In the wake of a deadly flood in central Texas in 1987, some demonstrated their resilience against the fury of Mother Nature. This month’s devastating flash floods inundated the area with an astonishing volume of rain in a matter of hours, resulting in over 100 fatalities.

Prior to 2021, the typically temperate regions of the Pacific Northwest and Canada faced a Killer Heat Wave, but they were not exempt. Tropical Hawaii, once distant from drought-induced wildfires, faced its own challenges. That changed. Moreover, many inland communities in North Carolina considered hurricanes a coastal dilemma until the remnants of Helen roared in unexpectedly last year.

According to climate scientists, climate change is driving an increase in both the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Government data supports this evidence. Nonetheless, both people and governments tend to overlook this reality, clinging to outdated notions and failing to prepare for a concerning future, a meteorology expert pointed out to The Associated Press.

“With climate change, what was once considered extreme is now the average, and events that were once rare within decades are becoming new extremes,” stated Michael Oppenheimer, a climate scientist at Princeton University. “We are now experiencing phenomena that were virtually unprecedented.”

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, summer averages show that Extreme Climate Indicators are tracking hurricanes, heavy rainfall, droughts, and temperature fluctuations that are 58% higher than those recorded in the 1980s.

Despite the alarming trends, society is failing to respond adequately, Oppenheimer remarked.

“There’s ample evidence that we’re complacent, yet these risks are approaching us like an oncoming freight train, and we are just standing on the tracks, unaware,” he explained.

Shifting Public Perception

While climate change is a paramount issue, experts warn that our responses and tendency to disregard changes may exacerbate the situation.

Marshall Shepherd, a meteorology professor at the University of Georgia and former president of the American Meteorological Society, stated that people’s decisions are often influenced by their experiences during prior extreme weather incidents, even those that did not directly affect them. This induces unwarranted optimism, as they assume that conditions will remain manageable despite increasingly severe storms.

He referred to the flooding events in Texas as a prime example.

“This area is known as flash flood alley. Flooding is a common occurrence here. … I often hear overly optimistic statements from locals.”

Even those in regions not typically prone to disasters must rethink their perspectives on calamities, advised Kim Klockow McClain, a social scientist focused on extreme weather at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, which specializes in disaster warnings and risk communication.

Her advice is straightforward: If you’re accustomed to minor flooding, you should take note of events like those in Texas and recognize that conditions are changing.

Ignoring Reality Won’t Eliminate It

Following devastating storms and wildfires, individuals who have survived often believe such events won’t recur. This mindset can be a coping mechanism, yet the reality is that extreme weather occurrences are becoming more frequent and widespread, complicating effective preparedness.

According to Susan Cutter, co-director of the Hazards Vulnerability & Resilience Institute at the University of South Carolina:

Lori Peak, director of the University of Colorado’s Natural Disaster Center, indicates that surviving past extreme events can mislead people into thinking they are immune to future disasters. This kind of overconfidence can be hazardous. “Just because I survived fires, floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes does not guarantee that the next incident will mirror the last,” she cautioned.

What is Happening?

As weather patterns grow increasingly extreme, scientists observe that our capacities to adapt are lagging behind.

“Our vulnerability is heightened as our nation’s infrastructure ages, and more individuals are residing in potential danger zones,” Peak noted. “With population growth, more people live in perilous areas, particularly along the coast.”

The Trump administration’s funding cuts have threatened critical agencies responsible for climate research, disaster alerts, and responses—including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Geological Survey Research Institute—further worsening the situation, according to several specialists.

Experts assert that knowledgeable and skilled personnel have already departed from these bodies, and it may take years to regain that expertise and skill set.

“We are dismantling the capabilities that will be increasingly necessary in the future,” Oppenheimer cautioned.

Peak emphasized the need for nations to anticipate and prepare for worst-case scenarios instead of merely reflecting on past events.

“This is our future,” Peak concluded. “We are clearly entering an era marked by escalating fires, floods, and heat waves.”