In The News / Blog

Last weekend, coastal Virginia was reminded of the power of timing and atmospheric forces. On Sunday, the ingredients aligned for significant impact: A nor’easter moving up the East Coast combined with autumn king tides to produce major tidal flooding across Hampton Roads, Virginia, during Sunday afternoon’s high tide cycle. The strong winds from the nor'easter pushed extra water from the ocean into the bay, and then into local rivers, creeks and streams.

As someone who teaches preparedness, I often remind people that storms — whether literal or emotional — are part of life. It’s not about avoiding them; it’s about how we weather them. Emotional preparedness means managing disappointment, supporting others through setbacks, and responding with empathy instead of anger. This is one of those moments where we, as the Penn State family, can practice that kind of preparedness.

Rain is coming down, tides are running higher than normal, and gusty winds are rattling the coast of Virginia. With conditions like this, it’s easy to wonder if we’re dealing with a tropical storm. But here’s the key: this is not a tropical cyclone. Instead, it’s a regular mid-latitude storm system -- a coastal low with very different characteristics. While it may not carry the name “tropical storm” or “hurricane,” it can still bring serious impacts like flooding, erosion, an

If your eyes are itchy, your nose is running, and you’re sneezing like crazy this week—you’re not alone. Fall allergies (especially hay fever) are ramping up fast across the U.S. this September, and this year might be especially tough.

This September, in honor of National Preparedness Month, I had the privilege of joining nearly 30 TV stations across the country from the studios of A-1 Broadcast in Atlanta.   Through this Satellite Media Tour (SMT), I shared essential preparedness tips to help families, first responders, and communities stay safe before, during, and after disasters.

So, what exactly is the Spitting Cave? This natural phenomenon happens when powerful Pacific Ocean waves crash against Oahu’s rugged south shore cliffs and funnel into underwater lava tubes. The energy builds pressure inside these hollowed-out rock formations until—WHOOSH!—the water forcefully spits back out through the cave’s opening.

The Perseids happen when Earth passes through debris from comet Swift-Tuttle, creating bright streaks of light across the night sky. This year, the meteor shower peaks August 12th, into the early morning hours of August 13th.

As a meteorologist and preparedness expert, I want to help you understand why this weather pattern can be so dangerous—and share how you can protect yourself, your loved ones, and even your pets during these brutally hot days and warm nights.

Over the July 4th weekend, what should’ve been a joyful time in the Texas Hill Country turned into an unimaginable nightmare.

Recovering after a hurricane can feel overwhelming, but taking it step by step helps! Here are some tips to guide you through the process...

Witness the Spectacular Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS in the Night Sky: Tips and Tricks for Stargazers