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SEVERE STORMS AND WILDFIRES IMPACT MANY ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17 2022 AS OF 4:30 PM EST

Heavy rainfall and severe storm weather have led to significant flash flooding events across the United States (US) over the past week. In Clark County, Nevada, flooding began Thursday afternoon, August 11, after monsoon storms produced torrential rains along the Las Vegas strip for the second time in a two-week span. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flood advisory late Thursday cautioning local residents not to drive through low-lying or poor-drainage areas. The city’s total rainfall of 0.58 inches brought its precipitation total for this monsoon season to 1.28 inches, the most recorded in a decade. Local authorities reported two fatalities as the result of flooding in flood control channels. More than 17,500 people reported power outages in the central and western regions of the Las Vegas valley as a result of the storm.

Twitter: NWS Las Vegas

In West Virginia, flash floods prompted dozens of emergency water rescues on Monday, August 15, as heavy rainfall brought two to five inches of rain in Kanawha and Fayette counties. Local officials reported at least two destroyed bridges and 100 damaged homes as a result of the storm. The storm also resulted in downed trees, disruption to potable water systems, and power outages for more than 2,000 people. In response to the severe flooding throughout the region, Governor Jim Justice declared a State of Emergency for both counties on August 15. 

In addition, excessive rainfall and flash flooding led to road closures and mudslides in Colorado this week. According to San Miguel County authorities, at least four mudslides caused highway obstructions near Keystone Hill Monday afternoon, August 15. Dozens of flood and severe weather warnings were issued throughout the state, as some parts of the south metropolitan area received considerable urban flooding. In Broomfield, Colorado, the NWS recorded over three inches of rain Tuesday morning, August 16, totaling nearly 25 percent of the region’s average annual rainfall in less than a day. 

WILDFIRES ACROSS THE US CAUSE MORE FATALITIES AND DAMAGE

According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), there are currently 57 active large wildfires burning more than 1.4 million across across the US in Alaska, Montana, Idaho, California, Oregon, Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Washington, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Hawaii, Wyoming, and North Carolina, . In California, the McKinney Fire, the state’s largest blaze this year, has burned over 60,000 acres and is now 95 percent contained. The McKinney Fire has destroyed 185 structures and caused 11 injuries. Additionally, four fatalities have been confirmed as a direct result of the blaze. The cause of the fire remains unknown. Additionally, Oregon is experiencing significant wildfire activity, with 23 active fires burning over 6,000 acres. 11 injuries have been reported from the Cedar Creek Fire, the Windigo Fire, and the Potter Fire. The Big Swamp fire claimed the life of a firefighter on August 10th.

Twitter: NPS Fire & Aviation 

NIFC reports that from January 1st to August 16th, 2022, there have been 42,349 fires which have burned 5,917,086 acres, surpassing the totals from the same timeframe in each of the last four years. On August 1st, NIFC released their National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook for August through November, which analyzes past wildfire weather and forecasts future risk and activity across the US. The outlook 

notes that the year-to-date burned acreage is approximately 160 percent above the 10-year average with more than 90 percent occurring in Alaska and in the South and Southwest regions of the US. Several areas of the country remain under Red Flag Warnings which indicate that unstable weather conditions increase the likelihood of producing and/or spreading fire activity.

Know Your Alerts and Warnings: Ready.gov

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges individuals to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves against these violent storms. An essential preparedness measure is to sign up in advance for your community’s emergency alerts and warnings and to pay close attention to local weather reports for real-time conditions. Ready.gov provides information on how to prepare for, survive during, and be safe after various extreme weather events.

The Hagerty Blog Team will continue providing information and updates on current events and disasters impacting the nation. Visit Disaster Discourse for the latest information.

RELATED STORIES

  • Remember, during a storm, it is important to follow the directions of your state and local officials. Ready.gov provides information on how to prepare for a storm and how to keep you and your family safe.
  • Understanding the meaning of hurricane maps – a NY Times Opinion Piece: Those Hurricane Maps Don’t Mean What You Think They Mean
  • Ready.gov provides information on how to prepare for wildfires and how to keep you and your family safe, including evacuation planning, preparing a go-bag, and staying up-to-date on warnings and notices.
  • FEMA America’s PrepareAthon: How to Prepare for a Wildfire.
  • The Los Angeles Times regularly updates tracking of California Wildfires: California Wildfires Map.
  • The National Fire Protection Association provides wildfire preparedness tips: link.
  • Marin County provides a wildfire evacuation checklist: link.

FEMA provides an informational video about how to be prepared for wildfires: link.

Extreme Weather impacts Millions across the US

WEDNESDAY JUNE 22, 2022 AS OF 1:30 PM EST

As the summer months continue, extreme weather consistently persists across the United States (US).

HEAT WAVE PROMPTS WARNINGS ACROSS US

Excessive heat and humidity continues to blanket the Plains and Midwest, and the weather is expected to expand east and reach the Southeast US by mid-week, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS). The NWS reported high temperatures throughout the Mississippi Valley toward the Southern Plains, stretching east into the Great Lakes and Deep South. Temperature anomalies in the Great Lakes are facing highs 15 to 25 degrees above normal. Daytime high temperatures are predicted to reach the triple digits by Wednesday, June 22. As a result of heat conditions, the NWS issued heat advisories for many locations across the country. The extreme heat noticeably increases the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for those working or staying outdoors. The NWS cautioned individuals to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun, remain in air-conditioned rooms, and check on relatives and neighbors.

Energy company Entergy, which provides power for 3 million customers throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, reported they anticipate to see the “highest energy usage by our customers that the company has ever seen” for the week ahead, following the high temperatures recorded throughout the county. Entergy cautioned they were working to ensure they have enough power for customers across the country to avoid any power disruptions.

NBC-affiliate Kare 11 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, reported the extreme heat has even caused two roads in the area to buckle over the past weekend: Highway 100 in Golden Valley and I-35E north of Rush City. The Minnesota Department of Transportation cautioned drivers to try and avoid driving over any potential road buckles or cracks, which could pose dangerous hazards for drivers.

NWS Weather Prediction Center: Twitter

Extreme heat conditions were responsible for at least 2,000 cattle deaths in southwest Kansas over the weekend of June 11, with National Public Radio (NPR) reporting the intense heat stress for cattle resulted in thousands of animal deaths. Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Communications Director Matt Lara told NPR the agency was aware of at least 2,000 cattle deaths as a result of the heat conditions that resulted in temperatures higher than 100 degrees, which made it “difficult for the cows to stay cool.” NPR suggested the actual number could be higher, as cattle ranches are not required to report the losses. According to the US Drought Monitor, the entirety of western Kansas is currently classified as abnormally dry or in a drought. 

CNN reported the heat dome has spread across the Plains and Midwest, with 70 percent of the US population experiencing temperatures in the 90s in the week of June 20, while 20 percent of citizens are anticipated to experience temperatures greater than 100 degrees. According to AccuWeather, the dome is a wall of heat that is moving over the southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley region, with temperatures reaching into the 90s and triple-digits within the core of the dome. Buildup from the heat can make urban areas uncomfortable in the evening, as paved, brick, and concrete surfaces release heat absorbed through the day during nighttime hours. The heat wave has been ongoing for two straight weeks. NPR noted that over 25 major cities tied or broke record-high temperatures on Saturday, June 11, due to a heatwave that stretched across most of the Southwestern US, enveloping roughly 53 million people under excessive heat warnings.

WILDFIRES FUELED BY EXTREME HEAT

Extreme heat waves and critically dry conditions continue to increase the risk for wildfire activity across the US. According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), 45 large fires are currently active across 10 states, burning more than 1.8 million acres. Alaska is experiencing the bulk of active fires, with 29 currently burning, while Arizona has six active fires and New Mexico is facing three. In its monthly seasonal outlook, the NIFC indicates the year-to-date total of acres burned within the US is approximately 112 percent above the 10-year average.

The Lime Complex, the largest fire burning in the US, currently spans over 484,720 acres of Southwest Alaska. According to Alaska Wildland Fire Information, the Lime Complex is a series of 18 lightning-caused wildfires (with response teams only staffed to handle four fires). Meanwhile, record-breaking temperatures and gusty winds have intensified fire conditions in western states. In New Mexico, NIFC InciWeb recorded that the Hermit’s Peak and Calf Canyon fire complex continues to impact areas east of Santa Fe. The complex has burned a total of 341,471 acres since early April, making it the state’s largest wildfire on record, and it is currently sitting at 72 percent containment. Forest Service law enforcement officers have arrested and charged a subject in connection with the wildfire for natural resource violations, according to InciWeb.

NWS Flagstaff: Twitter

FLOODING ACROSS YELLOWSTONE

An unexpected atmospheric river made landfall in the Pacific Northwest over the weekend of June 10 -12, leading to extreme flash flooding early last week in Yellowstone National Park. According to NOAA, atmospheric rivers are regions in the atmosphere that transport water vapor and generally release it as rain or snow once they reach land. This weather event produced heavy rainfall which, combined with rapid snowmelt from rising temperatures, caused rivers to swell and overflow their banks leading to intense flooding throughout the lower elevations in the park and surrounding towns. The Yellowstone River surpassed its historical high crest by more than two feet. 

Montana’s Governor, Greg Gianforte, declared a statewide disaster on Tuesday, June 14, and the National Park Service (NPS) closed all entrances to Yellowstone Park on Monday, June 13. More than 10,000 visitors were ordered to leave the park for their own safety, and about 100 people were airlifted to safety. Videos and photos taken by visitors show flood waters inundating areas and sweeping away entire buildings and sections of roads. Due to severe damage to roads, power lines, and other critical infrastructure, Yellowstone’s north loop will remain closed for an indefinite amount of time and the south loop will reopen on June 22.

Outside of Yellowstone, gateway towns, including Billings, the largest city in Montana, were also affected by the high flood waters. Rising rivers destroyed bridges, inundated homes, and impacted water infrastructure in surrounding towns. One town named Gardiner, located close to the border of Wyoming and Montana, was mostly spared damage from flood water; however, roads in and out of the small town were not leading to hundreds of residents and visitors to be stranded until Tuesday, June 14.

Yellowstone NPS: Twitter

Know Your Alerts and Warnings: Ready.gov

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges individuals to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves against these violent storms. An essential preparedness measure is to sign up in advance for your community’s emergency alerts and warnings and to pay close attention to local weather reports for real-time conditions. Ready.gov provides information on how to prepare for, survive during, and be safe after various extreme weather events.

The Hagerty Blog Team will continue providing information and updates on current events and disasters impacting the nation. Visit Disaster Discourse for the latest information.