Rebecca Hersher

The flood risk maps put out by the federal government are notoriously outdated. Many elected officials have suggested fixing the problem by prioritizing funding for a mapping technology called LiDAR.

This week the central U.S. has flooded and experienced deadly and damaging tornadoes. When it comes to what Americans could see more of due to climate change — the links are present, but complicated.

The Arkansas River is rising well above its previous record, and it's forecast to stay that way for days. That's putting pressure on old levees and making it hard for some residents to evacuate.

NOAA forecasts that two to four major hurricanes will form this year in the Atlantic. But even an average year can cause record-breaking damage, as storms get bigger and wetter.

Flooding in America is getting more frequent and severe. Climate change is driving it.

The term "100-year flood" can be confusing and misleading, scientists, local emergency officials and homeowners all agree. Experts say there's a better way to communicate about flood risk.

PFAS are a family of chemicals accumulating in the soil, rivers, drinking water and the human body. How much exposure to these substances in clothes, firefighting foam and food wrap is too much?

A new catalog of Southern California earthquakes is 10 times larger than its predecessor list. The details of frequent, small quakes help scientists study what triggers large, destructive ones.

Maria was the rainiest storm known to have hit Puerto Rico. Scientists say a storm of such severity is nearly five times more likely to occur today, with warmer air and ocean water, than in the '50s.

After back-to-back hurricanes and wildfires, insurers are looking for more-resilient construction materials. That means building model homes and then blowing off their roofs or setting them on fire.

Some panel members said they don't agree that breathing sooty air can cause premature death. The panel's draft recommendations to the EPA would change how it assesses the dangers of air pollution.

The storm is bringing high winds, snow, rain and dangerous road conditions. Meteorologists and local officials are warning people across the West and Midwest to cancel travel plans.

A new NPR investigation finds that white Americans, and those with more wealth, often receive more federal aid after a disaster than do minorities and those with less wealth.

The federal government spends billions of dollars each year helping communities rebuild after disasters and to prevent future damage. But that money isn't always allocated to those who need it most.

Two House committees are holding climate-related hearings on Wednesday. The Democrats are hoping to bring attention to the issue of climate change — an issue that was not a priority for Republicans.

Sea stars along the Pacific Coast are dying in the largest disease epidemic ever documented in a wild marine species. New research suggests warmer water is making the disease even more deadly.

Despite the shutdown, the National Weather Service is putting out forecasts and helping local officials prepare for dangerous weather, even as employees worry about making ends meet at home.

The shutdown means government scientists aren't working, and their academic collaborators are spinning their wheels. A plant geneticist in Iowa speaks of frustration and loneliness during the shutdown.

Nations agreed on rules to track the promises they made to reduce emissions, but did not set new emissions reduction goals necessary to avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change.

A major climate conference is wrapping up in Poland. Officials are working to create a rulebook for future reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.