Latest news with #Governor
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Climate
- Forbes
Why Flooding In New York and New Jersey Were So Bad
NEW YORK CITY - SEPTEMBER 02: Cars sit abandoned on the flooded Major Deegan Expressway in the Bronx ... More following a night of heavy wind and rain from the remnants of Hurricane Ida on September 02, 2021 in New York City. Numerous people were killed in New York and tornadoes did heavy damage to parts of New Jersey as the evening storm caught many off guard with the severity of its rain and wind and flooding. (Photo by) On Monday, extremely heavy rainfall caused major flooding in one of the most populated metropolitan areas in the United States. The governor of New Jersey declared a state of emergency. Service at major airports in the New York City region were disrupted, and residents were warned of potential flooding to roadways and basement apartments. Video of flooded subways were reminiscent of what New York and New Jersey experienced during the remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021). Yet, this was not a hurricane. What caused the major flooding in the U.S. Northeast. The National Weather Service had a good handle on the flood threat in the days leading up to the rain. The NWS discussion at 3:53 am on July 14 noted, "Scattered to numerous instances of flash flooding possible across NE NJ and LoHud. Isolated to scattered instances of flash flooding possible for NYC and SW CT. Flood Watch in Effect from 2pm to midnight." The primary weather factors were: Excessive rainfall was expected in the Northeast. NWS meteorologists identified the region in the ... More Monday morning outlook. The NWS discussion went on to say, "Primary threat will be for torrential downpours from tstm activity with 2+"/hr rainfall rates likely in a tall and narrow CAPE profile environ, PWAT approaching 2.25" (+2 std), deep warm cloud layer of 12-13kft, and weak SW steering flow (15kt) aligned with trough/sea breeze/outflow boundary." I know all of that jargon and shorthand sounds like gibberish so let me translate. CAPE is an indicator of how unstable the atmosphere is and how strong the rising motion in storms might be. PWAT is an indicator of the precipitable water. In other words, how much moisture (in inches) is in the atmospheric column if you condensed or precipitated it out the air? Typical of extreme flooding scenarios, it was near the upper end of expected values. The trough, sea breeze, and outflow boundaries are mechanisms that lift air to convert that moisture and convective available potential energy to intense rainstorms. Changes in heavy precipitation (1958 to 2021). With such conditions, it is not surprising that the NWS Weather Prediction Center placed the region under increased alerts for excessive rainfall. Extreme rainfall also fell in other parts of the Northeast including Washington D.C., Maryland and Pennsylvania. Flash flooding and car rescues were reported throughout the D.C. region. Meteorologist Matthew Cappucci wrote on his Facebook page, 'D.C. gang – this is rather crazy; Tyson's Corner recorded 0.55 inches of rain in 5 minutes between 5:35 and 5:40 p.m. That's an equivalent rainfall rate of 6.6 inches per hour – albeit briefly. Cappucci, a meteorologist with the Washington Post, went on to say, 'With that sort of air mass being pumped into storms, it's no surprise we saw such exceptional rain rates!" Ok, that's the meteorology. It was a somewhat typical scenario with an optimal alignment of ingredients. However, there is a climate backdrop that most be discussed. Several reports, including the National Climate Assessment, have reported that rainfall intensity has changed dramatically in every region of the U.S. Climate Central has also looked at trends for U.S. cities. They found that Some 88% of 144 cities in the U.S. have experienced greater hourly rainfall intensity since 1970. Of those, hourly rainfall rates are roughly 15% higher. Hourly rainfall rate changes from 1970 to 2024. As you see jaw-dropping flooding around the U.S., it should resonate that, on average, it rains harder now. A warming atmosphere means more moisture availability to storms. It's basic physics captured in the Clausius Clapeyron relationship. Additionally, water temperatures are warmer in the Gulf and other water bodies, which also boosts available moisture these summer storms. Heavy rain has increased in every part of the U.S. over the past few decades. Sea surface temperature anomalies on July 13, 2025. While people contort themselves with alternative theories, the answer has been in front of us all along. This is not a surprise to climate scientists. In fact, we have warned of an accelerated water cycle for decades. Yes, rain storms happen naturally, but they are more "juiced" now. And by the way, storms with this type of moisture and dynamic profile are not impacted by cloud seeding, which has mostly been proven to be inconclusive anyhow. As Professor Tom Gill reminded me, if cloud seeding was a match to a flood like what we have seen recently, it would be like striking a match to a raging inferno. The relationship between warmer air and moisture.
The Guardian
5 hours ago
- Climate
- The Guardian
Wildfire that destroyed Grand Canyon Lodge still burning
A wildfire along the Grand Canyon's North Rim has burned for more than a week, destroying the historic Grand Canyon Lodge. The Dragon Bravo fire, which destroyed the lodge last weekend, was sparked by lightning on 4 July. It is one of two wildfires in the area. The White Sage fire charred 63 square miles of terrain by Sunday afternoon. Katie Hobbs, Arizona's governor, called for a federal investigation into the park service's handling of the Dragon Bravo fire. In a social media post, the governor said: 'Arizonans deserve answers for how this fire was allowed to decimate the Grand Canyon National Park'
The Independent
7 hours ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Flash floods gush into NYC subway carriage as passengers look on in shock
A New York City subway station, 28th Street Station, became submerged by floodwater on Monday following heavy rainfall. Eyewitness footage captured water inundating the platform and entering a subway carriage, prompting passengers to lift their feet. A flash flood warning was subsequently issued for all five boroughs of New York City. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency in parts of the state due to flash flooding and significant rainfall. Watch the video in full above.
The Independent
7 hours ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Flash floods swamp New York City subway station as horrified commuters watch on
Watch as a subway station in New York City becomes submerged by floodwater amid heavy rainfall. Footage taken by an eyewitness onboard a carriage on Monday (14 July) shows torrents of water rushing into the platform at 28th Street Station as horrified onlookers watched on. A later clip shows the water entering a subway carriage, as passengers pull their legs up off the floor. A flash flood warning was issued for all five boroughs of New York City, and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency due to flash flooding and 'high levels of rainfall' in parts of the state.
Washington Post
8 hours ago
- Climate
- Washington Post
New Jersey and New York City battered by heavy rain and flash floods
Intense flooding and heavy rain swept across parts of the Northeast on Monday, prompting New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) to declare a state of emergency and causing suspensions on New York City's subways. The flooding necessitated rescues, grounded planes and submerged vehicles in waist-high water less than two weeks after flash floods in Texas killed more than 100 people, triggering concerns about the increasing number of flood fatalities in recent years because of heavier rainfall, fueled in part by climate change.
