Photos of mourners and searches for the missing from flash floods in Pakistan and India
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Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hurricane Erin intensifies offshore, lashes Caribbean with rain
Hurricane Erin rapidly strengthened offshore to a "catastrophic" Category 5 storm on Saturday, as rain lashed Caribbean islands and weather officials warned of possible flash floods and landslides. The first hurricane of what is expected to be a particularly intense Atlantic season, Erin is expected to drench Caribbean islands with rain and strong winds but not make landfall. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest report the storm's maximum sustained winds had increased to 160 miles (255 kilometers) per hour. It was located about 135 miles (215 kilometers) northwest of Anguilla in the northern Leeward Islands, an area that includes the US and British Virgin Islands. A flash flood warning was issued for Saint Thomas and Saint John in the US Virgin Islands as outer rain bands from Erin swept across, according to the US National Weather Service. Tropical storm watches were in effect for St Martin, St Barthelemy, Sint Maarten and the Turks and Caicos Islands. "Erin is now a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane," the NHC announced earlier Saturday, denoting highly dangerous storms with sustained windspeeds above above 157 mph. The storm reached the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson scale just over 24 hours after becoming a Category 1 hurricane, a rapid intensification that scientists say has become more common due to global warming. The hurricane's center is expected to move over the weekend just north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. It is then forecast to pass east of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas on Sunday night before weakening. The storm could drench the islands with as much as six inches (15 centimeters) of rain in isolated areas, the NHC said. "Continued rapid strengthening is expected today, followed by fluctuations in intensity through the weekend," the agency said in an earlier report. It also warned of "locally considerable flash and urban flooding, along with landslides or mudslides." - Climate hazard - Swells generated by Erin will affect portions of the northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and the Turks and Caicos Islands through the weekend. Those swells will spread to the Bahamas, Bermuda and the US East Coast early next week, creating "life-threatening surf and rip currents," the NHC said. The hurricane is expected to turn northwest on Saturday night, then turn northward early next week. It is expected to weaken from Monday. While meteorologists have expressed confidence that Erin will remain well off the US coastline, they said the storm could still cause dangerous waves and erosion in places such as North Carolina. The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June until late November, is expected to be more intense than normal, US meteorologists predict. Several powerful storms wreaked havoc in the region last year, including Hurricane Helene, which killed more than 200 people in the southeastern United States. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration -- which operates the NHC -- has been subject to budget cuts and layoffs as part of US President Donald Trump's plans to greatly reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy, leading to fears of lapses in storm forecasting. Human-driven climate change -- namely, rising sea temperatures caused by the burning of fossil fuels -- has increased both the possibility of the development of more intense storms, and their more rapid intensification, scientists say. bur-mlm/dl/des
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
After historic flood and devastating losses, Milwaukee begins a new path forward
Block after block across metropolitan Milwaukee, piles of soaked carpets, waterlogged appliances and furniture stained beyond recognition now slump in front yards and along sidewalks. These are spaces where summer should be lived, not filled with debris. The streets tell the story of families turned inside out by a 1,000-year flood, as cherished keepsakes, family photos, childhood drawings — in some cases, all the reminders of lives lived, now washed away. And in town centers, beloved restaurants, local shops, small businesses, cornerstones of the community where we gather and make memories are grappling with how to move forward. There's little doubt that climate change is here — whether it's wildfire smoke lingering in our air, warmer winters and disappearing ice on our Great Lakes or relentless summer heat waves. But those events seem to pass and life resumes. Not this time. This will take much longer. "It was a devasting event that just unfortunately caused a lot of heartache for people throughout the region," said Kevin Shafer, executive director of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District. For years, scientists have warned about what can happen when climate change supercharges extreme weather events. This is exactly what they meant. As the planet warms, air can hold onto much more water, so when the weather conditions line up, like they did on Aug. 9 and 10, and into Aug. 11, storms can release more rain. A warmer climate also creates weather systems that move slower. More water from a storm that sticks around longer creates prolonged, heavy rainfall and flooding. The result is that it's become harder to use historical data because climate change is altering things so drastically; the past is no longer a good predictor of the future. Regardless, scientists say that climate change is increasing the likelihood that these intense deluges will happen within any given year. We were paying a price even before this month. A new report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum outlined how Wisconsin has seen an increase in damage caused by flooding, in turn leading to dramatic spikes in flood insurance claims and payouts. There are also serious impacts to mental and physical health. Floods are Wisconsin's second-most frequent disaster declaration, the same report said, resulting in $123.7 million in damages since 1999. And that dollar figure was compiled before this summer. So far, Milwaukee County has a preliminary estimate that damages to roads, park systems, bridges and waterways from this month's event is roughly $23 million. That number is expected to grow. The story is told in personal losses Of course, all those numbers have people behind them. There is Kevin Knitter, who told the Journal Sentinel that he and his wife Katie did not purchase flood insurance when they bought their Wauwatosa home because it was not in the floodplain. The Knitters evacuated as water filled their basement and rose into the first floor. They ended up in a rescue boat with their daughter, two dogs and a goldfish. And they learned the floodplain maps had changed in 2024, and their home was now inside the boundaries. And there is Eric Wagner, founder and CEO of the Lowlands Group, which owns Café Hollander, who got his first call about the Wauwatosa location at 6:30 a.m., on Aug. 10. Water had started coming into the basement kitchen, and eventually rose to four feet. 'When there's pressure from the river, the water starts getting into the drywall. There was equipment floating everywhere and the electrical got all burned out,' Wagner told the Journal Sentinel. He's now looking at a six-week reconstruction and costs approaching $1 million. At Paul Davis Restoration, roughly three calls per minute — yes, minute — have been coming in from customers needing help with flood damaged property. 'This is pretty unprecedented,' said Ariel Flary, business development manager. 'Every call that comes in, we call back and touch base and see if they still need service.' Flary said crews from Appleton and Waukegan, Illinois, have traveled, and occasionally stayed in hotels, to try to keep up with the calls for service. 'Some people have lost entire homes and then have been told they're not covered (by insurance),' Flary said, adding the company is also cautious about working its employees too much, and checks to make sure they get breaks and stay hydrated. More: River revival: Milwaukee's long-neglected Kinnickinnic River is on the verge of a revival Rain totals surpassed 10 inches in parts of Milwaukee County Since 1950, Wisconsin has become on average 17% wetter — or roughly 5 inches more precipitation, according to the latest Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts report. The southern two-thirds of Wisconsin has experienced the biggest increase in rainfall. The Aug. 9 to 10 storm ranks second for a two-day rain event since the National Weather Service began recording that data in 1871. Calling it a 1,000-year flood event can be somewhat confusing because the label is based on probability, not time. It doesn't mean that it happens once every 1,000 years. Instead, it's a flood that has a 1-in-1,000 chance of occurring in any given year. According to rainfall totals from the sewerage district, the highest total rainfall amount in the city of Milwaukee — and county, too — during this storm was recorded at 8135 W. Florist Ave., which had nearly 15 inches from Aug. 9 to 11. River Hills had the highest total amount of rain out of Milwaukee County suburbs at nearly 11.5 inches. Within the overall storm, the most intense period was specifically during a 12-hour stretch from 7 p.m., Aug. 9, to 7 a.m., Aug. 10, according to Andy Boxell, meteorologist at the National Weather Service. In Waukesha County, a reporting station just south of Menomonee Falls registered 12.05 inches in that time frame. Pewaukee recorded 12.61 inches; Waukesha received 9.75 inches. In Washington County, Germantown logged 10.58 inches during that span. 211 damage reports continue to rise As people with flood damage continue to assess their situation, and some realize they can't go it alone, the number of calls to 211 keeps growing. The confidential helpline helps with a wide range of needs, like housing, food, transportation, and healthcare. It's the best connection to resources at this point, Milwaukee Health Commissioner Michael Totoraitis said. More than 11,500 requests for flood-related services have come in to 211 from across Milwaukee County and the surrounding Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties as of the afternoon of Aug. 14. Of that number, roughly 85% of the requests for service came from Milwaukee alone. The helpline saw a spike in calls on Tuesday and Wednesday, with over 3,100 reports each day. Preliminary 211 data showed the highest number of requests came out of Milwaukee County's northwest side, along with West Milwaukee, in particular from ZIP codes 53218, 53209, and 53216. Reports from 211 calls also included basement water depths, utility disruptions and structural damage. The 53218 ZIP code, which includes the north side's Silver Spring and Hampton Heights neighborhoods, stood out with 1,851 damage reports, the highest among all the ZIP codes listed. It also had the highest number of utility disruptions, with 1,448 reports, and 850 structural damage reports. It's average water depth report was 26 inches. The basement water reports across Milwaukee County averaged 19.2 inches. The deepest average basement water was reported in 53219, just west of Jackson Park on the city's south side, at 35 inches. More than 12,000 calls reported utility disruptions and almost 7,000 reported of structural damage. The data is self-reported, according Vickie Boneck, the spokesperson for IMPACT 211, the designated provider of 211 services in southeastern Wisconsin. The numbers continue to change as 211 continues to receive calls and messages. For example, Boneck noted that as water is receding in basements, the reports, too, show a decrease in the average inches reported. Of the data collected, 2-1-1 reported more roughly 5,000 referrals for storm-related needs, including connecting those who reached out to the county's office of emergency services, post disaster cleanup tools and supplies, disaster food stamps and food pantries. Milwaukee officials have repeatedly urged residents to report damage to 211. The reports help bolster the push for federal assistance to address widespread damage from the flooding. The reports also serve as another source of data the city is using to identify the hardest-hit areas. For example, the Milwaukee Health Department is using the data to determine where to send cleaning kits. He encouraged residents to submit damage reports either by calling or submitting a report online when call times are longer. And, he said, residents should urge others to report their damages as well. "That 211 data is really guiding what the city can do," Totoraitis said. "And then as we get – fingers crossed – that money unlocked from the feds, that we can then use that information to prioritize helping someone get a new water heater or whatever that support looks like." He also urged residents to use their insurance, take photos of damage and write down a timeline to help the claims process move forward. The 211 data provides one view into the extent of the damage. Other data collected by the city is also helping guide its response. That includes information from the Department of Public Works, which is marking areas that need bulky waste pickup. The Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services is also inspecting homes in the city and neighboring suburbs to assess the extent of the damage. As if the afternoon of Aug. 14, there had been 2,916 homes inspected. Of those, 5% were destroyed, 55% had major damage, 17% had minor damage and 12% were listed as "affected," the lowest level of concern, according to the department. In 11% of the homes, inspectors were unable to gain entry to the premises. Despite damage, Milwaukee on its way to climate resiliency While many parks and green spaces across the region were overwhelmed during the storm, they ultimately did what they were designed to do − absorb and hold water, minimizing damage to nearby homes and businesses. Shafer pointed to Wauwatosa's Hart Park, which was inundated but helped prevent even worse flooding downstream. 'This storm reinforced that the work we've done so far is worthwhile,' Shafer said. 'Without these investments, the damage would have been significantly worse.' Still, he emphasized that more must be done. "This was a wakeup call for us," Shafer said. "And I think it's going to lead us to much better discussions about the future." While the devastation is undeniable, Shafer said the region's much more prepared than it was 30 years ago. He called for a continued focus on green infrastructure and a watershed-wide approach – strategies that include removing impervious surfaces and improving park spaces to handle stormwater more effectively. These efforts not only protect people's homes and businesses but also build long-term resilience against increasingly intense storms. "We've taken huge steps over the last 25 years," Shafer said. "And we need to continue that for the next 25." Ricardo Torres, Bridget Fogarty, Cathy Kozlowicz, Rachel Bernhard and Sophia Tiedge contributed to reporting on this story. Caitlin Looby covers the Great Lakes and the environment for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Reach her at clooby@ and follow her on X @caitlooby. Caitlin's work is supported by the Brico Fund, Fund for Lake Michigan, Barbara K. Frank, and individual contributions. Grants and donations help make this reporting possible. The Journal Sentinel maintains full editorial control. To learn more about our community-funded journalism initiatives, or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit Checks can be addressed to Local Media Foundation with 'JS Environment' in the memo, then mailed to: Local Media Foundation, P.O. Box 85015, Chicago, IL 60689. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How Milwaukee emerges from floods, climate change, heartbreaking loss
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Doomsday' floods and landslides kill more than 300 in Pakistan and Indian Kashmir with mass funerals held
At least 300 people have been killed from devastating monsoon floods and landslides in Pakistan and India-controlled Kashmir. Most deaths are being recorded by disaster authorities in Pakistan's mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. More than 70 homes have been damaged, while an helicopter crashed during rescue operations, killing its five crew members, leading the province's government to declare a day of mourning. Mass funerals were held in the Buner district, one of the worst-hit areas, where around 180 people were reported dead by officials. One survivor named Azizullah told news agency Agence France-Presse the floods arrived like "doomsday". He said: "I heard a loud noise as if the mountain was sliding. I rushed outside and saw the entire area shaking, like it was the end of the world. "The ground was trembling due to the force of the water, and it felt like death was staring me in the face." In Indian Kashmir, 60 people are reportedly dead and 150 injured. Ali Amin Gadapur, chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said the Mil Mi-17 experinced severe turbulence while flying to the Bajaur region bordering Afghanistan. A crowd of people were seen praying in a paddock nearby, with some grieving in front of bodies covered by blankets. Monsoon season between June and September delivers up to three-quarters of South Asia's annual rainfall, according to meteorologists. Scientists say that global warming has made events such as monsoons more frequent and extreme in nature. A study released this week by World Weather Attribution found rainfall in Pakistan between June 24 to July 23 was nearly 15 per cent heavier because of climate change.
