The cottages are equipped with phones, high-definition TV, central heating and double-paned windows to keep out raging storms.

FORBES: Bed & Beacon

As we sit and watch, a desert elephant storms up, blasting itself with a trunkful of dust to keep cool.

BBC: The ghostly shore of Namibia��s Skeleton Coast

When there were storms we had to hold on to the canvas opening to keep the wind out.

BBC: Shatila stories: Muhammad Diab

On Christmas Eve 1999 the road from Macedonia, the only supply line to Pristina, had been closed by ice storms, and Meyer had to borrow a jerry can of diesel to keep his Internet service provider's generator going.

FORBES: Low-Tech Prophet

It can only operate for 12 hours at a time, which will keep humans in the area, but its ability to run untethered below storms and cold Arctic winds should dramatically expand the territory that researchers can cover during their share of a larger five- to six-week journey.

ENGADGET: University of Victoria's Mano underwater robot to prowl Arctic waters for legendary ships

Commodities: Drought, storms, poor crops, rising demand from emerging markets and hedge fund speculation is going to keep some upward pressure on agricultural feed products.

FORBES: Before QE2 Ends Oil, Dollar, Commodities Up; Stocks, Bonds, Gold Down