CLIMATE CRISIS
Devastating storms define Appalachia’s 2024 climate
East Tennessee State University
image:
Dr. Andrew Joyner, in a yellow safety vest and cap stands on the bank of a river in East Tennessee, observing debris and downed trees following Hurricane Helene.
view moreCredit: ETSU/Steven May
After a year of weather extremes that brought everything from deadly floods to bitter cold, experts at East Tennessee State University have released a detailed analysis of the region’s 2024 weather patterns.
Their findings highlight both record-breaking temperatures and catastrophic storms – underscoring the growing need for preparedness as communities face unpredictable conditions.
The report, published by Tennessee’s Climate Office housed at ETSU, details how Southern Appalachia endured scorching heat and devastating floods, including the tragic September storm linked to remnants of Hurricane Helene. That flood claimed more than a dozen lives and left key highways like I-40 and I-26 closed for weeks.
“From record heat to heartbreaking losses from flooding, 2024 tested the resilience of our communities,” said Dr. Andrew Joyner, Tennessee’s state climatologist and a faculty member in the ETSU Department of Geosciences. “It was a year that reinforced the need for communities to have detailed plans in place in response to extreme weather.”
Weather extremes
The Tri-Cities area experienced its hottest year on record, with Knoxville and Chattanooga close behind. Meanwhile, a January cold snap plunged East Tennessee into sub-zero wind chills and heavy snow, leading to widespread closures and at least 36 weather-related deaths across the state.
Then came the dry months.
By summer, parched farmland and dwindling water supplies forced some communities to enact conservation measures. Farmers reported stressed cattle and crop losses as creeks and ponds ran low.
Helene
But nothing compared to the devastation of September.
When remnants of Hurricane Helene collided with a stalled front, the result was catastrophic flooding. The Pigeon River at Newport crested higher than ever recorded, while the Nolichucky River washed away bridges and submerged entire neighborhoods and farmlands.
Joyner and his team offered a detailed analysis of what made the storm so severe.
“Floodwaters rose faster than many had ever seen,” Joyner said. “Lives were lost. Homes were destroyed. It was a reminder that extreme weather can arrive with little warning and devastating speed.”
While overall precipitation in Tennessee ended near average, the analysis shows East Tennessee remained drier than usual. Snowfall was also below average in much of the region’s higher elevations.
Preparation
These patterns are part of an ongoing trend that requires attention and adaptation, Joyner said.
Last year, Tennessee’s Climate Office became one of only nine sites nationwide to receive federal pilot funding aimed at helping communities better understand and respond to long-term weather vulnerabilities.
“We need to be prepared for more extremes, both wet and dry,” said Joyner. “Our work at ETSU and Tennessee’s Climate Office helps communities access the data and tools they need to build resilience against future weather disasters.”
New study links dust storms to increased emergency department visits in the U.S. Southwest
National Jewish Health
DENVER - A new research study highlights the significant health risks associated with dust storms, revealing an increase in emergency department (ED) visits for respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, as well as motor vehicle accidents, in three Southwestern U.S. states. The study, which was led at National Jewish Health was published this month in JAMA Network Open.
Researchers at National Jewish Health, Emory University and the University of Colorado analyzed over 33,500 ED visits across Arizona, California and Utah from 2005 to 2018. The findings indicate that dust storms are associated with a heightened risk of asthma, culture-negative pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and motor vehicle accident admissions on the day of the storm or the days immediately following. The findings support the growing body of evidence that dust storms are dangerous, not only for drivers but also for people with chronic health conditions.
“Dust storms are expected to become more frequent due to climate change, so it’s crucial that we understand their immediate and long-term health impacts,” said James Crooks, PhD, associate professor at National Jewish Health and senior author on the study. “Our study provides important data for public health officials to develop strategies aimed at reducing dust storm-related health risks.”
Key findings of the study include:
- A 6% increase in ED visits for asthma in the two days following a dust storm.
- A 6% rise in ED visits for culture-negative pneumonia and congestive heart failure in the week following a storm.
- A 13% increase in motor vehicle accidents on the day of a dust storm.
The study, which utilized National Weather Service storm reports and patient-level ED records, emphasizes the need for improved warning systems and public awareness initiatives to mitigate dust storm-related health impacts.
“Given the expected rise in dust storms, policymakers and health officials must take proactive measures to safeguard vulnerable populations,” said Dr. Crooks.
The research was supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
National Jewish Health is the leading respiratory hospital in the nation. Founded in 1899 as a nonprofit hospital, National Jewish Health today is the only facility in the world dedicated exclusively to groundbreaking medical research and treatment of children and adults with respiratory, cardiac, immune, and related disorders. Patients and families come to National Jewish Health from around the world to receive cutting-edge, comprehensive, coordinated care. To learn more, visit the media resources page.
Journal
JAMA Network Open
Method of Research
Data/statistical analysis
Subject of Research
People
Article Title
Dust Storms and Emergency Department Visits in 3 Southwestern States Using NWS Storm Reports
No comments:
Post a Comment