Historic Rainfall Events in the Southeast: Hurricane Helene and Climate Change

The Southeast United States experienced over 40 trillion gallons of rainfall due to Hurricane Helene and related storms, leading to severe flooding and over 100 recorded fatalities. Meteorologists emphasized the unprecedented nature of this rainfall, linked to climate change, which has caused storms to become significantly wetter and more intense.

In recent days, the Southeast United States has experienced unprecedented rainfall exceeding 40 trillion gallons due to extensive weather activity, including Hurricane Helene and preceding rainstorms. This extraordinary volume of water could fill the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium approximately 51,000 times or cover the entirety of North Carolina with over 3.5 feet of water. Meteorologists have expressed disbelief at the scale of precipitation, with Ed Clark from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stating, “That’s an astronomical amount of precipitation. I have not seen something in my 25 years of working at the weather service that is this geographically large of an extent and the sheer volume of water that fell from the sky.” The catastrophic impact is evident, with over 100 fatalities reported and significant flooding across the region. The calculations of rainfall, assessed through satellite and ground observations by private meteorologist Ryan Maue and corroborated by Clark, confirmed the 40 trillion gallons figure, which may be conservative as rain continues to fall in various areas. The rainfall volume exceeds twice that stored in the key reservoirs of the Colorado River basin, underscoring the severity of this meteorological event. The heavy downpour was attributed to the interactions of multiple storm systems, particularly a stalled low-pressure system and the rapid movement of Hurricane Helene, both of which contributed to massive moisture accumulation, particularly in mountainous regions contributing to substantial runoff. North Carolina reported record local precipitation, with Busick measuring as much as 31.33 inches and areas like Mount Mitchell receiving more than 2 feet. This rainfall trend signifies a shift; climatologists are noting increasing storm intensity associated with climate change, which allows air to hold nearly 4% more moisture for each degree Fahrenheit increase in temperature. This phenomenon is increasingly evident, as noted by Kristen Corbosiero, who stated, “We are seeing events year in and year out where we are measuring rainfall in feet.” Moreover, preliminary analyses suggest that climate change has contributed to 50% more rainfall during Helene in parts of Georgia and the Carolinas, reinforcing the presence of climate change markers in weather patterns. Kathie Dello noted, “These storms are wetter and these storms are warmer,” emphasizing a significant shift in how tropical storms impact mountainous regions like North Carolina, resulting in unprecedented levels of rain and consequential damage.

The article discusses the historical rainfall events in the Southeast United States, chiefly related to Hurricane Helene and ancillary rainstorms. It highlights the record levels of precipitation resulting from complex meteorological phenomena combined with the implications of climate change driving increased storm intensity and moisture levels. Such extreme weather patterns are becoming more frequent and severe, raising concerns about the growing impact on communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems in the region.

In conclusion, the Southeast United States has witnessed an extraordinary meteorological event marked by the unprecedented rainfall of over 40 trillion gallons due to the combined effects of Hurricane Helene and associated storms. This event highlights the significant impacts of climate change on weather patterns, leading to increasingly severe storms and flooding. Experts agree that while immediate effects are catastrophic, the long-term implications necessitate serious reflection on climate trends and future preparedness.

Original Source: www.pbs.org