Eyewitness News Special: Preparing for Extreme Weather Events

July's Extreme Weather Recap

• ⚡ July was characterized by deadly flooding, lightning strikes, and supercharged storms that brought near-record rainfall.
• ⚠️ Flash flood warnings were issued more frequently in 2025 than in any previous year on record, indicating an increase in such events.
• 🏠 In areas like Plainfield, New Jersey, storms caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure, with some residents swept away by floodwaters.

Understanding Supercharged Storms and Moisture

• 🌡️ A persistent heat dome over the Tennessee Valley contributed to slow-moving, moisture-laden thunderstorms.
• 🌊 High dew points, reaching into the 70s and 80s, indicate a tropical air mass, leading to torrential downpours.
• 🏙️ Developed urban areas, unlike Florida, have less permeable ground, causing more runoff and floodwaters when heavy rain occurs.

Lightning Dangers and Safety

• ⚡ Lightning can strike up to 25 miles away from a storm, even in clear or sunny conditions (a "bolt from the blue").
• ⚠️ Positive lightning strikes are stronger, last longer, and travel farther than negative strikes.
• 🏠 The key safety advice is: "If thunder roars, go indoors."

Urban Preparedness and Flood Mitigation

• 🌊 Projects like the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project in Lower Manhattan use berms, raised parkland, and floodgates to protect against rising waters.
• 🚧 Similar flood barriers and concealed walls are being integrated into public spaces like Wagner Park on the west side.
• 🚗 Highways like the Bronx River Parkway and Sawmill River Parkway are prone to flooding due to their proximity to water, requiring quick responses.

Flood Insurance and Homeowner Risks

• 📈 Homeowner insurance rates have seen significant increases (15-23%) in the tri-state area from 2018-2023.
• ⚠️ Some homeowners are being dropped by their insurance companies (non-renewals) due to filing multiple claims, even if not at fault.
• 🏠 While flood insurance can be costly (around $1,000/year), it may be a necessary investment given the increasing risk of floods.

Vehicle Safety in Floodwaters

• 🚗 Six inches of standing water can disable a vehicle, while six inches of swift water can knock down an adult.
• 🪞 In a submerged vehicle, remain calm, unbuckle your seatbelt, and try to roll down or break the window to exit.
• 🛠️ A seat belt cutter with a window punch is a recommended safety tool for drivers; alternatively, the metal posts of headrests can be used to break windows.
• 🚶 When walking in floodwaters, shuffle your feet sideways to maintain balance and avoid being swept away.