2018 world news told in photos: Getty Images

>>>See 2018's world news in photos. California wildfires Embers falls from burning palms and the sun is obscured by smoke as flames close in on a house at the Woolsey Fire on November 9, 2018 in Malibu, California. About 75,000 homes have been evacuated in Los Angeles and Ventura counties due to two fires in the region. less >>>See 2018's world news in photos. California wildfires Embers falls from burning palms and the sun is obscured by smoke as flames close in on a house at the Woolsey Fire on November 9, 2018 in ... more Photo: David McNew/Getty Images Photo: David McNew/Getty Images Image 1 of / 63 Caption Close 2018 world news told in photos: Getty Images 1 / 63 Back to Gallery

This year brought us natural disasters, heated political battles and immigration standoffs.

And that's just in the United States.

>>>Take a look back at the global news events that shaped 2018 in the gallery above.

Among the worst domestic catastrophes to hit us in 2018 are the California wildfires which started in mid-July through August, with another round of blazes in November. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reports this is the worst wildfire season on record. Fires charred more than 1.8 million acres in northern California, causing nearly $3 billion in damages. As of Dec. 3, the death toll stood at 85 with 11 people still missing.

WILDFIRES: Chilling before-and-after aerial photos of Camp Fire

South of that destruction, a battle raged on at the border as a caravan of Central American migrants rushed the Texas-Mexico point of entry in search of asylum from violence in their countries. A growing impatience and spike in gang-related violence drove families from Honduras, El Salvador and other countries through Mexico to the U.S. where they were met with resistance. As of Dec. 4, a caravan managed to breach the border.

Before the Central American caravan was the focus at the border, the Trump Administration's "Zero Tolerance" policy led families to be separated after crossing the border. "Tender-age" family immigrant detention centers and images of frightened children sparked a world-wide outcry.

Also in Texas was one of the most popular midterm elections in the country as Democrat Beto O'Rourke attempted to unseat Republican incumbent Ted Cruz in a heated Senate race. Their campaigns attracted national attention through viral videos and controversial ads. On Election Day, Cruz won, and O'Rourke supporters immediately began proclaiming that their candidate should run for president in 2020. O'Rourke has yet to announce whether or not he will run.

Of course, we can't forget the two hurricanes that devastated our coasts this year. Hurricane Florence ravaged the Carolinas in September, leaving behind widespread flooding. More than 50 people died.

Just weeks later, Hurricane Michael made landfall along the Florida panhandle on Oct. 10, decimating Mexico Beach and parts of Panama City Beach, Fla. More than 40 fatalities were reported. The Category 4 hurricane was the strongest on record for the panhandle and the fourth-strongest landfalling hurricane in the contiguous U.S.

These highlights are just the US' biggest events this year. Elsewhere in the world, a record-setting typhoon claimed lives in Japan, reunions between North and Souther Korean families drew tears and world leaders convened with curious results.

See the full roundup in the gallery above.