July 17th 2023.
The floodwaters that swept through Bucks County, Pennsylvania on Saturday have had devastating consequences. The body of a mother was recovered, but her nine-month-old baby and two-year-old girl are still missing and feared dead.
Upper Makefield fire chief Tim Brewer said that the mother and her two youngest children were swept away by the floodwaters, alongside their grandmother. Miraculously, the father and four-year-old son were able to escape to safety. Despite the grim outlook, Chief Brewer has vowed to continue the rescue mission.
The torrential rain, which fell at a rate of seven inches in 45 minutes, has caused havoc throughout the state and beyond. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has urged residents to avoid travelling until the rain passes, as cars can quickly become a place of death in the event of a flash flood.
The northeast has not been the only region affected by extreme weather. In the western US, temperatures of up to 53°C were recorded in Furnace Creek in Death Valley, California, while Phoenix, Arizona experienced its 17th consecutive day over 43°C.
Scientists have long warned that fossil fuel-driven climate change is resulting in more extreme weather, and have urged the world to drastically reduce carbon emissions to prevent its catastrophic effects.
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