So whenever we have these types of storms, you’re probably dealing with a more significant storm surge because of that than you would perhaps 100 years ago. We do have higher sea level because of climate change. According to atmospheric scientist Marshall Shepard: Before Florence made landfall, a first of its kind pre-attribution study estimated that the storm's “rainfall will be significantly increased by over 50% in the heaviest precipitating parts of the storm.”įlorence’s record storm surge was also likely worsened by climate change. NOAA’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory notes, “Tropical cyclone rainfall rates will likely increase in the future due to anthropogenic warming and accompanying increase in atmospheric moisture content.” In the wake of Hurricane Harvey’s record-breaking rainfall, two studies concluded that climate change increased the amount of rainfall that Harvey dumped by estimates of 15 percent and 38 percent, respectively. Regarding heavier downpours, there is a growing body of work linking wetter storms to climate change. And they’re all more likely as we continue to warm the Earth.

It’s favoring slow moving weather patterns, more intense tropical storms and heavier downpours. Warming oceans, a more rapidly warming arctic, melting ice sheets are all contributing in various way to conditions like what we’re observing now. Climate scientist Jennifer Francis of the Rutgers Climate Institute told Bloomberg: Scientists say that climate change is exacerbating some of the worst effects of hurricanes like Florence. Florence has created a massive environmental crisis as well - hog waste and coal ash have leaked into flood waters, and Duke Energy now fears that coal ash may be leaking into the Cape Fear River, which is the source of drinking water for more than 60,000 people. And as with most hurricanes, lower-income and minority communities are suffering the brunt of its destruction. The storm unleashed significant flooding that has affected thousands of people, with several river gauges either near or above record levels. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the tide gauge at Wrightsville Beach, N.C., surged to more than four feet above normal, breaking the previous record by over a foot.Īt least 44 deaths have been attributed to Florence. Additionally, Florence brought tides to record levels. South Carolina’s record for most rain in a single spot was also broken, as over 18 inches of rain fell in Marion. Swansboro, N.C., had over 30 inches of rain, which broke the previous record of 24 inches set by Hurricane Floyd in 1999. Scientists say that climate change worsened these effects.Īfter making landfall over North Carolina on September 14, Hurricane Florence dumped record amounts of rainfall over the region. Florence brought historic levels of rainfall and destruction to the Carolinas. Overall, coverage was down from a year ago: The majority of the networks mentioned the connections between hurricanes and climate change in fewer segments than they did while covering Hurricane Harvey last year. Fox aired six segments, but these either downplayed or outright dismissed the link between climate change and hurricanes. A review of weekday, prime-time coverage of Florence on the three major cable news networks found that MSNBC ran four segments that mentioned climate change in the context of hurricanes, and CNN ran two. A Media Matters analysis of Hurricane Florence broadcast news coverage from September 7-19 found that ABC failed to air a single segment that mentioned the links between climate change and hurricanes like Florence, while NBC aired one segment and CBS aired two.

John marshall cbs meteorologist cuomo