A historic flood inundated New York; scientists warn of more frequent extreme events due to climate change.
Flash floods hit New York City after extreme rainfall. Experts say these types of events will become more common and intense due to climate change, which is increasing atmospheric humidity and challenging urban infrastructure.
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Extreme rainfall left New York City underwater; climate change is cited as the main cause.
A new bout of heavy rains has caused severe flooding in New York City and surrounding areas. According to recent studies, such events will become increasingly frequent due to climate change.
The northeast of the United States has seen the largest regional increase in extreme rainfall, with a 60% increase in recent decades. This is according to a report supported by various state agencies, which defines these events as those that occur in the top 1% of daily rainfall.
Experts maintain that global warming intensifies natural phenomena like the recent storms, increasing their severity. Last Monday night, 6 centimeters of rain were recorded in one hour in the heart of the city, the second highest since 1943.
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The northeastern United States has experienced a 60% increase in extreme precipitation events in recent decades, according to the Fifth National Climate Assessment. (AP Photo/Jake Offenhartz)
Although scientists insist that no single event can be attributed to climate change, they agree that the overall trend is due to human impact on the climate.
Transportation infrastructure was one of the hardest hit. Several suburban train lines were out of service, and water even entered subway cars. In nearby areas, such as the center of the neighboring state, between 3 and 13 centimeters of rain were reported.
Local authorities reported closures on main roads due to flooding and fallen trees. In one city in the metropolitan area, two people died after being swept away by a flooded stream.
According to a federal report, climate change has led to an increase in the frequency of extreme rainfall events in more than 70% of the country. One of the key factors is the rise in atmospheric temperature, which allows more moisture to be retained, generating more intense rainfall.
Experts warn that many cities are unprepared for the volume of water now falling in such short periods of time. Current infrastructure is inadequate to absorb it, increasing the risk of flash flooding.
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Heavy rains in the region caused disruptions to Metro-North and New Jersey Transit commuter trains, as well as multiple route closures. (Marc A. Hermann MTA/AP)
The episode in New York highlights how climate change is already affecting daily life in urban centers and poses an urgent challenge for governments and communities regarding what could become routine in the coming years.
