flooding
Newsletter
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Heavier flooding puts many small businesses at risk
The increasing frequency and severity of floods across the US are pushing small businesses to the brink, with many one disaster away from closure.
In short:
- Root Hill Cafe in Brooklyn faces frequent flood damage, losing about $3,500 in sales and employee pay for each day closed.
- Small businesses nationwide struggle with high flood insurance costs and insufficient coverage, as seen in Vermont's $300 million flood damage last summer.
- Experts urge infrastructure upgrades and better flood risk transparency to support small businesses.
Key quote:
“We are constantly checking the weather... If we see that there’s a hurricane in Florida, it’s like, oh my God, please let it not come here.”
— Alejandra Palma, co-owner of Root Hill Cafe
Why this matters:
Flooding threatens the survival of small businesses, which employ nearly half of US workers and contribute significantly to the economy. Communities are calling for greater support from both state and federal governments, emphasizing the need for improved flood defenses, better urban planning, and more accessible disaster relief funds. Advocates argue that proactive measures, such as investing in green infrastructure and restoring natural floodplains, could mitigate future risks.
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Extreme weather exacerbates refugee camp hardships
Displaced women in Jordan, Bangladesh, and South Sudan face worsening conditions as extreme weather compounds the challenges of refugee life.
In short:
- In Jordan, Hamda al-Marzouq copes with extreme heat, impacting daily life and health in the Za’atari refugee camp.
- Umme Solima in Bangladesh struggles with landslides and damaged infrastructure, making daily survival difficult in Cox’s Bazar.
- Nyapuoch Phan Dak in South Sudan endures relentless flooding, limiting food supplies and mobility in the Rubkona camp.
Key quote:
“We walk long distances in the water, sometimes in the rain, and at times, we would even get no milk. But sometimes we’re able to get milk and sell to get something to feed our children.”
— Nyapuoch Phan Dak, refugee, widow, and mother of four in a South Sudan camp
Why this matters:
Extreme weather linked to climate change worsens the already dire conditions in refugee camps, threatening the survival and dignity of millions.
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Credit: Axel Antas-Bergkvist/Unsplash
Coastal tribe faces dire challenges as sea levels rise
The Quinault Indian Nation's efforts to relocate residents from a village threatened by the rising Pacific Ocean are hindered by insufficient funding and increasing climate impacts.
In short:
- Rising sea levels have severely affected the Quinault reservation in Taholah, Washington, with flooding causing mold and structural damage to homes.
- The tribe has been working for over a decade to relocate hundreds of residents, but needs over $400 million, far more than what current federal and state grants provide.
- Plans for a new village include climate-resilient infrastructure, but progress has been slow due to bureaucratic funding hurdles.
Key quote:
“We’ve seen the ocean come over the berm and actually come up against and even on top of the roofs of homes.”
— Guy Capoeman, Quinault President
Why this matters:
The Quinault tribe's struggle highlights the broader issue of how climate change disproportionately affects marginalized communities. Without adequate funding and resources, these populations face severe risks to their health, homes, and cultural heritage.
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Credit: Nicholas Erwin/Flickr
Vermont farmers face uncertain future amid increased flood risks
Vermont farmers, reeling from last summer’s devastating floods, now face an uncertain future as persistent rains continue to threaten their livelihoods.
In short:
- Last summer’s floods caused nearly $45 million in damages to 264 farms across Vermont, devastating crops and financial stability.
- With 70% of farmers lacking crop insurance, many are left relying on inadequate federal disaster loans, adding to their financial burden.
- Ongoing weather unpredictability and insufficient government support leave farmers worried about their future sustainability.
Key quote:
“Easy access to loans is a good thing, but when you’ve already borrowed to the point where you know you can’t afford it, it doesn’t solve anybody’s problem.”
— Roy Beckford, director of University of Vermont Extension.
Why this matters:
The resilience of Vermont's agricultural community is being tested as they navigate the challenges of climate change and inadequate support. As forecasts predict more rain, uncertainty looms large, leaving farmers to question their ability to sustain their livelihoods in a flood-prone future. Read more: Soggy springs, scorching summers: Higher temperatures taking toll on US staple crops.
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Credit: Brent Olson/Pixabay
Texas weather extremes becoming increasingly common
Extreme weather in Texas, including wildfires, thunderstorms and flooding, is intensifying due to climate change, according to scientists.
Alejandra Martinez and Yuriko Schumacher report for The Texas Tribune.
In short:
- Texas experienced record-breaking wildfires, tornadoes, severe storms and a tropical storm in the first half of 2024.
- Scientists attribute these events to rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns from greenhouse gas emissions.
- Texas is witnessing more intense rainfall in wet regions and amplified drought in dry regions.
Key quote:
“Rainfall is being concentrated in these really high-intensity storms. And then the areas that are historically dry, the lack of rainfall is also being amplified.”
— Avantika Gori, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at Rice University.
Why this matters:
For the residents of Texas, these changes are not just statistics but a harsh reality. Families are being displaced, properties are being destroyed and the landscape of the state is being reshaped. Farmers and ranchers are particularly hard-hit, with crops and livestock suffering from the unpredictable and extreme weather patterns.
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Newsletter
Vermont strengthens dam safety to prevent future flooding disasters
Vermont is overhauling dam safety regulations after last year's catastrophic flooding damaged numerous dams and endangered communities.
In short:
- Inspectors found that five dams failed, 50 were significantly damaged, and 57 were overtopped during last year's floods.
- The state is implementing stricter regulations and renovation projects to mitigate future flood risks and ensure dam safety.
- Vermont's new legislation, Act 121, increases funding and staffing for dam safety, bringing oversight of all state dams under one agency by 2028.
Key quote:
“It’s a big deal. The dam safety program is evolving significantly, in a good direction.”
— Neil Kamman, director of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s Water Investment Division.
Why this matters:
The new regulations aim to enhance the structural integrity of dams across Vermont, ensuring they can withstand increasingly extreme weather patterns linked to climate change. This move is not just about preventing future disasters but also about protecting the environment and public health.
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Credit: Linda Russ/Pixabay
Midwest floods highlight infrastructure vulnerabilities nationwide
Recent flooding in the Midwest, particularly around Minnesota's Blue Earth River, emphasizes the urgent need to reinforce aging infrastructure against extreme weather events worsened by climate change.
In short:
- The Rapidan Dam, built in 1910, nearly failed under intense rainfall, highlighting its vulnerability.
- Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, outpacing current infrastructure design capacities.
- Experts warn that similar infrastructure nationwide is at risk, with potential cascading effects on ecosystems, economies and public health.
Key quote:
“We’re not prepared for this new climate regime. While we’re figuring it out, we’re at risk of lots more of these challenges.”
— Whitney Clark, executive director of Friends of the Mississippi River.
Why this matters:
In recent years, the drumbeat of extreme weather events—hurricanes, floods, wildfires and heatwaves—has grown louder and more insistent, a stark reminder of our planet's changing climate. This surge in natural disasters is putting unprecedented strain on infrastructure, much of which was built during a time when the climate was more predictable and less severe.
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