disaster
Newsletter
Typhoon Yagi devastates Vietnam, leaving dozens dead and damaging factories
Typhoon Yagi has killed 46 people, damaged factories and caused widespread power outages in northern Vietnam as it moved westward.
In short:
- Typhoon Yagi triggered floods and landslides, leaving 46 dead and 22 missing in northern Vietnam.
- Factories, including an LG Electronics plant, sustained significant damage, with power outages affecting millions.
- Authorities warn of continued risks from landslides and flooding as the storm weakens.
Key quote:
"Everyone is scrambling to make sites safe and stocks dry."
— Bruno Jaspaert, head of DEEP C industrial zones.
Why this matters:
The typhoon’s impact on critical manufacturing hubs, including foreign companies like LG Electronics, highlights the economic vulnerabilities and human toll of severe storms in the region. With ongoing risks, recovery will be a challenge.
Related: Southeast Asia leads in disaster preparedness despite vulnerability
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Credit: Julius Silver/Pixabay
Big polluters must cut emissions or risk global catastrophe, says UN chief
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned at the Pacific Island Forum that without drastic emission cuts by major polluters, the world faces a looming climate disaster.
In short:
- The Pacific region is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including rising sea levels and ocean acidification.
- Guterres emphasized the unfair burden on Pacific islands, which contribute little to climate change yet face its harshest consequences.
- Australia’s continued reliance on fossil fuels was criticized, highlighting the global need for urgent emission reductions.
Key quote:
“The sea is taking the heat—literally.”
— António Guterres, UN Secretary-General
Why this matters:
Pacific Island nations, though least responsible for climate change, are most at risk. Their survival depends on global actions to curb emissions and address climate injustices.
Related EHN coverage:
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Credit: ilixe48/Big Stock Photo
Emergency response systems fail Florida farmworkers during disasters
Florida's emergency response systems left farmworkers stranded and unsupported during Hurricane Idalia, highlighting the need for more inclusive disaster planning and better communication.
In short:
- A new report reveals that disaster response efforts in Florida neglect farmworker communities, exacerbating their vulnerability during events like Hurricane Idalia.
- Emergency management systems often overlook crucial factors like immigration status and language barriers, which are vital in providing effective aid to farmworkers.
- Community organizations are stepping in to bridge the gap, creating their own frameworks and plans to ensure these workers receive necessary resources.
Key quote:
“We continue to see the same issues. This is the consequence of the inequalities that we have within our system.”
— Fernando Rivera, a sociologist who studies disasters at the University of Central Florida
Why this matters:
Farmworkers are essential to the agricultural economy, yet they remain largely unprotected in disaster scenarios. Addressing these systemic issues is crucial for equitable emergency responses, especially as climate change increases the frequency and severity of such events.
Related: Op-ed: Farmworkers’ vicious cycle of precarious employment, exploitation and climate change
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Credit: Pratik Gaikwad/Pixabay
Heavy rains trigger deadly landslides in Kerala, India
Landslides from torrential rains in Kerala's Wayanad district killed 93 people, leaving many others trapped and in need of rescue.
In short:
- Heavy rains caused multiple landslides in Kerala, killing 93 and trapping many more.
- Rescuers struggle with blocked roads and unstable terrain as they work to save those buried under debris.
- More than 3,000 people have been moved to relief camps, and more rain is expected.
Key quote:
“Monsoon patterns are increasingly erratic and the quantum of rainfall that we receive in a short spell of time has increased. As a result, we see frequent instances of landslides and floods along the Western Ghats.”
— Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology
Why this matters:
Increased rainfall intensity over short periods overwhelms the natural drainage systems, causing rivers to swell rapidly and resulting in severe flooding. These floods can lead to loss of agricultural land, contamination of water sources and destruction of infrastructure, disrupting the lives of thousands. The Western Ghats are crucial for their role in regulating the climate and hydrology of peninsular India, and these environmental changes are a stark reminder of the broader impacts of climate change.
Related:
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Credit: Kym MacKinnon/Unsplash
Disaster funds for heat waves and wildfire smoke face hurdles
As heat waves and wildfire smoke emergencies rise, states struggle to access federal aid due to unclear disaster definitions.
In short:
- Heat waves and wildfire smoke aren’t listed as “major disasters” under FEMA’s guidelines, complicating funding requests.
- States face difficulties in documenting costs and meeting FEMA's requirements for disaster declarations.
- A coalition of states and organizations is pushing for policy changes to recognize heat and smoke as major disasters.
Key quote:
“Our disaster framework is really geared toward protecting property and counting up damages to property.”
— Juanita Constible, senior climate and health advocate at the Natural Resources Defense Council
Why this matters:
Heat waves and wildfire smoke, exacerbated by climate change, cause significant health impacts and economic losses. Recognizing these events as major disasters could unlock essential federal aid for affected communities.
Related EHN coverage:
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Credit: Wes Warren/Unsplash
Eastern Kentucky frequently faces costly flooding disasters
Flood-prone counties in Kentucky often receive federal disaster aid due to repeated and severe flooding, surpassing disaster-prone coastal areas.
In short:
- Floyd County, KY has been declared a federal disaster zone 14 times since 2011 due to severe flooding.
- Most frequent federal disasters are in inland counties, not coastal ones, with eight of the nine most disaster-prone counties in Kentucky.
- Federal aid distribution shows a significant need for enhancing resilience in vulnerable inland areas.
Key quote:
“After that flood I had 500 homeless people looking at me, ‘Judge what are we going to do’? It’s overwhelming and it’s just a matter of time before it happens again.”
— Judge Robbie Williams, Floyd County administrator
Why this matters:
Unlike the dramatic hurricanes and storm surges that hit coastal cities and make national headlines, the flooding in Kentucky often goes underreported. However, the impact on local communities is just as devastating. Homes are washed away, businesses shutter, and lives are disrupted as families face the arduous task of rebuilding from scratch time and time again.
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Credit: Paul Brennan/Pixabay
FEMA faces potential funding shortfall amid increasing natural disasters
With hurricanes and heat waves growing more severe, FEMA's funding might deplete before summer's end.
In short:
- Record-high ocean temperatures predict an intense hurricane season with up to 25 named storms and 4-7 major hurricanes.
- FEMA's disaster relief fund is projected to face a $1.3 billion shortfall by August and could be $6.8 billion in deficit by September.
- The agency may need to pause long-term recovery projects to manage immediate disaster responses, impacting overall disaster management.
Key quote:
"Without additional funding, FEMA will take steps prior to funding exhaustion to ensure resources are available to support ongoing lifesaving and life-sustaining activities."
— FEMA spokesperson
Why this matters:
The rising intensity of these weather events has stretched FEMA's resources thin. Just last year, the agency grappled with a series of devastating hurricanes and wildfires, and this year's forecasts suggest more of the same. With hurricane season in full swing and unprecedented heat waves scorching the nation, FEMA's budget, which must cover immediate disaster response and long-term recovery efforts, is under immense strain.
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