On September 16, record rainfall hit the coast of North Carolina, USA.
In Carolina Beach, a well-known resort town, a state of emergency was declared after 18 inches of rain fell in just 12 hours. According to the Wilmington National Weather Service, such an event happens once in 1,000 years.
Other areas in the region recorded over a foot of rainfall. Roads were submerged, with floodwaters reaching up to one meter in depth. The water trapped vehicles, flooded homes, and led to numerous rescue operations.
In the town of Sunny Point, more than 9 inches of rain fell in just three hours, exceeding the monthly average. The downpours were accompanied by very strong winds. Coastal communities near Wilmington reported gusts of 60-80 miles per hour.
Flooding also affected Brunswick County, where up to 5 inches of rain fell per hour in some areas. Flash flooding submerged dozens of roads, including the main coastal highway US 17. Some roads collapsed, and all offices, libraries, and parks were closed.
Notably, this historic rainfall was brought by a weather system that, by climatologists’ standards, was too weak to be classified as a storm.
The recent rainfall from hurricanes and storms is shocking, and forecasts suggest the situation will worsen rapidly. We urgently need effective ways to combat the forces of nature. As it turns out, there are already technologies that can help humanity tackle this challenge, as explained in the popular documentary "Water From Air: The Path to Saving Humanity."
These technologies could significantly mitigate the impact of natural disasters and save lives.