Flood rescuers and first responders are working around the clock after heavy rains and flash flooding resulted in at least 15 deaths in Kentucky. Creeks were swollen to the point of washing out bridges and knocking out power for many Kentuckians, and with more rainfall expected today, the problems will only get worse. Despite the fact that much of Kentucky is at risk of flash-flooding, the speed and power of these floods caught many off guard and unprepared.
"There's going to be multiple families that we've lost, kids that won't get the opportunity to grow up and experience so much that we have. This is so deadly, and it hit so hard, and it hit in the middle of the night, we've never seen something like this."
-Andy Beshear, Governor of Kentucky
As the climate continues to change and storms inevitably get worse, I’ve found this to be a helpful resource in understanding the cost of government inaction. The emerging field of extreme event attribution focuses on estimating the changing risks of extreme weather, and the World Weather Attribution initiative helps quantify the price we pay for our reliance on fossil fuels.
Side Items
Jon Stewart went on a (justifiable) rant against politicians unwilling to look after military veterans
Beyonce dropped her seventh solo album at midnight last night, giving her legions of fans something new to obsess over. I’ve mostly managed to avoid it so far, but I’m sure the collection of Afro-power ballads and she-anthems will engulf me soon enough
In more important news, it looks like we’ve got our first official Trader Joes union!!! Shoutout Hadley, Massachusetts, keep it going!