The United States has faced an unprecedented surge in flood emergencies this year, with more such events than ever before, signaling a troubling trend as the planet continues to warm. An all-time high of 91 flash flood emergencies has been issued by the National Weather Service in 2024, surpassing previous records since this classification began in 2003.
Flash flood emergencies are rare and reserved for the most dangerous situations, accounting for around 1% of all flash flood warnings since 2019. Kate Abshire, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service, emphasizes that these alerts signal an extreme threat to life, property, and the potential for severe damage. “It’s the ultimate tool in our toolkit,” she explains, underscoring the critical nature of these warnings.
So far, the extreme flooding events have resulted in dozens of fatalities, transformed landscapes, and caused billions of dollars in damage. One recent flash flood emergency occurred in Roswell, New Mexico, where the city received nearly six months’ worth of rain in just 24 hours, leading to dangerous flooding that trapped hundreds and resulted in at least two deaths.
These intense rainfall events align with what climate scientists predict will become more frequent as the planet warms. A warmer atmosphere retains more moisture, leading to heavier and more frequent downpours. According to Astrid Caldas, a climate scientist, “Extreme rain events have been happening more often and are likely to continue increasing.”
The increased frequency of these events is also influenced by human development, particularly in areas prone to flooding. Caldas highlights that construction near rivers and mountainous regions has exacerbated flood risks, as water inevitably finds the easiest route, which can lead to devastating consequences in densely built areas.
Impact of Tropical Systems
The frequency of flash flood emergencies can vary significantly from year to year, often driven by weather patterns and tropical systems. Hurricanes and tropical storms bring vast amounts of moisture, which they can unleash as torrential rain. This year, storms like Debby, Francine, Helene, and Milton were responsible for nearly half of the flash flood emergencies.
For instance, Hurricane Helene brought record rainfall of up to 30 inches to western North Carolina, resulting in catastrophic damage and altering entire communities. The storm alone was responsible for more than 30 flash flood emergencies, outpacing the 29 total emergencies recorded last year.
The Role of Warming Oceans
Tropical systems are becoming more intense as the world’s oceans heat up, and the Gulf of Mexico, in particular, has been experiencing record-high temperatures. These warmer waters act as fuel for tropical systems, helping them intensify rapidly and increasing their moisture content. All the hurricanes that made landfall in the U.S. this year drew energy from the Gulf’s unusually warm waters, amplifying their destructive potential.
Compounding Disasters
Climate change is also driving more complex disaster scenarios. For example, New Mexico experienced multiple flash flood emergencies this year following wildfires that left the soil scorched and unable to absorb water. When heavy rains hit these burn areas, the runoff turned into swift rivers of water and debris, causing further destruction.
Such “fire-to-flood” disasters were not uncommon in 2024, with at least 45 flood-related major disaster declarations across the U.S. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been stretched thin, dealing with more than two dozen billion-dollar weather disasters this year, straining its disaster relief resources.
As global temperatures continue to rise, experts warn that the trend of increasing floods will persist. The combination of warmer air and oceans creates a “new normal” that is likely to make extreme weather events, including floods, more common in the future. “The past does not predict the future anymore,” cautions Caldas, highlighting the urgent need to address climate risks and adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
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