A new report shows that climate change has increased the threat of hurricanes for a month.
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Droughts and wildfires are the disasters that dominate the headlines this time of year. But California is also facing the threat of another type of disaster, which could affect the entire state and cause more economic damage than a major earthquake on the San Andreas Fault.
A new study by climate scientists has found that the risk of a month-long hurricane, which will lash Northern and Southern California with heavy rain and snow, is increasing rapidly due to human-caused global warming. The annual chance of one happening is already about one in 50, the study estimates. And the potential continues to grow as we pump more gas into space.
Warmer air carries more moisture, which means seasonal rivers — storms that rise from the Pacific and are sometimes called “Pineapple Express” events — can carry larger amounts of precipitation.
California has been hit by a major hurricane with the force of a river carrying the wind in the past. A flood in 1861-62 turned the Central Valley into an inland sea, and Sacramento was so flooded that Governor Leland Stanford took a boat to the scene in January 1862, according to the Sacramento History Museum. The State Legislature also temporarily moved to San Francisco.
Since then, the state has developed water channels and constructed drains to remove flooding from public areas. If this 19th century hurricane were to hit today, all of these infrastructures would be unable to cause damage. Still, the state is also more developed – with large cities, valuable farms and businesses, and many other people – which means the results can be huge.
If there is good news to report in any of these, most planners and policy makers are aware of the risks. As I wrote in the New York Times on Friday, the Department of Water Resources plans to use the latest scientific findings to update the state’s flood plans. With the help of computers, they will map out in detail how all this precipitation will flow through waterways and over land.
California is also working to strengthen levees in the cities of Sacramento and the San Joaquin Valleys to provide protection against 200-year hurricanes, or those with a 0.5 percent chance of occurring each year.
As I discovered while reporting this interactive story, however, there is another side to all of these programs, which is that they turn the risk of flooding into something that most Californians never think about. .
On one level, this is progress: Most of us have better things to do each day than worry about the weather’s wrath. But there is also a danger in not thinking you are living in a danger zone. You can ignore evacuation orders, discount hurricane forecasts, decline flood insurance.
Ricardo Pineda, a retired state engineer, told me that “when the government stepped in with these funds, most homeowners believed that we were doing the right thing, and that it was safe for them to put their life savings into home.” as we toured Sacramento’s flood control projects recently.
“They love to walk their dogs on the levee,” Pineda said. But “Are they prepared for the economic consequences of the New Orleans flood?”
In Lathrop, near Stockton, the River Islanders arranged for the community to live in an area on the San Joaquin River that flooded badly during the 1997 hurricane. The developer built an additional facility, using no government funds. , to protect beautiful houses and beautiful streets.
Susan Dell’Osso, president of River Island Development, told me that many of her buyers are from the Bay Area and have asked tough questions about schools and life in the Central Valley.
“They don’t ask questions about flooding,” Dell’Osso said. She tried to educate them about it, she said. But “they don’t even realize, I think, there is danger.”
If you read one story, make it this
Candidates, donors and activists are already busy planning what a race to succeed Nancy Pelosi will look like — albeit almost in secret.
The rest of the news
Environmentalist: California’s top environmentalist is resigning at the end of the month, reports The San Francisco Chronicle.
Flooding: Flooding forced the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team to help seven hikers stranded near Forest Falls, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Jail deaths: San Diego County supervisors are considering an emergency order aimed at reducing the number of drugs in custody and improving the health of inmates, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Yosemite: Jan van Wagtendonk, a federal scientist in Yosemite National Park who was credited with using prescribed fire to preserve the forest, died last month, the Associated Press reported.
Settlement: The city of Sacramento has agreed to pay $1.7 million to the parents of Stephon Clark, an unarmed black man who was shot seven times by city police officers in March 2018.
Kaiser: About 2,000 mental health workers in Northern California plan to go on strike Monday because they say patients are understaffed, the Mercury newspaper reported.
Wildfires: Firefighters continue to battle wildfires in Northern California in hot and dry conditions, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Author: Elana Dykewomon, a prolific writer, cerebral writer, poet and activist who spent years exploring her identity as a lesbian and a Jew, died on August 7 at her home in Oakland.
What we’re eating
Taco recipe for the most delicious (and easy) summer party.
Where we’re traveling
Today’s post comes from Jack Flanders, who lives in Arlington, Texas. Jack recommends Big Bear:
“With a beautiful lake and mountains, lots of places to hike, fish and lots of water activities, and lots of live music and good restaurants. And you never know who you’ll see eating or walking around the village.” No. Can’t beat Big Bear.”
Tell us about your favorite places to visit in California. Email your suggestions to CAtoday@nytimes.com. We will share more in future editions of the newsletter.
And before you go, some good news
In June, a photo of a dilapidated blue structure with wood-framed windows was featured in an online magazine article on abandoned homes in the middle of the Mojave Desert. The house was once the home of Melody Gutierrez, now a reporter at The Los Angeles Times.
Gutierrez recently wrote about growing up on five acres in the desert, catching iguanas and rattlesnakes. In 1990, her parents moved her and her two siblings to a 714-square-foot house in Wonder Valley, near Twentynine Palms, in an effort to ensure a safer and more affordable life.
Gutierrez and her siblings walked miles to the bus stop to go to school. Her family carved their names in concrete and poured it in the front yard. They took short showers because there was not always money to fill the water tank on the roof.
But after seven years, they moved. And Gutierrez never went back to where she grew up – until last year.
When Gutierrez visits the Blue House again, she finds the old Barbie in the trash. She saw the sign her father had drawn and recognized the blindfold he had put on. It conjured up emotions she hadn’t expected.
Homes for children, especially those who live between the ages of 5 and 12, have been especially popular, with adults wanting to see them again, said Jerry Burger, a retired Santa Clara University psychology professor. , he told Gutierrez.
“These seem to be the key years,” he said. “For many people their identity is connected with that place, with that time.”
Read more in the Los Angeles Times.
Thank you for reading. We will be back tomorrow.
P.S. Here is today’s Mini Crossword, and its meaning: Combinations (5 letters).
2015/2016 Flooding – Widespread flooding from the heavy rains of December 2015 affected large parts of the central and southern United States. Concerns over the nation’s major rivers continued into 2016, as parts of the Ohio River, Missouri River, and Mississippi River threatened to match or exceed 2011 levels.
What major disaster happened in 2017?
These include Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, and Hurricane Maria, which cost $95 billion, $80.7 billion, and $69.7 billion. When looking at the types of events, 2017 is associated with the highest number of reported storms with 127 compared to the annual average of 98.
What major disaster happened in 2018? Floods in September in Nigeria displaced more than half a million people and, according to the flood report, destroyed more than 13,000 houses. Floods have hit one third of Nigeria’s 36 states, affecting about two million people.
What tragedy happened in 2017?
| 2017 shooting Las Vegas | |
|---|---|
| A criminal | Stephen Paddock |
| Movement | It is unknown |
How did FEMA prepare for Hurricane Katrina?
Preparation for Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi involved many activities, including county and state preparedness and disaster response training in the months leading up to the storm; establishment of local, state, and federal command structures through emergency announcements; activate emergency…
What tragedy happened in 2007?
April 1, Honiara, Solomon Islands: An 8.1 magnitude earthquake and subsequent Tsunami left at least 34 people dead and displaced. April 16, Blacksburg, Va.: A Virginia Tech student killed 32 of his classmates and himself in the deadliest mass shooting in American history.
What flood was in 2017?
Hurricane Irma (August-September) Cubans walk along a flooded street in Havana on September 10, 2017. Hurricane Irma was the most powerful Atlantic hurricane to hit the United States since Katrina in 2005, when it caused many deaths, including 14 in a fire. Homes for Sale and Rent in Hollywood, Florida.
Was Harvey a 500 year flood?
Harvey caused the worst flooding in some areas for 500 years and many residents do not have flood insurance since it is not required. A similar problem is found in the Special Flood Hazard Zone (or 100-year flood zone) where flooding occurs more frequently in certain areas.
How many floods happened in 2017?
In 2017, the United States experienced a historic year of weather and natural disasters. In total, $16 billion in natural disasters affected the United States including: three tropical storms, eight hurricanes, two inland floods, crop freezes, droughts and wildfires.
What natural disaster hit the US in 2017?
Hurricane Harvey: Harvey was a category 4 hurricane that made landfall near Rockport, Texas and caused extensive damage. A hurricane hit the Texas coast on August 27, 2017.
What natural disasters happened in the US?
- Hurricane Katrina (August 2005) Estimated cost: $180 billion. …
- Hurricane Harvey (August 2017) Estimated cost: $143.8 billion. …
- Hurricane Maria (September 2017) …
- Hurricane Sandy (October 2012) …
- Hurricane Ida (August 2021) …
- Hurricane Irma (September 2017) …
- Hurricane Andrew (August 1992) …
- U.S. drought/heat wave (Summer 1988)
What is the #1 natural disaster in the United States?
Great Galveston Hurricane (1900) Relief took several days to arrive as the storm knocked down telephone wires and destroyed all bridges to the mainland. It was the worst disaster in American history, killing between 6,000 and 12,000 people.
Which California city has the most flooding?
Sacramento’s flood risk is the highest of any major city in the country. . . Over the past few years, our area has experienced significant, sometimes devastating flooding. The most famous floods occurred in 1986, 1995, 1997, 2006, and 2017.
What is the biggest flood in California? The great flood of 1862 would be worse if it happened today. The area that was submerged in 1862 is now home to many more people than it was then – it is home to some of California’s fastest growing cities including Bakersfield and Sacramento.
What city has the most floods?
Here are the urban areas worst affected by flooding and the percentage of homes in a 100-year flood.
- Fort Myers, FL, Area. Punta Gorda, FL: 53%…
- Coastal Georgia. Brunswick, GA: 50%…
- Coastal Louisiana. …
- Florida Panhandle. …
- Tampa, FL, Area. …
- San Joaquin Valley, CA. …
- Coastal North Carolina. …
- South Atlantic Florida.
Which cities are most at risk of flooding?
The top 10 cities in this ranking are Miami, Greater New York, New Orleans, Osaka-Kobe, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Nagoya, Tampa-St Petersburg and Virginia Beach. These cities comprise 60% of the total exposure, but only from three (rich) countries: the United States, Japan and the Netherlands.
Where do floods occur most in the US?
Basically all states starting from the East Coast and going West to North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas experienced the majority of flooding in the country, as well as Colorado. There are many types of floods that affect the United States, causing millions of losses every year.
Which cities are most at risk of flooding?
The top 10 cities in this ranking are Miami, Greater New York, New Orleans, Osaka-Kobe, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Nagoya, Tampa-St Petersburg and Virginia Beach. These cities comprise 60% of the total exposure, but only from three (rich) countries: the United States, Japan and the Netherlands.
Which cities will be underwater by 2050?
There are many major sinking cities such as Mumbai, Shanghai, NYC, and Miami are at risk. With a population of 10 million, Jakarta is considered by some to be âthe fastest sinking city in the worldâ and is predicted to be âcompletely underwater by 2050â.
What area is most affected by floods?
| Worth | Ground | % of Total Area Covered by False End; % of the total population of the country living in it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suriname | NA; 52% |
| 2 | The Netherlands | 23%; 49% |
| 3 | Monaco | 22%; 22% |
| 4 | Bahrain | 21%; 24% |
Where do most of the floods in California happen?
The North Shore experienced the worst flooding ever experienced in this region. Every great stream in this North Sea has produced new beauties of extreme flow; 34 counties in California have been declared disaster areas.
Where is the most common place for floods?
River flooding and coastal areas are the most prone to flooding, however, there is a possibility of flooding in areas that do not normally receive rain for a long period of time. Bangladesh is the region most affected by floods in the world. Bangladesh is vulnerable due to the presence of monsoon season which causes heavy rainfall.
Where do floods happen in California?
All areas of California are susceptible to flooding at different times of the year and in different forms, from tsunamis in coastal areas to flash floods in the foothills, and flash floods. speed to the deep cuts in the valleys.
Is California getting wetter?
After one of the driest years in recent memory, Los Angeles — and California — is headed for a wet start. The National Weather Service said the state received more rain in the last three months of 2021 than in the previous 12 months.
Will California get water with climate change? The study shows that California could get more precipitation next winter. Ultimately this is caused by climate change warming the oceans, which in turn shifts the winter jet stream to spread over California and bring winter storms to the region.
Is 2022 a wet year in California?
2022 Will Be California’s Driest Year on Record So Bad for Spring and Fall | Weather Station.
Is California in for a wet year?
This year is already better than the previous year of 2021, and has as much water as the total precipitation of 2020, the first year of this drought. The lakes are filling up, but many are far from full. (Folsom is very active.)
Will 2022 be a dry year?
2022 is another drought year, although we won’t know exactly how dry it is for another month. Precipitation and snowpack this year in California have been below average.
Is California getting wetter or drier?
Scripps’ global decline suggests that, by the middle of the 21st century, California’s drought could become drier, occasionally wet years.
Is California getting drier?
Much of the West is in severe drought Much of California and much of the Western United States is in severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Administration. Last July, California Governor Gavin Newsom asked people to reduce water use by 15% compared to 2020 levels but so far use has decreased by 6%.
Is California predicted to have a wet winter?
Farmers’ Almanac Releases Severe Winter Forecast for 2022-23 â Wetter and drier than normal for the West and California.
Is the California drought over 2022?
Still, in 2022, PPIC predicts dry conditions to persist and the economic burden of agricultural activities to increase. According to the U.S. Drought Administration, about 96 percent of the state of California is currently in severe drought, which means wildfire season is longer and trees are under stress.
Is drought in California over?
2021 Overview The wet year that ended on September 30 was the second driest on record, due to extreme heat and a lack of rain and snow. All 58 counties in California are now under a drought emergency declaration.
Will there be another drought in 2022?
As of July 5, 2022, the US Drought Monitor moderate to extreme drought covered 44.3% of the United States including Puerto Rico, an increase from 42.5% of the previous week, moderate to extreme drought covered 44.3% of The United States, including Puerto Rico, increased from 42.5 percent last week.
What is the biggest flood in California?
The great flood of 1862 would be worse if it happened today. The area that was submerged in 1862 is now home to many more people than it was then – home to some of California’s fastest growing cities including Bakersfield and Sacramento.
Does California ever flood? California has experienced severe floods in the 20th century, including in 1969, 1986, and 1997. But floods from afar in the past – the Great Flood of 1862 â researchers are looking at how the threat of California is growing by the day.
What was the largest flood in California?
The Great Flood of 1862 was the largest recorded flood in the history of California, Nevada, and Oregon. It happened after several weeks of continuous rain and snow that began in Oregon in November of 1861 and continued into January of 1862.
What caused the Great Flood of 1862?
The great flood of 1862 was fueled by a heavy snowfall and a series of atmospheric rivers – rivers of moisture in the sky. Scientists predict that seasonal rivers, such as hurricanes, will become stronger as the climate warms. Hot air holds more water.
What year did California flood?
January 2017: California Floods Severe flooding affected parts of California in January 2017. The Russian River rose three feet above flood stage, inundating 500 homes.
When was the largest flood disaster in California?
The Great Flood of 1862 was the largest flood in recorded history for Oregon, Nevada, and California, which occurred from December 1861 to January 1862.
When was the biggest flood ever?
On August 1, 1993, the Mississippi River in St. Louis fell at 49.58 feet, the highest level ever seen. The magnitude and impact of the Great Flood of 1993 was unprecedented and is considered the costliest flood disaster to destroy the United States in modern history.
What caused the LA flood of 1938?
The flooding was caused by two Pacific hurricanes that swept through the Los Angeles Basin in February-March 1938 and produced almost a year’s worth of rain in a few days.
What caused the Great Flood of 1862?
The great flood of 1862 was fueled by a heavy snowfall and a series of atmospheric rivers – rivers of moisture in the sky. Scientists predict that seasonal rivers, such as hurricanes, will become stronger as the climate warms. Hot air holds more water.
How many people died in the flood of 1862?
At least 4,000 people are estimated to have died in the floods in California, which was about 1% of the state’s population at the time.
What caused the flood of 1862?
The great flood of 1862 was caused by a powerful storm that started over the Pacific Ocean. These storms were particularly strong because local temperatures were above normal – the winter of 1862 was extremely hot in California.
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