PBS Terra wonders 'Historic Megaflood Reveals Major Risk... in the United States' Driest Region?'

I examined floods and drought happening together last August, but Comedy Central UK blocked the video in the U.S. Phooey! So I'm re-examining the topic with a video I'm more confident will remain available, PBS Terra asking Historic Megaflood Reveals Major Risk... in the United States' Driest Region?.*

Massive floods have been sweeping the globe lately. British Columbia flood of 2021, Pakistan flood of 2022, Hurricane Ian, New Zealand, Las Vegas, Kentucky, Yellowstone National Park flood, and floods in California are all recent examples of such tragic flooding. And many are blaming climate change. But at the same time, we’re also seeing record lows in rivers and reservoirs all around the world. So what’s really going on here? Is the answer Hadley Cells changing? Is it the moisture capacity of the atmosphere?

In this episode, we try to get to the bottom of this paradox and unravel the role that climate change is truly playing in our increasingly erratic weather and precipitation patterns. We also look at large climatological elements like atmospheric rivers and Hadley cells to see the roles they are playing in these changes. And we look back on the worst flood to ever hit the United States to see what we can learn about our future – the Great Flood of 1862 that submerged much of California, at one point creating a 500 mile lake between Bakersfield and Redding. The California Mega Flood and of course the Las Vegas Flood in 2022.

Not only does this tie into PBS Terra's 'Weathered' examines how the wandering jet stream is making extreme weather worse, which I posted a year ago, but also How do we cope with more floods? Here's what happens when the dam breaks, which the video above recommended.

Each year, flooding kills around 100 Americans and displaces some 75,000 from their homes. And as sea levels rise, storms dump more and more rain, and dams and levees continue aging and increasingly failing, the cost of flooding is increasing in communities all across the country. A recent study shows that, between 1988 and 2017, the average annual cost of flooding in the United States rose by $2.5 billion due to the intensification of precipitation alone. So what do we do?

Well, it’s not an easy question to answer. But there are many innovative solutions that communities are taking, from creating multi-use public green spaces such as parks and football fields that can absorb excess water, to restoring and preserving wetlands. In this episode of Weathered, we also explore cost-effective solutions that you can take to harden your home if you live in a flood prone area.

I wrote "This is another story about weather meeting neglected infrastructure, although I could make a case of it being climate" in Michigan flooded while Trump tweeted then refused to wear a mask on camera. I never got around to it, but PBS Terra did it for me. Thank you!

Atmospheric rivers and the floods they can cause aren't just a future threat; they're happening now, as Global News reported in California storms: Forecasters predict atmospheric river will bring “parade” of cyclones.

California is in the grip of a series of dangerous storms, after a week of deadly weather. Some parts of the state saw heavy rain, leading to widespread flooding and landslides, while others were buried in snow.

First responders have had to save several people from quickly rising flood waters, as hundreds of roads transformed into rivers and high winds have torn down structures. Millions have been affected, and it isn't over yet.

Forecasters are warning another atmospheric river of moisture will hit California Monday, bringing what they call a "relentless parade of cyclones" over the next few days.

Global’s Jennifer Johnson has the latest.

Yikes! Stay safe and dry out there!

*I'm working on the second half of 'Abbott Elementary' leads Golden Globes TV nominees with five nominations, so stay tuned.