Floods and tornadoes in the United States’ northeast areas have killed at least 41 people, US authorities reported.
The North American country faces a climate crisis that has wreaked havoc across its territory, said US President Joe Biden, adding that addressing it is “a matter of life and death.”
Biden stated that the government needs a “historic investment” to deal with the situation.
Record rainfall caused flooding in New York and New Jersey, leaving some residents trapped in flooded basements and cars.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy reported that at least 23 people lost their lives. Most died after getting stuck in their vehicles as the water level rose.
In New York City, at least 14 people died, including a two-year-old boy. Authorities said most of the victims passed away while trapped in their basements.
It was also informed that three people died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and one died in Connecticut.
Climate change’s impact on storms’ frequency has yet to be clarified.
However, experts say that rising sea surface temperatures heat the air above and increase energy, subsequently driving hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones, which are potentially more intense with more extreme rainfall.
The planet has warmed by around 1.2C since the industrial era began, specialists say, adding that temperatures will continue rising unless all countries drastically cut their emissions.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio accused climate experts of “making a mockery of in a matter of minutes.”
He said he had been warned about 3-6 inches of rain over the day, but a record 3.15 inches fell on Central Park in one hour.
“We need to start communicating to people that things will be much worse in literally every situation,” he stated.
Many subway lines in the city remained closed after the water began to gush into underground stations.
Images on social media also showed cars floating down flooded roads. Moreover, it was reported that train, plane and bus passengers were stuck for hours without moving due to the flooding.
New Jersey authorities reported that a tornado ripped through the state’s largest dairy farm, toppled large silos, and flattened some building roofs.
President Joe Biden called the flooding in the region “unprecedented,” adding that Hurricane Ida in Louisiana and Mississippi and wildfires in the west were “yet another reminder that these extreme storms in the climate crisis are here.”
He also said he would push Congress to undertake its “Build Back Better” plan, which involves a “historic investment” in infrastructure, including power grids, roads, bridges, and sewage systems.
