August 16 Headlines

California Declares State of Emergency as Wildfires Rage
Fire crews fanned out Friday across a parched California where wind-whipped wildfires have forced hundreds of people to flee their homes and led to an emergency declaration in Santa Cruz County.

Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Florida
A tropical storm warning was issued Sunday for parts of Florida as a newly formed depression swirled about 90 miles off the coast. The warning was issued for areas east of the Alabama state line to the Suwanee River. The warning means tropical storm conditions are likely within the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Ana forms in Atlantic
Tropical Storm Ana, the first named weather event of the Atlantic hurricane season, has formed in the ocean and could reach the Leeward Islands by Monday, US government forecasters warned early on Saturday. "A tropical storm watch may be required for portions of the Leeward Islands later today," the National Hurricane Center said in an advisory.

Taiwan seeks foreign aid after typhoon
aiwan leaders, already under fire over the response to a typhoon that likely killed hundreds, have accepted foreign aid after refusing the offers. Trying to repair its image after Typhoon Morakot caused widespread landslides in southern Taiwan, the government on Friday asked major world donors for equipment, a foreign ministry official said. Aid offers were initially refused on Tuesday.