The United States has experienced an unusual series of emergencies and disruptions over the past few days, affecting aviation, technology, public safety and transport. Friday, November 13, 2026, saw major flight disruptions and widespread technology problems, while a deadly building collapse in New York earlier in the week added to the growing list of incidents.
From passengers stranded at airports to employees unable to access their emails, the events affected millions of people. Emergency responders also dealt with a serious collision involving two vessels on the Mississippi River, while a security alert was reported at a US military base in Britain.
Here is a closer look at the major incidents reported across the United States and beyond.
New York Building Collapse Leaves Eight Dead
A three-storey building collapsed in Brooklyn on November 11, killing eight people, including two children. Another 18 people were injured in the incident.
The structure collapsed into an adjoining excavation site in the Flatbush neighbourhood. Rescue teams continued their operations for more than 24 hours following the incident.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collapse, including construction activities and possible safety violations.
Jensen Huang Steps Down as Nvidia CEO Amid Controversy
Nvidia founder Jensen Huang resigned from his position as chief executive officer on November 12 following revelations concerning alleged extramarital relationships and claims that raised national security concerns.
The company appointed its chief financial officer, Colette Kress, as interim CEO. Nvidia has also initiated an independent investigation into the matter.
The company stated that it had no reason to believe its confidential information or business secrets had been compromised.
Microsoft Outage Disrupts Outlook, Teams and Other Services
A widespread Microsoft service disruption affected users across several countries, creating problems for businesses, government organisations and financial institutions.
Services impacted included Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Copilot and other Microsoft 365 applications. The outage continued for more than 12 hours, preventing many users from accessing essential digital tools.
Microsoft attributed the disruption to server-related problems and began deploying fixes to restore normal operations. The incident was so disruptive that some organisations reportedly had to return to traditional communication methods, including fax machines.
FAA Flight Restrictions Trigger Nationwide Travel Disruptions
Air travel across the United States faced major disruption on November 13 after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an unusual nationwide ground stop.
The decision followed communication failures at air traffic control centres. Flight departures were suspended for approximately four hours, leaving thousands of flights delayed or cancelled. Hundreds of other flights were diverted.
Although the FAA subsequently lifted the restriction, the impact continued as airlines and airports worked to manage the backlog of disrupted services.
Weather Radar Rumours and Mississippi River Collision
Amid the aviation problems, reports began circulating online claiming that the National Weather Service’s radar network had suffered a nationwide outage.
The agency clarified that its weather radars were operating normally. Although its website had displayed warnings about communication issues, officials said outdated information had contributed to the spread of rumours.
Separately, emergency crews responded to a serious collision on the Mississippi River near New Orleans on November 13. The Atlantic Asphalt tanker struck the American Heritage river cruise ship, leaving the passenger vessel partially submerged.
The cruise ship was carrying 129 passengers and crew members. Rescue teams evacuated those aboard, and authorities later confirmed that everyone on both vessels had been accounted for. No fatalities were reported.
Security Alert at US Military Base in Britain
A separate security incident was reported at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, Britain, where American military personnel were instructed to remain sheltered following suspected unauthorised drone activity.
The US Air Force confirmed that security teams responded to the situation. No injuries were reported, and there was no damage to aircraft or military infrastructure.
Authorities continued coordinating with British officials following the incident.
A Difficult Week for the United States
For President Donald Trump, whose political slogan is closely associated with the promise to “Make America Great Again”, the latest developments have created an uncomfortable series of headlines.
The world’s largest economy spent Friday dealing with disrupted flights, widespread technology failures and emergency rescue operations. Although the incidents were separate, their timing brought several major challenges into focus at once.
The events also highlighted how disruptions to essential services can affect everyday life, from air travel and business communication to public safety and emergency response.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the information and incident descriptions provided in the source material. Details, casualty figures, investigations and official explanations may change as authorities release further updates. Readers should refer to official statements and reliable news sources for the latest verified information.