The severity of hurricanes and tropical storms is increasingly becoming a significant concern for the United States, particularly for regions far inland.
This warning comes in light of last year’s hurricane season, which saw three powerful storms, including Hurricane Beryl, sequentially devastating Texas and extending their impact far beyond the coast.
According to AccuWeather’s lead hurricane expert, Alex DaSilva, these storms not only wreaked havoc at landfall but continued to cause heavy rainfall and destruction for days as they moved inland.
He noted that Beryl, which slammed Southeast Texas on July 8, 2024, and its remnants resulted in over 60 tornadoes along a 1,200-mile trail stretching from the Texas Gulf Coast to upstate New York.
The financial toll was immense, with Beryl, Hurricane Helene, and Hurricane Milton combining to cause damages exceeding $120 billion.
Hurricane Helene, in particular, was highlighted for its catastrophic flash flooding and strong winds that affected mountainous areas in western North Carolina, far from where it initially made landfall in Florida.
The risks posed by these storms are not unfamiliar to Texans living away from the Gulf Coast.
Jason Runyen, a senior meteorologist at the National Weather Service office for Austin and San Antonio, emphasized the historical threat that tropical cyclones have posed, particularly in terms of disastrous rainfall—even from storms categorized as tropical storms rather than hurricanes.
Tragically, inland flooding has been recognized as the leading cause of hurricane-related fatalities, both in Texas and across the United States.
An analysis of data from the National Hurricane Center revealed that rainfall-induced flooding accounted for 60% of tropical cyclone-related deaths in the past decade.
One of the primary concerns is that residents inland may underestimate the threat posed by hurricanes, believing they are too distant to affect them.
Conversely, those who reside in coastal areas are often well-prepared for such storms, taking necessary evacuation measures or safeguarding their properties against potential flooding.
The challenge of inland flooding is likely to grow as the effects of climate change, such as increasing global air and ocean temperatures, become more pronounced.
In recent years, there have been record-breaking instances, including a season in 2020 that saw 30 named storms, and hurricanes that reached unprecedented strengths early in the season, such as Category 5 Beryl on July 2, 2024.
A recent incident in Central Texas underscores the threat of tropical cyclones; in late June, Tropical Storm Barry made landfall in Mexico, but its residual moisture moved northward into South and Central Texas.
This system experienced an interaction with a low-pressure area and remaining Pacific moisture, unleashing over 20 inches of rain over the Fourth of July weekend.
The flooding that ensued was catastrophic and resulted in more than 100 fatalities along the Guadalupe River.
Another storm system, Tropical Storm Lorena, is expected to make landfall in Baja California this upcoming weekend.
As Lorena weakens, it is forecasted to lose some strength, but its remnant moisture will travel into Texas, coinciding with a frontal boundary.
This combination is anticipated to generate a substantial risk of precipitation from Sunday to Monday, with the Weather Prediction Center indicating a 5% to 15% chance of excessive rainfall across Central and West Texas on Sunday.
In light of these emerging risks, the National Hurricane Center is enhancing its hurricane warning maps.
Historically, these maps have primarily focused on coastal areas, but the latest updates aim to provide a more comprehensive view of the potential hazards, highlighting regions that could be impacted far from the storm’s landfall.
Acting NOAA administrator Laura Grimm remarked in May about the importance of understanding how hurricanes can influence areas beyond coastal communities, especially after witnessing significant inland flooding from hurricanes like Helene and Debby last year.
With correct and timely forecasts, NOAA plays a pivotal role in safeguarding lives and properties in the face of such natural disasters.
Residents are urged to be proactive in their preparations, becoming familiar with the risks associated with wind and water hazards that could affect their areas.
The National Weather Service advises individuals to determine whether their homes lie within flood-prone or evacuation zones and to identify any structural vulnerabilities that may increase risks during severe weather events.
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