More disasters are being added to an already tragic year of weather-related devastation, this time in America’s South and Midwest. According to USA Today, tornadoes, dust storms, and wildfires have killed at least 42 people. The BBC reported that the storms had prompted emergency declarations in Arkansas, Georgia, and Oklahoma.
What’s happening?
The severe weather last weekend knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of residents as high winds flipped cars and tornado and flood warnings piled up.
“It’s the worst I’ve ever seen,” Texas Public Safety Department Sgt. Cindy Barkley told the BBC. A deadly 38-car pileup occurred after a dust storm.
There were 130 wildfires reported in Oklahoma last Friday, according to the BBC.
What can be learned from the storms?
While not every disaster is caused by our planet’s overheating, NASA scientists have linked global warming to an increase in the risk of severe weather. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association reported that the Earth’s average temperature has risen by about 2 degrees since 1850.
According to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, experts are still investigating the link with increased tornado risk. It cited research indicating that rising mercury levels increase the likelihood of storm conditions leading to tornadoes. Global warming “may also cause a shift” in the timing and location of severe thunderstorms.
According to the Guardian, weather experts have warned that the so-called Tornado Alley is moving away from the plains and toward the more populated eastern parts of the country.
According to the BBC, nearly 20 tornadoes hit Missouri during the recent stormy weather. Regardless of the cause, shifting weather patterns will have a greater impact on different parts of the country — at a high cost.
Last year, 27 natural disasters caused at least $1 billion in damage each. The cost estimates include consumer price index adjustments. According to a map provided by the NOAA, they are mostly concentrated in the country’s center-right region, which stretches from the Canadian border to the southern coast.
The three most common disasters are hurricanes, tornadoes, and severe weather. The number of billion-dollar events has been steadily increasing since the 1980s, when the average was 3.3 per year. Storms have killed nearly 17,000 people over the last 45 years, according to the NOAA.
How can I avoid disaster?
Staying informed about where they are most likely to occur can help you make better decisions about where to live and work.
Ingenious inventions that make homes more fire-resistant and durable are being introduced. FloodJack, for example, literally raises houses above rising water levels. South Korean experts are using advanced computers to analyze weather data in order to better predict when floods will occur and issue earlier warnings.
Contributing to a cooler world is also beneficial. Simply switching to LEDs can save you hundreds of dollars in annual energy costs. They also produce five times less air pollution than traditional bulbs.
Furthermore, collecting rainwater in a barrel can provide you with free water for your garden and yard while also preventing community flooding.