Consider This from NPR: Climate Change is Fueling Brutal Rainstorms. Here's How to Stay Safe

Release Date: July 15, 2025
Host: Juana Summers
Episode Title: Climate change is fueling brutal rainstorms. Here's how to stay safe

1. The Aftermath of Texas Flooding

The episode opens with a poignant look at the aftermath of the devastating flooding in Texas. Volunteers like Cindy Martinez are tirelessly working along riverbanks to clean up debris left by the floodwaters.

Cindy Martinez (00:10): "I just wanted to help and it's my birthday and I couldn't think of I'm so thankful that I'm not going through something like this and the only thing I could think of doing, I feel so helpless."

Cindy shares with Juana Summers how the physical labor provides a temporary distraction from the tragic loss of lives and possessions.

Cindy Martinez (00:30): "When I see things like a lure, a fishing lure, and I'm like reminded like somebody just came out here to fish that day."

Her discovery of personal items underscores the human cost of the disaster.

2. A Nationwide Surge in Extreme Flooding

Within just 11 days of the Guadalupe River disaster, deadly floods have struck multiple communities across the United States, highlighting a troubling trend of increased extreme weather events.

• North Carolina: Remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal caused historic flooding.

  Lynn Crawford (01:22): "I have not seen this."

• New Mexico: Flash floods resulted in the tragic deaths of a man and two children in areas previously affected by wildfires.

  Lynn Crawford (01:27): "We received three and a half inches of rain on the South Fork burn scar in about a 90 minute period."

• New York and New Jersey: Heavy rainwater inundated subways and streets, turning daily commutes into perilous journeys.

  Lynn Crawford (01:45): "Last night we got crushed."

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy confirmed the loss of lives when floodwaters swept vehicles away.

Phil Murphy (02:25): "This message comes from saatva..."

3. The Role of Climate Change in Intensifying Rainstorms

Climate change emerges as the central factor exacerbating the frequency and severity of extreme rainstorms. Host Juana Summers discusses these insights with Michael Copley from NPR's Climate Desk and Kirby Saunders, Emergency Services Director.

Kirby Saunders (04:06): "A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture... that's raising global temperatures and fueling more intense rainstorms."

Climate economist Gernot Wagner emphasizes the urgent need for substantial investments to mitigate the impacts of these weather events.

Kirby Saunders (04:34): "Wagner says communities need to invest billions and billions to deal with more extreme weather."

4. Infrastructure Challenges and Necessary Investments

Addressing the intensified rainstorms requires significant overhauls of existing infrastructure. Key areas needing attention include:

• Stormwater Management Systems: Many cities need to upgrade systems built decades ago to handle increased water volumes.

• Transportation Systems: Investments in waterproofing and making underground rail systems more resilient are critical.

  Kirby Saunders (04:51): "There's a constant battle to keep water out... some flooding like we saw Last night in the New York subway is expected."

Expert Lynn Crawford warns of the dire consequences if these systems fail.

Lynn Crawford (05:24): "More flooding like that and people will die."

5. Public Preparedness and Safety Measures

With flash floods capable of developing rapidly, public preparedness is essential. The episode outlines several strategies to enhance personal and community safety:

• Emergency Alerts: Ensuring that individuals receive and heed flood warnings via cell phones, radio, and television.

• Flood Risk Assessment: Utilizing tools from FEMA and organizations like First Street to understand and prepare for local flood risks.

• Emergency Kits: Preparing bags with essential documents, medications, and plans for quick evacuation to higher ground.

Kirby Saunders (05:46): "When flash flood warnings go out, experts say you really need to take them seriously."

6. The Flaws in FEMA Flood Maps

A critical examination reveals that FEMA's flood maps are outdated and often underestimate flood risks, leaving millions vulnerable.

Laura Sullivan (07:34): "FEMA... maps woefully misrepresent the actual risk millions of Americans face."

Data scientist Jeremy Porter from First Street highlights discrepancies between government maps and actual flood zones.

Jeremy Porter (08:05): "When we zoom in, we actually see that they're in our flood zone."

The episode delves into how inadequate mapping fails to incorporate the increasing intensity of rainfall due to climate change, leading to improper construction and lack of necessary flood insurance.

7. Case Study: Camp Mystic and Regulatory Failures

Camp Mystic in Kerr County serves as a stark example of the consequences of flawed flood mapping. Investigations revealed that the camp successfully petitioned to exclude several buildings from FEMA's floodplain maps, negating stricter building requirements and flood insurance mandates.

Laura Sullivan (10:59): "Camp Mystic had successfully petitioned to remove buildings from those FEMA flood maps... which could mean the camp was exempt from stricter building requirements."

Jim Blackburn of Rice University's Severe Storm Center criticizes the complacency towards floodplain regulations.

Jim Blackburn (10:14): "We don't think that the floodplains are that serious."

His call for decision-making based on scientific evidence underscores the urgent need for policy reforms.

8. Overcoming Political and Economic Barriers

The episode reveals how political interests and economic pressures hinder efforts to update flood maps and enforce stricter building codes. Home Developer Associations and other special interest groups lobby against these measures, often citing increased costs and regulatory burdens.

Jim Blackburn (10:22): "We treat floodplains as kind of a good old boy, kind of wink and nod."

This resistance prevents the implementation of necessary safeguards to protect communities from increasingly frequent and severe flood events.

9. Conclusion: The Human and Economic Toll of Inaction

As extreme rainstorms become more common with ongoing climate change, the episode underscores the profound human and economic impacts of inadequate preparation and flawed infrastructure. It calls for immediate and substantial investments in storm management, updated flood mapping, and public education on flood risks to mitigate future disasters.

Juana Summers (02:08): "Climate change is increasing flash flooding risk in the US and our tools to deal with it are struggling to keep up."

Production Credits:
Produced by Monika Evstatieva, Jordan, Marie Smith, and Connor Donovan
Audio Engineering by Maggie Luthar and Ted Mebane
Edited by Barry Hardiman, Neela Banerjee, and Jeanette Woods
Executive Producer: Sammy Yenigun

This episode of Consider This provides a comprehensive exploration of how climate change is intensifying rainstorms across the United States, the challenges in infrastructure and policy, and the critical steps needed to safeguard communities against future flooding disasters.