A new report paints a deeply concerning picture about how fast Texans are experiencing more and worse heat and flooding disasters. UI researchers Matthew Preisser and Paola Passalacqua performed the analysis. It serves to emphasize the devastating effects that extreme weather events have caused in the last twenty years. These measures, among others, come as Texans residents and local leaders are more concerned than ever about climate change’s folded arms impacts. Our findings shed light on this growing concern.
Unfortunately, over the past two decades, Texas has suffered an outsized share of extreme weather events. The state has seen a significant uptick in both flooding and heat hazards, raising questions about preparedness and response measures. Between 2003 and 2020, Texas endured a staggering 2,517 days impacted by heat hazard events. This shocking number accounts for nearly 40% of all days during that period. This increase in temperature-related incidents has been cause for concern among researchers and policymakers.
Analysis of Heat Hazards
The study analyzed periods when wet-bulb globe temperature was measured above a critical health threshold of 30°C. Without ongoing mitigation, such conditions can lead to serious adverse health impacts, particularly among sensitive populations. In Texas, the researchers found that heat hazard events affected an incredible 253.2 million square km. This finding shows how widespread the impacts of these extreme temperatures can be.
Additionally, the study’s methodology was different than other, past multihazard studies that often focused on just heat waves. Additionally, Preisser and Passalacqua provided an excellent technical presentation, diving into how to efficiently analyze heat and flooding hazards. Specifically, they brought to light important details on how these two factors work together to exacerbate one another.
“Our analysis captures a more complete picture of the flooding and heat hazards that have affected Texas,” – Matthew Preisser
Increased Flooding Events
The findings from the Texas study revealed alarming heat dangers statewide. It observed that local or regional flash flooding events frequently go undetected by traditional satellite instruments. To do this, the researchers used daily precipitation data that is freely and readily available. Consequently, they found three times more flooding events than what existing databases like the Dartmouth Flood Observatory (DFO) and the NOAA Storm Events Database have recorded.
It’s through this method where the researchers were able to detect a much wider array of flooding events that likely would’ve otherwise gone unnoticed. These discoveries uncover an additional $320 million in non-market damages associated with the flood events. This has led to new demands for increased monitoring and improved mitigation measures.
“The increased damage costs highlight the urgent need for better flood management practices,” – Paola Passalacqua
Implications for Future Preparedness
As Texas navigates increasingly severe challenges brought on by a changing climate, the findings of this study have meaningful and inescapable impacts on Texans living in affected areas. Tropical Storm Cindy’s combination of daily heat hazards and inadequately documented flooding experiences emphasizes the need for better disaster preparedness plans. Local governments and emergency management agencies need to rethink their approaches to counter these double-edged threats.
In Preisser and Passalacqua’s research, one can see the urgent climate threats that Texas is experiencing right now. This data should serve as an alarm bell for advocates at all levels—local, state, and national—to get to work. Climate change will make extreme weather more frequent and intense. It’s more important than ever that we know these risks to both safeguard public health and our infrastructure.