rain
Newsletter
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Torrential rains lead to severe flooding in the Midwest
Record-setting floods have inundated the Midwest, leading to significant disruptions and evacuations across multiple states.
In short:
- Heavy rains caused record floods in Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Minnesota, surpassing previous records.
- Floodwaters collapsed a key railroad bridge and forced evacuations from hospitals and care facilities.
- The region experienced extreme rain rates, with predictions of continued flooding as rivers crest.
Key quote:
“Businesses are shuttered, main streets have been impacted. Hospitals, nursing homes and other care facilities were evacuated.”
— Kim Reynolds, Governor of Iowa
Why this matters:
The intense flooding disrupts essential services, endangering residents and infrastructure. Climate change is intensifying weather patterns and making extreme events more frequent and severe. For scientists and policymakers, these floods are a clarion call to accelerate efforts in climate adaptation and infrastructure modernization to better protect vulnerable communities.
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Unpredictable rainfall challenges Indian farmers
Farmers in India struggle to adapt to erratic monsoons caused by climate change, threatening their livelihoods and the country's agriculture.
In short:
- Climate change is causing India’s monsoons to become more unpredictable, with either too much rain in short periods or prolonged dry spells.
- Farmers are facing crop failures due to these erratic patterns, impacting their economic stability and leading to increased debts and suicides.
- Experts suggest solutions like growing less water-intensive crops, localized weather forecasting, and policy changes to support affected farmers.
Key quote:
“We planted our cotton seeds after a good monsoon was predicted but it rained just two days and stopped after, so now we’re worried our crops will fail again.”
— Vijay Jawandhia, farmer
Why this matters:
Erratic monsoons threaten the livelihoods of 120 million Indian farmers, contributing to economic instability and food security issues. Effective adaptation strategies and policy changes are essential to mitigate these impacts and support the agricultural sector.
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Credit: Rafael Urdaneta Rojas/Pixabay
Rain-induced flooding devastates Black communities in southern Brazil
Severe flooding in Porto Alegre, Brazil, disproportionately impacted the city's Black residents, exacerbating existing inequalities and causing widespread displacement and damage.
In short:
- Torrential rains flooded Marcelo Moreira Ferreira’s home in Porto Alegre, forcing him and his family to evacuate.
- Research shows the hardest-hit areas have a high proportion of Afro-Brazilian residents, highlighting systemic inequality.
- Brazil’s federal government has announced aid, but many affected, including Ferreira, find it insufficient.
Key quote:
“I’m afraid the water will rise again, but we came back because it’s the only place we have.”
— Marcelo Moreira Ferreira, resident
Why this matters:
Flooding in Porto Alegre reveals deep-seated racial and socio-economic disparities, with Black communities facing the harshest consequences. Rising global temperatures and altered precipitation patterns are contributing to more extreme and unpredictable weather, posing a growing threat to vulnerable populations.
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Tornadoes strike the US almost daily from late April to late May
Nearly every day between April 25 and May 27 saw tornadoes in the U.S., marking the most active May for severe weather since 2011, with violent storms, a downburst in Houston, and massive hail.
Matthew Cappucci and Ian Livingston report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Tornadoes touched down on 94% of days from April 25 to May 27, surpassing other recent active periods.
- The frequent tornadoes are due to a stagnant weather pattern that generated numerous supercells across the central states.
- The upcoming large-scale weather pattern change may reduce tornado activity next week.
Why this matters:
The hyperactive tornado season emphasizes the need for preparedness and robust warning systems. With climate change potentially intensifying such storms, understanding these patterns will be important for mitigating future impacts.
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Heavy rains spur mosquito surge in Houston with climate change worsening the issue
After recent heavy rains in Texas, Houston residents face a severe mosquito infestation, with climate change expected to exacerbate future outbreaks.
Matt Keyser and Dino Grandoni report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Recent heavy rains in Texas have led to an unusually high mosquito population in Houston.
- Warmer temperatures and increased rainfall from climate change are creating ideal mosquito breeding conditions.
- Harris County health officials are working to control mosquito populations to prevent disease spread.
Key quote:
" ... as it gets warmer earlier, we see a larger amount of mosquitoes earlier. We are getting hotter temperatures earlier. This is the impact that climate change has had on Harris County."
— Max Vigilant, director of mosquito and vector control in Harris County
Why this matters:
Experts warn that the situation is more than a seasonal nuisance. With climate change driving increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, including heavier rainfall and warmer temperatures, Houston and other regions could see more frequent and severe mosquito outbreaks. Warmer climates accelerate the mosquito life cycle and expand their habitat, making infestations more common and prolonged.
This surge disrupts daily life and raises public health alarms due to the potential spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus and Zika.
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Newsletter
California's Highway 1 faces increasing threats
Big Sur's scenic Highway 1 is under constant threat from landslides and erosion, exacerbated by climate change.
Melina Mara, Scott Dance, and Brianna Sacks report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Highway 1, vital for California's tourism, suffers from geological instability and frequent landslides, with recent damages escalating repair costs.
- Efforts to stabilize the highway include rock drilling and advanced sensing technologies, though new slides often outpace repairs.
- Proposals to reroute the highway or abandon parts face resistance due to the road's cultural and economic significance.
Key quote:
“It’s as if that area went through a blender.”
— Jon Warrick, research geologist for the U.S. Geological Survey
Why this matters:
The ongoing battle to keep Highway 1 open isn’t just a matter of convenience; there are significant economic and social implications. The road closures that often follow landslides disrupt life in the area, impacting everything from emergency services and tourism to local businesses and the daily commute for residents. In addition, these disruptions pose a considerable challenge for conservation efforts and the management of natural resources, as access is critical for both managing and studying sensitive environments.
Climate change is not something to ignore: Eighth graders reflect on the state of the planet.
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Climate change exacerbates spring planting anxieties for Midwest farmers
Amidst the increased rainfall due to climate change, farmers in the Midwest face heightened challenges during spring planting.
In short:
- Farmers like Mark and Ross Woodruff experience delays and longer work hours as wet conditions prevent timely planting.
- Studies indicate a significant increase in spring rainfall across the Midwest, complicating traditional farming schedules.
- Advances in soil management and drainage systems are crucial as farmers adapt to more frequent and intense wet periods.
Key quote:
"This year, with the way the weather’s been, it’s slowed progress. I wouldn’t say we’re behind but a few more rains and we’re going to be."
— Ross Woodruff, farmer
Why this matters:
Historically, Midwest farmers could rely on predictable weather patterns to dictate when to till and sow their fields. However, recent years have introduced a less predictable scenario, marked by erratic weather events. Increased rainfall and flooding can delay planting, reducing the window for crops to mature. These disruptions threaten crop yields and increase financial and operational stress for farmers.
Related: Daniel Imhoff: Time for a climate resilient Farm Bill
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