Florida is facing weather and climate risks. Here's a look at some
This collection of stories highlights the challenges Florida faces with escalating climate risks and extreme weather events.
One article discusses Miami's native trees, emphasizing the risk from rising temperatures and the shift toward possibly planting more exotic species. Another story covers the impact of funding cuts on flood control projects in South Florida, stressing the need for alternative financial resources.
A third article questions preparedness for monster hurricanes like Helene and Milton, underscoring the lack of flood insurance coverage and the necessity for better disaster resilience.
Read the stories below.
Belongings stacked in front of a flood-destroyed home in Bradenton Beach after Hurricane Helene on Oct. 2, 2024. By Tiffany Tompkins
NO. 1: ARE WE READY FOR MONSTER HURRICANES LIKE HELENE AND MILTON? NOT REALLY | OPINION
This year's hurricane season, which ends Nov. 30, is on track to exceed NOAA's above-normal activity predictions | Opinion | Published November 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Chris Brown
Kenneth Feeley, UM biology professor and Director of the Gifford Arboretum Department of Biology, measures a tree on campus. His research found that more than half of Miami's trees will be stressed by rising temperatures. By Ashley Miznazi
NO. 2: ABOUT HALF OF MIAMI'S NATIVE TREES AT RISK FROM RISING TEMPS. WHAT SHOULD WE PLANT NOW?
'Unfortunately many trees will be lost and that's a consequence of modern climate change' | Published December 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Ashley Miznazi
Robert Husted walks through the flood waters surrounding his neighborhood with his dogs, Michael and Mi'Lady, at right, in North Miami, Fla., on Thursday. The state and multiple cities declared a state of emergency as floodwater poured into homes and businesses, stopped traffic on Interstate 95 and froze travel from both major airports. By Al Diaz
NO. 3: MILLIONS IN SOUTH FLORIDA FLOOD-CONTROL PROJECTS ON HOLD AFTER TRUMP FEMA CUTS
On the chopping block: projects in Miami, Key West and Broward. | Published April 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alex Harris
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
What To Do In A Flood, Before, During And After
Flash floods can be deadly and damaging surges of water that occur quickly, with rapid rises in streams, creeks, rivers, or urban areas. In July 2025, we've seen the deadliest U.S. rainfall flash flood since 1976 along the Guadalupe River in Texas, followed by more destructive, killer flooding in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Over the past 30 years, floods have been the nation's second biggest weather killer behind only heat. But floods don't have to kill you. Here are some tips to keep you safe before, during and after a flash flood. Much of this involves having a plan, awareness of the forecast, the ability to receive watches and warnings, and acting quickly. - While any area where extreme rainfall occurs can flood, find out if you live in a floodplain or other area more susceptible to flooding through FEMA's flood maps. You could also ask people who have lived in your area for a while whether and how often flooding previously occurred. - If you're camping or hiking, be aware of the potential for flash flooding, even in normally placid creeks, streams and rivers and especially in higher terrain. - In either of these situations, figure out how to leave your area quickly in case of a flash flood. If camping or hiking, that may require you to climb higher, and not necessarily on marked trails. - Make sure you have multiple ways of receiving National Weather Service flood watches and warnings, including from your smartphone, NOAA weather radio, or from local media. - If your area is in a flood watch, know that flooding could occur any time the watch is in effect. Monitor closely for any National Weather Service flood or flash flood warnings. - When a warning is issued, avoid unnecessary travel unless an evacuation is needed. - Never drive through flooded roads or around barriers put up in front of a section of road closed from flooding. Moving water can float and carry away a vehicle, trapping you inside. - If a flash flood emergency is issued for your area, move to higher ground immediately. - Stay out of flood water. Only 6 inches of flowing water can knock you down. - Wait for the all clear from local authorities before entering an area previously or still flooded. - Avoid exposure to any lingering flood water. It could also contain chemicals and toxins, snakes, insects and could mask sharp objects or other debris that could lead to injury. - You may have to boil water for some time. Check with your local water authority. - Never use a portable generator inside your home or garage, due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Jonathan Erdman is a senior meteorologist at and has been covering national and international weather since 1996. Extreme and bizarre weather are his favorite topics. Reach out to him on Bluesky, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
.png&w=3840&q=100)
Miami Herald
3 hours ago
- Miami Herald
A little more rain for Florida as tropical system crosses the state
The odds have increased that a tropical depression will form in the Gulf this week, but first, the tropical system has to cross Florida and dump even more rain on the state. On Tuesday morning, the National Hurricane Center upped the chances of development to 40% in the next two to seven days. Forecasters expect the ragged-looking tropical system to sweep over the center of Florida on Tuesday — bringing rainstorms, some heavy — before entering the Gulf on Wednesday. Unlike Monday, which was a deluge for South Florida, today's tropical-system-related rain is expected to be more concentrated in the center of the state. The Miami office of the National Weather Service predicts South Florida could see around 1 inch of rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, not enough for any severe flooding. 'Can't completely rule out the chance that an isolated location or two could receive enough rainfall in a short time to observe flooding on roadways or in poor drainage areas, but that is likely to be a reasonable worst case scenario,' forecasters wrote Monday. Later Tuesday and early Wednesday, the system should be fully in the warm, storm-friendly waters of the Gulf. From there, forecasters expect it to develop into at least a tropical depression, and potentially a tropical storm. Early computer models continue to suggest the would-be storm could hug the coast and make landfall somewhere near Louisiana as a lower-category tropical storm bearing heavy, potentially flood-inducing rains. Early predictions from NOAA's Weather Prediction Center suggest that some spots on the northern Gulf coast could see flash flood conditions mid-week. The next name on the storm list is Dexter.
USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
Storm tracker: Tropical depression could soon form in the Gulf, bring heavy rain
The National Hurricane Center said on Tuesday, July 15, it is continuing to track a trough of low pressure located off the Atlantic coast of Florida that is "gradually becoming better defined." The system, now designated as Invest 93L, is forecast to move west across the Florida Peninsula Tuesday, then reach the northeastern Gulf by the middle part of this week, hurricane forecasters said. The NHC said environmental conditions appear generally favorable for additional development and that a tropical depression could form by the middle to latter part of this week as the system moves across the northeastern and north-central Gulf. "Regardless of development, heavy rainfall could produce localized flash flooding over portions of Florida through mid-week," the hurricane center said, adding that portions of the north-central Gulf Coast could also see flash flooding during the middle to latter portions of this week. The system currently has a 40% chance for tropical development over the next seven days and a 40% chance over the next 48 hours. Atlantic storm tracker This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. Spaghetti models for Invest 93L Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts. How do hurricanes form? Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression. A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 miles per hour. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane. Prepare now for hurricanes Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it's too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends. Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@
