From sugar mills to hog farms, U.S. agriculture braces for Irma

Hurricane Irma sent farmers and food companies scrambling to protect processing facilities, farm fields and animal herds in the South and Southeastern parts of the United States on Wednesday. Florida sugar and citrus processors rushed to secure rail cars and equipment that could be crushed, blocked or turned into flying projectiles.

Trump courts Heitkamp in North Dakota tax pitch

The most powerful Atlantic Ocean hurricane in recorded history has made its first landfall in the islands of the northeast Caribbean. Future of Kentucky's last abortion clinic is at stake as federal trial opens in lawsuit stemming from the state's attempts to revoke the facility's license.

House overwhelmingly passes $7.9 billion Harvey aid bill

The House on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed $7.9 billion in Hurricane Harvey disaster relief as warring Republicans and Democrats united behind help for victims of that storm as an ever more powerful new hurricane bore down on Florida. The 419-3 vote sent the aid package - likely the first of several - to the Senate in hopes of sending the bill to President Donald Trump before dwindling federal disaster reserves run out at the end of this week.

Catalan parliament paves the way for independence vote

People in Oregon covered their faces with scarves to keep choking ash from wildfires from filling their lungs and wiped the soot from windshields, similar to what long-time residents said they had to do in 1980... People in Oregon covered their faces with scarves to keep choking ash from wildfires from filling their lungs and wiped the soot from windshields, similar to what long-time residents said they had to do in 1980 during the eruption of Mount St. Helens. The most powerful Atlantic Ocean hurricane in recorded history has made its first landfall in the islands of the northeast Caribbean.

Why Federal Flood Program Is Sinking Deeper Into Debt: CBO Report

The federal flood insurance program is on a course to continue falling deeper in debt, even when there is no catastrophic storm like Katrina or Harvey. The National Flood Insurance Program is currently on a path that will lead to a shortfall of $1.4 billion because its method for setting premiums has underestimated how much its claims will cost by about $1.1 billion and also because legislated surcharges are about $300 million shy of what's needed to cover premium discounts given to certain properties, according to the Congressional Budget Office report, National Flood Insurance Program Financial Soundness and Affordability .

Powerful Category 4 Hurricane Irma aims at Caribbean islands

Officials across the northeastern Caribbean canceled airline flights, shuttered schools and urged people to hunker down indoors as Hurricane Irma barreled toward the region as a powerful Category 4 storm expected to strengthen more before nearing land late Tuesday. States of emergency were declared in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and all of Florida while people on various Caribbean islands boarded up homes and rushed to find last-minute supplies, forming long lines outside supermarkets and gas stations.

You may not be covered by flood insurance

As many people across Southwest Florida recover from record-breaking rainfall, some homeowners are wondering if their properties are covered in the event of another round of flooding. It's a common misconception that can cost homeowners thousands of dollars after a severe storm, once they realize that not all insurance is created equal.

Hurricane Irma now Cat 4 as it heads for eastern Caribbean

Hurricane Irma grew into a powerful Category 4 storm Monday as it approached the northeastern Caribbean and was forecast to begin buffeting the region Tuesday. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 130 mph late Monday afternoon, and the U.S. National Hurricane Center said additional strengthening was expected.