Floods and wildfres in North America

Weather extremes in North America

Heavy rain causing localized flooding in Fort McMurray

Heavy rains in Fort McMurray, Alta., have caused flooded streets and knocked out traffic lights, forcing the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo to activate its emergency operations centre for the first time since parts of the city were devastated by a wildfire in May.

The municipality is advising people to restrict travel in the town, as the localized flooding causes the closure of major roads such as Gregoire Drive and Mackenzie Boulevard.

Flash floods in Elicott City, MD

Pioneer Fire grows, drones interfere again

IDAHO CITY - A wildfire burning timber in rugged terrain and pushed by winds expanded to 42 square miles Sunday as firefighters had to abandon fire lines and drones once again interfered with aircraft operations.

About 1,200 firefighters are battling the Pioneer Fire burning about eight miles north of Idaho City that's expanding to the east and north with embers igniting new fires up to a third of a mile away.

The blaze grew by almost 9,000 acres since Saturday evening and is just 27 percent contained.