Latest news with #ClimateCentral
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Map reveals best and worst places to live for natural disasters
Not all communities face disasters equally. Some are hit harder, recover slower, or are more vulnerable from the start. FEMA's Risk Map ranks every county and Census tract in the U.S. based on three key factors: how likely a natural disaster is, how socially vulnerable the population is, and how resilient the community might be in the aftermath. The map factors in a wide range of natural hazards, including hurricanes, floods, drought, winter storms, extreme heat and cold, lightning, high winds, earthquakes, avalanches, volcanic activity, and more. Worst places to live: California, Florida, and on the coast Looking at the county version of the map, the worst areas to live are California, Florida, or anywhere on the U.S. coast, with a few exceptions. Most of Texas is moderate to high risk, but there are some pockets of low risk. The same goes for Washington, Oregon, and Nevada. Switching to the Census tract view, which divides cities into many individual tracts, tells the story that most areas still have a mixed risk, with some areas safer than others. Best places to live: New England and Ohio Although West Virginia and Wyoming have no counties in a moderate or higher risk index, these states don't look as good when using the Census tract view. Through that lens, most areas west of the Mississippi are mixed, but much of the Northeast quadrant of the country is lower risk, with exceptions on the coast and in some of the mountains. Vermont is the state with the smallest number of tracts in relatively low or low risk, and none are considered moderate. Rhode Island, mainly because of its size, is another relatively low-risk state, with no moderate risk tracts. New Hampshire only had one moderate risk, and Ohio only had two. Massachusetts is mostly low risk, with a few moderate places, if you exclude Martha's Vineyard, which was high risk. While most cities have some areas of risk, Pittsburgh is the lowest-risk major city, with only very low and relatively low risks in the metro area. Charlotte, North Carolina, also has no tracts with moderate or higher risk. Climate change is making disasters worse, more common Billion-dollar disasters are becoming more frequent due to climate change, according to Climate Central. In 2024, there was less than two weeks between disasters, compared to nearly two months in 1981. Risk map may miss recent disasters, other info Remember, this is a long-term index and takes into account all FEMA disaster declarations in history. It doesn't deduct points for, or may not even include, the most recent disasters, such as Hurricane Helene or the Texas floods. Counties affected by those two recent disasters had few disasters in the past and are still listed as low risk. This risk index also doesn't directly take power outages into account, or non-disaster data like crime, home prices, or gas prices. You can use the map to focus on specific types of disasters which is helpful if you're more concerned about certain threats than others. If you're thinking about relocating, compare the risk where you live now to potential new areas by zooming in and exploring the map. Solve the daily Crossword
Time Magazine
7 hours ago
- Climate
- Time Magazine
These Cities Are Taking Action Against Extreme Heat
Over 170 million people are under heat alerts in the U.S. this week, with temperatures reaching record highs across the country. Tampa, Fla. recently hit a record high of 100 degrees on Sunday, and many cities across the country, from New York City, to Kansas City, to Las Vegas are expected to see temperatures in the high 90s or even 100 degrees. Extreme heat waves are no longer anomalies—it's becoming the norm. Human-caused climate change has at least doubled the number of extreme heat days in 195 countries and territories when compared to a world without climate change, according to a Climate Central study. 'What we've experienced in the past, is that no matter where you are, you are going to experience heat waves,' says Melissa Guardaro, adjunct faculty at the Arizona State University School of Sustainability. 'So I think that it's best to prepare for not only the emergencies like heat waves and heat domes, but also long-term increase in urban heat.' How are the hottest states adapting to extreme heat? Extreme heat kills more people in the U.S. than any other weather-related natural disaster—but it's still not recognized as a 'disaster' under the Stafford Act, the federal law that establishes how the government responds to natural disasters. 'In many places, you don't have one person or one department that is specifically tasked with coordinating the heat efforts throughout the municipality,' says Guardaro. Many cities have taken up the mantle of addressing the issue on their own. In 2021, Miami, Fla. became the first city in the world to appoint a chief heat officer. Soon after, Phoenix, Ariz.—which typically sees summer temperatures climb into the triple digits—appointed David Hondula as heat mitigation officer. The rest of Arizona soon followed suit: in 2024, the state became the first in the U.S. to appoint a chief heat officer. 'The gold standard is the city of Phoenix,' says Guardaro, who notes that the city now has an entire office dedicated to heat mitigation. Other cities are implementing a range of solutions. Jacksonville, Fla. has taken up initiatives to connect people with resources such as cooling centers during a heat wave, says Guardaro. Bridgeport, Conn. is creating 'cool corridors,' planting trees and using reflective paint to create shaded, cool pedestrian walkways. And New York City is taking steps to protect those most vulnerable to extreme heat—distributing 'cool kits' to outdoor workers that includes sunscreen, electrolytes, an ice pack, and a cooling towel as part of a pilot program last summer. Is anywhere immune to extreme heat? Even states that might previously have been fair-weathered are no longer immune to extreme heat—San Francisco, usually blanketed by a cool fog, is expected to see anywhere from 7 to 25 extreme heat days a season by mid-century if high emissions continue. In many cases, extreme heat is already here: in 2021, hundreds of people died when temperatures hit over 100 degrees in the mild-tempered Pacific Northwest. A number of cities, including Caribou, Maine and Grand Junction, Colorado had their warmest summers on record in 2024. How cities around the world are responding to heat waves Around the world, Athens, Dhaka, and Santiago are some of the cities that appointed their own heat officers in recent years. The job is 'at the intersection of emergency response, public health, and urban planning,' says Gregory Wellenius, director of the Center for Climate and Health at Boston University. 'Those offices are important to bring people together from different units to have a more targeted approach, rather than every department doing what they think is best.' Cities are also taking other measures to address extreme heat. In India, where the number of people exposed to extreme heat continues to rise, the city of Ahmedabad developed an early warning system capable of issuing warnings seven days before a heat wave. The system, combined with policy changes, has caused heat related deaths in the city to fall by around 20%. In 2022, Seville, Spain made the decision to begin naming heat waves, as part of a heat wave categorization system designed to better monitor and deploy resources during extreme heat waves. Read More: Zoe, the World's First Named Heat Wave, Arrives in Seville It's important that cities develop long-term solutions to help mitigate heat, says Wellenius. 'You can't be in emergency mode the whole time.' Germany's larger cities are adopting a 'sponge city' approach to flooding and heat, utilizing heat-resistant road surfaces and light colored buildings to reflect heat. In Antwerp, developers must now follow building codes that take heat resilience into account—certain buildings are required to install green rooftops, or paint exteriors in light, heat reflecting colors. Cities can start small and build up their heat plans along the way, says Guardaro. 'When you start to string [the small things] together in a strategic manner, it actually ends up being something that's really great in the long term.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Summer nights are getting warmer due to climate change, sparking health concerns
When you typically think about extreme heat, a sweltering, sunny day may come first to mind. But climate scientists are also sounding the alarm on warm summer nights, saying they are quietly becoming a worrisome consequence of climate change -- and a serious public health concern. When nighttime temperatures don't drop low enough relative to peak daytime heat, it is harder for people to cool off, according to Climate Central, a nonprofit organization that analyzes and reports on climate science. Extreme heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, with heat waves responsible for more deaths than other extreme weather events like tornadoes, flooding, or hurricanes, according to the National Weather Service. This week, more than 200 million people across the U.S. from South Dakota to Florida and up the East Coast to Boston, are on alert for widespread, dangerous heat. Extreme heat warnings have been issued for large cities from Iowa to Florida, including New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis, Omaha, Des Moines, Savannah, Raleigh, Charleston and Sioux Falls. In these areas, feels-like temperatures are forecast to soar into the triple digits during the afternoon hours, with the dangers remaining even after the sun sets. A dangerous temperature trend From 1970 to 2024, Climate Central analyzed average summer nighttime temperatures in 241 locations across the U.S. The organization found that these temperatures have warmed in nearly all locations, increasing by 3.1 degrees Fahrenheit on average. MORE: Heat indices could hit 120 as sweltering temperatures grip eastern half of US Looking to the future, warm summer nights are expected to become increasingly frequent in the coming decades, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In many regions across the country, the EPA reports nighttime temperatures are projected to remain above 70 degrees Fahrenheit more often. Health risks The most serious health impacts of a heat wave are often associated with warm overnight temperatures, the EPA warns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) echoes these warnings, saying if the air stays too warm at night, the body faces extra strain trying to regulate body temperature. Without this crucial drop in temperature, vulnerable populations -- including elderly people, children, and those with pre-existing conditions -- face heightened health risks, according to the agency. MORE: Heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion: Safety tips as dangerous temperatures hit US Prolonged exposure to high heat in the evenings has been linked to poorer sleep quality, which can impair immune function, exacerbate mental health issues, and increase the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, according to the CDC. While extreme heat and triple-digit temperatures frequently are the focus of attention and grab headlines, the lack of adequate overnight cooling is also a serious concern that amplifies the impacts of heat. Overnight cooling is essential for not just the human body, but infrastructure and ecosystems to recover after a hot day. Cities feel heightened temperatures Warmer overnight temperatures are also fueled by urban development. Cities with heat-retaining concrete and asphalt are particularly vulnerable to higher temperatures when vegetation is lost to more paved surfaces and buildings, according to the EPA. Compared with surrounding rural areas, urban locations have higher overall temperatures, especially at night. This is known as the "urban heat island" effect. Rising concentrations of greenhouse gases and increased atmospheric moisture are major contributors to the ongoing rise in nighttime temperatures seen in recent decades. As the atmosphere warms, it can hold more water vapor, which functions like an insulating layer, trapping heat and significantly limiting the amount of cooling that can occur at night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
a day ago
- Climate
Summer nights are getting warmer due to climate change, sparking health concerns
When you typically think about extreme heat, a sweltering, sunny day may come first to mind. But climate scientists are also sounding the alarm on warm summer nights, saying they are quietly becoming a worrisome consequence of climate change -- and a serious public health concern. When nighttime temperatures don't drop low enough relative to peak daytime heat, it is harder for people to cool off, according to Climate Central, a nonprofit organization that analyzes and reports on climate science. Extreme heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, with heat waves responsible for more deaths than other extreme weather events like tornadoes, flooding, or hurricanes, according to the National Weather Service. This week, more than 200 million people across the U.S. from South Dakota to Florida and up the East Coast to Boston, are on alert for widespread, dangerous heat. Extreme heat warnings have been issued for large cities from Iowa to Florida, including New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis, Omaha, Des Moines, Savannah, Raleigh, Charleston and Sioux Falls. In these areas, feels-like temperatures are forecast to soar into the triple digits during the afternoon hours, with the dangers remaining even after the sun sets. A dangerous temperature trend From 1970 to 2024, Climate Central analyzed average summer nighttime temperatures in 241 locations across the U.S. The organization found that these temperatures have warmed in nearly all locations, increasing by 3.1 degrees Fahrenheit on average. Looking to the future, warm summer nights are expected to become increasingly frequent in the coming decades, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In many regions across the country, the EPA reports nighttime temperatures are projected to remain above 70 degrees Fahrenheit more often. Health risks The most serious health impacts of a heat wave are often associated with warm overnight temperatures, the EPA warns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) echoes these warnings, saying if the air stays too warm at night, the body faces extra strain trying to regulate body temperature. Without this crucial drop in temperature, vulnerable populations -- including elderly people, children, and those with pre-existing conditions -- face heightened health risks, according to the agency. MORE: Heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion: Safety tips as dangerous temperatures hit US Prolonged exposure to high heat in the evenings has been linked to poorer sleep quality, which can impair immune function, exacerbate mental health issues, and increase the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, according to the CDC. While extreme heat and triple-digit temperatures frequently are the focus of attention and grab headlines, the lack of adequate overnight cooling is also a serious concern that amplifies the impacts of heat. Overnight cooling is essential for not just the human body, but infrastructure and ecosystems to recover after a hot day. Cities feel heightened temperatures Warmer overnight temperatures are also fueled by urban development. Cities with heat-retaining concrete and asphalt are particularly vulnerable to higher temperatures when vegetation is lost to more paved surfaces and buildings, according to the EPA. Compared with surrounding rural areas, urban locations have higher overall temperatures, especially at night. This is known as the "urban heat island" effect. Rising concentrations of greenhouse gases and increased atmospheric moisture are major contributors to the ongoing rise in nighttime temperatures seen in recent decades. As the atmosphere warms, it can hold more water vapor, which functions like an insulating layer, trapping heat and significantly limiting the amount of cooling that can occur at night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Yahoo
a day ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Summer nights are getting warmer due to climate change, sparking health concerns
When you typically think about extreme heat, a sweltering, sunny day may come first to mind. But climate scientists are also sounding the alarm on warm summer nights, saying they are quietly becoming a worrisome consequence of climate change -- and a serious public health concern. When nighttime temperatures don't drop low enough relative to peak daytime heat, it is harder for people to cool off, according to Climate Central, a nonprofit organization that analyzes and reports on climate science. Extreme heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, with heat waves responsible for more deaths than other extreme weather events like tornadoes, flooding, or hurricanes, according to the National Weather Service. This week, more than 200 million people across the U.S. from South Dakota to Florida and up the East Coast to Boston, are on alert for widespread, dangerous heat. Extreme heat warnings have been issued for large cities from Iowa to Florida, including New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis, Omaha, Des Moines, Savannah, Raleigh, Charleston and Sioux Falls. In these areas, feels-like temperatures are forecast to soar into the triple digits during the afternoon hours, with the dangers remaining even after the sun sets. A dangerous temperature trend From 1970 to 2024, Climate Central analyzed average summer nighttime temperatures in 241 locations across the U.S. The organization found that these temperatures have warmed in nearly all locations, increasing by 3.1 degrees Fahrenheit on average. MORE: Heat indices could hit 120 as sweltering temperatures grip eastern half of US Looking to the future, warm summer nights are expected to become increasingly frequent in the coming decades, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In many regions across the country, the EPA reports nighttime temperatures are projected to remain above 70 degrees Fahrenheit more often. Health risks The most serious health impacts of a heat wave are often associated with warm overnight temperatures, the EPA warns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) echoes these warnings, saying if the air stays too warm at night, the body faces extra strain trying to regulate body temperature. Without this crucial drop in temperature, vulnerable populations -- including elderly people, children, and those with pre-existing conditions -- face heightened health risks, according to the agency. MORE: Heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion: Safety tips as dangerous temperatures hit US Prolonged exposure to high heat in the evenings has been linked to poorer sleep quality, which can impair immune function, exacerbate mental health issues, and increase the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, according to the CDC. While extreme heat and triple-digit temperatures frequently are the focus of attention and grab headlines, the lack of adequate overnight cooling is also a serious concern that amplifies the impacts of heat. Overnight cooling is essential for not just the human body, but infrastructure and ecosystems to recover after a hot day. Cities feel heightened temperatures Warmer overnight temperatures are also fueled by urban development. Cities with heat-retaining concrete and asphalt are particularly vulnerable to higher temperatures when vegetation is lost to more paved surfaces and buildings, according to the EPA. Compared with surrounding rural areas, urban locations have higher overall temperatures, especially at night. This is known as the "urban heat island" effect. Rising concentrations of greenhouse gases and increased atmospheric moisture are major contributors to the ongoing rise in nighttime temperatures seen in recent decades. As the atmosphere warms, it can hold more water vapor, which functions like an insulating layer, trapping heat and significantly limiting the amount of cooling that can occur at night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Solve the daily Crossword
