Center for Disaster Philanthropy

What we’re watching: Weekly disaster update, March 17

Tornado damage in Missouri, March 15, 2025. (Photo credit: Missouri State Highway Patrol via X)

We know all too well that disaster can strike anytime, anywhere in the world. Some disasters make headlines; others do not. Here at the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP), we monitor the status of disasters worldwide and compile a list of the ones we’re tracking weekly, along with relevant disaster-related media coverage.

Here’s what we’re watching for the week of March 17, 2025.

New or Emerging Disasters

Tornado-warned Storm System – Multiple U.S. States: A massive storm system moved through the southern U.S. on March 14-16, leaving a trail of destruction from hail, dust, wind, floods, tornadoes and wildfires. The system began in California with an atmospheric river on March 13 (see next entry).

The Storm Prediction Center issued the unusual warning of a “Particularly Dangerous Situation,” stating the system could produce many long-track and violent tornadoes.

Since Friday, March 14, there have been dozens of tornadoes across 12 states that left at least 40 people dead (a statistic that is constantly changing) in seven affected states. At least 12 people died in Missouri, which was hard hit by tornadoes Friday night.

Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas all experienced wildfires linked to high winds, and death and destruction caused by dust storms.

While the events are currently getting significant media attention, CDP knows from previous experience that tornadoes do not receive as much funding as other natural hazards. Additionally, the large geographic spread of the event means coverage will be diffused and diluted, especially at the national level. It is important for funders to step up to invest in disaster recovery in the many impacted communities.

Atmospheric River – California: This event was a precursor to the storm system that moved through the U.S. on March 14-16.

On Thursday, March 13, heavy rain in Southern California triggered several mudslides, which trapped multiple cars and engulfed a roadway. At least six people required rescue.

The same storm system produced a small EF-0 tornado that damaged some homes in Pico Rivera – southeast of Los Angeles. Hundreds of people were ordered to evacuate in L.A. County, and many others were issued evacuation warnings. This system also brought four feet of snow to high-elevation areas.

Volcano Eruption – Guatemala: On March 9, a volcano known as “Volcán de Fuego” or “Volcano of Fire” started erupting in Guatemala. By the morning of March 10, nearly 200 families had been forced to evacuate. The 12,300-foot high volcano is about 33 miles from the capital, Guatemala City, and is one of the most active in Central America. Approximately 30,000 people were at risk from the eruption. While volcanic activity seems to have quieted down, an eruption in 2018 led to the deaths of nearly 200 people, meaning authorities took no chances this time.  

Volcano Eruption – Costa Rica: On March 9, the Poás volcano in Costa Rica erupted twice, sending plumes of smoke nearly 1,000 feet into the air. Poás began experiencing small eruptions in January, but these have increased significantly in March, leading scientists to believe a large eruption is imminent.

The Tico Times said, “Poás Volcano in Costa Rica is undergoing intense and unprecedented activity, marked by persistent tremors, high gas emissions, and structural deformation, according to the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory (OVSICORI). Experts say this behavior is unlike anything seen in recent records. ‘We can’t predict exactly what will happen because this is a new situation for Poás. We lack data from past events for comparison,’ said OVSICORI volcanologist Geoffroy Avard.’”

Previous/Ongoing Disasters

Cyclone Jude – Malawi, Mozambique: A tropical cyclone with wind speeds of 63 mph struck southern Africa on March 9. At least nine deaths were reported, but 15 people were injured in building collapses. Over 9,000 people in Mozambique and 20,000 people in Malawi are now homeless.

Flooding – West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee: One month after multiple states faced historic flooding, communities are starting to recover but are significantly hindered by the lack of federal funding.

In Tennessee, the tiny town of Rives was flooded when the Obion River levee broke. At least 60% of the 105 homes had severe water damage, but because the community is so small, the damage doesn’t reach the level needed for a FEMA declaration.

In Kentucky, 3,500 households were approved for FEMA Individual Assistance in 16 counties, totaling just over $20 million, whereas in West Virginia, 1,244 households in four counties received assistance totaling $8.92 million.

Complex Humanitarian Emergencies – Horn of Africa

When a country experiences political conflict, climate shocks, famine, economic challenges or other conditions, it may suffer a complex humanitarian emergency (CHE). CDP maintains complete profiles on several CHEs. Every week, we highlight these and other CHEs hoping to build awareness and philanthropic response.

The Horn of Africa is particularly susceptible to climate disasters and weather extremes. The region suffers from drought and severe flooding, which can be devastating to farmers. The level of acute food insecurity has increased by 25% since the declaration of the emergency in 2022, from 38 million people to 47.4 million people. Climate shocks and disasters affect growing seasons, displace millions of people and create conflict over resources. 

Historically, the region has taken a reactive rather than proactive approach to disasters. However, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has developed an anticipatory action plan for its eight member states to deal with climate extremes in the Horn of Africa. IGAD is partnering with humanitarian organizations like the World Food Programme in Eastern Africa to mitigate the risk of any worsening humanitarian crises due to possible disasters.

The IGAD head of mission Uganda, Ms. Joselyn Bigirwa, said that using artificial intelligence will aid the Strengthening Early Warning Systems for Anticipatory Action (SEWAA) initiatives and improve IGAD’s capacity to respond proactively to climate-related risks and disasters.

“By leveraging machine learning, advanced forecasting techniques, and improved data-sharing mechanisms, this project will enhance early warning capabilities, allowing governments, humanitarian agencies, and communities to act in advance of disasters, rather than reacting after the damage is done.”

Upcoming webinar

Complex Humanitarian Emergencies in 2025: The Democratic Republic of the Congo

What We’re Reading

  • I study refugees, and here are the facts of the history and impact of refugee resettlement in the U.S. – The Conversation
  • The otherworldly California waterway that keeps exploding into politics – The New York Times
  • The data streams that underpin humanitarian response are about to collapse – The New Humanitarian
  • A school in north-east Nigeria is helping children overcome insurgency trauma – HumAngle

A moment of hope… Whitetop, the world’s oldest llama, is 27 years old. He is now the Guinness Book of World Records holder for “Oldest Llama,” beating Dalai Llama, the previous winner. Not only is Whitetop a world record holder, but he works at Victory Junction Camp, a summer camp for chronically ill children in North Carolina. Whitetop’s best friend is a miniature highland cow named Gus-Gus, who has not broken any world records (so far).