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20 Inspiring Photos of America's National Parks

May 16, 2013, 6:55 am
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    The U.S. Department of the Interior has been tweeting amazing photos of American wilderness areas. Click through to see some of our favorites.

    The U.S. Dept. of the Interior tweeted this photo on May 7 and wrote, "One of the most spectacular #lightning strikes we have ever seen. Near the South Rim @GrandCanyonNPS. pic.twitter.com/QGLIw0l87j"

  • interior/Twitter
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    The U.S. Department of the Interior tweeted this photo on May 7 and wrote, "It seems everyone loved the #lightning photo @GrandCanyonNPS. We have another that's just as amazing. Enjoy! pic.twitter.com/dbe1rny8D8"
  • interior/Twitter
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    The U.S. Dept. of the Interior tweeted this photo on May 8 and wrote, "We have posted a couple of severe weather photos lately, so here's a gorgeous #sunrise @CanyonlandsNPS. #Utah pic.twitter.com/Yuz1QhURD9"
  • interior/Twitter
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    The U.S. Dept. of Interior tweeted this photo on May 14 and wrote, "Another stunning sight on America's public lands. A #rainbow in the distance over Rocky Mountain NP. @RMNPOfficial pic.twitter.com/kKbwoqJaqh"
  • interior/Twitter
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    The U.S. Department of the Interior tweeted this photo on May 3 and wrote, One of the most stunning photos of #OldFaithful @YellowstoneNPS we have ever seen. RT if you agree! pic.twitter.com/REW1K9FuFB"
  • interior/Twitter
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    The U.S. Dept. of the Interior tweeted this photo on April 24 and wrote, "Hiking in @HaleakalaNPS could bring you this stunning view of #sunset above the clouds over #Maui. pic.twitter.com/g8fIywNy2K"
  • interior/Twitter
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    The U.S. Dept. of the Interior tweeted this photo on April 28 and wrote, "This stunning view of the night sky is waiting for you @ArchesNPS. #utah #travel pic.twitter.com/4l0VT6jdNb"
  • interior/Twitter
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    The U.S. Dept. of the Interior tweeted this photo on April 24 and wrote, "2 more days of free admission 2 celebrate National Park Week! Enjoy beauty found in places like Isle Royale. pic.twitter.com/MSki8owXfR"
  • interior/Twitter
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    The U.S. Dept. of the Interior tweeted this photo on May 1 and wrote, "Did u know @GoldenGateNPS is 1 of the largest urban parks in the world? It includes this gorgeous view of San Fran. pic.twitter.com/MSnDOTtf6I"
  • interior/Twitter
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    The U.S. Dept. of the Interior tweeted this photo on May 8 and wrote, "You probably won't see this on your commute home. The evening lava glow at #Hawaii #Volcanoes National Park. pic.twitter.com/NTrwVY1N0w"
  • interior/Twitter
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    The U.S. Dept. of the Interior tweeted this photo on May 10 and wrote, "Let's end the week right with this fantastic photo of @PicturedRocksNL in #Michigan. pic.twitter.com/BY4DXyyGos"
  • interior/Twitter
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    The U.S. Dept. of the Interior tweeted this photo on April 22 and wrote, "Happy Earth Day from one of the most beautiful places in the world. #Sunrise over Half Dome @YosemiteNPS pic.twitter.com/EW0IeFE8oQ"
  • interior/Twitter
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    The U.S. Dept of the Interior tweeted this photo on April 29 and wrote, "It's not every day you see a double #rainbow and lightning over #Badlands National Park. pic.twitter.com/Bph4Yakmcj"
  • interior/Twitter
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    The U.S. Dept of the Interior tweeted this photo on May 15 and wrote, "Some sights are too beautiful for words. Like the view from Glacier Point overlooking Half Dome @YosemiteNPS pic.twitter.com/DeFSp6jazi"
  • interior/Twitter
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    The U.S. Dept. of the Interior tweeted this photo on April 22 and wrote, "One more stunning photo in celebration of #EarthDay. #Sunset over @GrandTetonNPS. pic.twitter.com/rOYfAGjYm9"
  • interior/Twitter
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    The U.S. Dept. of the Interior tweeted this photo on April 30 and wrote, "Sometimes photos just scream 'wow.' A Humpback Whale shows how to be the center of attention at Kenai Fjords NP. pic.twitter.com/q5pjWr6fhG"
  • interior/Twitter
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    The U.S. Dept. of the Interior tweeted this photo on April 23 and wrote, "#EarthDay might be over, but we celebrate America's public lands every day of the year. #Sunrise over Olympic NP. pic.twitter.com/0dvitiNjYB"
  • interior/Twitter
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    The U.S. Dept. of Interior tweeted this photo on May 13 and wrote, "A foggy & misty spring morning begins in America's most visited National Park, Great Smoky Mountains NP. pic.twitter.com/yUx5crZRKc"
  • interior/Twitter
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    The U.S. Dept. of Interior tweeted this photo on May 3 and wrote, "Thanks to @studebiker for suggesting a photo from @DeathValleyNPS. We think you'll agree with the choice as well. pic.twitter.com/B8SgVq45QP"
  • interior/Twitter
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    Next: 10 Amazing Underwater Surfing Photos

    The U.S. Dept. of the Interior tweeted this photo on May 2 and wrote, "Glen Canyon has some of the most beautiful geologic formations in the world. The sunsets aren't bad either. pic.twitter.com/fM9cSYG6lx"

    Note: Glen Canyon isn't a national park but a national recreation area.

 

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9 Breathtaking Photos of Star Trails Over the Rocky Mountains

May 16, 2013, 8:14 am
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Stunning Aerial Photo Shows Erupting Alaska Volcano

May 16, 2013, 1:18 pm
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Updated Friday, May 17, 8:45 a.m.
Pavlof Volcano Erupts
Photographer Brett Scarola captured this image of Pavlof Volcano erupting while flying from Anchorage to Unalaska on May 15. (Brett Scarola/Life thru a Lens)

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A remote Alaska volcano continues to erupt, spewing lava and ash clouds.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory said Thursday a continuous cloud of ash, steam and gas from Pavlof Volcano has been seen 20,000 feet above sea level. The cloud was moving to the southeast Thursday.

John Power, the U.S. Geological Survey scientist in charge at the observatory, estimates the lava fountain rose several hundred feet into the air.

Onsite seismic instruments are picking up constant tremors from the eruption at Pavlof, located about 625 miles southwest of Anchorage.

Residents of Cold Bay, 37 miles away, have reported seeing a glow from the summit.

Pavlof is among the most active volcanoes in the Aleutian arc, with nearly 40 known eruptions, according to the observatory.

RELATED ON SKYE: Breathtaking Volcanic Eruptions from Space
Volcanic Eruption

 

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Some Lost Everything to North Texas Tornados

May 17, 2013, 1:11 am
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Crews Assess Texas Tornado Damage
GRANBURY, Texas (AP) - Raul Rodriguez counts himself a lucky man.

For two years, the 42-year-old auto mechanic and his family have enjoyed life in his house in the Rancho Brazos Estates subdivision of Granbury, a North Texas town 40 miles southwest of Fort Worth. Built by volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, it was the first home Rodriguez has ever owned.

On Wednesday evening, he was home with his wife and three children when a storm began to rage.

"I looked out the window and thought, 'It doesn't look good,'" he said.

He gathered his family into a hall closet as a savage tornado roared over his neighborhood. All he could hear above the storm's din was the sound of every window in his home shattering.

Photos: Tornadoes Tear Through North Texas
After the storm passed, he and his family emerged to find his home damaged but still standing.

"I'm surprised. I can't believe it. My wife was the first person out, and injured people, bloody people, started coming to our house, asking us to call 911," he said.

Habitat for Humanity spent years in Granbury's Rancho Brazos Estates subdivision, helping to build many of the 110 homes in the low-income area. But its work was largely undone during an outbreak of 16 tornadoes Wednesday night that killed six people and injured dozens.

Hood County Sheriff Roger Deeds said Thursday afternoon that two of the dead were women and four of them men; one man and one woman were in their 80s. Six or seven people have not been accounted for, he said at a news conference.

"I'm very confident we'll find those people alive and well," Deeds said, adding that 37 injured people were treated at hospitals. "We're going to keep looking. We're not going to give up until every piece of debris is turned over."

Granbury bore the brunt of the damage. The weather service said the preliminary storm estimate for the Granbury tornado was an EF-4, based on the Fujita tornado damage scale. An EF-5 is the most severe, but an EF-4 tornado has wind speeds of 166 to 200 mph.

Another tornado in nearby Cleburne cut a mile-wide path through part of the city Wednesday. The weather service said it was estimated as an EF-3, which has winds between 136 and 165 mph. No deaths or severe injuries were reported from that tornado.

Harold Brooks, a meteorologist at the weather service's severe storm lab in Norman, Okla., said May 15 is the latest into the month that the U.S. has had to wait for its first significant tornadoes of the year. Brooks said he would expect 2013 to be one of the least lethal tornado years since the agency started keeping records in 1954.

Habitat for Humanity's website describes the international organization as a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry that has helped build or repair more than 600,000 houses for more than 3 million people who otherwise could not afford home ownership. The ministry was brought to prominence by the participation of former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter.

Habitat for Humanity homes, built for low-income buyers using volunteer labor and donations, are financed with affordable loans. The nonprofit selects homeowners based on their level of need, willingness to become partners in the program and ability to repay their loan. Homeowners invest their own time into building the homes as well.

Of the homes in the Rancho Brazos Estates, 61 of them were built by Habitat for Humanity, according to Gage Yeager, executive director of Trinity Habitat for Humanity in Fort Worth. He said most of those homes were damaged, including at least a dozen that were destroyed.

On Thursday, authorities combed through debris in Granbury, while residents awaited the chance to see what was left of their homes. Witnesses described the two badly hit neighborhoods as unrecognizable, with homes ripped from foundations and others merely rubble.

"I tell you, it has just broken my heart," said Habitat for Humanity volunteer Elsie Tallant, who helped serve lunch every weekend to those building the homes in a Granbury neighborhood and those poised to become homeowners.

"We were going to dedicate a house this weekend, and her home was destroyed," she said.

The homes, built primarily for low-income people, were insured and can be rebuilt, said Habitat for Humanity volunteer Bill Jackson.

Raul Rodriguez said he will rebuild. Aside from shattered windows, lost roof shingles and a garage that caved in on his car, Rodriguez feels fortunate.

"My neighbors to the right, they lost everything," he said.

 

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Firefighters Battle Flames, Terrain, North of LA

May 17, 2013, 1:23 am
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A firefightier watches a backfire set in Hungry Valley State Park to halt the prgress of the Grand fire, which charred more than 3,000 acres of wildlands near Frazier Park on Wednesday, May 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Los Angeles Times, Luis Sinco)

FRAZIER PARK, Calif. (AP) - Firefighters had to battle terrain as much as flames as they worked to surround a wildfire entering its third day in harsh hills and mountains north of Los Angeles.

Temperatures dipped Thursday and were expected to remain cool on Friday, but winds upwards of 20 mph continued to swirl, and much of the blaze that has blackened some 3,800 acres was in rocky, rugged, difficult-to-reach places, making containment a challenge.

After a heavy aerial effort Thursday, the fire was 25 percent contained by nightfall.

The fire broke out near Interstate 5 when temperatures were in the 80s, and though they've dropped to the 60s, winds were still a problem.

"It's definitely gusty, but we're lucky, the winds are blowing away from homes," Kern County Fire Department spokesman Corey Wilford said. "It would be better if we didn't have winds at all though."

Lower temperatures are expected to persist into the weekend.

The fire has spread to three counties, Los Angeles, Kern and Ventura, but burned in mostly populated areas and threatened no homes or buildings.

A Kern County high school was closed as a precaution.

The fire started early Wednesday afternoon for reasons that remain under investigation. It initially burned thick brush, seasonal grasses and sage, but then moved into the trees.

The cooler weather helped firefighters overnight clear brush and create breaks in hopes of slowing the blaze. Efforts on Thursday were focused on the southern edge of the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

 

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Christie Unveils Buyout Offer to NJ Flood Victims

May 17, 2013, 1:28 am
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This Oct. 30, 2012 file photo shows an aerial view of damage to the New Jersey shoreline following Superstorm Sandy. (AP Photo/U.S. Air Force, Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen, File)

SAYREVILLE, N.J. (AP) - Some 350 homeowners in the central New Jersey towns of Sayreville and South River whose properties have flooded repeatedly will be eligible to sell their homes in the first phase of a new federally funded buyback program, Gov. Chris Christie announced Thursday.

Christie returned to the community of Sayreville, which was heavily flooded during Superstorm Sandy, to announce the $300 million buyback. The money will be enough to buy back nearly 1,000 homes in targeted communities along the Raritan River, Passaic River basin and the Jersey Shore. The homes that the government buys will be razed and the property maintained as wetlands to help protect against future floods. The program is voluntary.

A second round of funding is expected in September, Christie said. It will allow the program to expand to other flood-prone areas. Woodbridge was one community mentioned, where 200 willing homeowners have already applied.

Christie said Environmental Protection Department would target clusters of homes or whole neighborhoods, not individual homes, so neighbors might need to get together, perhaps throw a party, to convince holdouts in the target zone to go along.

"I think you know what I'm saying," the governor told the capacity crowd at an elementary school, "use the gentle persuasion that New Jerseyans are known for to get things going.'"

Property appraisals will begin in June, the governor said. Offers to willing sellers will start in July and all closings will happen within a year. Christie did not say how much homeowners would be offered, other than that they would be given "fair value."

The buyout program will begin with about 350 eligible properties in Sayreville and neighboring South River.

Sayreville, surrounded by the Raritan River, Raritan Bay and the South River in Middlesex County, was among the first towns Christie visited after Superstorm Sandy in late October. About 270 homes in the town were destroyed or severely damaged, and a wastewater pumping station was wrecked.

Christie said when he toured the wreckage afterward, devastated homeowners told him, "Get us out of here. We can't take it anymore."

"When the folks of New Jersey tell you that, you have to listen," Christie said.

On the other hand, no one will be forced to sell and no community will be required to participate.

"It's up to these communities to make the tough decisions on whether to sell or rebuild," DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said. He said the decision is personal and emotional for people "who were decimated by Sandy and may have also suffered damage in previous storms, but who still love where they live."

Christie, who wore a trademark fleece jacket in the days after Superstorm Sandy, was presented with a fleece Thursday by Elaine Konopka, who attended the town hall. She said she was "really appreciative" of the governor's efforts in the aftermath of the storm.

The buyback will be part of the state's Blue Acres program, which was established more than 15 years ago to buy lands in the Delaware, Passaic and Raritan river basins.

 

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Severe Weekend Weather Threat for the Plains

May 17, 2013, 1:52 am
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Severe weather will continue into the weekend across the Plains.

Thunderstorms will develop in South Dakota and Nebraska late in the day Friday and will continue into Friday night as an area of low pressure gathers in the Plains.

These thunderstorms will be capable of producing torrential downpours, large hail and damaging wind gusts.

Heavy downpours from these storms can lead to localized flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas and areas with poor drainage.

Tornadoes are not expected with these storms; however, wind gusts up to 65 mph may knock over trees and power lines.

The threat of severe weather will expand across the Plains heading into the weekend as the area of low pressure continues to develop.

The area that will be affected by severe weather on Saturday will stretch from South Dakota down into the Texas Panhandle.

RELATED:
Six Dead, Dozens Injured From Massive Texas Tornado
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Texas Outbreak Shows It Only Takes One

The severe weather threat Saturday will be similar to that of the storms Friday, producing hail and damaging winds.

This area of severe weather will shift east Sunday with hail, damaging winds, and the added threat of tornadoes.

 

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Photos: Pavlof Volcano's Breathtaking Eruption

May 17, 2013, 3:35 am
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  • Theo Chesley/Alaskan Volcano Observatory/AP Photo
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    In this photo provided by the Alaskan Volcano Observatory, the Pavlof volcano erupts Thursday, May 16, 2013, as seen from the air from the southwest in Cold Bay, Alaska.

  • Brett Scarola/Life thru a Lens
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    Photographer Brett Scarola captured this image of Pavlof Volcano erupting while flying from Anchorage to Unalaska on May 15.

  • Rachel Kremer/Alaskan Volcano Observatory/AP Photo
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    In this photo provided by the Alaskan Volcano Observatory, the Pavlof volcano erupts Thursday, May 16, 2013, as seen from the air from the southwest in Cold Bay, Alaska. Lava fountaining is visible near the summit, and steam and ash clouds rise from the northwest flank where a lava flow advances down the slope.

  • Brandon Wilson/AP Photo
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    A photo made by Brandon Wilson and provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory shows steam and the fresh lava flow on the north side of the volcano late Monday, May 13, 2013, in Alaska. Pavlof is the second Alaska volcano to erupt this month.

  • Wikimedia
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    Steam and volcanic gas rising from the summit crater of 8,264-ft-high Pavlof Volcano on the Alaska Peninsula. Pavlof is one of the most active of Alaska's volcanoes with nearly 40 historical eruptions.

  • USFWS
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    Next: Breathtaking Volcanic Eruptions Seen from Space

    This image of Pavlof Volcano in the Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge was taken on July 7, 2004.

 

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Today's 10 Must-See Photos: 5-17-2013

May 17, 2013, 4:24 am
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  • Interior/Twitter
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    The US Department of Interior tweeted this photo of the Milky Way seen over Rocky Mountain National Park, and wrote, "A beautiful shot of the #MilkyWay over Rocky Mountain National Park. #Colorado pic.twitter.com/rFB8WwkyL3"

  • AP Photo/Star-Telegram,Ron T. Ennis
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    A home in Cleburne, Texas, has portions of its roof missing on Thursday, May 16. Ten tornadoes touched down in several small communities in North Texas, leaving at least six people dead, dozens injured and hundreds homeless.
  • AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
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    Oxbow, with an exercise rider aboard, gallops at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Friday, May 17. The Preakness Stakes horse race is scheduled to take place May 18.

  • AP Photo/Alaskan Volcano Observatory, Theo Chesley
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    The Pavlof volcano is seen erupting from the air southwest of Cold Bay, Alaska, on Thursday, May 16.
  • NASA/JPL-Caltech
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    NASA's Mars rover Curiosity's arm is seen over the drilling target "Cumberland" on May 15. The rover team plans to use Curiosity's drill to collect a powdered sample from the interior of the rock for analysis by laboratory instruments inside the rover.

  • AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty
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    A pair of tree swallows circle their nesting box, Thursday, May 16, at the Scarborough Marsh in Scarborough, Maine.

  • AP Photo/Ted S. Warren
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    A blue sky begins to emerge from early morning clouds and fog as the Simpson Tacoma Kraft Company pulp and paper mill operates along with cargo container cranes at the Port of Tacoma, Thursday, May 16, in Tacoma, Wash.
  • Cmdr_Hadfield/Twitter
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    Astronaut Chris Hadfield tweeted this photo of the sunrise that he took while aboard the International Space Station on May 16. He wrote, "Today's photo is sunrise, the windows glinting and solar array gilded in the unbelievably harsh morning light. pic.twitter.com/zR5zo1AsyB"

  • JoeRoche/Twitter
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    Joe Roche tweeted this photo of a rainbow in South Dakota on May 16, and wrote, "Wicked cool rainbow in the @BlackHills of @southdakota #IcanSeeClearlyNow pic.twitter.com/q2BemMrB2D"
  • AP Photo/Kin Cheung
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    Next: Today's 10 Must-See Photos: 5-16-2013
    Participants show their heads through holes in a large white fabric as part of the exhibition "A Journal of the Plague Year. Fear, Ghosts, Rebels. SARS, Leslie and the Hong Kong Story" in Hong Kong on Friday, May 17. 

 

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13 Animal Photos from Nat Geo's 2013 Traveler Photo Contest

May 17, 2013, 5:00 am
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10 Hidden Dangers in Your Home

May 17, 2013, 5:37 am
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    If you're a homeowner, you undoubtedly work hard to protect your home. But homes face all sorts of threats, some less obvious than others. Being armed with knowledge about these dangers can save your house, and in some cases, even your family.

    Click through to learn about 10 hidden dangers in your home. 

  • Angela Schmeidel Randall via Flickr
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    Toxic Mold

    Toxic mold, or black mold, is one of the greatest dangers in homes, because it's often hidden behind walls or bathroom tiles. Its presence can cause severe illness, including headaches, flu-like symptoms and, in rare cases, death.

    The mold typically begins to accumulate where excess water is present. Water often comes from a leaking pipe, roof or even clogged gutters. You can often tell if you have toxic mold because you'll smell a musty odor. If you also have physical symptoms, you should also investigate for mold.

    If you have toxic mold, the Center for Disease Control offers guidelines for cleaning small outbreaks. But if the mold growth is extreme or if you are concerned that you can't take care of it yourself, hire a professional with mold-cleaning expertise to do the job.   

  • akeg via Flickr
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    Roof and Gutter Problems

    Proper gutter and roof maintenance is essential to home safety. In winter, a clogged gutter can lead to ice damming, which can cause roof leaks, as well as an overflow of water at your home's foundation. Obstructions left in a gutter during any season can cause rainwater to puddle around the edge of the roof and foundation, which can lead to leaks and flooding. Foundation cracks and rotting wood can also result from excess water. 

    Clear your gutters and drainspouts of debris regularly - at least twice a year - to avoid damage. 

  • rport via Flickr
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    Poor Pipe Maintenance

    Poorly maintained pipes can lead to pipes freezing, cracking and flooding, and that can cause costly damage to your home. Keep your pipes insulated with a foam sleeve, and during winter, turn off the water supply to outdoor faucets. Be sure to keep the taps open; this will relieve internal pressure in the pipes caused by temperature changes.

    Also, poorly maintained pipes can become clogged or develop cracks. A pipe with a crack as small as 1/8 of an inch can leak up to 250 gallons of water a day, while clogged pipes can become breeding grounds for dangerous molds.

    To detect plumbing problems before they become severe, schedule seasonal inspections with a licensed plumbing contractor.   

  • Velo Steve via Flickr
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    Faulty Wiring

    If you've experienced any of the following, it may indicate faulty wiring in your home: dimming lights, discolored or melting light socket fittings, shocks from electrical appliances, frequently blown fuses or excessive sparking when a light is turned on.

    Faulty electrical wiring can be extremely dangerous, leading to electrocution or fires. If you suspect a problem, call a licensed electrician immediately to examine and, if necessary, repair your wiring. 

  • Inkyhack via Flickr
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    Improper Construction Methods

    Improper house construction can lead to cracks in the foundation. These cracks can create problems that include cracking sheet rock, swelling door frames and window jams.

    Cracks in the foundation can also lead to water entering your house and causing mildew to form. The worst-case scenario is total foundation failure, in which your foundation walls bow until they give way and your home collapses.

    If you detect cracks in the foundation - even if they're minor - contact a contractor to assess the damage and make repairs.

  • AdamsDropBox via Flickr
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    Power Surges

    When lightning strikes occur, they can increase the electrical charge in power lines, which can send a power surge through your home's wiring, appliances and electronics, even if the strike occurred a mile away from your house.

    The surge can damage your appliances and electronics, and - in the worst cases - spark fires. To help prevent damage from surges, unplug appliances and electronics during electrical storms.

    In case you aren't available to unplug electronics, remember to keep them plugged into a surge suppressor, which diverts the heightened current into a grounding wire. But keep in mind that suppressors cannot be guaranteed to protect your electronics in the event of a lightning strike.

  • Rev. Xanatos Satanicos Bombasticos (ClintJCL) via Flickr
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    Dirty Chimney

    Keep your home's chimney clean, clear and well-maintained. If you don't, the consequences can be dangerous and even deadly. When there are gaps or cracks in your chimney flue, noxious gasses that contain carbon monoxide or soot can drift into your home rather than be vented out. These gasses can lead to asphyxiation.

    Additionally, if large amounts of soot have built up in your chimney, they can catch fire. To help prevent fires and other dangers, have your chimney professionally cleaned at least once a year, or more if you use it frequently.

    When hiring a chimney sweep, be sure to look for someone who is accredited with the National Chimney Sweep Guild or the Chimney Safety Institute of America. These organizations can also help you locate professional chimney inspectors and repairmen. 

  • puuikibeach via Flickr
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    Dryer Vent Fires

    Failure to properly clean and maintain your dryer vent can lead to fire. As lint collects in the lint trap and dryer vent, it can cause the dryer to operate at a high temperature, possibly overheating and in the worst cases, causing a fire.

    To prevent fires, clean your lint trap before and after using the dryer, and clean dryer ducts regularly. It's also important to use metal ducts rather than foil or plastic ducts, which are known to sag, trapping lint. Also, if a fire were to occur, a metal duct would be more likely to keep it contained.

    Remember to regularly clean inside, behind and underneath your dryer, because lint can also accumulate there over time.   

  • djaquay via Flickr
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    Gas Grills

    Before you fire up the barbecue at your next cookout, consider this: Gas grills are involved in an average of 3,400 home fires each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

    The liquid petroleum gas or propane used in gas grills is extremely flammable; a leaky or clogged gas-supply hose can lead to fires or explosions. Additionally, the heat and flames from a grill that's too close to a house or in an enclosed porch can pose a danger.

    To help prevent fires, check your gas-supply hose regularly for cracks and clogs from insects or grease, and always place your grill at least 10 feet from your home in an area with no overhead obstructions.    

  • Derek Keats via Flickr
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    Next: 10 Items to Keep in Your Car for Emergencies

    Termites

    Termites have been called a silent destroyer, because many homeowners don't realize they suffer from an infestation until it is too late.

    You can recognize the presence of termites by either seeing the creatures, finding piles of discarded wings, or by seeing mud tunnels along your home's foundation or in your crawlspace or interior walls.

    Although most people understand the dangers that termites pose, they don't often take steps to prevent termites from thriving in their home's wood.

    Most homeowner's insurance policies won't cover termite damage, but you can sometimes sign annual contracts with pest-control agencies that will inspect your home regularly and, if an infestation is discovered, treat it at a reduced cost.  

 

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Photos: Surfers Ride Massive Waves at Teahupoo in Tahiti

May 17, 2013, 11:53 am
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Alaska Volcano Shoots Ash 15,000 Feet Into the Air

May 18, 2013, 1:19 am
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The Pavlof volcano erupts Thursday, May 16, 2013, as seen from the air from the southwest in Cold Bay, Alaska. (AP Photo/Alaskan Volcano Observatory, Theo Chesley)

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - One of Alaska's most restless volcanoes shot an ash cloud 15,000 feet into the air Friday in an ongoing eruption that is visible for miles when the weather allows.

An air traffic controller in the region said small planes have flown around the plumes from Pavlof Volcano. Ash would have to rise tens of thousands of feet to threaten larger planes.

The eruption began Monday, and a photograph shows lava spraying out from the summit of the volcano, located 625 miles southwest of Anchorage. The Alaska Volcano Observatory said clouds of ash, steam and gas have occasionally reached the 20,000-foot level and have been visible from the nearby communities of Cold Bay and Sand Point.

Onsite seismic instruments have detected an increase in the force of tremors from the 8,262-foot volcano.

"It's definitely kicking right along," John Power, the U.S. Geological Survey scientist in charge at the observatory, said Friday.

A mining camp 50 miles northeast of the volcano reported a light ash fall Tuesday evening, according to the observatory.

Residents of Cold Bay, about 40 miles from Pavlof, are concerned the ash could damage their power generators, air traffic controller John Maxwell said Friday. But so far, the wind has blown the ash away from the area, he said.

"Everybody is thinking about it," Maxwell said. "Not that anybody is afraid they're going to be like Mount Vesuvius and turned into little mummies."

Mike Tickle, manager of the local fuel terminal, said his wife woke him up Wednesday night to tell him she saw a splatter of lava spurting from Pavlof. He hustled to get his camera, but by the time he went to have a look, all that remained was a red glow.

"It's been overcast since then," he said.

RELATED ON SKYE: Stunning Aerial Photo Shows Erupting Alaska Volcano

Typically, Pavlof eruptions are gas-rich fountains of lava that can shoot up to a few thousand feet. But its ash clouds are usually less dense than the plumes of more explosive volcanoes that pose a greater hazard to aircraft, scientists say.

Pavlof is among the most active volcanoes in the Aleutian arc, with nearly 40 known eruptions, according to the observatory.

The volcano last erupted in 2007. During the 29-day eruption, Pavlof emitted mud flows and erupting lava, as well as ash clouds up to 18,000 feet high, according to Power.

In early May, Cleveland Volcano, on an uninhabited island in the Aleutian Islands, experienced a low-level eruption. Satellite imagery shows the volcano has continued to discharge steam, gas and heat in the past week. New analysis of earlier images showed a small lava flow going over the southeast rim of the summit crater, the observatory said.

There has been no new imagery in recent days because of overcast skies in the area, Power said.

No ash clouds have been detected in more than a week from Cleveland, which is not monitored with seismic instruments.

The volcano is a 5,675-foot peak on a remote island 940 miles southwest of Anchorage. Cleveland's most recent significant eruption began in February 2001 and sent ash clouds up to 39,000 feet above sea level. It also produced a rocky lava flow and hot debris that reached the sea.

PHOTOS ON SKYE: Pavlof Volcano's Breathtaking Eruption

 

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Preakness Will Not be as Wet as Kentucky Derby

May 18, 2013, 2:00 am
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While there is a threat for a shower in spots in Baltimore, on Saturday, it should not be a washout like the day of the Kentucky Derby.

The best chance for spotty showers will be during the afternoon and evening hours, so a shower at the time of the Preakness Stakes, which is 6:20 p.m. EDT, is not out of the question.

"It will not compare to the Kentucky Derby, where the track was soaking wet and muddy," AccuWeather Expert Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said. "Expect a fast track."

The high will reach 70 degrees, which is about 5 degrees shy of the normal high in Baltimore.

"It will be very comfortable temperature-wise," Anderson said. People enjoying the Infieldfest will not need to worry about bringing jackets or layers as temperatures from opening time, 8:00 a.m. EDT Saturday, will already be around 60 degrees.

Oxbow, with an exercise rider aboard, gallops at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Friday, May 17, 2013. The Preakness Stakes horse race is scheduled to take place May 18. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

PHOTOS ON SKYE: Incredible Natural-Disaster Photos from Space

 

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Today's 10 Must-See Photos: 5-18-2013

May 18, 2013, 3:15 am
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  • AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus
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    Afghan children peer through a fence that surrounds a swimming pool on a hill overlooking Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, May 17, 2013. The swimming pool build by the Soviets more then 30 years ago has rarely been used, caught instead in the middle of decades of war.
  • Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images
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    Spectators leave the stands as the semi-final match opposing Victoria Azarenka of Bulgaria to Sara Errani of Italy is interrupted by the rain at the Rome Masters on May 18, 2013.
  • AP Photo/The St. Joseph News-Press, Sait Serkan Gurbuz
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    Eric Duncan of Rockport (Mo.) High School competes in the Class 1 division of the long jump at Dwight T. Reed Stadium of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo., on the first day of the Missouri State High School Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 17, 2013.
  • AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena
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    Sri Lankan government soldiers march in a war victory parade in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Saturday, May 18, 2013. The military parade is being held to commemorate the 4th year anniversary of the government's victory over Tamil Tiger rebels. In 2009, the Tamil Tigers admitted defeat in their 25-year war with the Sri Lankan government that left more than 70,000 people dead.
  • AP Photo/The Connecticut Post, Christian Abraham)
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    Emergency workers arrive the scene of a train collision, Friday, May 17, 2013 in Fairfield, Conn. A New York-area commuter railroad says two trains have collided in Connecticut. The railroad says the accident involved a New York-bound train leaving New Haven. It derailed and hit a westbound train near Fairfield, Conn. Some cars on the second train also derailed.
  • AP Photo/Patrick Semansky
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    Trainer Shug McGaughey leads Kentucky Derby winner Orb, with exercise rider Jennifer Patterson aboard, out of a barn at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Saturday, May 18, 2013, for a workout on the morning of the 138th running of the Preakness Stakes horse race.
  • AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed
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    A Palestinian hurls stones at Israeli forces, not seen, as tear gas fumes swirl in background, during a protest against the expansion of the nearby Jewish settlement Ofra outside the village of Deir Jarir near Ramallah, Friday, May 17, 2013.
  • AP Photo/Keith Srakocic
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    Houston Astros shortstop Jake Elmore, left, and right fielder Jimmy Paredes collide and the ball gets loose as they try to catch a pop fly by Pittsburgh Pirates' Russell Martin with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 17, 2013, in Pittsburgh. The error allowed the winning run in the Pirates' 5-4 victory.
  • AP Photo/Lee Jin-man
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    Buddhists gather under lanterns during a service to celebrate Buddha's birthday at Jogye temple in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, May 17, 2013. Many Buddhists visit temples nationally to celebrate Buddha's 2557th Birthday and pray with their wishes.
  • AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty
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    Next: 10 Amazing Underwater Surfing Photos
    Marc Pelletier, of Biddeford, Maine, uses a power sprayer while cleaning the Emilee Savannah, a lobster boat he works on as a sternman, Friday, May 17, 2013, at Camp Ellis in Saco, Maine. The 34-foot fishing boat was beached in order to scrape and paint the hull during low tide in preparation for the upcoming lobstering season.

 

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Rising Sea Levels Could Overwhelm London Flood Barrier

May 19, 2013, 1:22 am
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Rising Sea Levels May Threaten River Thames
Rising sea levels fueled by climate change could cause the River Thames to breach barriers and regularly flood the city of London, scientists say. Estimates vary widely, but melting ice is thought to be a contributing factor in the gradual rise of sea levels worldwide. European scientists at the Ice2Sea project estimate that the sea level will rise somewhere between 1.3 inches and 14.4 inches by the year 2100.

 

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Slow Landslide Threatens 13 California Homes

May 19, 2013, 2:43 am
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Robin and Scott Spivey earlier this month walk past the wreckage of their Tudor-style dream home they had to abandon when the ground gave way causing it to drop 10 feet below the street in Lakeport, Calif.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

A subdivision of 29 homes located in Lakeport, Calif., is being threatened by ground that is moving a few inches to a few feet every day. Thirteen of the homes are in imminent danger.

"Seven of the homes have been red-tagged, meaning do not occupy, and six others are under a voluntary evacuation order," said Kevin Ingram Administration Analyst with the Lake County Administration Office.

The problem started in mid-March, according to Ingram. "We became aware of the ground moving in mid-March while we were doing repairs to water pipes."

He said the ground has been moving a foot here and a foot there ever since. Occasionally, the ground will shift up to 6 feet for a couple of days, Ingram said.

The problem causing the landslide is an excess of ground water. Ingram said when the neighborhood was proposed in the 70s, reports came back that there was high ground water in the area.

Recently, leaks to the water pipes in the neighborhood were found. They were repaired on May 10. "We are still seeing an excess of ground water," said Ingram.

The Lake County Administration Office has requested that Governor Jerry Brown declare an emergency and approve a resource request.

Since the requests, a geotechnical engineer arrived last week to do soil test and ground tests at the site. Ingram said they are waiting for the report. Ingram hopes that a requested hydrologist will be coming out to the site shortly.

"With reports from the geotechnical engineer and hopefully the hydrologist, we may be able to determine the extent of the soil erosion and the cause of the slide," Ingram said.

As a temporary solution for the unaffected homes, Ingram said they have put bypasses of the water, sewer and electric systems in place. "But we need to know the extent of the slide before we can formulate a permanent solution," said Ingram.

ALSO ON ACCUWEATHER:

RELATED ON SKYE: Breathtaking Images of Earth from Space
Earth from Space

 

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11 Tips to Beat Seasonal Allergies

May 19, 2013, 3:22 am
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    It's that time of year again - when seasonal allergies can make those who suffer from them dread the outdoors. But allergies don't have to wreak your spring and summer. Dr. Clifford Bassett, medical director of Allergy and Asthma Care of New York, has some tips on how to survive the season without being miserable.

    1. Love overcast, cool, windless, drizzly or wet days. Here, the Brooklyn Bridge below overcast skies.

  • Getty Images
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    Hate dry, warm, windy days.

    Above, a camel stands in a sand storm in the Thar Desert between India and Pakistan.

  • AP Photo/Mohammad Hannon
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    Watch out for thunderstorms - they may kick up grass pollens and molds and trigger asthma symptoms.

    Above, thunderstorm strikes the city of Amman , Jordan, Monday, May 13, 2013.

  • Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty Images
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    Know the pollen and mold counts as well as the air quality index, so you can so you can plan accordingly for outdoor activities. Ground-level ozone can aggravate allergies and asthma...

    Above, a woman blows her nose in Godewaersvelde, northern France on May 18, 2013.

  • Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty Images
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    Know your specific allergies, so you can favor plants, shrubs and flowers that are more allergy friendly.

    Dandelion seeds blow in the wind in Godewaersvelde, northern France on May 18, 2013, as the return of pleasant weather marks the arrival of allergenic pollen.

  • Getty Images
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    Vacation by the sea! That means the beach, lake or river - any body of water where pollen levels are typically much lower.

    Above, Sydney's Bondi Beach attracts sunbathers.

  • Getty Images
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    Exercise indoors where air is filtered during high pollen days.
  • Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
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    Look like a star! Wear big sunglasses and a hat to prevent pollens from entering in to your eyes and landing in your hair.

    Above, French actress Marilou Berry at Cannes last week

  • AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris
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    Know that humidity and temperature changes can trigger a variety of allergy-like nasal symptoms including sneezing, runny nose, and congested nasal and sinus passages. 

    Above, the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple on the Acropolis Hill looms through the late morning haze that totally obscures the sea in the background.
  • Getty Images
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    Shower and shampoo at night to get rid of pesky pollens that adhere to eyelids, face and hair.
  • Getty Images
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    Next: 15 Truly Bizarre Creatures of the Deep

    Know the plants/flowers that may be more likely to aggravate seasonal allergies such as zinnias, dahlias, sunflowers, azalea, begonia, tulip, iris and daffodil.

    Above, a colorful tulip garden.

 

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Watch: Tornadoes Touch Down in Kansas

May 19, 2013, 7:27 am
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Raw: Tornadoes Spotted in KansasSevere weather moved through the Plains states over the weekend, bringing high winds, heavy rains and tornadoes. Two twisters were spotted Saturday evening near Rozel, a sparsely populated area in central Kansas.

RELATED ON SKYE: 18 Incredible Photos of Tornadoes

 

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Watch: Kansas Meteorologist Seeks Shelter From Tornado

May 19, 2013, 10:08 am
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WATCH: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Here's something you don't often see on the local news: With the National Weather Service reporting a "large, violent and extremely dangerous" tornado moving through Wichita Sunday afternoon, the forecaster at KSN-TV tried to stay on air. But as the camera rolled and concern grew, he sought shelter in the basement, leaving the weather map behind.

PHOTOS ON SKYE: Tornadoes Wreak Havoc in Oklahoma and Beyond

 

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