The recent flash flooding in Texas were tragedy struck, killing 134 people, so far, is a direct cause of climate change and global warming. A stalled storm system, from the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry, caused the banks of the Guadalupe River to overflow 26-45 feet in 45 minutes.
In the past decade 700 Texans have died in related extreme weather disasters. Yet, Texas relinquished 225 million dollars in federal grant money, which was to be used to create warning systems for flood protection and tornado safety. Texas lawmakers previously rejected 2 requests from Hill County to fund a flood warning program, with Kerr County struggling for decades to fund such a system, which was halted by officials because 95% of it’s funding would have to come from the county.
This is something to consider regarding Trump’s BB Bill which plans to disable FEMA, placing the responsibility of dealing with the growing problem of natural disasters, directly on the states. The bill also adds 1 trillion dollars to the Pentagon’s military budget, which is estimated to add another 26 megatons of planet heated gases to the climate footprint. According to a new analysis by the Climate and Community Institute (CCI), this will add an estimated 47 billion in economic damages globally, from the 178mt of C02e the Pentagon is expected to emit as they increase their military production. The US is already the second largest contributor to the climate crisis, and the worst emitter behind China, who’s population is four times larger.
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Flash flooding also hit Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and NYC. In Petersburg, Virginia water levels at Lieuntenant Run Creek rose more than 10 feet in 2 hours, sweeping vehicles into the water, and leaving homes and streets flooded. Flash flooding in Plainfield, NJ killed 2 people, leaving a flood warning in effect until 3AM Thursday, with temperatures expected to reach the mid 90’s with a heat index of 105%.
NYC subway system experienced severe flooding from overflowing storm drains Monday evening, as torrential downpours swept through the area, causing water to rush in. There were street shutdowns and travel delays affecting trains and flights throughout the area.
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The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency for Lancaster, PA as area rivers and creeks rose, trapping people in their vehicles, knocking out power and closing roads. Portions of the state received 6 inches of rain in 24 hours.
According to the EPA, between 1979-2022, 14,000 Americans died from heat related causes. Heat related deaths reached a new height from 2021-22, which were 2 of the hottest years on record. And 2025 is on track to be the warmest year ever. With NYC, having rising temps and milder winters, it is now being classified as a humid subtropical climate, a climate that has hot humid summers and mild cool winters.
Climate Change leads to higher global temperatures and warmer air that holds more moisture. According to researchers, every 1 degree that Celsius rises, causes the atmosphere to hold 7% more water vapor.
In a 2009 statement from 18 scientific associations:
“Observation throughout the world makes it clear that climate change is occurring and rigorous scientific research demonstrates that the greenhouse gases emitted by human activities are the primary driver.”
From the American Chemical Society, 2019:
“The Earth’s climate is changing in response to increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and particulate matter in the atmosphere, largely as a result of human activity.”
The American Medical Association, 2019:
“Our AMA supports the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes fourth assessment report and concurs with the scientific consensus that the earth is undergoing adverse global climate change and that anthropogenic contributions are significant.”
Climate Change has been said to be the most serious threat to the world, even more than terrorism. In the words of Scientist Bill Nye: “Climate Change is happening. Humans are causing it, and I think it is perhaps the most serious environmental issue facing us.”
Sources: ABC, SCI-AM, NPR, WRIC, Yahoo News, NJ.com, The Hill, The Guardian & NASA
