logo
Louisiana's climate anxiety, mapped

Louisiana's climate anxiety, mapped

Axios30-04-2025

New Orleanians are stressed about climate change, recent estimates find.
Why it matters: The rest of Louisiana isn't as anxious.
The big picture: 74.1% of adults in New Orleans say they are "somewhat" or "very" worried about climate change, per estimates from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication based on survey data.
In Jefferson Parish, it's 64.3% of adults.
The national average is 63.3%, with higher anxiety levels in coastal communities and large cities.
The findings paint a stark picture of how attitudes toward climate change vary nationwide.
Zoom in: About 53% of adults in Louisiana's coastal parishes, which face the brunt of hurricanes and coastal erosion, report feeling anxious about climate change.
Cameron Parish had the lowest rate of concern (44.4%), with Jefferson Parish having the highest.
Catch up quick: South Louisiana has endured one extreme weather event after another in recent years.
Residents have dealt with saltwater intrusion, extreme drought, super fog, flooding, tornadoes and marsh fires.
Hurricane Francine made landfall here last year, and the region was battered by Hurricane Ida in 2021.
The historic snowfall was magical, but it was a nightmare for the region's infrastructure.
What they're saying: While the map above may look like a sea of purple, "it's crucial to remind people that the vast majority of the population exists in some of these green places," says Jennifer Marlon, executive director of the Yale Center for Geospatial Solutions and senior research scientist at the Yale School of the Environment.
Zoom out: A Gallup survey this month showed an uptick in the number of Southerners who have experienced an extreme weather event where they live, writes Axios' Andrew Freedman.
28% of respondents said they experienced a hurricane in the past two years, up from 18% in 2023, the survey showed.
Climate change is projected to lead to more frequent occurrences of severe hurricanes (though not more frequent hurricanes overall) and is already showing a tie to increased instances of rapid intensification of storms.
Climate change is also causing these massive storms to deliver more rainfall than they used to, leading to inland flooding disasters.
How it works: The findings are based on statistical modeling using data from nationally representative Ipsos surveys.
Between the lines: Individual attitudes about climate change are not based entirely (or perhaps even primarily) on local risk, with politics, education, and other factors playing big roles.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

NOAA predicts ‘above normal' Atlantic hurricane season. CT experts say outlook is a call to action.
NOAA predicts ‘above normal' Atlantic hurricane season. CT experts say outlook is a call to action.

Yahoo

time17 hours ago

  • Yahoo

NOAA predicts ‘above normal' Atlantic hurricane season. CT experts say outlook is a call to action.

Experts are predicting the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season to be 'above-normal' this year, as scientists say warm sea surface temperatures may lead to more frequent and intense storms, urging those along the East Coast to be prepared. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association said the outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 30% chance of a near-normal season, a 60% chance of an above-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season, according to officials. Hurricanes, fueled by warm ocean waters and thunderstorms, often form at sea and then move toward land where they can cause catastrophic damage and loss of life, according to Dr. Jennifer Marlon, senior research scientist at the Yale School of the Environment. According to NOAA, the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season produced 18 named storms. Of those, 11 became hurricanes and five strengthened into major hurricanes. Bob Child / ASSOCIATED PRESSThese boats broke from their moorings and were blown onto rocks in New London, Connecticut on Friday, Sept. 27, 1985, during Hurricane Gloria. Winds of more than 90 miles per hour battered Connecticut's coast during the storm, but damage was minimal. John Long / Hartford CourantScenes like this one, at Groton Long Point during Hurricane Gloria last Sept, may become more common in CT as the green house effect causes the sea level to rise. Michael McAndrews / Hartford CourantHurricane Gloria's damage seen on the shoreline in Milford. Stephen Dunn / Hartford CourantHurricane Gloria hit the coast line hard sending dozens of pleasure boats up onto the railroad tracks looking like parallel parked cars in Stonington. Show CaptionBob Child / ASSOCIATED PRESS1 of 5Boats lie on the shore in Milford harbor on Sunday, Sept. 29, 1985, two days after Hurricane Gloria hit Connecticut. The same thing happened to boats all along the Connecticut more as they were torn from moorings by the hurricane winds in excess of 90 NOAA is forecasting 13 to 19 named storms this year with winds of 39 mph or higher. Of those, six to 10 are expected to reach hurricane strength, officials said. 'The projected above-normal activity is due to warm sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Atlantic (Ocean),' said Marlon. NOAA said that additional factors including weaker winds and the potential for higher activity from the West African Monsoon, a primary starting point for Atlantic hurricanes, is another reason for the projection. All of these elements tend to favor tropical storm formation. The higher heat on the ocean surface provides more energy to fuel storm development, while weaker winds allow the storms to develop without disruption, Marlon said. 'In my 30 years at the National Weather Service, we've never had more advanced models and warning systems in place to monitor the weather,' said NOAA's National Weather Service director Ken Graham. 'This outlook is a call to action. Be prepared. Take proactive steps now to make a plan and gather supplies to ensure you're ready before a storm threatens.' The last hurricane to make landfall in Connecticut was Category 1 hurricane Gloria in 1985 that brought heavy rainfall and winds of 74–95 miles per hour, according to NOAA. The commonly called 'storm of the century' killed at least six people, caused power outages for about 700,000 residents, and was considered the worst hurricane to hit Connecticut since 1938. Connecticut has been impacted by several strong tropical storms over the past few decades. Tropical Storm Irene impacted the state in August 2011. As a result of its 96 miles of coastline, some Connecticut towns are subject to storm surges during major weather events. While it was a hurricane initially, it weakened to a tropical storm by the time it hit the state. Hurricane Sandy hit Connecticut in 2012, but it was also not a hurricane by the time it reached the state. Tropical Storm Isaias, which hit the state in 2020, caused widespread power outages and over $50 million in damage. The names in the 2025 hurricane season are Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dexter, Erin, Fernand, Gabrielle, Humberto, Imelda, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Nestor, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van, and Wendy, according to the National Hurricane Center. Recommendations from the National Weather Service include understanding whether your home is vulnerable to storm surge, flooding, or wind and this should be checked long before any storm might hit. Know your zone: Find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation area by contacting your local government/emergency management office or by checking the evacuation site website. Because of the coastline along Long Island Sound, Connecticut has multiple evacuation areas, data shows, Assemble Emergency Kit: Put together a basic emergency. Check emergency equipment, such as flashlights, generators and storm shutters. Have a Family Emergency Plan: Before an emergency happens, sit down with your family or close friends and decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will go, and what you will do in an emergency. Keep a copy of this plan in your emergency supplies kit or another safe place where you can access it in the event of a disaster. Start at the emergency plan webpage. Review insurance 'policies to ensure that you have adequate coverage for your home and personal property.' Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@

Ahead of the Storm: Outlook for 2025 hurricane season, remembering Hurricane Katrina
Ahead of the Storm: Outlook for 2025 hurricane season, remembering Hurricane Katrina

Yahoo

time5 days ago

  • Yahoo

Ahead of the Storm: Outlook for 2025 hurricane season, remembering Hurricane Katrina

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The StormTracker Team at Louisiana First News has everything you need to know for hurricane preparedness. On the 'Ahead of the Storm' special, anchor Andre Moreau and Louisiana First meteorologists provide key updates on storm predictions and hurricane preparedness. Since 2000, at least 40 tropical or subtropical cyclones have impacted Louisiana, with the most recent being Hurricane Francine on Sept. 11, 2024. Gulf policymakers detail efforts to brace for 2025 hurricanes Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict an above-normal hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin this year. 60% chance of an above-normal season. 30% chance of a near-normal season. 10% chance of a below-normal season. Between 13 to 19 named storms are expected to form, with six to 10 potentially becoming hurricanes. Of those, 3 to 5 could be major hurricanes. Experts remind residents that not all storms will make landfall in Louisiana, and some may either hit other parts of the U.S. coast or dissipate at sea. Still, preparation is essential every season. Are you ready for hurricane season? Louisiana leaders urge residents to prepare Andrea Barry Chantal Dexter Erin Fernand Gabrielle Humberto Imelda Jerry Karen Lorenzo Melissa Nestor Olga Pablo Rebekah Sebastien Tanya Van Wendy This year marks 20 years since Hurricane Katrina, one of the most catastrophic storms in U.S. history. Katrina struck Louisiana on Aug. 29, 2005, as a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 125 mph. Turmoil, worry swirl over cuts to key federal agencies as hurricane season begins The failure of levees in New Orleans led to catastrophic flooding, contributing to the deaths of over 1,300 people in the state. The storm caused billions of dollars in damage and forever changed the landscape and resilience planning of Louisiana. As 2025's hurricane season begins, residents are urged to take preparedness seriously. The season is from June 1 to Nov. 30. Louisiana residents urged to review insurance policies as hurricane season begins Jessie J reveals 'early' breast cancer diagnosis Louisiana bill inspired by Make America Healthy Again movement heads to governor Baton Rouge man accused of putting tracking device on woman's vehicle Missing California woman, 31, found dead in Arizona Woman's Hospital launches mobile mammography unit to expand cancer screenings Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

What's new this year from NOAA for hurricane season
What's new this year from NOAA for hurricane season

Axios

time30-05-2025

  • Axios

What's new this year from NOAA for hurricane season

The National Hurricane Center will release forecasts and tracks for some storms further in advance than last year, the National Weather Service says. Why it matters: It's one of several changes residents can expect during the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. The big picture: Meteorologists have been releasing tracks 48 hours before storms are expected to reach land, even if they haven't formed yet. Beginning this year, the National Hurricane Center will be able to extend that to 72 hours for potential storms, said Ken Graham, the director of the National Weather Service. "To get an extra 24 hours on your timeline? Think what you can do in 24 hours," he told Axios in an exclusive interview. "An extra 24 hours is an eternity." For instance, municipalities could use that extra time to issue evacuation orders, move supplies and make emergency plans, among other things, he said. Between the lines: This is becoming more important as the trend continues for rapidly intensifying storms. "The strongest storms are the ones that develop the fastest," Graham said at a press conference in Gretna. Threat level: The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is expected to be above normal, NOAA says, with 13 to 19 named storms. Three to five of those could be a Category 3 hurricane or stronger, NOAA said in its forecast last week. The season is not expected to be as active as last year's, which brought destruction from Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Debby and Francine, but as Graham says, it only takes one storm to hit where you are. The forecast predicts overall activity, not how many storms may make landfall. New forecast tools NOAA, the parent agency for the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center, is also rolling out new tools to help residents better understand their risks this season. New cone: The National Hurricane Center will continue testing a version of the storm cone that includes inland warnings. The experiment went well last year, Graham said, and they are continuing to tweak it. While the old cone only showed storm watches and warnings along the coast, the new one goes inland and gives a better depiction of where the threats are. Inundation mapping: NOAA is in the process of mapping the entire country so it'll be able to help residents visualize what a rain and flood forecast will look like in their area. Nashville was a pilot market last year, Graham said, and it led to a hospital being evacuated before it flooded during Hurricane Helene. More markets will be added this year, but he didn't say which ones. The nearly $500 million project should be fully rolled out next year. The NHC will continue to issue storm surge inundation graphics this hurricane season for each storm. Rip currents: The National Hurricane Center will issue new rip current risk maps when there's at least one tropical system present. There's been an increase in surf and rip current fatalities, NHC says, especially from swells caused by distant hurricanes. The maps will show the rip current risk for the day of and the following day. Behind the scenes: NOAA is also upgrading its hurricane forecast system, which is expected to improve tracking and intensity forecasts by 5%. And, its long-range tropical outlook is being extended from two weeks to three weeks, giving folks even more advance warning that something may be brewing. What we're watching: Atlantic hurricane season officially starts Sunday, June 1, but storms can form any time. NHC began its daily tropical outlook May 15, and so far all has been quiet in the Gulf, Caribbean and Atlantic. Historically, the most active period for strong storms in the Gulf and the Atlantic is August and September.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store