Current:Home > InvestShock of deadly floods is a reminder of Appalachia’s risk from violent storms in a warming climate -Bright Future Finance
Shock of deadly floods is a reminder of Appalachia’s risk from violent storms in a warming climate
View
Date:2025-04-18 16:02:53
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Hurricane Helene dumped trillions of gallons of water hundreds of miles inland, devastating communities nestled in mountains far from the threat of storm surge or sea level rise. But that distance can conceal a history of flooding in a region where water races into populated towns tucked into steep valleys.
“We almost always associate flood risk with hurricanes and coastal storm surge in Florida, Louisiana and Texas,” said Jeremy Porter, head of climate implication research at First Street, a company that analyzes climate risk. “We don’t think of western North Carolina and the Appalachian mountains as an area that has significant flood risk.”
More than 160 people have died across six Southeastern states. The flood waters carved up roads, knocked out cell service and pushed debris and mud into towns.
FILE - Gerardo Hernandez Juarez stares at what is left of his family’s destroyed home, Oct. 1, 2024, in Hendersonville, N.C., in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. (AP Photo/Brittany Peterson, File)
Parts of the Blue Ridge Mountains where fall colors are just starting to peek through were hit especially hard. In tourist-friendly Asheville, officials warned that it might take weeks to restore drinking water. Brownish orange mud stands out on river banks, a reminder of how high rivers swelled.
Hurricanes moving inland with heavy rainstorms have created disaster before. In 2004, for example, four people were killed in western North Carolina from a debris flow caused by as much of a foot (30.5 centimeters) of rain that fell from Hurricane Ivan.
It’s difficult to quickly determine the exact role climate change played in specific disasters like Hurricane Helene although one quick analysis found it likely increased rainfall totals in some areas.
Scientists say global warming is helping some big hurricanes become wetter.
FILE - A passerby checks the water depth of a flooded road, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Morganton, N.C. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek, File)
Plus, a warmer atmosphere can hold more water, fueling intense rainstorms, although mountainous Appalachian terrain complicates the interaction between weather events and climate change, according to Jim Smith, a hydrologist at Princeton University.
Dave Marshall, executive pastor at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, North Carolina, said he was “totally shocked” by the storm’s destruction that overwhelmed local services. On Tuesday he was overseeing a busy donation center that offered essentials such as propane and food, remarking that he had expected some rain and maybe a day or two without power.
“Nobody was prepared,” Marshall said. “We are shocked and devastated. Everybody knows a friend or family member that has lost a loved one.”
FILE - Homes and vehicles that were damaged in a flood from Hurricane Helene sit on the side of a road near the Swannanoa River, Oct. 1, 2024, in Swannanoa, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)
Porter, the climate risk researcher, said the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood maps used to determine the riskiest areas where certain homeowners are required to purchase flood insurance have their limitations. He said the maps consider a specific range of flooding and underestimate flood risk in some areas — and that the problem is especially pronounced in parts of Appalachia.
“It’s happening more and more often that we’re seeing these heavy precipitation events occur, exactly the type of events that this region is susceptible to,” Porter said, adding that flood zones on FEMA maps aren’t capturing these changing conditions.
FEMA recently updated how it prices flood insurance to factor in more types of flooding to accurately base cost on flood risk. The agency says flood maps are not meant to predict what areas will flood. Instead, they help define the riskiest areas for planning and insurance needs, FEMA said.
“Flooding events do not follow lines on a map. Where it can rain, it can flood,” said Daniel Llargues, a FEMA spokesperson.
FILE - Brian McCormack pauses after using a wheelbarrow to clean up debris left in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Oct. 1, 2024, in Marshall, N.C. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Before Helene, federal forecasters told residents in western North Carolina flooding from the hurricane could be “one of the most significant weather events to happen” since 1916. That year, a pair of hurricanes within a week killed at least 80 people, and the community of Altapass received more than 20 inches of rain (50.8 centimeters) in a 24-hour span.
“This is not a big surprise,” said Smith. “But what happened in Helene happened in 1916.”
___
Phillis reported from St. Louis.
___
The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP’s environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
veryGood! (93)
Related
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Why Frankie Muniz Does Not Allow His Son to Become a Child Actor
- Book excerpt: Age of Revolutions by Fareed Zakaria
- What's in tattoo ink? Expert says potentially concerning additives weren't listed on the packaging
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- A man who survived a California mountain lion attack that killed his brother is expected to recover
- Erin Andrews Details Lowest Moments From Crappy 10-Year Fertility Journey
- Nevada’s first big-game moose hunt will be tiny as unusual southern expansion defies climate change
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- A man who survived a California mountain lion attack that killed his brother is expected to recover
Ranking
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- What's in tattoo ink? Expert says potentially concerning additives weren't listed on the packaging
- Winners announced for 2023 Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Awards
- Former Rep. George Santos says he's leaving the Republican Party, will run as an independent
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- Memorial marks 210th anniversary of crucial battle between Native Americans and United States
- Erin Andrews Details Lowest Moments From Crappy 10-Year Fertility Journey
- Once a decorative darling, the invasive – and pungent – Bradford pear tree is on the outs
Recommendation
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
NCAA replaced official during NC State vs. Chattanooga halftime in women's March Madness
Michigan hiring Florida Atlantic coach Dusty May as next men's basketball coach
Fulton County DA Fani Willis says despite efforts to slow down Trump case, ‘the train is coming’
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
For the first time, Russia admits it's in a state of war with Ukraine
March Madness games today: Everything to know about NCAA Tournament schedule Sunday
March Madness picks: Our Sunday bracket predictions for 2024 NCAA women's tournament