Climate Impact Report – 10/8

Quick Facts

at least 4

dead in Alabama, including a 4 year old after days of torrential rainfall triggered widespread flooding across the Southeast

74 sequoia

trees burned by the Windy Fire as of Thursday afternoon

78,000

small farmers' livelihoods are endangered by the intense drought in California

Facts Of The Day 10/8

Hurricanes

  • Days of torrential rainfall triggered widespread flooding across the Southeast, leaving at least 4 dead in Alabama, including a 4-year-old. 
  • After the flash flood emergency in Pelham County, Alabama, the fire department received more than 280 calls for service and rescued 82 individuals from their homes. 
  • In Van Buren County, Tennessee, a man died after his car was swept off a flooded roadway. 
  • As of Friday morning, multiple counties in central Georgia continue to report flooding damage and road closures. 
    • In Georgia, there were trees and power lines down in multiple locations that blocked the roads. 
  • In Jones County, Georgia flooding destroyed multiple homes and left some residents and their pets hanging onto trees until they could be rescued. 
  • As New Jersey spends $26 million on beach replenishment, a coalition of environmental and fishing groups argue that money should be spent on measures to address repetitive flooding in the northern and central parts of the state. 
    • The group also argues that beach replenishment hurts the environment and subsidizes wealthy homeowners.
  • On Wednesday, a report by the United Nations World Meteorological Organization warned that much of the world is unprepared for worsening flash flooding, hurricanes, and droughts caused by climate change.

Wildfires

  • As of Tuesday, there are currently 52 large active wildfires that have burned 3,008,766 acres across CA, CO, ID, MT, NV, OK, OR, WA, and WY. This year to date, 46,539 wildfires have burned 6,396,813 acres across the country. 
  • As of Thursday afternoon, the Windy Fire has burned at least 74 sequoia trees.
  • A California judge blocked 1,100-home development near San Diego, because of wildfire hazards.
  • In California, 9 fires have burned 2,021,800 acres as of Tuesday.
    • The Caldor Fire burned 221,775 acres and was 93% contained as of Tuesday. 
    • The Dixie Fire burned 963,309 acres and was 94% contained as of Tuesday.
    • The KNP Complex Fire burned 76,768 acres and was 11% contained as of Tuesday.
  • In Colorado, 1 fire has burned a total of 3,792 acres as of Tuesday. 
  • In Idaho, 18 fires have burned a total of 247,076 acres as of Tuesday.
  • In Montana, 9 fires have burned a total of 206,368 acres as of Tuesday.
  • In Nevada, 2 fires have burned a total of 89,637 acres as of Tuesday.
  • In Oklahoma, 1 fire has burned a total of 832 acres as of Tuesday.
  • In Oregon, 6 fires have burned a total of 292,316 acres as of Tuesday.
  • In Washington, 4 fires have burned a total of 131,822 acres as of Tuesday.
  • In Wyoming, 2 fires have burned a total of 15,123 acres as of Tuesday.

Extreme Heat

  • Climate change is making Texas hotter, threatening public health, water supply and the state’s infrastructure.
  • The drought and overuse of water by the relocated megadairies and farms in Arizona has further depleted the water resources and forced residents to move. 
  • Climate change is making the hottest periods of the western U.S. more frequent, more persistent, more humid, and more lethal.
  • The megadrought in North Dakota has forced many ranchers to sell off their herds at historic rates and are now worried they won’t have enough feed to keep their remaining cows alive this winter.
  • The intense drought in California has endangered the livelihoods of almost 78,000 Californian small farmers.
  • Due to the drought in Idaho, wheat crop production has dropped 32%  and barley crop production has dropped 21% from last year.
  • After the Santa Clara Valley Water District declared a drought emergency and asked residents in Santa Clara County to cut water use by 15%, they are falling short at 9%. 
  • Months after winter storm Uri, demand for solar power and home battery systems has increased in Texas.
  • Puerto Rico is in the process of declaring a state of emergency because its power grid is in critical condition. 

New Reports And Data

  • An October 2021 study found that low-income neighborhoods and communities of color experience an average of 28% more pollution from freight traffic than higher-income and majority-white neighborhoods.
  • An October 2021 study found that consuming sustainably sourced wild meat instead of domesticated livestock reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
  • An October 2021 study found an abundance of microscopic paint flakes in the North Atlantic, which poses an environmental threat to the ocean and marine life. 

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