Nearly 100 million people are under dense fog advisories as downpours persist in the Southeast, leading to flash flooding and minor to moderate river flooding. The National Weather Service warns of life-threatening floods in the central Gulf Coast states and forecasts excessive rainfall in Mississippi and Louisiana, with flood warnings in effect for parts of Tennessee. Meanwhile, the western U.S. faces widespread low elevation rain and mountain snow due to a cold front.
A new study published in the journal Nature reveals that humans now occupy more than twice as much land in flood-prone areas compared to four decades ago, highlighting the rapid development along coasts and floodplains that has increased the need for disaster preparedness worldwide. China and Vietnam account for over half of the recent expansion into flood-prone areas, while other middle-income countries such as Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Thailand have also built extensively in high-risk zones. The study emphasizes the importance of avoiding flood zones for human settlements, but instead, many countries are rapidly increasing their exposure to flood hazards. Climate change amplifies flood threats globally, but increased building in unsafe areas is a significant driver of flood exposure. The reasons for construction in flood-prone areas vary, including the occupation of safer land, government revenue, and personal preferences. The study calls for monitoring flood-prone development in real-time to inform government policies and reduce people's vulnerability to flood risks.
Houston is facing severe weather and flood threats due to heavy rain and thunderstorms for the next two days. The front has stalled northwest of Houston, causing wave after wave of rain, which can lead to street flooding and creeks running over their banks. There is also a risk of hail and damaging winds. The heavy rain and front are expected to move away from the area on Friday night, leading to a dry weekend.
