Historic Deluge: Over 40 Trillion Gallons of Rain Falls in Southeastern US
Over 40 trillion gallons of rain fell on the Southeast United States due to Hurricane Helene and a rainstorm, leading to widespread flooding and over 100 fatalities. Meteorologists noted this is an exceptionally large amount of precipitation, exacerbated by climate change impacts on storm intensity and moisture retention in the atmosphere.
In the previous week, the Southeast United States experienced an unprecedented deluge, with more than 40 trillion gallons of rain falling due to Hurricane Helene and an additional rainstorm. This staggering volume of water is equivalent to filling the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium 51,000 times, or one complete filling of Lake Tahoe. If concentrated over North Carolina, this precipitation would measure approximately 3.5 feet deep, which exceeds one meter. This amount of rain is sufficient to fill over 60 million Olympic-sized swimming pools. Ed Clark, the director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Water Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, remarked on the sheer magnitude of this event, stating, “That is an astronomical amount of precipitation. I have not seen something in my 25 years of working at the weather service that is this geographically large in extent and the sheer volume of water that fell from the sky.” The consequences of this heavy rainfall have been catastrophic, with more than 100 fatalities reported. Meteorologist Ryan Maue, a former NOAA chief scientist, calculated the total rainfall using satellite and ground observations segmented into grid measurements. His estimate indicated that 40 trillion gallons fell across the eastern United States by Sunday, with Hurricane Helene contributing significantly—particularly impacting states such as Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, with an additional 20 trillion gallons falling due to the storm. Given this context, Clark confirmed that the assessment of 40 trillion gallons is reasonably accurate, suggesting it might even be an underestimation. He drew a parallel to the total storage capacity of key reservoirs in the Colorado River basin, highlighting that this figure surpasses twice the cumulative volume stored in both Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The meteorological phenomena resulting in this rainfall involved a series of storm systems, one a low-pressure area that stalled over the Southeast prior to Helene’s arrival, which allowed for the accumulation of warm moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. Further complicating the situation, an auxiliary storm system contributed to the increased rainfall through heavy precipitation, particularly noted in North Carolina where over 20 inches were recorded in some areas. “It was not just a perfect storm, but it was a combination of multiple storms that led to the enormous amount of rain,” said Maue. The interplay between the storms and the mountainous terrain exacerbated the situation, as the mountains facilitated the extraction of even more moisture from the atmosphere. North Carolina officials reported their highest recorded rainfall in Busick at 31.33 inches, with Mount Mitchell receiving over two feet. Experts note that heavier rains have become an observable trend in relation to climate change. Corbosiero and Dello stated that the atmosphere can retain nearly 4% more moisture for every Fahrenheit degree rise in temperature, a consequence of the approximate 2-degree rise since pre-industrial times. “The fingerprints of climate change were clear,” Dello asserted, noting a marked increase in the intensity and warm nature of storms impacting regions such as western North Carolina Compared to historical patterns, these storms now yield more devastating impacts than previously experienced.
The article discusses the extraordinary rainfall experienced in the Southeast United States, particularly attributed to Hurricane Helene and a preceding rainstorm. Meteorologists explain the measurement and implications of the vast amounts of rain, emphasizing its effects on both the environment and human life. The role of climate change and atmospheric dynamics in influencing recent storm behavior and rainfall patterns is also a crucial aspect of the narrative.
In summary, the recent deluge of rainfall in the Southeast United States—exceeding 40 trillion gallons—can be attributed to a combination of Hurricane Helene and a preceding rainstorm, along with the impacts of climate change which has intensified storm systems. The catastrophic consequences of such unprecedented rainfall raise significant concerns regarding future weather events and their associated risks.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
