A historic four-day storm in early April wreaked havoc across the central Mississippi valley, leading to catastrophic flooding and claiming the lives of at least 15 individuals. A rapid analysis by prominent climate scientists revealed that human-caused climate change played a significant role in intensifying the storm, making rainfall about 9% more intense and 40% more likely in the affected states.

The storm, fueled by warm ocean temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico, dumped record amounts of rain on Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, and other states, causing widespread damage to homes, crops, and infrastructure. The economic toll is estimated to be between $80 billion and $90 billion, underscoring the immense impact of such extreme weather events.

Despite the devastation, the National Weather Service (NWS) played a crucial role in mitigating the disaster by issuing hundreds of severe weather warnings, facilitating timely evacuations, and saving lives. However, the NWS is facing challenges due to budget cuts and staff layoffs, which could jeopardize its ability to provide effective forecasting in the future.

The study also warns of future climate-related risks, projecting that without a significant shift to renewable energy sources, similar extreme weather events will become more frequent and intense by 2100. With extreme weather events becoming more dangerous as the planet warms, the importance of well-resourced forecasting services and preparedness measures cannot be overstated.

This analysis, conducted as part of the World Weather Attribution initiative, underscores the urgent need for global action to address climate change and its impact on extreme weather events.