Experts pitch high-tech weather fixes after deadly floods
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Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tropical disturbance threatens Gulf Coast as parts of Louisiana could see a foot of rain or more
A tropical disturbance is bringing heavy rain and the risk of flash floods to the northern Gulf Coast, triggering flood watches from Mississippi to southeast Texas, forecasters say. According to the National Weather Service, the broad area of low pressure is currently just south of Mississippi and drifting westward, with coastal Louisiana in its projected path. 'This system is forecast to continue moving westward across the northern portion of the Gulf through tonight, reaching the coast of Louisiana by Thursday,' the National Hurricane Center said in its latest forecast. How much rain could fall? The current forecast from the National Weather Service office in New Orleans calls for 2 to 4 inches of rain south of Interstate 10 through Saturday, with the potential for up to 8 inches or more in some areas. 'Ponding of water in low lying and poor drainage areas is likely,' the weather service said, with the potential for more significant flooding in low-lying areas 'if the higher end rainfall totals are realized.' Further west, up to 15 inches of rain is possible in parts of central, south central and southwest Louisiana through Saturday, the NWS office in Lake Charles warned. What are the chances of it intensifying? Low. According to the hurricane center, there is a 30% chance that the system will become a tropical depression. 'Some development could occur before the system moves westward into Louisiana later today or tonight, although the chances of the system developing into a tropical depression are low," the hurricane center said. "Regardless of development, heavy rainfall could produce localized flash flooding over portions of the north-central Gulf Coast through Friday.' How is hurricane season shaping up? The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1 and runs through the end of November, has gotten off to a relatively slow start. In May, forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted there would be 13 to 19 named storms, with six to 10 becoming hurricanes and three to five of those becoming major hurricanes (with winds of more than 110 mph). A typical hurricane season averages 14 named storms. So far, there have been three: Tropical Storms Andrea, Barry and Chantal. Solve the daily Crossword
Newsweek
12 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Warning Issued as Floods Threaten to 'Surround' Old School
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A creek in northeastern Kansas will surge roughly 18 feet on Thursday as heavy rain batters the region. At its peak, the creek is forecast to reach 20 feet, which is just shy of the level where it nearly surrounds the now-closed Easton grade school. Why It Matters The flood warning comes as heavy rain has battered parts of the U.S. throughout the first half of July. Over the Independence Day weekend, torrential rain lashed Central Texas, causing deadly floods that killed more than 100 people. Dangerous floods also inundated parts of New Mexico, the Northeast, and the Mid-Atlantic Flooding is the second-deadliest weather hazard in the U.S., behind extreme heat, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). What to Know Early Thursday morning, the NWS office in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, which includes the forecast area for parts of northeastern Kansas, extended a flood warning for Stranger Creek in Easton, Kansas. The flooded creek will affect Atchison and Leavenworth counties. A stock photo of heavy rain. A stock photo of heavy rain. FeelPic/Getty Stranger Creek began rising quickly at around 3 a.m. Thursday morning. As of 10 a.m. Eastern time, the river is at nearly 15 feet and still rising, according to water forecasts from the National Water Prediction Service. The forecasts anticipate the river will peak at around 20 feet by 8 p.m. on Thursday, which is in the moderate flood stage. The National Water Prediction Service describes moderate flood stage as "some inundation of structures and roads near stream, evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations." For Stranger Creek, at 20 feet, "all roads out of Easton except for highway 192 west of 231st street in Easton are closed," the flood warning said. At this level, water also covers Millwood Road 3 miles north of Easton, where the water is 6 inches deep across the eastbound lane. If the creek rises another 1.5 feet, further impacts are expected, including the near-surrounding of the former Easton grade school. "At 21.5 feet, Most of Easton east of 231st Street floods. A campground in Easton floods. Several homes experience water on the first floor," the flood warning said. "Water nearly surrounds but does not enter the former Easton grade school." According to Legends of Kansas, the "old Easton Grade School is a one-story pink brick building with metal trim and an overhang over the west façade. It has glass block windows on the west façade, a concrete addition on the south, and a wood addition on the north. The foundation was damaged in the 1993 flood, and the school closed. It is privately owned today. Located at 120 N. 1st Street, it is mainly obscured by trees." NWS service hydrologist Scott Watson told Newsweek that the NWS is "more confident" that the creek will stay below the level of 21.5 feet, although the flood information is included as a precaution. He added that there won't be any renewed rises of the creek after it crests overnight. "It does get into moderate flood quite often," he said. "This is a site that typically floods." What People Are Saying NWS Pleasant Hill in a flood warning: "Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas." NWS Pleasant Hill in a hazardous weather outlook: "Areas of heavy rain early this morning. Several inches of rain possible from the KC area eastward along and south of Highway 36. Flash flooding will continue to be a threat through the morning hours. Rain may continue into the afternoon south of Highway 50." What Happens Next National Water Prediction Service forecasts anticipate the river will peak at around 8 p.m. Thursday. Water levels are then expected to fall below flood stage by Friday morning. However, the levels will remain in action stage, in which XXX, until Friday night.
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Former pro baseball player dies trying to save swimmers off South Carolina
A former professional baseball player and father of three died while trying to save swimmers from a rip current off the coast of South Carolina on Sunday, authorities said. Chase Childers, who was briefly signed by the Baltimore Orioles, entered the water around 4:45 p.m. to help a group of four or five swimmers as they struggled against the current off Pawleys Island, a coastal town roughly 45 minutes south of Myrtle Beach by car, according to the Pawleys Island Police Department. "He died trying to save others," the police department said of Childers, who had gone into the ocean with another person. Childers was the only swimmer missing when authorities arrived at the scene, according to police. Around 6:15 p.m., after a search by officers, fire officials and members of the U.S. Coast Guard, his body was recovered. Childers was a Major League Baseball player drafted to the Baltimore Orioles in 2009, according to the league. He went on to play minor league baseball before later serving for several years as a police officer in Cobb County, Georgia, according to a GoFundMe campaign created to support Childers' family. Rip currents are powerful channels of water that flow rapidly and are often seen along all coasts of the United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration writes on its website, noting that these currents can move at speeds of up to 8 feet per second. Swimmers risk drowning when they fight against rip currents while trying to return to shore, according to NOAA. The National Weather Service warns that they are the deadliest and most common hazard swimmers face in waters off North and South Carolina. "The Town is saddened by the report of the drowning over the weekend. We pray for the family members and offer our condolences," wrote Pawleys Island Mayor Brian Henry in a social media post, acknowledging reports that suggested a rip current caused the drowning. He said the town "urges caution when entering the water at any time and alertness of the ocean's currents, particularly during high surf." A town council in Pawleys Island will evaluate ways to reduce the risks of future drownings, including by educating tourists about rip currents and the potential threats they pose, Henry added. "While Pawleys Island beaches are consistently rated as some of the best on the entire East Coast, we would like them to be known as the safest as well," he added. Son of man who was violently detained by ICE reacts after release Mike Johnson breaks from Trump, calls on DOJ to release Epstein files 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits southern Alaska Solve the daily Crossword
