Just In: Thunderstorms, dust storm, giant hail, hit Australia’s east coast
Thunderstorms and giant hail battered parts of Australia’s east coast on Monday after “apocalyptic” dust storms swept across drought-stricken areas, as extreme weather patterns collided in the bushfire-fatigued country. Australia has since October been overwhelmed by an unprecedented bushfire season made worse by climate change. Swathes of the country have burned, hundreds of millions of animals have died, more than 2,000 homes have been destroyed and at least 29 lives have been lost. This handout photo taken on January 17, 2020, and received on January 20 courtesy of Marcia Macmillan shows a dust storm in Mullengudgery in New South Wales.
Here’s what you need to know about the Australia’s deadly wildfires
Australia is being ravaged by the worst wildfires seen in decades, with large swathes of the country devastated since the fire season began in late July. A total of 24 people have died nationwide, and in the state of New South Wales (NSW) alone, more than 2,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged. State and federal authorities are struggling to contain the massive blazes, even with firefighting assistance from other countries, including the United States. A man in Lake Conjola, Australia, tried to defend a property on Tuesday as fire consumed the house next door. All this has been exacerbated
