Before the floods, Asheville was called a ‘climate haven.’ Is anywhere safe?

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Asheville, North Carolina, once seen as a "climate haven" due to its cooler climate and inland location, has been devastated by severe flooding from Hurricane Helene, showing that even high-elevation areas are not immune to climate change

🔭 The context: The floods, which resulted in over 40 deaths in Buncombe County, highlight how warmer temperatures increase moisture in the atmosphere, intensifying rainfall and flood risks in previously considered safe areas like Appalachia

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: As global warming drives more extreme weather, no place can be considered completely safe from climate impacts, and inland flooding from heavy rains is becoming more common, threatening communities far from coasts

⏭️ What's next: Despite growing risks, experts expect more people to move into flood-prone areas like Asheville due to rising housing demand, further complicating disaster recovery and resilience efforts

💬 One quote: "There’s no such thing as a climate haven." — Jesse Keenan, Professor of Sustainable Real Estate, Tulane University

📈 One stat: 18% of properties in Buncombe County are at risk of flooding, compared to 2% estimated by FEMA

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