PUBLIC MARKS from adfunk with tag disaster

Severe thunderstorms, and possibly tornados, ripped through central Florida early today, killing at least 14 people and tearing up houses, trees and power lines and blowing tractor-trailers off Interstate 4. The Lake County spokesman, Christopher Patton, confirmed the death toll, according to The Associated Press, but state officials declined to

Tinder-dry conditions contributed to the rapid spread of the flames A firefighter badly burnt in a California wildfire that killed four of his companions is in “poor” condition, with burns over 90% of his body. Doctors said on Friday they hoped to be able to operate on the injured man, Pablo Cerda, 23, to remove burned skin. Thousands of acres have been burnt around the town of Cabazon, some 125 miles (200km) east of Los Angeles.

A U.S. District Court judge on Tuesday ruled a Mississippi couple’s homeowner policy did not give them coverage for damage from flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina, in a major win for the insurance industry. Paul and Julie Leonard were awarded $1,228 to cover wind damage but lost their argument that their Nationwide Mutual Insurance policy covere

Officials in the Philippines have ordered the evacuation of about 20,000 people living near the Mayon volcano, fearing an imminent eruption. Officials made the decision to raise the alert level after the volcano was rocked by six blasts and then emitted a fountain of lava. Mount Mayon, the most active volcano in the Philippines, has been rumbling