August 24

Events - Nature & Environment

1933day.year

The Crescent Limited train derails in Washington, D.C., after the bridge it is crossing is washed out by the 1933 Chesapeake–Potomac hurricane.

The Crescent Limited train derails in Washington, D.C., after a hurricane washes out its bridge in 1933.
In August 1933, the Chesapeake–Potomac hurricane caused severe flooding in Washington, D.C., washing out a bridge over Rock Creek. The Southern Railway’s premier passenger train, the Crescent Limited, plunged into the floodwaters when the compromised bridge collapsed. Multiple passengers and crew members were injured or killed in the derailment. Rescue efforts faced obstacles from debris-filled waters and downed power lines along the creek. The disaster highlighted the vulnerability of rail infrastructure to extreme weather events. It prompted improvements in storm forecasting, bridge design, and emergency response procedures for future railway operations.
1933 Crescent Limited derails bridge 1933 Chesapeake–Potomac hurricane
2023day.year

Japan officially begins discharging treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean, sparking international concerns and condemnation.

Japan began discharging treated radioactive water from the Fukushima Daiichi plant into the Pacific Ocean on August 24, 2023, raising global environmental concerns.
On August 24, 2023, Japan officially started releasing treated water from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean. The water had undergone purification through the ALPS system to remove most radioactive contaminants, except tritium. Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) and the Japanese government asserted that the release met international safety standards set by the IAEA. Neighboring countries and environmental groups, however, criticized the decision, fearing potential impacts on marine ecosystems and fisheries. The discharge plan included monitoring and gradual dilution protocols to minimize radiation levels in the sea. This controversial move highlighted the long-term challenges of decommissioning the Fukushima site and managing nuclear waste.
2023 discharging treated radioactive water Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant