Latest news with #Northeast
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Why has deadly flash flooding intensified in the U.S. this summer?
If it seems like summer 2025 has been filled with reports of flooding across the U.S. — that would be accurate. The National Weather Service has issued more flood warnings this year compared with any other year on record since 1986, meteorologist Michael Lowry said in a post on X. Through July 15, there have been 3,045 flood warnings that have been issued so far in 2025, according to data from Iowa State University. That eclipses the 3,033 warnings issued in all of 1998. This month alone has seen several back-to-back record-breaking flooding events across the country, including the states of Texas, North Carolina, Illinois and New Mexico and across the Northeast — many of which have been deadly. In Kansas City, Kan., on Wednesday, rain fell at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, leaving drivers stranded on roads and flooding at least one family's home. Flash floods are the most dangerous type of flooding because of how fast and powerful they are, as indicated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Here are some factors to consider around the recent flash flooding events and why they seem to be getting worse. How common are flash floods and when do they happen? Flash floods are common during the summer when warmer air is capable of holding more moisture, versus cooler air, AccuWeather reports. More moisture in the air means more fuel for thunderstorms and rainfall. Flash floods happen when heavy rainfall is faster than the ground's ability to absorb it, as defined by NOAA. Two key factors contribute to flash flooding, according to the National Weather Service: the rate of rainfall and how long the rain lasts. It also depends on how well the soil can absorb the rainfall, whether there's vegetation that can help with runoff and the topography of an area. Flash flooding can be hard to predict, which is why it can be so destructive. Flash floods 'can happen within minutes of the causative rainfall, limiting the time available to warn and protect the public,' NOAA says. Why have flash floods escalated recently? Population James Booth, professor of climate change and weather at the City College of New York, told Time that one factor as to why flash floods have gotten so bad is that more people in the population means more exposure to flash floods. 'For the most part, there's more people in more places across America than there were 50 years ago. So the increase in exposure [to flash floods]—that's not a tricky physics problem,' Booth told Time. 'I think we can't discount the possibility that there were flood type events back in 1950 that didn't get recorded because they didn't affect anyone.' Infrastructure Water runoff happens when the ground is so saturated that it cannot absorb any more rainfall and starts to flow over the ground surface. Densely populated areas are at high risk for flash floods because buildings, highways, parking lots and driveways reduce the amount of rainfall that's absorbed into the ground. Water is then sent to storm drains that can quickly overflow or become jammed with debris. Much of the infrastructure across the nation, including roads, sewers and drainage systems, also wasn't designed to withstand the intense rainfall events that are becoming more commonplace, AccuWeather reports. What factors contributed to the recent flash flooding events? Texas In central Texas, slow-moving thunderstorms dumped an entire summer's worth of rain — more than 7 inches — over a span of hours on July 4, causing river banks to surge, resulting in flash floods that killed at least 130 people. North Carolina Over the July Fourth weekend, heavy rains from Tropical Storm Chantal inundated central North Carolina, killing at least six people in widespread flooding. The Eno River crested at over 25 feet, shattering a record set in 1996 by Hurricane Fran. Illinois On July 8, a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event hit Chicago as 5 inches of rain fell in just 90 minutes over Garfield Park. This quickly inundated homes and low-lying streets. New Mexico At least three people died as a result of severe flash flooding that swept through a south-central New Mexico resort town on July 8. Last year, the South Fork and Salt fires scorched vast areas of land, creating what's known as 'burn scars.' Without vegetation the town has been left susceptible to mudslides and increased water runoff. The heavy monsoonal rains that fell on these areas created conditions that caused water to rise rapidly, the village said. Northeast At least two people died due to flash flooding in Plainfield, N.J., after parts of the Northeastern U.S. and mid-Atlantic were inundated with heavy rain on July 14. The storm caused flash flooding in areas of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and central Virginia that gushed through subway stations, stranded vehicles and prompted a state of emergency. 'Five of the most intense rainstorms in New York City's history have taken place in the last four years,' Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala said on July 15, a day after the city's subways were inundated with flash flooding. '[New York City's] sewers were designed over the last 100 or 200 years to deal with an intense rainstorm of up to 1.75 inches per hour,' Aggarwala said. 'The pipes were designed for a certain amount of water. A lot more water fell from the sky and was trying to get into them.' Experts say climate change is escalating flash flooding Experts say that while flash flooding is a common summertime threat, the risks are also changing as climate change can affect how intense and frequent rainfall occurs, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. 'A warming atmosphere means more moisture availability to storms,' Marshall Shepherd, a University of Georgia meteorology professor who previously served as president of the American Meteorological Society, wrote in Forbes. Based on the laws of thermodynamics, for every degree Celsius that rises in Earth's temperature, the atmosphere can hold about 7% more water vapor. 'Water temperatures are warmer in the Gulf and other water bodies, which also boosts available moisture for these summer storms,' Shepherd writes. 'Heavy rain has increased in every part of the U.S. over the past few decades.' Hourly rainfall rates are 15% higher in 126 U.S. cities (out of 144 analyzed) compared to rates in 1970, as noted in a recent study from Climate Central, a nonprofit research group. 'Yes, rain storms happen naturally, but they are more 'juiced' now,' writes Shepherd.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
American Water Participates in Companywide Fly-In to Meet with Congressional Leadership to Discuss Solutions to Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Challenges
CAMDEN, N.J., July 17, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., today announced its participation in a companywide fly-in to strengthen relationships with policymakers and discuss potential solutions to vital water and wastewater infrastructure needs across the nation. American Water President and Chief Executive Officer John Griffith and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Cheryl Norton, along with state leadership from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, engaged in a series of meetings with Congressional leadership in Washington, D.C. "This is a pivotal moment for water from PFAS to lead and copper to aging infrastructure," said Griffith. "As a leading provider of water services across the U.S., we recognize the importance of discussing sustainable, long-term solutions that address the needs of our communities with our country's leaders." This year's fly-in underscored the need for significant investment in water infrastructure, especially given the American Society of Civil Engineers' (ASCE) 2025 Report Card for America's Infrastructure. The nation's drinking water systems received a grade of "C-" and wastewater systems a grade of "D+," highlighting the serious challenges facing U.S. water and wastewater utilities. American Water leadership hosted discussions with representatives from more than 40 congressional offices focused on policy issues that affect water utilities, investment in water and wastewater infrastructure, the future of clean water access and other key legislative priorities. With over 14 million people served in 14 states and on 18 military installations, American Water is committed to addressing water and wastewater challenges through significant capital investments in infrastructure repairs and upgrades, planning to invest $40-$42 billion over the next 10 years. For more information about American Water's ongoing initiatives, please visit About American WaterAmerican Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water's 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram. View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Alicia BarbieriDirector, Corporate Communications and External Affairs(856)
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Why has deadly flash flooding intensified in the U.S. this summer?
If it seems like summer 2025 has been filled with reports of flooding across the U.S. — that would be accurate. The National Weather Service has issued more flood warnings this year compared with any other year on record since 1986, meteorologist Michael Lowry said in a post on X. Through July 15, there have been 3,045 flood warnings that have been issued so far in 2025, according to data from Iowa State University. That eclipses the 3,033 warnings issued in all of 1998. This month alone has seen several back-to-back record-breaking flooding events across the country, including the states of Texas, North Carolina, Illinois and New Mexico and across the Northeast — many of which have been deadly. In Kansas City, Kan., on Wednesday, rain fell at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, leaving drivers stranded on roads and flooding at least one family's home. Flash floods are the most dangerous type of flooding because of how fast and powerful they are, as indicated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Here are some factors to consider around the recent flash flooding events and why they seem to be getting worse. How common are flash floods and when do they happen? Flash floods are common during the summer when warmer air is capable of holding more moisture, versus cooler air, AccuWeather reports. More moisture in the air means more fuel for thunderstorms and rainfall. Flash floods happen when heavy rainfall is faster than the ground's ability to absorb it, as defined by NOAA. Two key factors contribute to flash flooding, according to the National Weather Service: the rate of rainfall and how long the rain lasts. It also depends on how well the soil can absorb the rainfall, whether there's vegetation that can help with runoff and the topography of an area. Flash flooding can be hard to predict, which is why it can be so destructive. Flash floods 'can happen within minutes of the causative rainfall, limiting the time available to warn and protect the public,' NOAA says. Why have flash floods escalated recently? Population James Booth, professor of climate change and weather at the City College of New York, told Time that one factor as to why flash floods have gotten so bad is that more people in the population means more exposure to flash floods. 'For the most part, there's more people in more places across America than there were 50 years ago. So the increase in exposure [to flash floods]—that's not a tricky physics problem,' Booth told Time. 'I think we can't discount the possibility that there were flood type events back in 1950 that didn't get recorded because they didn't affect anyone.' Infrastructure Water runoff happens when the ground is so saturated that it cannot absorb any more rainfall and starts to flow over the ground surface. Densely populated areas are at high risk for flash floods because buildings, highways, parking lots and driveways reduce the amount of rainfall that's absorbed into the ground. Water is then sent to storm drains that can quickly overflow or become jammed with debris. Much of the infrastructure across the nation, including roads, sewers and drainage systems, also wasn't designed to withstand the intense rainfall events that are becoming more commonplace, AccuWeather reports. What factors contributed to the recent flash flooding events? Texas In central Texas, slow-moving thunderstorms dumped an entire summer's worth of rain — more than 7 inches — over a span of hours on July 4, causing river banks to surge, resulting in flash floods that killed at least 130 people. North Carolina Over the July Fourth weekend, heavy rains from Tropical Storm Chantal inundated central North Carolina, killing at least six people in widespread flooding. The Eno River crested at over 25 feet, shattering a record set in 1996 by Hurricane Fran. Illinois On July 8, a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event hit Chicago as 5 inches of rain fell in just 90 minutes over Garfield Park. This quickly inundated homes and low-lying streets. New Mexico At least three people died as a result of severe flash flooding that swept through a south-central New Mexico resort town on July 8. Last year, the South Fork and Salt fires scorched vast areas of land, creating what's known as 'burn scars.' Without vegetation the town has been left susceptible to mudslides and increased water runoff. The heavy monsoonal rains that fell on these areas created conditions that caused water to rise rapidly, the village said. Northeast At least two people died due to flash flooding in Plainfield, N.J., after parts of the Northeastern U.S. and mid-Atlantic were inundated with heavy rain on July 14. The storm caused flash flooding in areas of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and central Virginia that gushed through subway stations, stranded vehicles and prompted a state of emergency. 'Five of the most intense rainstorms in New York City's history have taken place in the last four years,' Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala said on July 15, a day after the city's subways were inundated with flash flooding. '[New York City's] sewers were designed over the last 100 or 200 years to deal with an intense rainstorm of up to 1.75 inches per hour,' Aggarwala said. 'The pipes were designed for a certain amount of water. A lot more water fell from the sky and was trying to get into them.' Experts say climate change is escalating flash flooding Experts say that while flash flooding is a common summertime threat, the risks are also changing as climate change can affect how intense and frequent rainfall occurs, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. 'A warming atmosphere means more moisture availability to storms,' Marshall Shepherd, a University of Georgia meteorology professor who previously served as president of the American Meteorological Society, wrote in Forbes. Based on the laws of thermodynamics, for every degree Celsius that rises in Earth's temperature, the atmosphere can hold about 7% more water vapor. 'Water temperatures are warmer in the Gulf and other water bodies, which also boosts available moisture for these summer storms,' Shepherd writes. 'Heavy rain has increased in every part of the U.S. over the past few decades.' Hourly rainfall rates are 15% higher in 126 U.S. cities (out of 144 analyzed) compared to rates in 1970, as noted in a recent study from Climate Central, a nonprofit research group. 'Yes, rain storms happen naturally, but they are more 'juiced' now,' writes Shepherd.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
JD Vance urges Republican voters to 'talk to your friends' about the 'big, beautiful bill'
WEST PITTSTON, Pa. — Vice President JD Vance gave an early glimpse Wednesday of the argument Republicans will make ahead of the 2026 midterm elections while touting the megabill the White House pushed through Congress. In a 20-minute speech in northeast Pennsylvania, Vance urged the audience to become fellow evangelists for what he called the "big, beautiful bill" in conversations with family and friends. Vance supplied the talking points he wants them to use, describing how workers at the machine shop that hosted his appearance will no longer pay taxes on overtime pay. Vance was silent about less popular facets of what had been a nearly 900-page bill. He did not mention, for example, steep cuts to Medicaid, which provides health coverage to low-income people. A report published Wednesday in JAMA Health Forum found that the cuts could lead to 1,000 more deaths a year. And while Vance said President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans are getting 'Washington spending under control,' the nation's debt will increase by $3.3 trillion over the next decade under the legislation, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Vance invited the audience to do its own research but asked it to 'take what I said and ... go talk to your neighbors, go and talk to your friends about what this bill does for American citizens.' Without explicitly mentioning the midterm elections that will determine control of Congress, Vance said, 'We don't want to wake up in a year and a half and give the Democrats power back.' Both parties are in the opening phase of a battle to shape voter impressions of the new law ahead of the midterms. Trump's Cabinet members are expected to travel the country in the coming months to help sell the bill to voters. Introducing Vance was Kelly Loeffler, administrator of the Small Business Administration. She used her speech to promote the law, calling it 'rocket fuel for small business.' Republicans face some headwinds in selling the legislation. A recent Economist/YouGov survey taken after Trump signed the bill on July 4 found that 35% of adults supported it, compared with 53% who were opposed. The White House needs GOP voters to be enthusiastic about the law and motivated to vote next year if the party hopes to hang on to its majorities in the House and the Senate. 'The Trump voters are happy and complacent right now,' said John McLaughlin, a Trump pollster. 'And we have to get them fired up for next year. We have a lot of work to do. If President Trump is not on the ballot, it's harder to get them out.' Vance's appearance was also an investment of sorts in his own political future. Pennsylvania is a perennial battleground state. Trump lost it in 2020 when he lost to Joe Biden but won it back last year when he was elected to a new term. Vance is a likely GOP candidate in the next presidential race — a prospect that voters interviewed before his speech said they welcome. Dwayne McDavitt, 63, of the group Bikers for Trump, said: 'I love JD Vance. I hope he runs in 2028. He's a very intelligent man.' Vance said nothing about the ongoing furor that threatens to divide Trump voters: The Justice Department's finding that the Jeffrey Epstein files include no 'incriminating 'client list'' or evidence that would implicate third parties. Many hard-core Trump have balked at the claim, while Trump has called upon them to drop the subject and stop talking about Epstein. Before Vance's appearance, supporters waiting in line offered mixed views of whether they believe the Trump administration is suppressing damning information involving Epstein. Steven Taylor, a truck driver living across the street from the machine shop, said he was 'angered' when Trump said people should move on from the Epstein controversy. 'I think we're being lied to,' said Taylor, 52. 'And I don't appreciate it. This is supposed to be the era of transparency.' 'We put our trust in him [Trump],' he continued. 'I'm still going to support him, but with a slanted eye. We're the ones who put him where he is. It's totally disrespectful.' But Richard Geiersbach, 66, a contractor wearing a MAGA hat, echoed a point that Trump has been making in recent days: Epstein isn't worth discussing anymore. 'It's a waste of time, a waste of money,' he said. 'Let it go.' This article was originally published on
Associated Press
18 hours ago
- Associated Press
HitPaw VikPea Releases V4.3.2 Featuring Intuitive UI Optimization, New AI Pilot Model and Full Cloud Acceleration
NEW YORK, N.Y., July 16, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — HitPaw, a global leader in AI-powered creative software, today announced the release of a new version 4.3.2 of HitPaw VikPea. This major upgrade introduces major improvements in user interface design, AI model architecture, new AI Pilot model and full cloud-based export acceleration, offering users a smoother, smarter, and significantly faster video enhancement experience. WHAT IS NEW IN VIKPEA V4.3.2 1. INTUITIVE INTERFACE UPGRADE VikPea 4.3.2 introduces a smarter and more user-friendly interface with a new default full-screen layout, improved model categorization, and a visual preview system that makes selecting and applying AI enhancements faster and more intuitive. 2. OPTIMIZED AI MODEL STRUCTURE The core enhancement engine has been fully reorganized for better usability and scalability. OPTIMIZED VIDEO ENHANCER MODULE THE VIDEO ENHANCER MODULE IS CATEGORIZED INTO THREE MAJOR SECTIONS: AI COLOR MODULE – REFINED FOR VISUAL PRECISION The AI Color module in VikPea 4.3.2 is designed to intelligently enhance video colors, whether for dynamic range improvement, color restoration, or visibility in low-light scenes. It includes four specialized models — SDR to HDR, Colorize, Color Enhancement, and Low-Light Enhancement. AI TOOLBOX The updated AI Toobox section includes four powerful video tools: Watermark Remover, Background Remover, Video Frame Interpolation and Video Stabilization. 3. FULL CLOUD-BASED EXPORT ACCELERATION VikPea 4.3.2 takes cloud processing to the next level. Previously reliant on hybrid cloud & local resources, the new version supports 100% cloud-based export, significantly reducing the load on local systems. COMPATIBILITY AND PRICE HitPaw VikPea is compatible with both Windows and MacOS, making it accessible to a wide range of users. Now you can try out the new features by downloading the free trial version, or purchase the full package starts from $43.19/month. For more Information: HitPaw Video Enhancer – AI Video Enhancer ABOUT HITPAW HitPaw is a cutting-edge company that enters the AI editing field with innovation, creativity, efficiency, and simplicity as its core characteristics. It empowers millions of users worldwide with AI-powered tools for video, image, audio editing, enhancing, and conversion. Its flagship products are trusted by content creators, marketers, and educators for their simplicity and cutting-edge technology. To know more, you may visit: About HitPaw – All Things About HitPaw and [OFFICIAL] HitPaw: Powerful Video, Audio, and Image Solutions Provider Our Social Media YouTube: Twitter: Instagram: Pinterest: NEWS SOURCE: HitPaw Keywords: Photography and Videography, HitPaw VikPea, AI Pilot Model, Cloud Acceleration, AI video editor, editing, app, software, solution, video, image, audio editing, enhancing, and conversion, NEW YORK, N.Y. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (HitPaw) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P127774 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
