Climate Impact Report – 1/24

Key Facts Of The Day 1/24

Storms And Flooding

• This week, a snowstorm of historic proportions hit the Gulf Coast, breaking records that have stood for more than a century.
  • At least 11 people died across the central and eastern U.S. due to the storm. 
  • Many weather stations on the central Gulf Coast, including New Orleans, Mobile, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida, preliminarily set all-time snow records, and all-time state snowfall records were challenged in Louisiana and Florida.
  • A state of emergency was declared in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi with schools across the region closed and businesses shut down due to the snowstorm.

Wildfires

• In California, 9 fires have burned 49,605 acres as of Friday. 
  • As of Friday, the Palisades Fire has burned 23,448 acres and is 75% contained. 
  • As of Friday, the Eaton Fire has burned 14,021 acres and is 95% contained.
  • As of Friday, the Hughes Fire has burned 10,396 acres and is 36% contained.
  • As of Friday, the Boulder 2 Fire burned 1,000 acres and is 0% contained. 
  • As of Friday, the Laguna Fire burned 94 acres and is 70% contained. 
  • As of Friday, the Sepulveda Fire has burned 45 acres and is 60% contained.
  • As of Friday, the Clay Fire has burned 39 acres and is 85% contained.
  • As of Friday, the Gibbel Fire has burned 20 acres and is 0% contained.
  • As of Friday, the Gilman Fire has burned 2 acres and is 0% contained.
  • 16,188 structures were destroyed due to the California wildfires. 
  • At least 28 people have died due to the California wildfires. 
  • On Thursday, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a $2.5 billion relief package to help the Los Angeles area recover from recent deadly wildfires.
  • The governor also announced a commitment by 270 state-chartered banks, credit unions and lenders to provide mortgage relief to homeowners impacted by fires in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
  • Southern California is under a red flag warning for critical fire risk through Friday. 

Extreme Heat

• Phoenix considered expanding trail closures during extreme heat.
• The United Nations Children’s Fund found that at least 242 million children in 85 countries had their schooling interrupted last year due to heatwaves, cyclones, flooding, and other extreme weather.