Flooding and Global Warming
If you've been following our blog for the past couple weeks, you know that we've been addressing the issue of global warming. When you think of global warming, flooding probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. However, global warming is partly to blame for the increase in major flooding events in the United States. Keep reading to learn how flooding and global warming may have more in common than you thought.
Warmer air can hold more moisture. Therefore, due to global warming, heavier precipitation is expected in the years to come. As average temperatures across regions of the country increase, more rain has fallen during the heaviest downpours. Very heavy precipitation events, which is defined as the heaviest 1%, now drop 67% more precipitation in the Northeast, 31% more in the Midwest and 15% more in the Great Plains than they did 50 years ago. While single storms can't be attributed to global warming, the changing climate conditions are partially responsible for these trends. While it may seem impossible for global warming to cause both flooding and drought, keep in mind that drought is the measure of annual precipitation and not the intensity of precipitation events.
Recent decades have brought more heavy rainfalls, and along with it an increased likelihood of devastating floods. Big storms that used to hit the Midwest and Northeast only once like every 20 years are now being seen as much as every 4 to 6 years. In addition, shifts in snowfall patterns, the earlier onset of spring and river-ice melting may all exacerbate flooding risks. Municipalities that are vulnerable to heavy precipitation should expect more flooding, and create a flood mitigation plan. Coastal areas and riverfront communities in particular, should be prepared for increased flooding in the very near future.
Now is the time to address these issues and be prepared for future flooding events. Creating a flood mitigation plan, one that includes readily available flood protection, is the first step in flood preparation. Big Bags USA® flood barriers provide lightening fast flood protection at a fraction of the cost associated with rapid deployed systems. Our flood barrier systems are 200 times faster to deploy than traditional sandbag walls, and they use half the amount of sand used in a sandbag wall built to the same height. For more information about adding Big Bags USA® to the flood mitigation plan for your community, give us a call at 1-800-337-0537 or visit our website.
Increased Heavy Rainfall
Warmer air can hold more moisture. Therefore, due to global warming, heavier precipitation is expected in the years to come. As average temperatures across regions of the country increase, more rain has fallen during the heaviest downpours. Very heavy precipitation events, which is defined as the heaviest 1%, now drop 67% more precipitation in the Northeast, 31% more in the Midwest and 15% more in the Great Plains than they did 50 years ago. While single storms can't be attributed to global warming, the changing climate conditions are partially responsible for these trends. While it may seem impossible for global warming to cause both flooding and drought, keep in mind that drought is the measure of annual precipitation and not the intensity of precipitation events.
Flooding Risks
Recent decades have brought more heavy rainfalls, and along with it an increased likelihood of devastating floods. Big storms that used to hit the Midwest and Northeast only once like every 20 years are now being seen as much as every 4 to 6 years. In addition, shifts in snowfall patterns, the earlier onset of spring and river-ice melting may all exacerbate flooding risks. Municipalities that are vulnerable to heavy precipitation should expect more flooding, and create a flood mitigation plan. Coastal areas and riverfront communities in particular, should be prepared for increased flooding in the very near future.
Flood Mitigation
Now is the time to address these issues and be prepared for future flooding events. Creating a flood mitigation plan, one that includes readily available flood protection, is the first step in flood preparation. Big Bags USA® flood barriers provide lightening fast flood protection at a fraction of the cost associated with rapid deployed systems. Our flood barrier systems are 200 times faster to deploy than traditional sandbag walls, and they use half the amount of sand used in a sandbag wall built to the same height. For more information about adding Big Bags USA® to the flood mitigation plan for your community, give us a call at 1-800-337-0537 or visit our website.
MADE IN THE USA ~ 100% Manufactured in Missouri ~ BUY AMERICAN
MADE IN THE USA ~ 100% Manufactured in Missouri ~ BUY AMERICAN
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