WHY DID IT HAPPEN
Several people have mentioned that their experiences with flooding were not a big deal. And their flooding was not catastrophic like the superstorm Sandy. But it does not mean they do not add up. Here are a few examples of how climate change causes repeated inconveniences like basement flooding. As a result of these frequent losses, many residents eventually make changes to how they live.
According to the 2021 report from the American Society of Civil Engineers, there is a water main break every two minutes in the US. The main culprit is our aging infrastructure. However, the extreme weather brought on by climate change has not helped either.
I've received countless flash flood warnings on my phone over the past two years. The alarm is quite startling, but it effectively conveys the urgency. During these times of heavy rain, it feels like a giant hole in the sky—so much water in such a short time. I've witnessed cars getting stuck in water on the road, large debris quickly being swept down the hill, creating dangerous conditions for people trying to avoid getting drenched, subway stations getting completely flooded, and many other precarious situations. I've learned to avoid going out when there's a warning, and always to check my basement after heavy rain.
