Hazards and Environment
SummaryQuick take
The Hazards rollup is elevated, driven by the Seismic and Volcanic topic, where 39 US earthquakes of M4.5+ were recorded in the past 30 days and 4 US volcanoes sit at advisory level or higher (2026-09-28). Severe Weather is stable, with 0 active named Atlantic storms, 13 NWS warnings in effect, and 47 major disaster declarations year to date (2026-09-28). Wildfire is stable, with 16 active large fires, 8.56M acres burned year to date — above the ten-year average — and a national preparedness level of 2 of 5 (2026-09-27; 2026-09-22). Public Health Outbreaks is unknown, with national wastewater viral activity at Low and ED visits for respiratory illness at Very low (2026-09-25), alongside rising rhinovirus/enterovirus and group A strep as the season begins.Some parts of the country are dealing with more earthquakes and volcano alerts than usual, while storms, fires, and disease levels are steady or not fully rated.
Headline figuresKey numbers
Severe Weather · Active named Atlantic stormsStorms with names right now
Wildfire · Active large firesBig fires burning now
Severe Weather · Major disaster declarations (YTD)Big disasters this year
Systems in this sectionWhat we're watching
4 areas tracked. Select one for full detail and citations.Tap one to learn more.
Severe Weather
StableAll goodNo named Atlantic storms are active; 13 NWS warnings are in effect and 47 major disaster declarations have been issued in 2026.No named storms in the Atlantic; a few flood and marine warnings are up and 47 big disasters are declared this year.
Major disaster declarations (YTD)Big disasters this year
Wildfire
StableAll goodSixteen large fires are being suppressed nationwide, with year-to-date acreage above the ten-year average.A small number of big fires are burning. More land has burned this year than usual.
Active large firesBig fires burning now
Seismic and Volcanic
ElevatedKeep an eye on it39 US earthquakes of M4.5+ were recorded in the past 30 days, and 4 US volcanoes are at advisory level or higher.More strong earthquakes than usual this month, mostly near Alaska, and four volcanoes are being watched.
US earthquakes M4.5+ (30-day)Strong earthquakes this month
Public Health Outbreaks
UnknownNot sureRespiratory illness remains at very low levels nationally, with rhinovirus/enterovirus and group A strep rising as the season begins.Very few people are sick right now, but colds and flu usually pick up as the season starts.
National wastewater viral activityGerms found in sewer water
Key indicators
Recent developments
- Hazards / Severe Weather
Tropical Depression Fay holding on in the Atlantic (opens original release)
NHC advisory 32 reports Fay with 30 mph sustained winds moving south at 6 mph, described as 'holding on as a tropical cyclone for now'; no named Atlantic storms are active.
Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center - Hazards / Severe Weather
NHC reports Polo with 120 mph sustained winds moving north at 10 mph, with life-threatening winds and flash floods expected over portions of Baja California Sur and Sonora Monday and Tuesday.
Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center - Hazards / Wildfire
New large fires in Texas, Oklahoma, and Washington (opens original release)
The Incident Management Situation Report lists three new large incidents, including Rafter 4B in Texas and Stone Bridge in Oklahoma, with extreme fire behavior and structures threatened.
Source: National Interagency Fire Center - Hazards / Seismic and Volcanic
Great Sitkin and Shishaldin notices issued by AVO (opens original release)
Alaska Volcano Observatory notices dated 2026-09-27 list Great Sitkin at Watch/Orange and Shishaldin at Advisory/Yellow.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey - Hazards / Seismic and Volcanic
Kilauea at Watch/Orange per HVO notice (opens original release)
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory notice dated 2026-09-27 lists Kilauea at Watch/Orange.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey - Hazards / Severe Weather
Emergency declaration issued for Tropical Storm Nolo in Hawaii (opens original release)
FEMA records an emergency declaration (EM-3654) for Hawaii dated 2026-09-25 for Tropical Storm Nolo.
Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency