Just two days before Christmas, an atmospheric river made landfall in California, causing significant flooding that closed roads, knocked out power, and induced mudslides. It brought high winds that peaked at 110mph, and weather officials confirmed a tornado hit Los Angeles on Christmas Day because of the atmospheric river. Sadly, there were four fatalities.
Some communities in California recorded 18 inches of rain over just three days. Mountain areas reported up to 58” of snow in that time, closing numerous ski lifts and an entire ski resort. Unfortunately, the precipitation isn’t over. Weather forecasters say a series of atmospheric rivers will continue into the new year. There won’t be nearly as much rain as seen last week, but areas that already flooded and those at risk of flooding and mudslides may suffer more damage between now and early January.
California depends on atmospheric rivers for fresh water, much of which is stored to last through their dry season. However, the changing climate is expected to greatly impact weather events in the coming years and decades, making water reserve management even more difficult for the state. Scientists have been working on determining what this means for residents and have come to some alarming predictions. Considering how few homeowners have flood insurance in California, there’s cause for concern about how well families and communities will recover from the effects of atmospheric rivers.
What is an Atmospheric River and How Does Climate Change Affect Them?
Atmospheric rivers are often referred to as “rivers in the sky” because they carry so much moisture. Formed over oceans, once they make landfall, the water vapor they transport is released as rain or snow. The size and strength of atmospheric rivers greatly varies; some are weak, easy to plan for, and produce beneficial precipitation, but others can be highly destructive.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), atmospheric rivers that carry large amounts of water vapor and strong winds can cause “catastrophic damage to life and property”. They overwhelm watersheds, resulting in mass flooding that triggers mudslides, and strong winds topple trees and knock out powerlines. Last week, much of California was without power due to intense winds from the atmospheric river.
Now, as the world begins to experience the effects of climate change, predicting how weather systems will be affected is important. So far, scientists largely agree that warmer oceans and higher temperatures will cause atmospheric rivers in California to release more water vapor in the form of rain, rather than snow. Projections show that snow precipitation will take a nosedive, and at the same time, rain accumulation will skyrocket, and this will affect the water supply.
Water reserves in California are already difficult to manage because of the unpredictability of atmospheric rivers. Reserve managers have to ensure enough rainfall is collected for use, while at the same time try to predict how much space to leave for when heavy rainfall occurs. This balancing act is what helps to prevent reservoirs from being flooded and builds up reserves for the dry season, but a warming planet makes planning that much harder.
Another factor that increases flood risks from California’s atmospheric rivers is wildfires. According to FEMA, flood risk remains significantly higher after a wildfire because the charred and barren ground doesn’t absorb rainfall. This leads to runoff and floods, even after small amounts of rain. As wildfires increase in frequency, the domino effect it has on other weather systems will lead to greater destruction.
There are many other ways that climate change can affect the impact of atmospheric rivers in California, and there are clear dangers ahead. More homes will be damaged or destroyed from floods and mudslides, and the volatility of the state’s water supply will only become more challenging. While we can’t stop weather systems, there are steps that homeowners in California should take to protect their property, family, and livelihood.
Few California Homeowners Protected by Flood Insurance
Floods lead to dangerous conditions, often require evacuations in high-risk areas, and they can cause extensive damage. And yet, only about 7% of homeowners who live in flood zones in California have flood insurance. This coverage must be added separately because it’s not included in standard homeowner’s insurance policies.
Unfortunately, insurance premiums have been on the rise across the US for years, a trend that’s expected to continue as natural disasters worsen and increase in frequency. With countless families facing serious financial hardships, it’s understandable that additional flood insurance is unaffordable for many. But if disaster strikes, being without flood coverage can leave families without a home; it’s costly to repair or rebuild without insurance, not to mention the loss of possessions, clothing, and other items of value.
Beyond flooding, mudslides are common when heavy rainfall occurs during storms like atmospheric rivers, and they can cause serious damage to homes. In fact, the recent atmospheric river caused a massive mudslide that buried homes in Southern California. But this type of damage isn’t covered in a standard homeowner’s insurance policy either – it’s only available through flood insurance, or in some cases, a special Difference in Conditions policy.
With the widespread risks associated with atmospheric rivers in California, the sooner you purchase flood insurance and make sure mudslides are covered, the better. The effects of climate change are only going to make protecting your home and family through proper coverage more important. Without it, California homeowners are at risk of financial devastation and no way to recover what was lost if their home is ravaged by a flood.
You can purchase flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program or through private insurers. And if you have this coverage but your insurer is delaying payment or denied your claim, reach out to a California natural disaster attorney for help. Insurance companies often take advantage of flood victims, but a lawyer can ensure this doesn’t happen.
