From Fire to Flood

Some days ago, it was reported that distant New York City was being exposed to smoke blown from the wildfires, raging in the Pacific North-West. Today, comes an account of the National Weather Service having to issue its first ever flash flood emergency warning for New York (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/02/new-york-flooding-state-of-emergency-ny-city-flash-flood-nyc-hurricane-ida-remnants). The flooding was caused by the remnants of hurricane Ida, after it had battered Louisiana and adjoining areas. In one hour, more than 3 inches of rain fell in New York's Central Park. Roads and subway stations were inundated across the city. There were at least 7 deaths. One may think floods are very different from fires. They have, however, the same root cause, namely global heating. Elevated temperatures dry out large sections of vegetation and generate the winds driving the flames. Global heating also provides extra energy, facilitating the more frequent creation of powerful hurricanes. Welcome to climate change!