Latest news with #Helene
NBC News
an hour ago
- Science
- NBC News
New study targets past flooding as key to helping property owners assess climate threats
The number of structures at risk of flooding in the United States could be higher than previously thought, according to a study published Monday. The study, published Monday in the journal Earth's Future, found that 43% of flooded buildings in North Carolina between 1996 and 2020 were located outside the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Special Flood Hazard Area — areas that FEMA projects have a 1% risk of flooding in a given year. The findings could help more communities get a better handle on their flood risk and flood insurance needs, experts and authors of the study said. Flood insurance has become increasingly hard to get as some companies increase the price of policies or step back from insuring homes in certain markets due to more frequent and severe weather. That has left property owners more vulnerable. Experts told NBC News that with access to the right data sources, databases like the one described in the study could be developed nationwide. FEMA's maps are the main source nationally to identify flood-prone areas and what structures need to be insured. But experts say the system is outdated and has low resolution. The 100-year flood plain projection doesn't paint a complete picture of what areas are likely to flood. And climate change has rendered previously authoritative weather and climate projections less reliable, the authors noted. The study's use of address-level data allowed the researchers to pinpoint specific buildings that had flooded more than once. That information could help property owners know whether they should be purchasing flood insurance even outside of FEMA's flood hazard zones, experts said. In the U.S., 99% of counties have flooded at least once but only 4% of homeowners have flood insurance, according to FEMA. 'More information about where it has flooded in the past could help people make different decisions,' said Helena Margaret Garcia, the lead author of the study and a doctoral student at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program did not return requests for comment. FEMA is currently in the process of redeveloping its flood mapping system, through an initiative called the Future of Flood Risk Data, that it says will provide a more comprehensive look at flood hazards and risks in the country using more efficient, accurate and consistent technology. As the planet warms, heavier rainfall is becoming more common because hotter air can hold more moisture, which later falls as rain. Climate change is also leading to a rise in global sea levels, which has made coastal and even some inland areas more vulnerable to flooding. Hurricane Helene, the third-deadliest hurricane of the modern era, caused severe flooding in mountainous areas in the middle of North Carolina. Damage totaled more than $78 billion, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Severe rainfall has caused flash floods to rip through towns across the U.S. in the last two weeks, most recently on Monday in New Jersey and New York City. Extreme floods resulted in at least six deaths in North Carolina and more than 100 deaths in Texas. Flash floods are the top storm-related killer in the U.S. resulting in an average of 125 deaths per year in the last few decades, according to the National Weather Service A North Carolina climatologist said warmer ocean waters, which also feed storms, could have been a factor in fueling last week's Tropical Storm Chantal, which broke rainfall and river-crest records in the state. With the changing climate, having access to up-to-date maps is crucial, experts say. For the study, researchers mapped 78 flood events between 1996 and 2020 using data from the National Flood Insurance Program — the FEMA program through which property owners can purchase insurance for potential flood-related losses. They also used emergency service requests and 'volunteered geographic information,' which they acquired through social media posts, to create what they describe as a 'first of its kind' database. Data on past floods is often difficult for the general public to access, which can make it challenging for homeowners to know whether their property has previously flooded, experts said. Garcia said researchers can use the same methods from the study to create similar historical maps for regions across the nation to help officials identify areas in their state they may not have previously thought of as a flood risk. While the study found that only 20,000 of the 90,000 buildings flooded more than once — more than double the number of buildings that filed NFIP claims — authors of the study are working on research to quantify its human impact. Some are looking at health outcomes, including how a flood might interrupt people's health care, and others looking into the quantity of displacement due to the repetitive flooding, Garcia said. Antonia Sebastian, an assistant professor in the department of geological sciences at UNC-Chapel Hill, said the study aims to create a 'comprehensive record of past flooding' by gathering data on flood events that don't make the biggest headlines but still have an impact on homeowners. 'Places that have flooded before will flood again. It's just a matter of time,' Sebastian said. 'And those are all risky places.' Chad Berginnis, the executive director of the Association of Flood Plain Managers who wasn't involved in the study, said FEMA's maps are designed to implement the NFIP by determining what areas have to purchase flood insurance, using the 100-year flood plain as a guide. He said the study's analysis of historical flooding highlights that officials may need to require flood insurance in areas outside of FEMA's flood hazard zone. 'FEMA flood maps are a starting point and not an end point,' Berginnis said. 'They will show you one kind of flood risk, but if you want a total perception of flood risk, one of the things you got to do is find historical flood information.' He said replicating similar database models as the one described in the study in other local areas could help flood plain managers increase awareness among their communities about who is at risk of flooding by pinpointing where it has occurred previously. 'Just given the flood history of [the Guadalupe River], and having a daughter of the age that's going to camps too, I mean, this is really hitting home to me. You know, how is it that we, that societally, we're not comprehending that these same locations can also be very risky areas and not either demanding or finding out a little bit more about it. So, I think clearly we don't have enough awareness of flood risks.' June Choi, a doctoral student in earth system science at Stanford University who was not part of the study, said the finding that many flooded buildings were located outside of at-risk areas designated by FEMA's flood maps is likely the case across all states. The new database may be limited because it doesn't factor in how building density changes over time. But its use of historical records and address-specific data still make it a valuable resource for assessing future flood risk, she said.
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Flesh-Eating Virus Kills Four In Florida
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Four people have died in Florida due to infections from Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterium commonly known as "flesh-eating" for its ability to cause severe and sometimes fatal tissue damage. Newsweek has reached out to Florida's Department of Health via email for comment. Why It Matters Record cases of Vibrio vulnificus surged to record levels last year in Florida, with 82 cases and 19 deaths, Florida's health department reported at the time. The majority came after the hurricanes Helene and Milton. Flagellated Vibrio vulnificus bacterium revealed in the 26367x magnified scanning electron microscopic (SEM) image, 2005. Image courtesy Centers for Disease Control (CDC) / Janice Haney Carr. Flagellated Vibrio vulnificus bacterium revealed in the 26367x magnified scanning electron microscopic (SEM) image, 2005. Image courtesy Centers for Disease Control (CDC) / Janice Haney Carr. Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images What To Know Fatalities have been reported across Bay, Broward, Hillsborough, and St. Johns counties, according to the Florida Department of Health, who reported the fatalities on July 11. This marks the first fatalities in connection with the bacterium this year. There have been a total of 11 confirmed infections across the state so far this year. The Florida Department of Health did not confirm the sources of these cases. What is Vibrio Vulnificus? Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacterium found in coastal waters, including salt and brackish water. There are around a dozen kinds of Vibrio, which cause the human illness, vibriosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are 80,000 cases of vibriosis each year in the U.S., of which 52,000 cases are the result of eating contaminated food. The most common species that cause human illness in the U.S. are Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificus, and Vibrio alginolyticus. Thomas A. Russo, professor and chief, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Buffalo, told Newsweek over email, "The range of Vibrio vulnificus is defined by warm, brackish, and coastal marine environments, with ongoing expansion into higher latitudes as global temperatures rise. This organism is most prevalent in regions with water temperatures above 20°C and moderate-to-high salinity." "Cases have been rising as summers have grown warmer," Aileen Marty, professor of Infectious Diseases, Florida International University, told Newsweek, "The reason is that V. vulnificus is naturally found in warm, brackish coastal waters, especially in the Gulf Coast states (e.g., Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi)." Marty told Newsweek, "Symptoms often appear within 12–24 hours and include gastrointestinal distress, fever, blistering skin lesions, and potentially life-threatening sepsis or necrotizing fasciitis after wound exposure. Most severe cases occur in people with underlying health problems; mild or asymptomatic cases are likely underreported, as healthy individuals may experience few or no symptoms." Russo also told Newsweek, "Entry of V. vulnificus into an open wound (pre-existing or acquired while in the water) is the most common means of acquisition. Eating raw seafood is another, especially raw oysters." "Although healthy individuals can develop infection, which can be severe, individuals with chronic liver disease, hemochromatosis, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression, and iron overload states are at higher risk for developing severe infection, which can be fatal," Russo said. What People Are Saying Thomas A. Russo, professor and chief, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Buffalo, told Newsweek over email, "Infections can occur with the combination of environmental exposure and host-factors... If you have a wound, cut, or disruption of your skin for whatever reason (e.g. recent surgery, tattoos et al) stay out of the water (seawater or brackish water) or cover the wound if exposure cannot be avoided. If you get a cut or injury while in the water, get out asap and wash the area," Russo said. Aileen Marty, professor of Infectious Diseases, Florida International University, told Newsweek over email, "The primary transmission routes are through the ingestion of raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters, or exposure to brackish water through wounds. Individuals at highest risk include those with chronic liver disease (such as hepatitis B or C), diabetes, immune suppression, alcohol use disorder, malignancy, renal disease, or iron overload conditions like hemochromatosis." William Schaffner, MD, professor of Preventive Medicine, Department of Health Policy, told Newsweek over email, "The precautions are straightforward. Avoid going into the coastal water if you have broken skin. If you sustain an injury in the water, wash it off promptly and seek appropriate medical attention, particularly if the wound looks infected or the area becomes painful. Tell your provider of your water contact. Persons with chronic liver disease or who are immunocompromised should avoid eating raw oysters." What's Next Whether cases will rise this year remains to be seen.
Atlantic
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Atlantic
The Trump Administration Is Violating the First Rule of Disasters
In the days since the Texas flash-flood disaster, the Department of Homeland Security has had a stock response to questions about delays in the federal government's response, or about a recent rule requiring DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to personally approve FEMA expenditures over $100,000, including rescue teams. The response goes, over and over, like this: 'FEMA is shifting from bloated, DC-centric dead weight to a lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief for their citizens … The old processes are being replaced because they failed Americans in real emergencies for decades.' The Trump administration has been using this line for more than a month now, in response to criticism of its plans to remake, or perhaps disband, FEMA. And many people who study emergency response agree that, to some degree, the agency needs reform. Yet now the administration's press to quickly strip down the agency is being tested against a devastating disaster for the first time. And it is violating a basic precept of emergency management: Be prepared. In any disaster, responding quickly can help save people and salve the harm. Protocols should be well known and well practiced before an event. An active disaster that killed more than 130 people, with more than 160 still missing, is not the occasion to switch up the norms. 'This is exactly what many of us are concerned about,' Andrew Rumbach, a senior fellow at the nonprofit Urban Institute, told me. However much FEMA might benefit from change, remaking it in an ad hoc fashion will just result in more devastation, he said: 'In the context of a really complicated emergency where lots of people's lives are at stake—that's just not where you want to see experimentation happening.' And FEMA's response to the Texas flash-flood disaster has not been business as usual. Noem didn't authorize FEMA's deployment of urban-search-and-rescue teams—deployed in the past within hours during similar events—until more than 72 hours after the flooding had begun, per CNN reporting. The agency failed to answer thousands of calls from flood survivors after allowing contracts for call-center workers to lapse one day after the disaster, according to The New York Times. FEMA had fewer than 100 people on the ground in Texas within four days of the disaster, and 311 by day five; within a week of Hurricane Helene, during what Donald Trump deemed a failed response to the flooding, FEMA deployed 1,500. The situation on the ground in these immediate post-event moments can create a fog-of-war atmosphere, and no complete assessment of the federal government's reaction will be possible until later. 'Like with any really catastrophic event, it's hard to understand what's happening at a micro level,' Rumbach said. Several non-FEMA rescue teams from other states and Mexico traveled to Texas to help, supplementing Texas's own robust emergency-response apparatus. But each of the other state teams waited on FEMA to call them up, as is protocol; FEMA didn't begin to activate any of them until last Monday, according to CNN. No missing person has been found alive since last Friday. 'It's clear that the initial response was much smaller and more measured than you would expect from FEMA,' Rumbach said. 'It's different from what you would expect a year ago, in terms of the number of personnel and the speed of response.' And FEMA is simply operating with fewer resources: About a quarter of the agency's staff has left since Trump took office in January, according to the Times. Due to vacancies, there is currently no FEMA regional administrator in any state along the Gulf Coast, just deputies. Right now, rather than 'lean' and 'deployable,' it might be more appropriate to describe FEMA as 'starved and hobbled.' But ostensibly, a FEMA-review council assembled by the Trump administration is meant to offer a plan to overhaul the agency. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who praised the Trump administration's response to the flooding as 'swift and very robust,' sits on that council. At a gathering of the council on the Wednesday after the floods (at which Abbott was absent), Noem reiterated her desire to see FEMA 'eliminated as it existed' and 'remade.' The council's recommendations are due in November. The administration does seem to understand that its plans to rapidly remake FEMA have real drawbacks. Noem has retained FEMA employees who looked like they'd be let go; Trump said last month that he intends to phase out FEMA only after this hurricane season. But reporting in recent days suggests that the administration is softening its tone on FEMA even further, at least for the moment. The Washington Post
Axios
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Axios
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein's flurry of legislative actions
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has taken action on a flurry of legislation in recent weeks, vetoing more than a dozen bills and signing nearly 50 others into law. Why it matters: At the same time, Stein, a Democrat, has managed to maintain a seemingly amicable relationship with North Carolina's Republican-controlled legislature. Driving the news: While Stein has denounced and blocked some key conservative priorities from becoming law, he's also stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Republicans as he's celebrated and signed into law bipartisan initiatives spearheaded by the GOP legislature. Last Thursday, Stein held a bill signing ceremony for four bills that supporters say will lower prescription drug costs, ease transitions for military families who are relocating, crack down on crimes like reckless driving and make it easier for some domestic violence victims to obtain restraining orders. Republicans joined Stein at the mansion to celebrate the bills becoming law. That same day, Stein vetoed three bills, including one that would allow some employees and volunteers to carry weapons at private schools. The big picture: Six months into his term, Stein still appears to have a working relationship with GOP legislative leaders, even as Republicans and Democrats at the federal level remain largely divided. It comes at a pivotal moment for the state: Western North Carolina still has a long way to go in recovering from Hurricane Helene. Meanwhile, the state is bracing for federal budget cuts made in Congress' newly passed "Big, Beautiful Bill." Stein and Republican lawmakers will have to work together to continue to fund Helene recovery efforts and navigate the impact of federal budget cuts on the state's Medicaid and SNAP recipients. Flashback: In March, some political observers said Stein was still in a "honeymoon" phase and predicted that his working relationship with the legislature would fall apart when Stein started vetoing Republican bills. Even after 14 vetoes, however, that doesn't seem to be the case. Zoom in: Stein issued his first vetoes a month ago, blocking "The Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act," "Freedom to Carry NC" and the "North Carolina Border Protection Act" from becoming law. He steered clear of attacking Republicans directly and instead said two of the bills would make North Carolinians less safe and one, "The Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act," was unconstitutional. Stein also vetoed legislation changing oversight of charter schools, clarifying the state auditors' power, banning some diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and rolling back some carbon reduction goals for Duke Energy. After vetoing some of those bills earlier this month, Stein changed his tune, however, calling the bills "mean-spirited" and saying they would "marginalize vulnerable people and also undermine the quality of public services and public education." "At a time when teachers, law enforcement, and state employees need pay raises and people need shorter lines at the DMV, the legislature failed to pass a budget and, instead, wants to distract us by stoking culture wars that further divide us," Stein said in a statement. "I stand ready to work with the legislature when it gets serious about protecting people and addressing North Carolinians' pressing concerns." What we're watching: Stein's ability to keep his party in line may soon be tested. Republicans no longer have a supermajority in the legislature, so they need just one Democrat in the House to side with them to override a veto.
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
A new Mote aquarium is rising in Florida. Here's the latest on an opening date
For two years, Mote Marine has been building a new Science Education Aquarium near a mall off Interstate 75 in Southwest Florida. Originally projected to open in early 2025, Hurricane Helene and Milton delayed the $130 million complex. An exact opening date hasn't been announced. Beyond the storms, why the uncertainty? Two reasons: getting the water chemistry in the new aquarium correct and getting the animals quarantined, transferred and acclimated to their new home, Mote Marine explains. MORE: A 3-story aquarium is rising along a Florida highway. What's going inside? Take a look General admission at Mote SEA won't open until the habitats prep is complete and the animals are acclimated. 'The health, safety and welfare of all animals under Mote's care is the top priority,' Mote said in a statement. Each animal will undergo a quarantine protocol, then a transfer to Mote SEA where they are 'monitored for veterinary acclimation signals,' the statement said. Mote Marine leaders have described the new aquarium, which will hold over 1 million gallons of water and provide hands-on learning opportunities for nearly 70,000 Manatee and Sarasota students, as a resource for marine science education 'unlike any other experience in the country.' 'Most aquariums are really focused on bringing the animals to life, but we're really going to bring that education to life here too,' Aly Busse, Mote Education's associate vice president, told the Bradenton Herald during a behind-the-scenes tour in April 2024. In its first year, the 110,000-square-foot, three-story Mote SEA facility is expected to attract more than 700,000 visitors, the Bradenton Herald has reported. That's more than double the annual attendance at the City Island location. Since 1980, Mote Marine's aquarium was open to the public on Sarasota's City Island. The last day for admission was Juky 6, but the City Island location will remain open for research, conservation and education programs, according to Mote. Mote Marine began as a marine research laboratory in 1955. Researchers with Mote Marine have been featured on the Discovery Channel's Shark Week. When Mote SEA's grand opening is announced, admission tickets will go on sale. Parking will be free to Mote SEA visitors, and there is a Sarasota County bus station next to the main parking lot.
