Latest news with #hurricaneSeason
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Thinking of heading to Florida, Ohioans? Flesh-eating bacteria found in 10 counties
Ohioans planning on squeezing in a last-minute vacation to Florida before the start of school should be aware of a rare "flesh-eating" bacteria in the Sunshine State. Florida health officials announced on July 11 that four people had died and at least seven others were made sick due to Vibrio vulnificus, a rare but deadly flesh-eating bacteria that seems to be plentiful in Florida's warm climate. The deaths occurred in four counties across the state. Flesh-eating bacteria are rare, with an average of 150 to 200 cases reported each year to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And as hurricane season continues to bear down on Florida, the number of infections could pick up as seawater is brought to the shores. Here's what you need to know. Where is flesh-eating bacteria Vibrio vulnificus found? The bacteria is found in saltwater, brackish water and inside contaminated raw or undercooked seafood. It also lives naturally in coastal waters year-round. Vibrio vulnificus requires saltwater to live and spread, though it can thrive in brackish (slightly salty) water. For the most part, the bacterial infections usually occur in Gulf Coast states, but in recent years, reports of Vibrio vulnificus have started to be seen further North as climate change fuels warmer oceans. Where cases of flesh-eating bacteria have been found in Florida: In Florida, confirmed cases of Vibrio vulnificus were found in 10 counties, including four in the Panhandle — a frequent vacation destination. They are: Bay County: 1 Broward County: 1 Duval County: 1 Escambia County: 1 Hillsborough County: 1 Lee County: 1 Manatee County: 1 St. Johns County: 2 Santa Rosa County: 1 Walton County: 1 How can a person become infected with a flesh-eating bacterium? Infection can occur when people swallow contaminated water or if it gets into an open wound. People can also become infected due to contaminated raw or undercooked seafood, especially shellfish such as oysters. Why is Vibrio vulnificus called a flesh-eating bacteria? Healthy individuals usually experience only mild symptoms, but it can start eating away at flesh if it gets into an open wound and can cause necrotizing fasciitis, which causes the flesh around the wound to die. Some cases of exposure can turn deadly if necrotizing fasciitis happens or if the bacteria enters the bloodstream. "Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infections are fatal about 50 percent of the time," according to the Florida Department of Health. According to the CDC, about one in five people die from the infection, sometimes within one to two days of becoming ill. Others could require surgery or even amputation after exposure. What are the symptoms of Vibrio vulnificus? People who are exposed to it could experience diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and fever, according to the CDC. If an open wound is exposed to Vibrio vulnificus, it can cause discoloration, swelling, skin breakdown and ulcers. How do I avoid exposure to flesh-eating bacteria? Here's what the CDC and Florida Department of Health recommend: Stay out of saltwater and brackish water if you have an open wound or cut. If you get a cut while you are in the water, leave the water immediately. Cover open wounds and cuts with a waterproof bandage if they could come in contact with salt water, brackish water or raw or undercooked seafood. Cook shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) thoroughly. Avoid cross-contamination of cooked seafood and other foods with raw seafood and juices from raw seafood. Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw shellfish. Seek medical attention right away for infected wounds. Toxic algae blooms, found along Ohio beaches If you're vacationing a bit closer to home, be cautious of the beach you choose. According to the Ohio Department of Health, Ohio has 28 beach advisories currently, 24 for high bacteria levels and four for toxic algae blooms. The majority of the beach advisories for bacteria levels are along Lake Erie, but there are several at inland bodies of water. The algae bloom is happening at Grand Lake in Mercer and Auglaize counties in Western Ohio, and is affecting four public beaches there. Contributing: USA TODAY Network This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Florida has a rare flesh-eating bacteria. Which counties to avoid Solve the daily Crossword
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Hiding Weather Data Harms More Than Hurricane Forecasts
The Butterfly Effect is the chaos-theory idea that the flapping of an insect's tiny wings can influence massive weather events far removed from it in distance and time. It may overstate the importance of butterflies, but it is a reminder of how small actions can have larger, unforeseen consequences. An even clearer example is the Trump administration's recent decision to stop sharing military satellite data with weather forecasters just ahead of what will be a busy hurricane season. The effects will reverberate far beyond weather forecasting, threatening lives and livelihoods and even accelerating the nation's growing home-insurance crisis.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Bryan Norcross: Chantal's remnants to spread north; a note about the Texas tragedy
Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall Sunday morning just south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Top sustained winds were estimated to be 60 mph – the system perked up just before landfall. Tropical rains have pushed into the Carolinas. The potential for flooding will continue for a couple of days as the remnants of the system slowly pull north. Fortunately, the soil in eastern North Carolina is relatively dry, and the rivers are on the low side, so there should be less flooding than sometimes occurs with tropical systems. Still, torrential downpours from slow-moving systems always cause localized flooding. The National Weather Service is forecasting a widespread 2 to 4 inches of rain, with some locations getting 6 inches or more. Be aware of any alerts for your local area if you're in the eastern half of North Carolina or southeastern Virginia. Chantal is forecast to die out in a day or so, but its moisture will be swept north along the coast as far as New England ahead of an approaching cold front. The increase in humidity will be evident Monday and Tuesday from Washington, D.C. to Boston. Tropical downpours can be heavier than you normally experience, so be aware. Otherwise, there is nothing of concern on the horizon in the Atlantic, the Caribbean, or the Gulf. Looking at 30-year averages, we are well ahead of schedule on named storms, and the first hurricane doesn't develop, on average, until Aug. 11. The season seems slow, but in reality, it is not. Historically, the tropics don't get cranking until August. A note about the Texas flooding catastrophe, and how it relates to tropical weather. First, some of the energy and moisture in those extreme downpours came from the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry. But more importantly, the tragedy has similarities to what happened in Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. In both cases, extreme floods like we've seen were imaginable because similar events had occurred in those regions in the past. The geography that can funnel the water into a narrow channel and the proximity to tropical moisture are a dangerous combination. Also, in both cases, timely warnings were issued by the National Weather Service. The lesson is, if a community or a location has historically been subject to catastrophic flooding, enhanced warning protocols and detailed, short-trigger evacuation plans need to be in place. The same complex of slow-moving thunderstorms occurring over flatlands would cause flooding, but without the deadly consequences. Sirens or other special alerting systems should be considered for locations with a known vulnerability to catastrophic flooding. History doesn't always teach us what could happen. Sometimes, extreme events occur that have never been seen before, as far as we know. We only have records that go back to the 19th century, but if there's a well-documented disaster in the record book, common sense says we should at least prepare for article source: Bryan Norcross: Chantal's remnants to spread north; a note about the Texas tragedy
CNN
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
‘Ghosted by FEMA,' teen pilot in trouble, grilling tips: Catch up on the day's stories
👋 Welcome to 5 Things PM! An American influencer was detained in Antarctica while attempting to fly solo to all seven continents. Authorities said 19-year-old Ethan Guo broke 'multiple national and international regulations' by changing his flight plan without permission. Here's what else you might have missed during your busy day. As hurricane season bears down, a new layer of uncertainty is spreading through the disaster response system. Officials across the country say they've encountered a wall of silence from FEMA that's left them scrambling for answers. Attacks perpetrated by lone actors are the biggest terrorism threat to July Fourth festivities in US cities, federal authorities said. High-profile incidents in New Orleans and Boulder, Colorado, have raised concerns about the potential for copycats. A brutal heat wave is gripping parts of Europe, leaving millions of people struggling to deal with punishing temperatures. They're coping with the help of electric fans, ice packs and cold showers. Why is air conditioning so rare? Researchers sequenced the entire genome of an ancient Egyptian for the first time, revealing unprecedented insight about the ancestry of a man who lived during the time when the first pyramids were built. Lots of Americans will be firing up their grills for cookouts this holiday weekend. Chef Tyler Florence offers some advice so you can avoid burnt burgers and scorched steaks — and keep your guests happy. GET '5 THINGS' IN YOUR INBOX If your day doesn't start until you're up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to your new favorite morning fix. Sign up here for the '5 Things' newsletter. 💥 Big boom: A warehouse containing fireworks exploded in Northern California, which sparked several smaller fires. Authorities in Yolo County, near Sacramento, issued an evacuation order for the surrounding area as a precaution. Sean 'Diddy' Combs acquitted of most serious charges House GOP hardliners vow to stall Trump's megabill Bryan Kohberger admits to Idaho student murders in plea deal to avoid the death penalty 🥫 That's how long Del Monte Foods has been around, but the company best known for its canned fruits and vegetables just filed for bankruptcy and is looking for a buyer. ✈️ Step back in time: The elegant Bauhaus airport in Budapest has remained mostly unchanged for nearly 90 years. Its clean lines, circular main hall and curved banisters offer a glimpse into the terminal's fascinating past. 'I don't think you can just turn a blind eye to it. I think it's anti-American.' Bakari Sellers on "Alligator Alcatraz" 💬 Slippery slope? The attorney and CNN political commentator questioned the humanity of the detention center in Florida's Everglades and criticized President Donald Trump for raising the possibility of deporting violent American citizens. 🚬 Which European country is banning smoking in all outdoor areas frequented by children?A. FranceB. GermanyC. SpainD. Italy⬇️ Scroll down for the answer. 🕹️ Adult arcade: Chuck E. Cheese isn't just for kids anymore. The chain is opening a spinoff of the children's version with a mix of nostalgic games — such as Donkey Kong and Mortal Kombat — and 'old-school merch' for sale. 👋 We'll see you tomorrow.🧠 Quiz answer: A. Starting July 1, France banned smoking in parks, beaches, public gardens, bus stops, school entrances and sports venues.📧 Check out all of CNN's newsletters. Today's edition of 5 Things PM was edited and produced by CNN's Kimberly Richardson and Chris Good.
Washington Post
30-06-2025
- Climate
- Washington Post
NOAA delays the cutoff of key satellite data for hurricane forecasting
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Monday it is delaying by one month the planned cutoff of satellite data that helps forecasters track hurricanes. Meteorologists and scientists warned of severe consequences last week when NOAA said, in the midst of this year's hurricane season , that it would almost immediately discontinue key data collected by three weather satellites that the agency jointly runs with the Defense Department.
