Climate Impact Report – 3/18

March 18, 2024

Key Facts Of The Day 3/18

Ohio’s governor, Mike DeWine, declared a state of emergency in 11 counties after being struck by severe weather last week.
- DeWine also activated the Ohio National Guard to help officials in Logan County with the cleanup of storm debris on public property.
- The storms claimed three lives in the Indian Lake area of Logan County, one of the hardest-hit regions.
- The storms also left trails of destruction across parts of Kentucky, Indiana, and Arkansas.
- About 40 people were injured, and dozens of homes were damaged in one Indiana community.
- The National Weather Service confirmed nine tornados in Ohio.
Extreme weather events fueled by climate change are making it hard to insure homes in certain parts of the U.S.
- The astronomical rise in flood insurance, coupled with an affordable housing crisis, is pushing many historic Latino communities out of the area.

As of last Friday, 9 large active wildfires have burned 147,115 acres across KY, OK, TX, and WY. This year to date, 4,093 wildfires have burned 1,409,885 acres across the country.
In Oklahoma, 6 fires have burned 2,720 acres as of last Friday.
In Texas, 1 fire has burned 144,045 acres as of last Friday.

In Multnomah County, Oregon, family members and volunteers planted 72 trees to honor those who died during the 2021 heat dome.
More than one-fifth of the continental U.S. is currently experiencing moderate to exceptional drought.
Global sea surface temperatures have been at record highs for at least 365 days.