A state of emergency was declared in New York on Sept. 2 following the torrential rainfall and heavy flooding in many parts of the Northeast last night. At least 10 deaths have been reported across Maryland, New Jersey and New York as a result of the flooding.
Can we expect to see more of this type of devastating weather as climate concerns grow?
Tripti Bhattacharya is Thonis Family Professor: Paleoclimate Dynamics and assistant professor of earth and environmental sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on understanding the sensitivity of regional rainfall to global climate change. Her research was also cited in the recent landmark United Nations IPCC climate change report.
Professor Bhattacharya says:
“The flooding in New York City and surrounding areas is shocking to see – and it comes on the heels of the devastation from Ida on the Gulf Coast, and massive fires in the western U.S.
“All these events are unfortunately exactly what we expect to see as a result of climate change. A warmer atmosphere that holds more moisture promotes greater extremes of droughts and flooding.”
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