The central regions of USA They meet low alert before the imminence of a Climate phenomenon of extreme magnitude. In accordance with information provided by the POT and the National Meteorological Agency NOAAan event of unpublished characteristics could cause during April the more severe floods in the last 1000 years.
What the experts have already described as a “millenary flood“You could turn vast areas of the country into disaster areas in just a few days. The main reason is that the planned rains would accumulate in five days the equivalent of four months of rainfall. Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Tennessee They are some of the states under the greatest risk, where water could overflow quickly due to soils already saturated.
This type of phenomenon is produced by the interaction of multiple atmospheric factors. Among them, a Atmospheric river which is transporting huge moisture volumes from tropical regions into USAgenerating a “jam“Meteorological. This condition prevents storms from moving forward, repeating over the same areas for hours or even days.
The expert explanation and NASA
The meteorologist chief Accuweather, Jonathan Porterhe explained: “An extensive high pressure zone off the southeast coast of the US will channel the moisture of the Caribbean and the Gulf towards parts of the country. The meteorological pattern will resemble a jam in the atmosphere, with thunderstorms and recurrent downpours over the same areas. This is a recipe for serious floods.”
In addition, he warned: “Incessant rains will cause problems in streams, streams and low flood areas, before becoming a problem of river floods as the water tries to flow down the river. Prepare to quickly move to higher areas”
Immediately, the possibility that storms are installed on the same points increases the risk of sudden floodsespecially in densely populated areas or with poor infrastructure. According to the National Police and emergency equipment, urban drainage systems could collapse if the rains reach forecast levels.
The NOAAtogether with other scientific entities, has been using Advanced satellite technology To monitor the evolution of this phenomenon, which already shows similarities with events registered in other parts of the world because of the Climate change.
In this sense, Jonathan Porter He also stressed that “We are concerned about the risk of historical and potentially mortal sudden floods, which could become an important river flood”
Why it would be an millenary flood
The concept of “millenary flood” does not refer to a journalistic exaggeration, but to a technical term that describes an extremely low probability of occurrence. However, the repetition of these episodes in recent years is changing that perception. According to experts, Extreme climatic events They are no longer isolated, but symptoms of a deeper global transformation.
The specialists agree that the global warming It is intensifying climatic cycles, causing more violent and frequent rains. “A warmer and more humid atmosphere can store more water vapor, which means more rain in less time and greater destructive capacity”, Explained a recent report from Accuweather.
In front of this panorama, the cities response capacity It becomes a critical issue. Soil saturation, combined with insufficient infrastructure and poor margin to evacuate, could lead to tragic consequences. The use of predictive models has allowed them to anticipate the phenomenon with greater precision, but the speed with which these events evolve represents an important challenge for emergency services.
The consequences of climate change in the US
The question that crosses the debate is inevitable and becomes if this situation is a direct product of the Climate change Although meteorologists avoid categorical statements, the scientific consensus indicates that the alteration in atmospheric patterns is increasingly evident. The Thoroughiesthe extreme rainfall and the Atmospheric rivers They are occurring more frequently and with greater intensity.
Extreme phenomena already affect different parts of the world. From uncontrollable forest fires until prolonged droughtspassing through unprecedented storms. The trend is clear: what was previously presented as an exception, is now repeated with disturbing regularity.
In this framework, Urban infrastructure and the preparation of local authorities will be decisive. While the satellite technology The ability to anticipate these events has significantly improved, the strengthening of systems of Early alert, storm drains and Effective Evacuation Plans.
What happens these days in the center of the country is not only an isolated emergency, but a clear warning. The historical floods that could be registered in April should be understood as an urgent call to transform the policies of Climate adaptation. The phenomenon that now threatens USA It could become a usual pattern if you don’t act quickly.
The message is overwhelming: the planet is changing, and makes it faster than societies are willing to admit. The rains that are about to fall could mark a before and after in the way of understanding the effects of Climate change In everyday life.
Source: Ambito
