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USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Hotter summers have travelers ditching popular destinations for a 'coolcation'
Summer vacations are as American as apple pie, baseball and Fourth of July fireworks. The classic version usually involves a road trip to someplace warm and sandy. Boardwalks, roller coasters and campfires are nice touches, and copious amounts of seasonal snacks are standard. But the quintessential summer vacation is changing, according to Rose Gray, business relationship director for vacation sales at Oshkosh, Wis.-based Fox World Travel. "Destinations that were frequently requested for traditional summer vacations are no longer at the top of travelers' lists thanks to rising temperatures, over-tourism and extreme fire seasons,' Gray says. Enter the 'coolcation.' 'In addition to seeking more pleasant temperatures, travelers are looking for destinations with fewer crowds,' Gray says. 'By choosing less-popular tourist spots with … slightly cooler temperatures, vacationers looking for a 'coolcation' are discovering remote locations with unique activities.'The mercury doesn't lie: Last summer, 180 cities in the Northern Hemisphere had at least one dangerous extreme heat wave, according to Climate Central, which says extreme heat waves in these cities are, on average, 21 times more likely than they were 30 years ago. 'Summers in the United States have warmed in general, but it's the West, South and Northeast that are warming the fastest,' says Jonathan Erdman, senior digital meteorologist at 'To put that into context: If your kids are off school in the summer and you're planning to take that big family trip, you have to think carefully about where you want to go. Do you really want to go to the Gulf Coast, for example, where the humidity is off the charts in July and August, and where you're dealing with throngs of people who had the same idea that you did?' If the typical summer vacation is a sweaty cocktail of UV rays and body heat, then the coolcation is a comfortable tonic of invigorating adventure, refreshing respite and easy escapism. Here are a handful of cooler-weather locales where you can try one of your own. Western North Carolina When he lived in the Northeast, Neal K. Shah took annual family beach vacations to places like North Fork, N.Y., and Point Pleasant, N.J. When he moved to the Research Triangle Park area of Raleigh-Durham, N.C., he likewise relocated his summer holiday to Wrightsville Beach, N.C. Last year, however, the family decided to ditch the beach altogether. 'Last July was nuts — 105-plus degrees in Durham,' says Shah, CEO of elder care company CareYaya Health Technologies and cofounder of Counterforce Health, an AI startup that helps patients appeal denied health insurance claims. 'It was too hot to do family activities outside, so we found a random cabin up near Mount Mitchell. It was 20 degrees cooler up there. Now we're mountain people.' The highest peak in the Appalachian Mountains, Mount Mitchell is approximately 35 miles from Asheville, N.C., another Shah family favorite. 'Asheville proper stays, like, 15 degrees cooler than Raleigh-Durham,' says Shah, whose favorite spots to enjoy a cool summer breeze include Craggy Gardens, a popular hiking destination on the Blue Ridge Parkway that's known for its colorful wildflowers, and the historic Grove Park Inn, whose terrace offers spectacular views at sunset. Yet another hot — or rather, cool — spot in the region is Jackson County, N.C. Check out Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Rockies; go swimming at Sliding Rock in Cashiers, where a natural rockslide leads to a pool of cool mountain water; rent a pontoon boat to explore the islands and coves around Lake Glenville, the highest lake east of the Mississippi River or travel the Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail to witness the underwater species that inhabit western North Carolina's scenic rivers and streams. Northern Michigan Although her home base of Chicago is best known for cold, blustery winters, its hot and humid summers can be equally extreme, says Janice Moskoff, author of the travel blog For that reason, she escapes at every opportunity to places such as northern Michigan. One of her favorite destinations is Traverse City, Mich., where the average high temperature in July is 81 degrees. On Lake Michigan beaches, 'Many west-facing dune-lined beaches look and sound like the ocean. And the water is refreshingly chill given its northern location, making it a perfect way to cool off on the sunniest July or August day,' Moskoff says. Take a break from the beach and visit the locally owned wineries that constitute the Traverse Wine Coast — for example, Gilchrist Farm, which is known for sustainable viticulture and farm-to-table cuisine, and Chateau Grand Traverse, a family-owned winery celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Cherry picking at the many local orchards also is a favorite pastime, as are camping, hiking and paddling at picture-perfect Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Elsewhere in Northern Michigan, don't miss Mackinac Island and Marquette County. An exclusively pedestrian destination that's as mild as it is charming, the former offers parasailing, biking, horse-drawn carriage rides and oodles of world-famous fudge. Located in the Upper Peninsula on the southern shore of Lake Superior, the latter is packed with picturesque waterfalls, lighthouses, rivers and hiking trails. New England Plymouth, Mass., antiques dealer Molly Garcia grew up on nearby Cape Cod, where beaches, bonfires and clam bakes make for quintessential summers. Although the Cape is cool, it's also extremely crowded in summer, which is why Garcia and her family have started spending the season in New Hampshire's Mount Washington Valley. 'Originally, we would make a few trips up over winter, stay at the (Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa) and ski at Bretton Woods,' says Garcia, owner of White Whale Antiques & Vintage Goods. 'We then decided to take a summer vacation (there) … and that's when we realized how much we loved the area year-round.' Days can be warm at summer's peak, but evenings are 'cool' and 'magical,' according to Garcia, who says the valley's sky is filled with stars at night. She recommends tubing down the Saco River, swimming in the scenic waterfalls known as Diana's Baths, riding the Cog Railway to the peak of Mount Washington, visiting the Story Land theme park if you have young children or hiking at White Mountain National Forest, which is home to 48 4,000-foot mountains that adventurous climbers can try their hand at summiting. Moskoff also loves New England and spent a recent summer vacationing in Vermont with her husband. 'I wanted to be in the mountains and the coolness of the northern woods at the height of its summer season. So, we opted for an utterly relaxing and lovely inn-to-inn hiking trip,' she says, recalling stops in Bridgewater, Woodstock, Chittenden, Middlebury and Burlington. 'The historic inns overflowed with character, the cuisine was local and excellent, and the trails — some of which allowed us to pick wild blueberries as we walked — were uncrowded,' she says. Upstate New York When he moved with his fiancée from Massachusetts to the Las Vegas area, journalist and psychologist Jamie Bichelman thought he might melt. So come summer, the couple beelines it back to the East Coast. While Bichelman is partial to the Catskills region — it's 'extremely beautiful' and 'such an enjoyable drive' from New York City — an even better bet for coolcationers might be the Adirondack region further north. Birthplace of the word 'vacation,' which is said to have originated there when Gilded Age New Yorkers would 'vacate' for holidays upstate, the Adirondacks boast comfortable summer temps that average in the mid-70s. Visitors will find 2,000 miles of shady hiking trails, 3,000 ponds and lakes with water originating from cool mountain peaks, 30,000 miles of fresh and often chilly rivers and streams and millions of acres of sun-filtering forests. Favorite activities include walking beside gorgeous Mirror Lake in Lake Placid; cruising Lake George with Lake George Steamboat Company; jumping from 'The Bluffs' into the swimming hole at Big Tupper Lake; camping and fishing on Lake Champlain; and riding the whimsical Adirondack Carousel in Saranac Lake. The Rocky Mountains Often times, the best direction to go for heat-weary travelers is up. That makes the Rocky Mountains an ideal destination. Because they often fly under the radar in summer, ski towns that are crowded in winter can be especially attractive. In Snowmass, Colo., for example, temperatures average in the 70s during the day and dip into the 40s at night. Snowmass Village, near Aspen, is surrounded by 2.8 million acres of wilderness for hiking, biking, fly-fishing, horseback riding and more. The ski resorts in nearby Summit County, Colo., likewise are full of outdoor adventure, including whitewater rafting, dog sledding through wildflower-filled meadows, gondola rides and zip-lining. Or try e-biking along the 9.3-mile Blue River Bikeway from Breckenridge to Frisco, which features stunning views of Colorado's Lake Dillon along the way. Jackson, Wyo., is similarly cool and outdoorsy. Gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, it's home to epic wildlife viewing and a culture-rich town square that's flush with art galleries, theaters, breweries, shops and restaurants. Moskoff's favorite Rocky Mountain getaway is Montana's Glacier National Park, where chilly morning hikes are the norm even on the hottest days. 'I wanted to come to Glacier for its majestic scenery, outdoor experiences, and the chance to see and drive through the open spaces in Montana,' she says. 'It delivered and was gorgeous.'
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘Not Again': For Third Year In A Row, Flash Floods Slam Vermont On Same Date
For Vermonters, July 10 is starting to feel cursed. For the third straight year, flash floods ripped through parts of Vermont on that exact date — this time, damaging homes and stranding residents in the small town of Sutton after up to 5 inches of rain fell in just a few hours Thursday. The downpour overwhelmed local waterways, causing a nearby brook to burst its banks and cut off access to more than a dozen residences. Swift-water rescue teams were called in from nearby communities to assist evacuations, including two homes where people needed to be pulled to safety. And while this year's storm wasn't as widespread or deadly as previous years, the emotional toll was heavy. (MORE: Flowing Water Can Do As Much Damage As A Tornado) "It wasn't like last time, it was worse," Sutton resident Michelle Tanner told the Associated Press. "Oh my god it was like 'not again'...We don't know if the house will make it again." Her daughter, Tanika Allard, said she felt helpless. "I wanted to cry. It's like the third year they've almost lost everything." (MORE: Texas River Rises 30 Feet In One Hour, Again) Just days earlier, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott had warned residents of the mounting toll these storms are taking: 'In the last two years, more than 150 cities, towns, and villages across Vermont felt the impacts of flooding, which caused over a billion dollars in damage.' He noted that storms in July 2023 and 2024 also struck on the same dates, adding an eerie twist to an already devastating pattern. Last year, flash flooding linked to the remnants of Hurricane Beryl killed two people and swept away an apartment building in central Vermont. The year before, Vermont experienced rainfall rates of 3 to 4 inches per hour, also with deadly consequences. (MORE: What To Do Before, During And After A Flood) Why does it keep happening this time of year? July is the second-rainiest month for Burlington, just after June, according to meteorologist Sara Tonks. "July is when warm, humid air is most abundant in northern parts of the U.S., and the jet stream slowing down during this time of year helps allow storms to stall over one location," adds senior meteorologist Chris Dolce. Meteorologist and climate expert Jennifer Gray also points out that Vermont's mountainous terrain makes the region more vulnerable to flash flooding when heavy rain hits. As towns like Sutton begin yet another round of cleanup and rebuilding, one thing is clear: this is no longer a once-in-a-century event. It's starting to become a heartbreaking new normal. lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities.
Business Wire
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Meet the New Nextdoor
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nextdoor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: KIND), the essential neighbourhood network, today released the new Nextdoor, the most consequential redesign of its core product to date. Focused on three fundamental neighbourhood needs—Alerts, News, and Faves—the new Nextdoor experience is more useful, more helpful, and more timely, meeting the evolving needs of neighbours everywhere. We're also excited to introduce advertising in Canada for the first time, offering businesses of all sizes the opportunity to connect with local communities. As part of the new experience, Nextdoor has deepened its investment in Canadian communities by partnering with local publishers, safety agencies, and real-time crisis detection providers to offer neighbours a smarter, more meaningful connection to the place they call home. Nextdoor has helped more than 100 million neighbours stay connected to what matters most in their local communities. With the shift towards remote and hybrid work, people are spending more time in their neighbourhoods where local connections—whether with neighbours, services, or businesses—play an increasingly important role in daily life. 'Nextdoor has become an essential part of daily life in Canadian communities, and this next chapter makes it even more vital,' said Christopher Doyle, Managing Director of Nextdoor Canada. 'With real-time, hyperlocal alerts and trusted local news now integrated directly into the app, we're helping Canadians stay informed, connected, and ready for whatever's happening in their neighbourhoods.' It's a new day for Nextdoor, marked by a refreshed brand identity that is grounded in clarity, utility, and putting neighbours first. At the heart is the return of the iconic stylized home logo, which reflects Nextdoor's core mission: to make every neighbourhood feel like home. Alerts, News, and Faves make Nextdoor more useful, helpful, and timely on a daily basis: Alerts: Real-time alerts to stay safe and prepared Neighbours have long turned to Nextdoor in moments of crisis. With Alerts, the product goes further to deliver real-time updates on everything from daily weather and traffic to critical moments like power outages, severe storms, and wildfires. Alert notifications appear on a dynamic neighbourhood map to support timely conversations between neighbours and public agency partners. Powered by trusted sources such as Edmonton-based Samdesk and which includes The Weather Channel app and Alerts reinforce Nextdoor's role as a reliable and vital lifeline during emergencies. A recent survey by the Angus Reid Forum found that 86% of Canadians think it's important to receive urgent, timely updates about issues in their neighbourhood, with 91% stating it is especially important to receive alerts about natural disasters. With almost 1 in 4 Canadians reporting being affected by extreme weather events over the past year, it is clear that Canadians need a hyper-local alert system they can trust and act on. 'Timely, accurate information saves lives, especially during emergencies. That's why we're proud to power Nextdoor's new alert system in Canada,' said James Neufeld, founder and CEO of Samdesk. 'From wildfires in British Columbia to sudden flash floods in Ontario, our real-time intelligence helps neighbours stay safe, informed, and ready to respond.' Local news has long had a place on Nextdoor, with neighbours regularly sharing and discussing the day's events. With local journalism facing cuts across the country, Canadians are increasingly turning to new digital spaces for trusted information. Now, with News, relevant stories from local, vetted publishers appear regularly and directly in the feed, tailored to a neighbour's location. Whether it's a new proposed bike lane, a local restaurant opening, or the latest trends on housing in Canada, News makes it easier for neighbours to join the conversation. Trusted outlets like Torstar, Narcity, Ottawa Business Journal, The Green Line, and many more are now reaching neighbours directly through the platform, bringing community-focused journalism to neighbourhoods everywhere. 'At Torstar, our mission has always been to inform and empower the communities we serve. Joining Nextdoor allows us to meet readers where they are, right in their neighbourhoods,' said Angus Frame, President of Torstar Corporation. 'In a time when access to credible local journalism is more important than ever, we're proud to be part of a platform that brings trusted reporting directly into the everyday conversations Canadians are already having.' Recommendations, which include requests for advice and offers of local services, have always been core to Nextdoor, driving 30% of all neighbour posts and fueling real-world decisions. Faves brings that experience to the next level, using AI technology to distill insights from nearly six years of neighbourhood conversations about beloved Canadian gems. With Faves, neighbours will be able to ask a question like, 'What is the best place to hike with kids?' and receive a quick, summarized response, just like asking a knowledgeable local. Faves will make it easier for neighbours to discover and share the best of their community, like local services, local businesses, and places to explore. Faves is launching first in select U.S. markets, with plans underway for a broader rollout in Canada at a later stage. Businesses can now advertise on Nextdoor Canada Now, for the first time in Canada, businesses of all sizes—from local shops to national brands—can advertise on Nextdoor through the newly launched Nextdoor Ads Manager. This platform enables advertisers to reach Nextdoor's uniquely engaged audience of real, verified neighbours, delivering local relevance at a national scale. Early campaigns are already showing strong traction from both local SMBs and enterprise advertisers eager to connect directly with high-intent consumers in the communities they serve. To support local businesses, Nextdoor has also introduced new tools designed to make it easier to engage with their most valuable customers—their neighbours. This includes a self-serve platform with AI-powered features that help businesses easily create the perfect ad in just a few simple steps, as well as advanced targeting options to ensure they reach the right customers with the right message. The new Nextdoor is available today on the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store and at Nextdoor neighbours are encouraged to update their apps to ensure they are using the latest version. For media assets, visit or contact press@ About Nextdoor: Nextdoor is the essential neighbourhood network for over 100 million neighbours, offering trusted local news, real-time safety alerts, neighbour recommendations, for sale and free listings, and events. Nextdoor connects neighbours to the conversations and local gems that matter most in their local communities. Businesses, publishers, and public agencies use Nextdoor to engage with neighbours at scale. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectations. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors, as more fully detailed under the caption 'Risk Factors' in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2025, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC') on May 7, 2025, and our other SEC filings, which are available on the Investor Relations page of our website at and on the SEC's website at All forward-looking statements contained herein are based on information available to us as of the date hereof and you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We undertake no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this press release or to conform these statements to actual results or revised expectations, except as required by law. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this press release.
Indianapolis Star
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Indianapolis Star
Texas flooding deaths hit at least 70: Here's how you can help
At least 70 people, including at least 21 children, have died as a result of flash flooding in Texas after the Guadalupe River north of San Antonio flowed over its banks. The search for victims intensified June 6, as 11 children and a camp counselor remain missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian girls' camp at the river's edge. The National Weather Service said Kerr County, located in Texas Hill Country, was inundated by as much as 15 inches of rain triggered by intense thunderstorms − half of the total the region sees in a year. The Guadalupe River rose more than 26 feet in just 45 minutes, reported. The area is known for being especially vulnerable to floods, earning it the nickname "flash flood alley," and it has experienced several major flood events in the past two decades. President Donald Trump said in a statement Sunday that he signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County, days after the flooding swept through Texas Hill Country. It remains unclear how many people in total were still missing in the communities along the Guadalupe, where local officials say thousands of people came from out of town to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend. Here's how you can help. Texas flooding deaths reach at least 70: 11 young campers missing as rescuers race time The Red Cross has opened shelters in affected areas as well as two reunification centers, according to a post on X. The organization is taking donations on its website. World Central Kitchen, the non-profit founded by chef José Andrés, deployed to Texas on July 4. The organization provided food to stranded campers at Camp La Junta that have since been evacuated, according to a July 4 X post. WCK is taking donations on its website. The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has started a Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. The fund will provide aid to vetted organizations in Hunt, Ingram, Kerrville, Center Point, and Comfort that are providing rescue, relief, and recovery efforts as well as flood assistance, according to the foundation. The fund is accepting donations on its website. The Austin animal shelter reported that it has taken in over 50 animals from Kerr and Williamson counties as of July 5. In a July 6 update, the shelter said that they are coordinating a volunteer search and rescue group to find animals along the riverbank. The shelter also said it is seeking donations to provide support to families that have lost pets, including body recovery and cremation services. The shelter is accepting donations on its website. Crowdfunding website GoFundMe has a page for verified fundraisers connected to the flooding in Central Texas. The page will be updated as fundraisers are verified, according to GoFundMe. The Salvation Army Kroc Center in Kerrville is coordinating and accepting donations of nonperishable goods, personal hygiene items, diapers and other items while providing regular updates on its Instagram page. The Salvation Army of Texas has also deployed a deployed a mobile kitchen and team, according to a July 5 statement. "The community was waking to celebrate the July 4th holiday and has suddenly been faced with historic and tragic flooding," Major Phil Swyers, of The Salvation Army in Kerrville, said in the statement. "The Salvation Army is here to help and will support those impacted by this disaster."
USA Today
04-07-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
Hurricane forecasters warn of stormy weather near Florida as tropical cyclone brews
Will Chantal become the third named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season this holiday weekend? A slow-developing weather system is trying to get its act together over the Southeast U.S. this Fourth of July, which, if it forms, would become Chantal. "Regardless of whether or not that happens, stormy weather will impact areas from Florida to southeast Georgia and the coastal Carolinas," said in an online forecast. The National Weather Service in Jacksonville, Florida, warned drivers that "travel hazards include slick roads and blinding downpours. Flooding of urban, low-lying and poor drainage areas are possible." Could Chantal form near Florida? Weather Trader meteorologist Ryan Maue, in a daily email to reporters, said, "something will develop off the U.S. Southeast coast with probably enough of a circulation to be considered a tropical depression – if we named Barry in the southern Bay of Campeche, then this should probably qualify as Chantal." Keep in mind that tropical depressions don't get names, but tropical storms do: A depression becomes a named storm when its sustained winds reach 39 mph. As of the morning of July 4, the National Hurricane Center was giving the system a 60% chance of development within the next 48 hours – a medium risk for the holiday weekend. Heavy rain the primary threat Forecasters see rain as the main threat from the system: "While a tropical depression or low-grade tropical storm could come together off the Southeast by later this weekend or early next week, periods of heavy rain seeping northward into coastal areas of Georgia and North and South Carolina this weekend will be the primary threat regardless of development," said Michael Lowry, a NOAA veteran and hurricane specialist at WPLG 10 in Miami, in a daily update on his Substack. Whatever happens, "by Tuesday and Wednesday next week, the system should pick up the pace and pull away from the U.S. as it accelerates up the Eastern Seaboard," Lowry said. Behind it, he said the Atlantic will stay generally quiet for the remainder of next week. Third storm of an active season? If it forms, Chantal would be the third named storm of the Atlantic season, joining little-remembered tropical storms Andrea and Barry. Most preseason forecasts pointed toward an unusually active Atlantic season, with as many as 19 named storms possible, according to a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The season was expected to be above normal, NOAA said, "due to a confluence of factors, including continued ENSO-neutral conditions, warmer than average ocean temperatures, forecasts for weak wind shear, and the potential for higher activity from the West African Monsoon, a primary starting point for Atlantic hurricanes." All of these elements tend to favor tropical storm formation, NOAA said. An average season features 14 named storms, based on weather records that date from 1991 to 2020.
