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As summer in the Northern Hemisphere draws to a close, the Gulf of Mexico once again became a brewing ground for storms. This time, it was Hurricane Francine that captured the attention of meteorologists and coastal communities alike. After forming off the eastern coast of Mexico, Francine intensified rapidly over the Gulf’s warm waters, ultimately setting its sights on the Louisiana coastline, threatening to bring severe storm surges, heavy rainfall, and powerful winds

Lake Kariba, located along the Zambia-Zimbabwe border, is not only the world’s largest artificial lake but also a critical resource for Zambia’s electricity supply. The Kariba Dam, nestled on the lake’s eastern side, powers more than 80% of Zambia’s national electricity through hydroelectric energy. But the current El Niño phenomenon, combined with rising temperatures, is intensifying drought conditions in the region, drastically reducing water levels and putting the dam’s sustainability in jeopardy.

The Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, already reeling from the effects of Storm Boris in September 2024, is now facing another severe flood emergency. Following days of relentless rainfall, several rivers in the region have reached or surpassed critical levels, leading to widespread flooding and evacuation efforts across multiple towns. By October 19, over 3,000 residents were forced to leave their homes as water levels continued to rise and rivers overflowed their banks.

When natural or man-made disasters strike, quick and efficient response efforts are crucial to minimizing damage and saving lives. The Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS), part of the European Union's Copernicus program, plays a vital role in this process by providing On-Demand Mapping services. Leveraging satellite imagery and other geospatial data, CEMS supports disaster response and recovery operations around the globe.