According to the latest reports by local authorities, at least five people, including a three-year-old child, died in flash floods in West Virginia, and three went missing. On the Saturday night of June 14, rainstorms that started in Ohio Country quickly became dangerous, leading to heavy rain and flash flooding that ended up destroying homes and roads. The floods continued over the weekend, with a flood watch remaining in place in some of the most affected parts of the state up until June 16, Monday.
In 2024 alone, the US experienced 27 weather and climate disasters costing at least US$1 billion each in damages. That is a staggering figure and one that cannot be ignored. These disasters are fueled by the nation's vast and diverse geography, which has everything from hurricane-prone coastlines to tornado alleys and wildfire-vulnerable regions. Additionally, human-driven climate change is intensifying these events, making them more frequent and severe.
Curious about why the US is at risk? Click through now to find out more.