Climate Impact Report – 2/6

Key Facts Of The Day 2/6

Storms And Flooding

• A wide-reaching storm is forcing water rescues, knocking out power, and creating dangerous travel conditions as it hits the Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic, and Northeast.
• Eastern Kentucky and West Virginia had their first flash flood emergencies of the year. 
  • Parts of West Virginia’s Kanawha and Cabell counties had numerous water rescues. 
• At least one confirmed tornado spawned from storms near Booneville in eastern Kentucky’s Owsley County.
• As of Thursday morning, more than 85,000 homes and businesses were without power in Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland due to the severe storms.
• Dangerous amounts of ice will build up in parts of Pennsylvania, western Maryland, and West Virginia.

Wildfires

• A new study found that long-term exposure to wildfire smoke was associated with significantly higher odds that a person would be diagnosed with dementia.
• In Central and Southern Oregon, homeowners are facing higher insurance premiums as wildfire risk grows

Extreme Heat

• January 2025 was the planet’s hottest January on record.
• The California Department of Housing and Community Development recommended new rules to protect California renters from extreme heat.
• Increasing temperatures and heat waves exacerbate diabetes worldwide.