles south of central Manila, received a level 3 alert on a 5-level scale. That means "there is magmatic intrusion at the main crater that may further drive succeeding eruptions," per Reuters. 

"Magma in the shallow part of the crater interacted with water, causing an eruption called phreatomagmatic activity," Renato Solidum, the head of the volcanology agency, told DZMM radio station.

More than 1,000 residents living in communities near the volcano, including fisherman and fish cage workers, were evacuated. 

The big picture: The Philippines' Taal volcano erupted earlier this year, triggering earthquakes and ashfall across the region.  

Solidum said that ashfall from Saturday's eruption would likely be limited to communities within the volcano, per Reuters. 

Taal volcano forces evacuation in Philippines

The volcano's activity prompted a level 3 alert on a 5-level scale.

Residents living near Taal volcano evacuate to a public school in Laurel, Batangas, on March 26, 2022

Residents living near Taal volcano evacuate to a public school in Laurel, Batangas, on March 26. Photo: Jam Sta Rosa/AFP via Getty Images

Philippines

The United Nation’s weather branch is launching Wednesday an ambitious project to stand up early warning systems in areas increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather and climate events worldwide.

The big picture: In wealthy countries, such as the U.S., much of Europe, Japan, Korea and Australia, citizens have easy access to weather and climate information that can save lives and livelihoods.

But for hundreds of millions in Africa, parts of the Middle East and South Asia, there is no equivalent agency to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the U.S. 

Driving the news: The Geneva-based World Meteorological Organization (WMO) aims to end this disparity within five years, and is hoping to raise at least $1.5 billion from member governments to do it.

Zoom in: One-third of the global population currently lacks early warning systems, particularly in the least developed countries and small island states. The WMO said 60% of people living in Africa lack such coverage. 

“This is unacceptable, particularly with climate impacts sure to get even worse,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a video message.

What they’re saying: “Human-caused climate disruption is now damaging every region. The most recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change details the suffering already happening," Guterres said in launching the initiative. 

"Each increment of global heating will further increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events,” he said.

By the numbers: A 2021 WMO report on global disasters found that nearly every day during the past 50 years, a weather, climate or water-related disaster occurred, killing 115 and costing $202 million per day.

That report showed that while the number of disasters increased during the 50-year period, the number of lives lost declined, largely because of better forecasts and warnings. But those forecasts and warnings are not benefiting populations equally. 

Yes, but: This is a large undertaking for the WMO, which is not a high-profile agency comprised of officials who have significant political capital. Typically, the organization publishes reports and supports global data gathering. 

The agency aims to create a plan of action by the time of the next UN Climate Summit in Egypt next year, including closing observation gaps and improving both the issuance of warnings and the ability to act on them. 

Extreme weather prompts UN early warnings push

The Geneva-based World Meteorological Organization (WMO) aims to end this disparity within five years.

Animated illustration of a siren flashing on top of an umbrella.

An illustration showing an umbrella and an alarm light. 

Axios What's Next

National Weather Service meteorologists can now predict minute-by-minute weather conditions for individual arrival and departure routes at the nation's 30 busiest airports — which should translate to fewer delays for travelers.

Why it matters: Better weather data synced with actual flight routes will help air traffic controllers as they direct planes to dodge potentially dangerous storms.

The big picture: When bad weather is approaching an airport, air traffic controllers often hold or reroute flights in the name of safety. 

That's inconvenient for passengers, and can quickly snowball into systemwide delays across the country. 

How it works: Each of the Federal Aviation Administration’s 22 air traffic control centers has a weather unit on site, with meteorologists providing weather information to air traffic controllers making decisions about takeoffs, landings and routing.

The forecast system is accurate, but until now it wasn't synced to show the departure and arrival routes at each airport.

Now, says the FAA, the datasets are combined in one place, providing a more comprehensive and detailed view of thunderstorms, wind shifts, precipitation, icing conditions and turbulent airspace.

The bottom line: With up-to-the-minute data, controllers can make better decisions about where to send aircraft to avoid weather problems.

Summer forecast: Fewer weather delays at the airport

Meteorologists can now predict minute-by-minute weather conditions at the nation's busiest airports.

Radar image of flight traffic and weather near Chicago. 

FAA data shows the effect of weather on flight arrivals (pink) and departures (yellow) in Chicago. Photo courtesy of FAA

Aviation

Transportation

A powerful tornado struck the New Orleans area Tuesday evening, knocking out power to thousands of customers and causing extensive damage.

The latest: Authorities in St. Bernard Parish, which borders New Orleans to the southeast, told reporters late Tuesday that at least one person had been killed after the tornado touched down in the area. There were reports of people trapped in the parish. 

The Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal tweeted that search and rescue teams "more than 100 strong" were working "into the night to ensure there are no individuals trapped in tornado-affected areas."

The big picture: The tornado, captured on video plowing through homes in St. Bernard Parish and the Lower 9th Ward, was spawned by a larger storm system that killed at least one person in Texas, as it continued to unleash powerful winds, hailstones and tornadoes across the South. 

Extensive damage from the tornado was reported in and around New Orleans, particularly in Arabi in St. Bernard Parish and in the 9th Ward.

By the numbers: Roughly 3.2 million people in the south of Louisiana, southern Mississippi and western Alabama were under a moderate risk of severe weather on Tuesday, per the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center.

Nearly 18,000 customers were without power in Texas, while more than 9,000 in Mississippi and nearly 7,000 were also without electricity on Wednesday morning, according to utility tracker poweroutage.us.

"Heavy rainfall rates are also likely, leading to a moderate risk of excessive rainfall being issued for Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, where the potential for 3-5 inches (locally upwards of 6-9 inches) of rainfall exists," per the NWS.

Editor's note: This a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

Dallas

Dallas Alerts

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Dallas. Written by Michael Mooney and Tasha Tsiperas.

Axios Dallas

Axios Dallas Thought Bubble

Austin

Austin Alerts

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Austin. Written by Nicole Cobler and Asher Price.

Axios Austin

Axios Austin Thought Bubble

Thousands without power after deadly tornado strikes New Orleans area

It was spawned by a larger, deadly storm system that's pounding much of the South.

 A tornado-damaged home is seen on March 22, 2022 in Round Rock, Texas. 

 A tornado-damaged home is seen on March 22, 2022 in Round Rock, Texas. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Tornadoes

A tornado outbreak was lashing Texas and Oklahoma overnight, as a severe storm system destroyed buildings and triggered tornado warnings across at least two states.

Threat level: Some 22 million people were under threat from the spring storm system in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana, per NBC News. It "will bring threats of tornadoes and flooding across the Southern U.S. today into Tuesday," per the National Weather Service.

By the numbers: Nearly 65,000 customers were without power in Texas overnight as the storm unleashed heavy rain and hail, according to utility tracker poweroutage.us.

What's happening: Elgin officials reported at least three injuries, including two people trapped in a collapsed structure. One person was taken to a local hospital.

Elgin Mayor Ron Ramirez told KVUE that residents in rural areas to the south and east of the city "suffered significant damage." Mobile homes and RVs were overturned and several roofs were blown off of homes in rural areas, he added.

Officials confirmed two tornadoes touched down in Williamson County Monday evening. One in Round Rock crossed I-35 at the SH-45 intersection and traveled to north into Granger. Another struck northwest of Jarrell.

Round Rock police said they were assessing damage from a tornado, with reports of structural damage to multiple homes and businesses. Officials shut down roads to clear debris and opened temporary shelters.

Williamson County officials turned off power in much of the area overnight because of downed power lines.

What they're saying: Gov. Greg Abbott called it a "miracle" that so far no deaths had been confirmed Williamson County, where he spoke with local officials in the aftermath of the tornado outbreak there. But he described the structural damage as "devastating."

The big picture: The National Weather Service confirmed tornadoes in Luling, College Station, Bryan and Jarrell. KVUE reporter Hunter Williams also reported a tornado near Taylor, which the NWS retweeted.

As the storm moved toward East Texas, there were reports of tornadoes  striking from central Texas to Kingston, Oklahoma.

 There were unconfirmed reports of other tornadoes in Texas — including in Jarrell, Taylor and Kingsbury.  

Context: The tornado outbreak is hitting a state ravaged by deadly wildfires this week. At one point on Monday afternoon, there were simultaneous warnings for blizzard conditions, tornadoes, red flag conditions for wildfire, flash flood and high winds in different parts of the state at the same time. 

What's next: Another severe weather outbreak was forecast for Tuesday, this time focused on the South, including Mississippi and Louisiana. The National Weather Service is forecasting a level 4 out of 5 storm risk for Tuesday. 

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

Powerful storm spawns destructive tornadoes in Texas, Oklahoma

Some 22 million people are under threat from the severe storm system in the South.

The scene at the Clay Madsen Recreation Center in Texas after the tornado.

The scene in Round Rock, Texas. Photo: Round Rock Parks & Rec/Twitter

At least two firefighters in central Texas were injured battling growing wildfires that forced more communities to evacuate Sunday, officials said, per the New York Times.

The big picture: The Eastland Complex Fire, a group of blazes in and around Eastland County, west of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, has killed a sheriff's deputy who was helping people escape and has razed scores of homes, per the NYT.

The wildfire has caused hundreds of people to evacuate their homes since last week. 

It has burned across more than 54,000 acres and was 30% contained late Sunday, according to the InciWeb wildfire information system.

Meanwhile, residents of the city of Lipan, 55 miles west of Fort Worth, were urged to evacuate due to the Big L Fire, which left one firefighter with "superficial burns to the face," the Hood County Sheriff's Office said in a statement on Sunday night. An officer told the NYT two firefighters had been confirmed wounded.

This blaze has razed some 11,000 acres and was 10% contained, per the Texas A&M Forest Service.

By the numbers: Seven large fires are burning across Texas, driven by dry and breezy conditions, according to the National Interagency Fire Centre.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an emergency order in 11 counties last Friday in response to the fire threat.

By Sunday, roughly two-thirds of Texas was under "very high" or "extreme' fire-danger conditions — including state capital Austin and Texas second-biggest city, San Antonio.

Context: Human-caused climate change is making fires larger and more intense, Axios' Andrew Freedman writes. Drought conditions in Texas, plus high winds, are helping to create "critical" fire weather conditions through Monday evening in parts of the state.

The UN warned in a report last month that destructive wildfires like the ones that have ravaged the U.S. West Coast in the past couple years would become 50% more common by the end of this century due to global warming and land-use change.

Deadly Texas wildfires force new evacuations

The fires have killed at least one person and wounded 2 others, officials say.

Wildfires

The upcoming Atlantic hurricane season is likely to be unusually active, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's hurricane season outlook released Tuesday. 

Why it matters: Hurricanes are nature's most destructive storms, and if this forecast proves accurate, this would be the seventh straight year of above average activity. 

The past two hurricane seasons both exhausted the list of 21 storm names, which was unprecedented. The 2020 season was the most active on record. 

The big picture: NOAA is forecasting a 65% chance that the upcoming hurricane season will be above average, with a 25% chance of near normal activity and just a 10% chance of below normal tropical cyclone numbers. 

In terms of the number of storms, the agency is predicting a 70% chance of 14 to 21 named storms. Of these, six to 10 would become hurricanes, and of these, three to six would intensify into major hurricanes of Category 3 or greater.

A typical Atlantic hurricane season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Context: NOAA is basing its forecast on several factors, including sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic Ocean Basin and the presence of a La Niña event in the tropical Pacific Ocean. 

La Niña is characterized by cooler than average waters near the equator, and it can reduce the winds in the middle and upper atmosphere all the way to the Atlantic. 

These weaker winds can encourage hurricane development by reducing wind shear, which can tear nascent storms apart.

Climate studies show that increasing ocean and air temperatures are leading to wetter, stronger hurricanes, and that rapidly intensifying storms, such as Hurricane Ida last year, are more likely today than just a few decades ago.

Hurricane forecasters also took into account the presence of warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, along an enhanced west African monsoon. The monsoon can give rise to groups of thunderstorms moving off the west coast of Africa, that then go on to form tropical storms and hurricanes.

Of note: While the season has not kicked off yet (that happens June 1), some forecasters have raised concerns over an area of unusually mild water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Known as the Gulf of Mexico loop current, if storms were to form in that region or traverse the current, they could rapidly grow into powerful storms. 

Threat level: The greatest threat to life from tropical storms and hurricanes is inland flooding, as shown by Hurricane Ida, which killed more people in the northern Mid-Atlantic from flash floods than it did along the Gulf Coast, where it made landfall.  

Top NOAA, New York City and FEMA officials emphasized this by briefing on the outlook from New York City Emergency Management Department in Brooklyn. 

"I want New Yorkers to be ready," said New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

NOAA predicts as many as 6 major Atlantic hurricanes for 2022

Hurricanes are Mother Nature's most damaging storms, with inland flooding their most deadly threat.

Sections

Axios Local

Axios gets you smarter, faster with news & information that matters.

About

Subscribe

All Extreme weather stories