Flooding Damages Exceeds $12 Billion, Flooding to Continue
AccuWeather estimates Midwest flooding damages have mounted to $12.5 billion in economic losses. This is based on damages already inflicted and those expected by additional damages and lingering health effects from incoming flooding.
“These losses occurred in farm states that contribute significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product,” said Joel N. Myers, AccuWeather founder and CEO in a recent press release. “With the ground already saturated and more flooding rain expected, our independent forecast shows that the aggregate economic toll of these floods will be far greater than official estimates initially suggests.”
If the $12.5 billion estimate comes true it compares to damage caused by Hurricanes Matthew in 2016, and Irene in 2011. The estimate includes damages to homes, possessions, cars, businesses and farm losses, drinking water contamination, infrastructure damage, auxiliary business losses and long-term impacts from flooding that could exacerbate health issues, according to AccuWeather.
Above average rainfall is expected into June. In addition, the Climate Prediction Center predicts above average temperatures.
“Predictions for the spring are more heavily weighted on prior weather than El Nino this year,” said Han Schmitz, Purdue Extension’s Posey County director in a recent news release. It’s a weak El Nino. Temperatures in the Pacific Ocean are just about the 0.5-degree Celsius cutoff and the greatest effects of El Nino will be on the West Coast and Southeast.
In addition, Schmitz said the active weather pattern seen since January, with weekly low-pressure systems and frontal boundaries traveling across the U.S. and recent past conditions suggest slightly higher temperatures with wet conditions through June.
