U.S. President Joe Biden has declared a major disaster in the state of Tennessee following devastating floods that struck the region over the past weekend, resulting in at least 21 fatalities, according to a statement from the White House on Tuesday. The state was hit by what meteorologists described as unprecedented storms and flooding on Saturday, with rainfall reaching 38 centimeters. Rural roads, highways connecting states, bridges, and hundreds of homes were submerged, and thousands of customers lost power.
The president's declaration allows for the release of federal funds for those affected in Humphreys County, where Saturday's rainfall exceeded the previous 24-hour record for precipitation in Tennessee, according to the National Weather Service. The assistance for citizens includes "grants for temporary housing and home repairs," as well as "low-interest loans to cover uninsured property," as stated by the White House.
While floods are natural phenomena, climate change is altering rainfall patterns in various regions. Scientists claim that climate change exacerbates the likelihood of heavy rainfall globally, as warmer air holds more moisture. According to a global study published on Tuesday, climate change has increased the likelihood of floods that devastated parts of Germany and Belgium last month and resulted in casualties by nine times.
