Southern U.S. To Be Hammered By Scorching heat, Drought and Wildfires, Study Says

In 2024, Phoenix was hit by 100 days of scorching temperatures during which it was over 100 degrees. West Florida was hit by two hurricanes that caused billions of dollars in damages.
This is may only be the start. According to Inside Climate News, the weather in the southern United States will become almost unlivable, particularly in Arizona, Texas, Louisiana and Florida.
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The report focused on wildfires, with Inside Climate News report saying that “Counties across the southern half of the U.S., especially those with large and socially vulnerable populations, will be much more exposed to wildfire, drought and extreme heat than other parts of the country as the region’s climate warms in the coming decades, according to new research from the U.S. Forest Service and Resources for the Future.” The analysis covers the 2020 to 2027 period.
The disaster vulnerability measure shows that some of the most dangerous weather will occur in areas with large populations, with the dangers being mostly in 10% of America’s counties. The study looks at two cases measured against a 2020 baseline. One is in areas that expect modest economic growth by 2070; the other is based on districts with high economic growth.
Drought dangers
Both cases show high risk in the modest growth model in northern California, Southern Arizona, South Texas, mid-Florida and the western areas of the Carolinas. In the high-growth model, the danger spreads further north in most areas adjacent to those on the first list. The wildfire risk is married to drought.
The reports do not show the direct effects on economies in the areas. At some point, they will be hit by migration to other parts of the country. That means the “high” economic model is less likely.
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