Natural disasters

The Latest

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) issued warnings on Nov. 14, 2023, of a potential humanitarian crisis in Ghana after a “devastating” flood in the southeastern part of the country. 

Catholic Relief Services warns of disease, ‘long-term’ hunger amid devastating Ghana flood

Nov 15, 2023

By Daniel Payne

A CRS representative in Ghana said 200,000 hectares remain covered by water in the southeastern part of the country, impacting... Read more

A woman reacts standing in front of her earthquake-damaged house in the old city in Marrakesh on Sept. 9, 2023. A powerful earthquake that shook Morocco late Sept. 8 killed more than 1,000 people, the government said on Sept. 9, sending terrified residents fleeing their homes in the middle of the night.

Major earthquake in Morocco kills more than 1,000

Sep 9, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Pope Francis offered the country his “prayerful communion in the face of this natural disaster.” Read more

Burned houses are seen adjacent of Maria Lanakila Catholic Church on Aug. 11, 2023, in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii.

‘For us, it’s like a miracle’: Catholic church appears to survive devastating Maui fire

Aug 13, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The death toll from the disaster, which stood at 93 on Aug. 13, is expected to rise as search crews... Read more

A woman looks over her apartment after floodwater inundated it when Hurricane Ian passed through the area on Sept. 29, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge, and rain to the area, causing severe damage.

Catholic Charities helps to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Ian

Sep 30, 2022

By Edie Heipel, Jonah McKeown

Local and national Catholic Charities agencies are working to assess needs and provide aid after Hurricane Ian devastated Florida’s Gulf... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square March 14, 2018.

Pope Francis prays for victims of Gaylord tornado

May 24, 2022

By CNA Staff

Pope Francis expressed his closeness on Tuesday to the victims of a tornado that struck Gaylord last week, killing two... Read more

Pope Francis prays at the general audience in Paul VI Hall on Feb. 16, 2022.

Pope Francis prays for cyclone victims in Madagascar

Feb 19, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope sent a telegram to Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina on Feb. 19 as the island in the Indian Ocean... Read more

Heavy ash fall is seen over Tonga, Jan. 17, 2022, several days after a volcanic eruption.

Cardinal Czerny leads prayer service after Tonga volcano

Jan 24, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cardinal Michael Czerny on Monday led a prayer service for Tonga, after an underwater volcanic eruption caused a devastating tsunami... Read more

Pope Francis’ general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Jan. 19, 2021.

Pope Francis offers prayers for the people of Tonga after volcanic eruption and tsunami

Jan 19, 2022

By Courtney Mares

He said: ‘I invite everyone to join me in praying for these brothers and sisters.’ Read more

The Greany family (from left) Lance, Tom, Kat, and Cole, who lost their Colorado home in the Marshall Fire in late 2021.

Neighbors' generosity after Colorado fire has been 'extraordinary', displaced family says

Jan 6, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

A Catholic couple who lost their home in a historic Colorado wildfire late last year say they have experienced “absolutely... Read more

A Mary statue stands amid the remains of the Greany home in Louisville, Colo., following the Marshall Fire.

'Hail Full of Grace!': Colorado resident pens reflection after losing home in Marshall Fire

Jan 5, 2022

By Denver Catholic

On Dec. 30, a fast-moving wildfire destroyed approximately 1,000 homes and structures in Louisville, Superior and unincorporated Boulder County. Among... Read more

Smoke from the 2021 Boulder County fire over Superior, Colo., Dec. 30, 2021.

Archbishop Aquila opens parishes, launches emergency fund for victims of Colorado wildfires

Dec 31, 2021

By Alejandro Bermudez

Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver announced on Friday the establishment of an emergency fund to assist victims of the most... Read more

A Marian statue stands before Resurrection Catholic Church in Dawson Springs, Ky., after the church was heavily damaged by a tornado Nov. 11, 2021.

Despite Kentucky tornadoes, Virgin Mary statue still stands—and Catholics offer help

Dec 13, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

The deadly storms that hit nine states in the Midwest and the South produced an image of a statue of... Read more

A Ventura County Fire Department Firehawk on the helispot recently installed on the campus of Thomas Aquinas College, outside Santa Paula, Calif.

Thomas Aquinas College builds helipad to assist in fighting wildfires

Dec 8, 2021

By Jonah McKeown

Four years after a massive wildfire threatened the school, a Catholic college in southern California has installed a helipad on... Read more

Louisiana National Guardsmen rescue people in LaPlace, Louisiana, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. More than 6,000 members of the National Guard from more than a dozen states were in Louisiana assisting state and federal partners with relief efforts.

Louisiana schools closed amid prayers for survivors in the wake of Hurricane Ida

Sep 1, 2021

By Jonah McKeown

At least one Catholic church in New Orleans has opened its doors to serve as an emergency shelter amid widespread... Read more

Caritas Merida assists in solidarity work after heavy rains in the Venezuelan state. Credit: Caritas Merida.

Venezuelan bishops criticize National Guard for obstructing aid to victims of rains, landslides

Aug 31, 2021

By David Ramos

The Venezuelan bishops’ conference criticized on Monday the Venezuelan National Guard for hindering the work of providing humanitarian aid to... Read more

A tent camp in Haiti.

US bishops welcome resumption of temporary protections for Haitian migrants

May 24, 2021

By CNA Staff

The chairs of the US bishops’ committees on migration and international justice and peace on Monday commended the Biden administration’s... Read more

Damage in Joplin, Mo., several days after the 2011 tornado. Credit: Bob Webster via Flickr (CC BY 2.0).

Missouri parish remembers those killed in historic tornado, ten years on

May 24, 2021

By CNA Staff

A Catholic parish in Missouri this week held a memorial service for those killed ten years ago when a massive... Read more

A truck drives south on I-75 in Allen, Texas, U.S., on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021.

Texas Catholics press through winter storm to help neighbors

Feb 18, 2021

By Jonah McKeown

Amid a winter storm that brought freezing temperatures and widespread power outages to much of Texas, Catholics are stepping up... Read more

Pope Francis prays with journalists on the papal flight to South Korea, Aug. 14, 2014.

Pope Francis prays for victims of glacier-caused flash flood in India

Feb 10, 2021

By CNA Staff

Pope Francis has voiced his prayers for the victims of a glacier-caused flash flood in India’s northern Uttarakhand state, as... Read more

A pregnant woman is carried out of an area flooded by Hurricane Eta in Planeta, Honduras, Nov. 5, 2020.

After hurricanes, Honduran nationals in US gain protections against deportation

Dec 8, 2020

After several Central American countries were hit hard by hurricanes Iota and Eta, the Department of Homeland Security has extended... Read more