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Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
A tiny California city prone to tsunamis saw the highest waves in continental US after quake
Pacific Tsunami Crescent City SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A small California coastal city near the border with Oregon that has recorded dozens of tsunamis, including one that killed 11 people more than 60 years ago, saw little damage Wednesday as locals returned to their routines amid sunny skies in the town known as a tsunami magnet. Crescent City recorded waves of up to 4 feet (1.22 meters) early Wednesday — the highest recorded anywhere in the continental United States following an 8.8-magnitude earthquake centered off the coast of Russia's Far East hours earlier. Still, those were far smaller than the 21-foot (6.40 meters) waves caused by the deadly 1964 tsunami. This time, no one was injured in the city of 6,600 and there was no major flooding, with downtown open later Wednesday morning. A dock at the city's harbor was damaged, and officials warned people to stay away from beaches and waterways. 'A lot of people who aren't from here did evacuate. But they ended up coming right back because nothing happened,' said Rose Renee, who works at Oceanfront Lodge that looks out at the famed Battery Point Lighthouse. A surge of water lifted the dock off its pilings around 2:40 a.m., eventually submerging it, Harbormaster Mike Rademaker said at a news briefing. The dock was engineered to disrupt the waves' force before they reach the inner harbor and appears to have functioned as intended, he said. City has been tsunami magnet for centuries Crescent City is highly susceptible to tsunamis because of an underwater ridge, just offshore, known as the Mendocino Fracture Zone. The ridge funnels tsunamis into deeper water where they pick up speed before they hit the town. Forty-one tsunamis have been observed or recorded since the first tide gauge was installed in Crescent City in 1933. The oral history of local native peoples, geologic evidence and the written records of people elsewhere in the Pacific Rim suggest that tsunamis have battered this shoreline for centuries, according to city records. The 1964 event, considered the worst tsunami disaster recorded in the United States, began with a 9.2 magnitude earthquake in Alaska, according to the Crescent City website. Three small waves caused little damage, but then a big wave — nearly 21 feet (6.40 meters) — devastated 29 city blocks. The quake caused 15 deaths, and the ensuing tsunami caused 124 deaths: 106 in Alaska, 13 in California and 5 in Oregon, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Centers for Environmental Information. Crescent City rebuilt downtown, and today a walking tour highlights high-water marks posted on surviving buildings, objects pushed by waves and memorials to those who died. A tsunami caused by the March 2011 earthquake in Japan killed one person in Crescent City and damaged the harbor. Max Blair, a volunteer at the Del Norte Historical Society, which manages the town's museum and historic lighthouse, said locals have tsunami drills at least once a year. When there is danger of one, cellphone notifications go out and the tsunami sirens in the town sound warnings. Resident then turn to KCRE radio for information, Blair said. If ordered to evacuate, people move to higher ground, normally the town's Walmart about 2 miles (3.22 kilometers) from the shore. 'We evacuate if it's forecast to be a big wave. But the first wave was coming in at low tide and it was only a couple feet, so we just have to stay away from the beach,' Blair said. The city's website warns that a tsunami could happen anytime. Since most of downtown is in the tsunami run-up zone, if there were a near-shore earthquake, people would only have minutes to reach safety. Thirty-two tsunamis have been observed in the city since 1933, including five that caused damage. It is still not safe to head to the beach The greatest impact from the tsunami event along the coast Wednesday morning was around Crescent City with strong tidal swings, including up to 4-foot waves, according to James White, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Eureka office. Officials stressed that conditions may be improving, but it wasn't yet safe to head to the beach on Wednesday. There were still dramatic tide fluctuations that must carry high currents, the city manager said. 'It seems like whenever we have these events, it's also time that we lose someone just because they're in the wrong place and they get caught off-guard, and then they're swept out,' Weir said. ___ Brumfield reported from Cockeysville, Maryland.
Daily Record
a day ago
- Climate
- Daily Record
When was the last time a tsunami hit US as 8.7-magnitude earthquake triggers warnings?
Hawaii residents have been evacuated from homes in coastal areas due to fears of a tsunami, while there is also concern for locations such as San Francisco in the US We often equate tsunamis with southeast Asia and countries across the Indian Ocean. But to hear that significant waves are approaching parts of the iconic US west coast may be surprising, albeit equally as alarming. On Wednesday morning, July 30, a tsunami struck the coastal regions of Russia and Japan following an earthquake measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale, prompting alerts across America's west coast. Two million individuals have been evacuated throughout Japan, with warnings in place for other parts of the country's east coast and the entire US west coast after the quake - the strongest recorded globally since 2011. The National Tsunami Warning Centre, based in Alaska, issued a tsunami warning for parts of the Alaska Aleutian Islands and a watch for sections of the west coast, including California, Oregon and Washington, as well as Hawaii. Well, it wasn't long ago that huge waves charged towards the US coastline. On July 29, 2021, a 8.2-magnitude earthquake hit southeast Perryville, Alaska, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. Striking the south of the Alaska Peninsula at 06:15am local time, the earthquake sparked a "small tsunami" but one that was still the largest in the US since the February 1965 earthquake in a similar spot. The year before, the 1964 Alaska earthquake, also known as the Great Alaska earthquake, was 9.2 in magnitude. The ensuing tsunami caused 139 deaths and $400 million in property loss. The 2021 earthquake was very close to two other major Alaska earthquake sites - approximately 62 km from the July 2020 7.8-magnitutde earthquake and 145 km from the October 2020 7.6-magnitude earthquake. The tsunami was seen at Alaskan, Hawaiian, and US West Coast tide gauge stations. Before that, a huge line of severe thunderstorms raced through parts of the northeast on May 15, 2018, as per the US Tsunami Warning System. The storm system stretched 470 miles from western Pennsylvania to southern New England to Maryland and persisted over approximately eight hours, beginning around midday and continuing through early evening. The powerful storm caused extensive wind damage, hail, and also produced nine tornadoes in Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania. As the storm moved across Connecticut and Long Island, waves were observed locally on the tide gauges in Long Island Sound. The storm also generated a small meteotsunami off the Long Island/New Jersey coastline, a large wave, similar to a tsunami, but caused by weather disturbances rather than seismic activity like earthquakes. The storm then moved south across Maryland and Southern New Jersey with waves spotted on the tide gauges in Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the US. Alaska may be baring the brunt of the elements again, but Hawaii will not be immune to some impact, either. On Wednesday, waves less than 30 centimetres above tide levels were seen in the Alaskan communities of Amchitka and Adak, according to Dave Snider, tsunami warning coordinator at the National Tsunami Warning Centre in Alaska. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre also warned that surges of one to three metres above normal tide levels could affect certain coastal regions of Hawaii, Chile, Japan and the Solomon Islands. "Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property," the warning stated.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Is It Safe to Exercise Outside Today? This Chart Can Help You Decide
If this summer feels super warm to you, that's probably because it is. Crazy-high temperatures in a lot of the country are the new normal, thanks largely to climate change. In fact, June 2025, was the third-warmest since record-keeping began in 1850, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. The period from January to June 2025 was the second-hottest first half of the year ever. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like these high temps are going to go down any time soon. In May, the World Meteorological Organization issued a statement saying that temperatures are expected to stay at or near record levels for the next five years. The heat is not just uncomfortable — it can be downright dangerous. The most recent figures show that heat-related illnesses contribute to more than 1,000 Americans every year, according to the EPA. In some instances, heat stroke may kill someone and in other cases, certain existing conditions may be exacerbated by the high temperature. What that means to folks who stay fit by walking, running, biking, playing pickleball or doing anything else under the sun: a greater chance of being hit by heat exhaustion or one of the more serious health calamities brought on by high temperatures, says Elizabeth Gardner, M.D., a sports medicine expert and an associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine. 'It certainly is a paradigm shift, but this is where we're at,' says Dr. Gardner, of the fact that we all have to do more to guard against heat exhaustion, heat stroke and other issues, even if we're used to working out in warm climates. How hot is too hot to work out? Google that question, and you'll get a big '90°F' up at the top of the search results, but that's just an estimate and only part of the story. 'The problem with that number is that it doesn't take into account the other factors that affect your body's perception and experience with heat,' says Dr. Gardner. 'We all know that 90° temperatures and 90% humidity in Connecticut or the Bahamas is not the same as 90° in Arizona with dry heat. It feels different, and the body is being stressed in different ways.'You can reference the Heat index from the National Weather Service above, which combines the humidity with the temperature to give what the temperature feels like for your body. For instance, if the temperature is 90°F and the humidity is 70, you've entered the dangerous zone of 105°F, which means you may be susceptible to heat-related illnesses. You can also use its calculator to help you. But if the only info you have is the temperature, 80° to 90°F is the be-extra-careful zone, says Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.S.O., C.D.N., NASM-CPT, the Good Housekeeping Institute's Nutrition Lab Director, who is also a personal trainer. 'There are a lot of variables, so it's hard to pin it down to just a number.' Other factors to consider The humidity Why? Because sweating is the main way your body cools itself down when you expend energy. If the air contains a lot of moisture — i.e., if it's humid — the sweat doesn't evaporate as quickly (or at all) and you don't cool down. 'You just keep sweating and getting dehydrated, and you're still not able to get rid of the heat,' says Dr. Gardner. And low humidity is differently tricky — your sweat evaporates quickly, which means you cool down quicker, which is good. 'But in dry heat the sweat evaporates so quickly that you don't even notice it, which means you don't see the telltale sign that you need to hydrate,' says Sassos. You can, in fact, get dehydrated really easily in dry heat (or when you're swimming), even if you don't seem to sweat. The heat index (which factors in heat and humidity) or the 'feels like' temperature on your phone's weather app is an at-a-glance way to get a better idea of what it will feel like outside, though sports medicine health professionals use the 'wet bulb' gauge, which also takes into account wind speed and cloud cover. Your fitness level It is true that people who are in better cardiovascular shape tend to be able to withstand exercise in the heat better than those who are just starting out, Dr. Gardner says, but that, too, only goes so far. 'You can have someone who is very fit at running on the treadmill in air conditioning at the gym, and she does the same workout, or even less, in a very different temperature or with different humidity conditions, and that same person can be at risk for heat illness,' she says. 'Your body is used to handling that physiologic muscle stress, but you haven't had to incorporate the thermo-regulatory effect in the same way.' In other words, the system that works at cooling you down when you expend energy may not be as 'in shape' as your heart and lungs and muscles. Your age Children and people 65 or older are at greater risk for heat illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your overall health 'People who have an underlying medical condition or a current illness, their bodies are not as equipped to handle more stress in general,' says Dr. Gardner. Day-to-day factors These include how tired you are, whether you're stressed out, if you've eaten well and have taken in enough water in the last 24 hours or whether you had too much alcohol to drink last night. 'We all can feel different on a daily basis, so the things that affect how you wake up feeling in the morning can really affect your body's physiology,' says Dr. Gardner. 'You are in your same human body, in the same physical shape from day to day, but that doesn't mean your body is able to respond to the stress brought on by the heat equivalently day to day.'Follow these steps to stay safe in the heat: Trust your body. 'If you go outside, and it just feels borderline uncomfortable, you should say 'I'm just going to do a light workout' or go indoors,' says Sassos. Think about your body's ability to handle stress that day. Things like if you're tired, under the weather, didn't sleep well or are a little hungover all affect how well your body will handle the heat that particular day. 'You want to leave a little in the tank to live to fight another day — there's always tomorrow,' she says. 'That's not to say you should trade your sprint workout in 100° weather for sitting on the couch, but there are lots of other ways to get the benefits of working out.' Think: Indoor cardio, Crossfit or yoga (not the hot kind) or go for a swim. Work out early in the morning or in the evening. This is when it tends to be cooler. 'Avoid the middle of the day,' says Sassos. Wear wicking clothes. Lightweight performance clothes designed for sports in hot weather are key, along with a hat, shades and sun protection. 'Don't go in your old college t-shirt, which has zero wicking capacity,' says Sassos. But be aware: 'Not all fabrics that claim to be moisture wicking actually are,' says Lexie Sachs, the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab executive director. 'My trick is to take a drop of water and place it on the inside of the fabric — the part that touches your skin. You should see that drop spread out wide quickly. If it beads up or doesn't spread, then it won't manage your sweat well.' Hydrate before, during and after your workout. 'Obviously, after is crucial, but try to bring a bottle with you,' says Sassos. If it's super hot, or you're exercising for more than an hour, sip an electrolyte drink. Don't push it. 'In high heat, try taking it a little easier, really gauging how your body feels and being okay with turning back a little sooner,' says Dr. Gardner. Know the signs of heat illness. If you don't feel right, stop and get someplace where you can rest, hydrate and cool down, says Sassos. The warning signs of heat exhaustion include the following, according to the : Heavy sweating Paleness Muscle cramps Tiredness Weakness Dizziness Headache Nausea or vomiting Fainting Untreated heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, which can lead to permanent disability or death if not treated quickly. If you see someone with these signs, call 911 and move the person to a shady area and try to bring their temperature down as quickly as are some of the warning signs of heat stroke: A body temperature above 103°F Red, hot, and dry skin that isn't sweating A Rapid, strong pulse Throbbing headache Dizziness Nausea Confusion Unconsciousness Bottom line Heat illness is no joke, so pay attention to your body and be open to working out indoors if need be. You Might Also Like 67 Best Gifts for Women That'll Make Her Smile The Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper
Miami Herald
02-07-2025
- Climate
- Miami Herald
Map Shows Where Natural Disasters Threaten US Homeowners
Homeowners in Louisiana are expected to face the highest financial losses from severe weather and natural hazards in the entire nation in an average year, according to a new study by Insurify, at an estimated annual loss of $547 per person. That is over $100 more than the projected annual cost faced by the second-most at-risk homeowners in the country, Floridians, who are expected to shoulder a yearly loss of $416 in 2025. It is a grim prospect for the two states navigating a hurricane season that forecasters say is very likely to be above average, potentially delivering 13-19 storms, six to 10 hurricanes, and three to five major hurricanes. Louisiana is the state where homeowners stand to lose the most from natural disasters, based on financial losses per capita. The state, which faces threats of flooding, tornadoes, and hurricanes, has expected annual losses of $2.5 billion each year, according to Insurify's analysis, which translates to $547 per resident-the highest rate in the country. The state has been hit by eight hurricanes, the most financially costly type of natural disaster, since the beginning of 2020, according to data from the National Centers for Environmental Information. Hurricanes account for $1.4 billion of the state's expected annual losses in an average year, according to Insurify, followed by river flooding, at $691 million. That includes approximately $99 million in expected losses from river flooding in Lafayette County alone. Louisiana was followed in the list of the top 10 states with the highest annual cost of natural disasters per person by Florida ($413), South Carolina ($413), South Dakota ($389), California ($385), North Dakota ($356), Oregon ($337), Mississippi ($325), Texas ($277) and Washington ($277). Florida faces a 35 percent chance of being hit by a major hurricane this year, according to Insurify, which means that homeowners should brace themselves for storm wind-related damage and flooding, which is not included in the standard home insurance policy. South Carolina, the state where homeowners face the third-highest financial losses from extreme weather in the country, is also vulnerable to hurricanes. Last September, Hurricane Helene caused a total of $1.2 billion in insured losses in South Carolina, making the storm the costliest weather-related disaster in the state since Hugo hit in 1989, according to the South Carolina State Climatology Office. When examining total financial losses, the list of the top 10 states with the highest annual expenses differs slightly. California tops the list with a projected total yearly loss of over $15 billion, followed by Florida and Texas, with losses exceeding $8 billion each, Louisiana with $2.5 billion, and North Carolina with $2.3 billion. The report's findings also indicate that homeowners in Louisiana and Florida, who have faced a significant surge in home insurance premiums over the past few years, may experience new hikes and increased instability in the aftermath of potentially devastating extreme weather events. The two hurricane-prone states already have the highest home insurance premiums in the country, according to Insurify, with Florida homeowners paying an average of $14,140 per year and Louisiana homeowners paying an average of $10,964 per year. "Extreme weather is the main factor driving up home insurance costs," said Mallory Mooney, director of sales and service at Insurify, in the report. "That includes both recurring weather events like hail or high winds, and individual disasters like hurricanes or wildfires." "Past years show that a particularly damaging hurricane season can lead to higher premiums," Julia Taliesin of Insurify told Newsweek. The company projects that typical home insurance costs will rise by approximately 8 percent this year, with larger increases in hurricane-prone states such as Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. "Tariffs could also increase costs to rebuild a home, which would raise insurance costs," Talieson said. Related Articles Californians Are Being Forced To Live In Toxic HomesMillions of US Homeowners Issued Insurance WarningTexas Home Insurance Warning IssuedJuly 2025 Mega Tsunami Predicted In Japanese Manga: What To Know 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
02-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Map Shows Where Natural Disasters Threaten US Homeowners
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. Homeowners in Louisiana are expected to face the highest financial losses from severe weather and natural hazards in the entire nation in an average year, according to a new study by Insurify, at an estimated annual loss of $547 per person. That is over $100 more than the projected annual cost faced by the second-most at-risk homeowners in the country, Floridians, who are expected to shoulder a yearly loss of $416 in 2025. It is a grim prospect for the two states navigating a hurricane season that forecasters say is very likely to be above average, potentially delivering 13-19 storms, six to 10 hurricanes, and three to five major hurricanes. Where Homeowners Stand to Lose the Most Louisiana is the state where homeowners stand to lose the most from natural disasters, based on financial losses per capita. The state, which faces threats of flooding, tornadoes, and hurricanes, has expected annual losses of $2.5 billion each year, according to Insurify's analysis, which translates to $547 per resident—the highest rate in the country. The state has been hit by eight hurricanes, the most financially costly type of natural disaster, since the beginning of 2020, according to data from the National Centers for Environmental Information. Hurricanes account for $1.4 billion of the state's expected annual losses in an average year, according to Insurify, followed by river flooding, at $691 million. That includes approximately $99 million in expected losses from river flooding in Lafayette County alone. Louisiana was followed in the list of the top 10 states with the highest annual cost of natural disasters per person by Florida ($413), South Carolina ($413), South Dakota ($389), California ($385), North Dakota ($356), Oregon ($337), Mississippi ($325), Texas ($277) and Washington ($277). Florida faces a 35 percent chance of being hit by a major hurricane this year, according to Insurify, which means that homeowners should brace themselves for storm wind-related damage and flooding, which is not included in the standard home insurance policy. South Carolina, the state where homeowners face the third-highest financial losses from extreme weather in the country, is also vulnerable to hurricanes. Last September, Hurricane Helene caused a total of $1.2 billion in insured losses in South Carolina, making the storm the costliest weather-related disaster in the state since Hugo hit in 1989, according to the South Carolina State Climatology Office. When examining total financial losses, the list of the top 10 states with the highest annual expenses differs slightly. California tops the list with a projected total yearly loss of over $15 billion, followed by Florida and Texas, with losses exceeding $8 billion each, Louisiana with $2.5 billion, and North Carolina with $2.3 billion. The Threat Of Rising Premiums The report's findings also indicate that homeowners in Louisiana and Florida, who have faced a significant surge in home insurance premiums over the past few years, may experience new hikes and increased instability in the aftermath of potentially devastating extreme weather events. The two hurricane-prone states already have the highest home insurance premiums in the country, according to Insurify, with Florida homeowners paying an average of $14,140 per year and Louisiana homeowners paying an average of $10,964 per year. "Extreme weather is the main factor driving up home insurance costs," said Mallory Mooney, director of sales and service at Insurify, in the report. "That includes both recurring weather events like hail or high winds, and individual disasters like hurricanes or wildfires." "Past years show that a particularly damaging hurricane season can lead to higher premiums," Julia Taliesin of Insurify told Newsweek. The company projects that typical home insurance costs will rise by approximately 8 percent this year, with larger increases in hurricane-prone states such as Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. "Tariffs could also increase costs to rebuild a home, which would raise insurance costs," Talieson said.
